Document Document Title
US09112216B2 Apparatus and method for managing battery pack
The present invention discloses an apparatus and method for managing a battery pack, which can rapidly and accurately diagnose the coupling state of a bus bar to battery modules in the battery pack. In accordance with the present invention, provided is an apparatus for managing a battery pack having a plurality of battery modules and a bus bar coupled between the battery modules to electrically connect the battery modules, the apparatus comprising a coupling detection unit for detecting the coupling state of the bus bar to the battery modules; and a controlling unit for determining whether the coupling state of the bus bar has a defect on the basis of the coupling state detected by the coupling detection unit.
US09112215B1 Nitric acid regeneration fuel cell systems
Methods and systems for regenerating a fuel cell are disclosed, comprising sparging a catholyte liquid with a gaseous oxygen-containing flow stream. In addition, the gaseous byproducts in the catholyte can be collected and then converted to liquid forms for easy disposal. In some embodiments, the regeneration process comprises intermittently regenerating an oxidant flow stream, for example, based on detected conditions. In some embodiments, the regeneration process comprises switching between different modes of oxidant regeneration, for example, based on detected conditions.
US09112214B2 Battery separator and method of making same
A battery separator comprises a multi-layered film, individual layers of film having been bonded together by heat and pressure, having a peel strength of greater than or equal to 40 grams per inch (1.6 g/mm) and a thickness of ≦25 microns. A method for making a battery separator comprises the steps of: extruding and winding up a first precursor film, extruding and winding up a second precursor film, unwinding the first and second precursor films, stacking up the first and second precursor films to form a single stacked precursor, laminating the single stacked precursor film, winding up the laminated single stacked precursor film, stacking up a plurality of laminated single stacked precursor films, and making microporous the stacked plurality of laminated single stacked precursor films.
US09112212B1 Forming multilayered solid electrolyte interphase structures on high capacity electrodes
Provided are novel methods of fabricating electrochemical cells containing high capacity active materials that form multilayered solid electrolyte interphase (SEI) structures on the active material surface during cell fabrication. Combining multiple different SEI layers on one surface can substantially improve cell performance by providing each layer with different properties. For example, an outer layer having a high electronic resistance may be combined with an inner layer having a high ionic permeability. To form such multilayered SEI structures, formation may involve changing electrolyte composition, functionalizing surfaces, and/or varying formation conditions. For example, formation may start with a boron containing electrolyte. This initial electrolyte is then replaced with an electrolyte that does not contain boron and instead may contain fluorine additives. In certain embodiments, cell's temperature is changed during formation to initiate different chemical reactions during SEI formation. Variations in multilayered SEI structures may be also achieved by varying current rates.
US09112202B2 Battery module
A battery module includes a first unit cell arranged parallel to a second unit cell and a spacer arranged between the first and second unit cell. Each of the first and second unit cells includes a first electrode terminal and a second electrode terminal having a polarity opposite to that of the first electrode terminal. The spacer includes a main body and a first wall portion extending upward from the main body, and the first wall portion is disposed at and between the first electrode terminal of the first unit cell and the second electrode terminal of the second unit cell. The first electrode terminal of the first unit cell is juxtaposed to the second electrode terminal of the second unit cell.
US09112201B2 Hydrogen production apparatus, fuel cell system and operation method thereof
There are provided a hydrogen production apparatus, a fuel cell system and operation method thereof, which can more reliably suppress degradation due to oxidation of a catalyst in a hydrogen production apparatus even when start-ups and shutdowns are repeated without a purge operation during the shutdowns. The hydrogen production apparatus includes a reforming part, a shift reaction part, and a selective oxidation reaction part having a selective oxidation catalyst bed packed with a selective oxidation catalyst, wherein the hydrogen production apparatus has an oxygen absorbent bed packed with an oxygen absorbent capable of absorbing oxygen and capable of being regenerated by a reducing gas, and the oxygen absorbent bed and the selective oxidation catalyst bed are stacked with the oxygen absorbent bed on the downstream side, and the hydrogen production apparatus has means for opening the downstream of the oxygen absorbent bed to the atmosphere. The fuel cell system has this hydrogen production apparatus. The operation method of this fuel cell system includes opening the downstream of the oxygen absorbent bed to the atmosphere upon shutdown of the fuel cell system, and regenerating the oxygen absorbent using a hydrogen-containing gas during hydrogen production by the hydrogen production apparatus.
US09112197B1 Fuel cell motor system
A Fuel Cell Motor, or, Fuel Cell Engine, and system are described. A central output shaft is mounted with a novel set of rotationally capable fuel cells, of various shapes and configurations. These fuel cells when supplied by hydrogen and oxygen fuels generate electricity. That electricity so generated is channeled to electromagnet winding poles that are mounted on top of these rotationally capable fuel cells and also to the nearby stator electromagnetic poles. The current in the armature electromagnet poles produces magnetic fields which interacts with the congruent magnetic fields produced by the stator electromagnetic winding poles, to cause a rotational motion on the armature poles, adjoined to the central output shaft; henceforth, accomplishing the operations of an electric motor.
US09112182B2 Light-emitting element and illuminating apparatus
A light-emitting device comprising: an organic electroluminescence element that has a light-emitting surface and emits light from the light-emitting surface; and a structure layer that is provided directly or indirectly on the light-emitting surface of the organic electroluminescence element, wherein the structure layer has a concavo-convex structure on a surface of the structure layer, the surface being opposite to the organic electroluminescence element, the concavo-convex structure including a first streak array extending in a first direction that is parallel to the surface, a second streak array extending in a second direction that is parallel to the surface and intersects the first direction, and a third streak array extending in a third direction that is parallel to the surface and intersects the first direction and the second direction, the concavo-convex structure includes flat surface portions parallel to the light-emitting surface and an inclined surface portion that is inclined with respect to the light-emitting surface, and a projected area formed by projecting the inclined surface portion upon a plane parallel to the flat surface portions in a direction perpendicular to the flat surface portions is 0.1 times or less times a total area of the flat surface portions.
US09112170B2 Light-emitting element, light-emitting device, and electronic device
It is an object to provide an element structure which is suitable for a light-emitting element using a phosphorescent compound. It is another object to provide a light-emitting element with high luminous efficiency by using the element structure. In particular, it is another object to provide a light-emitting element with high luminous efficiency and long life. A light-emitting element is manufactured, which includes a first light-emitting layer and a second light-emitting layer provided to be in contact with each other between a first electrode and a second electrode, where the first light-emitting layer includes a hole transporting host material and a phosphorescent compound, and the second light-emitting layer includes an electron transporting host material and the phosphorescent compound.
US09112159B2 Bipolar hosts for light emitting devices
Some embodiments provide a compound represented by Formula 1: wherein R1, R2, R3, R4, R5, R6, R7 and R8 are independently H, C1-C3 alkyl, or C1-3 perfluoroalkyl; HT is optionally substituted carbazoyl, optionally substituted phenylcarbazolyl, optionally substituted (phenylcarbazolyl)phenyl, optionally substituted phenylnaphthylamine, or optionally substituted diphenylamine; and ET optionally substituted benzimidazol-2-yl, optionally substituted benzothiazol-2-yl, optionally substituted benzoxazol-2-yl, optionally substituted 3,3′-bipyridin-5-yl, optionally substituted quinolin-8-yl, optionally substituted quinolin-5-yl, or optionally substituted quinoxalin-5-yl. Other embodiments provide an organic light-emitting diode device comprising a compound of Formula 1.
US09112157B2 Hole transport materials including OLED applications
The composition described here comprises at least one hole-transporting compound, wherein the hole-transporting compound comprises a core covalently bonded to at least two arylamine groups, wherein the arylamine group optionally comprises one or more intractability groups. The composition can provide good film formation and stability when coated onto hole injection layers. Solution processing of hole transporting layers of OLEDs can be achieved with the composition described here. Good mobility can be achieved.
US09112154B2 Metaphenylene polymer compound and light emitting device using the same
A polymer compound comprising a constitutional unit represented by the following formula (2) and a constitutional unit represented by the following formula (1), wherein R1 represents an alkyl group or the like, and R2 and R3 each independently represent a hydrogen atom or the like, —Ar1—  (2) wherein Ar1 represents an arylene group or the like. A hydrogen atom in the group represented by Ar1 may be substituted by an alkyl group, aryl group or the like.
US09112149B2 Memory element and method of manufacturing the same, and memory device
A memory element with reduced degradation of memory characteristics that is caused by deterioration of a memory layer, a method of manufacturing the memory element, and a memory device are provided. The memory element includes a first electrode, a memory layer, and a second electrode in this order. The memory layer includes a resistance change layer containing fluoride, and an ion source layer disposed between the resistance change layer and the second electrode.
US09112145B1 Rectified switching of two-terminal memory via real time filament formation
Providing for rectified-switching of a two-terminal solid state memory cell is described herein. By way of example, the subject disclosure provides a solid state device exhibiting rectified resistive switching characteristics that can be fabricated with semiconductor fabrication techniques. The solid state device can comprise a metal ion layer adjacent to an electrically resistive diffusion layer, which is at least in part permeable to conductive ions of the metal ion layer. A pair of electrodes can be placed, respectively, on opposite sides of the adjacent ion layer and electrically resistive diffusion layer to facilitate operating on the two-terminal solid state memory cell. In operation, a program voltage induces conductive ions to form a semi-stable conductive filament within the diffusion layer, which partially deforms in response to reduction in the program voltage. A suitable rectifier voltage re-establishes electrical conductivity, with much lower electrical conductivity for voltages lower than the rectifier voltage.
US09112144B2 Method of fabricating a resistive non-volatile memory device
A method of fabricating a memory cell includes forming a bottom electrode on a substrate, a variable resistive material layer on the bottom electrode, and a top electrode on the variable resistive material layer. A first metal oxide layer interposes the top electrode and the variable resistive material layer. In an embodiment, the first metal oxide layer is a self-formed layer provided by the oxidation of a portion of the top electrode. In an embodiment, a second metal oxide layer is provided interposing the first metal oxide layer and the variable resistive material layer. The second metal oxide may be a self-formed layer formed by the reduction of the variable resistive material layer.
US09112135B2 Piezoelectric element and method for manufacturing piezoelectric element
A piezoelectric element is provided with an element body, which has a pair of principal faces opposed to each other and an end face extending in a direction in which the pair of principal faces are opposed to each other, so as to connect the pair of principal faces, and which is comprised of a piezoelectric ceramic material; a pair of electrodes arranged respectively on the pair of principal faces; and a resin covering an entire area of the end face and arranged so as to make contact with the pair of electrodes. The resin has two edges in the aforementioned direction projecting outward in the aforementioned direction from the respective electrodes.
US09112134B2 Resonator, frequency filter, duplexer, electronic device, and method of manufacturing resonator
A resonator according to the present invention includes a supporting substrate, a piezoelectric layer, a pair of excitation electrodes, and a bonding layer. The piezoelectric layer is made of a piezoelectric material. The pair of excitation electrodes is formed on the upper surface of the piezoelectric layer so as to excite bulk acoustic waves. The bonding layer has a cavity formed therein so as to face the excitation electrode pair through the piezoelectric layer, and the bonding layer bonds the supporting substrate to the lower surface of the piezoelectric layer.
US09112131B2 Spin MOSFET and reconfigurable logic circuit
A spin MOSFET includes a first ferromagnetic layer having a fixed magnetization direction, a first tunnel barrier, a second ferromagnetic layer having a variable magnetization direction, and a nonmagnetic semiconductor layer provided in that order on a substrate. The nonmagnetic semiconductor layer has lower and upper faces and a side faces serving as a channel. A third ferromagnetic layer having a fixed magnetization direction is provided on the upper face of the nonmagnetic semiconductor layer, wherein the magnetization direction of each of the first to third ferromagnetic layers is in parallel or antiparallel to a direction from the third ferromagnetic layer to the first ferromagnetic layer. A nonmagnetic layer is provided on the third ferromagnetic layer, and a gate insulating film and gate electrode are provided in that order on the side face of the nonmagnetic semiconductor layer.
US09112124B2 Light emitting device
With a light emitting device of a package formed by two types of molded resins, entry of water from between the molded resins may cause the light emitting device to be incapable of turning on. A light emitting device of the present invention includes: a package that has an opening at an upper surface thereof; a first molded resin that forms a part of the upper surface of the package; a second molded resin that forms an inner wall surface of the opening of the package; a lead frame that is buried in the package so as to be partially exposed at a bottom surface of the opening of the package, the lead frame having an end portion externally projected outside from a side surface of the package; and a light emitting element that is connected to an upper surface of the lead frame being exposed at the bottom surface of the opening. The second molded resin is higher than the first molded resin in light reflectance to light emitted from the light emitting element. The upper surface of the lead frame buried in the package is disposed so as to be spaced apart from the interface between the first molded resin and the second molded resin.
US09112122B2 Light-emitting device and method for manufacturing same
A light-emitting device (100) is provided with a metal part (2) atop a planar LED substrate (1), and an LED element (3) is disposed atop the metal part (2). A glass substrate (5) is provided to an upper surface of the LED element (3), and a wavelength conversion part (6) is formed on an upper surface of the glass substrate (5). The wavelength conversion part (6) comprises a light-transmissive ceramic layer formed by heating a mixture containing a phosphor, an organometallic compound, a layered silicate mineral, an inorganic particulate, an organic solvent, and water.
US09112121B2 Light emitting device having wavelength converting layer
Disclosed is a light emitting device having a wavelength converting layer. The light emitting device comprises a plurality of semiconductor stacked structures; connectors for electrically connecting the plurality of semiconductor stacked structures to one another; a single wavelength converting layer for covering the plurality of semiconductor stacked structures; an electrode electrically connected to at least one of the semiconductor stacked structures; and at least one additional electrode positioned on the electrode, passing through the wavelength converting layer to be exposed to the outside, and forming a current input terminal to the light emitting device or a current output terminal from the light emitting device. Since the single wavelength converting layer covers the plurality of semiconductor stacked structures, the plurality of semiconductor stacked structures can be integrally mounted on a chip mounting member such as a package or a module.
US09112120B2 White light source and white light source system including the same
The present invention provides a white light source satisfying a relational equation of −0.2≦[(P(λ)×V(λ))/(P(λmax1)×V(λmax1))−(B(λ)×V(λ))/(B(λmax2)×V(λmax2))]≦+0.2, assuming that: a light emission spectrum of the white light source is P(λ); a light emission spectrum of black-body radiation having a same color temperature as that of the white light source is B(λ); a spectrum of a spectral luminous efficiency is V(λ); a wavelength at which P(λ)×V(λ) becomes largest is λmax1; and a wavelength at which B(λ)×V(λ) becomes largest is λmax2. According to the above white light source, there can be provided a white light source capable of reproducing the same light emission spectrum as that of natural light.
US09112112B2 Subminiature led element and manufacturing method thereof
Disclosed is a subminiature LED element and a manufacturing method thereof. The subminiature LED element includes a first conductive semiconductor layer, an active layer formed on the first conductive semiconductor layer, and a semiconductor light emission element of a micrometer or nanometer size including a second conductive semiconductor layer formed on the active layer, wherein the outer circumference of the semiconductor light emission element is coated with an insulation film. The manufacturing method includes 1) forming a first conductive semiconductor layer, an active layer and a second conductive semiconductor layer in order on a substrate, 2) etching the first conductive semiconductor layer, the active layer and the second conductive semiconductor layer so that the LED element has a diameter of a nanometer or micrometer level, and 3) forming an insulation film on the outer circumference of the first conductive semiconductor layer, the active layer and the second conductive semiconductor layer and removing the substrate. Therefore, a subminiature LED element of a nanometer or micrometer size may be effectively produced by combining a top-down manner and a bottom-up manner, and light emission efficiency may be improved by preventing a surface defect of the produced subminiature LED element.
US09112108B2 Energy source and method for supplying an autonomous electrical load system and the use of same
An energy source for supplying an autonomous electrical load system with electrical energy includes a thermogenerator device configured to generate a thermoelectric voltage to be fed to the electrical load system. The thermogenerator device is under the influence of a temperature difference between a warmer first thermal coupling device and a colder second thermal coupling device. The energy source further includes a microfluidic cooling device having a heat-absorption region, a heat-emission region, and a closed microfluidic circulation system configured to circulate a fluid between the heat-absorption region and the heat-emission region. The heat-absorption region has a thermally conductive connection to the second thermal coupling device. The heat-emission region is configured to be coupled to an external heat sink using a thermally conductive connection such that the circulating fluid carries thermal energy away from the second thermal coupling device and transports the thermal energy to the external heat sink.
US09112104B2 Epitaxial devices
Epitaxial growth methods and devices are described that include a textured surface on a substrate. Geometry of the textured surface provides a reduced lattice mismatch between an epitaxial material and the substrate. Devices formed by the methods described exhibit better interfacial adhesion and lower defect density than devices formed without texture. Silicon substrates are shown with gallium nitride epitaxial growth and devices such as LEDs are formed within the gallium nitride.
US09112086B2 Photoelectric conversion device
To provide a photoelectric conversion device which has little light loss caused by light absorption in a window layer and has favorable electric characteristics. The photoelectric conversion device includes, between a pair of electrodes, a light-transmitting semiconductor layer which has one conductivity type and serves as a window layer, and a silicon semiconductor substrate having a conductivity type for forming a p-n junction or a silicon semiconductor layer having a conductivity type for forming a p-i-n junction. The light-transmitting semiconductor layer can be formed using an inorganic compound containing, as its main component, an oxide of a metal belonging to any of Groups 4 to 8 of the periodic table. The band gap of the metal oxide is greater than or equal to 2 eV.
US09112083B2 Group III nitride based light emitting diode structures with a quantum well and superlattice, group III nitride based quantum well structures and group III nitride based superlattice structures
A semiconductor device is provided that includes a Group III nitride based superlattice and a Group III nitride based active region comprising at least one quantum well structure on the superlattice. The quantum well structure includes a well support layer comprising a Group III nitride, a quantum well layer comprising a Group III nitride on the well support layer and a cap layer comprising a Group III nitride on the quantum well layer. A Group III nitride based semiconductor device is also provided that includes a gallium nitride based superlattice having at least two periods of alternating layers of InXGa1-XN and InYGa1-YN, where 0≦X<1 and 0≦Y<1 and X is not equal to Y. The semiconductor device may be a light emitting diode with a Group III nitride based active region. The active region may be a multiple quantum well active region.
US09112067B2 Semiconductor device and manufacturing method thereof
An object relates to an electrode of a semiconductor device or a method for manufacturing a semiconductor device, which includes a bonding step, and problems are: (1) high resistance of a semiconductor device due to the use of an Al electrode, (2) formation of an alloy by Al and Si, (3) high resistance of a film formed by a sputtering method, and (4) defective bonding in a bonding step which is caused if a bonding surface has a large unevenness. A semiconductor device includes a metal substrate or a substrate provided with a metal film, a copper (Cu) plating film over and bonded to the metal substrate or the metal film by employing a thermocompression bonding method, a barrier film over the Cu plating film, a single crystal silicon film over the barrier film, and an electrode layer over the single crystal silicon film.
US09112062B2 Semiconductor device and method of manufacturing the same
A semiconductor device includes a first semiconductor package including a first mold part, a second semiconductor package including a second mold part, a connecting pattern configured to electrically connect the first and second semiconductor packages to each other, and a molding pattern between the first and second semiconductor packages. The molding pattern extends to cover at least a portion of a sidewall of only the second semiconductor package.
US09112061B2 Semiconductor device and method of forming the same
A semiconductor device includes an insulating substrate, a semiconductor chip, an insulating layer, and a sealing layer. The insulating substrate has an opening. A semiconductor chip is disposed in the opening. An insulating layer is disposed on a first surface of the insulating substrate. The insulating layer covers the opening. The sealing layer is disposed on a second surface of the insulating substrate. The sealing layer seals the semiconductor chip and the opening.
US09112059B2 Bonding wire for semiconductor device
It is an object of the present invention to provide a copper-based bonding wire whose material cost is low, having excellent ball bondability, reliability in a heat cycle test or reflow test, and storage life, enabling an application to thinning of a wire used for fine pitch connection. The bonding wire includes a core material having copper as a main component and an outer layer which is provided on the core material and contains a metal M and copper, in which the metal M differs from the core material in one or both of components and composition. The outer layer is 0.021 to 0.12 μm in thickness.
US09112044B2 3-D non-volatile memory device and method of manufacturing the same
A three-dimensional (3-D) non-volatile memory device includes a plurality of word line structures extended in parallel and including a plurality of interlayer dielectric layers and a plurality of word lines that are alternately stacked over a substrate, a plurality of channels protruding from the substrate configured to penetrate the plurality of interlayer dielectric layers and the plurality of word lines, and an air gap formed between the plurality of word line structures.
US09112043B2 Display device and manufacturing method thereof
A display device includes a first wiring functioning as a gate electrode formed over a substrate, a gate insulating film formed over the first wiring, a second wiring and an electrode layer provided over the gate insulating film, and a high-resistance oxide semiconductor layer formed between the second wiring and the electrode layer are included. In the structure, the second wiring is formed using a stack of a low-resistance oxide semiconductor layer and a conductive layer over the low-resistance oxide semiconductor layer, and the electrode layer is formed using a stack of the low-resistance oxide semiconductor layer and the conductive layer which is stacked so that a region functioning as a pixel electrode of the low-resistance oxide semiconductor layer is exposed.
US09112042B2 Thin film transistor
A thin film transistor suitable for being disposed on a substrate is provided. The thin film transistor includes a gate electrode, an organic gate dielectric layer, a metal oxide semiconductor layer, a source electrode and a drain electrode. The gate electrode is disposed on the substrate. The organic gate dielectric layer is disposed on the substrate to cover the gate electrode. The source electrode, the drain electrode and the metal oxide semiconductor layer are disposed above the organic gate dielectric layer, and the metal oxide semiconductor layer contacts with the source electrode and the drain electrode. Because the channel layer of the thin film transistor is a layer of metal oxide semiconductor formed at a lower temperature, thus the thin film transistor can be widely applied into various display applications such as flexible display devices.
US09112038B2 Semiconductor device and method for manufacturing the same
An object is to increase field effect mobility of a thin film transistor including an oxide semiconductor. Another object is to stabilize electrical characteristics of the thin film transistor. In a thin film transistor including an oxide semiconductor layer, a semiconductor layer or a conductive layer having higher electrical conductivity than the oxide semiconductor is formed over the oxide semiconductor layer, whereby field effect mobility of the thin film transistor can be increased. Further, by forming a semiconductor layer or a conductive layer having higher electrical conductivity than the oxide semiconductor between the oxide semiconductor layer and a protective insulating layer of the thin film transistor, change in composition or deterioration in film quality of the oxide semiconductor layer is prevented, so that electrical characteristics of the thin film transistor can be stabilized.
US09112028B2 Methods of containing defects for non-silicon device engineering
An apparatus including a device including a channel material having a first lattice structure on a well of a well material having a matched lattice structure in a buffer material having a second lattice structure that is different than the first lattice structure. A method including forming a trench in a buffer material; forming an n-type well material in the trench, the n-type well material having a lattice structure that is different than a lattice structure of the buffer material; and forming an n-type transistor. A system including a computer including a processor including complimentary metal oxide semiconductor circuitry including an n-type transistor including a channel material, the channel material having a first lattice structure on a well disposed in a buffer material having a second lattice structure that is different than the first lattice structure, the n-type transistor coupled to a p-type transistor.
US09112022B2 Super junction structure having a thickness of first and second semiconductor regions which gradually changes from a transistor area into a termination area
A super junction semiconductor device includes a super junction structure including first and second areas alternately arranged along a first lateral direction and extending in parallel along a second lateral direction. Each one of the first areas includes a first semiconductor region of a first conductivity type. Each one of the second areas includes, along the first lateral direction, an inner area between opposite second semiconductor regions of a second conductivity type opposite to the first conductivity type. A width w1 of the first of the first semiconductor region in a transistor cell area is greater than in an edge termination area, and a width w2 of each one of the second semiconductor regions in the transistor cell area is greater than in the edge termination area.
US09112020B2 Transistor device
Various embodiments provide transistor devices and fabrication methods. An exemplary transistor device with improved carrier mobility can be formed by first forming a confining layer on a semiconductor substrate to confine impurity ions diffused from the semiconductor substrate to the confining layer. An epitaxial silicon layer can be formed on the confining layer, followed by forming a gate structure on the epitaxial silicon layer. A portion of the epitaxial silicon layer can be used as an intrinsic channel region. A source region and a drain region can be formed in portions of each of the epitaxial silicon layer, the confining layer, and the semiconductor substrate.
US09112018B2 Insulating substrate, method of manufacturing the same, and semiconductor device
An insulating substrate includes: a transparent insulating layer; a first metal layer that is provided on a first face of the transparent insulating layer; and a second metal layer that is provided on a second face of the transparent insulating layer that is opposite from the first face. The first face of the transparent insulating layer is formed with an exposed section that is an area not provided with the first metal layer. The second metal layer includes an area that is overlapped with the exposed section when seen in an orthogonal direction to the first face.
US09112017B2 Integrated transistor and anti-fuse as programming element for a high-voltage integrated circuit
A semiconductor device includes an N type well region in a P type substrate. A source region of a MOSFET is laterally separated from a boundary of the well region, which includes the drain of the MOSFET. An insulated gate of the MOSFET extends laterally from the source region to at least just past the boundary of the well region. A polysilicon layer, which forms a first plate of a capacitive anti-fuse, is insulated from an area of the well region, which forms the second plate of the anti-fuse. The anti-fuse is programmed by application of a voltage across the first and second capacitive plates sufficient to destroy at least a portion of the second dielectric layer, thereby electrically shorting the polysilicon layer to the drain of the HVFET.
US09112013B2 Semiconductor device and method for producing the same
Provided are a semiconductor device having a high breakdown voltage and attaining the restraint of the action of a parasite bipolar transistor, and a method for producing the device. A high-breakdown-voltage p-channel-type transistor included in the semiconductor device has a first n-type semiconductor layer arranged in a semiconductor substrate and at a main-surface-side (upside) of a p-type region in the semiconductor substrate, and a local n-type buried region arranged just below a first p-type dopant region to contact the first n-type semiconductor layer.
US09112001B2 Package systems and manufacturing methods thereof
A method of forming a package system includes providing a first substrate having a metallic pad and at least one metallic guard ring. The method further includes bonding the metallic pad of the first substrate with a semiconductor pad of a second substrate, wherein the at least one metallic guard ring is configured to at least partially interact with the semiconductor pad to form at least a first portion of an electrical bonding material between the first and second substrates.
US09111999B2 Technique for reducing plasma-induced etch damage during the formation of vias in interlayer dielectrics by modified RF power ramp-up
When performing plasma assisted etch processes for patterning complex metallization systems of microstructure devices, the probability of creating plasma-induced damage, such as arcing, may be reduced or substantially eliminated by using a superior ramp-up system for the high frequency power and the low frequency power. To this end, the high frequency power may be increased at a higher rate compared to the low frequency power component, wherein, additionally, a time delay may be applied so that, at any rate, the high frequency component reaches its target power level prior to the low frequency component.
US09111994B2 Semiconductor device and method of fabricating the same
A semiconductor device and a method of fabricating the same are provided. The semiconductor device includes a semiconductor substrate in which a multi-depth trench is formed, the multi-depth trench including a shallow trench and a deep trench arranged below the shallow trench, a first dielectric material formed in partial area of the multi-depth trench, the first dielectric material including a slope in the shallow trench that extends upward from a corner where a bottom plane of the shallow trench and a sidewall of the deep trench meets, the slope being inclined with respect to the bottom plane of the shallow trench, and a second dielectric material formed in areas of the multi-depth trench in which the first dielectric material is absent.
US09111986B2 Self-aligned emitter-base-collector bipolar junction transistors with a single crystal raised extrinsic base
Fabrication methods, device structures, and design structures for a bipolar junction transistor. An intrinsic base layer is formed on a semiconductor substrate, an etch stop layer is formed on the intrinsic base layer, and an extrinsic base layer is formed on the etch stop layer. A trench is formed that penetrates through the extrinsic base layer to the etch stop layer. The trench is formed by etching the extrinsic base layer selective to the etch stop layer. The first trench is extended through the etch stop layer to the intrinsic base layer by etching the etch stop layer selective to the intrinsic base layer. After the trench is extended through the etch stop layer, an emitter is formed using the trench.
US09111968B2 Plasma processing chamber with a grounded electrode assembly
An optimized plasma processing chamber configured to provide a current path is provided. The optimized plasma processing chamber includes at least an upper electrode, a powered lower electrode, a heating plate, a cooling plate, a plasma chamber lid, and clamp ring. Both the heating plate and the cooling plate are disposed above the upper electrode whereas the heating plate is configured to heat the upper electrode while the cooling plate is configured to cool the upper electrode. The clamp ring is configured to secure the upper electrode to a plasma chamber lid and to provide a current path from the upper electrode to the plasma chamber lid. A pocket may be formed between the clamp ring and the upper electrode to hold at least the heater plate, wherein the pocket is configured to allow longitudinal and lateral tolerances for thermal expansion of the heater plate from repetitive thermal cycling.
US09111960B2 Semiconductor devices with vertical channel transistors
Semiconductor devices with vertical channel transistors, the devices including semiconductor patterns disposed on a substrate, first gate patterns disposed between the semiconductor patterns on the substrate, a second gate pattern spaced apart from the first gate patterns by the semiconductor patterns, and conductive lines crossing the first gate patterns. The second gate pattern includes a first portion extending parallel to the first gate patterns and a second portion extending parallel to the conductive lines.
US09111958B2 Threshold voltage adjustment of a transistor
A threshold voltage adjusted long-channel transistor fabricated according to short-channel transistor processes is described. The threshold-adjusted transistor includes a substrate with spaced-apart source and drain regions formed in the substrate and a channel region defined between the source and drain regions. A layer of gate oxide is formed over at least a part of the channel region with a gate formed over the gate oxide. The gate further includes at least one implant aperture formed therein with the channel region of the substrate further including an implanted region within the channel between the source and drain regions. Methods for forming the threshold voltage adjusted transistor are also disclosed.
US09111950B2 Process for preparing a semiconductor structure for mounting
A process for preparing a semiconductor structure for mounting to a carrier is disclosed. The process involves causing a support material to substantially fill a void defined by surfaces formed in the semiconductor structure and causing the support material to solidify sufficiently to support the semiconductor structure when mounted to the carrier.
US09111946B2 Method of thinning a wafer to provide a raised peripheral edge
A first area of a first surface of an encapsulated component can be thinned, the component including: a semiconductor chip having an active surface opposite the first surface, and an encapsulant extending outwardly from edges of the semiconductor chip. An entire area of the active surface may be aligned with the first area. After the abrading, a second area of the encapsulated component beyond the first area may have a thickness greater than a thickness of the first area. The second area can be configured to fully support the abraded encapsulated component in a state of the encapsulated component being manipulated by handling equipment.
US09111945B2 Package having ESD and EMI preventing functions and fabrication method thereof
A package having ESD (electrostatic discharge) and EMI (electromagnetic interference) preventing functions includes: a substrate unit having a ground structure and an I/O structure disposed therein; at least a semiconductor component disposed on a surface of the substrate unit and electrically connected to the ground structure and the I/O structure; an encapsulant covering the surface of the substrate unit and the semiconductor component; and a metal layer disposed on exposed surfaces of the encapsulant and side surfaces of the substrate unit and electrically insulated from the ground structure, thereby protecting the semiconductor component against ESD and EMI so as to improve the product yield and reduce the risk of short circuits.
US09111943B2 Alignment structures for integrated-circuit packaging
A multi-chip module (MCM) that includes alignment features is described. This MCM includes at least two substrates having facing surfaces with positive features disposed on them. Note that a given positive feature on either of the surfaces protrudes above the surface. Furthermore, the two substrates are mechanically coupled by these positive features. In particular, a given one of the positive features on one of the surfaces mates with a given subset of the positive features on the other of the surfaces. Additionally, the given subset of the positive features includes two or more of the positive features.
US09111933B2 Stacked through-silicon via (TSV) transformer structure
A distributed active transformer is provided comprising a primary and a secondary winding. The primary winding comprises a first set of conductive vias extending in a direction between a first surface and a second surface of an element, a first set of first electrically conductive lines extending along the first surface, and a first set of second electrically conductive lines extending along the second surface. The secondary winding comprises a second set of conductive vias extending in a direction between the first surface and the second surface, a second set of first electrically conductive lines extending along the first surface, and a second set of second electrically conductive lines extending along the second surface. When energized, the primary winding generates magnetic flux extending in a direction parallel to the first surface and the second surface. The secondary winding receives energy transferred by the magnetic flux generated by the primary winding.
US09111930B2 Package on-package with cavity in interposer
A package includes an interposer, which includes a core dielectric material, a through-opening extending from a top surface to a bottom surface of the core dielectric material, a conductive pipe penetrating through the core dielectric material, and a device die in the through-opening. The device die includes electrical connectors. A top package is disposed over the interposer. A first solder region bonds the top package to the conductive pipe, wherein the first solder region extends into a region encircled by the conductive pipe. A package substrate is underlying the interposer. A second solder region bonds the package substrate to the interposer.
US09111929B2 Package substrate dynamic pressure structure
Devices and methods for their formation, including electronic assemblies having a shape memory material structure, are described. In one embodiment, a device includes a package substrate and an electronic component coupled to the package substrate. The device also includes a shape memory material structure coupled to the package substrate. In one aspect of certain embodiments, the shape memory material structure is formed from a material selected to have a martensite to austenite transition temperature in the range of 50-300 degrees Celsius. In another aspect of certain embodiments, the shape memory material structure is positioned to extend around a periphery of the electronic component. Other embodiments are described and claimed.
US09111922B2 Semiconductor device with step portion having shear surfaces
A semiconductor device includes a source electrode pad formed to a front surface of a semiconductor chip and a metal clip (metal plate) to which a lead is electrically connected. The metal clip includes a chip-connecting portion electrically connected to the source electrode pad via a conductive bonding material, a lead-connecting portion electrically connected to the lead via a conductive bonding material, and an intermediate portion positioned between the chip-connecting portion and the lead-connecting portion. Further, between the intermediate portion and the chip-connecting portion, a step portion, which has shear surfaces disposed to face each other, is provided interposing a joining portion.
US09111921B2 Semiconductor package with conductive carrier integrated heat spreader
In one implementation, a semiconductor package includes a control conductive carrier having a die side and an opposite input/output (I/O) side connecting the semiconductor package to a mounting surface. The semiconductor package also includes a control FET of a power converter switching stage having a control drain attached to the die side of the control conductive carrier. The control conductive carrier is configured to sink heat produced by the control FET into the mounting surface. The semiconductor package includes a sync conductive carrier having another die side and another opposite I/O side connecting the semiconductor package to the mounting surface, and a sync FET of the power converter switching stage having a sync source attached to the die side of the sync conductive carrier.
US09111912B2 3D packages and methods for forming the same
Embodiments of the present disclosure include a semiconductor device and methods of forming a semiconductor device. An embodiment is a method of forming a semiconductor device, the method including bonding a die to a top surface of a first substrate, the die being electrically coupled to the first substrate, and forming a support structure on the top surface of the first substrate, the support structure being physically separated from the die with a top surface of the support structure being coplanar with a top surface of the die. The method further includes performing a sawing process on the first substrate, the sawing process sawing through the support structure.
US09111909B2 Method of forming a CMOS structure having gate insulation films of different thicknesses
The semiconductor integrated circuit device employs on the same silicon substrate a plurality of kinds of MOS transistors with different magnitudes of tunnel current flowing either between the source and gate or between the drain and gate thereof. These MOS transistors include tunnel-current increased MOS transistors at least one of which is for use in constituting a main circuit of the device. The plurality of kinds of MOS transistors also include tunnel-current reduced or depleted MOS transistors at least one of which is for use with a control circuit. This control circuit is inserted between the main circuit and at least one of the two power supply units.
US09111900B2 Power semiconductor device and method for producing a power semiconductor device
A power semiconductor device comprising a power semiconductor module and a heat sink and a method for its manufacture. The heat sink has a first cooling housing component, with a cutout passing therethrough, and a second cooling housing component, with a cooling plate arranged in the cutout. The first and second cooling housing components are configured and arranged relative to one another so that a cavity is formed at the side of the cooling plate facing away from the power semiconductor components. The cooling plate is connected to the first cooling housing component by a first weld seam which extends circumferentially therearound. The first weld seam seals the cooling plate in relation to the first cooling housing component, and the second cooling housing component is connected to the first cooling housing component. The inventive power semiconductor device has good heat conduction from the power semiconductor components to a heat sink.
US09111892B2 Organic electroluminescence display panel and method of manufacturing same
A organic EL display panel includes an inter-layer insulation film, a pixel electrode, auxiliary wiring, a partition layer, an organic light-emitting layer, and a common electrode. The inter-layer insulation film has at least one paired concave portion and non-concave portion disposed in a region over the auxiliary wiring, a top face of the concave portion being concave with respect to a top face of the non-concave portion, and the auxiliary wiring includes a part over the concave portion and a part over the non-concave portion, a top face of the part over the concave portion being concave with respect to a top face of the part over the non-concave portion.
US09111890B2 Organic light emitting display device
An organic light emitting display device including: a first emission area including a first organic light emitting diode; a second emission area arranged adjacent to the first emission area and not overlapping with the first emission area, the second emission area including a second organic light emitting diode; a pixel circuit unit electrically connected to the first organic light emitting diode and the second organic light emitting diode; and a transmissive area adjacent to the first and second emission areas and not overlapping with the first and second emission areas, the transmissive area configured to transmit external light therethrough.
US09111886B2 Method of repairing a defect of an organic EL display
The disclosed method is for manufacturing organic EL displays that comprise a substrate and multiple organic EL elements that are disposed in a matrix form on said substrate, and wherein said organic EL elements comprise pixel electrodes that are disposed on said substrate, an organic layer that is disposed on said pixel electrodes and a counter-electrode that is disposed on said organic layer. The organic EL display manufacturing method comprises a step for forming banks that delineate the organic layer on the substrate, a step for coating the region delineated by said banks with a solution comprising an organic material and forming the organic layer, a step for detecting defectively formed portions of said organic layer, a step for removing said defectively formed portions, a step for forming a recessed part or a protruding part around the region from which said poorly formed portion has been removed, and a step for re-coating the region from which said defectively formed portion was removed with the solution comprising the organic material.
US09111884B2 Finlike structures and methods of making same
Semiconductor materials, particularly III-V materials used to form, e.g., a finlike structure can suffer structural damage during chemical mechanical polishing steps. This damage can be reduced or eliminated by oxidizing the damaged surface of the material and then etching away the oxidized material. The etching step can be accomplished simultaneously with a step of etching back a patterned oxide layers, such as a shallow trench isolation layer.
US09111878B2 Method for forming a semiconductor device assembly having a heat spreader
A method includes providing an integrated circuit (IC) die assembly that includes a substrate and an IC die mounted on a portion of a major surface of the substrate, dispensing an interface material on the IC die, positioning a portion of a heat spreader in contact with the interface material, and dispensing an adhesive between one side of the heat spreader facing the IC die assembly and exposed portions of a major surface of an encapsulant on the substrate.
US09111868B2 Semiconductor device with selectively etched surface passivation
A semiconductor device includes a semiconductor substrate configured to include a channel, first and second ohmic contacts supported by the semiconductor substrate, in ohmic contact with the semiconductor substrate, and spaced from one another for current flow between the first and second ohmic contacts through the channel, and first and second dielectric layers supported by the semiconductor substrate. At least one of the first and second ohmic contacts extends through respective openings in the first and second dielectric layers. The second dielectric layer is disposed between the first dielectric layer and a surface of the semiconductor substrate, and the second dielectric layer includes a wet etchable material having an etch selectivity to a dry etchant of the first dielectric layer.
US09111863B2 Method for manufacturing dummy gate in gate-last process and dummy gate in gate-last process
A method for manufacturing a dummy gate in a gate-last process and a dummy gate in a gate-last process are provided. The method includes: providing a semiconductor substrate; growing a gate oxide layer on the semiconductor substrate; depositing bottom-layer amorphous silicon on the gate oxide layer; depositing an ONO structured hard mask on the bottom-layer amorphous silicon; depositing top-layer amorphous silicon on the ONO structured hard mask; depositing a hard mask layer on the top-layer amorphous silicon, and trimming the hard mask layer so that the trimmed hard mask layer has a width less than or equal to 22 nm; and etching the top-layer amorphous silicon, the ONO structured hard mask and the bottom-layer amorphous silicon in accordance with the trimmed hard mask layer, and removing the hard mask layer and the top-layer amorphous silicon.
US09111859B2 Non-volatile memory device
According to an embodiment, a non-volatile memory device includes a first interconnection extending in a first direction, a plurality of second interconnections provided side by side on the first interconnection and extending in a second direction intersecting the first direction and a memory layer provided on a side surface of each second interconnection. The device also includes a control element provided between each of the second interconnections and the first interconnection, an element part extending in the second direction, and a control electrode facing a side surface of the element part via a first insulating film. An adjustment part is provided on the first interconnection and adjacent to a control element connected to a second interconnection disposed at an end position of the second interconnections arranged in the first direction, and a first outer electrode provided between the adjustment part and the control element disposed at the end position.
US09111854B2 Non-volatile memory, writing method for the same, and reading method for the same
A non-volatile memory of an embodiment includes a plurality of memory cells, each of the memory cells including a plurality of transistors including a first to fourth transistors, a first non-volatile element, a second non-volatile element, a first node, and a second node, the first and second transistors being connected in series with the first non-volatile element, the third and fourth transistors being connected in series with the second non-volatile element, the first node being disposed between the first and second transistors, the second node being disposed between the third and fourth transistors, gates of the first and third transistors being connected to one of first wiring lines, a gate of the second transistor being connected to the second node, a gate of the fourth transistor being connected to the first node, the first transistor being connected between one of second wiring lines and the first node.
US09111853B2 Methods of forming doped elements of semiconductor device structures
Methods of forming doped elements of semiconductor device structures include forming trenches having undercut portions separating stem portions of a substrate. The stem portions extend between a base portion of the substrate and overlying broader portions of the substrate material. A carrier material including a dopant is formed at least on the sides of the stems in the undercut portions of the trenches. The dopant is diffused from the carrier material into the stems. As such, the narrow stem portions of the substrate become doped with a targeted dopant-delivery method. The doped stems may form or be incorporated within buried, doped, conductive elements of semiconductor device structures, such as digit lines of memory arrays. Also disclosed are related semiconductor device structures.
US09111846B1 Assembly structure for connecting multiple dies into a system-in-package chip and the method thereof
The present invention discloses an efficient way to connect multiple integrated circuit dies using redistribution layers (RDL) for making wire connections. Antenna diodes are used to create ground paths so as to remove non-sticking pads on the RDL to ensure the integrity of the wire connections before packaging the multiple integrated circuit dies into a system-in-package (SIP) chip, thereby eliminating unnecessary yield loss in a functional test caused by the non-sticking pads. In another aspect, electrostatic discharge (ESD) protection can be provided through the antenna diodes across two different power domains by disposing a diode in one integrated circuit die for ESD protection of a terminal in another integrated circuit die.
US09111836B2 Semiconductor device and driving method thereof
A semiconductor device includes a photodiode, a first transistor, a second transistor, and a third transistor. The second transistor and the third transistor have a function of retaining a charge accumulated in a gate of the first transistor. In a period during which the second transistor and the third transistor are off, a voltage level of a voltage applied to a gate of the second transistor is set to be lower than a voltage level of a source of the second transistor and a voltage level of a drain of the second transistor, and a voltage level of a voltage applied to a gate of the third transistor is set to be lower than a voltage level of a source of the third transistor and a voltage level of a drain of the third transistor.
US09111830B1 Perforated blocking layer for enhanced broad band response in a focal plane array
Provided is a focal plane array that includes an array of photodetectors, with each photodetector being in electrical communication with a corresponding one of an electrode of a read out integrated circuit. The array of photodetectors include an insulating layer, a blocking layer comprising at least one blind via, and an active layer formed between the insulating layer and the blocking layer. A first portion of the blocking layer transmits radiation having a first wavelength and reflects radiation having second wavelength that is lower than that of the first wavelength. A diameter of the at least one blind via is selected to allow radiation of the second wavelength to pass through the at least one blind via.
US09111828B2 Solid-state imaging device, method for manufacturing solid-state imaging device, and electronic apparatus
The present invention relates to a solid-state imaging device having good focusing properties, a method for manufacturing such a solid-state imaging device, and an electronic apparatus. The solid-state imaging device has a semiconductor substrate 11 and a photoelectric conversion part formed in the semiconductor substrate 11. In the solid-state imaging device, a laminate including an organic material layer and an inorganic material layer is formed on the semiconductor substrate with at least one stress relaxation layer 22 interposed between the organic and inorganic material layers. This technology is applicable to, for example, solid-state imaging devices having pixels and microlenses placed thereon.
US09111822B2 Thermally and electrically conductive apparatus
The present invention provides a thermally and electrically conductive apparatus that can provide both thermal conductivity and electrical conductivity for one or more electronic devices connected thereto. The apparatus comprises a thermally conductive element that is in thermal contact with one or more electronic devices and optionally in contact with a heat dissipation system. A portion of the thermally conductive element is surrounded by a multilayer coating system comprising two or more layers. The multilayer coating system includes alternating electrically insulating and electrically conductive layers in order to provide paths for the supply of electric current to the one or more electronic devices. A conductive layer of the multilayer coating system may be selectively patterned to connect to one or more electronic devices. In this manner, the combination of an electronic circuit carrier and a thermally conductive element can unify thermal conductivity with the provision of power and/or communication into a single integrated unit for use with electronic devices.
US09111819B2 Semiconductor device and method for manufacturing semiconductor device
An inventive semiconductor device includes a semiconductor chip having a passivation film, and a sealing resin layer provided over the passivation film for sealing a front side of the semiconductor chip. The sealing resin layer extends to a side surface of the passivation film to cover the side surface.
US09111810B2 Circuit board and display device including first and second channel layers made of different semiconductor materials
A circuit board (1) includes a plurality of transistor elements on an insulating substrate (2). At least one of the plurality of transistor elements is an oxide TFT (10) including, as a channel layer (11), an oxide semiconductor. At least one of the plurality of transistor elements is an a-SiTFT (20) (i) being different from the oxide TFT (10) in functions as circuit components and (ii) including, as a channel layer (21), an amorphous silicon semiconductor. The oxide TFT (10) is a top gate transistor, and the a-SiTFT (20) is a bottom gate transistor. This provides: a configuration that can (a) enhance the performance of the circuit board equipped with the TFTs differing in their respective functions as circuit components and (b) reduce the area necessary for mounting the TFTs; and a method for producing the circuit board.
US09111800B2 Floating body memory cell system and method of manufacture
A plurality of integrated circuit features are provided in the context of an array of memory cells including a plurality of word lines and a plurality of bit lines. Each memory cell includes a floating body or is volatile memory. The aforementioned features may include, among others, an option whereby the foregoing bit lines may be situated below a channel region of corresponding memory cells, etc.
US09111798B2 Memory with carbon-containing silicon channel
A memory includes a first memory cell and a second memory cell formed over the first memory cell. Each of the first memory cell and the second memory cell includes a channel region comprising silicon and carbon, a control gate, and a dielectric stack between the channel region and the control gate. A carbon content of the channel region of the second memory cell is less than a carbon content of the channel region of the first memory cell.
US09111794B2 Method for producing a semiconductor device having SGTS
In a method for producing a semiconductor device, Si pillars that include i-layers, N+ regions that serve as lower impurity regions, N+ regions and a P+ region that serve as upper impurity regions, and i-layers are formed by using SiO2 layers as an etching mask. Thus, surrounding gate MOS transistors (SGTs) are produced in which the upper impurity regions and the lower impurity regions respectively function as impurity layers constituting a source or a drain of the SGTs formed in upper portions and lower portions of the Si pillars.
US09111783B2 Semiconductor devices with self-aligned source drain contacts and methods for making the same
Replacement metal gates well suited for self-aligned contact formation are made by replacing the dummy gate with a recessed polysilicon layer and then effecting an aluminum-polysilicon substitution. The resulting upper polysilicon layer is easily removed from the recessed aluminum layer, which can then be protected with a protective dielectric layer for subsequent formation of a source or drain contact hole.
US09111773B2 Forming three dimensional isolation structures
A three dimensional shallow trench isolation structure including sets of parallel trenches extending in two perpendicular directions may be formed by depositing a conformal deposition in a first set of parallel trenches, oxidizing the second set of trenches to enable selective deposition in said second set of trenches and then conformally depositing in said second set of trenches. In some embodiments, only one wet anneal, one etch back, and one high density plasma chemical vapor deposition step may be used to fill both sets of trenches.
US09111772B1 Electronic array and chip package
An electronic array may include a first electronic component which has a first operation voltage, a second electronic component which has a second operation voltage, wherein the second operation voltage is different from the first operation voltage and wherein the first electronic component and the second electronic component are arranged over each other, an isolation layer between the first electronic component and the second electronic component, wherein the isolation layer electrically isolates the first electronic component from the second electronic component, at least one connection layer formed at least partially between the isolation layer and the first electronic component or between the isolation layer and the second electronic component, wherein the connection layer includes a first portion and a second portion, wherein the first portion and the second portion each extend from the corresponding electronic component to the isolation layer, wherein the first portion includes an electrically isolating material which fixes the isolation layer to the corresponding electronic component and wherein the second portion includes an electrically conductive material which electrically couples the corresponding electronic component to the isolation layer.
US09111768B2 Semiconductor devices, methods of manufacture thereof, and methods of forming resistors
Semiconductor devices, methods of manufacture thereof, and methods of forming resistors are disclosed. In one embodiment, a method of manufacturing a semiconductor device includes forming a first insulating material over a workpiece, and forming a conductive chemical compound material over the first insulating material. The conductive chemical compound material is patterned to form a resistor. A second insulating material is formed over the resistor, and the second insulating material is patterned. The patterned second insulating material is filled with a conductive material to form a first contact coupled to a first end of the resistor and to form a second contact coupled to a second end of the resistor.
US09111767B2 Semiconductor device and driver circuit with source and isolation structure interconnected through a diode circuit, and method of manufacture thereof
Embodiments of semiconductor devices and driver circuits include a semiconductor substrate having a first conductivity type, an isolation structure (including a sinker region and a buried layer), an active device within area of the substrate contained by the isolation structure, and a diode circuit. The buried layer is positioned below the top substrate surface, and has a second conductivity type. The sinker region extends between the top substrate surface and the buried layer, and has the second conductivity type. The active device includes a source region of the first conductivity type, and the diode circuit is connected between the isolation structure and the source region. The diode circuit may include one or more Schottky diodes and/or PN junction diodes. In further embodiments, the diode circuit may include one or more resistive networks in series and/or parallel with the Schottky and/or PN diode(s).
US09111766B2 Transistor device with a field electrode
A transistor device includes a source region, a drift region, and a body region arranged between the source region and the drift region. A gate electrode is adjacent to the body region, and dielectrically insulated from the body region by a gate dielectric. A field electrode arrangement is adjacent to the drift region and the body region, spaced apart from the gate electrode in a first direction that is perpendicular to a vertical direction in which the source region and the drift region are spaced apart, and includes a field electrode and a field electrode dielectric. The field electrode dielectric dielectrically insulates the field electrode at least from the drift region. The field electrode arrangement has a first width adjacent the drift region, and a second width adjacent the body region and the first width is larger than the second width.
US09111764B2 Integrated semiconductor device and a bridge circuit with the integrated semiconductor device
A bridge circuit is provided. The bridge circuit includes a first integrated semiconductor device having a high-side switch, a second integrated semiconductor device having a low-side switch electrically connected with the high-side switch, a first level-shifter electrically connected with the high-side switch and integrated in one of the first integrated semiconductor device and the second integrated semiconductor device, and a second level-shifter electrically connected with the low-side switch and integrated in one of the first integrated semiconductor device and the second integrated semiconductor device. Further, an integrated semiconductor device is provided.
US09111763B2 Semiconductor device, fabrication method for a semiconductor device and electronic apparatus
Disclosed herein is a semiconductor device, including: a first substrate including a first electrode, and a first insulating film configured from a diffusion preventing material for the first electrode and covering a periphery of the first electrode, the first electrode and the first insulating film cooperating with each other to configure a bonding face; and a second substrate bonded to and provided on the first substrate and including a second electrode joined to the first electrode, and a second insulating film configured from a diffusion preventing material for the second electrode and covering a periphery of the second electrode, the second electrode and the second insulating film cooperating with each other to configure a bonding face to the first substrate.
US09111761B2 Multi component dielectric layer
An in-situ process is described incorporating plasma enhanced chemical vapor deposition comprising flowing at least one of a Si, Si+C, B, Si+B, Si═B+C, and B+C containing precursor, and a N containing precursors at first times and removing the N precursor at second times and starting the flow of an oxidant gas and a porogen gas into the chamber. A dielectric layer is described comprising a network having inorganic random three dimensional covalent bonding throughout the network which contains at least one SiCN, SiCNH, SiN, SiNH, BN, BNH, CBN, CBNH, BSiN, BSiNH, SiCBN and SiCBNH as a first component and a low k dielectric as a second component adjacent thereto.
US09111756B2 Integrated circuits with protected resistors and methods for fabricating the same
Methods and apparatus are provided for an integrated circuit with a transistor and a resistor. The method includes depositing a first dielectric layer over the transistor and the resistor, followed by an amorphous silicon layer. The amorphous silicon layer is implanted over the resistor to produce an etch mask, and the amorphous silicon layer and first dielectric layer are removed over the transistor. A contact location on the transistor is then silicided.
US09111751B2 Silicon carbide semiconductor device and method of fabricating same
A silicon carbide semiconductor device including an SBD measuring a temperature of a silicon carbide semiconductor element. The silicon carbide semiconductor device includes a MOSFET formed on a silicon carbide epitaxial substrate, and an SBD section measuring a temperature of the MOSFET. The SBD section includes an n-type cathode region in a surface portion of a silicon carbide drift layer; an anode titanium electrode formed on the cathode region, the electrode serving as a Schottky electrode; an n-type cathode contact region of a higher concentration than that of the cathode region, formed in the surface portion of the silicon carbide drift layer to make contact with the cathode region; a cathode ohmic electrode formed on the cathode contact region; and a first p-type well region formed within the silicon carbide drift layer to surround peripheries of the cathode region and the cathode contact region.
US09111748B2 Method of manufacturing semiconductor device, substrate processing apparatus, and non-transitory computer readable recording medium
A method of manufacturing a semiconductor device includes forming thin films on substrates by performing a cycle a predetermined number of times. The cycle includes: supplying a process gas into a process container and confining the gas in the container including an outer reaction tube and an inner reaction tube having a flat top inner surface at an upper end portion covering a portion of a top surface of the support arranging and supporting the substrates and including a communication section connecting an inside of the inner reaction tube to an inside of the outer reaction tube, wherein the communication section is disposed at a region other than a region horizontally encompassing a substrate arrangement region; maintaining a state where the gas is confined in the container; and exhausting the gas from the container via the communication section and a space between the inner and outer reaction tubes.
US09111745B2 Methods for producing rectangular seeds for ingot growth
A method of producing rectangular seeds for use in semiconductor or solar material manufacturing includes connecting an adhesive layer to a top surface of a template, the template including a plurality of parallel slots, and drawing alignment lines on the adhesive layer, the alignment lines aligned with at least some of the parallel slots. The method also includes connecting quarter sections to the alignment layer such that an interface between a rectangular seed portion and a curved wing portion of each quarter section is aligned with at least one of the alignment lines drawn on the adhesive layer, and slicing each of the quarter sections to separate the rectangular seed portions from the curved wing portions.
US09111741B2 Ion trap with parallel bar-electrode arrays
The invention “Ion Trap Array (ITA)” pertains generally to the field of ion storage and analysis technologies, and particularly to the ion storing apparatus and mass spectrometry instruments which separate ions by its character such as mass-to-charge ratio. The aim of this invention is providing an apparatus for ion storage and analysis comprising at least two or more rows of parallel placed electrode array wherein each electrode array includes at least two or more parallel bar-shaped electrodes, by applying different phase of alternating current voltages on different bar electrodes to create alternating electric fields inside the space between two parallel electrodes of different rows of electrode arrays, multiple linear ion trapping fields paralleled constructed in the space between the different rows of electrode arrays which are open to adjacent each other without a real barrier. This invention also provides a method for ion storage and analysis involving with the trapping, cooling and mass-selected analyzing of ions by this apparatus mentioned which constructs multiple conjoint linear ion trapping fields in the space between the different rows of electrode arrays.
US09111739B2 Ionization method and apparatus using electrospray, and analyzing method and apparatus
It is arranged so that living tissue that has not been pretreated can be adopted as a sample of interest. A sample is introduced into at least a tip portion of a hollow insulated sample holder 11 having a small hole 11a in the tip portion. A slender metal wire 12, which has been inserted into the sample holder 11 from the rear, is projected outwardly from the sample holder 11 through the hole 11a while being brought into contact with the sample. A high voltage is applied to the slender metal wire 12 at least in a portion of a time period in which the tip of the slender metal wire 12 is being projected outwardly from the hole 11a, thereby ionizing, by electrospray, the sample adhering to the tip of the slender metal wire 12. The ions are introduced into an analyzing apparatus and are analyzed.
US09111712B2 Solid oxide high temperature electrolysis glow discharge cell
The system includes a glow discharge cell connected to a plasma torch. The glow discharge cell includes an electrically conductive cylindrical vessel having an inlet, an outlet, and a hollow electrode. The hollow electrode has an inlet and outlet. A first insulator seals the first end of the electrically conductive cylindrical vessel around the hollow electrode and maintains a substantially equidistant gap between the electrically conductive cylindrical vessel and the hollow electrode. A non-conductive granular material is disposed within the substantially equidistant gap. The plasma arc torch includes a cylindrical vessel, a tangential inlet connected to the outlet of the electrically conductive vessel of the glow discharge cell, a tangential outlet, an electrode housing connected to the cylindrical vessel such that a first electrode is aligned with a longitudinal axis of the cylindrical vessel and extends into the cylindrical vessel, and a hollow electrode nozzle connected to the cylindrical vessel.
US09111711B2 Electron-emitting cold cathode device
One or more embodiments of the invention concern a device comprising: a cathode that lies on a cathode plane and includes, in an active region, one or more cathode straight-finger-shaped terminals with a main extension direction parallel to a first reference direction; for each cathode terminal, one or more electron emitters formed on, and in ohmic contact with, said cathode terminal; and a gate electrode that lies on a gate plane parallel to, and spaced apart from, said cathode plane, does not overlap the cathode and includes, in the active region, two or more gate straight-finger-shaped terminals with a main extension direction parallel to the first reference direction; wherein the gate terminals are interlaced with said cathode terminal(s).
US09111706B2 Touch sensing device and a method of fabricating the same using bonding marks on non-bonding surface of FPCB
The present disclosure provides a touch sensing device and a method for fabricating the same. The touch sensing device comprises a touch panel and a flexible printed circuit board, wherein the touch panel comprises a first bonding mark and the flexible printed circuit board has a bonding surface bonded to the touch panel and has a non-bonding surface. The flexible printed circuit board comprises a second bonding mark disposed on the non-bonding surface. The second bonding mark and the first bonding mark have a relationship of contraposition.
US09111703B2 Sensor stack venting
Sensor stack venting techniques are described. In one or more implementations, one or more vent structures are formed within layers of a pressure sensitive sensor stack for a device. Vent structures including channels, holes, slots, and so forth are designed to provide pathways for gas released by feature elements to escape. The pathways may be arranged to convey outgases through the layers to designated escape points in a controlled manner that prevents deformities typically caused by trapped gases. The escape points in some layers enable at least some other layers to be edge-sealed. Pathways may then be formed to convey gas from the edge-sealed layer(s) to an edge vented layer(s) having one or more escape points, such that feature elements in the edge-sealed layer(s) remain protected from contaminants.
US09111700B2 Thin push button structure
A thin push button structure includes a main board, a circuit board, an elastic element, a supporting plate, a key top and a frame. The circuit board is disposed on the main board and formed with a plurality of cavities. The supporting plate includes a seat, an extending portion and a contacting portion. The seat is formed with a window at the central region and connected to the contacting portion by the extending portion. The elastic element is disposed on the circuit board. The key top includes a main body and a plurality of posts that extend therefrom. The frame includes a through opening and a plurality of alignment grooves at the periphery of the opening. The frame sleeves the key top, and the posts are received by the alignment grooves. The key top caps the contacting portion and is movable within the alignment grooves and the cavities.
US09111698B2 Method for cutting off an electric arc, method and device for protecting an installation against voltage surges
The method comprising displacing the formed electric arc towards an electrode located in an intermediate position between both main electrodes; a separating the formed electric arc into two secondary electric arcs, a semiconductor switch, normally open, connecting the intermediate electrode to one of the main electrodes; closing the semiconductor switch in order to extinguish the secondary electric arc between both electrodes connected by the semiconductor switch; opening the semiconductor switch in order to extinguish the other secondary electric arc. The disclosure further relates to a protection method and a protection device, notably a protection device specially designed for applying the method.
US09111695B2 Electrical switching device, especially circuit breaker
An electrical switching device includes a switching mechanism, a housing element, a cover element and a test button, which is movable between a non-actuated position and an actuated position. When the test button is moved from the non-actuated position into the actuated position, the switching mechanism disconnects at least one moveable contact from at least one fixed contact of the switching mechanism. Further, a blocking element is movable between a first position and a second position, so that the blocking element, when the cover element is closed, is held by the cover element in the first position against a pre-tensioning force in the direction of the second position. Further, when the cover element is opened, the blocking element moves the test button from the non-actuated position into the actuated position.
US09111694B2 Electrolyte solution for electric double layer capacitor
The present invention provides an electric double layer capacitor having a high withstanding voltage, less deterioration, and excellent long-term reliability, especially an effect of suppressing expansion. The present invention relates to an electrolyte solution for an electric double layer capacitor. The solution comprises an electrolyte-salt-dissolving solvent (I) and an electrolyte salt (II). The electrolyte-salt-dissolving solvent (I) contains a fluorine-containing chain ether and a nitrile compound.
US09111690B2 Multilayer electronic component
A method is used to manufacture a multilayer electronic component including a multilayer composite including internal electrodes having ends that are exposed at a predetermined surface of the multilayer composite. In the method, the exposed ends of the internal electrodes are coated with a metal film primarily composed of at least one metal selected from the group consisting of Pd, Au, Pt and Ag and having a thickness of at least about 0.1 μm by immersing the multilayer composite in a liquid containing a metal ion or a metal complex. Then, a continuous plating layer is formed by depositing a plating metal on the ends of the internal electrodes exposed at the predetermined surface of the multilayer composite, and subsequently growing the deposits of the plating metal so as to be connected to each other. Thus, exposed ends of the internal electrodes are electrically connected to each other.
US09111686B2 Flexible supercapacitor and preparation method thereof
A flexible supercapacitor and a preparation method thereof are provided. The flexible supercapacitor includes a polymer-based solid electrolyte layer, two active layers respectively disposed on opposite surfaces of the polymer-based solid electrolyte layer, and two electron conducting layers disposed on outer exposed surfaces of the two active layers.
US09111685B2 Electrolytic solution for electrolytic capacitor
A hydrophobic film is formed on the electrode foil surface by adding a straight-chain saturated dicarboxylic acid represented by the general formula: HOOC(CH2)nCOOH (wherein n indicates an integer from 9 to 11) to the electrolytic solution for medium/high-voltage electrolytic capacitor. Addition of a large amount of water to the electrolytic solution is allowed since this hydrophobic film suppresses the hydration reaction between the electrode foil and water. Further, it is possible to retain good lifespan property of the electrolytic capacitor in a medium/high-voltage electrolytic solution by having low specific resistance property and by suppressing the hydration decomposition of the electrode foil, wherein the electrolytic solution is azelaic acid, sebacic acid, 1-methyl-azelaic acid, 1,6-decanedicarboxylic acid, or a salt thereof dissolved in a solvent having ethylene glycol as the main component.
US09111672B2 Multilevel correlated magnetic system
A multilevel magnetic system described herein includes first and second magnetic structures that produce a net force that transitions from an attract force to a repel force as a separation distance between the first and second magnetic structures increases. The multi-level magnetic system is configured to maintain a minimum separation distance between a transition distance where the net force is zero and a separation distance at which a peak repel force is produced.
US09111670B2 Ceramic, graded resistivity monolith using the ceramic, and method of making
According to one embodiment, a monolithic cassette with graded electrical resistivity is presented. The monolithic cassette has a continuous grain structure between a first end and a second end; wherein electrical resistivity of the monolithic cassette is graded such that the resistance varies continuously from the first end to the second end. Methods and compositions for forming the monolithic cassette are also presented.
US09111662B2 Cathode active material and lithium secondary battery comprising the same
Disclosed is cathode active material comprising a combination of a lithium manganese composite oxide having a spinel structure represented by the following Formula 1 with a lithium nickel composite oxide represented by the following Formula 2, the cathode active material having a broad potential region at 3.0 to 4.8V upon initial charge: LixMyMn2−yO4−zAz  (1) wherein 0.9≦x≦1.2, 0
US09111661B2 Cable for high-voltage electronic devices
A cable for high-voltage electronic devices including an inner semiconductive layer, a high-voltage insulator, an outer semiconductive layer, a shielding layer, and a sheath which are provided on an outer periphery of a cable core part in the order mentioned, wherein the high-voltage insulator is made of an insulating composition whose temperature dependence parameter DR found by the following expression is 1.0 or less: DR=log R23° C.−log R90° C. (where R23° C. is volume resistivity (Ω·cm) at 23° C. and R90° C. is volume resistivity (Ω·cm) at 90° C.). The cable for high-voltage electronic devices is small in diameter and has an excellent withstand voltage characteristic.
US09111656B2 Radiation beam collimation system and method
The invention provides a method for collimating a radiation beam, the method comprising subjecting the beam to a collimator that yaws and pitches, either separately or simultaneously relative to the incident angle of the beam. Also provided is a system for collimating radiation beams, the system comprising a collimator body, and a stage for pitching and yawing the body. A feature of the invention is that a single, compact mask body defines one or a plurality of collimators having no moving surfaces relative to each other, whereby the entire mask body is moved about a point in space to provide various collimator opening dimensions to oncoming radiation beams.
US09111654B2 DC ion guide for analytical filtering/separation
An ion guide is disclosed comprising a plurality of electrodes. A first device is arranged and adapted to apply a RF voltage to at least some of the electrodes in order to form, in use, a pseudo-potential well which acts to confine ions in a first direction within the ion guide. A second device is arranged and adapted to apply a DC voltage to at least some of the electrodes in order to form, in use, a DC potential well which acts to confine ions in a second direction within the ion guide. A third device is arranged and adapted to cause ions having desired or undesired mass to charge ratios to be mass to charge ratio selectively ejected from the ion guide in the second direction.
US09111647B2 System in a package (SiP)
A system in a package (SiP) includes a first semiconductor die having a nonvolatile memory and trim/repair circuitry, and a second semiconductor die having a volatile memory and trim/repair circuitry. The first and the second semiconductor die are in a same package. The nonvolatile memory of the first semiconductor die is configured to store trim/repair values for each of the first and the second semiconductor die. The trim/repair circuitries of the first and second semiconductor die are configured to, in response to a reset of the second semiconductor die, copy the trim/repair values from the nonvolatile memory of the first semiconductor die to the volatile memory of the second semiconductor die.
US09111645B2 Request-command encoding for reduced-data-rate testing
Embodiments of a memory device are described. This memory device includes a signal connector which is electrically coupled to a command/address (CA) link, and an interface circuit, which is electrically coupled to the signal connector, and which receives CA packets via the CA link. A given CA packet includes an address field having address information corresponding to one or more storage locations in the memory device. Moreover, the memory device includes control logic having two operating modes, where, during a first operating mode, the control logic decodes address information in the CA packets using full-field sampling, and, during the second operating mode, the control logic decodes a portion of the address information in the CA packets using sub-field sampling.
US09111644B2 Readout circuit and semiconductor device
Provided is a readout circuit capable of detecting inversion of retained data caused by a noise, such as static electricity. The readout circuit is configured to retain opposing data in a first latch circuit and a second latch circuit in a readout period so as to be capable of detecting an anomaly of the retained data by making use of the fact that the data in the first latch circuit and the second latch circuit are inverted in the same direction due to a noise, such as static electricity.
US09111638B2 SRAM bit cell with reduced bit line pre-charge voltage
An SRAM bit cell comprises a first inverter including a PMOS transistor and an NMOS transistor, and a second inverter including a PMOS transistor and an NMOS transistor. The first and second inverters are cross-coupled to each other. A plurality of pass transistors couple the inverters to bit lines. Approximately one-half of a supply voltage is provided to the bit lines during pre-charge operations.
US09111628B1 Read margin measurement in a read-only memory
Read margin measurement circuitry for measuring the read margin of floating-gate programmable non-volatile memory cells. In some embodiments, the read margin of a cell with a floating-gate transistor in a non-conductive state is measured by periodically clocking a counter following initiation of a read cycle; a latch stores the counter contents upon the cell under test making a transition due to leakage of the floating-gate transistor. Logic for testing a group of cells in parallel is disclosed. In some embodiments, the read margin of a cell in which the floating-gate transistor is set to a conductive state is measured by repeatedly reading the cell, with the output developing a voltage corresponding to the duty cycle of the output of the read circuit.
US09111626B2 Semiconductor memory systems using regression analysis and read methods thereof
A memory system includes: a bit counter and a regression analyzer. The bit counter is configured to generate a plurality of count values based on data read from selected memory cells using a plurality of different read voltages, each of the plurality of count values being indicative of a number of memory cells of a memory device having threshold voltages between pairs of the plurality of different read voltages. The regression analyzer is configured to determine read voltage for the selected memory cells based on the plurality of count values using regression analysis.
US09111618B2 De-duplication in flash memory module
Data capacity efficiency is improved by de-duplicating data assigned with a code that is different for each data. A flash memory module includes a plurality of flash memory chips and a memory controller. Each flash memory chip includes a plurality of blocks, each block including a plurality of physical pages, each physical page being a unit for writing/reading data. The memory controller is configured to manage a first set and a second set of user data and a guarantee code associated with the user data. If the first set and the second set of user data are the same, then the same data sets are stored in a first physical page and the first and second guarantee codes are stored in a second physical page.
US09111608B2 Strobe-offset control circuit
A method of operation in a memory controller is disclosed. The method includes receiving a strobe signal having a first phase relationship with respect to first data propagating on a first data line, and a second phase relationship with respect to second data propagating on a second data line. A first sample signal is generated based on the first phase relationship and a second sample signal is generated based on the second phase relationship. The first data signal is received using a first receiver clocked by the first sample signal. The second data signal is received using a second receiver clocked by the second sample signal.
US09111602B2 Accurate global reference voltage distribution system with local reference voltages referred to local ground and locally supplied voltage
A system and method for accurately distributing a master reference voltage to a plurality of local circuits within a system. A central master reference voltage is distributed to a plurality of local circuits as a difference in the voltage of a pair of conductors oriented substantially spatially parallel. Local reference voltages are generated based on the master reference voltage and a local voltage source.
US09111594B2 Sense amplifier structure for a semiconductor integrated circuit device
A semiconductor integrated circuit device includes a first signal line and a second signal line, and a sense amplifier that includes a plurality of PMOS transistors and a plurality of NMOS transistors. The sense amplifier is configured to sense amplify a potential difference between the first signal line and the second signal line. The junction regions of the NMOS and PMOS transistors having the same conductivity type, and to which the same signal is applied, are formed in one integrated active region.
US09111593B2 Differential sense amplifier without dedicated precharge transistors
The invention relates to a differential sense amplifier for sensing data stored in a plurality of memory cells of a memory cell array, including a first CMOS inverter having an output connected to a first bit line and an input connected to a second bit line complementary to the first bit line, and a second CMOS inverter having an output connected to the second bit line and an input connected to the first bit line (BL). Each CMOS inverter includes a pull-up transistor and a pull-down transistor, with the sense amplifier having a pair of precharge transistors arranged to be respectively coupled to the first and second bit lines, to precharge the first and second bit lines to a precharge voltage. The precharge transistors are constituted by the pull-up transistors or by the pull-down transistors.
US09111578B1 Recording density variation of data tracks
Systems and methods are disclosed for recording density variation of data tracks. In some embodiments, an apparatus may comprise a circuit configured to record data to a first track of a data zone at a first recording density, and record data to a second track of the data zone at second recording density different from the first recording density. Recording density may be measured as a bits per inch (BPI) value for a data track. Different recording densities may be applied based on a width of the target track. In some embodiments, such as for shingled magnetic recording (SMR), data may be recorded to partially overlapped tracks at a first density, and to non-overlapped tracks at a second density.
US09111576B2 Apparatus and method for prefetching data
Apparatuses and methods for prefetching data are disclosed. A method may include receiving a read request at a data storage device, determining a meta key in an address map that includes a logical block address (LBA) of the read request, wherein the meta key includes a beginning LBA and a size field corresponding to a number of consecutive sequential LBAs stored on the data storage device, calculating a prefetch operation to prefetch data based on addresses included in the meta key, and reading data corresponding to the prefetch operation and the read request. An apparatus may include a processor configured to receive a read request, determine a first meta key and a second meta key in an address map, calculate a prefetch operation based on addresses included in the first meta key and the second meta key, and read data corresponding to the prefetch operation and the read request.
US09111571B2 Image processing apparatus, image processing method, and program
An image processing apparatus for processing a plurality of moving image files each including moving image data relating to continuity of time between the moving image data other moving image file, performs an editing process for deleting a portion of the moving image data of one scene including a plurality of the moving image files, and changes the identification information of the moving image file in accordance with the editing process, wherein in accordance with the editing process for deleting a portion of the moving image data of the one scene being performed, the identification information of at least one of the plurality of moving image files included in the one scene is changed.
US09111570B1 Replication of tape cartridge data
Embodiments of the present invention disclose methods, computer program products, and systems for replicating data stored on a tape cartridge on one or more computing devices. In one embodiment, when priming a first tape cartridge for writing of data, the first tape cartridge is configured for replication to a second tape cartridge. Subsequently, after loading the first tape cartridge into a first tape drive, data stored on the first tape cartridge can be directly transmitted from the first tape drive to a second tape drive in which the second tape cartridge is loaded without using an intermediate host computer system to facilitate data transfer.
US09111561B1 Magnetic recording disk drive with write current overshoot amplitude (OSA) responsive to data transitions
A disk drive dynamic wave shaper (DWS) write driver includes a write current generator that produces a baseline output current for the write current pulses and an overshoot current generator that produces an overshoot current with different values. The overshoot current is added to the baseline current, with the value of the overshoot current amplitude (OSA) being selected in response to the frequency of transitions in the write data signal. The write driver includes logic circuitry that detects the pattern of transitions. Transitions that are immediately followed by a transition will receive a larger-than-nominal OSA1, transitions that are not immediately followed by a transition and that are not preceded by a long sequence of non-transitions will receive a nominal OSA2, and transitions after longer sequences of non-transitions will receive a smaller-than-nominal OSA3.
US09111556B1 Low resistance interface metal for disk drive suspension component grounding
A stainless steel suspension component such as a mount plate is chemically activated by exposure to an activating solution. Gold is then spot plated onto the mount plate in the activated area using an elastomeric mask that is clamped over the mount plate. A component may then be bonded to the gold bond pads. The component may include a PZT microactuator bonded to the gold bond pads using a conductive adhesive such as silver epoxy. The gold acts as an interface metal that provides to a low resistance and environmentally robust ground path for the microactuator.
US09111554B2 Optical data recording medium and method for reproducing recorded data
An optical data recording medium, in which irradiation of a light beam is used for recording and/or reproducing data includes (i) a substrate having an a rise and/or a recess which are a light-incident surface, (ii) a reflective layer, provided on the light-incident surface of the substrate, for reflecting the light beam, (iii) a light absorption layer for converting, to heat, a light of the light beam to heat on the surface of the reflective layer, (iv) a reproducing layer, provided on the surface of the heat-light converting layer, having a transmittance that changes in accordance with a light intensity distribution of the light beam. The optical data recording medium is excellent in super-resolution property, and enables reproduction of a shorter mark length.
US09111550B1 Write transducer having a magnetic buffer layer spaced between a side shield and a write pole by non-magnetic layers
A write transducer for a disk drive magnetic head includes a ferromagnetic write yoke having a write pole protruding towards an air bearing surface. The write transducer also includes a ferromagnetic side shield, and a ferromagnetic buffer layer disposed between the write yoke and the side shield. A first non-magnetic layer is disposed between the side shield and the ferromagnetic buffer layer. A second non-magnetic layer is disposed between the ferromagnetic buffer layer and the write yoke. The ferromagnetic buffer layer extends in a direction normal to the air bearing surface by a buffer layer throat height in the range of 10 nm to 500 nm. In certain embodiments, such a write transducer may advantageously reduce undesired wide area track erasure, without unacceptably degrading write field rise time for acceptable on-track writing data rate.
US09111545B2 Hand-held communication aid for individuals with auditory, speech and visual impairments
The present invention relates to a hand-held communication aid and method that assists the deaf-dumb and visually impaired individuals to communicate with each other and with normal individuals. The method enables deaf-dumb and visually impaired individuals to communicate with each other and with normal individuals on remote communication means without any hardware improvization. The method enables face to face communication and remote communication aid for deaf-dumb and visually impaired individuals. This method requires no modifications in hand-held communication device used by normal individual.
US09111544B2 Mono and multi-channel echo compensation from selective output
A system and method for compensating audio signal components is disclosed. The method includes detecting, by a microphone, a sound signal. The sound signal comprises audio signal components resulting from reproducing an audio signal of an audio source and speech signal components corresponding to a speech signal from a person. The sound signal is filtered to whiten the sound signal. The audio signal components in the whitened sound signal are then compensated. The whitening of the compensated sound signal is removed. The filtering of the audio signal is performed using at least two filters in an alternating way, each filter using time-dependent filter coefficients.
US09111538B2 Genius button secondary commands
Methods, systems and articles for receiving, by a telecommunication device, audio input through a unified audio interface are disclosed herein. The telecommunication device is further configured to perform at least one of a dictation action, an incoming message processing action, a navigation action, a content lookup action, or a contact lookup action while continuously or substantially continuously receiving voice commands from a user. In some aspects, the telecommunications device may continuously receive and process voice command while operating in a driving mode, which may be initiated by the telecommunications device.
US09111535B2 Method and apparatus for decoding audio signal
Provided are a method and an apparatus for decoding an audio signal. A method for decoding an audio signal encoded by a layered sinusoidal pulse coding scheme using one or more sinusoidal pulses includes decoding the encoded audio signal, setting a smoothing frequency band of the decoded audio signal according to a layer structure of the layered sinusoidal pulse coding scheme, dividing the smoothing frequency band into one or more subbands, and smoothing the decoded audio signal on a subband-by-subband basis. Accordingly, a decoding operation time can be reduced and the quality of a synthesized signal can be improved by variably setting a frequency band to be smoothed, when decoding an audio signal encoded by a layered sinusoidal pulse coding scheme using one or more sinusoidal pulses.
US09111526B2 Systems, method, apparatus, and computer-readable media for decomposition of a multichannel music signal
A method of decomposing a multichannel audio signal is described. The method includes, for each of a plurality of frequency components of a segment in time of the multichannel audio signal, calculating a corresponding indication of a direction of arrival. The method also includes, based on the calculated direction indications, selecting a subset of the plurality of frequency components. The method further includes, based on the selected subset and on a plurality of basis functions, calculating a vector of activation coefficients. Each activation coefficient of the vector corresponds to a different basis function of the plurality of basis functions.
US09111525B1 Apparatuses, methods and systems for audio processing and transmission
This disclosure details the implementation of apparatuses, methods and systems for audio processing and transmission. Some implementations of the system are configured to provide a method for encoding an arbitrary number of audio source signals using only a small amount of (transmitted or stored) information, while facilitating high-quality audio playback at the decoder side. Some implementations may be configured to implement, a parametric model for retaining the essential information of each source signal (side information). After the side information is extracted, the remaining information for all source signals may be summed to create a reference signal from which noise information for the original source signals may be reconstructed. The reference signal and the side information form the new collection of information to be transmitted or stored for subsequent decoding.
US09111521B2 Modular acoustic horns and horn arrays
A modular horn type loudspeaker and a modular horn array formed of modular loudspeakers. An acoustic horn includes a first acoustic module. The first acoustic module includes a first acoustic driver and a first acoustic duct, for conducting acoustic energy from the first acoustic driver. The first acoustic duct has a first opening through which acoustic energy is radiated. The first acoustic duct is characterized by a first centerline. A second acoustic module includes a second acoustic driver and a second acoustic duct, for conducting acoustic energy from the acoustic driver. The second acoustic duct has a second opening through which acoustic energy is radiated. The second acoustic duct is characterized by a second centerline. The first module and the second module are configured to be positioned and held in place so that the first and second openings are aligned to form a substantially continuous diffraction slot and so that the first and second centerlines are normal to an arc and intersect at a first one of a plurality of angles.
US09111520B2 Flexural disk transducer shell
A flexural disk transducer is located in a shell or enclosure primarily for underwater use. Compression chambers adjacent to the transducer capture sound from bands on the disk and waveguides are used to direct the sound forward along a single propagation axis. An acoustic delay line is built into one waveguide to compensate for phase differences between the bands.
US09111498B2 Head-mounted display with environmental state detection
Controlling a head-mounted display includes providing a head-mounted display, the head-mounted display includes a switchable viewing area that is switched between a transparent viewing state and an information viewing state. The transparent viewing state is transparent with respect to the viewing area and enables a user of the head-mounted display to view the scene outside the head-mounted display in the user's line of sight. The information viewing state is opaque with respect to the viewing area and displays information in the switchable viewing area visible to a user of the head-mounted display. An external environmental state detector provides an external stimulus notification in response to a detected change in the external environment and causes the viewing state to automatically switch in response to the external stimulus notification.
US09111496B2 Electro-optic device and electronic apparatus with a control signal including a precharge period
A signal supply circuit supplies, to a control line, a control signal which is set so as to have a precharge potential during a precharge period before start of a writing period and which is set so as to have a gray scale potential corresponding to a designated gray scale of each pixel in a time division manner during the writing period. A plurality of switches controls connection between the signal lines and the control line. A control circuit controls the plurality of switches so as to be concurrently turned on during a precharge period and controls the plurality of switches so as to be turned on sequentially during a plurality of unit periods of the writing period. The control circuit sets an initial unit period after elapse of the precharge period among the plurality of unit periods so as to be longer than the other unit periods.
US09111495B2 Liquid crystal display device, backlight used for same display device, method for driving same backlight and method for manufacturing same backlight
A Liquid Crystal Display (LCD), a backlight used for the LCD and a method for producing the LCD and the backlight are provided which are capable of inhibiting an increase in component counts and in assembling processes and of reducing them, thereby achieving low costs. A display image is obtained by arranging a backlight section being able to perform scanning as a single unit in a manner that it positionally matches a liquid crystal displaying section. The backlight section is provided with a plurality of scanning electrodes and light emitting layers each providing a different luminescent color, and being spatially separated from each other on a principal face of the backlight and scanning is performed on a plurality of light emitting layers providing a different luminescent color.
US09111487B2 Display device and method of driving the same
A display device and a method of driving the same are provided. The display device includes a plurality of display pixels, a plurality of data lines that are connected to the display pixels, and a plurality of sensing lines that are connected to the display pixels. Each display pixel includes: a driving transistor that has a control terminal, an input terminal, and an output terminal; a capacitor that is connected to the control terminal of the driving transistor; a first switching transistor that is connected to the data line and the control terminal of the driving transistor; a light-emitting element that receives a driving current from the driving transistor to emit light; a second switching transistor that is connected between the sensing line and the light-emitting element; and a third switching transistor that is connected between the output terminal of the driving transistor and the light-emitting element.
US09111485B2 Compensation technique for color shift in displays
A system for maintaining a substantially constant display white point over an extended period of operation of a color display formed by an array of multiple pixels in which each of the pixels includes multiple subpixels having different colors, and each of the subpixels includes a light emissive device. The display is generated by energizing the subpixels of successively selected pixels, and the color of each selected pixel is controlled by the relatives levels of energization of the subpixels in the selected pixel. The degradation behavior of the subpixels in each pixel is determined, and the relative levels of energization of the subpixels in each pixel are adjusted to adjust the brightness shares of the subpixels to compensate for the degradation behavior of the subpixels. The brightness shares are preferably adjusted to maintain a substantially constant display white point.
US09111484B2 Electronic device for scene evaluation and image projection onto non-planar screens
An electronic device may have one or more imaging sensors. The imaging sensors may be used in combination with an optional mechanical gesture to analyze the lighting conditions of the environment around the electronic device. The electronic device may set auto-exposure, auto-white balance, and auto-focus settings based on the analysis. The electronic device may include a shaped display. The imaging sensors may be used in calibration of a projector for the shaped display and may be used in sending touch inputs associated with the shaped display. The electronic device may be able to capture a photograph during video capture. The electronic device may generate a display screen that identifies which portions of the scene being imaged correspond to the video and which portions correspond to the photograph.
US09111483B2 Display device
To provide a display device with high image quality and fewer terminals. The present invention is made with a focus on the positional relation between a serial-parallel conversion circuit and an external connection terminal for supplying a serial signal to the serial-parallel conversion circuit. The structure conceived is such that a serial-parallel conversion circuit and an external connection terminal for supplying a serial signal to the serial-parallel conversion circuit are provided close to each other so that an RC load between the serial-parallel conversion circuit and the external connection terminal is reduced.
US09111482B2 Display device and method for controlling and updating display on a display device with two display sections
A display device is equipped with a control device that controls operation of a first and a second display section, and a memory device that stores image data of an image to be displayed on the first and the second display section as image data of one combined image. The control device includes a rewriting device that rewrites the images on the first and the second display section by dividing and supplying the image data of one combined image respectively to the first and the second display section, and a power supply stopping device that stops supply of a power supply potential, upon judging that one of the images on the first and the second display section is not to be rewritten, to the one of the first and the second display section.
US09111481B2 Display device and method of driving the same
A display device including pixels has formed therein at least two drive blocks each made up of pixel rows. Each of the pixels includes: a drive transistor; a first electrostatic capacitor and a second electrostatic capacitor; an organic EL element; a first switching transistor provided between the source and the drain of the drive transistor; and a second switching transistor that supplies a signal current to the organic EL element. Each of the pixels in a kth drive block includes a third switching transistor provided between a first signal line and the first electrostatic storing capacitor, and each of the pixels in a k-th drive block includes a fourth switching transistor provided between a second signal line and the first electrostatic storing capacitor. A second control line for controlling conduction of the first switching transistor is connected to each of the pixels in a same one of the drive blocks.
US09111480B2 Liquid crystal display and a method of driving the same by converting three color input image signals based on a hue shift of yellow
A liquid crystal display that includes a plurality of pixels configured to display four colors, and a color gamut mapping unit configured to convert three color input image signals into four color image signals, wherein when the three color input image signals include yellow, the color gamut mapping unit converts the three color input image signals based on a hue shift of the yellow.
US09111473B1 Input system
Apparatus, systems and methods that facilitate eye tracking using a contact lens are provided. In some aspects, the contact lens includes: a substrate; an antenna, disposed on or within the substrate, that harvests radio frequency energy; an integrated circuit, disposed on or within the substrate, that receives power from the antenna; and electrical components, disposed on or within the substrate, that determine motion of an eye over which the contact lens is placed, and perform tracking of the eye based, at least, on the motion. For example, the motion of the eye can be determined based on telemetry components fabricated on or within a substrate of the contact lens. In some aspects, the contact lens can include light emitters that radiate light in a direction of the gaze of the wearer of the contact lens. A heads-up device can perform eye tracking based on the direction of the light beams.
US09111467B2 Sealing system for sealing of doors of transport vehicles with door specific seals
Provided is a sealing system for sealing of doors of transport vehicles comprising at least one door with at least one first electrical contact and a corresponding door frame with at least one second electrical contact, where the first and the second contact are arranged on the same side of the door and the door frame and are electrically connected to build an open electrical circuit, and a seal to be attached to the closed door and the door frame suitable to close the open electrical circuit between first and second electrical contact in order to indicate the closure of the door. Additionally provided is a portable logging device for recording the sealing of doors as used by the sealing system and to a method to operate such a sealing system.
US09111461B2 Method for dental education
A kit for demonstrating or explaining the action of a mineral ion scavenger in an oral care composition. A method for demonstrating or explaining the action of a mineral ion scavenger in an oral care composition. A kit and/or method for providing perceptible confirmation of the action and/or effectiveness of an oral care composition comprising a mineral ion scavenger.
US09111449B2 Method and system for determining the state of occupation of a plurality of scheduled areas by vehicles
A method for determining the state of occupation of a plurality of scheduled areas by vehicles, comprising the steps of: associating with each area to be monitored a transmitter which periodically transmits a signal of fixed power; receiving in a concentrator the plurality of signals emitted by said plurality of transmitters; examining said plurality of signals and determining the occupied/vacant state of each area to be monitored; periodically transmitting a signal comprising information on the occupied/vacant state of each monitored area to an operating center; generating information indicative of the state of occupation of a plurality of areas.
US09111445B1 Wireless traffic lights synchronizer
A control arrangement for overriding automated control of sets of traffic lights at a string of intersections. The control arrangement comprises a control unit and a plurality of base units. The control unit comprises electrical circuitry disposed to generate at least one command signal and to wirelessly transmit the at least one command signal comprising traffic light control instructions to the base units. The control unit electrical circuitry comprises a control unit processor. Each of the base units include an electrical circuitry comprising a base unit processor and a receiver, the receiver being disposed to receive the at least one command signal from the control unit, and pass the command single onto other base units, wherein the circuitry comprises a hard wire connection disposed to connect to the mechanical connector of an automated traffic light controller.
US09111440B2 Refrigerator and remote controller
Provided is a refrigerator, which includes a display part and a control part. The display part displays information. The control part controls the display part. The display part includes a first display part for displaying information related to an additional function except for a cooling function, and a second display part for displaying temperature information related to the cooling function.
US09111439B2 Programming a universal remote control via direct interaction
A method and system for programming a universal remote control (URC) to operate with a remote-controlled device is disclosed. Programming codes for the remote-controlled device may be transferred from an original remote control using a programming interface. The transfer may be performed directly with the URC. The transfer may also be performed using consumer-premises equipment of a multimedia content distribution network. The URC may be configured to use at least one of the programming codes to remotely control the remote-controlled device.
US09111436B2 Systems and methods of embedding a radio transceiver into an energy storage device used in electronic equipment
Systems and methods relating to integration of circuitry including a transmitter or transceiver component into energy storage devices, such as battery packs for portable electronic equipment. Further embodiments also relate to providing a tuned miniature antenna and/or encapsulating such antenna inside the energy storage device.
US09111432B2 Mobile duress dynamic registration and pendant management system
A system for transmitting information in a wireless network includes at least one mobile transponder, each transponder adapted to be on the person of a user; an area controller gateway for controlling and managing the network, the area controller gateway operatively connected to the at least one mobile transponder; and a central monitoring station adapted to receive information from the at least one mobile transponder via the area controller gateway and to transmit other information to the at least one mobile transponder via the area controller gateway. The central monitoring station is operatively connected to the area controller gateway by an interne or cellular connection. The system may include a repeater adapted to receive information from the at least one mobile transponder and to transmit said information to the area controller gateway. The mobile transponder may be a duress pendant to provide duress notification or coverage to the user.
US09111429B2 Apparatus and method for managing alarms of system
Disclosed are an apparatus and a method for managing alarms based on state information received from systems. The method includes receiving alarms including state information of a remote control system; displaying an alarm queue including at least one of the received alarms; setting important alarms from among the alarms displayed in the alarm queue; and deleting the important alarm from the alarm queue when a user confirms the important alarm or a signal notifying a recovery to a normal state of a system corresponding to the important alarm is received.
US09111428B2 Merchandise security device including strain relief block
A merchandise security device for displaying an electronic item of merchandise includes a strain relief block configured for attachment to the merchandise and an alarming power cable configured for being electrically coupled to a power input port provided on the merchandise. The alarming power cable is routed through the strain relief block for reducing strain applied to the alarming power cable, which may prevent damaging the power input port or the portion of the alarming power cable extending between the strain relief block and the power input port.
US09111423B2 Gaming machine conducting indication effect
A gaming machine executes a process of randomly determining symbols to be rearranged on a reel unit. The gaming machine executes a process of determining a combination formed by the symbols. The gaming machine executes a process of selecting from a plurality of choices an indication effect which is executed before the rearrangement of the symbols on the reel unit, based on the determined combination. The gaming machine executes a process of executing the selected indication effect by a notification device.
US09111422B2 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.
US09111419B2 Blackjack game with bonus feature
A bonus event for Blackjack card games is provided. The bonus event has two or more designated bonus element, such as card hands. If one of the bonus elements is achieved as the result of play of a first Blackjack game, the bonus event is triggered. A bonus award is paid to the player if the player receives remaining required bonus elements as a result of the play of additional Blackjack games during the bonus period. The game is preferably played against a dealer at a video Blackjack machine and offers the player the opportunity for awards for each Blackjack game win and one or more additional bonus awards.
US09111406B2 Multi-point capacitive information transfer
Embodiments of the invention provide devices and systems for the transfer of information using multi-point contact on a capacitive surface. In one embodiment, the invention provides a device comprising: a first surface having a plurality of contact points arranged in a pattern and a second surface having a contact area electrically connected to the plurality of contact points, whereby the plurality of contact points on the first surface is activated by a user contacting the contact area on the second surface.
US09111404B2 Vending apparatus and method for providing training for a medicinal product or medical device or combination product
The present invention relates to a vending apparatus for at least one medicinal product, comprising of a housing, storage means adapted to store the at least one medicinal product, an input means adapted to process a costumer request for a medicinal product, processing means adapted to process the costumer request and being adapted to execute an interactive product-related training procedure to the customer, and delivery means for handing out the medicinal product to the costumer after passing the training procedure, wherein access to the medicinal product is only approved by the processing means if the customer successfully passes the training procedure.
US09111400B2 System for detecting abnormal driving behavior
In an abnormal driving behavior detection system for a vehicle, an obtainer repeatedly obtains an observed value indicative of at least one of a running condition of the vehicle and a driver's driving operation of the vehicle. A mode-probability calculator calculates, each time an observed value is obtained at a given obtaining timing as a target obtained value, a mode probability for each of driving modes as a function of one or more previous observed values. A deviation calculator obtains a predicted observed value for each driving mode using a driver's normal behavior model defined therefor, and calculates a deviation of the target observed value from the predicted observed value for each driving mode. An abnormality determiner determines whether there is at least one driver's abnormal behavior based on the mode probability for each driving mode and the deviation calculated for each driving mode.
US09111394B1 Rendering based on multiple projections
A workflow for 3D content authoring, delivery, and rendering is facilitated based on pre-authored image projections to obtain improvements in authoring efficiency. Additionally, a content delivery platform centered on such pre-authored image projections provides a mechanism for significantly improving streaming efficiency for 3D worlds. Multiple images encode primary surface detail of 3D worlds in real-time applications. Examples of such projections include images that can be as rich as film frames, feature animation frames, high end digital renders, concept paintings, or any suitable combination thereof. An algorithm for improved image projection camera path trajectories, sampling selection, and blending may be implemented by various systems and methods to facilitate smooth transitions during movements of a player within a game set in the 3D space. In addition, a back-projection technique may be implemented by various systems and methods to propagate revisions of one or more projections.
US09111392B2 Stochastic depth buffer compression using generalized plane encoding
Unlike a static primitive, where the depth function is planar, the depth function for a moving and defocused triangle is a rational function in time and the lens parameters. Compact depth functions can be used to design an efficient depth buffer compressor/decompressor, which significantly lowers total depth buffer bandwidth usage. In addition, this compressor/decompressor is substantially simpler in the number of operations needed to execute, which makes it more amenable for hardware implementation than previous methods.
US09111381B2 Shift-varying line projection using graphics hardware
Line segments are classified according to orientation to improve list mode reconstruction of tomography data using graphics processing units (GPUs). The new approach addresses challenges which include compute thread divergence and random memory access by exploiting GPU capabilities such as shared memory and atomic operations. The benefits of the GPU implementation are compared with a reference CPU-based code. When applied to positron emission tomography (PET) image reconstruction, the GPU implementation is 43× faster, and images are virtually identical. In particular, the deviation between the GPU and the CPU implementation is less than 0.08% (RMS) after five iterations of the reconstruction algorithm, which is of negligible consequence in typical clinical applications.
US09111380B2 Rendering maps
Some embodiments provide a mapping application for rendering map portions. The mapping application includes a map receiver for receiving map tiles from a mapping service in response to a request for the map tiles needed for a particular map view. Each map tile includes vector data describing a map region. The mapping application includes a set of mesh building modules. Each mesh building module is for using the vector data in at least one map tile to build a mesh for a particular layer of the particular map view. The mapping application includes a mesh aggregation module for combining layers from several mesh builders into a renderable tile for the particular map view. The mapping application includes a rendering engine for rendering the particular map view.
US09111379B2 Method and system for X-ray CT imaging
Methods and systems for performing x-ray computerized tomographic (CT) reconstruction of imaging data on a rotatable portion of the system, such as a ring-shaped rotor. The rotor may include an x-ray source, and x-ray detector system and a processor, coupled to the detector system, for performing tomographic reconstruction of imaging data collected by the detector system.
US09111369B2 Graphics accelerator
Disclosed herein are various embodiments of a graphics accelerator, which may include an integrated circuit. The integrated circuit may include a local memory; a direct memory access (DMA) engine; a processor; and one or more processing pipelines. The local memory stores graphics data that includes a plurality of pixels. The DMA engine transfers the graphics data between the local memory and an external memory. The processor performs at least one operation, in parallel, on components of at least a portion of the pixels. The one or more processing pipelines process the graphics data. The graphics accelerator works on operands and produces outputs for one set of pixels while the DMA engine is bringing in operands for a future set of pixel operations, and transfers data from the external memory to the one or more processing pipelines by directing data to the one or more pipelines.
US09111365B2 Edge-adaptive interpolation and noise filtering method, computer-readable recording medium, and portable terminal
An edge-adaptive interpolation and noise filtering method is provided including performing primary interpolation on a first color, based on a first preset number of directions, with respect to a first color window obtained from an input image window, estimating an edge direction within a primary interpolated first color window obtained by the primary interpolation, based on a second preset number of directions, the second preset number of directions being larger than the first preset number, with respect to the primary interpolated first color window, performing secondary interpolation on the first color, based on the estimated edge direction, with respect to the primary interpolated first color window, and performing interpolation on a second color, based on the estimated edge direction, with respect to a second color window obtained from the input image window.
US09111362B2 Method, system and apparatus for applying histogram equalization to an image
A method for applying histogram equalization to an image comprises calculating a histogram of at least one image portion of an input image to obtain histogram data representing the number of occurrences of different brightness values in said at least one image portion. Said histogram data is filled up such that substantially all brightness values have a minimum number of occurrences. A cumulative distribution function is calculated from said filled up histogram data and is equalized in a predetermined range. Finally, said at least one image portion of the input image is remapped based on said equalized cumulative distribution function.
US09111357B2 System and method of pill identification
A system and method for identifying pills by determining a size and shape of each pill in a digital image. The system includes a background grid organized as a grid of alternating-colored shapes. The system also includes a digital camera, a processor and a memory. The processor is used to receive and process the digital image taken by the digital camera so as to determine contours for each pill in the image. The contour determination is refined and is used to determine size and shape information for each pill.
US09111351B2 Minimizing drift using depth camera images
A device may obtain, from a camera associated with a reference object, depth image data including objects in a first frame and a second frame; identify features of the objects in the first frame and the second frame; and track movements of the features between the first frame and the second frame. The device may also identify independently moving features in the second frame, based on the tracking movements; remove the independently moving features from the depth image data to obtain a static feature set; and process the depth image data corresponding to the static feature set to detect changes in the relative position of objects in the first frame and the second frame. The processor may further translate the changes in relative position into corresponding movement data of the camera and provide the corresponding movement data to an inertial navigation system.
US09111333B2 Predictive position encoding
A method and apparatus for position coding of three dimensional mesh models are described including estimating a symbol probability of a non-empty-child-cell Cl,k, where Ql,k denotes the kth cell at layer l, wherein the symbol probability is estimated based on an accuracy of a fitted plane P, sub-dividing the non-empty-child-cell to produce a sub-cell, if the non-empty-child-cell has more than one vertex, determining if there are more unprocessed non-empty-child-cells at layer l, if there are no more unprocessed non-empty-child-cells at layer l, determining if all non-empty-child-cells at layer l have only one vertex and a distance between the center of the sub-cell and a point inside the sub-cell is less than or equal to a first threshold and entropy coding symbols representing a position of the non-empty-child-cells, if all non-empty-child-cells at layer l have only one vertex and the distance between the center of the sub-cell and the point inside the sub-cell is less than or equal to the first threshold.
US09111328B2 Texture compression and decompression
Embodiments relate to compression and decompression of textures. A texel block (10) is compressed by specifying two major directions in the texel block (10) and defining the profiles of how the texel values change along the respective directions. The resulting compressed texel block (30) comprises two value codewords (31, 32), two line codewords (35-38) and a function codeword (33, 34). The two value codewords (31, 32) are employed to calculate two texel values for the texel block (10). The line codewords (35-38) are employed to determine equations of two lines (20, 22) coinciding with the two major directions in the texel block (10). Signed distances are calculated for each texel (12) from the texel position in the texel block (10) and to the two lines (20, 22). The signed distances are input to a function defined by the function codeword (33, 34) to output two values from which weights are calculated and applied to the two texel values in order to get a representation of the texel value of a texel (12).
US09111319B2 System, computer program product and computer-implemented method for sharing academic user profiles and ranking academic users
A system for sharing academic articles and credential information for a plurality of academic users is described herein. Embodiments of the system, computer program product and computer-implemented method perform a process for gathering data related to the academic user and a process for determining a reputation ranking for the academic user by executing the steps of: creating a user profile for the academic user from attribute information gathered from a user profile prompt, enabling the user profile from the academic user to be viewed by academic and non-academic users and selected for ranking by other academic users, enabling the other academic users to provide a rank selection for the user profile for the academic user according to at least one of research quality, credentials, research articles, and user activity, and determining a reputation ranking for the user profile from the rank selection of the other academic users.
US09111317B2 Tagging posted content in a social networking system with media information
A social networking system allows a user to insert media information into content posted by the user, where the media information identifies a media item that the user is consuming while composing the posted content. When a user of a social networking system composes content via a composer interface, the user may select an option on the composer interface to record audio using a microphone on the user's device. A media item is identified from the recorded audio and information about the identified media item is added to the user's posted content. The system may also update information about the identified media item and the composing user.
US09111300B2 Method and system for automated online college scholarship donations
In one example, we describe methods and systems for automated online merchant charity donations. In one embodiment, a donation agent interacting with a merchant website can offer an online user an option to allocate at least a portion of a payment for or price of a purchase, associated with a transaction made by the user via the merchant website, to be donated by a merchant corresponding to the merchant website on behalf of the user to a charity of the user's choosing. If the online user exercises the option, the donation agent can calculate an amount of the donation to be made and store the calculated donation amount in a database. The donation agent can disburse the calculated donation amount to the charity selected by the customer. The method also works for the off-line model. The points earned can be combined with a college scholarship award mechanism. The system and method describe authentication and the way the charity funding is distributed, with respect to the college tuition and scholarship award.
US09111289B2 System and method for providing automatic high-value listing feeds for online computer users
A system and method for providing automatic high-value listing feeds for online computer users is disclosed. A particular embodiment includes obtaining publisher information corresponding to a plurality of publisher content items from a plurality of publisher sites; obtaining merchant information including value information corresponding to the plurality of publisher content items; using a processor, the publisher information, and the merchant information to generate a set of high-value feeds for transfer to the plurality of publisher sites, the set of high-value feeds each being ranked corresponding to a quality score computed for each listing item of each high-value feed; and transferring the set of high-value feeds to corresponding publisher sites of the plurality of publisher sites.
US09111283B1 RFID tag authentication with public-key cryptography
An authentication method includes RFID readers authenticating RFID tags using public-key cryptography. A tag manufacturer or other legitimate authority produces a tag private-public key pair and stores the tag private key in externally unreadable tag memory and the tag public key in externally readable tag memory. The authority produces a master private-public key pair and distributes the master public key to readers in the field. The authority generates a tag-specific electronic signature based on at least the tag public key and the master private key and stores this signature in externally readable tag memory. A reader authenticates the tag by retrieving the tag public key and electronic signature from the tag, verifying the authenticity of the tag public key using the master public key and the electronic signature, challenging the tag, receiving a response from the tag to the challenge, and verifying the response using the tag public key.
US09111277B2 Methods and systems for processing electronic transactions and managing vehicle costs
A computer-implemented method for performing an electronic transaction using a payment computer coupled to a database is provided. The transaction includes an item purchased in association with a vehicle and initiated by a cardholder with a merchant. The method includes receiving, at the payment computer, an authorization request message from the merchant, the authorization request message including first transaction data, wherein the first transaction data includes a vehicle identifier for identifying the vehicle; transmitting an authorization response message from the payment computer to the merchant; storing, within the database, the first transaction data including the vehicle identifier; storing, within the database, other transaction data associated with other purchased items for the vehicle, wherein the first transaction data and the other transaction data define a total transaction data associated with the vehicle; and tracking, by the vehicle identifier, the total transaction data for access by the cardholder.
US09111274B2 Payment processing
A system may include a communication interface configured to communicate with a mobile device and processing logic. The processing logic may be configured to receive authorization from the mobile device, when the mobile device is located proximate to the system, for a first payment for a good or service, and transmit a communication to the mobile device subsequent to receiving the authorization from the mobile device, where the communication is transmitted when the mobile device is not located proximate to the system. The processing logic may further be configured to receive authorization from the mobile device for a second payment in response to the communication.
US09111273B2 Techniques for checking into a retail establishment
Techniques for checking into a retail establishment are provided. A retailer provides a substrate having a magnetic-field encoded tag. A consumer waves the consumer's device over the tag to electronically capture the magnetic-field encoded tag. The consumer's device is used to communicate the tag to a retailer to validate that the consumer is physically present and now checked into the retail establishment of the retailer.
US09111272B2 Mobile payments
A method and system for processing payment transaction at a computing device is provided. The method includes receiving a payment request at the computing device from a purchaser terminal, the payment request including purchaser information, determining whether payment information associated with the purchaser information exists at the computing device, and processing payment transaction using the payment information if it is determined that the payment information associated with the purchaser information exists at the computing device.
US09111271B2 System and method for controlling financial transactions over a wireless network
A system and method for controlling financial transactions is disclosed. A customer, using a wireless device, identifies a point of sale and the amount of a transaction at that point of sale is first communicated to a central service and then transmitted to the wireless device for display at the wireless device. The customer can either accept the transaction amount to complete the transaction or reject the amount to cancel the transaction. The customer may have to enter a password or personal identification number to verify the authorization to use the wireless financial system. The customer is billed for the transaction via credit, debit, ATM or other methods, such as the wireless carrier or an internet provider.
US09111266B2 Device for collecting and disbursing electronic gratuities
The present invention relates to systems and methods for collecting and disbursing electronic gratuities. According to one embodiment, a device for submitting gratuities by credit card is provided at a place of business or other appropriate location. A method of using this device is disclosed, whereby consumers pay a predetermined or adjustable gratuity amount by inserting a credit card into the device. According to another embodiment, technological infrastructure is provided to transmit encrypted payment information such that the acquiring bank of the device provider obtains authorization for gratuity transactions conducted using the device. The acquiring bank is thus enabled to credit the device provider's merchant account or disbursal accounts with electronic gratuity payments less acquisition fees. According to another embodiment, a method of disbursing gratuity shares to employees of the business is provided, wherein processing fees are collected by the device provider.
US09111265B2 Step identifier based on a universal timestamp
One or more transactions, and their audited update actions, operating on a database may be identified by a step ID. The step ID may include a first set of bits identifying a time the step was created. The step ID may also include a second set of bits uniquely identifying a step created at a certain time from other step created at the same time. The first set of bits may be generated from a coordinated universal time (UTC) that does not change with local seasons, such as daylight saving time.
US09111263B2 Adaptive meeting management
A template and/or knowledge associated with a synchronous meeting are obtained by a computing device. The computing device then adaptively manages the synchronous meeting based at least in part on the template and/or knowledge.
US09111261B2 Method and system for management of electronic mail communication
A method, system, and article for management of email communication content across a computer system network. An archive of email communications is retained on storage media in communication with the network. In addition, email communication is retained on storage media in communication with a client machine in the network. To mitigate duplication of email communications, duplicate communications are replaced with a hyperlink to the archive communication. This replacement supports removal of the duplicate communication from the storage media in communication with the client machine.
US09111260B2 Facilitating retrieval of information within a messaging environment
Techniques and mechanisms are provided that allow participants in an electronic messaging conversation (e.g. email or instant message) to retrieve information related to words and phrases in the electronic messaging conversation without leaving the electronic messaging environment. An electronic messaging environment is provided that includes user interface tools that allow a user to (1) select text within the EM conversation, (2) submit the text to an information retrieval service, such as a search engine, and (3) display the results generated by the information retrieval service. To facilitate the selection of relevant text, certain “suggested words” within the conversation may automatically be highlighted by the instant messaging client. Various techniques are provided for customizing which words are suggested, which sources are searched, and which search terms are used.
US09111259B2 Affinity list generation
The present invention relates to analyzing communications involving a given user and determining a ranked list of the most relevant contacts for the user based on the analysis. As subsequent communications are analyzed, the list may be updated in a systematic fashion to provide a dynamic and up-to-date ranking of the most relevant contacts for the user at any given time. By having access to an up-to-date, ranked list of their most relevant contacts, the user can more readily initiate communications with others and avoid searching or sorting through more traditional contact listings.
US09111256B2 Selection information system and method for ingestible product preparation system and method
A computationally implemented system and method that is designed to, but is not limited to: electronically receiving user status information regarding a particular individual living being including living being identification associated with the particular individual living being to at least in part electronically generate, based at least in part upon the user status information, one or more selection menus electronically identifying at least in part one or more candidate ingestible products, the electronically generated one or more selection menus to be electronically outputted to provide, via electronically enabled input in response thereto, selection opportunity of the one or more candidate ingestible products subject to ingestion by the particular individual living being prior to selection of at least one candidate ingestible product as at least one selected ingestible products via the electronically enabled input in response to the electronically outputted one or more selection menus.
US09111252B1 Product information update apparatus
An ultra-high frequency radio frequency identification reader-writer wirelessly sends a product information signal to an ultra-high frequency antenna. The ultra-high frequency antenna sends the product information signal to an ultra-high frequency side dual interface memory unit. The ultra-high frequency side dual interface memory unit utilizes an energy of the product information signal to update a product data corresponding to the product information signal. When a processing unit and a high frequency side dual interface memory unit are driven, the processing unit fetches the product information signal from the ultra-high frequency side dual interface memory unit. The processing unit sends the product information signal to the high frequency side dual interface memory unit. The high frequency side dual interface memory unit updates the product data corresponding to the product information signal.
US09111245B2 Displaying modeling data and logical data
A method and apparatus for displaying information about a group of harnesses. Logical data of a database comprising a group of identifiers comprising a group of harness identifiers and a group of vehicle identifiers of a database is displayed. A selected identifier of the group of identifiers is received. Modeling data is displayed, wherein the modeling data comprises a harness set related to a model of a vehicle that is associated with a vehicle identifier and is related to the selected identifier.
US09111243B2 Global process template and adaptation of global process to local country to facilitate migration to shared service center
A method, apparatus and computer-usable medium for creating a Global Process Template (GPT) that describes standardized aspects of a business process used by clients of multiple Shared Service Centers (SSCs), wherein the GPT defines uniform business processes, core business processes, and local business processes.
US09111234B2 Enabling notifications pertaining to an asset
A method for enabling notifications pertaining to an asset is disclosed. The method receives information from a first reporting source about an asset. In addition, information from a second reporting source about the asset is also received. A database is then populated with the information from the first reporting source and the information from the second reporting source such that information from the first reporting source and information from the second reporting source can be accessed from the database. A state machine for the asset is maintained based on the received information which enables providing notifications pertaining to the asset.
US09111233B2 Contextually-appropriate task reminders
A computing device learns over time how to identify task reminders that are most likely to be helpful to a user in different contexts. The task reminders can remind the user of activities that the user needs to do. The computing device displays a graphical user interface (GUI) that contains the task reminders identified as being most likely to be helpful to the user in the user's current context. The computing device updates the task reminders in the GUI as the user's context changes. In this way, the computing device can present task reminders that are likely to be currently helpful to the user while suppressing task reminders that are less likely to be helpful to the user at the current time.
US09111231B2 Associating a web session with a household member
A method for associating a web session with a particular member of a group of users includes: receiving a plurality of training web sessions, each training web session including one or more web events generated by a respective known user having one or more demographic attributes; training one or more binary classifiers using the training web sessions and the demographic attributes of the users; receiving a plurality of target web sessions, each target web session including one or more web events that are generated by a respective unknown member of a group of users, wherein each user has one or more demographic attributes; and applying one or more of the binary classifiers to the target web sessions such that a respective target web session is uniquely associated with a member based on, at least in part, the demographic attributes of the member.
US09111230B2 Frequency arrangement for surface code on a superconducting lattice
A device lattice arrangement including a plurality of devices, a plurality of physical connections for the plurality of devices, wherein each of the plurality of devices are coupled to at least two of the plurality of physical connections, a plurality of identity labels associated with individual devices of the plurality of devices and an arrangement of identity labels such that pairs of devices of the plurality of devices connected by some number of the plurality of connections have different identity labels.
US09111227B2 Monitoring data analyzing apparatus, monitoring data analyzing method, and monitoring data analyzing program
An object of the present invention is to reduce a prediction error even if a monitoring target system has a plurality of patterns of use. A monitoring data analyzing apparatus includes a log data file 21 configured to accumulate log data including monitoring data in a monitoring target system set as a target of performance management, a data classifying section 11 configured to classify the log data into a plurality of groups on the basis of characteristics of use status data included in the log data and indicating statuses of use of components of the monitoring target system, and a regression-model generating section 12 configured to execute a regression analysis of the log data and generate a regression model for each of the groups.
US09111222B2 Method and apparatus for switching the binary state of a location in memory in a probabilistic manner to store synaptic weights of a neural network
Certain aspects of the present disclosure support a technique for utilizing a memory in probabilistic manner to store information about weights of synapses of a neural network.
US09111218B1 Method and system for remediating topic drift in near-real-time classification of customer feedback
A method and system of classifying documents is provided. The method includes receiving a stream of documents from at least one user wherein each document includes a topic of information relating to a customer support issue or sentiment. The method includes classifying each of the received documents using a plurality of trained classifiers, the classification based on a voting by the trained classifiers, each document labeled according to a similar topic. A drift of the topic of one or more of the classifications is determined wherein the drift is related to the received documents that include information relating to an unclassified customer support issue or sentiment. If the determined drift exceeds a predetermined threshold range, rebuilding the plurality of classifiers to include a second set of classifiers trained to recognize the unclassified customer support issue or sentiment.
US09111213B2 Method for constructing a tree of linear classifiers to predict a quantitative variable
A method is provided for predictive modeling of a physical process in order to determine and implement a solution to the physical process. The method includes storing representations of relevant physical relationships, observations, and outcome probabilities related to the physical process in a memory of a computer, recursively analyzing the stored representations by the computer, and generating at least one tree structure that models the physical process, the tree structure including at least one root node, a plurality of decision nodes, and a plurality of end nodes. The method also includes determining a solution to the physical process based on criterion variables, by the computer using the tree structure of the physical process to arrive at an end node, and implementing a physical solution to the physical process, the physical solution being based on the determined solution.
US09111211B2 Systems and methods for relevance scoring of a digital resource
The present disclosure is directed to systems and methods that score content, URLs, domains, phrases or any entity based on an expected relevance to an individual user which may be based on that user's previous engagement with digital resources. A server receives identification of a plurality of actions of a user, which may include a click by the user on a link associated with a digital resource of a plurality of digital resources. The server may receive identification of actions of the user to share one or more digital resources of the plurality of digital resources. The server may identify a plurality of keywords from content of the plurality of digital resources, classify patterns from the actions of the users and the keywords and generate, based on the pattern classification, a relevance score responsive to receiving a user identifier and a digital resource keyword.
US09111210B2 Information processing apparatus and job setting method
In an information processing apparatus, if the number of specific items of a plurality of setting items included in pre-registration information selected by a selection portion is equal to or less than a threshold, a change portion changes a setting content of the specific item to a content within a range of use authority. A setting screen display portion displays a setting screen for setting the specific item whose setting content has been changed by the change portion. A second display control portion displays an authentication screen if the setting content of the specific item is set on the setting screen so as to be outside the range of the use authority.
US09111207B2 Terminal apparatus interacting with a function executing apparatus to perform print and scan functions using various communication schemes
A terminal apparatus may receive first information relating to a first function executing apparatus from the first function executing apparatus. The first function executing apparatus may be configured to execute a print function. The terminal apparatus may cause a display mechanism of the terminal apparatus to display a first image indicating M1 items of communication schemes by using the first information. Each of the M1 items of communication schemes may be a communication scheme available for the first function executing apparatus to receive print data.
US09111202B2 Presentation-based quality determination
A solution for evaluating a printing configuration for an electronic document in which one or more presentation attributes of a physical reproduction (e.g., a printed copy) of the electronic document are considered. A perceived quality of the physical reproduction of the electronic document can be determined using a set of properties of the electronic document and the one or more presentation attributes. The perceived quality can be utilized in various ways as part of a printing process.
US09111201B1 Hand-held printing device and method for tuning ink jet color for printing on colored paper
A hand-held printer is disclosed. The hand-held printer includes an image sensor configured to determine a color having plurality of color components associated with a print medium, an image processing module configured to process image data into a plurality of color layers; and a print module configured to receive information related to the plurality of color components from the image sensor and information related to the plurality of color layers from the image processing module. The print module being configured to enhance at least one of the plurality of color layers based on at least one of the corresponding plurality of color components associated with the print medium.
US09111200B2 Image forming apparatus combining stamp image with original image
An image forming apparatus includes the following: a stamp shape data generation unit configured to generate stamp shape data indicating a shape of a stamp image, wherein the stamp image includes stamp color data indicating a color of the stamp image; a stamp combining unit configured to (i) generate planes of the stamp shape data corresponding to color components of the stamp color data, wherein a color density of each plane of the stamp shape data is equal to a color density of a corresponding color component of the stamp color data, and (ii) combine the planes of the stamp shape data with respective planes of image data to form a combined image; and an output execution unit configured to execute an output operation on the combined image.
US09111198B2 Print control method, print control device, and storage medium
A print control method executes a process of adding a command to print data output from an application to a communication port in a computer having a communication port and executing a specific process by an application installed on an application layer and operating under an operating system on the OS kernel layer, the method including: the computer acquiring the print data at the OS kernel layer before the print data is received by the communication port; determining on the application layer if each command of the acquired print data is a print instruction command for an object that should be printed at a different print speed than the standard speed; and adding and outputting to the communication port a command that changes the print speed before the print instruction command when the command is determined to be a print instruction command for printing an object at a different speed.
US09111194B2 Contactless data transmission device, security and/or valuable document including the same and method for manufacturing the contactless data transmission device
This present invention serves to simplify manufacture of a contactless data transmission device (50). This device (50) has an electrically insulating carrier (1), a circuit element arranged on the carrier (1) made from a continuous antenna conductor track (2) in the form of at least one spiral winding (4, 5, 6) and respectively one terminal contact (15, 16) at the ends thereof as well as an electronic component (3) with at least two contact points (11, 12) electrically connected with the circuit element. The electronic component (3) is placed in a mounting region (10) above the at least one spiral winding (4, 5, 6). The at least two contact points (11, 12) of the component (3) are electrically connected with a respective terminal contact (15, 16) of the antenna conductor track (2). At least one spiral winding (4, 5, 6) is branched outside the mounting region (10) between two respective branching points (7′, 7″; 8′, 8″; 9′, 9″) into at least two spiral winding branches (4′, 4″; 5′, 5″; 6′, 6″). The data transmission device (50) is a component part of a valuable and/or security document (100).
US09111191B2 Method of making RFID devices
A method of producing antennas for RFID devices includes cutting or otherwise physically separating the antennas from a preformed sheet of conductive material that includes apertures in the conductive material. Cutting locations relative to the apertures may be selected based on desired performance characteristics of the antenna and/or of the RFID device for which the antenna is to be used. The cutting locations may include one or more cuts through the aperture, and other cuts that do not pass through an aperture. The cutting locations may be selected as a function of such parameters as the desired bandwidth of the antenna and the operating frequency of the antenna. The method allows production of antennas with different characteristics, from a previously-prepared supply of sheet conductive material. This facilitates the ability to make small production runs of antennas, and/or to reduce the lead time for providing antennas with specified characteristics.
US09111189B2 Apparatus and method for manufacturing an electronic package
An apparatus to package an electronic device. The apparatus includes a composite plastic package that is durable to environmental conditions. In particular, a mold process to produce a plastic composite material package and support an electronic component inserted therein. At least one injection nozzle supplies a specified level of plastic composite material into the mold to produce a substantially hermetically sealed package. A multi-patch antenna provides increased receiver sensitivity. An inductive battery power option provides a user flexibility to charge a tracking device and communicate near-field signals and energy with a tracking monitoring station.
US09111181B2 Detecting and flagging likely confidential content in photographs to prevent automated dissemination
Automatic distribution of image data, such as a digital photographs, is prevented or delayed if the photograph is determined to likely contain confidential data. Online photo streaming services, albums, social media accounts, and backup services can be a source of inadvertent disclosure of confidential information due to these automatic dissemination functions of modern photo capturing devices. Detection criteria to trigger the blocking of dissemination may include recognition of faces of co-workers and clients, recognition of business furnishings such as whiteboards and conference room equipment, as well as geotags where the image was captured, the time, day of week, and date at which it was captured, and network identifiers associated with the network on which the capturing device is connected.
US09111176B2 Image matching device, image matching method and image matching program
Image matching device 300 of the invention includes feature image extracting sections 303, 304 extracting one or more partial object images containing a local structural feature from an object image and extracting one or more partial reference images containing the local structural feature from each reference image, first image detecting section 306 setting each of the partial object images as an image of interest and detecting a first partial image most similar to the image of interest from a set of partial reference images, second image detecting section 307 detecting a second partial image most similar to the first partial image from a set of partial object images, and determination processing section 305 determining whether or not the image of interest matches the second partial image and outputting the result of the determination.
US09111175B2 Method and a system for registering a 3D pre-acquired image coordinate system with a medical positioning system coordinate system and with a 2D image coordinate system
Method for registering a three dimensional (3D) pre acquired image coordinates system with a Medical Positioning System (MPS) coordinate system and a two dimensional (2D) image coordinate system, the method comprising acquiring a 2D image of a volume of interest, the volume including an organ, the 2D image being associated with the 2D coordinate system, acquiring MPS points within the organ, the MPS points being associated with the MPS coordinate system, the MPS coordinate system being registered with the 2D coordinate system, extracting a 3D image model of the organ from a pre acquired 3D image of the volume of interest, estimating a volumetric model of the organ from the acquired MPS points, and registering the 3D coordinate system with the MPS coordinate system by matching the extracted 3D image model and the estimated volumetric model of the organ.
US09111160B1 Computer implemented non-intrusive remote monitoring and capturing system and a method thereof
The present disclosure envisages a computer implemented non-intrusive remote monitoring and capturing system for remotely monitoring operations on a plurality of workstations from an administrator. The system includes a first application installed on the workstations and a second application on the administrator. The first application executed on the workstations and the second executed on the administrator communicates with each other via a network. The first application of the workstation receives an electronic signal from a supervisor administering the administrator. The first application includes a first receiver having an extractor which is capable of extracting a first operation and a second operation command from the received electronic signal. Both the first operation command and the second operation command are embedded in a format selected from the group consisting of an email format, a short message service (SMS) format, a missed call format, a voice command format and a combination thereof within the electronic signal.
US09111150B2 Authentication system, and method for registering and matching authentication information
A certain amount of unique data of a target is extracted from image information that was read, and it is determined whether or not the target is valid on the basis of the extracted unique data. Processes are executed by means of an image reading unit which extracts an image by scanning a target, an individual difference data calculating unit which calculates individual difference data from the obtained image, an individual difference data comparing unit which compares the calculated individual difference data, and a determination unit which determines whether or not to grant validation.
US09111134B1 Building systems for tracking 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 the feature of the face of the specified individual person.
US09111132B2 Image processing device, image processing method, and control program
An image processing device that identifies a characteristic of a lip from a face image including a mouth of a person has a representative skin color determination unit that determines a representative color of a skin in the face image, a candidate color determination unit that sets a plurality of regions in the face image such that at least one of the regions contains a part of the lip, and determines representative colors of the regions as candidate colors, and a representative lip color determination unit that determines a representative color of the lip from the plurality of candidate colors, in accordance with a difference in hue and saturation between the representative color of the skin and each candidate color.
US09111119B2 Methods, devices and data structures for trusted data
An apparatus includes a processor and a memory to implement a method to provide a proof that two or more instances of a data structure type are as trustworthy as each other.
US09111114B1 Method of transforming database system privileges to object privileges
Coarse-grained system-wide database privileges are transformed into new finer-grained database object privileges that are user-centric and specific to particular objects by creating an object class defining certain generic operations on objects, and defining within the object class a new object that embodies permissible actions on a particular database object. The new object is stored in a catalog table that comprises an object privilege table and is associated in the object privilege table with a consolidated grouping of object privileges of users relative to the new object.
US09111110B2 Retroactive shared content item links
A content management system implementing methodologies providing retroactive shared content item links is disclosed. The content management system and methodologies allow a team administrator of a team to configure a team-wide shared link policy that determines whether non-team members can access content items associated with team accounts using shared links generated for the content items by team members. The team shared link policy has two settings. In a first setting, the content management system allows non-team members to use shared links generated by team members to access content items associated with team accounts. In a second setting, the content management system blocks access to the content items by non-team members. Shared links are retroactive in the sense they do not need to be regenerated after the team shared link policy has been changed from the second setting back to the first setting.
US09111108B2 System, method and program for controlling access rights
A system for controlling access rights of a software developer party with respect to artifacts having computer operated functions of a computer program includes an access control database which has policies that control access by a party to the artifacts in an application development environment. The system includes an application development environment having the artifacts. The system includes an access policy controller in communication with the access control database and the application development environment which implements the policies and controls access by the party to the artifacts being controlled. At least a first of the plurality of artifacts has a part being modifiable by the party and operative with all other artifacts of the plurality of artifacts after being modified.
US09111086B2 Secure management of user rights during accessing of external systems
In an external system, a request handler may receive, at the external system, a logon ticket from a proprietary software system, the logon ticket associated with a request from a user of the proprietary system for access to the external system. A ticket handler may provide the logon ticket to an authentication service which is configured to perform a validation of the logon ticket at the proprietary system. A session manager may receive, from the authentication service and based on the validation, a user session and access rights related to the requested access. An access control manager may provide the requested access to the user via the proprietary system, according to the access rights and within the user session.
US09111081B2 Remote direct memory access authentication of a device
An approach is provided in which a server receives a first request from a client over a command port connection. The server, in turn, sends a first phase authentication token to the client over the command port and receives a second request from the client over a management port connection. In response, the server sends a second phase authentication token to the client over the management port connection, which the server receives back from the client over the command port connection. In turn, the server authenticates the client to utilize the command port connection accordingly.
US09111078B2 Package manager service in gaming system
A slot management system includes a download and configuration server-based sub-system and method for use with game devices, systems, and methods. The slot machine management system is provided to enable users to monitor, control, and modify game devices and other related activities.
US09111075B1 Bank speech authentication
Authentication mechanisms are disclosed herein that authenticate user access to enterprises. For example, either an enterprise associated number or a social security number (SSN) can be provided to the enterprise to enter a first level. Then, any one of a ZIP code number, a device calling/contacting number, a date of birth, and a portion of the SSN can be provided to access applications in the first level. Lastly, a PIN can be provided to enter a second level of the enterprise. Additionally, these authentication mechanisms can be added and/or changed. In the former case, if a user used a SSN to enter the mentioned first level of the enterprise, then a date of birth can be used to update an authentication mechanism. Alternatively, if a user used an enterprise number to gain such access, then part of the SSN can be used for the update. If the user wants to change the authentication mechanism, the date of birth can be used for the update.
US09111073B1 Password protection using pattern
A user generates a pattern in a matrix (or two-dimensional grid) and enters a user name and an associated password. This username, password and pattern are stored locally on a computing device or are transmitted to a remote computer server for later authentication. Upon authentication, an input matrix is displayed. The user enters the password into the matrix in the form of the pattern, and also enters the username. The computer retrieves the previously stored pattern and password with the username. The previously stored pattern is used to read the input password from the input matrix. A match with the stored password indicates authentication. Alternatively, the input matrix only includes the pattern and password is entered separately. The input matrix may also be filled with random characters to improve security. The stored pattern is compared to the input pattern using image analysis or by comparing a set of coordinates.
US09111069B1 Language detection to improve efficiency of content scanning engine in data loss prevention (DLP) systems
A method and apparatus for detection of DLP violations with language detection are described. A DLP product may monitor data content associated with the computing system, and identify a language of the data content. Based on the identified language, the DLP product identifies from among multiple DLP policies a first set of one or more DLP policies that are applicable for the identified language (referred to herein as language-specific DLP policies). The DLP product scans the data content using the first set to detect a violation of one of the DLP policies in the data content, and performs a DLP action in response to the detected violation.
US09111068B2 Multiple-memory application-specific digital signal processor
An integrated circuit device is provided comprising a circuit board and one or more digital signal processors implemented thereon. The digital signal processor comprises a data unit comprising a function core configured to perform a specific mathematical expression in order to perform at least a portion of a specific application and an instruction memory storing one or more instructions configured to send commands to the control unit and the data unit to perform the specific application, and a control unit configured to control the flow of data between a plurality of memory banks and the function core for performing the specific application, and the plurality of memory banks coupled to each of the one or more digital signal processors and comprising at least two or more local memory banks integrated onto the circuit board.
US09111064B2 Adjusting sizes of connectors of package components
A device includes a plurality of connectors on a top surface of a package component. The plurality of connectors includes a first connector having a first lateral dimension, and a second connector having a second lateral dimension. The second lateral dimension is greater than the first lateral dimension. The first and the second lateral dimensions are measured in directions parallel to a major surface of the package component.
US09111060B2 Partitioning designs to facilitate certification
This disclosure relates generally to field-programmable gate arrays (FPGAs). Some implementations relate to methods and systems for partitioning FPGA circuit designs to facilitate certification. In one aspect, a method includes generating a hardware description language (HDL) implementation of a circuit design. The method additionally includes partitioning the design into a first portion and a second portion. In some implementations, the second portion corresponds to a safety-critical portion of the design while the first portion corresponds to a non-safety-critical portion. The method additionally includes generating first configuration settings for the first portion and generating second configuration settings for the second portion. The method additionally includes verifying, or providing to a third-party certification body for verification, the first configuration settings for the first portion and the second configuration settings for the second portion. The method further includes providing the configuration settings for the second portion for programming into a PLD.
US09111059B2 System and methods for dynamic management of hardware resources
A dynamically reconfigurable framework manages processing applications in order to meet time-varying constraints to select an optimal hardware architecture. The optimal architecture satisfies time-varying constraints including for example, supplied power, required performance, accuracy levels, available bandwidth, and quality of output such as image reconstruction. The process of determining an optimal solution is defined in terms of multi-objective optimization using Pareto-optimal realizations.
US09111054B2 Data center design tool
A data center design tool is described herein. The tool receives a number of design specifications for a proposed facility of the data center. The tool determines requirements of the data center based on the design specifications. Further, the tool receives an equipment component input and attributes of the equipment component input for the data center. The tool determines additional equipment component inputs and additional attributes based on the received design specifications, the determined requirements, and the received equipment component inputs and attributes.
US09111049B2 Apparatus for coupling to a USB device and a host and method thereof
An apparatus is provided for coupling a Universal Serial Bus (USB) device and a USB host. The apparatus includes a memory and a controller. The memory includes one or more descriptor entries. The controller is configured to obtain a descriptor of the USB device upon detection of the USB device on a USB bus, and compare the descriptor to a specific descriptor entry to generate a comparing result. Then the controller enables or disables a link path between the USB host and the USB device according the comparing result.
US09111036B2 Preloading unwind data for non-intrusive backtracing
An unwind data system stores unwind data for a target module in memory pages in main memory prior to an introspection tool making an attempt to generate a backtrace for the target module. The unwind data system detects a trigger in a user script, which includes instructions to generate a backtrace for the target module using the introspection tool. The trigger corresponds to a section of software code of the target module. The unwind data system locates the unwind data in the memory pages in the main memory for the section of software code of the target module and unwinds the section of software code to generate a backtrace using the unwind data located in the memory pages in the main memory.
US09111033B2 Compiling source code for debugging with user preferred snapshot locations
Compiling source code for debugging, including: receiving, by an optimizing compiler from a debugger, a user specification of preferred breakpoint locations in the source code; compiling, by the optimizing compiler, the source code, wherein compiling includes inserting a snapshot at one or more of the preferred breakpoint locations, and recording the location of each inserted snapshot; and providing, to the debugger by the optimizing compiler, the recorded locations of each inserted snapshot along with the compiled source code.
US09111030B1 Systems and methods for testing a software application
Systems, methods, and computer-readable media are disclosed for testing a software application. An exemplary method includes storing a control file identifying a test case for testing a software application. A first expect result may be extracted from a device storing expected results of the software application, the first expected result being identified by the control file. A first actual result may be extracted from a device storing actual results output by the software application, the first actual result being identified by the control file. The first expected result may be compared with the first actual result to determine whether the first actual result matches the first expected result. A result file indicated whether the test case passed or failed s generated, and the test case has passed when the first actual result matches the first expected result. the result file may be stored in a storage device.
US09111028B2 Methods for selecting medications
The invention provides methods for selecting and administering antidepressant medications to a patient based upon the patient's combination genotype and phenotype for a panel of genes.
US09111013B2 Hierarchical associative memory-based classification system
A system and method for efficiently searching long strings of data, such as network messages, is described. The system preferably includes an associative memory structure, having a plurality of content addressable memories (CAMs). The CAMs are hierarchically arranged such the output of at least one CAM is used as the input to a second CAM. Preferably, a top-level CAM receives only a selected portion of the data string or network message as its input. The output of the top-level CAM is then joined with some or all of the remaining portions of the data string to form a new output that is provided to the CAM at the next lower level. The top-level CAM is programmed such that its output is substantially smaller (e.g., has fewer bits) than the selected data string portion that is input to the top-level CAM. The system can thus search data strings that are on the whole far longer than the widths of the respective CAMs forming the memory structure.
US09111012B2 Data consistency management
A data consistency management system may include a memory storing machine readable instructions to receive a query, and determine a suitability of the query for processing by a NoSQL data store, or a RDBMS. The memory may further include machine readable instructions to rank data tables based on a combination of read queries and query patterns suitable for the NoSQL data store. Based on the ranking, the memory may further include machine readable instructions to determine data tables that are to be managed by the NoSQL data store, or by the RDBMS, determine whether the query is for a data table managed by the NoSQL data store, and based on a determination that the query is for a data table managed by the NoSQL data store, translate the query to NoSQL API calls for using the NoSQL data store to respond to the query.
US09111004B2 Temporal scope translation of meta-models using semantic web technologies
Implementation of a meta-model service of a service oriented architecture industry model repository into a web ontology language representation of at least one topic map meta-model into a plurality of temporal scope topic map meta-models representing states of the at least one topic map meta-model at different times. The implementation includes assigning topics, occurrences, and attributes from the meta-model service to the at least one topic map meta-model. The topics, occurrences, and attributes are assigned from the at least one topic map meta-model to plurality of temporal scope topic map meta-models. The topics, occurrences, and attributes from the plurality of temporal scope topic map meta-models are converted into resource description framework triples; and the resource description framework triples are persisted into the resource description framework repository.
US09111001B2 Local transmission of point of interest data to a global positioning system receiver
A system for receiving local point of interest data is presented. The local point of interest data for a local geographic area is received by a geographic location device via a supported protocol. The local point of interest data includes information regarding one or more local points of interest in the local geographic area. The received local point of interest data is cached with existing point of interest data and maps within a cache in the geographic location device. Then, it is determined whether any time-sensitive point of interest data in the cache has expired. In response to determining that time-sensitive point of interest data in the cache has expired, the expired time-sensitive point of interest data is removed from the cache to form current local point of interest data for the local geographic area. Then, the current local point of interest data is displayed in a display device.
US09110996B2 System for targeting advertising content to a plurality of mobile communication facilities
A system for targeting advertising content includes the steps of: (a) receiving respective requests for advertising content corresponding to a plurality of mobile communication facilities operated by a group of users, wherein the plurality includes first and second types of mobile communication facilities with different rendering capabilities; (b) receiving a datum corresponding to the group; (c) selecting from a first and second sponsor respective content based on a relevancy to the datum, wherein each content includes a first and second item requiring respective rendering capabilities; (d) receiving bids from the first and second sponsors; (e) attributing a priority to the content of the first sponsor based upon a determination that a yield associated with the first sponsor is greater than a yield associated with the second sponsor; and (f) transmitting the first and second items of the first sponsor to the first and second types of mobile communication facilities respectively.
US09110984B1 Methods and systems for constructing a taxonomy based on hierarchical clustering
Methods and systems for constructing a taxonomy based on hierarchical clustering are provided. The taxonomy is generated by first constructing a hierarchy of clusters using a clustering algorithm. A first level of the hierarchy of clusters is generated by providing a plurality of content files to a clustering algorithm. Subsequent levels of the hierarchy are generated by providing the clusters of the preceding levels to the clustering algorithm. Labels that characterize each cluster within the hierarchy are assigned to corresponding clusters. Labels and clusters are combined to form the taxonomy.
US09110979B2 Search of sources and targets based on relative expertise of the sources
A new approach is proposed that contemplates systems and methods to provide a ranking of citied objects and citing subjects identified as results of a search, where the relative expertise of subjects or sources of citations to said targets or objects is considered. The relative expertise is a function of the share of the subject's citations matching the query term or search criteria relative to the share of all subjects' citations matching the query term, weighted by the influence of the subjects. This allows the identification of “experts” on “topics” without any pre-defined categorization of topics or pre-computation of expertise. Under this novel approach, expertise can be determined on any query term in real-time.
US09110977B1 Autonomous real time publishing
Techniques for autonomous and automatic real-time publishing of content are described. In an example embodiment, one or more topic terms are obtained. A set of information that is related to the one or more topic terms is automatically acquired. Linguistic analysis on the set of information is automatically performed to determine a set of linguistic structures that are represented in the set of information. The set of linguistic structures is used to automatically create a set of content items that are responsive to searches that include the one or more topic terms. New content that includes the set of content items is then automatically published.
US09110972B2 Power over ethernet dynamic power allocation system
A power allocation system includes a manager provided on a network controller. An agent is provided on a line module coupled to the network controller. The agent is operable to detect a connection of a powered device to a port on the line module and communicate that to the manager. The manager then classifies the powered device and provides a first power to the powered device through the port from a global power budget according to the classification. At least one of the manager and agent then monitor the power consumption of the powered device subsequent to providing the first power, and a second power is provided to the powered device through the port from the global power budget according to the monitoring, wherein the second power is different from the first power.
US09110970B2 Destructuring and restructuring relational data
A computer system selects a first database corresponding to a first schema and a second database corresponding to a second schema. The computer system then generates a schema table based upon the selected databases. Next, the computer system destructures the schema table, which includes a first entry corresponding to the first database and a second entry corresponding to the second database. The computer system then selects a property map that links the first entry to the second entry, and restructures the destructured schema table using the selected property map, resulting in a restructured schema table. In turn, the computer system processes a user query using the restructured schema table.
US09110961B2 Single command data warehouse table update
Information warehouse table data is updated through a full outer join between warehouse tables and source tables in response to a single query language command statement of a relational database computer language. The single command statement comprises table mapping instructions for updating the warehouse tables that define matching conditions, delete instructions, archive instructions, and update instructions. The full outer join inserts rows in the warehouse tables for source table data rows that do not have corresponding matching rows in the warehouse table. Data rows in the warehouse tables without corresponding matching source table rows are deleted if a value of a parameter in the warehouse table system is set to delete; updated if the parameter is update; and updated with archive values and a new table row inserted with existing values if the parameter is archive.
US09110958B2 Expert-based content and coaching platform
Systems and methods for implementing and performing coaching-assisted content delivery and workflows are described. In one example, a goal-based workflow integrates with operations for suggesting and delivering content on behalf of professional users. The operations may be conducted in connection with a subscription or membership to an information service, and various interactions between a client user and a professional user through the information service. In further examples, the information service may track data for the human user, generate suggestions and playlists, manage the accomplishment of goals and logic triggers, and exchange communications, to facilitate the relationship between the professional user and the client user. In other further examples, the information system manages various data values used to provide prompts, reminders, motivators, and other forms of suggested content to the client user.
US09110957B2 Data mining in a business intelligence document
A business intelligence document provides functionality for testing a hypothesis on aggregated data in a business intelligence document (e.g., a spreadsheet-like document), wherein one or more of the input data values and transformation properties are designated as constrained (e.g., invariant or constrained within a range, set, enumeration, or domain). The hypothesis, which is articulated as a data mining assertion, is input through the user interface of the business intelligence document (e.g., via an expression interface or properties of a row, column, or cell) and solved over the aggregated data. The solution is then presented through the user interface of the spreadsheet-like document, such as in a table, graph, histogram, etc.
US09110954B2 Single access method for multiple media sources
Method and systems for searching for media instances of interest to a user are described. User input specifying criteria for content is received and parameters are defined based on the user input. A plurality of databases are searched for media instances meeting the defined parameters, wherein the plurality of databases includes at least one database containing broadcast television content information and at least one database containing non-broadcast television content information. Information about the media instances meeting the defined parameters is retrieved from the plurality of databases. The retrieved information is provided to the user.
US09110949B2 Generating estimates for query optimization
Processes, machines, and stored machine instructions are provided for estimating how many rows would be processed by a query. In one embodiment, model aggregating logic may generate a global model based on separate models for separate portions of a set of data. For example, the separate portions may be assigned to separate partitions of the set of data based at least in part on key values in the separate portions. Generating the global model may include generating an uncompressed model that includes components of the separate models before generating a compressed model to estimate the uncompressed model. Query analysis logic may use the global model to estimate how many rows would be processed by queries that, when executed, would access portion(s) of the set of data.
US09110944B2 Providing answers to questions using multiple models to score candidate answers
A method, system and computer program product for generating answers to questions. In one embodiment, the method comprises receiving an input query; conducting a search to identify candidate answers to the input query, and producing a plurality of scores for each of the candidate answers. For each of the candidate answers, one, of a plurality of candidate ranking functions, is selected. This selected ranking function is applied to the each of the candidate answers to determine a ranking for the candidate answer based on the scores for that candidate answer. One or more of the candidate answers is selected, based on the rankings for the candidate answers, as one or more answers to the input query. In an embodiment, the ranking function selection is performed using information about the question. In an embodiment, the ranking function selection is performed using information about each answer.
US09110941B2 Master data governance process driven by source data accuracy metric
A method, apparatus, and computer program product for processing data is disclosed. In one aspect of the invention, a computer implemented method comprises receiving, on one or more computers, a record having one or more attributes from a source system. The method also comprises measuring, on one or more computers, a data accuracy of the received record as compared to a golden record stored in a master data management system. One or more remediation actions are performed, on one or more computers, to enforce improvements to the measured data accuracy of the received record in the source system. In one or more embodiments, measurement of data accuracy comprises calculating, on one or more computers, an accuracy score defined by a closeness of the received record to the golden record.
US09110931B2 Fuzzy database retrieval
A method for querying metadata associated with media, such as multimedia and/or streaming media, on a computer network includes separating the metadata into keywords. The keywords are compared with valid keywords. A score is calculated in accordance with the degree of similarity between the keywords and valid keywords. If the degree of similarity is above a threshold, the metadata is qualified as valid metadata. Valid metadata is available for comparison and correction of other (invalid) metadata.
US09110926B1 Skew detection for vertical text
A method for detecting and correcting skew in scanned vertical text includes identifying an image of vertically oriented characters, and identifying a plurality of vertical lines corresponding to character positions of the vertically oriented characters in the image. The method further includes generating an average slope of a subset of the plurality of lines, and causing the image to be deskewed based on the average slope.
US09110925B2 Image capture and identification system and process
A digital image of the object is captured and the object is recognized from plurality of objects in a database. An information address corresponding to the object is then used to access information and initiate communication pertinent to the object.
US09110917B2 Creating a file descriptor independent of an open operation
A server computer system receives a file access request for accessing a file in a file system. The file access request includes a file handle for the file. The server computer system assigns a value as a file descriptor for the file. The assignment is performed without issuing a file open request to open the file. The server computer system associates the file descriptor with the file handle in a data store accessible to a storage subsystem and provides the file descriptor for accessing the file to the storage subsystem according to the file access request.
US09110905B2 System and method for assigning network blocks to sensors
A system includes a processor device. The processor device is configured to detect a physical topology of a network comprising hosts and sensors in the network. The processor device is also configured to generate a sensor policy for assignment of the sensors to network blocks of the hosts, that balances a processing load and accuracy of the sensors in the network based on physical closeness of the sensors to different divisions of hosts within a same network block.
US09110904B2 Rule-based metadata transformation and aggregation for programs
A method and devices for obtaining metadata associated with programs from multiple metadata sources. Title metadata is compared to determine if any title metadata match. Transformation rules are applied to the title metadata when title metadata does not match with other title metadata. The transformation rules transform the title metadata into a common format. The title metadata is compared after transformation to determine whether the title metadata matches other title metadata. Title metadata that matches other title metadata, the metadata associated with a program is aggregated.
US09110895B2 System and method for a serialized data service
The present disclosure includes a system and method for a serialized data service. A method for a serialized data service includes retrieving serialized data to a data service, and augmenting the serialized data with information corresponding to one or more data retention policies. The augmented serialized data is stored to a data source. The augmented serialized data is removed from the data source based on the augmented information.
US09110892B2 Synchronizing local and remote data
Aspects of the subject matter described herein relate to synchronizing data. In aspects, properties are synchronized from an organization property store to a cloud property store and/or vice versa. The list of properties to synchronize may change based on the cloud services to which the organization subscribes, changes to the cloud services, or for other reasons. Furthermore, the list of properties to synchronize may be limited to certain objects of the organization which may also change over time.
US09110888B2 Service server apparatus, service providing method, and service providing program for providing a service other than a telephone call during the telephone call on a telephone
A service server apparatus is provided which can realize a service as if a speaker has a conversation in a face-to-face manner using existing applications. The service server apparatus includes a service activating unit receiving an instruction for performing a task during a communication, a telephone/call control unit recording a call speech of the speaker during the communication between speech communication terminal devices, a speech recognizing enabler, a text translating enabler, and a speech synthesizing enabler performing the task based on the recorded call speech when the instruction is received, and a communication control enabler providing task data obtained through an performance of the task to the speech communication terminal device. The task data is text data obtained by converting the call speech into a text, translated text data obtained by translating the text data into another language, and speech data obtained by converting the translated text data into a speech.
US09110875B2 XML post-processing hardware acceleration
Aspects of the invention are directed to XML post-processing hardware acceleration for high-speed simple type checking (e.g., string and format checking) and whitespace collapsing. An apparatus for processing text data according to an embodiment includes a post processing engine (PPE); a set of post processing state machines coupled to the PPE; and a memory for storing text data to be processed by the set of post processing state machines; wherein the set of post processing state machines includes a whitespace handler state machine for reading text data from the memory and for applying a whitespace facet to at least 4 bytes of the text data during a clock cycle.
US09110873B2 Platform-independent data application description language
Technologies are described herein for generating a platform-independent data application. In one method, a definition of a data schema is received for defining data types. A definition of a user interface is also received for access data stored in the data types. Further, a definition of business logic is received for enforcing validation rules and actions associated with the data types. The definitions of the data schema, the user interface, and the business logic are each received in a platform-independent format and used to generate the platform-independent data application.
US09110865B2 Virtual machine dynamic routing
Dynamic network routing in a virtual machine environment. The dynamic network routing includes receiving an indication that a network outage has occurred and receiving a network communication to a guest or from the guest executing on a hypervisor. It is then determined if the guest that is the source or destination for the network communication is configured to use a revised network route. In response to determining that the guest is not configured to use the revised network route, then the transmission of the network communication is prevented and the guest is provided with network routing information. Once the guest has received the updating routing information the transmission of the network communication on the new route is allowed.
US09110864B2 Fault tolerance solution for stateful applications
A fault tolerance method and system for VMs on a cluster identifies a client state for each client session for those applications. The method replicates the client session onto a primary and a backup VM, and uses a network controller and orchestrator to direct network traffic to the primary VM and to periodically replicate the state onto the backup VM. In case of a VM failure, the method reroutes network traffic of states for which the failed VM serves as a primary to the corresponding backup, and replicates states without a backup after the failure onto another VM to create new backups. The method may be used as part of a method or system implementing the split/merge paradigm.
US09110862B1 System and method of use for non-parametric circular autocorrelation for signal processing
A computer-implemented method to characterize a signal structure is provided. The method may receive a first set of time-dependent data vectors; select a sample size of data vectors; determine a minimum number of lags to process to characterize the first set of data vectors; calculate a cross-product term for each data vector in the sample size for each lag, a mean value and a variance value based on the sum of the cross-product term for each lag; calculate a circular correlation function for each lag; determine an upper and a lower correlation bound for the circular correlation based on the mean value, the variance value, and a desired false alarm rate; and characterize the signal structure based on the number of calculated circular correlation functions that exceed the upper or lower correlation bounds so as to generate a signal characterization data signal.
US09110861B2 Managing host computing devices with a host control component
Systems and methods are disclosed which facilitate the management of host computing devices through the utilization of a host computing device control component. The host computing device control component includes a state monitoring component that monitors operating states of the control component and a group of associated host computing devices. Based on a determination of a power event, the state monitoring component causes the initiation of a reboot of the grouping of host computing devices based on exchange priority information and additional reboot parameters.
US09110858B2 Apparatus and method for controlling memory in mobile communication system
An apparatus and method for controlling a low-voltage memory in a mobile communication system are provided. The apparatus includes a memory for storing data including at least one error caused by a low-voltage, and an error correction unit for identifying whether the at least one error exists in the memory according to a first bit set in a local buffer of an error correction code storage, for comparing location information on the error data read from the memory and location information on error data of at least one protection set in the local buffer of the error correction code storage when it is determined that the at least one error exists in the memory, for generating an error correction code as a result of the comparison, and for correcting the error data of the memory according to the error correction code.
US09110850B2 Method for accelerating start up of a computerized system
Technique for reducing start-up time of a computerized system comprising a computer application with a data base DB and one or more functional blocks with respective memories; the system comprises a communication network being managed by the computer application. The technique comprises providing each of said functional blocks with basic information about the communication network; updating the functional blocks about changes whenever take place in the network; updating objects in the base DB by the updated functional blocks; creating an image of at least one functional block of the blocks in a persistent memory, building a changes log and to in case of failure of the mentioned functional block, promptly restoring thereof by using the image in the persistent memory and the changes log.
US09110844B2 State maintenance as a service
When a stateful service is implemented in a cloud architecture, a state service system receives a user interface definition for a service and generates a client proxy and optionally a storage proxy. The stateful service implements service instances to service requests from clients. The client proxy receives and logs messages from a client in a state service component and a storage proxy logs interactions with a data store. When a service instance serving existing clients is changed, the proxies replay the logged information to the new service instance to recover or maintain state for individual client sessions.
US09110842B2 Control device for vehicle and error processing method in control device for vehicle
A control device for a vehicle including a nonvolatile memory which is electrically erasable and writable detects, on start-up, whether or not an error occurs in updated data read from the nonvolatile memory, and when an error has been detected, performs a reset after saving error information. When being restarted by the reset, the control device for a vehicle determines on the basis of the error information whether or not there is updated data in which an error has occurred, and when there is updated data in which an error has occurred, overwrites the updated data with a fixed value prior to the error detection. Accordingly, there can be suppressed a case in which the error detection is performed while the updated data with an abnormality is present causing the reset and the error detection to be repeated.
US09110840B2 Base for a tablet computer
An example of a base apparatus for use by a tablet computer is disclosed. The base apparatus can include a first peripheral device capable of operating according to a first wireless communication protocol; a first demultiplexer coupled to the first peripheral device; and a first wireless communication module coupled to the first demultiplexer. The first demultiplexer is to transmit signals received from the first peripheral device to the tablet computer in a wired way or transmit signals received from the first peripheral device to the first wireless communication module based on whether the tablet computer is connected to or detached from the base apparatus. The first wireless communication module is to transmit wirelessly signals received from the first demultiplexer to the tablet computer.
US09110828B2 Chip having register to store value that represents adjustment to reference voltage
An integrated circuit device includes a transmitter circuit including an output driver. The integrated circuit device includes a first register to store a value representative of a drive strength setting associated with the transmitter circuit such that the output driver outputs data in accordance with the drive strength setting. The integrated circuit device also includes a second register to store a value representative of an equalization setting associated with the transmitter circuit such that the output driver outputs data in accordance with the equalization setting. The integrated circuit device further includes a third register to store a value representative of a slew rate setting associated with the transmitter circuit such that the output driver outputs data in accordance with the slew rate setting.
US09110825B2 Uncached static short address translation table in the cache coherent computer system
A network unit, comprising a processor and a random access memory (RAM) component coupled to the processor, wherein the RAM component comprises a memory management unit (MMU) and a data RAM, wherein the MMU comprises a complete page address table for translating a virtual memory address received from the processor into a physical memory address, and wherein the complete page address table is substantially static.
US09110824B2 Method, controller, and memory device for correcting data bit(s) of at least one cell of flash memory
A method for correcting data bit of at least a cell of a flash memory includes: determining a contributing factor of level distribution corresponding to an electric level of a first cell to generate a first determination result; and, correcting/modifying the data bit corresponding to the electric potential of the first cell according to the first determination result.
US09110822B2 Method and device for write abort protection
A data storage device includes a non-volatile memory that includes a three-dimensional (3D) memory. A method includes receiving first data and second data from a host device. A first error-correcting code (ECC) codeword associated with the first data is written to a first word line of the non-volatile memory, and a second ECC codeword associated with the second data is written to a second word line of the non-volatile memory. The first ECC codeword includes a first bit and a second bit, and the second ECC codeword includes a third bit and a fourth bit. The method further includes writing parity information to a parity storage portion of the non-volatile memory that is distinct from the first word line and from the second word line. The parity information includes a parity bit that is based on the first bit, the second bit, the third bit, and the fourth bit.
US09110801B2 Resource integrity during partial backout of application updates
At least one physically inconsistent system resource is identified in response to a failure of an application, where the physically inconsistent system resource was left in a physically inconsistent state as a result of the failure of the application. Available backout operations for any system resources updated by the failed application other than the physically inconsistent system resource are ignored. An automated partial backout of the physically inconsistent system resource is performed. This abstract is not to be considered limiting, since other embodiments may deviate from the features described in this abstract.
US09110799B2 Method and apparatus for providing intelligent error messaging
A method and apparatus for providing intelligent error messaging is disclosed wherein a user of a mobile communications device is provided with descriptive error messaging information to assist the user in overcoming errors associated with the processing of electronic messages and data.
US09110796B2 Apparatus and circuitry for memory-based collection and verification of data integrity information
Apparatus and circuitry are provided for supporting collection and/or verification of data integrity information. A circuitry in a storage controller is provided for creating and/or verifying a Data Integrity Block (“DIB”). The circuitry comprises a processor interface for coupling with the processor of the storage controller. The circuitry also comprises a memory interface for coupling with a cache memory of the storage controller. By reading a plurality of Data Integrity Fields (“DIFs”) from the cache memory through the memory interface based on information received from the processor, the DIB is created in that each DIF in the DIB corresponds to a respective data block.
US09110790B1 Managing memory in displaying data storage system information
A method is used in managing memory in displaying data storage system information. A graphical user interface (GUI) is provided that includes a GUI component representative of a logical object in a data storage system. In an object pool, a software object is stored corresponding to the GUI component. In the object pool, the software object is made available for garbage collection when the GUI releases a reference to the software object.
US09110789B1 Nonrepeating identifiers in an address space of a non-volatile solid-state storage
A method of applying an address space to data storage in a non-volatile solid-state storage is provided. The method includes receiving a plurality of portions of user data for storage in the non-volatile solid-state storage and assigning to each successive one of the plurality of portions of user data one of a plurality of sequential, nonrepeating addresses of an address space. The address range of the address space exceeds a maximum number of addresses expected to be applied during a lifespan of the non-volatile solid-state storage. The method includes writing each of the plurality of portions of user data to the non-volatile solid-state storage such that each of the plurality of portions of user data is identified and locatable for reading via the one of the plurality of sequential, nonrepeating addresses of the address space.
US09110777B2 Reducing performance degradation in backup semiconductor chips
A system has at least a first circuit portion and a second circuit portion. The first circuit portion is operated at normal AC frequency. The second circuit portion is operated in a back-up mode at low AC frequency, such that the second circuit portion can rapidly come-online but has limited temperature bias instability degradation. The second circuit portion can then be brought on-line and operated at the normal AC frequency. A system including first and second circuit portions and a control unit, as well as a computer program product, are also provided.
US09110776B2 Image forming apparatus, startup control method, and non-transitory computer-readable recording medium encoded with startup control program
An image forming apparatus includes a main processing portion set as a root complex of PCI Express, a startup control portion to control startup of the main processing portion, and a connection portion connectable with an option board having a sub processing portion set as a root complex of PCI Express. The startup control portion includes a detection portion to detect the option board connected to the connection portion, an acquisition portion to acquire ability information about the option board at a stage before the main processing portion starts up, when the option board is detected, a selection portion to select one of the main processing portion and the sub processing portion, based on the acquired ability information, and a switch portion to start one selected from the main processing portion and the sub processing portion as a root complex.
US09110767B2 Cobol reference architecture
The COBOL reference architecture (CRA) system and the transactional workflow driver (TWD) provide an efficient and effective way to extend an existing application using modern architecture techniques without rewriting the existing application. The (CRA) system and TWD provide a way to generate new and interchangeable COBOL language functionality for multiple interactive types (e.g., transaction servers and/or transaction managers) running in various computing environments.
US09110759B2 Software activation systems
We describe a method of activating functionality of an item of software installed on a mobile device, the method comprising: installing said software on said mobile device, wherein said installing includes registering in an operating system of said mobile device a link between an application URI scheme and said software such that a URI having said application URI scheme will be passed to said installed software for processing; scanning a code into said mobile device, wherein said code includes a code URI comprising said application URI scheme and activation data for said item of software; interpreting said application scheme of said code URI using said registered link to pass said code URI to said installed software; and processing said code URI using said installed software to activate a function of said item of software using said activation data in said code URI.
US09110757B2 Techniques for performing virtual machine software upgrades using virtual disk swapping
In one embodiment, a computer system creates a first template VM that includes a first OS VMDK and a first software binary VMDK, and clones the first template VM to create a linked clone VM. The linked clone VM executes a guest OS by accessing the first OS VMDK and a software application by accessing the first software binary VMDK. The computer system further creates a second template VM that includes a second software binary VMDK, where the second software binary VMDK includes one or more upgrades to the software application that are not included in the first software binary VMDK. The computer system then detaches the first software binary VMDK from the linked clone VM and attaches the second software binary VMDK to the linked clone VM. The linked clone VM thereafter executes the software application by accessing the second software binary VMDK.
US09110756B1 Tag-based deployment to overlapping host sets
Methods and systems for deploying software packages are provided. In an example, a deployment service allows users to deploy software packages to target sets of computing devices where the target sets may overlap. The deployment service prevents software packages from being deployed to target sets that would conflict with a software package deployed to at least some of the target set as a result of the target set overlapping with another set.
US09110755B2 Aggregation of update sets
Techniques for aggregation of update sets are described. In at least some implementations, techniques enable relationships between the updates to be created, managed, and applied in a variety of ways. For example, updates can be grouped in a set for installation on a computing device as an integrated set. Grouping updates in a set can be based on membership rules that specify whether a particular update may be grouped in a set, and conditions under which the particular update may be grouped in a set. Updates that are included in a set may be associated with interaction rules that specify how updates in the set interact as part of an installation process. In at least some implementations, membership rules and interaction rules for updates can be dynamically created, configured, and/or dynamically reconfigured.
US09110745B2 System and method for flow control in a messaging subsystem based on message-in/out rates
Systems and methods are provided, for use in a messaging subsystem, which supports flow control of messages between producers and consumers. A system can include at least one producer that is operable to send messages in a batch to one or more consumers via at least one destination; and one or more consumers that are operable to process messages received from the at least one producer via the at least one destination. The system can also include a message broker which includes the at least one destination and which manages communications between the at least one producer and the one or more consumers. The message broker includes a flow controller that is operable to monitor a producing rate and a consuming rate, and dynamically adjust a batch size of the batch at the at least one producer based on the producing rate and the consuming rate to communicate the messages more efficiently.
US09110740B1 Per-value user notification throttling in software application
The present invention throttles notifications to a user based on changes in particular state values. A computer-implemented method manages notifications of changes to one or more settings of an application. The method includes: displaying a first notification of a change of a setting to a value; updating a count of notifications displayed for the value; and throttling a subsequent notification of a subsequent change of the setting to the value if the count exceeds a threshold.
US09110731B1 Hard allocation of resources partitioning
Apparatus and associated methodology involving use of a multiple-core processor. A reserved hard allocation of resources partition (HARP) dedicates physical resources for operably supporting a first processing function. The dedicated resources of the reserved HARP include a reserved physical memory that is sized in relation to data processing requirements of the first processing function. The dedicated resources of the first HARP also include a command buffer residing in the reserved physical memory. The dedicated resources of the first HARP also include a reserved physical core of the multiple core processor. The apparatus also includes a second HARP having resources that are used for operably supporting a different second processing function. The second HARP resources operably put transaction requests from the second processing function to the command buffer in the first HARP.
US09110725B1 User interface for dynamic environment using allocateable resources
The present invention discloses user interface for creating a dynamic computing environment using allocateable resources. The interface enables the fast, efficient selection and configuration of processing resources for the computing environment. The resources are fully selectable and allocable by a system architect. In a first embodiment, a primary company, Design2Deploy, Inc.® provides the ability for a customer or system architect to design a system by allocating resources and specifying how the resources are to be used. The system architect may create a computing environment from a remotely-accessible user interface such as a web page on the Internet. Thus, the system architect can create, modify and operate the environment from anywhere in the world.
US09110722B2 Data processing work allocation
A processor-implemented method, system, and/or computer program product allocates computer processing work. Input data, which has been deemed to be in need of processing, is stored in a first computer. A virtual machine that is capable of processing the input data is stored on a second computer. A first set of constraint rules contains constraint rules against moving the input data from the first computer, and a second set of constraint rules contains constraint rules against moving the virtual machine from the second computer. Based on the first and second constraint rules, either the virtual machine is moved to the first computer or the input data is moved to the second computer.
US09110716B2 Information handling system power management device and methods thereof
An information handling system includes a set of power and performance profiles. Based on which of the profiles has been selected, the information handling system selects a thread scheduling table for provision to an operating system. The thread scheduling table determines the sequence of processor cores at which program threads are scheduled for execution. In a power-savings mode, the corresponding thread scheduling table provides for threads to be concentrated at subset of available processor cores, increasing the frequency with which the information handling system can place unused processors in a reduced power state.
US09110715B2 System and method for using a sequencer in a concurrent priority queue
A system and method can support a concurrent priority queue. The concurrent priority queue allows a plurality of threads to interact with the priority queue. The priority queue can use a sequencer to detect and order a plurality of threads that contend for one or more requests in the priority queue. Furthermore, the priority queue operates to reduce the contention among the plurality of threads.
US09110711B2 Dynamic displays in a distributed computing environment
A mechanism for describing dynamic display objects in a distributed computing environment is described. A service in a distributed computing environment may generate results data for a client in response to client requests. The service may provide schemas describing the presentation characteristics of results data. The schemas may include information for use in presenting the results data. The results data may include data elements, and the presentation schema may include presentation elements each including information describing the presentation characteristics of one or more of the data elements. The client may map data elements to corresponding presentation elements from the schema, and may use the element corresponding to a data element to present the data element. Using the dynamic display objects, display behavior may be altered without having to rebuild code.
US09110709B2 Preserving changes to a configuration of a running virtual machine
A method is provided for preserving changes to a configuration of a running virtual machine. The method includes reading an initial configuration, starting the virtual machine under application of the initial configuration, modifying the configuration of the virtual machine during runtime, storing the modified configuration of the virtual machine during shutdown, and reading the modified configuration at re-start of the virtual machine and re-starting the virtual machine under application of the modified configuration.
US09110704B2 Pre-warming of multiple destinations for fast live migration
A method for fast migrating of a source virtual machine located on a source host to one or more destination hosts is provided. A source migration manager of a hypervisor receives identities of a plurality of destination hosts. The source migration manager copies at least one data segment corresponding to a portion of a state of a source virtual machine to the pluralities of destination hosts. The source migration manager receives a command to migrate the source virtual machine to one or more selected destination hosts of the plurality of destination hosts after copying the at least one data segment to the destination hosts. When the source migration manager receives an indication of successful booting of at least one destination virtual machine, the source migration manager terminates transmission of the state of the source virtual machine to the remaining plurality of destination hosts.
US09110696B2 Thin client system, connection management server, connection management method and connection management program
A thin client system comprises a virtual machine server, a thin client terminal, a connection management server, and a virtual machine management server which executes reverting processing of the virtual machine, wherein the connection management server includes a session management unit which determines the virtual machine to be allocated to the thin client terminal based on a to-be-reverted list stored in which virtual machines to be reverted are arranged in descending order of differential disk capacities, and a maintenance processing management unit which requests the virtual machine management server to execute reverting processing, wherein the session management unit when a virtual machine not included in the to-be-reverted list exists, allocates the virtual machine in question to the thin client terminal, and when all the virtual machines are included in the to-be-reverted list, allocates the virtual machine whose differential disk capacity is the smallest to the thin client terminal.
US09110689B2 Automatic pipeline stage insertion
The optimal configuration of a number of optional pipeline stages within the data paths of systems-on-chip is determined by application of a solver. The solver includes variables such as: the placement of modules physically within the floorplan of the chip; the signal propagation time; the logic gate switching time; the arrival time, after a clock edge, of a signal at each module port; the arrival time at each pipeline stage; and the Boolean value of the state of activation of each optional pipeline stage. The optimal configuration ensures that a timing constraint is met, if possible, with the lowest possible cost of pipeline stages.
US09110672B2 Compiler generation of thunking code
A computer system receives a source code comprising an annotation, wherein the annotation is associated with a portion of the source code and wherein the annotation indicates a first bit-width. The computer system identifies a first data type of the portion of the source code. The computer system receives compatibility information corresponding to the first data type, the compatibility information indicating at least one compatible bit-width of the first data type. The computer system modifies the source code to insert a first code segment.
US09110667B2 Control system, control method, and computer program product
According to an embodiment, a control system includes a processing device; a main storage device to store the data; a cache memory to store part of the data stored; a prefetch unit to predict data highly likely to be accessed and execute prefetch, reading out data in advance onto the cache memory; and a power supply unit. The system further includes: a detecting unit to detect whether the processing device is in an idle state; a determining unit that determines whether to stop the supply of power to the cache memory in accordance with the state of the prefetch when determined as idle state; and a power supply control unit that controls the power supply unit so as to stop the supply of power, or controls the power supply unit so as to continue the supply of power.
US09110654B2 Dynamically building locale objects or subsections of locale objects based on historical data
During a first execution of software, historical data is logged that indicates which locale objects were used. During a second execution of the software, the historical data is read, and locale objects or subsections of locale objects are dynamically built from locale source files based on the historical data in the log that indicates which locale objects were used during the first execution. Any other locale objects or subsections that are needed that are not built initially during the second execution are dynamically built from locale source files when requested at run-time. Dynamically building locale objects or subsections based on which locale objects were used in one or more previous executions saves time that would otherwise be required to build the locale objects when they are needed at run-time. The result is significant savings in system-wide resources while still allowing for access to a large number of possible locales.
US09110648B2 Power supply circuit to simulate battery power
A power supply circuit includes a power output port, an operational amplifier, a voltage adjusting circuit, a feedback circuit, and a current controlling circuit. The power output port connects with an electronic device under test and provides a power supply which in all respects simulates the behavior of a battery being discharged as it supplies working power, the circuit also mimics the behavior of a battery in testing the battery-recharging abilities of the electronic device.
US09110641B2 Container data center
A container data center includes a container, a row of racks installed in the container, an air conditioner, and a heat insulation apparatus. A cool channel and a heat channel are defined at two opposite sides of the row of racks. The removable heat insulation apparatus divides the cool channel into a first space and a small second next to the racks, and maintains the cooled air in the second space. Cooled air from the air conditioner is fed into the second space air conditioner, flows through the racks to remove heat generated, and enters the heat channel.
US09110639B2 Power supply control across independently powered modules in a storage library
Embodiments include systems and methods for controlling power distribution and supply across independently powered modules in a storage library. Embodiments operate in context of a data storage library having a base module and one or more expansion modules. Each expansion module is independently powered, and each is in communication with the base module via a powered data communications network. In some embodiments, when the base module power supply is on, a base controller in the base module provides network power over the powered data communications network. The network power causes expansion controllers in each expansion module to boot up and power on the power supplies of their respective modules. When the base module is powered down, power is no longer available to the expansion controllers, and the respective power supplies can be hard-coded to shut down automatically under that condition.
US09110632B2 Portable device capture
An illustrative embodiment of an apparatus for containing a set of portable devices comprises a primary bar affixed to a surface of a portable computing device; a secondary bar parallel to and spaced apart from the primary bar; a first tertiary bar; and a second tertiary bar, and wherein a combination of the primary bar, the secondary bar, the first tertiary bar and the second tertiary bar are configured to form a rectangular bounding box for containing one or more portable devices; and a set of slide slats spanning a distance between the primary bar and to the secondary bar, wherein each slat is parallel to and spaced apart from an adjacent slat in the set of slide slats and wherein the set of slide slats are located overhead of the one or more portable devices to contain the one or more portable devices within the bounding box.
US09110629B2 Adapter device for tablet computer
This application relates an adapter device for tablet computer. This adapter device comprises a stylus and an adapter for fixing the stylus onto the tablet computer. The adapter is comprised of a buckling part and a plug-in part, wherein the buckling part is configured to fix the stylus and the plug-in part is plugged into an interface port of the tablet computer. The stylus can be attached onto the tablet computer by the adapter so as to bring convenience for user to achieve and improve accuracy of input. It also provides convenient means for stylus storage to prevent the stylus from loss.
US09110626B2 Video detection in remote desktop protocols
A display area having rendered data thereon is divided into a plurality of tiles and an update frequency for each tile is determined. A determination is then made as to whether the update frequency of each tile exceeds a threshold. For each tile whose update frequency exceeds the threshold, that tile is marked as a candidate tile. Adjacent candidate tiles are then associated to form a heat map. The heat map is then analyzed to determine whether to encode the rendered data associated with the heat map.
US09110625B2 Portable terminal and display method
A portable terminal has a first display and a second display, and is transformable between a first form and a second form. The first form is formed by arranging the first display and the second display to form a combined display, and the second form is formed by overlaying the second display upon the first display. In the first form displaying is performed on the combined display and in the second form displaying is performed on only the second display. The portable terminal detects a tilt of the portable terminal at a primary surface of the second display. When the portable terminal is in the first form, the tilt that is detected is corrected and displaying is performed based on the corrected tilt. When the portable terminal is in the second form, displaying is performed based on the detected tilt.
US09110623B2 Printing system, print relay server, method of controlling the server, and program
The present invention provides a mechanism to acquire content that has not been converted into print data from a vendor server providing a print service.The mechanism acquires content data corresponding to content identification information from an application server if location information about print data acquired on the basis of the content identification information that is acquired coincides with location information about print data included in notification information that is acquired.
US09110614B2 Terminal device and printer
A terminal device may send authentication information to a printer, obtain, from a print intermediation server by using the authentication information, M pieces of file identification information for identifying M files in a case where M pieces of file related information and the authentication information are being registered in association in the print intermediation server, control a display unit of the terminal device to display a first selection screen causing a user to select first file identification information from among the M pieces of file identification information, and send, to the printer, a print instruction including the first file identification information. The authentication information and the first file identification information may be used by the printer, in order to obtain, from the print intermediation server, print data created from a first file identified by the first file identification information.
US09110611B2 Non-transitory computer-readable mediums and image processing apparatus
A process and system for minimizing an image processing apparatus from remaining in a waiting state when communication with a client application has been lost. Various implementations are described in which processing requests are canceled based on losses of communication with the client application.
US09110603B2 Identifying modified chunks in a data set for storage
Provided are a computer program product, system, and method for identifying modified chunks in a data set for storage. Information is maintained on a data set of variable length chunks, including a digest of each chunk and information to locate the chunk in the data set. Modifications are received to at least one of the chunks in the data set. A determination is made of chunks including data affected by the modifications. The determined chunks including data affected by the modifications are processed to determine new chunks and for each determined new chunk and for each determined new chunk, new digest information of the new chunk. The new digest information on the at least one new chunk and information to locate the new chunk in the data set are added to the set information.
US09110602B2 Content aligned block-based deduplication
A content alignment system according to certain embodiments aligns a sliding window at the beginning of a data segment. The content alignment system performs a block alignment function on the data within the sliding window. A deduplication block is established if the output of the block alignment function meets a predetermined criteria. At least part of a gap is established if the output of the block alignment function does not meet the predetermined criteria. The predetermined criteria is changed if a threshold number of outputs fail to meet the predetermined criteria.
US09110592B2 Dynamic allocation of heterogenous memory in a computing system
A method of operating a computing device includes dynamically managing at least two types of memory based on workloads, or requests from different types of applications. A first type of memory may be high performance memory that may have a higher bandwidth, lower memory latency and/or lower power consumption than a second type of memory in the computing device. In an embodiment, the computing device includes a system on a chip (SoC) that includes Wide I/O DRAM positioned with one or more processor cores. A Low Power Double Data Rate 3 dynamic random access memory (LPDDR3 DRAM) memory is externally connected to the SoC or is an embedded part of the SoC. In embodiments, the computing device may be included in at least a cell phone, mobile device, embedded system, video game, media console, laptop computer, desktop computer, server and/or datacenter.
US09110590B2 Dynamically located onscreen keyboard
A touch-sensitive display surface having touch-capacitive and vibration sensors. This surface allows the user to rest their fingers on the keys of an onscreen keyboard and type as they would on a regular keyboard. As the user places their fingers on the touch screen, the system relocates the onscreen keyboard to the location where the fingers are resting. The touch sensors report the signal strength level of each key touched to a processor, but no keystroke is issued by the processor until a corresponding “tap” (i.e., vibration) is detected. When a tap is detected, the processor references the status of the touch capacitance sensors before, during, and/or immediately after the moment in time the tap occurred. The size, position, and orientation of the onscreen keyboard keys are dynamically set as determined by the user initiating a home-row definition event by resting their fingers momentarily on a virtual home-row.
US09110588B2 Optical touch device and method for detecting touch point
An optical touch device utilizes two images sensed by two image sensing units, which are diagonal to each other, to determine whether a number of touch points located at a central touch area is equal to 1. When the number of touch points are larger than 1, the optical touch device further utilizes another two images sensed by another two image sensing units, which are also diagonal to each other, to assist in determining the number of touch points located at the central touch area, so as to improve the accuracy of determination.
US09110585B2 Method for providing user interface using drawn pattern and mobile terminal thereof
Disclosed are a method for providing a user interface by mapping various types of multimedia to patterns drawn on a display, and a mobile terminal thereof. A user may draw a pattern according to his or her preference, and a controller may generate an object by mapping one or more multimedia data to the pattern. The controller may play the mapped multimedia data by tracking the multimedia data-mapped pattern. The controller may store the multimedia data-mapped pattern (object) in a memory. And, the controller may transmit the object to a selected specific party to provide an enhanced user interface (UI).
US09110581B2 Touch support for remoted applications
Touch, multi-touch, gesture, flick and stylus pen input may be supported for remoted applications. For example, a touch capable client device may receive touch input for a remoted application executing on a server. In such an instance, the touch input may be transmitted to the server for processing. The server may modify the application display or the application functionality and provide an output to the client device. In some arrangements, the output may correspond to instructions for modifying a display of the application while in other examples, the output may correspond to an image of the changed application display. Additionally or alternatively, determining a functionality associated with touch input may be performed based on user definitions, user preferences, server definitions (e.g., operating system on the server), client definitions (e.g., operating system on the client) and the like and/or combinations thereof. Aspects may also include resolving latency and enhancing user experience.
US09110569B2 Indicating a content preference
Recording a user's preference for content is disclosed. A first indication that a user has a first preference for the content is received. In response to receiving the first indication, the content is associated with the first preference. A second indication that the user has a second preference for the content is received. In response to receiving the second indication, the content is additionally associated with the second preference.
US09110568B2 Browser tab management
Tabs of online content can be positioned according to the relative importance of each tab to a user. A user's interaction with a plurality of online content is monitored, and user activity metadata generated by, and associated with, the user's interaction with the online content is collected. A plurality of tabs of the online content is opened in a graphical user interface, and a relative importance of each of the plurality of tabs to the user is determined based on the user activity metadata associated with the online content in the tab. At least a subset of the tabs are positioned relative to each other within the graphical user interface based at least on the relative importance of each tab.
US09110567B2 System and method for enabling users to interact in a virtual space
The present invention provides a highly scalable architecture for a three-dimensional graphical, multi-user, interactive virtual world system. In a preferred embodiment a plurality of users interact in the three-dimensional, computer-generated graphical space where each user executes a client process to view a virtual world from the perspective of that user. The virtual world shows avatars representing the other users who are neighbors of the user viewing the virtual word. In order that the view can be updated to reflect the motion of the remote user's avatars, motion information is transmitted to a central server process which provides positions updates to client processes for neighbors of the user at that client process. The client process also uses an environment database to determine which background objects to render as well as to limit the movement of the user's avatar.
US09110563B2 Method and apparatus for user interface of input devices
A 3 dimensional (3-D) user interface system employs: one or more 3-D projectors configured to display an image at a first location in 3-D space; one or more sensors configured to sense user interaction with the image and to provide user interaction information; and a processor configured (i) to receive the user interaction information from the one or more sensors; (ii) to correlate the user interaction with the image; and (iii) to provide one or more indications responsive to a correlation of the user interaction with the image, including displaying the image at a second location in 3-D space.
US09110560B1 Shop order status visualization system
A method and apparatus for processing shop order instances for an aircraft. The shop order instances for the aircraft are identified. A current state of assembly of the aircraft is identified. A status of the shop order instances is identified. Parts present in the aircraft are identified for the current state of assembly of the aircraft. Graphical representations of the parts present for the current state of assembly for the aircraft for a group of shop order instances in a graphical user interface are displayed on a display device using a model of the aircraft. A set of graphical indicators in association with the graphical representations of the parts displayed in the graphical user interface are displayed. The set of graphical indicators indicates the status of the shop order instances.
US09110543B1 Method and apparatus for emulating touch and gesture events on a capacitive touch sensor
It is an object of the present invention to provide an apparatus and method for emulating touch and gesture events on a capacitive touch sensor array comprising: an electric field detection means for measuring the electric field intensity emitted as a function of time from a first plurality of scan electrodes of said capacitive touch sensor array; a predictive scan pattern means to infer the scan times and scan stimulus waveforms of a second plurality of scan electrodes at a plurality of emulated touch locations spanning an emulated gesture movement on said capacitive touch sensor array from said measured electric field intensity; and an electric field synthesizing means to create a time sequence of time variant electric fields coincident to said inferred scan time, and coherent and proportional to said inferred scan stimulus waveform for each said second plurality of scan electrodes; and a capacitive coupling means to couple said synthesized electric fields to said second plurality of electrodes inducing voltages which emulate time sequential touch events at said plurality of emulated touch locations animating said emulated gesture movement.
US09110537B2 In-vehicle apparatus including distortion detection element
An in-vehicle apparatus includes a plurality of operations sections, a detection section, and a cancellation section. The operation sections are configured to receive an operation by a user while driving of a vehicle and respectively include distortion detection elements that respectively transmit detection signals in accordance with loads generated due to the operation. The detection section detects the operation to the operation sections based on the detection signals. The cancellation section determines whether loads are generated in the operation sections in a same period based on the detection signals transmitted from the distortion detection elements and cancels the detection signals transmitted from the distortion detection elements in the same period when the loads are generated in the same period.
US09110527B2 Condition based controls for a display based on at least one operating parameter
A system, method, and device for increasing uniformity between displays incorporating components from different manufacturers. Incorporating components from different manufactures in different displays may cause the different displays to appear differently even under similar conditions. By modifying the operating parameters used to drive the display according to performance characteristics for various conditions, displays incorporating components from different manufacturers may be configured to produce a substantially similar picture under similar conditions. The various conditions may include stimulus information, such as temperature or touch activity.
US09110513B2 Information display apparatus with proximity detection performance and information display method using the same
An information display apparatus with proximity detection performance contains a display device that displays image information, a sensor constituted of plural detection electrodes, and an adjusting device of detection resolution that adjusts the detection resolution to be detected based on a distance between the sensor and an object that is contacted to any one of the detection electrodes.
US09110512B2 Interactive input system having a 3D input space
An interactive input system comprises computing structure; and an input device detecting at least one electronic device displaying a recognizable pattern within a three-dimensional (3D) input space and providing output to the computing structure. The computing structure processes the output of the input device to recognize the pattern displayed by the at least one electronic device in the 3D input space; detect the state of the at least one electronic device; and modify image data by applying a transition to digital content associated with the displayed pattern based on the detected state of the at least one electronic device.
US09110506B2 Tactile feedback for capacitive sensors
A tactile feedback apparatus for a capacitive sensing device is comprised of a dielectric insulator having a surface. A finger receiving recess is defined in the surface. The finger receiving recess is configured for receiving a deflected portion of a finger. The finger receiving recess is comprised of a finger deflecting feature and a tactile feedback feature. The finger deflecting feature is coupled to the surface and structured such that a variety of finger sizes pressed into the finger receiving recess would deflect into a predictable and repeatable shape for affecting the capacitive sensing device in a substantially uniform manner. The tactile feedback element is coupled to the surface and disposed such that the tactile feedback element contacts the deflected portion of the finger to provide tactile feedback to the finger only when the finger is sufficiently deflected into the finger receiving recess to actuate the capacitive sensing device.
US09110502B2 Motion sensing display apparatuses
Motion-sensing display apparatuses supported near a user's eye including partially transparent screens at least partially disposed within the user's field of vision, image generators positioned to display an image on a first side of the screen, motion capture devices positioned near the screen and configured to capture a user gesture occurring beyond the screen in the user's field of vision, and processors in data communication with the image generator and the motion capture device, the processors configured to execute computer executable instructions in response to the user gesture. In some examples, motion-sensing display apparatuses include cameras. In some further examples, image generators display user interfaces on screens.
US09110495B2 Combined surface user interface
Techniques for utilizing two or more mobile devices equipped with projectors to generate a combined seamless user interfaces by stitching projection areas generated by the projectors.
US09110472B2 Moving robot and method to build map for the same
A moving robot and a method to build a map for the same, wherein a 3D map for an ambient environment of the moving robot may be built using a Time of Flight (TOF) camera that may acquire 3D distance information in real time. The method acquires 3D distance information of an object present in a path along which the moving robot moves, accumulates the acquired 3D distance information to construct a map of a specific level and stores the map in a database, and then hierarchically matches maps stored in the database to build a 3D map for a set space. This method may quickly and accurately build a 3D map for an ambient environment of the moving robot.
US09110467B2 Automatic control of a marine vessel during sport fishing mode
The disclosure relates to a marine vessel having a control system for automatically steering the marine vessel for the purpose of aiding an angler who has hooked a fish. The control system includes a GPS unit for determining the orientation of the marine vessel, a sonar unit for determining the bearing of a fish, and an algorithm for minimizing the error between the two. The control system will execute steering commands in the propulsion system in order to minimize the error in order to aid the angler as he tries to land the hooked fish.
US09110452B2 Inferential process modeling, quality prediction and fault detection using multi-stage data segregation
A process modeling technique uses a single statistical model developed from historical data for a typical process and uses this model to perform quality prediction or fault detection for various different process states of a process. The modeling technique determines means (and possibly standard deviations) of process parameters for each of a set of product grades, throughputs, etc., compares on-line process parameter measurements to these means and uses these comparisons in a single process model to perform quality prediction or fault detection across the various states of the process. In this manner, a single process model can be used to perform quality prediction or fault detection while the process is operating in any of the defined process stages or states.
US09110451B2 Motor control system and safety monitoring system therefor
Each of a host controller and a motor control apparatus included in a motor control system that drives a motor includes a step of determining, with respect to motor rotation state estimation information estimated based on an electric current and a voltage to the motor, whether an operation state of the motor is normal according to what kind of a relation an operation command output by the host controller and a detected motor position or motor speed have.
US09110447B2 Watch having microphone
A watch includes a main body and a sound input body. The sound input body includes a microphone, a signal transmitting coil unit, a power receiving coil unit, and a power receiving unit. The main body includes an interface unit, a signal receiving coil unit coupling the signal transmitting coil unit, a signal amplification unit, a power transmitting unit, a power transmitting coil unit, and a control unit. The microphone converts a voice signal input to an electric signal, which is transmitted to the control unit by the signal transmitting coils coupling with the signal receiving coils. The control unit executes corresponding function in response to the electric signal. The electric signal obtained by the control unit is transmitted to the power receiving unit by the power transmitting coils coupling with the power receiving coils to power the microphone.
US09110445B2 Control mechanism with a securely removable stem
Control mechanism for a timepiece movement, including, in a housing in a main plate, a control stem that is movable in a longitudinal direction and including a groove cooperating with a stud comprised in a pull-out piece for actuating the pivoting of the pull-out piece on the main plate, this pull-out piece is held in position by a jumper spring, and the mechanism including a bridge cooperating with the main plate to confine the stem, and this bridge includes a housing in which there is a movable limiter piston, arranged to abut on one end of a trunnion comprised in the pull-out piece under the application of a force in a transverse direction substantially orthogonal to the longitudinal direction, to allow the release of the stem after a given travel of the limiter piston.
US09110443B2 Systems and methods for shear-corrected digital hologram acquisition
Systems and methods for shear-corrected digital hologram acquisition, wherein the shear-corrected geometry is highly suited for two (or more) color operation with either broadband or laser illumination. An apparatus for shear-corrected recording of a spatially heterodyne hologram with broad-band or laser illumination includes: an illumination source; a beamsplitter optically coupled to said illumination source(s); a reference beam corner-mirror pair for translation and phase-shaping of the object beam optically coupled to the beamsplitter; an object optically coupled to the beamsplitter; a focusing lens optically coupled to both the reference beam corner-mirror pair and the object; and a digital recorder optically coupled to the focusing lens. A reference beam is incident upon the translating and phase-shaping corner-mirror pair, and the reference beam and an object beam are focused by the focusing lens at a focal plane of the digital recorder to form a spatially heterodyne hologram.
US09110433B2 Image forming apparatus
An image forming apparatus includes a control unit that performs two types of stop operations in which an image bearing member is rotated or is not rotated after forming an image. The control unit selects the stop operation according to operation time of the image bearing member.
US09110430B2 Cleaning device, process cartridge and image forming apparatus
A cleaning device for use with an image forming apparatus includes: a frame; and a cleaning member for removing a developer from an image bearing member (drum). The cleaning member includes: a blade portion contacted to the drum; and a flexible supporting member, the supporting member including one end portion where the blade portion is provided, another end portion including a portion-to-be-fixed, and a bent portion between the one end portion and the another end portion and a contact portion. When a distance between the portion-to-be-fixed and the drum in a longitudinal central side of the portion-to-be-fixed is D1, and a distance between the portion-to-be-fixed and the image bearing member in each of longitudinal end sides of the portion-to-be-fixed is D2, the distances D1 and D2 satisfy: D1≦D2.
US09110429B2 Image forming apparatus
A controller determines a mode at a current time point, and corrects, on the basis of the determined mode and an elapsed time from a start time of the mode clocked by a timer to a current time point, an in-apparatus temperature detected by an in-apparatus temperature sensor on the basis of correction data so that the corrected temperature is calculated as an outside-air temperature.
US09110427B2 Image forming apparatus
An image forming apparatus includes a pair of side walls disposed opposite each other; a driven unit supported between the side walls; a drive unit with drive transmission gears attached to one of the side walls and drives the driven unit; and a reinforcing member connecting the pair of side walls. One end of the reinforcing member is attached to the side wall opposite the other side wall to which the drive unit is attached and the other end is attached to the drive unit. The driven unit is an image forming unit including at least an image carrier. The image carrier includes a rotary shaft, both lateral ends of which are supported by the pair of side walls. A gear portion engaging the drive transmission gears of the drive unit is disposed on one end of the rotary shaft of the image carrier.
US09110418B2 Color image forming method and color image forming apparatus
A color image forming method, including: forming electrostatic latent image on electrostatic latent image bearing member; developing the image to form visible image with at least two toners containing releasing agent and selected from black, magenta, cyan and yellow toners; transferring the visible image to recording medium; fixing the transferred image thereon with fixing member having no releasing agent on surface thereof; and forming overcoat layer on the fixed image by polymerizing overcoat composition, wherein when lightness—L1, chromaticity—a1 and chromaticity—b1 according to L*a*b* color system of the fixed image formed with the at least two toners and lightness—L2, chromaticity—a2 and chromaticity-b2 of the fixed image after the overcoat composition is dropped at 0.4 mg/cm2 from height of 10 mm above the fixed image and the overcoat composition is removed after 10 seconds have passed are applied to the following formula (1), color difference ΔE* is 3.0 to 30.0: ΔE*=[(a2−a1)2+(b2−b1)2+(L2−L1)2]1/2  (1).
US09110416B2 Image heating device and pressing roller for use with the image heating device
An image heating device for heating a toner image while nip-conveying a recording material, in a nip, on which the toner image is carried, includes a heating member; and a pressing roller, including an elastic layer, for forming the nip in contact with the heating member. The elastic layer of the pressing roller includes a thermosetting silicon rubber containing a thermal conductive filler. The thermosetting silicon rubber includes pore portions formed with resin microballoons and a pore connecting portion for connecting the pore portions. The elastic layer has a thermal conductivity of 0.15 W/mK to 0.5 W/mK.
US09110404B2 Image forming apparatus and toner case
An image forming apparatus includes a toner case, an apparatus main body, and a cover. The toner case includes a case main body, a shutter, and an operation part. The case main body has a discharge port discharging a toner. The shutter opens/closes the discharge port. The operation part is connected to the shutter. The operation part is movable between a port closing position where the operation part makes the shutter close the discharge port and interferes with the cover and an port opening position where the operation part makes the shutter open the discharge port and permits the cover to be closed. When the cover is closed in the state in which the operation part is located at the port closing position, the cover presses the operation part and the operation part moves from the port closing position to the port opening position.
US09110402B2 Apparatus and method for preventing an information storage device from falling from a removable device
An information storage device installed in a removable device configured to be removably installed in an image forming apparatus body, includes: an information storage unit that stores information communicated between the image forming apparatus body and the removable device; a terminal that comes in contact with a body side terminal; and a substrate that holds the information storage unit and the terminal and includes a hole configured to be engaged with a protruding section installed in the image forming apparatus body. The terminal includes a plurality of terminals each including one of a plurality of metallic plates arranged in a transverse direction thereof. An earth terminal, which comes in contact with a body side earth terminal formed in the protruding section, is formed in the hole. The hole is disposed at a position sandwiched between two metallic plates among the plurality of metallic plates.
US09110400B2 Charging member, charging device, detachable body, and image forming apparatus
A charging member includes a contact section and a supported section. The contact section is in contact with a charged body. The supported section is integrated with the contact section and is supported by a support member. The supported section has a lower hardness than the contact section.
US09110399B2 Optical writing device and image forming apparatus
An optical writing device for forming an electrostatic latent image on a photoreceptor by exposing the photoreceptor to light modulated in accordance with image data. The optical writing device has: a substrate; a light-emitting-element array including a plurality of light-emitting elements supported by the substrate to be arranged in a main-scanning direction; and a light-receiving-element array substantially in parallel to the light-emitting-element array, the light-receiving-element array including a plurality of light-receiving elements supported by the substrate to be arranged in the main-scanning direction. For light-quantity measurement of one of the light-emitting elements, at least an output value output from one of the light-receiving elements of which center is located in a different position, with respect to the main-scanning direction, from a center of the one of the light-emitting elements is used.
US09110393B2 Image forming apparatus with a drive mechanism which uses an electromotive force of a motor to drive another motor
An image forming apparatus having a first motor for rotating a roller for transporting recording paper includes a second motor supplied with electric power from the same power line as the first motor, a driver circuit connected to the power line and generating driving electric power based on electric power from the power line to feed the driving electric power to the second motor, and a controller controlling, on detecting a jam of the recording paper and an open state of a cabinet cover, the driver circuit such that driving electric power is supplied from the power line to the second motor.
US09110386B2 Focus control apparatus for photolithography
A method comprises providing a semiconductor substrate having at least one layer of a material over the substrate. A sound is applied to the substrate, such that a sound wave is reflected by a top surface of the layer of material The sound wave is detected using a sensor. A topography of the top surface is determined based on the detected sound wave. The determined topography is used to control an immersion lithography process.
US09110378B2 Illumination optical system for projection lithography
An illumination optical system for projection lithography has an optical assembly for guiding illumination light to an object field to be illuminated in an object plane. The illumination optical system divides a bundle of the illumination light into a plurality of part bundles, which are allocated to various illumination directions of the object field illumination. The illumination optical system is configured in such a way that at least some of the part bundles are superimposed on one another in a first superimposition plane according to a first superimposition specification and in a second superimposition plane, which is spaced apart from the first superimposition plane, according to a second superimposition specification. The result is an illumination optical system, in which an influencing and/or a monitoring of an illumination intensity distribution over the object field is made possible, as far as possible without influencing an illumination angle distribution.
US09110372B2 Anti-reflective coatings using vinyl ether crosslinkers
Novel, wet developable anti-reflective coating compositions and methods of using those compositions are provided. The compositions comprise a polymer and/or oligomer having acid functional groups and dissolved in a solvent system along with a crosslinker and a photoacid generator. The preferred acid functional group is a carboxylic acid, while the preferred crosslinker is a vinyl ether crosslinker. In use, the compositions are applied to a substrate and thermally crosslinked. Upon exposure to light, the cured compositions will decrosslink, rendering them soluble in typical photoresist developing solutions (e.g., alkaline developers).
US09110365B2 Imaging apparatus
An imaging apparatus includes an omnidirectional imaging unit that captures and generates an image of a visual field all around an axis as omnidirectional image data; an image converter that converts at least a part of the omnidirectional image data, which is generated by the omnidirectional imaging unit, to image data having a rectangular display area and thereby generates conversion image data; and a display unit that displays an image corresponding to the conversion image data, which is generated by the image converter. The omnidirectional image data forms an annular shape.
US09110356B2 Camera accessory, camera body and camera system
A camera accessory is detachably mounted at a camera body that includes a first body contact point, a second body contact point, a third body contact point, a fourth body contact point and a fifth body contact point and detects disengagement of the camera accessory when the fifth body contact point sustains a signal level corresponding to a first truth value continuously over a length of time equal to or greater than a predetermined time length. In the camera accessory, the accessory-side communication control device executes control so as to ensure that the signal assuming a level corresponding to the first truth value is not continuously output from the fifth accessory contact point any longer than the predetermined time length while the operating voltage supply from the camera body is provided via the first accessory contact point.
US09110352B2 Systems and methods for fiber optic parametric amplification and nonlinear optical fiber for use therein
A high confinement nonlinear optical fiber is provided along with methods of parametric amplification for use thereof The nonlinear optical fiber may include a plurality of concentric layers which are configured to provide different guiding regimes to low-frequency and high-frequency components through transverse geometry and refractive index profiling, thus reducing waveguide dispersion. The resulting optical fiber provides a parametric device with phase-matching in any spectral region of interest, such that a fiber optic parametric amplifier (FOPA) implementing the optical fiber can amplify in any spectral window of interest. A narrow-band FOPA configured to minimize phase mismatching is also provided for use with the optical fiber, and may be implemented as a light source or a monochromator.
US09110347B2 Method of fabricating display apparatus and display apparatus fabricated thereby
A method of fabricating a display apparatus includes forming a lower electrode on a lower substrate, forming a partition structure and an ink-injection tube connected to one end of the partition structure, the partition structure including first partitions, and second partitions, and cell regions defined by the first and second partitions, covering the partition structure with an upper electrode, and injecting an electronic ink through the ink-injection tube to fill the cell regions of the partition structure.
US09110346B2 Electrochromic device
An electrochromic device includes: a substrate having an inner surface; at least one first electrode layer formed on the inner surface; at least one second electrode layer formed on the inner surface and spaced apart from the first electrode layer; and an electrochromic unit formed on the first and second electrode layers and including an electrochromic layer and an electrolyte layer that is in contact with the electrochromic layer. When a potential is applied between the first and second electrode layers, the electrochromic layer can undergo chemical reduction or oxidation reactions and change color.
US09110344B2 Liquid crystal display
A pixel electrode and a direction control electrode capacitively coupled to the pixel electrode are provided in a pixel. A pixel thin film transistor is connected to a gate line, a data line, and the pixel electrode. A direction control electrode thin film transistor is connected to a previous gate line, a previous data lines or a next data line, and the direction control electrode. The gate lines are supplied with scanning signals, and each scanning signal includes first and second pulses in a frame. The first pulse of a scanning signal is synchronized with the second pulse of a previous scanning signal.
US09110340B2 Array substrate, liquid crystal panel and liquid crystal display device comprising protrusion electrode parts
An embodiment of the present invention discloses an array substrate comprising: a base substrate; a common electrode layer formed on the base substrate; a protective layer formed on the common electrode layer; and pixel electrodes formed onto the protective layer, wherein the base substrate is formed thereon with a plurality of protrusions parallel to each other, the common electrode layer is overcoated onto the protrusions, portions of the common electrode layer covering the protrusions are formed as protrusion electrode parts, and the pixel electrode comprises portions arranged alternately with the protrusion electrode parts. The embodiment of present invention also provides a liquid crystal panel comprising the above array substrate, as well as a liquid crystal display device.
US09110338B2 Mask for curing frame sealant and liquid crystal display panel manufacturing method
A mask for curing frame sealant and a liquid crystal display (LCD) panel manufacturing method are provided in the present invention. A transition region is formed in a joining area between a shading region and a transparent region. The shading region is adjacent to the transparent region and the transition region joins the shading region, the transition region includes at least two shading portions and a transparent portion. The shading portion and the transparent portion are alternatively arranged. When the mask is utilized for exposure, the irradiation transmittance in the transition region is lower than the irradiation transmittance in the transparent region and higher than the irradiation transmittance in the shading region.
US09110326B2 Liquid crystal display device and multi-display system
A liquid crystal display device (100) includes a liquid crystal display cell (10), a light-transmitting cover (20) having a lens portion (22) and disposed on a viewer side, a backlight (40) disposed on an opposite side to the viewer side, a light diffusion layer (38) disposed between the backlight (40) and the light-transmitting cover (20), and a refraction-index adjusting layer (28) that fixes the liquid crystal display cell (10) and the light-transmitting cover (20) to each other. A refraction index difference between the light-transmitting cover (20) and the refraction-index adjusting layer (28) is smaller than a refraction index difference between the light-transmitting cover (20) and air.
US09110313B2 Display and electronic unit
There are provided a display in which a sealing section is prevented from being spread and the sealing section is allowed to be provided in a desired region, and an electronic unit including the display. The display includes: a substrate including a sealing region and a step section, the sealing region surrounding a display region, and the step section surrounding the sealing region from outside; a display layer provided in the display region; and a sealing section provided in the sealing region.
US09110310B2 Multiple energization elements in stacked integrated component devices
This invention discloses a device comprising multiple functional layers with multiple energization elements formed on substrates, wherein at least one functional layer comprises an electrical energy source. In some embodiments, the present invention includes a component for incorporation into ophthalmic lenses that has been formed by the stacking of multiple functionalized layers.
US09110309B2 Method for selecting progressive ophthalmic lenses
The disclosure relates to a method for selecting progressive ophthalmic lenses for a given frame and wearer, the progressive ophthalmic lenses having one area for distance vision and one area for near vision, said given frame having two recesses suitable for receiving a progressive ophthalmic lens, respectively, said two recesses defining a recess midplane. The method includes the following steps: a) fitting said wearer with said given frame; b) determining the position of a first point of intersection between a first direction of the gaze of said wearer in a distance vision posture and said recess midplane; c) determining the position of a second point of intersection between the gaze of said wearer in a near vision posture and said recess midplane; d) assessing the distance between said intersection points; and, e) selecting progressive ophthalmic lenses in which the progression length corresponds to said distance assessed between said intersection points.
US09110308B2 Self-leveling five-beam laser device
A five-beam laser device that is designed in a self-leveling way and includes three laser sources, wherein two laser beams created by the laser sources are each divided into two partial beams, wherein one of the partial beams in each case meets with the beam of the third laser source at a point P.
US09110302B2 Endoscope optical system
An endoscope optical system has a first lens group having positive refractive power, an aperture diaphragm, a second lens group having negative refractive power and a third lens group having positive refractive group, the second lens group moving along an optical axis to perform focusing, the first lens group having a first lens having negative refractive power and a second lens having positive refractive power, and the optical system satisfying the following conditional equation: −5.0
US09110298B2 Naked-eye stereoscopic display apparatus
A naked-eye stereoscopic display apparatus satisfies θ=arctan {(Ax·px)/(Ay·py)}, GF=Bx·Lx/px, Ay≧2 and Bx≧2, Lx=α·px+β·py·tan θ, and GH=(α·px)2+(β·py)2. In these expressions, px is a pixel pitch in a horizontal direction, py is a pixel pitch in a vertical direction, Lx is a lens pitch of cylindrical lenses in the horizontal direction, θ is an inclination angle of cylindrical lenses, Ax and Ay are integers prime to each other, and α and β are integers. Bx is a minimum natural number in which a numeric value GF becomes an integer. When α0 is defined as the value of α that minimizes the numeric value GF, α0 is not a multiple of the number of types of color pixels. When Lx=δ·px is established, the naked-eye stereoscopic display apparatus satisfies tan θ=(7−δ)·(px/py) and 5.3≦δ≦5.4.
US09110295B2 System and method of controlling discharge of a firearm
A method includes defining a designation point on a target within a view area of a scope coupled to a firearm and determining an angular motion deviation of a muzzle of the firearm from the designation point. The method further includes initiating firing of the firearm when the angular motion deviation is below an acceptable level.
US09110294B2 Imaging with shaped highlight beam
A source light beam is split into an illumination beam and a highlight beam. The highlight beam can be controllably shaped into a shaped highlight beam based on a brightness analysis of an image to output. The illumination beam and the shaped highlight beam are combined and provided to an imaging device that generates the image using the combined beam. An array of reflectors, such as a MEMS mirror device, can be used in conjunction with a stacked rod array to generate the shaped highlight beam. The illumination beam and the shaped highlight beam can be combined using offset lenses or a polarizing beam splitter.
US09110293B2 Prismatic image replication for obtaining color data from a monochrome detector array
An optical system for producing color images includes: an objective lens system having an entrance aperture; a multi-faceted prism positioned at the entrance aperture of the objective lens system and including at least a first face having a first optical filter formed thereon and a second face having a second optical filter formed thereon; and a monochromatic detector array positioned to receive light from the objective lens system. The multi-faceted prism intercepts light from a scene and splits a pupil of the objective lens system into two or more spectrally separated sub-images which are projected onto the monochromatic detector array.
US09110287B2 Catadioptric system and image pickup apparatus
The catadioptric system includes a first imaging optical system collecting light from an object and a second imaging optical system causing the light from the first imaging optical system to form an intermediate image and to cause the light from the intermediate image to form an optical image. The first imaging optical system includes a first optical element including a first light transmissive portion and a first back reflective portion, and a second optical element including a second light transmissive portion and a second back reflective portion. The first light transmissive portion, the second back reflective portion, the first back reflective portion and the second light transmissive portion introduce the light from the object to the second imaging optical system. The second imaging optical system includes an aspheric lens having a negative refractive power on and around the optical axis and a positive refractive index in its peripheral portion.
US09110282B2 Nanometer-scale optical imaging by the modulation tracking (MT) method
An optical imaging method based on a feedback principle in which the specific scan pattern is adapted according to the shape of the sample. The feedback approach produces nanometer-resolved three dimensional images of very small and moving features in live cells and in a matter of seconds. Images of microvilli in live cultured opossum kidney cells expressing NaPi co-transporter proteins with different GFP constructs and images of cell protrusions in a collagen matrix are produced with a resolution of about 20 nm. Along cell protrusions in three dimensional cellular adhesions could be identified to the extracellular matrix.
US09110281B2 Vertically etched facets for display devices
This disclosure provides systems, methods and apparatus for masked reflective structures which can be integrated into display devices. In one aspect, masks and etch leading layers can be used to control the etching of a stack of layers to form masked reflective structures having a desired profile. In particular, tapered edges at a particular angle can be formed, and the resulting structures used in a roll-to-roll process to fabricate a device component.
US09110280B2 Viewable surface having unnoticeable smudges
A device (110, 151, 200) with a viewable surface (201) including a plurality of transparent pedestals (210) having a reflective material (406) disposed on its sides (408) make smudges forming thereon unnoticeable by taking advantage of optical characteristics including contrast and the user's visual acuity. The pedestals (210) generally have a width (412) of less than 50 microns, a height (414) equal to twice the width (412), and a spacing (416) between adjacent pedestals (210) equal to the width (412). The device (110, 151, 200) may be an electronic device, and more particularly a portable electronic device such as a cell phone.
US09110276B2 Full-field GEO imager optics with extended spectral coverage
A wide field-of-view infrared optical imaging system with extended spectral coverage into the 1.0 to 2.5 μm wavelength range. In one example, an optical imaging system includes an imaging detector sensitive to light in a wavelength range of at least 1.0 μm to 5.0 μm, and a plurality of lenses optically coupled together and configured to focus incoming light onto the imaging detector, the plurality of lenses each comprised of a material that is transparent to the light in the wavelength range of at least 1.0 μm to 5.0 μm, wherein a pupil of the optical imaging system is located external to the plurality of lenses between the plurality of lenses and the imaging detector.
US09110275B2 Zoom lens and image-pickup apparatus
A zoom lens includes, in order from an object side to an image side, a first, a second, a third, a fourth and a fifth lens units respectively having positive, negative, positive, negative, and positive refractive powers. The first lens unit includes negative, positive, and positive lenses in order from the object side to the image side. The second lens unit includes negative, negative, and positive lenses in order from the object side to the image side. Each lens unit moves during zooming. The predetermined conditional expressions are satisfied.
US09110268B2 Cable pulling grip having toolless removal
A combination of a pulling grip assembly and a fiber optic cable assembly for installing the fiber optic cable, including: a flexible grip having an open loop region for pull-force engagement and a closed region engaged with the strength member in a fiber optic cable assembly; a first heat shrunk member positioned about a portion of the distal end of the fiber optic cable assembly and the distal end of cable; and a second heat shrunk member positioned about a portion of the closed region of the flexible grip and the proximal end of the fiber optic cable assembly. A method of using the pulling grip assembly and a quick release pulling grip kit for installing fiber optic cable, as defined herein, are also disclosed.
US09110263B2 System and method for aligning a multi-core plastic optical fiber assembly
A multi-core plastic optical fiber is used for multi-channel communication purposes. An alignment tool comprising a light source, selective filter and a detachable alignment-tube having a guide notch is provided to map the individual cores of a multi-core plastic optical fiber and prepare the connection of optical transceivers to both exposed ends of a pre-cut length of fiber. The alignment method results in a pre-cut length of fiber having alignment-tubes with guide notches secured to both ends. Transceiver guide projections mate to the notches, creating a complete optical multi-path between the transceiver active elements through the fiber cores. An automatic method of assembling optical transmitters to a multi-core fiber and mating optical receivers uses no alignment tools and tubes. This method dictates a specific placement of the optical transmitters in relation to the cores and receivers, assigning each transmitter to a preferred receiver based on detected light signal criteria.
US09110258B2 Optical fiber coupling connector
An optical fiber coupling connector includes a circuit board, light-emitting modules, light-receiving modules, an optical coupling module, a receiving member, and optical fibers. The optical coupling module includes a main body and converging lenses. The main body has a first optical surface, a second optical surface perpendicular to the first optical surface, and a reflection surface oblique relative to the first and second optical surfaces. The converging lenses are formed on the first optical surface and are aligned with the light-emitting modules and the light-receiving modules. The receiving member includes a front end portion and a rear end portion at opposite sides and defines through holes extending from the front end portion to the rear end portion. The receiving member is coupled with the main body, and the front end portion faces the second optical surface. The optical fibers are received in the through holes.
US09110252B2 Adaptive device for inspecting endfaces of fiber-optic connector having multiple rows of fibers
A device for shifting the imaging axis of a microscope for inspecting endfaces of a fiber-optic connector having multiple rows of endfaces has a supporting body for receiving a microscope; a first swinging lever mounted on top of the supporting body and rotatable about a first swinging axis perpendicular to the imaging axis of the microscope; a first connecting piece extending from the first swinging lever towards the imaging axis; a second swinging lever pivoted on the first connecting piece and rotatable about a second swinging axis perpendicular to the first swinging axis; and a fitting tip connected to the second swinging lever for interfacing with the fiber-optic connector. Using two sets of biasing means and adjustment drivers, the imaging axis passing through the supporting body and the fitting tip can be shifted in two mutually perpendicular directions to selectively align with any endface of the fiber-optic connector.
US09110235B2 Retroreflective sheeting and license plate with reduced retroreflectivity at high entrance angles
The present application relates to retroreflective sheeting that is capable of use in a license plate and that can be accurately read and/or detected by an ALPR system. The retroreflective sheeting is a microsphere-based retroreflective sheeting that provides reduced retroreflectivity at high entrance angles. The retroreflective sheeting can also be a microsphere-based retroreflective sheeting that exhibits reduced retroreflectivity of incident infra-red light from high entrance angles and substantially unaffected retroreflectivity of incident visible light from entrance angles in the vicinity of the normal.
US09110231B2 Inner focus lens system, interchangeable lens apparatus and camera system
An inner focus lens system, in order from an object side, comprising: a first lens unit including a most-object-side negative first lens element; a positive second lens unit; and a negative third lens unit, wherein an aperture diaphragm is included, the first lens unit, the third lens unit, and the aperture diaphragm are fixed relative to an image surface in focusing, the second lens unit moves relative to the image surface in the focusing, and the conditions: BF/Y<1.7 and TH/f>1.6 (BF: a distance from an apex of an image-side surface of a most-image-side lens element to the image surface, Y: a maximum image height, TH: a distance from an apex of an object-side surface of a most-object-side lens element to the apex of the image-side surface of the most-image-side lens element, f: a focal length of the lens system) are satisfied.
US09110227B2 Motor drive apparatus and optical apparatus
The motor drive apparatus includes a driven member, a stepping motor to drive the driven member, a driver to produce a drive signal for driving the stepping motor and whose signal value periodically changes, a memory to store data for setting a reference signal value as the signal value and a target movement amount of the driven member for each one-step drive of the stepping motor to be driven according to the drive signal having the reference signal value, and a detector to detect an actual movement amount of the driven member for each one-step drive of the stepping motor actually driven according to the drive signal having the reference signal value. The driver changes the signal value of the drive signal from the reference signal value to another signal value so as to reduce difference between the target movement amount and the actual movement amount.
US09110225B2 Illumination optics for a metrology system for examining an object using EUV illumination light and metrology system comprising an illumination optics of this type
A metrology system serves to examine an object arranged in an object field using EUV illumination light. An illumination optics of the metrology system has a collector mirror which is arranged in the beam path directly downstream of an EUV light source. Downstream of the collector mirror, less than three additional illumination mirrors are arranged in the beam path between the collector mirror and the object field. An intermediate focus is arranged in the beam path between the collector mirror and the additional illumination mirror. The metrology system further includes a magnifying imaging optics for imaging the object field into an image field in an image plane. As a result a metrology system is obtained which comprises an illumination optics that ensures an efficient illumination of the object field by means of illumination parameters which are well adapted to the illumination situation of current EUV projection exposure apparatuses.
US09110221B2 Athermal photonic waveguide with refractive index tuning
In a photonic waveguide, there is provided an undercladding layer and a waveguide core, having a cross-sectional height and width, that is disposed on the undercladding layer. The waveguide core comprises a waveguide core material having a thermo-optic coefficient. A refractive index tuning cladding layer is disposed on top of the waveguide core. The refractive index tuning cladding layer comprises a refractive index tuning cladding material having an adjustable refractive index and an absorption length at a refractive index tuning radiation wavelength. A thermo-optic coefficient compensation cladding layer is disposed on top of the refractive index tuning cladding layer. The thermo-optic coefficient compensation cladding layer comprises a thermo-optic coefficient compensation material having a thermo-optic coefficient that is of opposite sign to the thermo-optic coefficient of the waveguide core material. The thermo-optic coefficient compensation cladding layer provides at least partial compensation for the waveguide core thermo-optic coefficient.
US09110217B2 Electronic device with hidden gap between frame and lens
An electronic device is provided and includes a substrate assembly comprising a first area and a frame at a periphery of the first area and a lens, which is configured to be affixed to the first area, and which comprises a second area and a curved area at a periphery of the second area. The curved area is separated from the frame by a gap and is configured to reflect light across the gap to hide the gap from an observer looking into the gap.
US09110208B2 Autostereoscopic three-dimensional image display device
An autostereoscopic three-dimensional image display device including a first light guide plate having a first surface and a second surface, the second surface being provided with a first prism changing a path of light input from a first light source on a side of the first light guide plate toward the first surface; a second light guide plate having a third surface and a fourth surface, the fourth surface being provided with a second prism changing a path of light from a second light source on a side of the second light guide plate toward the third surface; a barrier film between the first and second light guide plates and interrupting part of light from the first light guide plate; and a lenticular film above the third surface of the second light guide plate and refracting a path of light input from the second light guide plate.
US09110206B2 Light guide plate and backlight module having the light guide plate
A light guide plate includes a light incident surface for incident light, a light emitting surface for emitting the light, and microstructures formed on the light emitting surface to collimate the light.
US09110187B2 Sensor assembly having a seismic sensor and a divergence sensor
A sensor assembly having improved characteristics for use in surveying a subterranean structure includes a divergence sensor for positioning at or below a ground surface, where the divergence sensor includes a container containing a material and a pressure sensor immersed in the material. In addition, the sensor assembly includes a single-component seismic sensor that is external to the container of the divergence sensor.
US09110169B2 LADAR enabled impact mitigation system
A collision mitigation system is proposed which makes use of forward mounted long range ladar sensors and short range ladar sensors mounted in auxiliary lamps to identify obstacles and to predict unavoidable collisions therewith, and a duplex radio link in communication with secondary vehicles, and a number of external airbags deployable under the control of an airbag control unit, to reduce the forces of impact on the host vehicle, secondary vehicles, and bipeds and quadrupeds wandering into the roadway. A suspension modification system makes use of headlight mounted long range ladar sensors and short range ladar sensors mounted in auxiliary lamps to characterize the road surface, identify road hazards, and make adaptations to a number of active suspension components, each with the ability to absorb shock, elevate or lower the vehicle, and adjust the spring rate of the individual wheel suspensions.
US09110160B2 Location finding using cellular modal antenna
The instant disclosure concerns an antenna system and method for location-finding of a wireless communication device. A cellular multimode antenna is configured to analyze pilot signals from base station towers across a plurality of antenna modes. Information corresponding to the received signals and each antenna mode is analyzed to determine a location fix. In certain optional embodiments, the location fix determined by the cellular multimode antenna is used to determine an optimal mode for a second GPS modal antenna, such that the selected mode of the GPS modal antenna provides optimum signal quality with the global positioning system. In this regard, the cellular multimode antenna estimates the location of the device, and a mode for the GPS modal antenna is selected based on the location fix such that the GPS antenna is capable of quickly determining a precise position of the device.
US09110153B2 Measuring device with a reduced share of stray light
A device for measurement by means of a light ray is equipped with a covering device for reducing stray light. The device comprises an array of lenses along an optical axis; a prism attached to one of the lenses with a slanted surface for coupling of the light ray incident from a light source placed lateral to the optical axis, onto the optical axis, so that the light ray can pass through the array of lenses along the optical axis; a receiver for receipt of a share of the light ray reflected by an object; and a covering device for at least one area of the prism that scatters a share of the light ray as stray light to the receiver.
US09110149B2 Combined display of radar signal direction and strength
A device includes a radar signal detector that can determine a signal strength of a police radar signal and a direction of a source of the police radar signal. Additionally, the device includes a display in communication with the radar signal detector that provides a single display region having a visual appearance which varies based on both the direction and on the signal strength.
US09110147B1 Differential emitter geolocation
An unknown location of a transmitter of interest is determined based on wireless signals transmitted by both the transmitter of interest and a reference transmitter positioned at a known location. The transmitted signals are received at a plurality of non-earthbound platforms each moving in a known manner, and phase measurements for each received signal are used to determine the unknown location.
US09110130B2 Probe head of probe card and manufacturing method of composite board of probe head
A probe head of vertical probe card and a manufacturing method of a composite board thereof are provided. The probe head includes guide plate, composite board, and probe pin. The composite board includes first board layer and second board layer which are laminated together by joining operation. The composite board further includes through hole which is made by drilling and passed all the way through the first board layer and the second board layer. The friction coefficient of the first board layer is less than that of the second board layer, and the thermal expansion coefficient of the second board layer is less than that of the first board layer. The probe pin is penetrated all the way through the through hole of the composite board. By this, friction between the probe pin and composite board is reduced so as to stabilize the position of the probe pin.
US09110121B2 Spinning current hall sensor with residual offset calibration signal
A spinning current Hall sensor configured to provide a sequence of input signals in response to a bias current being applied to a sequence of terminals of Hall sensing elements of the Hall sensor, the terminals of the Halls sensing elements configured to be interconnected in a sequence of configurations between a bias current supply and ground, with the bias current supply being connected to and applying the bias current to a different one of the terminals of each configuration. A chopping circuit demodulates the sequence of input signals to provide a corresponding sequence of demodulated positive and negative signals, with a residual offset calibration signal for the spinning current Hall sensor being based on the sequence of demodulated positive and negative signals.
US09110112B2 Occupant sensor device
An occupant sensor device includes a sensor body unit disposed in a base part of a seat in a vehicle, and an occupant detection device. The sensor body unit is divided into at least two parts, such as a first sensor part and a second sensor part, where the first sensor part is positioned in front of the second sensor part. Based on a capacitance between the sensor body unit and a vehicle body, the occupant detection device detects an occupant type of an occupant that is seated on the seat. In particular, the occupant detection unit is able to detect the occupant type based on a first capacitance provided by the first sensor part, a second capacitance provided by the second sensor part, and a total capacitance, which is a total of the first capacitance and the second capacitance.
US09110111B1 Methods and systems to determine a final value of random telegraph noise time constant and magnitude
A method includes, for a device and at each of a plurality of sampling frequencies, measuring a parameter of the device to generate a plurality of signals and each signal represents a time series of values of the parameter. Further, the method includes for each of the plurality of signals, identifying at least two stable states in the time series for each signal. Still further, the method includes determining a time constant associated with each stable state of each signal, determining a relationship between the time constants of each stable state and sampling frequency, and computing a final time constant value for each steady state by computing a derivative of the time constants as a function of sampling frequency relationship and comparing the derivative to a threshold.
US09110110B2 Bidirectional 3 phase power meter for compensating reverse load flow and method for metering thereby
The present invention relates to a bidirectional 3 phase power meter for compensating reverse load flow and a method for metering thereby. According to the present invention, there is provided a bidirectional 3 phase power meter for compensating reverse load flow which allows calculating power receiving and power transmitting apparent power and power factor using the detected voltage/current and a method for metering thereby.
US09110107B2 Battery test circuit with energy recovery
A battery test circuit for testing batteries in a working circuit having a plurality of batteries includes a DC step up converter. The DC step up converter may be selectively interconnected between a first one of a plurality of batteries and a second one of a plurality of batteries, to draw a test current from the first battery and to supply current at an elevated voltage to the second battery. The test circuit further includes an indicator output for providing a signal indicative of whether the first battery provides the test current substantially at its rated voltage.
US09110105B2 High performance sensor for partial discharge signal-analyzing systems
A capacitor component is adapted for capacitive coupling to an electrical power apparatus in which a PD is suspected, such as a shielded power cable; and an impedance transformance device has an input side connected directly to the capacitor component. Together the two components are used as a sensor to pick up and convey PD signals to a PD signal-analyzing system. Although the two components inherently form a classic high-pass RC filter, in accordance with the invention the input impedance at the capacitor side is much greater than the output impedance at the signal-analyzing system side. The effect is to pass much more of the lower frequency components of the PD signal for analysis by the PD signal-analyzing system than if the tranformance device were not included.
US09110101B2 Method and system for packet acquisition, analysis and intrusion detection in field area networks
A system for intrusion detection in a field area network where data is transmitted via packets, includes a processor for analyzing the packets to ascertain whether the packets conform to a sets of rules indicating an intrusion, and a database for storing an alert indicating an intrusion if the packets conform to at least one rule in the sets. The sets of rules are for field network layer data, internet protocol traffic data and field area application traffic data. A method for detecting intrusion in a field area network where data is transmitted via packets, including analyzing the packets to ascertain whether the packets conform to the sets of rules, and storing an alert indicating an intrusion if the packets conform to at least one rule in the sets of rules.
US09110092B1 Scanning probe based apparatus and methods for low-force profiling of sample surfaces and detection and mapping of local mechanical and electromagnetic properties in non-resonant oscillatory mode
This invention relates to multi-purpose probe-based apparatus, and to methods for providing images of surface topography, and detection and quantitative mapping of local mechanical and electromagnetic properties in non-resonant oscillatory mode. These methods may include filtering of incoming probe signals. These incoming probe signals provide time deflection curves, parts of which are used for the control of scanning and collection of data that reflects sample adhesion, stiffness, elastic modulus and viscoelastic response, electric and magnetic interactions. These methods permit adaptive choice of an AFM's deflection set-point, which allows imaging at the contact repulsive force for precise surface profilometry, as non-resonant oscillation brings tip and sample into intermittent contact. These methods permit choosing a desired deformation model that allows an extraction of quantitative mechanical properties including viscoelastic response from deflection curves. These methods also permit local quantitative measurements of tip-sample current and detection of surface potential, capacitance gradients and piezoresponse in non-resonant oscillatory mode. The stable thermal environment reduces apparatus thermal drift and improves apparatus performance.
US09110085B2 Methods of testing effectiveness of a treatment for thromobotic thrombocytopenic purpura by measuring ADAMTS13-mediated in vivo cleavage of von Willebrand factor
The invention generally relates to methods of measuring cleaved von Willebrand factor (VWF) fragments. More specifically, the invention relates to methods of measuring the ability of a disintegrin and metalloproteinase with a thrombospondin type 1 motif, member 13 (ADAMTS13) to cleave VWF in vivo. The invention also relates to methods of using various animal models which demonstrate ADAMTS13 activity similar to that of a human. The invention further relates to methods of measuring the cleavage products of rVWF in mammals, particularly in humans and in human plasma.
US09110083B2 Biomarkers for early detection of ovarian cancer
Biomarker proteins that can be used in the diagnosis of early-stage ovarian cancer (OC) are described. The biomarker panels not only permit the distinction of patients with ovarian neoplasia (benign or malignant) from normal subjects, but they also allow the identification of patients with early-stage (stage I/II) ovarian cancer from those patients with benign ovarian tumors or normal individuals. The invention additionally provides methods for detecting and treating various cancers, including cancer of the ovary using OC-related molecules.
US09110081B2 Antibody to cytolethal distending toxin of Campylobacter jejuni
Methods for preventing IBS, reducing the likelihood of developing IBS and/or treating IBS by administering COT inhibitors and/or COT neutralizers to a subject in need thereof are described. Methods of eliciting a specific immune response and methods of vaccinating a subject to prevent IBS or to reduce the likelihood of developing or having IBS are also provided. Methods of diagnosing IBS by detecting the presence or absence of COT or a COT marker in a subject are described.
US09110080B2 Epitope testing using soluble HLA
The present invention relates generally to a methodology for assaying the binding of a peptide to an individual, specific, soluble HLA molecule using fluorescence polarization. The peptides utilized in the method may be identified by indirect methods utilizing T lymphocytes, or by a direct method of epitope discovery described herein.
US09110079B2 Method and kit for establishing an in vitro prognosis on a patient exhibiting SIRS
A method and a kit for establishing an in vitro prognosis on a patient exhibiting SIRS, the method comprising: (i) measuring the level of expression of the CX3CR1 gene in vitro from the biological material of a patient sample by bringing into contact said sample with a specific reagent of the CX3CR1 gene; and (ii) comparing the expression level of the CX3CR1 gene of the patient to a predetermined expression threshold; wherein (iii) if the expression level of the CX3CR1 gene of the patient is less than the predetermined expression threshold, the survival prognosis of the patient is poor, and if the expression level of the CX3CR1 gene of the patient is greater than the predetermined expression threshold, the survival prognosis of the patient is good.
US09110077B2 Method for identifying a ligand capable of selectively modulating a functional cascade involving a target, and uses thereof for high-throughput screening of molecules of interest
The invention concerns a method for identifying a ligand capable of selectively modulating a functional cascade involving a target, and uses thereof for high-throughput screening of molecules of interest, in particular therapeutic (medicine). Said method comprises at least the following steps: a) identifying an antibody or an antibody fragment comprising at least one of the variable domains of an immunoglobulin chain, capable of binding to said target and modulating said functional cascade involving said target; b) screening from a bank of molecules, ligands modulating the bond between said target and the antibody or antibody fragment identified in a); and c) identifying among said modulating ligands obtained in b), those capable of modulating said functional cascade.
US09110061B2 Use of amino acid sequences from mycobacterium tuberculosis or corresponding nucleic acids for diagnosis and prevention of tubercular infection, diagnostic kit and vaccine therefrom
The present invention refers to the use of gene sequences or portions thereof characterized in that the same belong to the classes of in vitro and ex vivo induced, repressed or conserved genes in Mycobacterium tuberculosis currently infected human macrophages and to corresponding peptides or consensus peptides or proteins for the preparation of specific bio-markers for the diagnosis and prevention of active or latent disease.
US09110059B2 Bio-pin
A bio-pin is provided. The bio-pin can be used for cell transfer and treatment, cell tracing, and targeting of specific tissues and cells using a peptide-based complex in which a cell-penetrating peptide or a cell-adhesive peptide is bound to one or both ends of a cell membrane protein, and used in a molecular imaging system, a medical appliance, and the like.
US09110058B2 Porous solid phase for binding assay, and binding assay method using the same
A porous solid phase for binding assay that enables a test sample such as whole blood to be analyzed promptly, conveniently, accurately, and inexpensively without requiring a pretreatment, and a binding assay method using said porous solid phase are disclosed. At least one surfactant is incorporated into the porous solid phase for binding assay prior to addition of a test sample, the at least one surfactant being selected from the group consisting of (A) a sugar-containing surfactant that comprises a compound shown by a general formula (I), (B) a sugar-containing surfactant that comprises a sucrose fatty acid ester wherein the constituent fatty acid has 5 to 14 carbon atoms, and (C) a steroid surfactant.
US09110052B2 Biological information, acquisition method and instrument, and physiologically-active substance measurement method and instrument
A biological information acquisition method for acquiring information on a living body on a basis of a quantified value of a physiologically active substance originated from the living body, includes a step of collecting the physiologically active substance from a body surface of the living body.
US09110051B2 Pharmacologic method of lowering cholesterol production
The present invention provides a screening method for identifying test agents that modulate cell membrane cholesterol activity. The modulating activity of the test agents may be measured using lytic compounds, which cause cell lysis or increases in cell permeability in response to cell membrane cholesterol levels. The invention further provides therapeutic agents that are identified using the screening method. The therapeutic agents either increase or decrease the cell membrane cholesterol activity, cholesterol concentration and/or both in vivo and/or in vitro.
US09110040B2 Exhaust gas measurement device and recording medium having program for exhaust gas measurement device recorded thereon
An exhaust gas measurement device includes a pressure regulator for keeping a pressure of sample gas in a sensor flow line or a bypass flow line to be a set pressure value, a flow rate sensor provided on the bypass flow line for measuring a flow rate of the sample gas flowing through the bypass flow line, and an attention attracting part for displaying that the flow rate of the sample gas is reduced in the case where the flow rate measurement value measured by the flow rate sensor becomes equal to or smaller than an attention attracting flow rate value larger than a pressure controlling limit flow rate value by a predetermined value, the pressure controlling limit flow rate value being a lower limit flow rate value that is pressure-controllable by the pressure regulator.
US09110037B2 Diode laser based broad band light sources for wafer inspection tools
Disclosed are methods and apparatus for performing inspection or metrology of a semiconductor device. The apparatus includes a plurality of laser diode arrays that are configurable to provide an incident beam having different wavelength ranges. At least some of the laser diode arrays form two dimensional stacks that have different wavelength ranges from each other. The apparatus also includes optics for directing the incident beam towards the sample, a detector for generating an output signal or image based on an output beam emanating from the sample in response to the incident beam, and optics for directing the output beam towards the detector. The apparatus further includes a controller for configuring the laser diode arrays to provide the incident beam at the different wavelength ranges and detecting defects or characterizing a feature of the sample based on the output signal or image.
US09110036B2 Assembly with a universal manipulator for inspecting dovetail of different sizes
Disclosed is an ECA probes assembly capable of providing reliable and durable ECA inspections of dovetail slots without the use of an external guiding mechanism. The design combines a novel universal probe manipulator with a probe support suited for a wide range of probe supports which fit a rage of turbine disks. The probe support embodies a rigid yet expandable core, exerting a force pushing the array probe against the inner cavity of the dovetails. The pushing force is strategically located in critical areas of the dovetail leading to array probe to be self-guiding into the dovetail, and to provide optimum performance with consistent and stable lift-off.
US09110034B1 Night vision device test apparatus
Night vision devices utilize image intensifier tubes to see in low light conditions. A man-portable tester allows an operator to check for defects and determine the image resolution of the image intensifier tube quickly and easily without a power source or a darkened room.
US09110027B2 Method and device for detection of an analyte
The present invention relates to a method, device, and kit for analyzing a sample for determining the presence or amount of an analyte, particularly carbohydrate, more particularly sugar, in the sample using a fabric.
US09110022B2 Acoustic methods and systems for detecting terahertz radiation
Methods and systems for detecting radiation for example, terahertz radiation, with the aid of acoustic signal generation and detection include: directing an optical beam into a volume of gas; ionizing at least a portion of the volume of gas with the optical beam to produce a plasma; and detecting an acoustic signal produced from an interaction of a radiation wave with the plasma. The methods and systems are particularly adapted for remote detection of chemicals, biological substances, and explosives, among others. The capability of the methods and systems can be enhanced by employing multi-color laser excitation to produce the plasma and varying the time delay between the multi-color pulses.
US09110011B2 Remote measurement system and method for pesticide fog distribution and drifting tendency in aerial pesticide application
Disclosed are a remote measurement system and method for pesticide fog distribution and drifting tendency in aerial pesticide application, which relate to the technical field of hazardous substance monitoring. The system comprises: a collection module, used for collecting infrared radiation in a detected area, and enabling the infrared radiation to be incident on an optical module; the optical module, used for obtaining, according to the incident infrared radiation, an infrared imaging spectrum in the detected area where a pesticide fog cloud cluster is distributed, and sending the infrared imaging spectrum to a processing module; the processing module, used for analyzing the infrared imaging spectrum, identifying the pesticide fog cloud, obtaining a concentration image of the pesticide fog cloud through inversion, and predicting a drifting tendency of the pesticide fog according to the concentration image. The system and method of the present invention can comprehensively reflect the drifting condition of the pesticide fog in the air in real time, and can obtain the concentration and components of the pesticide fog. The method and system improve the pesticide application efficiency, and prevent damages on the environment and residential areas while saving the cost.
US09109999B2 Transducer array self-diagnostics and self-healing
A method of performing transducer self-diagnostics and self-healing on an array of sensor transducers bonded to a structure for health monitoring includes measuring impedance to detect whether a transducer is missing, or a connection is damaged. Pitch-catch signals generated between one or more pairs of transducers are analyzed for detecting defects according to selected criteria of defect size and location to determine whether the sensors are damaged or partially/fully disbonded. Based on the resulting map of operational transducers, signal transmission paths are added/extended between additional pairs of transducers to maintain inspection coverage of the structure according to the selected criteria.
US09109988B2 Corrosion sensors
A corrosion sensor includes an insulating substrate, a thin film of a first metallic material formed on the substrate; and an array of areas what includes a second metallic material provided at the surface of the thin film. A method for manufacturing such a sensor is also disclosed. An exemplary embodiment is disclosed in which the thin film is patterned to define a number of tracks, the resistance of which can be monitored in order to determine the degree to which the thin film has corroded.
US09109978B2 Light cover or hood for live optical fiber identifier tool
A light hood for a fiber identifier tool that includes a head portion having interior photo detectors, a slot for receiving an optical fiber to be tested, and a clamp mechanism for urging the fiber to bend in the vicinity of the photo detectors when the mechanism is operated. The hood has a generally T-shaped body that defines a lower hood portion arranged to engage the clamp mechanism and operate the mechanism when the lower hood portion is pulled downward by a user. An upper hood portion of the body is configured so that when the lower hood portion is engaged with the clamp mechanism and pulled downward, the upper hood portion descends to cover the head portion of the tool including the slot. Outside light is then blocked from entering the slot and reaching the photo detectors whenever a fiber is tested by the tool, thus preventing false indications.
US09109971B2 Respiratory condition analysis apparatus, respiratory condition display apparatus, processing method therein, and program
A respiratory condition analysis apparatus includes a respiratory signal acquisition section configured to acquire a time-series respiratory signal including respiratory sound of a living body, a respiratory segment identification section configured to identify a respiratory segment that is a time segment including the respiratory sound in the respiratory signal, a feature value generation section configured to generate a predetermined feature value of the respiratory signal for the identified respiratory segment, and a respiratory abnormality degree generation section configured to generate a degree of abnormality of the respiratory sound included in the respiratory signal on the basis of the feature value.
US09109959B2 Circuit and method for measuring a resistance value of a resistive component
A method is provided for measuring a resistance value of a resistive component, which provides for connecting a pull up resistance, in series to the component and supplying a first voltage value to a free end of the pull up resistance and a second lower voltage value to a free end of the component, monitoring a signal indicative of a voltage value between the component and the pull up resistance, determining the difference between the monitored signal and a generated PWM signal having a high voltage value and low voltage value, integrating the difference, obtaining an output signal, varying a duty cycle of the PWM signal based on the variation over time of the output signal, acquiring a duty cycle of the PWM signal, and determining the resistance value of the resistive component based on the duty cycle value and of the pull up resistance value.
US09109955B2 Profile generating method, color conversion method, profile generating apparatus, color conversion apparatus, and non-transitory computer-readable recording medium with profile generating program recorded therein
First spectral data (spectral transmittance) of a printed object, and second spectral data (spectral reflectance) of the printed object are obtained. Further, third spectral data (spectral radiance distribution) of a transmissive light source, and fourth spectral data (spectral radiance distribution) of a reflective light source are obtained. Then, using the first, second, third and fourth spectral data, colorimetric value data of the printed object in a given observational environment is calculated.
US09109952B2 Hidden sensors in an electronic device
An electronic device having one or more sensors is provided. The sensors may include any suitable type of sensor that emits or receives radiation (e.g., light waves) from the environment. The electronic device may include openings through which radiation may reach the sensors while keeping the sensors hidden from view. In some embodiments, the sensors may be placed underneath an opening used for an audio receiver such that radiation is piped to the sensors using a light path or a chamfered surface along the opening. In some embodiments, the sensors may be embedded in a screen such that the radiation emitted by the sensors exits the screen instead of being reflected on the screen. In some embodiments, the sensors may be placed along the periphery of the display, such that access to the sensors is provided via discontinuities in a gasket used to couple the display to the electronic device.
US09109951B2 Reduced volume spectroscopic sample cell
A sample cell can be designed to minimize excess gas volume. Described features can be advantageous in reducing an amount of gas required to flow through the sample cell during spectroscopic measurements, and in reducing a time (e.g. a total volume of gas) required to flush the cell between sampling events. In some examples, contours of the inners surfaces of the sample cell that contact the contained gas can be shaped, dimensioned, etc. such that a maximum clearance distance is provided between the inner surfaces at one or more locations. Systems, methods, and articles, etc. are described.
US09109950B2 Method and device for correcting spatial response for imaging fourier transform spectrometers
A method for correcting spatial response for an imaging Fourier transform spectrometer comprises the following steps: a prior step of calculation of the equalization parameters comprising a gain and an offset from data forming calibration scenes; a step of determination of equalization coefficients at a so-called pseudo superpixel level determining the gains and offsets at macropixel level from the data from a raw image that are collected by the imaging spectrometer in image mode, and gains and offsets determined in the prior step; and a step of equalization at pseudo superpixel level, applying the equalization coefficients to a macropixel from an acquisition in the interferogram mode of the imaging spectrometer in order to restore an equalized interferogram.
US09109948B2 Coupling optical signals into silicon optoelectronic chips
A method and system for coupling optical signals into silicon optoelectronic chips are disclosed and may include coupling one or more optical signals into a back surface of a CMOS photonic chip in a photonic transceiver, wherein photonic, electronic, or optoelectronic devices may be integrated in layers on a front surface of the CMOS photonic chip. Optical couplers, such as grating couplers, may receive the optical signals in the front surface. The optical signals may be coupled into the back surface of the chips via optical fibers and/or optical source assemblies. The optical signals may be coupled to the optical couplers via a light path etched in the chips, which may be refilled with silicon dioxide. The chips may be bonded to a second chip. Optical signals may be reflected back to the optical couplers via metal reflectors, which may be integrated in dielectric layers on the chips.
US09109940B2 Fuel gauging system utilizing a digital fuel gauging probe
An apparatus includes a probe configured to be mounted in a tank for at least partial immersion in a liquid. The probe has a body disposed inside the fuel tank. A capacitance-to-digital (CDC) circuit is disposed on the probe in the tank, such that the CDC is disposed inside the fuel tank and is operably connected to the body.
US09109938B2 Level sensor and associated control circuit, in particular for a filter for vehicles
A sensing device includes at least one electrode pair (2, 3, 4) and one sensing circuit (140) connected to the electrode pair (2, 3, 4). The sensing circuit (140) switches the value of its own output voltage when a substance establishes contact across the electrodes (2, 3, 4). The device further includes one output circuit (180) connected to the output of the sensing circuit (140) and adapted to provide an output signal (s7) representative of the presence of a substance across the electrode pair (2, 3, 4). The device also allows the output signal to take different voltage and/or current and/or frequency values, in particular such that values can be discerned which are representative of the presence or level of substances and/or representative of faults of the device.
US09109933B2 Electromagnetic flowmeter
An electromagnetic flowmeter includes a yoke of a solenoid unit, which is accommodated in the interior of a body. The yoke is U-shaped in cross section, with a pipe unit including a measurement conduit being arranged in the interior of the yoke. One end portion and another end portion of the measurement conduit are formed with true circular shapes in cross section, whereas an intermediate portion thereof between the one end portion and the other end portion is formed with an oval shape in cross section. On the measurement conduit, cross-sectional straight line portions thereof, which are formed in the intermediate portion, are arranged in a vertical direction. Coils of the solenoid unit and excitation plates are arranged in facing relation to the cross-sectional straight line portions.
US09109929B2 Fluid flow monitoring system
A fluid flow conditioning conduit for a fluid flow control gate which generates a conditioned fluid flow coupled to a flow meter which measures the velocity of the conditioned fluid flow allowing calculation of the volume of the conditioned fluid flow.
US09109926B2 Method and apparatus for providing power management in data communication systems
A blood glucose meter having a compact housing, a display unit disposed on the housing, the display unit including a display light source to illuminate the display unit, an input unit disposed on the housing, the input unit configured to provide input functions for the blood glucose meter, and a power source provided within the housing for providing power to the blood glucose meter, where the housing includes a port integrated on said housing configured to receive a blood glucose test strip, and corresponding methods of measuring blood glucose meter is provided.
US09109915B2 Method and apparatus for route selection based on recorded and calculated routes
An approach for generating one or more personalized travel routes based on recorded routes and calculated routes is disclosed. An apparatus and method determines to generate at least one intersection point between at least one calculated route and at least one recorded route, wherein the at least one calculated route and the at least one recorded route include one or more common endpoints, and cause a generation of at least one personalized route by causing a combination of one or more segments of the at least one recorded route with one or more other segments of the at least one calculated route based, at least in part, on the at least one intersection point. The apparatus and method to determine the personalized route can cause a filtering of the at least one recorded route based on at least one filtering criterion to determine one or more candidate recorded routes.
US09109914B2 Energy efficient routing using an impedance factor
A method and system for calculating an energy efficient route is disclosed. A route calculation application calculates one or more routes from an origin to a destination. For each of the routes, the route calculation application uses impedance factor data associated with each segment in the route. The impedance factor is calculated using probe data when the probe data is available for a road segment. When probe data is unavailable, the impedance factor is calculated using machine learning techniques that analyze the results of the impedance factor classifications for road segments having probe data.
US09109906B2 Route evaluation device
Disclosed is a route evaluation device that enables traveling along a route in consideration of an operation of the driver of another vehicle, and can realize a safer traffic environment. A route evaluation device includes a route candidate generation section that generates route candidates of a host-vehicle, a route prediction section that predicts routes of another vehicle, a classification section that classifies the interference states of the route candidates of the host-vehicle and the predicted routes of another vehicle into a plurality of interference forms, and a route evaluation section that evaluates the routes of the host-vehicle on the basis of the interference forms classified by the classification section.
US09109902B1 Monitoring device with a pedometer
A monitoring device with a pedometer preferably comprises an article, an optical sensor, an accelerometer, a short range wireless transceiver, and processor. The optical sensor preferably comprises a photodetector and a plurality of light emitting diodes. A sensor signal from the optical sensor is processed with a filtered accelerometer output signal from the accelerometer to generate a pedometer function.
US09109894B2 Gyroscope shock and disturbance detection circuit
The invention relates to integrated circuits, and more particularly, to systems, devices and methods of integrating a gyro sensing circuit with a gyroscope to detect a shock or a disturbance, and accurately differentiate rotation-based sense signals from noises introduced by the shock or disturbance. The gyro sensing circuit may be implemented in a differential or non-differential demodulation scheme, and comprises at least one demodulation unit and a peak detector. The at least one demodulation unit demodulates a gyro output signal provided by the gyroscope with a reference signal. In a demodulated gyro output signal, a shock signal or a gyro disturbance signal is substantially isolated out from interested gyro sense signals that are used to sense a rate of rotation. A peak detector samples the modulated gyro output signal, determines whether the signal exceeds a threshold level VTH and outputs a shock flag indicating a corresponding determination result.
US09109888B2 Distance measuring system
A light emission reference signal, the timing of which is adjusted by a first delay time control circuit, is input as a timing adjustment signal to a light emitter driver. The light emission reference signal, which is delayed by a second delay time control circuit, is output as an offset signal. The offset signal and a light emission timing signal from the light emitter driver are input to a timing correction phase comparator, and a phase comparison result is output from the timing correction phase comparator. The phase comparison result is input to a timing correction control logic circuit, and a delay adjusting signal based on the phase comparison result is output from the timing correction control logic circuit. The delay adjusting signal is input to the first delay time control circuit, whereby the timing of the light emission reference signal is adjusted.
US09109884B2 Method and equipment for manufacturing electric resistance welded steel pipe
A method for manufacturing an electric resistance steel pipe having a good toughness at a welded portion is provided, the method being capable of stably manufacturing an electric resistance welded steel pipe having a desirable toughness at a welded portion although a steel strip serving as a base material has a dimensional variation. Groove shapes and are applied to edges and of an open pipe, an edge shape monitor continuously captures images of the edges and immediately before electric resistance welding, and the captured images are input to an arithmetic processing unit for image processing.
US09109881B2 Prism coupling methods with improved mode spectrum contrast for double ion-exchanged glass
Methods of capturing improved-contrast mode spectra of a double ion-exchanged (DIOX) glass sample using prism coupling of index np. The DIOX glass sample has a refractive index profile with a first region adjacent the surface that satisfies 0.0005 ≤  λ n ⁢ ⅆ n ⅆ x  ≤ 0.0009 , where λ is a wavelength of measuring light. The prism-sample interface includes an interfacing liquid of index nf that differs from np by no more than 0.03, and that can exceed np. The mode spectra have a contrast that is higher than that obtained by conventional prism coupling by using gradient illumination or partially blocked illumination that reduces the amount of background reflected light from the coupling prism. The improved-contrast mode spectra can be processed using conventional means to determine at least one stress characteristic of the DIOX glass sample.
US09109875B2 Roofing template and method of cutting roofing shingles
Disclosed is a template and method for use in the roofing industry for cutting roofing shingles on site in multiple useful lengths with each individual cut. The template, formed of a durable material such as aluminum, comprises a base plate having an upwardly facing planar surface. Border walls rise from two adjacent sides of the planar surface of the base plate and have abutment surfaces facing inwardly towards the planar surface of the base plate. Permanent markings on the abutment surfaces and the planar surface are visible at a fixed point above the template so as to enable a person with a T-square and a cutting instrument to cut a standard size shingle piece into two useful pieces or to cut multiple shingles stacked on top of one another into two useful pieces.
US09109874B2 Modular, six-axis-adjustable, concrete-pour form-structure system
A precision fabrication form system for preparing a poured-concrete (with upwardly projecting anchor bolts) footing for anchorably supporting the base of an elongate, upright, structural-frame column. The system includes a reversibly stackable plurality of independent, intercooperative, fabrication-form templates—grade, pedestal, base-plate, anchor-bolt and centerline—reversibly assembleable in a predetermined stack order above a prepared ground excavation into which concrete pouring to be associated with such a footing is to occur, certain ones of these templates being infinitely adjustable relative to one another and to the ground in both pre-pour and post-pour conditions to accommodate staged, precision, X-axis, Y-axis, Z-axis, and pitch, roll and yaw axes dispositions for the concrete and anchor bolts in such a footing.
US09109872B2 Calibration device for measurement gauges of the diameter and other geometrical characteristics of cylinders
A calibration device for gauges for the measurement of the geometrical characteristics of cylinders, such as the diameter, profile, rotundity and eccentricity errors, wherein such gauges include a pair of movable opposing arms equipped with feelers or sensors at their free ends, includes a pair of abutments reciprocally approachable and/or withdrawable by means of motors until a sample measure is obtained, as desired, within the measuring range of the gauge, on which the calibration device is assembled, revealed by means of measuring means cooperating with the abutments, such that consequently the feelers or sensors are respectively abutted or approached to the abutments to reveal the sample measure.
US09109868B2 Method and program for using gestures to control a coordinate measuring device
A coordinate measuring device includes a measuring probe measuring three-dimensional coordinates; a measuring arm supporting the measuring probe and outputting position information for calculating the three-dimensional coordinates; a controller connected to the measuring arm and detecting the three-dimensional coordinates based on the position information; and a display displaying a menu. The controller further displays the menu on the display when a predefined menu display operation performed using the measuring probe is detected.
US09109853B2 Paintball marker and loader system
Among other things, methods and apparatus regarding collection, dissemination and display of information concerning paintball loaders and markers are disclosed. A loader includes a heads-up display, electronic devices for gathering, storing and disseminating information, and an antenna for sending and receiving data. Wireless voice communications among paintball players is possible via associated headsets. There is also disclosed paintball equipment and methods for controlling both the firing and loading mechanism of paintball equipment. Current systems or mechanisms have individual and discrete electronic control systems for firing operations, e.g. located in the paintball gun itself, and loading operations, e.g. located inside the paintball loader. The present disclosure unifies the electronic control of said firing and loader operations into a single electronic circuit board located on either the paintball gun or paintball loader.
US09109848B2 Firearm having a handle assembly for charging
A firearm includes a receiver and a bolt carrier disposed in the receiver. The bolt carrier is moveable between a firing position and a rearward position. A rod is fixed relative to the bolt carrier and a hand guard is coupled to the receiver about the rod. A handle assembly is slideably supported by the hand guard and is moveable toward the receiver to define a charging motion and away from the receiver to define a forward assist motion. The handle assembly receives the rod during both of the charging and forward assist motions. An arm is coupled to the base and is moveable between a disengaged position spaced from the rod and an engaged position abutting the rod. When the arm is in the engaged position, the handle assembly is moved to move the rod and the bolt carrier in either of the charging and the forward assist motions.
US09109847B1 Shotgun reloading apparatus to enhance shooting efficiency
A shotgun reloading apparatus to conserve user effort and movement in reloading shells in a shotgun to enhance shooting efficiency is provided. The reloading apparatus includes a base member coupled to a side portion of the shotgun, and a storage member coupled to the base member and having a cradle and a plurality of fingers such that space between the cradle and fingers is sufficient to secure a shotgun shell in a first position where a longitudinal axis of the shell is parallel to a longitudinal axis of a breech of the shotgun. This enables a user to rotate the secured shell from the first position to a second position proximate the breech to permit a disposal of the shell into the breech to reload the shotgun.
US09109845B2 Outdoor heat exchanger and air conditioner including the same
An outdoor heat exchanger in cooling operation includes: a first header pipe into which a refrigerant compressed by a compressor flows; a first heat exchanging unit connected with the first header pipe and allowing a refrigerant to exchange heat with the air; a bypass pipe through which the refrigerant exchanging heat in the first heat exchanging unit flows; a first distribution pipe connected with the bypass pipe; a distribution pipe check valve that is disposed in the first distribution pipe and preventing the refrigerant exchanging heat in the first heat exchanging unit from passing through the first distribution pipe; a second header pipe into which the refrigerant passing through the bypass pipe flows; a second heat exchanging unit connected with the second header pipe and allowing a refrigerant to exchange heat with the air; and a second distribution pipe through which the refrigerant exchanging heat in the second heat exchanging unit passes.
US09109844B2 Nested helical fin tube coil and associated manufacturing methods
A heat exchanger, illustratively utilized in a fuel-fired pool heater, circumscribes a burner operative to discharge hot combustion gases outwardly through the heat exchanger. The heat exchanger has a tube portion helically coiled about an axis, with a series of heat transfer fins circumscribing the tube portion and spaced apart along it length. The fins on longitudinally adjacent pairs of coils of the tubing have nested facing edge portions which collectively form a seal area that coils between the tubing portion adjacent coil pairs in axially spaced relationships therewith, the seal area substantially impeding combustion gas flow therethrough in a direction generally transverse to the axis of the heat exchanger. Additionally, the fins have deformed laterally outer portions that define a coiled, circumferentially spaced series of restricted combustion gas outlets in substantial axial alignment with the helically coiled tube portion.
US09109842B2 Fuel air heat exchanger
A fuel air heat exchanger for a gas turbine engine having fuel and air conduits in heat exchange relationship with one another, and a distribution conduit in heat exchange relationship with a component to be cooled. The distribution conduit is in fluid communication with the outlet of each air conduit. The heat exchanger also includes a secondary air inlet in fluid communication with the distribution conduit and a flow selection member selectively movable between first and second configurations. In the first configuration, the flow selection member closes the fluid communication between the secondary inlet and the distribution conduit. In the second configuration, the flow selection member opens the fluid communication between the secondary air inlet and the distribution conduit.
US09109839B2 Multi-layered evaporative media module for heat exchange apparatus
The present invention relates to liquid to air evaporative heat exchange apparatus, mainly for cooling towers, air conditioning units, and humidifies alike. The present invention incorporate an evaporative module embedded with a liquid delivery system through all of its layers. Such a design allows for an even and smooth liquid distribution, while at the same time maximized the duration and surface area for heat exchange to take place. The evaporative module of the present invention can be sealed off at various sections to redirect air flow. Such a design serves dual functions as a drift eliminator or regulator.
US09109838B2 Gas blowing nozzle
This invention relates to a gas blowing nozzle for blowing a gas to a molten metal in a furnace, the gas blowing nozzle including: a first nozzle section including a plurality of first narrow metal pipes having open furnace-side tips exposed to an inside of the furnace and being in the state of capable of blowing a gas to the molten metal in the furnace, a first surge tank communicated with the first narrow metal pipes, and a first refractory protecting the first narrow metal pipes and the first surge tank; and a second nozzle section including a plurality of second narrow metal pipes, a second surge tank communicated with the second narrow metal pipes, and a second refractory protecting the second narrow metal pipes and the second surge tank.
US09109827B1 Revolving framed refrigerator device
A revolving framed refrigerator device having an inverted U frame having an interior side, a top end, a pair of spaced apart legs, and a center, a motor disposed within the frame proximal the center, a rotation control disposed on one leg, the rotation control in operational communication with the motor, a multi-doored refrigerator disposed within the frame, the refrigerator having a front side spaced apart from a back side, a first side spaced apart from a back side, a top side spaced apart from a bottom side, the top side connected to the motor, a plurality of doors disposed on the front side, a plurality of doors disposed on the back side, and a bearinged base wherein the rotation control rotates the refrigerator to a desired position.
US09109816B2 Mechanical subcooling of transcritical R-744 refrigeration systems with heat pump heat reclaim and floating head pressure
A transcritical R-744 refrigeration system with an energy efficiency ratio of a level comparable to that of refrigeration systems using common refrigerants by mechanically subcooling of the R-744 refrigerant. Mechanical subcooling increases the refrigeration capacity without increasing the power consumption of the refrigeration system's compressors. The compressors used to provide the refrigeration capacity for the subcooling process operate at much more favorable conditions, therefore have a very high energy efficiency ratio. The result is higher refrigeration capacity and lower power consumption.
US09109812B2 Solar heating cells and support apparatus therefor
A solar heating cell includes a core substantially in the form of a parallelepiped having two open sides. O-rings are disposed within channels running about the edges of the two open sides and glass plates are clamped with compression clips to the two open sides forming air and watertight seals with the O-rings. The solar heating cell is filled with a liquid mixture, primarily water. A solar heating panel is made by mounting a number of the solar heating cells on a support apparatus in an opening through an external wall of a building.
US09109810B2 System and method for ventilating a turbine
This ventilation system (1), notably for a gas turbine, comprises at least one fan (2) opening into an air extraction duct (5).It comprises at least one device (6) for varying the pressure drop in the air extraction duct (5), comprising a means (8) of regulating the air flow rate in the air extraction duct (5).
US09109797B2 Metallic wick assembly
A metallic wick assembly includes at least one mesh member and a sleeve member. The at least one mesh member includes a first length defined between first and second ends thereof. The sleeve member is mounted around the mesh member and includes a second length defined between two longitudinal opposite ends thereof. The second length is less than the first length. A third length is defined between a distal end of the sleeve member and the first end of the mesh member. The sleeve member is slidable with respect to the mesh member to adjust the third length for controlling the flame scale.
US09109794B2 Steam generator
A method of generating steam by heating water in a steam generator comprising a plurality of steam generating channels, wherein water is supplied at a constant rate to each steam generating channel through respective water supply lines, and wherein a sufficient pressure drop is provided across each water supply line in order to prevent flow reversal in the plurality of steam generating channels.
US09109793B2 Illuminated display unit
An illuminated-display unit useable to provide artwork with rotating, glowing effects is described. The illuminated-display unit includes a base, a plate, and a dome. The base has a top surface with a central receptacle and an annular channel, a control panel, and light sources housed therein. The plate is disposed within the receptacle and the dome is disposed on the base to engage the annular channel and thereby accept the plate within its interior. Ink drawings or artwork are drawn on surfaces of the plate and the dome. The light sources are illuminated to provide internally reflected light within the plate and base. The ink on the plate and base refracts the internally reflected light and/or chemically or physically reacts thereto to provide a glowing effect. The dome and/or the plate are rotatable manually or mechanically to provide an animated effect to the illuminated display.
US09109792B2 Switch illumination device
A switch illumination device positioned outside a switch is introduced. The switch illumination device includes a switch panel, a light-emitting unit, and a fastening and unfastening structure. The switch illumination device further includes a fastening and unfastening structure whereby the light-emitting unit is coupled to switch panel. Hence, the light-emitting unit can not only be fixed to the switch panel but also be removed therefrom, thereby effectuating nocturnal illumination, emergency illumination, and mobile illumination.
US09109790B2 Liquid container, container illumination device, container member, and container illumination system
According to one embodiment, a liquid container includes a tank unit and a light emitting unit. The tank unit is capable of storing a liquid in an interior of the tank unit. At least one portion of the tank unit is light-transmissive. The light emitting unit contacts the at least one portion. The light emitting unit includes a first electrode opposing an outer surface of the at least one portion, a second electrode provided between the first electrode and the at least one portion, the second electrode being light-transmissive, and an organic light emitting layer provided between the first electrode and the second electrode.
US09109785B2 Snow-melting LED traffic signal
Provided is an LED traffic signal which can inhibit snow accretion, ice accretion, frost accretion, freeze of snow, freeze of ice, freeze of frost, and the like promptly without fail and which can obtain satisfactory visibility. The snow-melting LED signal includes: an LED signal light including in order: a lens cover; a heat generating sheet; an LED mask plate; an LED lens module; and a printed board protection cover; and a signal body for housing the LED signal light.
US09109781B2 Device and apparatus for efficient collection and re-direction of emitted radiation
An apparatus is described that includes a light source, a first reflector, a lens and a second reflector. The first reflector is positioned to reflect a first portion of light from the light source, wherein the first portion of light is radiated from the light source in a central forward solid angle as defined by an outer edge of the first reflector. The lens is disposed azimuthally horizontal to the light source for accepting a second portion of light from the light source emitted in a peripheral forward solid angle. The second reflector reflects the first portion of light after reflectance from the first reflector and the second portion of light after passing through the lens in a composite beam, wherein the first reflector and the lens are configured such that the first and second portions of light behave as though they were emitted from a point source at the focus of the second reflector.
US09109780B2 Safety aroma diffusing night lamp assembly
A safety aroma-diffusing night lamp assembly includes a body holding a coupling socket at the top, a lamp bulb inserted into the coupling socket and electrically connected to the body, a lampshade defining a bottom coupling hole coupled to the coupling socket and a top opening for holding an aroma capsule, and an aroma capsule including a disposable heat-transfer container mounted in the top opening of the lampshade and a solid aromatic substance contained in the disposable heat-transfer container and heatable by the radiating heat energy of the lamp bulb to release an aromatic smell.
US09109779B2 Defocused optic for multi-chip LED
A defocused optic (110, 210) for mixing of light output from a multichip LED (101, 201). The defocused optic (110, 210) includes an outer reflector having a concave inner surface (122, 26, 222, 226) with a varied profile. The outer reflector surrounds an interior reflector (140, 240) having a convex surface (142, 242). The convex surface (142, 242) of the interior reflector (140, 240) is positioned to generally face a multichip LED (101, 201) and may optionally have a varied profile. Appropriate selection of the design parameters of the profiles of the concave inner surface (122, 126, 222, 226), the profile(s) of the convex surface (142, 242), and the rotational angular range over which said profiles are present enables appropriate mixing of the light output from a given multi-chip LED (101, 201).
US09109778B2 Hanging lantern with removeable, interchangeable shades
A solar-powered hanging lantern includes an interchangeable shade. The article comprises a housing having an upper surface with a solar cell and a lower surface with a light source. A rechargeable battery and electronics within the housing charge the battery using the solar cell and illuminate the light source when ambient light falls to a predetermined level. The housing includes a cylindrical sidewall with a diameter and a peripheral rim extending outwardly form the cylindrical sidewall. A shade is provided having an upper, generally cylindrical opening slightly larger than the diameter of the housing, the shade being installed onto and over the housing such that the cylindrical opening rests on the peripheral rim, with an elastomeric ring being placed onto and over the housing to maintain the shade in position. The ring may be an O-ring and/or may include an inner groove to receive the opening of the shade.
US09109776B2 Segmented LED lighting system
The present invention is a segmented LED lighting system. In particular, the present invention is directed to a set of channel segments connected by a flexible lens sleeve that can be positioned in a variety of ways. A printed circuit board with at least one LED is mounted in each channel segment. Each segment preferably has a base with two ribbed vertical sides. The lens sleeve is preferably coextruded from flexible acrylic and has opaque side grips that grip the ribbed vertical sides and a translucent lens portion with an air gap. Pairs of encapsulated PCB modules are preferably connected in series to allow the system to be cut in the field.
US09109775B2 Accent lighting system for decks, patios and indoor/outdoor spaces
An accent lighting source utilizes a light source having a metal heat dissipating housing with an aperture within which at least one point light source, such as from an LED, is mounted. The aperture is closed by a lens/diffuser structure. The light source is mounted within a housing for the accent light source. The housing has a design configuration that supports one or more of a preferred accent lighting installation on a horizontal or vertical surface. Exemplary horizontal surfaces include the top of a post member, a deck surface, a stair surface or an overhanging or ceiling surface. Exemplary vertical surfaces include a stair riser and the side of post or wall surface.
US09109768B2 Illumination system
An illumination system operable for use as a string of Christmas lights may include a plurality of lamps connected in series. Each lamp may include a lamp luminary, a lamp stem, a lamp holder, and a pair of cables connected to the lamp holder. The lamp stem may have an insertion portion. The lamp holder may have an accommodation space formed therein. When the lamp stem is disposed in the accommodation space, the insertion portion may be clamped between a pair of first protrusions to separate the protrusions. When the lamp stem is removed from the accommodation space, the pair of first protrusions may resume contact through the elastic nature of the cable and the protrusions. The illumination system may be simple in structure and may be convenient for use.
US09109765B2 Lighting module, lighting strip including a plurality of contiguous lighting modules, and method for preparing a lighting strip
A lighting module includes a strip-shaped carrier. At least one light source, and at least one electrical contact element that can be contacted at the edge, are present on the strip-shaped carrier. The at least one light source may be a semiconductor lighting element. The at least one electrical contact element is designed as a material volume element.
US09109748B2 Machine conditioning monitoring closed loop lubrication system and method
In one embodiment, the disclosed method for lubricating a machine bearing system includes monitoring a bearing system using a vibration sensor, such as an accelerometer, receiving a signal from the vibration sensor, calculating a parameter based on the signal; and adding a lubricant to the bearing system based upon the parameter. In another embodiment, a system may include a vibration sensor, a monitor configured to receive a signal from the vibration sensor and calculate a spike energy value, and a lubrication device configured to add a lubricant to a bearing system based on the spike energy value. The system and method help reduce maintenance and repair costs, while prolonging the life of the machine system components being monitored.
US09109747B2 Modular ceramic guideway member
A linear motion machine includes a base having an upper surface configured to support one or more work pieces and an instrument movably mounted to the base via a plurality of guideways permitting movement of the instrument relative to the base along three axes. At least one of the pluralities of guideways includes an elongated guideway member made of a plurality of elongated generally planar web members. Each of the elongated generally planar web members has a length and a pair of opposite side edges running along the length. The plurality of elongated generally planar web members are bonded together at least at one or more of the side edges to form the elongated guideway member. The elongated guideway member includes a ceramic material.
US09109746B1 Mounting apparatus for a portable electronic device
A mounting apparatus for portable electronic devices provides a hands-free support for utilizing various portable electronics, such as smart phones or tablets. The mounting apparatus includes a specialized base for use with a floor, table, wall, or headboard surface. An upper assembly secures to the electronic device and can be tilted to a desired orientation. The upper assembly also includes an illuminating accessory for ease of viewing in dim lit situations and an attachable privacy curtain.
US09109745B2 Hanger system for suspendible illuminated fixtures
A hanger system capable of securing an illuminated fixture to a load bearing element is presented. The hanger system includes a cap, a base, a gripper, and at least two cables. The cap includes a top wall with a first hole and a first side wall with at least one ridge. The base includes a bottom wall and a second side wall. A sleeve extends from the bottom wall toward the top wall and is aligned with the first hole. At least two channels extend from the bottom wall and contact the second side wall. A slot is disposed along the contact between each channel and the second side wall. The slot at least partially traverses the bottom wall within each channel. The base is slidably disposed within the cap with the ridges slidably engaged along the slots. The gripper secures the cap to the base via a lower stem and is removably attachable to an upper cable via an upper stem. The lower cables are removably attachable at one end to the illuminated fixture and at another end to the channels.
US09109737B2 Device for sealing the end face of a tube from which fluid flows
A device, for sealing the end face of a tube, includes an inner tube which has a smaller diameter than the tube to be sealed and is introduced at the end face into the tube to be sealed; a sealing body which is provided to seal a ring gap between the inner tube and the tube to be sealed, the sealing body being arranged in a movable manner on the inner tube; a turbine configured to be driven by a fluid flow from the tube; and a mechanical transmission. The mechanical transmission is connected between the turbine and the sealing body, and acts to translate rotational movement of the turbine from the fluid flow into a movement of the sealing body, thereby bringing the sealing body from a position having reduced sealing capacity into a position having higher sealing capacity.
US09109722B2 Method and apparatus for annulus spacer detection and repositioning in nuclear reactors
The present invention provides an apparatus for detecting and/or repositioning annulus spacers used to maintain the position of a pressure tube withm a calandria tube of a nuclear reactor. The method comprises the steps of: vibrationally isolating a section of the pressure tube; vibrating the wall of said pressure tube within said isolated section; detecting vibration of the wall at a minimum of two axial positions within said isolated sections; and detecting the reduction in vibration level of the wall at one or more of said axial positions in comparison to the remaining axial positions. The apparatus comprises a tool head to be inserted into the pressure tube, the tool head comprising a first end and a second and a clamping block m each of said ends. The clamping blocks are used to vibrationally isolate a section of the pressure tube located between said ends. The apparatus also comprises piezo-actuators operable to vibrate said pressure tube; and accelerometers used for measuring vibration of said pressure tube.
US09109721B1 Apparatus for filtering and/or conditioning and/or purifying a fluid such as water, and interface thereof for providing water boiler expansion pressure relief
An apparatus for filtering water has an interface and a filtration/purification canister removably mountable onto the interface. Connecting the canister to the interface automatically opens a check valve in the interface to permit water to flow from the interface into and through the canister, and then back to and through the interface to an outlet port. Disconnecting the canister from the interface automatically closes the check valve, stopping the flow of water. The interface provides for water boiler expansion pressure relief, while guarding against any water contaminated downstream of the apparatus from backflowing into the filtration/purification canister and contaminating the portion of the filtration/purification canister downstream of the filter/conditioning/purifying medium held within the filtration/purification canister and thereby causing water exiting the outlet port of the filtration/purification canister to be contaminated.
US09109712B2 Tap with a locking pin
The present invention is directed to a tap handle assembly for positioning about an installed tap body that includes an outwardly extending spindle. The tap handle assembly has a handle body means that has a body aperture and engagement means for engaging an outer end of the spindle, a pin positionable and moveable within the body aperture, and a biasing means to bias the position of the pin within the body aperture. When the tap handle assembly is assembled with the tap body, the pin is biased to the tap body to substantially prevent the movement of the spindle and to restrict the flow from the tap.
US09109706B2 Coking drum
A coking drum is provided, especially for petroleum coke production, which has an approximately cylindrical basic body and also at least one inlet opening and outlet opening, a shut-off valve (1, 1′) being arranged at the outlet opening and/or inlet opening. The coking drum is characterized in that there is provided, at approximately the same height as the shut-off valve (1, 1′), at least one input opening (19, 19′) for feeding residual materials, especially from a vacuum distillation process upstream of the coking, into the coking drum.
US09109703B2 Hydrodynamic backup ring
A seal backup ring is provided with undulating surfaces which create circumferential convergence with a relatively rotatable surface. The backup ring is configured so that differential pressure acting across a rotary seal forces portions of the backup ring against the relatively rotatable surface, closing, or substantially closing, the extrusion gap that the rotary seal is exposed to. In response to relative rotation between the backup ring and the mating relatively rotatable surface, the circumferential convergence promotes hydrodynamic lubrication within the dynamic interface that exists between the backup ring and the relatively rotatable surface. The modulus of elasticity of the backup ring is greater than the modulus of elasticity of the rotary seal.
US09109699B2 Structure for mounting piston ring
A structure for mounting a piston ring mounted around a piston head of a piston is provided. The structure includes a ring groove formed along the piston head with a guide recess circumferentially formed in the ring groove in a certain section. The piston ring is rotatably fitted into the ring groove. A guide protrusion is formed on the piston ring and is provided in the section of the guide recess such that the guide protrusion is rotated within the section. The structure is configured such that when a plurality of piston rings is mounted around the piston head, rotation sections of the end gaps of the piston rings are not aligned with each other.
US09109697B2 Automatic transmission
An automatic transmission includes an input member, a planetary gear mechanism, a plurality of engagement mechanisms, an output member, a shift position detector, an input rotational speed detector, a controller, and a switching mechanism. The controller is configured to set the switching mechanism in a reverse-rotation prevention state when a shift position is set in a forward movement range and configured to set the switching mechanism in a fixed state when the shift position is set in a backward movement range. The controller is configured to control the plurality of engagement mechanisms so that the input member is capable of rotating and rotation of the output member is prevented in a case in which a vehicle is moving backward, the shift position is switched from the backward movement range to the forward movement range, and a vehicle speed is greater than or equal to a first predetermined speed.
US09109681B2 Differential output control
Technologies relating to differential output control are disclosed. A differential output control apparatus may be coupled between a rotating device output and a controlled rotating output. The differential output control apparatus may comprise an adjustable mechanical link coupling two linked differential inputs, and configured to adjust a relative rotation speed or relative torque of the linked differential inputs. The differential output control apparatus may receive the rotating device output and adjust the adjustable mechanical link to control the rotation speed and/or torque of the controlled rotating output.
US09109679B2 Toroidal traction drive transmission
A continuously variable transmission includes a gearbox with a forward mode and a reverse mode. The gearbox includes a plurality of gear members and further includes at least two torque transmitting devices such as, a clutch and a brake that are selectively employed to engage various combinations of the gear members such that a particular combination is associated with one of the forward mode and the reverse mode.
US09109672B2 Multi-ratio transmission
A multi-stage transmission having eight forward and one reverse gear, including planetary gearsets, shafts and shift elements. The sun gear of gearset (P1) is connected to shaft (3) and the ring gear of gearset (P3) and can couple the housing via brake (03). The input shaft couples the carrier of gearset (P1) and can couple, via clutch (15), shaft (5) which couples the ring and sun gears of respective gearsets (P2, P3). The ring gear of gearset (P1) couples shaft (6), which can couple, via clutch (67), shaft (7), which couples the sun gear of gearset (P2). Shaft (8) couples the carrier and sun gear of respective gearsets (P3, P4). Shaft (4) couples the carrier of gearset (P4) and can couple, via brake (04), the housing. The output shaft couples the ring gear of gearset (P4) and the carrier of gearset (P2). Clutch (56) can connect shafts (5, 6).
US09109662B2 Wave generator for wave gear device
A wave generator for a wave gear device is provided with a pair of first rollers arranged in a position that is point-symmetric in relation to the center of a flexible externally toothed gear, a pair of second rollers, and a pair of third rollers. The first rollers are located on a long axis of the flexible externally toothed gear that is being flex into an ellipsoidal shape, and the second and third rollers are located in positions that are linearly symmetric in relation to the long axis between the long axis and a short axis. Support bearings of the first rollers are larger than those of the second and third rollers. The rolling fatigue life of a roller-type of the wave generator can be to be enhanced.