Document Document Title
US09124668B2 Multimedia redirection in a virtualized environment using a proxy server
Methods and systems for multimedia redirection in a virtualized environment using a proxy server are described herein. The proxy server may store scripting code that may be injected into web content retrieved from a content resource server. The injected scripting code may cause an instantiated application in the virtualized environment to intercept/override at least some method calls in the web content. The proxy server may send the redirected multimedia content and other information to a client agent application executing on a user's computing device for rendering.
US09124654B2 Forming a federated system with nodes having greatest number of compatible firmware version
A method initializes a federated computer system from a fabric of nodes connected by a federated interface. Each node casts a vote to the federated interface for a candidate firmware version supported by the node casting the vote. The candidate firmware version having received the greatest number of votes is identified, and the computer system is initialized as a federated system of the nodes that support the firmware version identified as having received the greatest number of votes. A process of iterative voting may be used to identify a greater number of nodes supporting a compatible firmware version.
US09124652B1 Per service egress link selection
Exemplary embodiments provide techniques for specifying, on a per-service basis, (1) the peering router to which a particular network packet should be directed, and (2) the egress port that the packet should use when it leaves the peering router. One embodiment encapsulates an original packet inside an encapsulating packet. The encapsulating packet may specify, as a destination, a desired peering router in order to route the packet to a specific peering router and may specify an egress port identifier identifying a desired egress port on which the packet should be sent out from the peering router. At the peering router, the encapsulated packet may be decapsulated and the desired egress port may be retrieved. Thus, general network routing information may be overridden in favor of selected service-specific routes, allowing faster routes can be chosen for more important traffic or services.
US09124643B2 Method and apparatus for a publish-subscribe system with templates for role-based view of subscriptions
Methods and apparatus are disclosed for notifying one or more users of information having a plurality of attributes. A plurality of subscribable objects are provided to one or more users, where each subscribable object comprises one or more attributes as required attributes and zero or more of the attributes as optional attributes. Subscription requests are received from one or more of the users based on at least one of the subscribable objects. The subscribable objects are based, for example, on a set of predefined templates. The predefined templates identify each of the plurality of attributes as a required attribute or an optional attribute. Each of the attributes is presented to a user using a display format selected based on a cardinality of the corresponding attribute.
US09124639B2 Managing command compliance in internetworking devices
In an embodiment, an internetworking device is configured with compliance proxy logic that is configured for sending, to a compliance server, a request to determine whether the command conforms to one or more compliance policies, wherein the request includes the command; receiving a compliance response from the compliance server; in response to determining whether the compliance response indicates success, executing the command only when the compliance response indicates that the command conforms to the one or more compliance policies. Thus the device can determine actively whether a proposed user command or configuration change will violate established standards or policies, before the command or change is applied to the device.
US09124637B2 Data protection for keychain syncing
Some embodiments provide a program that provides data protection for a device when synchronizing a set of keychains stored on the device with a set of other devices. The program receives keychain data for synchronizing the set of keychains stored on the device with the set of other devices. The keychain data is specified as belonging to a protection domain. The program determines whether a set of conditions defined for the protection domain is satisfied. When the set of conditions is determined as satisfied, the program allows access to the keychain data in order to process the keychain data and synchronize the set of keychains stored on the device with the set of other devices.
US09124636B1 Infected endpoint containment using aggregated security status information
In one example, a network device may store health status information specifying a current security status for each of a plurality of authenticated endpoint devices in accordance with an authorization data model. The network device may update the current security status of each of at least two of the plurality of authenticated endpoint devices connected to an enterprise network to indicate that each of the at least two of the plurality of authenticated endpoint devices has a compromised security status, and identify a characteristic common to both of the authenticated endpoint devices having the compromised security status. The network device may interface with one or more policy enforcement devices to quarantine a set of endpoint devices associated with the identified characteristic. The current security status of at least one of the quarantined endpoint devices may indicate that the quarantined endpoint device does not have a compromised security status.
US09124635B2 Verified sensor data processing
Sensor data may be filtered in a secure environment. The filtering may limit distribution of the sensor data. Filtering may modify the sensor data, for example, to prevent identification of a person depicted in a captured image or to prevent acquiring a user's precise location. Filtering may also add or require other data use controls to access the data. Attestation that a filter policy is being applied and working properly or not may be provided as well.
US09124632B2 Method and apparatus for providing privacy management in machine-to-machine communications
A method, non-transitory computer readable medium and apparatus for processing a request from a server of a machine-to-machine service provider are provided. For example, the method receives the request from the server of the machine-to-machine service provider to communicate with a machine-to-machine device, determines whether to authorize the request based upon a policy in a privacy database, and enables communications between the server of the machine-to-machine service provider and the machine-to-machine device if the request is authorized based upon the policy.
US09124631B2 Content syndication in web-based media via ad tagging
Methods and systems for providing advertisements for inclusion in video content. In one embodiment, a video is formatted into a specific format for advertising purposes. The format describes a standard for advertisement placement opportunities within a video in which a client device may select advertisements for display during these opportunities.
US09124628B2 Seamless engagement and disengagement of transport layer security proxy services
Techniques are presented for seamless engagement and disengagement of Transport Layer Security proxy services. A first initial message of a handshaking procedure for a first secure communication session between a first device and a second device is intercepted at a proxy device. The first initial message of the handshaking procedure is saved at the proxy device. A second initial message of a second handshaking procedure for a second secure communication session between the proxy device and the second device is sent from the proxy device to the second device. It is determined from the second handshaking procedure that inspection of the first secure communication session is not to be performed by the proxy device. The first secure communication session is established without examination of the communication traffic by the proxy device.
US09124626B2 Firewall based botnet detection
A computer detects malicious intrusions (or bots) into a computer. The computer receives firewall log data that includes communication records containing the source and destination of the communication, as well as, the time of the communication. The source or destination of the communication may be on a list of suspicious servers known to contain malicious software. The computer identifies a sequence of communications between a common source address and a common destination address. The computer further identifies substantially fixed intervals between the communications, and generates an alert indicating a suspected bot intrusion. The computer also identifies from the sequence of communication, patterns in the communication intervals, similarly generating an alert indicating a suspected bot intrusion.
US09124624B2 Detecting vulnerabilities in web applications
A method, computer program product, and system for detecting vulnerabilities in web applications is described. A method may comprise determining one or more values associated with a web application that flow to response data associated with the web application. The one or more values may be modifiable by unreliable input. The method may further comprise generating a representation of the response data associated with the web application. The method may additionally comprise determining one or more potentially vulnerable portions of the response data based upon, at least in part, the one or more values modifiable by the unreliable input that flow to the response data associated with the web application, and the representation of the response data associated with the web application.
US09124622B1 Detecting computer security threats in electronic documents based on structure
In an embodiment, a data processing method providing an improvement in computer security comprises selecting, from a queue identifying a plurality of web pages, a particular web page to retrieve from one of a plurality of internet sources; causing retrieving a copy of the particular web page from a particular internet source; determining a hierarchical structure of the particular web page; based upon a hierarchical structure of the particular web page and without consideration of content of the particular web page, identifying one or more features, of links in the particular web page or files referenced in the particular web page, that indicate one or more security threats; determining a reputation score for the particular web page; determining a specified remediation measure, based upon the reputation score, to remediate a security threat that is identified in the particular web page; providing the specified remediation measure to one or more of a compromised computer, a sensor computer and an enterprise computer.
US09124621B2 Security alert prioritization
In one implementation, a security alert prioritization system identifies a host and a domain associated with a security alert that was generated in response to a communication between the host and the domain. The security alert prioritization system accesses a security state associated with the host and a security state associated with the domain, and compute a priority of the security alert based on the security state associated with the host and the security state associated with the domain.
US09124619B2 Directing audited data traffic to specific repositories
Data traffic is monitored on a network and data access elements thereof are collected. The collected data access elements are compared to security rules providing sets of predefined data access elements for identifying predefined data accesses. First audit data collections for data accesses are sent to a first repository. For a data access that matches one of the rules, a second audit data collection defined by the matching rule is sent to at least a second repository designated by the matching rule.
US09124605B2 Terminal, information inter-cut system and method
The present invention relates to a terminal, an information inter-cut system and method. In the method, after the terminal receives an information play request signaling sent by an information server, if the terminal itself is performing video share, the terminal will send a video share pause signaling to the other terminal of video share, and will send a request accept signaling to the information server after receiving the response signaling of the other terminal; the information server transmits to the terminal the information data to be played; the terminal plays the received information, and sends a video share restoration signaling to the other terminal to restore the paused video share after the information play is over. The present invention can receive any form of information issued by an operator, without influencing the user performing video share service.
US09124604B2 Communication apparatus, computer-readable storage medium having stored therein communication control program, communication control method, and communication system
A first determination section determines, when an instruction for connection establishment is issued, whether or not connection information including target apparatus specifying information that uniquely specifies a predetermined target apparatus is stored in a first storage section. A first connection section performs, when the first determination section determines that the connection information is stored in the first storage section, a process for establishing a connection by wireless communication to the target apparatus that is specified based on the target apparatus specifying information stored in the first storage section.
US09124601B2 Data client
Facilitating the distribution of content is disclosed. A request for content is received from a requesting peer. A peer type compatibility criteria is applied to an allocation process that allocates at least one sending peer to deliver the content to the requesting peer. The peer type compatibility criteria ensures that a lightweight peer is paired with a regular peer.
US09124596B2 Network device and method available for use under non-security mode
The present invention relates to a network device and method available for use in non-secure use mode. A network device according to the present invention includes an ownership establishment determination unit for determining whether ownership has been established in the network device and establishing either a secure or non-secure use mode, upon reception of a use request message from a user through a control unit; and a non-secure use range search unit for searching for a non-secure use range available in non-secure use mode, if the ownership establishment determination unit determines the establishment of the non-secure use mode, and granting the user a license for the searched non-secure range. According to the present invention, there is an advantage in that a license for an appropriate range of content of a secure network device can be granted to a user even during the initial construction stage of a home network.
US09124591B2 Automatic resource balancing for multi-device location-based applications
At least one embodiment of this disclosure includes a method of resource balancing execution of a location-based application involving multiple devices. The method can include: identifying an application executing on an operating system of a first computing device; identifying a resource type to facilitate the executing of the location-based application; identifying computing devices each having at least an available resource instance of the identified resource type, wherein the computing devices are reachable by a communication protocol of the first computing device; and selecting a target computing device to offer up a target resource instance of the resource type to the location-based application based at least partly on a comparable limitation of each available resource instance of the computing devices.
US09124582B2 Mobile security fob
A computer-implemented method comprising: receiving, from a primary factor authentication device by one or more computer systems, a request to enroll a mobile device as a secondary factor authentication device; and enrolling by the one or more computer systems the mobile device as a first, secondary factor authentication device.
US09124577B2 Method for assembling authorization certificate chains
A method for assembling authorization certificate chains among an authorizer, a client, and a third party allows the client to retain control over third party access. The client stores a first certificate from the authorizer providing access to a protected resource and delegates some or all of the privileges in the first certificate to the third party in a second certificate. The client stores a universal resource identifier (URI) associated with both the first certificate and the third party and provides the second certificate and the URI to the third party. The third party requests access to the protected resource by providing the second certificate and the URI, without knowledge or possession of the first certificate. When the authorizer accesses the URI, the client provides the first certificate to the authorizer, so that the client retains control over the third party's access.
US09124570B1 Providing an assessment of authentication requests
There is disclosed herein a technique for use in providing an assessment of authentication requests. In one embodiment, the technique comprises obtaining authentication data that relates to an attribute of authentication requests in a current time period and a previous time period. The technique also comprises applying a weight to the authentication data that relates to the attribute of authentication requests in the previous time period and performing a computation involving the weighted authentication data and the authentication data that relates to the attribute of authentication requests in the current time period. The computation producing a computational result. The technique still further comprises providing the computational result for use in processing future authentication requests.
US09124567B2 Methods and devices for converting routing data from one protocol to another in a virtual private network
Data (e.g., instructions) used to route Internet Protocol traffic is converted from one protocol to another (e.g., MPLS to Virtual Router) or vice-versa. This allows routers and other network devices based on either protocol to co-exist in the same network.
US09124566B2 Browser plug-in for secure credential submission
Described is a technology by which a plug-in (e.g., an ActiveX® control) instantiated by a web browser calls functions of a credential service to use a set of credential data (e.g., a card file) for logging into a website. If the credential service determines that a previously used card file for the website exists, a representation of that card file is displayed in the browser, and the data of that card file is used to obtain a token for logging in the user. If not found, an icon is presented instead, by which the user can select a user interface that allows selection of another card file that meets that meet the website's requirements.
US09124564B2 Context awareness during first negotiation of secure key exchange
Techniques are presented for establishing context awareness during first negotiation of secure key exchange. These techniques may be embodied as a method, apparatus or instructions in a computer-readable storage media. At a first network device, a message is received from a second network device as part of an initial exchange of information of a secure key exchange, the message containing information indicating one or more secure key exchange policies acceptable to the second network device and defining one or more associated security parameters. The message further contains context-specific information identifying a context of the second network device. The first network device selects a secure key exchange policy for communicating with the second network device based upon the context-specific information and sends a response message to the second network device containing the selected secure key exchange policy. If the context was understood, the response message also includes context-specific information.
US09124562B1 Cloud-based decomposition and recomposition for cross-platform display
Data including information regarding a display of the host device may be received. Such information may be used to identify multiple portions of the host device display. Each portion is mapped to an associated description. For example, a task bar may include multiple buttons that are each associated with certain tasks. The map allows for identification of which buttons are associated with which tasks. Each description is matched to a component on the client device. Instructions may be generated for the client device, such that the client device display may include a corresponding display that is reconfigured in an optimal way for the client device based on the matched descriptions.
US09124558B2 Method and apparatus of handling data decryption for a packet data convergence protocol layer in a wireless communication system
The present invention provides a method of handling data decryption for a Packet Data Convergence Protocol layer of a user equipment upon handover in a wireless communication system for increasing the validness of deciphering packages in the wireless communication system, which includes using a security variables corresponding to a source base station for deciphering the packets received from the source base station when the user equipment performs a handover procedure.
US09124553B2 System and method for automatic data security back-up and control for mobile devices
Systems and methods for providing security and control of mobile communications device activity including at least one mobile communication device with software operable thereon for receiving rules provided by an authorized user of the device(s) and in accordance with those rules administering actions to provide for controlling and security data stored or generated on the device(s), including logging data and activities related to the mobile communications device, blocking and filtering calls, messages, websites, emails, and combinations thereof, via wireless communication with a remote server computer having a corresponding software module operable thereon for managing and implementing the rules.
US09124548B2 Method for uploading media file, electronic device using the same, and non-transitory storage medium
A method for uploading a media file to an online service, an electronic device using the same, and a non-transitory storage medium are provided. In the present method, a plurality of upload rules corresponding to an online service are obtained. A media capture application is initiated on an electronic device. A media file captured by using the media capture application is automatically uploaded to the online service in accordance with the upload rules. Accordingly, the user only has to launch the media capture application to capture the media file, then the captured media file is automatically uploaded to the specific online service without launching an application of the online service.
US09124546B2 Systems and methods for throttling display of electronic messages
Systems and methods for throttling display of clustered electronic messages are disclosed. In some implementations, a method includes, at a computing device detecting occurrence of one or more cluster throttling trigger events for a first message cluster, of a first cluster type, in an email application. The method further includes updating a set of properties for the first message cluster in accordance with the one or more cluster throttling trigger events and comparing the updated set of properties for the first message cluster to one or more cluster display throttling rules associated with the first message cluster. The method further includes, in accordance with a determination that the set of properties for the first message cluster satisfies the one or more cluster display throttling rules, refreshing display of the first message cluster within a listing of electronic messages.
US09124543B2 Compacted mode for displaying messages in a conversation
A server having one or more processors and memory receives a plurality of messages organized as conversations associated with a user. The server receives, from a client, a request for a selected conversation that is associated with a first message, a second message that was sent after the first message and a plurality of interstitial messages that were sent at times between when the first message was sent and when the second message was sent. The server sends, to the client, display information for displaying content of the selected conversation that includes a representation of the second message in an expanded mode, a representation of the first message in a first compacted mode and a representation of the plurality of interstitial messages in a second compacted mode that is different from the first compacted mode.
US09124542B2 Message processing system
A message processing system, including an e-mail server for receiving and storing e-mails for a recipient, and an e-mail manager for processing e-mails for a recipient to determine if the e-mails are approved based on stored criteria, sending approved e-mails for the recipient to a location for access by the recipient, and storing and sending a notification to the recipient of unapproved messages.
US09124541B2 Zero copy acceleration for session oriented protocols
Techniques are provided for zero copy accelerated processing of packets received at a network device according to a session oriented protocol. Each packet comprises a header field and a payload field. Data in the header field of a byte is evaluated to determine whether a sequence number in the header field is equal to an expected sequence number for a given flow of packets. When the sequence number in the header field is equal to the expected sequence number, header data from the header field is stored in a header ring comprising a plurality of socket buffers and payload data is directed to an application buffer pool according to a pointer in a streaming data ring. When the sequence number in the header field is not equal to the expected sequence number, the header data and the payload data are stored in the header ring.
US09124533B2 Service bandwidth configuring method and network management system
A service bandwidth configuring method of is provided by this invention, which includes the following steps: defining various kinds of service classes according to the characteristics of various services provided by a network system; defining various kinds of bandwidth specifications of the network system; establishing the mapping relationships between the various kinds of service classes and various kinds of bandwidth specifications; and configuring the service bandwidth of the network system with the mapping relationships. Besides, this invention also provides a network management system. This invention is intended to be applied to the interfaces between NMS and EMS, or interfaces between EMS and NE, and it facilitates the intercommunication between the network management systems of different manufacturers, and the unified management on network management system or devices from different manufacturers by the upper layer network management system.
US09124530B2 Apparatus for identifying interconnections and determining the physical state of cable lines in a network
An apparatus for identifying interconnections in a network. The apparatus comprises a plurality of transmitter coupling units, a plurality of receiver coupling units, and an interconnection identification means configured to identify interconnections between the transmitter coupling units and the receiver coupling units by cable lines in the network. In some embodiments, the interconnection identification means is configured to, if any one of the transmitter coupling units is coupled to the same cable line as a selected one of the receiver coupling units, identify the interconnection between the transmitter coupling unit and the selected receiver coupling unit according to by a binary tree search algorithm.
US09124524B2 System and method for priority based flow control between nodes
A system and method for priority-based flow control between nodes. In one example, pause deadlocks in a physical loop can be averted by priority-based selection of egress ports to which a packet is forwarded. In one embodiment, if the packet priority matches a configured lossless priority, then the set of internal egress ports is masked such that only the internal ports belonging to the spanning tree remain in the set of internal egress ports. If the packet priority does not match a configured lossless priority, then the set of internal egress ports is masked such that only the internal ports belonging to the shortest path first tree remain in the set of internal egress ports.
US09124523B2 Failover with redundant multicasts for switched digital video
A method and system for delivering content is provided. In one example, responsive to a request by a client device identifying a video program, the system is configured to determine different first and second network paths for delivery of the video program from a content source; deliver the video program via the first network path to the client device; and responsive to a change in status of the video program being delivered via the first network path, deliver the video program via the second network path to the client device.
US09124517B2 Network system and network redundancy method
In a network system in which a switch forwarding packets and a control server determining route information are separated, it is desired to achieve a redundancy of the control channel by an out-of-band control channel and an in-band control channel, when the switch receives a control message regarding the flow entry registration and the like based on the route information from the control server. Specifically, the separated switch and control server are connected by a control channel for sending and receiving the control message. The switch is not only connected to a control server via an out-of-band control channel by a route dedicated to the control message, but also connected to another control server via an in-band control channel by a route which is common with a normal data communication for determining the route information, to achieve a redundancy of the control channel.
US09124516B2 Method and apparatus providing split multi link trunk (SMLT) for advanced technology attachment (ATA) over Ethernet
A method, apparatus and computer program product for providing Split Multi Link Trunk (SMLT) for Advanced Technology Attachment (ATA) Over Ethernet is presented. All ports on an ATA server are assigned a same Media Access Control (MAC) address. When the first switch receives a packet destined to the second switch the first switch performs a route lookup on a destination address of the packet and forwards the packet to the target over one of the second plurality of links, and when the second switch receives a packet destined to the first switch the second switch performs a route lookup on a destination address of the packet and forwards the packet to the target over one of the second plurality of links.
US09124512B2 Method and apparatus for simplifying the computation of alternate network paths
An alternate path calculation process may be terminated after considering some of a source node's neighbors and without considering each of its neighbors, to reduce the amount of processing required to perform the alternate path calculations. The neighbors may be ranked according to the number of alternate paths that the neighbor has historically been able to provide on the network. The influence of historical success or failure may degrade over time so that the rankings may be adjusted to reflect changes in network topography. A given source node, when computing alternate paths through the network, may preferentially select neighbors to perform alternate path calculations on historically higher scoring nodes before performing calculations on historically lower scoring nodes. Several different criteria may be used to stop the alternate path calculation process before considering all neighbors. The neighbors may be loop free neighbors or U-turn neighbors.
US09124510B2 Configuring relay cell identities in cellular networks
The technology in this application identifies a relay cell serviced by a relay radio node in a radio access network (RAN) of a cellular communications system in which there is a radio connection between the relay radio node and a donor radio base station. The donor radio base station is identified by a RAN donor radio base station cell identifier. A RAN relay cell identifier is determined that uniquely identifies the relay cell within the RAN, the RAN relay cell identifier including a relay cell identifier and a donor base station identifier. The RAN relay cell identifier is then provided or used as needed so that the relay radio node can transmit the RAN relay cell identifier to uniquely identify the relay cell to one or more radio terminals in the RAN.
US09124493B2 System and method for ensuring compliance with organizational polices
A method for ensuring compliance with organizational policies is described herein. The method can include the step of monitoring one or more parameters of a managed computing device for compliance with one or more policies of an organization in which the organizational policies may include limitations on the managed computing device. The method can also include the step of detecting a non-conformance event at the managed computing device with respect to at least one organizational policy. In response to the detection of the non-conformance event, the operation of the managed computing device may be restricted with respect to features or data associated with the organization.
US09124484B2 Technique for improving LDP-IGP synchronization
A technique may improve LDP-IGP synchronization in a MPLS network when an interface of a router coupled to a communications link along a shortest path between a source router and a destination router becomes newly active. Specifically, an IGP adjacency may be held down over the newly active link while a LDP adjacency is established over the link. The router may inject a temporary, non-redistributable route having a large administrative weight into its routing table utilizing addresses learned during establishment of the LDP adjacency. The injected route ensures that there is a reachable route to a peer router so that LDP may converge. After LDP has converged and all needed label bindings have been distributed in the MPLS network utilizing the injected route, IGP executing on the router may advertise a normal cost metric for the link associated with the newly active interface, and IGP convergence may be completed.
US09124483B2 Network optimization
Aspects of the present disclosure involve a method for optimizing an extension of an optical network to provide service to one or more new customers. The method considers the location of existing network nodes as well as a metropolitan environment where the new customer is located (e.g., the geographical location of streets where fiber may be routed to a customer). Aspects of the present disclosure further employ one of various linear programming models, such as a 1-Layer Model, a 3-Layer Model, a 5-Layer Model and a Dual Path Model to generate cost effective solutions to extend the existing optical network to provide service to the new customers.
US09124478B2 Method for cancelling inter-subcarrier interference and apparatus for the same
Disclosed are a method for cancelling inter-subcarrier interferences and an apparatus for the same. The method according to an example embodiment may comprise dividing total available subcarriers into a plurality of sub-blocks, composing Alamouti code symbol pairs by mapping input symbols to subcarriers included in each of the plurality of sub-blocks, and performing inverse fast Fourier transform (IFFT) on the Alamouti code symbol pairs. Therefore, inter-subcarrier interferences due to frequency error between transmit antennas of a distributed antenna system or a cooperative transmission apparatus may be cancelled in the frequency selective fading channel environment.
US09124474B2 Technique for automated MAC address cloning
In an arrangement where the device that is known to an ISP is communicating with the ISP through an interposed device that is not known to the ISP, the interposed device captures the known device's MAC address upon startup and clones the captured MAC address in all standard packets that it sends to the ISP.
US09124460B2 Rules for multiplexing data of different access categories in multi user MIMO wireless systems
Certain aspects of the present disclosure relate to a technique for multiplexing data of different access categories in Multi User Multiple Input Multiple Output (MU-MIMO) wireless systems. The present disclosure defines rules for multiplexing data of an access category that did not win the contention together with data that won the contention. In this way, a desired Quality of Service (QoS) of each access category class can be preserved.
US09124458B2 Method and apparatus for detecting a plurality of symbol blocks
Teachings presented herein offer reduced computational complexity for detecting a plurality of symbol blocks, even for symbol blocks that comprise the combination of a relatively large number of symbols. The teachings perform two or more stages of detection assistance to successively reduce the number of candidate combinations of symbols to be considered for a symbol block when detecting the plurality of symbol blocks. In particular, the teachings identify a reduced set of candidate symbol combinations for at least one symbol block in the plurality of symbol blocks, and then jointly detect each of one or more distinct groups of symbols in the symbol block to determine from that reduced set a final reduced set of candidate symbol combinations. Detection of the plurality of symbol blocks limits the candidate combinations of symbols considered for a symbol block to the final reduced set of candidate symbol combinations identified for that symbol block.
US09124452B2 Apparatus and method for iterative interference cancellation in a wireless communication network
One or more aspects of the disclosure provide an efficient equalization scheme capable of mitigating multi-path interference on channels with large delay spread using short-length equalizers. That is, by dividing stored samples of a signal received on the multi-path channel by time into a plurality of clusters, a short-length equalizer can be utilized in an iterative fashion on each of the clusters, thus eliminating the need for a large length equalizer while still providing improved performance over that of a Rake receiver at large delay spreads. Other aspects, embodiments, and features are also claimed and described.
US09124450B2 VRRP and learning bridge CPE
The present invention describes an access node for communication in a telecommunication network comprising: an input/output unit adapted for receiving a first information message, wherein the first information message comprises a logical address associated with a virtual network node, a processing unit for extracting the logical address of the virtual network node and for determining a hardware address associated with the logical address of the virtual network node, where the processing unit is further adapted for a determining a logical address of an end-user host communicating with the virtual network node, wherein the access node is configured to transmit a second information message comprising the logical and hardware address of the virtual network node to the logical address of the end-user host. Also, a network infrastructure where the access node is operating is described. The access node also implements a method of the present invention by means of a computer program comprising instruction sets for implementing the method steps of the invention.
US09124436B2 Intelligent automated data usage upgrade recommendation
A method of notifying a mobile station regarding data usage with a plan limit includes tracking an amount of data usage consumed by the mobile station. A first data usage limit and a first data usage time frame are determined from a user account. A comparison is made of the data usage to the first data usage limit and a present time to the first data usage time frame. From this comparison, a projected data usage amount is determined and whether the projected data usage exceeds the first data usage limit. If exceeded, the system analyzes a second data usage limit to determine if it is greater than the projected data usage amount. If greater, the server provides a message to the mobile station notifying the user of the projected overage and suggestions to change to a new plan offering the second data usage limit.
US09124429B2 Combination device for DSL phantom mode signals in a telecommunication system
The combination device includes a first pair of series coupled first and second magnetically coupled coils, to which a first DSL line and a first DSL transmission line are electrically coupled, and a second pair of series coupled first and second magnetically coupled coils, to which a second DSL line and a second DSL transmission line are electrically coupled. A third DSL line is coupled to a first coupling element between the first and the second coils of the first pair, and to a second coupling element between the first and the second coils of the second pair. The combination device is located in a phantom injection module provided with at least five terminals respectively associated to the first DSL line, the second DSL line, the third DSL line, the first DSL transmission line and the second DSL transmission line.
US09124427B2 Control method of an antenna system
A control method of an antenna system includes the steps of configuring the antenna system to communicate with a plurality of stations, and configuring the antenna system to modify, at intervals of a predetermined time, a plurality of data acknowledgement (ACK) timeouts which correspond respectively to the stations, so that each of the data ACK timeouts substantially equals the round trip time of a packet for communication between the antenna system and the corresponding one of the stations.
US09124426B2 Hybrid ARQ system with a snapshot feedback mechanism for interference prone wireless networks
An IP packet transmission system is disclosed and more specifically it is a system using a hybrid ARQ method including a sliding purge window and having the transmitter opportunistically piggy-back a snapshot of the transmitter's transmit/send window in data frames. When the receiver receives this snapshot the receiver can compare it with its receive window and if a mismatch is detected, whereby the transmitter has moved on to the next packet, the receiver can now also sync up quicker and not wait for the regular timeout to progress ahead.
US09124425B2 Systems, methods, and apparatuses for ciphering error detection and recovery
Systems, methods, and apparatuses are provided for ciphering error detection and recovery. A method may include using a first set of one or more cipher input parameters to decipher ciphered data ciphered using a second set of one or more cipher input parameters. The method may further include comparing a value of at least a portion of the deciphered data to an expected value. The method may additionally include determining an occurrence of a ciphering error when the value of the at least a portion of the deciphered data is not equal to the expected value. The method may also include initiating a ciphering resynchronization procedure in response to the determination that a ciphering error occurred so as to resynchronize at least one of the first set of cipher input parameters with at least one of the second set of cipher input parameters. Corresponding systems and apparatuses are also provided.
US09124414B2 Receiver
The present invention provides a receiver, including: a crystal oscillator, a phase-locked loop, a radio frequency module, an analog baseband processing module, an adjusting module, and a digital baseband processing module, where the radio frequency module demodulates a radio signal to obtain an original analog baseband signal; the analog baseband processing module processes the original analog baseband signal to obtain a first digital baseband signal; when demodulating the first digital baseband signal, the digital baseband processing module detects the rate deviation and sends the rate deviation to the phase-locked loop; and the adjusting module adjusts the first digital baseband signal, so that a rate of an adjusted first digital baseband signal is consistent with a rate of a preset reference signal.
US09124413B2 Clock and data recovery for NFC transceivers
Exemplary embodiments are directed to data and clock recovery in NFC transceivers. A transceiver may include a phase-locked loop configured to recover a clock from a received input signal in a first mode and enable for oversampling of an output signal in a second, different mode.
US09124394B2 Physical channel bundling in data transmission
Embodiments related to bundling of data streams in data communication are described and depicted.
US09124382B2 Transmission device, transmission system, and method for adjusting passband
A transmission device includes: a wavelength detector configured to detect a first wavelength of a first optical signal; a wavelength selective switch to which the first optical signal is input; and a controller configured to detect a direction toward which a central wavelength of a passband of the wavelength selective switch is shifted from the first wavelength detected by the wavelength detector and to control the wavelength selective switch so as to increase a width of the passband toward an opposite direction of the direction toward which the central wavelength of the passband is shifted from the first wavelength.
US09124379B2 Methods and apparatus to adjust signature matching results for audience measurement
Methods and apparatus to adjust signature matching results for audience measurement are disclosed. An example method to adjust a signature matching result associated with monitoring a media presentation disclosed herein comprises obtaining, from a monitoring device, an audio signature representative of the monitored media presentation, obtaining, from the monitoring device, an environmental characteristic associated with the audio signature, and adjusting the signature matching result using an adjustment value when the audio signature is determined to match a reference signature representative of reference media, the adjustment value being selected from a plurality of adjustment values based on the matched reference signature and the environmental characteristic.
US09124370B2 Light emitting element drive circuit and light emitting device
A light emitting element drive circuit includes: a plurality of signal paths that respectively propagate a plurality of signals obtained by branching an input signal, a plurality of filters different in a frequency band to pass a signal; one or more amplifiers configured to amplify a signal, one or more delay circuits configured to delay a signal, and an addition circuit that adds a plurality of signals, the filter different in the frequency band being arranged in each of the plurality of signal paths, the delay circuit being arranged in one or more of the plurality of signal paths relatively low in the frequency band, the amplifier being arranged in one or more of the plurality of signal paths relatively high in the frequency band, and an output end of each of the plurality of signal paths being coupled to the addition circuit.
US09124360B2 Degrees of freedom per communication node
Systems and methods are disclosed to operate a communication network by dividing signal dimensions at a receiver into interference and intended signal dimensions; applying transmit precoding to mitigate interference by overlapping the interference from a plurality of transmitters into the interference dimension at the receiver; and applying a receiver filter to cancel out the interference dimension at the receiver and recover the signal in the intended signal dimension.
US09124355B2 Tunable notch filtering in multi-transmit applications
A radio frequency (RF) communication device comprises a first signal propagating circuit and a second signal propagating circuit, which together enables simultaneous transmission. The first signal propagating circuit is configured with a first tunable notch filter within a first transmit path and the second signal propagating circuit is configured with a second tunable notch filter within a second transmit path. A controller is communicatively coupled to a respective first tuning component and second tuning component of the tunable notch filters. The controller selectively tunes at least one of the tunable notch filters during signal propagation to produce a specific combined notch filtering response that reduces a level of IMD on at least one receive carrier frequency of at least one propagating signal. Aspects of the disclosure also provide a method for making the communication device.
US09124354B2 Isolation and protection circuit for a receiver in a wireless communication device
A protection circuit protects a receiver from high-energy signals. In one exemplary embodiment, the protection circuit comprises a snapback transistor and a controller. The snapback transistor comprises a gate, a drain connected to an input of the receiver and a source connected to ground. The controller configured to connect the gate to a bias voltage to close the gate in a transmit mode, and to disconnect the gate from the bias voltage to open the gate in a receive mode. The snapback transistor is configured to enter into snapback responsive to a high energy signal at the drain to provide a current path from the drain to the source even when the gate is open and thus protect the receiver.
US09124349B2 Detection and assessment of radio frequency emissions
A device adapted to fit within, or to be positioned adjacent to, a cellular handset or other personal communication device, for remedying the potentially harmful effect on humans or animal life of RF transmissions, and including an antenna responsive to the presence of RF radiation generated by the handset, signal analysis means for identifying the type of RF transmissions detected which is coupled to activate remedial signal generation means, which is arranged to provide a noise signal to a coil for providing an electromagnetic field in the vicinity of the handset, to disrupt the potentially harmful effects of the RF transmissions.
US09124337B2 Repeater emulation to increase network range
Technologies are generally described for methods and systems configured to increase a range of a network. In an example, a method for increasing a range of a first network may include sending a request by a communication device to a network device while the communication device is in a range of the first network. The request may include a request for discovery data that identifies the first network. The method may further include receiving, by the communication device, the discovery data. The method may further include broadcasting, by the communication device, information based on the discovery data when the communication device is outside the range of the first network and when the communication device is configured to communicate over a second network. The second network may be different from the first network.
US09124336B2 Interference mitigation in a communication system
A receiver has an input for an incoming signal, the incoming signal possibly having a wanted signal and one or more interference signals. The receiver further has a signal source for providing a predetermined signal that is substantially identical to at least a portion of at least one interference signal of the one or more interference signals. The receiver also has a signal analyzer for analyzing the incoming signal regarding at least one known signal component of at least one of the one or more interference signals to obtain at least one interference signal parameter. A cancellation signal generator generates a cancellation signal on the basis of the at least one interference signal parameter. The receiver further has an interference canceller for at least partially cancelling the at least one interference signal by applying the cancellation signal to the incoming signal. A corresponding transmitter and a method for interference cancellation are also disclosed.
US09124327B2 Channel feedback for cooperative multipoint transmission
A method for mobile telecommunication includes receiving in a mobile communication terminal downlink signals from at least first and second cells that coordinate transmission of the downlink signals with one another. Channel feedback is calculated in the terminal based on the received downlink signals. The channel feedback is configured to enable the first cell to precode a first signal destined for the terminal in response to the channel feedback with a first precoding vector, and to enable the second cell to precode a second signal destined for the terminal in response to the channel feedback with a second precoding vector that differs in magnitude from the first precoding vector. The first and second signals convey same data. The channel feedback is transmitted from the terminal. Calculating the channel feedback includes calculating one or more of a single-user Channel Quality Indicator (CQI), a multi-user CQI, and a non-cooperative-transmission CQI.
US09124305B2 Device, method and system for efficiently powering a near field communication device
A device, method and system for efficiently powering a near field communication device are provided. The device comprises: a module configured to: exchange data with a near field communication (NFC) device; and transmit energy to the NFC device; and, a processor configured to: receive, using the module, energy data from the NFC device, the energy data comprising data for determining a difference between a current energy level of an energy storage apparatus at the NFC device and a given amount of energy for performing a given function at the NFC device; determine the difference from the energy data; and, transmit, using the module, an amount of energy corresponding to the difference, to the NFC device.
US09124304B2 Methods and apparatus for reducing overhead for NFC data exchange protocol messages
A method, an apparatus, and a computer program product for wireless communication are provided in connection with improving NDEF message processing. In one example, a communications device is equipped to determine, based on one or more contextual factors, that data received at a NFC device is missing at least a portion of a NDEF header, and generate a complete NDEF message by adding the missing portion of the NDEF header. In another example, a communications device is equipped to receive a complete NDEF message that includes a NDEF header and data and is intended to be written on a remote NFC device, determine, based on one or more contextual factors, that the remote NFC device is configured to receive a modified version of the complete NDEF message, and generate the modified version of the complete NDEF message by removing at least a portion of the NDEF header.
US09124296B2 Multi-stage string DAC
Embodiments of the present invention may provide string DAC architecture with multiple stages for efficient resolution extension. A first stage may include an impedance string (e.g., resistor string). A second stage may include a switch network with each switch having more than two states (impedance values). A third stage may include a string DAC with an impedance string with a set of corresponding switches. In multi-channel embodiments, multiple second and third stages may be provided for each channel while sharing the same first stage (i.e., impedance string). Each second stage switch networks may be controlled based on the relationship between the different channels such as MSB values. Thus, the second stage switch networks may provide different impedance values to compensate for loading effects in multi-channel, multi-stage string DAC designs.
US09124294B2 Successive approximation analog-to-digital converter (ADC) with dynamic search algorithm
Aspects of a method and system for a successive approximation analog-to-digital converter with dynamic search algorithms are provided. In some embodiments, a successive approximation analog-to-digital converter includes a digital-to-analog converter, a comparator, and a search and decode logice modules which cooperate to generate a digital output code representative of the analog input voltage based on a dynamic search algorithm. The dynamic search algorithms may alter a sequence of reference voltages used to successively approximate the analog input voltage based on one or more characteristics of the analog input voltage.
US09124290B2 Method and apparatus for separating the reference current from the input signal in sigma-delta converter
An integrator system may have a pair of sampling circuits each having a sampling capacitor to sample a respective component of a differential input signal, and an integrator having inputs coupled to outputs of the sampling circuits. The system may have a shorting switch coupled between input terminals of the sampling capacitors. The shorting switch may be engaged during an interstitial phase between sampling and output phases of the sampling circuits. By shorting input terminals of the sampling capacitors together, the design reduces current drawn by the system and, in some designs, severs relationships between current draw and information content sampled by the system. The integrator system may receive analog and digital input signals.
US09124281B2 Accurate and cost efficient linear hall sensor with digital output
One embodiment of the present invention relates to a magnetic sensor circuit having a magnetic field sensor device configured to generate a digital signal proportional to an applied magnetic field. An analog-to-digital converter converts the analog signal to a digital signal that is provided to a digital signal processing unit, which is configured to digitally track the analog output signal. The digital tracking unit comprises a delay removal circuitry configured to generate a plurality of digital signal component corresponding to a chopping phase. A non-delayed offset compensated digital output signal may be generated within the chopping phase by mathematically operating upon (e.g., adding or subtracting) the plurality of digital signal components, generated by the delay removal circuitry.
US09124276B2 Sense amplifier including a level shifter
An apparatus includes a sense amplifier that has a sense amplifier differential output. The sense amplifier may be in a first power domain. The apparatus may include level shifting circuitry that has a level shifter differential output. The level shifting circuitry may be coupled to the sense amplifier differential output. The level shifting circuitry may include a first transistor and a second transistor. A first sense amplifier output of the sense amplifier differential output may be coupled to the first transistor, and a second sense amplifier output of the sense amplifier differential output may be coupled to the second transistor. The apparatus may further include a latch to store data. The latch may be coupled to the level shifter differential output. The latch is in a second power domain that is different from the first power domain.
US09124272B2 Semiconductor device and driving system
An output MOS transistor has a drain connected with a power supply and a source connected with an output terminal. The short-circuit MOS transistor has a source connected with the output terminal. The short-circuit MOS transistor is formed in a semiconductor substrate connected with the power supply. A switching device is formed in a semiconductor region which is formed in the semiconductor substrate, and contains a first diffusion layer connected with the gate of the output MOS transistor and a second diffusion layer formed in the semiconductor region and connected with the drain of the short-circuit MOS transistor.
US09124264B2 Load driver
A method of driving an output terminal to a voltage, in which an input signal is received, an appropriate output voltage and output voltage range are determined based on the input signal, an output driver is configured to a first mode and the output driver drives the output terminal to a voltage within the voltage range, the output driver is configured to a second mode and the output driver drives the output terminal to a voltage approximately equal to the appropriate output voltage.
US09124259B2 Voltage level shifting circuit
A level shifter shifts the level of an input signal from a second voltage domain to a first voltage domain. To accommodate different input signal levels (e.g., including sub-threshold input signal levels) that may arise due to changes in the supply voltage for the second voltage domain, current for a latch circuit of the level shifter is limited based on the supply voltage for the second voltage domain. In this way, a drive circuit of the level shifter that controls the latch circuit based on the input signal is able to initiate a change of state of the latch circuit over a wide range of input signal levels.
US09124258B2 Integrated circuit device, electronic device and method for detecting timing violations within a clock signal
An integrated circuit device comprises at least one clock monitor. The at least one clock monitor comprises a timer arranged to receive a clock signal, generate a first timing signal arranged to toggle between states in response to a trigger edge of the clock signal, and generate a second timing signal arranged to toggle between states in response to a trigger edge of the clock signal such that a state transition of the second timing signal in response to a trigger edge of the clock signal is delayed by a period T with respect to the trigger edge of the clock signal in response to which that transition occurs. The at least one clock monitor further comprises a detector arranged to receive at a first input thereof the first timing signal, receive at a second input thereof the second timing signal, compare states of the first and second timing signals, and configure an indication of a timing discrepancy based at least partly on the comparison of the first and second timing signals.
US09124251B2 Two stage source-follower based filter
A filter, comprising: two source-follower stages connected in series and in between input nodes and output nodes, wherein inner nodes connect the two stages; and a frequency dependent feedback circuit connected between the input and output nodes, wherein the filter comprises additional frequency dependent feedback circuits connected between input nodes and inner nodes and between output nodes and inner nodes, the additional frequency dependent feedback circuits comprising capacitors.
US09124245B2 Adaptive online filter for DC offset elimination
A phase angle detector with a PLL, a power converter, and a method for reducing offsets in an input signal, in which an adaptive offset processor selectively removes a DC offset component from the input signal to generate a modified signal including a fundamental frequency component and higher order harmonics of the input signal with the DC offset component removed, and the PLL provides a phase angle signal at least partially according to the modified signal.
US09124231B2 Soft turn-off for boost converters
Techniques for reducing ringing arising from L-C coupling in a boost converter circuit during a transition from a boost ON state to a boost OFF state. In an aspect, during an OFF state of the boost converter circuit, the size of the high-side switch coupling a boost inductor to the load is gradually increased over time. In this manner, the on-resistance of the high-side switch is decreased from a first value to a second (lower) value over time, which advantageously reduces ringing (due to high quality factor or Q) when initially entering the OFF state, while maintaining low conduction losses during the remainder of the OFF state. Further techniques are provided for implementing the high-side switch as a plurality of parallel-coupled transistors.
US09124230B2 dB-linear voltage-to-current converter
A dB-linear voltage-to-current (V/I) converter that is amenable to implementation in CMOS technology. In a representative embodiment, the dB-linear V/I converter has a voltage scaler, a current multiplier, and an exponential current converter serially connected to one another. The voltage scaler supplies an input current to the current multiplier based on an input voltage. The current multiplier multiplies the input current and a current proportional to absolute temperature and supplies the resulting current to the exponential current converter. The exponential current converter has a differential MOSFET pair operating in a sub-threshold mode and generating an output current that is proportional to a temperature-independent, exponential function of the input voltage.
US09124220B2 Differential microphone with dual polarity bias
Methods and system are described for cancelling interference in a microphone system. A positive bias voltage is applied to a first microphone diaphragm and a negative bias voltage is applied to a second microphone diaphragm. The diaphragms are configured to exhibit substantially the same mechanical deflection in response to acoustic pressures received by the microphone system. A differential output signal is produced by combining a positively-biased output signal from the first microphone diaphragm and a negatively-biased output signal from the second microphone diaphragm. This combining cancels common-mode interferences that are exhibited in both the positively-biased output signal and the negatively-biased output signal.
US09124218B2 Input impedance of low noise preamplifiers used for MRI with dual source FET, floating ground and permanent ground
A preamplifier (46) comprises a field effect transistor (64) in common source configuration. While the gate of the field effect transistor is coupled to an amplifier input circuit (e.g. MRI coil), the drain of the field effect transistor (64) is coupled to an amplifier output. The preamplifier comprises furthermore a first (66) and a second (68) source-ground connection. The first source-ground lead (66) couples the source of the field effect transistor to the ground node of the amplifier input circuit, while the second source-ground lead (68) couples the source of the field effect transistor to the ground node of the amplifier output circuit. As a result, amplifier output currents generate basically a voltage drop across the second source-ground lead (68). Thus, the amplifier input circuit is less influenced by any common voltage drop across any common source-ground connection.
US09124217B2 Power amplifier
A power amplifier comprising a plurality of primary amplifying channels arranged to each receive an input signal from one or more signal sources for generating a primary amplified output in each of the plurality of primary amplifying channels, a secondary amplifying channel in communication with the one or more signal sources wherein the secondary amplifying channel is arranged to receive one or more signal components each associated with the input signal received by each of the plurality of primary amplifying channels to form a merged input signal for generating a secondary amplified output, and an electric junction arrangement being in electrical communication with the primary amplified output of each of the primary amplifying channels and the secondary amplified output of the secondary amplifying channel.
US09124215B2 Mixer circuit
A mixer circuit (200, 300, 800, 900) for mixing a first input signal at a first frequency with a second input signal at a second frequency to an output signal at a third frequency. The mixer circuit (200, 300, 800, 900) comprises a mixing stage (205, 805) with differential input ports (206, 207; 820, 821) for the first input signal and an input port (211, 911) for the second input signal and differential output ports for the output signal, which also serve as output ports for the mixer circuit. The mixer circuit (200, 300, 800, 900) comprises a nonlinear digital to analogue converter (210, 810) which has an input port (211) which is the input port for the second input signal and an output port (212) which is connected to the input port of the mixing stage, and the digital to analogue converter has a nonlinear transfer function.
US09124210B2 Motor control apparatus with power failure determination unit
A motor control apparatus includes: a PWM rectifier; an inverter; a detection unit for detecting an AC voltage value of the PWM rectifier; a calculation unit for calculating a power supply voltage phase; a detection unit for detecting an AC current value of the PWM rectifier; a current loop control unit for generating an AC voltage command to control a power conversion operation of the PWM rectifier; a current loop saturation state determination unit for determining to be in a current loop saturation state when a magnitude of the AC voltage command is equal to or larger than a predetermined voltage prescribed value; an operation determination unit for determining whether the PWM rectifier is in a powering operation or in a regenerative operation and a power failure determination unit for determining a presence or absence of a power failure at the AC power supply side from the determination results.
US09124200B2 Control of a brushless motor
A method of controlling a brushless motor that includes exciting a winding of the motor with a voltage, and freewheeling the winding when current in the winding exceeds a threshold or after the winding has been excited for a timeout period. The timeout period is adjusted in response to a change in one of the voltage and the motor speed. Additionally, a control system that implements the method, and a motor system that incorporates the control system.
US09124198B2 Multiplexed motor controller
A system, multiplexed controller, and a method of controlling a plurality of motors is described. The system includes a plurality of motors, at least two of the motors requiring a variable-frequency source or being a multi-speed motor. The multiplexed controller of the system is configured to control operation of the plurality of motors, the controller directly communicating with each of the plurality of motors.
US09124192B2 Fuel cell system having a converter which increases an output voltage of a fuel cell
A fuel cell system includes: a converter disposed between a fuel cell and a load to increase an output voltage of the fuel cell; and a control unit that controls the converter at a predetermined duty ratio, wherein the control unit determines a duty command value for the converter from a feed-forward duty and a feed-back duty which are calculated using a command value of a reactor current that flows through a reactor in the converter and/or using a measurement value of the reactor current. In a low-load operation, the control unit sets, as a measurement value of the reactor current, a value obtained by multiplying a midpoint measurement value measured at an intermediate time of an on-duty period by a predetermined coefficient.
US09124189B2 Converter with galvanic isolation
A converter is suggested comprising a transformer providing a galvanic isolation between a primary side and a secondary side of the converter; at least one switching element; a converter control unit comprising a first pin for controlling the at least one switching element and a second pin for detecting a current signal in the at least one switching element during a first phase; and for detecting an output voltage signal of the secondary side of the converter and an information regarding a current in a secondary winding of the transformer during a second phase.
US09124185B2 Configurable power controller with combination input/output line
Embodiments described herein describe a power supply configured to provide power to an output load via a power supply transformer. The power supply includes a controller configured to operate in a configuration state and an operating state. During the configuration state, the controller receives a configuration signal from a sense circuit coupled to the controller and selects one of a plurality of operating modes from the configuration signal. During the operating state, the controller controls a switch coupled to the transformer based on the selected operating mode and a sense signal received from the sense circuit representative of the power provided to the output load by the power supply. When the switch is closed, current flows from a power source through the transformer, and when the switch is open, current is prevented from flowing from the power source through the transformer.
US09124180B2 Multiple resonant converter apparatus and control method
A resonant converter apparatus includes a plurality of resonant converters connected in parallel, and a control module outputting a pulse width modulation (PWM) control signal to the resonant converters. The control module includes a voltage control loop and a circuit control loop. The voltage control loop compares the sensed output voltage with a predetermined reference voltage, and outputs a PWM control signal to one of the resonant converters so the output voltage of the one converter is equal to the predetermined reference voltage. The current control loop uses the sensed output current of the one converter as a reference current, compares the reference current with the sensed output current from each of the other resonant converters, generates a frequency adjusting variable, and calculates the individual PWM control signal for each of the other converters so the output currents of the plurality of converters are the same.
US09124172B2 Digital buck-boost conversion circuit and method of operating the same
A digital buck-boost conversion circuit includes an analog-to-digital converter configured to convert an output voltage signal into a digital signal, a pulse period control block configured to output a pulse period control signal based on degrees of scattering at different frequencies of the digital signal, a pulse generation block configured to output a pulse based on the pulse period control signal, and a buck-boost converter configured to convert the pulse into the output voltage signal.
US09124152B2 Permanent magnet motor
A permanent magnet motor has a rotor and a stator. The rotor has a shaft, a rotor core and commutator fixed to the shaft, and rotor windings wound about poles of the rotor core and electrically connected to the commutator. The stator has an axially extending round housing, a ring magnet member fixed to an inner surface of the round housing, an endcap, and at least one pair of brushes in sliding contact with the commutator. A chamber is formed by the housing and the endcap. The commutator is disposed in the chamber. A window lift device incorporating the motor is also provided.
US09124150B2 Active-active redundant motor gear system
A fault tolerant virtual elliptical electric motor has at least four coil elements constrained in a stator case. A drive plate is supported by a fulcrum for nutating motion and has at least four core segments each associated with a respective one of the at least four coil elements for attraction upon activation. A control processor provides independent current control to each of the at least four coil elements for activation responsive to a received position command and a received wobble angle input, inducing the at least four coil elements to operate in a pure torque sum configuration upon the drive plate.
US09124141B2 Wireless power transmission system
It is desired to provide a wireless power transmission system which it is possible to more surely prevent the leakage of a microwave. A wireless power transmission system includes: a power transmission antenna configured to output a microwave from an output plane; a power reception antenna arranged in a position opposing to said output plane of said power transmission antenna in power transmission and configured to receive the microwave outputted from said power transmission antenna by an input plane; and a shield section configured to electromagnetically shield a space between said power transmission antenna and said power reception antenna from an external space by a plurality of outer circumference coil springs provided in an area which surrounds said output plane of said power transmission antenna. The coil spring bends along a convex section compared with a wire member when there is the convex section in a hit part. Therefore, good electromagnetic wave shield efficiency is obtained.
US09124139B2 Systems and methods for an identification protocol between a local controller coupled to control a solar module and a master controller
Systems and methods for local and master management units in a photovoltaic energy system. In one embodiment, a method implemented in a computer system includes sending a first identification code from a local management unit to a master management unit. The first identification code is associated with the first local management unit, and the local management unit controls a solar module. An authentication of the first identification code is received from the master management unit. In response to receiving the authentication, active operation of the local management unit is continued (e.g., for a set time period).
US09124135B2 System for control of wind power generation storage battery and method of control thereof
While a control method is established which can maximize the lifetime of an storage battery based on a SOC capable of maximizing the lifetime of the storage battery under a temperature condition and a wind condition at an electricity generation site and on currently known ones of other operational conditions, a control system is constructed which can feedback to an actual wind power generation and storage battery system. The control system includes a wind power generation and storage battery system, an storage battery operation and deterioration data collection unit for collecting data of the wind power generation and storage battery system, an storage battery operation and deterioration relation assessment unit for assessing a relation between an operation of the storage battery and deterioration thereof based on the collected data, an storage battery operation planning unit for planning such a method of operating the storage battery as to satisfy a necessary lifetime requirement using information obtained by the storage battery operation and deterioration relation assessment unit, and an storage battery operation instruction unit for instructing the wind power generation and storage battery system to operate the storage battery in accordance with the plan of the storage battery operation planning unit.
US09124126B2 Coil unit, power transmission device, external power feeding apparatus, and vehicle charging system
A coil unit includes a resonant coil establishing electromagnetic field resonant coupling with an external resonant coil provided external to a vehicle. The resonant coil includes an outer side coil extending along a circumference of a first winding center, centered about the first winding center, and an extension extending from the outer side coil into a region surrounded by the outer side coil. The resonant coil is formed such that an anti-node of the resonant coil that is an area of an anti-node of AC current flowing through the resonant coil, is located at the extension when electromagnetic field resonant coupling is established between the external resonant coil and the resonant coil.
US09124123B2 Wireless power transmitting apparatus and method
Disclosed herein is a wireless power transmitting apparatus and method of wirelessly a power sequentially to a plurality of power receiving apparatuses. According to the wireless power transmitting apparatus and method, a power is wirelessly transmitted through a plurality of power transmitting coils, and a power transmitting control unit performs a control to allocate priorities to the plurality of power receiving apparatuses charged with the power transmitted by the power transmitting coils by judging whether or not the plurality of power receiving apparatuses have been mounted in portable terminals and charged states of the plurality of power receiving apparatuses in the case in which the number of power receiving apparatuses is plural and sequentially transmit the power to the plurality of power receiving apparatuses according to the allocated priorities to charge the power in the plurality of power receiving apparatuses.
US09124115B2 High efficiency rectifier, wireless power receiver including the rectifier
A high efficiency rectifier and a wireless power receiver including the rectifier are provided. In one embodiment, a rectifier may be formed of a full bridge diode circuit and may include: a first dual diode, a second dual diode, a third dual diode and a fourth dual diode forming the full bridge diode circuit, the full bridge diode circuit including: a first path configured to output voltage when the phase of an input voltage is positive, via the first dual diode and the fourth dual diode; and a second path configured to output voltage when the phase of the input voltage is negative, via the second dual diode and the third dual diode. In another embodiment, a rectifier may include: at least two full bridge diode circuits connected in parallel.
US09124111B2 Power system having a battery unit that calculates cumulative work volume value
A camera includes: a battery unit on which a battery is mounted, that can be detachably loaded into the camera and supplies power to the camera; and a function unit that executes camera functions, wherein: as a function of the camera is executed, the function unit transmits information related to the executed function to the battery pack; and the battery unit has a storage unit in which the information related to the camera function is stored.
US09124107B2 Charging system and charger utilizing battery voltage and temperature information received from a battery device to control charging
A charger that charges a battery unit including a secondary battery, includes a receiving unit, a detection unit, a determination unit, and a control unit. The receiving unit receives, from the battery unit, battery state information indicating a state of the battery unit, if the secondary battery is being charged. The detection unit detects charge state information indicating the state of the battery unit, if the secondary battery is being charged. The determination unit determines, using the battery state information and the charge state information, whether the battery unit is in a normal state. The control unit controls charging of the secondary battery in the battery unit depending on whether the battery unit is in the normal state.
US09124104B2 Electrical connecting device for hybrid and electric vehicles and associated method for charging
An electrical connecting device having an output connection, which is designed to be detachably connected to a charging connection of an accumulator device of a vehicle operated using current, the electrical connecting device also including a supply connection that is designed to be detachably connected to a network connection of an alternating current low-voltage interconnected network. The connecting device is characterized in that the electrical connecting device includes an alternating current/direct current converter, which is suitable for converting the alternating voltage of the supply connection to an electric DC voltage suitable for the accumulator device. A method is also described for charging an accumulator device of a vehicle operated by current using an electrical connecting device.
US09124098B2 Managing excess renewable energy
A renewable energy management system includes a load center that enables current flow into a renewable energy system generated from one or more sources and facilitates consumption of generated energy by one or more devices in the renewable energy system, and a smart meter that tracks energy flow in and out of the load center to measure energy consumption and energy production for the renewable energy system. The system also includes an energy manager in communication with the smart meter and at least one of the devices, wherein the energy manager signals the at least one of the devices to function as an energy storage device for storing excess renewable energy generated by the renewable energy system.
US09124096B2 Process control field device with circuitry protection
A wireless field device for use in an industrial process control system includes a power source having a power source output. Field device is circuitry powered by the power source output. A protection circuit is configured to protect the field device circuitry. The protection circuit include reverse polarity protection circuit coupled to the power source output that electrically isolates the power source output from the field device circuitry in response to a reverse polarity connection between the power source output and the field device circuitry. An overvoltage protection circuit disconnects the power source output from the field device circuitry is a voltage of the power source output exceeds a threshold.
US09124093B2 Rail surge voltage protector with fail disconnect
A surge protector for use with a two line signal path or control circuit. The surge protector has two terminals for connecting to both line signals as well as provisions for earth grounding. The surge protector has a surge protection stage and a short detection stage for detecting imbalances in the signal. The surge protector also includes a trigger stage which activates an electromechanical device to disconnect the two terminals from the rest of the surge protector when the short detection stage detects a short. The surge protector further includes visual indicators for indicating an operating status and a short detection.
US09124089B2 Ground monitor accessory connection
An apparatus includes an accessory module for a ground monitor that monitors current in a pilot conductor and/or a grounding conductor, which is in a power cable assembly connecting a power source and load. The pilot conductor injects a signal in the grounding conductor. The accessory module includes signal connectors that include multiple connection points. Each connection point provides access to a signal within the ground monitor. The connection points access signals for an output of a circuit monitoring current in the pilot conductor or ground return, a circuit responding to a peak current in the pilot conductor or ground return transitioning below a threshold, a circuit responding to an average current in the grounding conductor transitioning below a threshold, and/or a circuit indicating trip status of a contact in the power source. The connection point signals are in addition to signals from the ground monitor to the power source.
US09124087B2 Arc suppression circuit
An improved arc suppression circuit is disclosed for a switch having switch comprising a shunt circuit connected across the switch. A trigger circuit senses the voltage across the switch for actuating the shunt circuit when voltage across the switch contacts exceeds a predetermined level to reduce arcing current at the switch.
US09124086B2 Failsafe ESD protection
Among other things, one or more techniques and/or systems for providing failsafe electrostatic discharge (ESD) protection are provided. In one embodiment, ESD protection is provided by connecting a voltage fail safe (VFS) supply voltage to an NWELL circuit interface (e.g., of a PMOS transistor) and connecting PAD to at least one of VFS or the NWELL circuit interface. To this end, circuitry to be protected from ESD (e.g., circuitry operably connected to PAD) is provided with failsafe ESD protection (e.g., such that a non-snapback NMOS device may be utilized to discharge ESD current, where a non-snapback NMOS generally consumes less semiconductor real estate and is less complex to produce as compared to a snapback NMOS), for example. In this manner, failsafe ESD protection is efficiently provided.
US09124085B2 Apparatus, method and article for power storage device failure safety
In response to receiving information regarding an unsafe condition from portable electrical energy storage device (e.g., battery) safety sensors, a locking mechanism controller determines whether the battery is in a desired state to, as a safety measure, have the compartment that holds the battery locked and/or to send a signal to reduce or eliminate current draw from the battery. If the locking mechanism controller determines the battery is in the desired state to have the compartment locked, then it sends a signal to a compartment locking mechanism causing the compartment locking mechanism to lock the compartment in which the battery is located to prevent a user from opening the compartment, and thus helps protect the user against the unsafe condition. In some embodiments, the unsafe condition may be a potential or existing catastrophic failure of the battery in the compartment (e.g., a meltdown, explosion or dangerous leak, etc.).
US09124083B2 Compression molded cable structures and methods for making the same
Compression molded cable structures and systems and methods for manufacturing molded cable structures are disclosed.
US09124082B2 Power cable termination for aerial connection and process for producing power cable termination for aerial connection
A power cable termination for aerial connection houses an end of a power cable and a conductor extension rod connected to an end of a conductor of the cable in a bushing. The bushing is filled with an insulating filler. The insulating filler is composed of any one of: (1) a mixture of a silicone oil and a silicone rubber; (2) a mixture of a silicone oil and a silicone gel; and (3) a mixture of silicone oil, a silicone rubber and a silicone gel.
US09124071B2 Nitride semiconductor laser element
To realize a nitride semiconductor laser element having improved internal quantum efficiency. The nitride semiconductor laser element includes an n-type semiconductor layer, a p-type semiconductor layer, and an active layer between the n-type semiconductor layer and the p-type semiconductor layer; wherein the n-type semiconductor layer includes an n-side optical guide layer; wherein the active layer includes two or more well layers, and at least one barrier layer provided between the well layers; wherein the barrier layer includes a barrier layer having band gap energy higher than that of the n-side optical guide layer; wherein the p-type semiconductor layer includes: an electron barrier layer having band gap energy higher than that of all barrier layers included in the active layer, and a p-side optical guide layer provided between a final well layer, that is a well layer nearest to the p-type semiconductor layer of the two or more well layer, and the electron barrier layer; and wherein the p-side optical guide layer includes: a first region that is disposed on a side of the final well layer and has band gap energy lower than that of the n-side optical guide layer, and a second region that is disposed on a side of the electron barrier layer and has band gap energy higher than that of the n-side optical guide layer.
US09124070B2 Superluminescent diode and optical coherence tomography apparatus including the superluminescent diode
A superluminescent diode which amplifies light through stimulated amplification and outputs emitted beams from one of edges at two ends includes a cladding layer of a first conductivity type formed on a semiconductor substrate, an active layer formed on the cladding layer of the first conductivity type, a cladding layer of a second conductivity type formed on the active layer, and a multilayer film formed at the other edge opposite to the one edge that emits the beams, reflectance of which has wavelength dependence, and a spectral shape of the emitted beams output from the one edge is controllable by the multilayer film.
US09124068B1 Method and apparatus to reduce noise caused by mode hopping in external cavity lasers
An external cavity laser and method for operating same are disclosed. The external cavity laser includes a gain chip, a grating, an actuator and actuator driver. The grating diffracts light leaving the gain chip in a band of wavelengths back to the gain chip, the grating is characterized by an angle relative to light leaving the gain chip and distance from the gain chip, the angle and distance is controlled by the actuator. Part of the diffracted light is amplified by the gain chip. The actuator driver causes the angle to be dithered about an equilibrium angle in a motion characterized by an amplitude and average frequency. The amplitude of the dithering motion is chosen to either excite a plurality of adjacent laser modes of the gain chip or provide a servo signal for maintaining the grating angle at a target value.
US09124065B2 System and method for wavelength beam combination on a single laser emitter
A system and method for reducing the M2 value of a single asymmetric laser emitter while maintaining the power output of the emitter. In some embodiments the brightness of the output of such a system is equivalent to a portioned section of the single laser emitter. A WBC step is performed along a portioned or non-portioned single laser emitter to reduce the M2 value.
US09124062B2 Optically pumped surface emitting lasers incorporating high reflectivity/bandwidth limited reflector
Optically pumped laser structures incorporate reflectors that have high reflectivity and are bandwidth limited to a relatively narrow band around the central laser radiation wavelength. In some cases, the reflectors may be ¾-wavelength distributed Bragg reflectors (DBRs).
US09124059B2 Receptacle having an insulator with insert-molded contacts and surrounded by a metallic shell
A Mini DisplayPort connector receptacle including an insulator, a plurality of contacts and a metal shell surrounding the insulator. The insulator includes a first insulator and a second insulator with a base portion, a positioning portion, and a tongue plate. The tongue plate defines first contact locations on a top side of the tongue plate and second contact locations on a bottom side of the tongue plate. The contacts include upper contacts at the corresponding first contact location and lower contacts at the corresponding second contact location. The connection portions of the lower contacts are held by the base portion and insert-molded in the base portion, and the partial soldering portions of the lower contacts are held by the positioning portion and insert-molded in the positioning portion.
US09124055B2 Oscillation proof brushblock for sliprings
A slip ring assembly for the electrical connection of two rotating parts has at least a sliding track with V-grooves. At least two brushes of electrically conductive material are contacting the sliding track within the V-groove. The brushes are connected electrically with each other and mounted at different levels resulting in a different distance to the rotation axis of the sliding track. This results in an improved resistance against shock and vibrations.
US09124052B2 Self grounding electrical outlet
This disclosure is directed to an electrical outlet whereby the neutral terminal and the ground terminal are mechanically and electrically connected. This device utilizes a common 3 prong outlet retrofitted to the present invention specifications.
US09124047B2 Connector for a circuit board
An inner terminal (54) of the present invention includes a horizontal part (C) held in an insulator part (55) covered with an outer terminal (56) and a suspending part (D) extended in a direction substantially orthogonal to the horizontal part (C) and having a lower end part connected to a signal patter of a circuit board. In the suspending piece (C) as a part opposed to one pair of side surface pieces (56b) suspended and extended in the outer terminal (56), plate shaped impedance adjusting pieces (54c) are integrally provided which respectively face the side surface pieces (56b) with prescribed spaces held from the side surface pieces.
US09124038B2 Connector holder and electronic device with connector holder
A connector holder and electronic device with the connector holder are disclosed. The connector holder for providing a connection between a connector plug and a connector includes two ground springs. The connector holder includes a main body and a moving member, wherein the main body connects with the connector and includes a first plate. The first plate is disposed on the two ground springs. The moving member is disposed in the main body and moves relative to the main body. The moving member includes a moving plate with two engaging convex points, wherein when the moving member connects with the main body, the moving plate is disposed between the first plate and the two ground springs. When the moving plate moves along a first direction such that the two engaging convex points touch the two ground springs, the connector plug is fixed to the connector.
US09124033B2 Lever-type connector
A lever-type connector is configured so that a lock piece (65) of a lock (60) resiliently locks a locked portion (49) to hold a lever (50) at an end position when the lever (50) is rotated to the end position. The locked portion (49) is released from a locked state and the lever (50) is permitted to rotate toward an initial position by pulling up an unlocking portion (70) and forcibly deflecting the lock piece (65). Entrance restricting projections (75) project from facing surfaces of the protection walls (70) on an end position side of the unlocking portion (70) of the lock piece (65) in the lock (60).
US09124026B2 Cable assembly, electronic circuit module, and imaging apparatus
A cable assembly includes a plurality of cables; and a cable fixing member which has a facing surface to be oppositely arranged, in connecting each of the cables to a member as a connection target, with respect to a connection surface of the connection target member and fixes a distal end part of each of the cables in a state where an axial direction of the distal end part of each of the cables is arranged along the facing surface, wherein a side surface of a core wire of each of the cables is exposed at a predetermined first position on the facing surface of the cable fixing member and a first connection part which connects the core wire of each of the cables to the connection target member is formed at the first exposed part.
US09124024B2 Connector having inner conductive member
A connector (10) includes a housing (20) connectable to a mating housing of the mating connector. A female terminal (52) is held in the housing (20) and includes a terminal connecting portion (52A) to be connected to a mating terminal provided in the mating connector and a barrel (52B) connected to the terminal connecting portion (52A). A flexible outer wire (70) is pulled out to outside from the interior of the housing (20). An inner conductive member (50) connects the barrel (52B) and the outer wire (70) in the housing (20) and includes an intermediate portion (53C) formed by bending a metal plate material substantially at a right angle. The intermediate portion (53C) is fixed to the housing (20).
US09124022B2 Rotatable connector device
In an accommodation space formed by a rotator and a stator, a flat cable and a dummy cable are accommodated. A retainer placed in a bottom part of the accommodation space is provided with a press guide for allowing a reversed part of the dummy cable, at which a winding direction thereof is reversed, to be pressed thereon.
US09124019B1 Adapter with retractable pins
The present invention provides an adapter with retractable pins, which can be retracted to be hided to save space, and can be adjusted to different angles to be adjusted to different angles to be suitable for different conditions.
US09124008B2 Electrical connector
An electrical connector includes a shell having a mating end and a termination end. The shell has a securing feature configured to secure the shell to a mating connector. The shell has a cavity that extends between the mating end and the termination end. A terminal subassembly includes a dielectric insert that is configured to be held within the cavity of the shell. The dielectric insert is configured to hold terminals such that mating interfaces of the terminals are configured to mate with corresponding terminals of the mating connector and such that termination interfaces of the terminals are configured to be terminated to a cable. The dielectric insert is a modular insert that is configured to hold the terminals when the termination interfaces are flat interfaces and is also configured to hold the terminals when the termination interfaces are crimp interfaces.
US09124006B2 Antenna array for ultra wide band radar applications
A low profile antenna array for UWB radar antenna applications is disclosed. It may be used as a mid-range receiving antenna array (RXM) or as a mid-range transmitting antenna array (TXM). In some embodiments, the RXM or the TXM may include a plurality of radiation patch elements formed on a top layer of a printed circuit board (PCB), a distribution feeding network in the mid-layer of the PCB having a patch array, and a serial feeding arrangement from a λ/4 coupling slot to each feeding patch. This antenna may have a desirable large frequency bandwidth with relatively flat antenna gain over a frequency range from 22 GHz to 26.5 GHz. In addition, sidelobe levels for the elevation patterns may be below −20 dB. Other embodiments are disclosed and claimed.
US09124002B2 Communication device
A communication device including a first antenna, a second antenna, a ground element, and an isolation element is provided. The ground element is coupled to a conductive plane. The isolation element is disposed between the first antenna and the second antenna and includes a first portion and a second portion. A first end of the first portion and a first end of the second portion are respectively coupled to the ground element, and a second end of the first portion is spaced apart a coupling distance from a second end of the second portion.
US09124000B2 Current breaker and wireless communication device having the same
A current breaker comprises a multi-layer printed circuit board (PCB), a ground plane, a metal component and a conductive via hole. The ground plane is disposed in a first metal layer of the multi-layer PCB and comprises a slot forming inductive impedance. The slot comprises an extended portion. The metal component is disposed in a second metal layer of the multi-layer PCB. Capacitive impedance is formed between the metal component and the ground plane. The projection of the metal component on the ground plane and the extended portion of the slot partially overlap. The conductive via hole penetrates the multi-layer PCB to connect metal component with the ground plane. The first and the second metal layers are any two metal layers of the multi-layer PCB. The inductive impedance formed by the slot and the capacitive impedance formed between the metal component and the ground plane create a parallel LC equivalent circuit.
US09123995B2 Dielectric antenna and method of discretely emitting radiation pattern using same
An aesthetic dielectric antenna (e.g., a dielectric resonator antenna) includes an aesthetically shaped decoration having at least one shaped dielectric (swan, apple or building shape) with a dielectric constant of more than one. A waveguide, feedline, probe or other means of excitation is electronically coupled to the dielectric to emit a radiation pattern for carrying analog or digital information.
US09123991B2 Ear-microphone having ESD enhancing function
An ear-microphone for connection to a portable apparatus and use as a Frequency Modulation (FM) radio broadcast receiving antenna is provided. The ear-microphone includes an ear plug, a cable, a microphone, and a filtering unit. The ear plug is for connection to an earjack. The cable has a predefined length, has an earphone line whose one end is electrically connected to the ear plug and whose other end is electrically connected to at least one earphone. The microphone intervenes in an intermediate portion of the cable and is connected to the ear plug via a microphone line inside the cable. The filtering unit intervenes in the cable and is installed to have an Electro Static Discharge (ESD) protection function.
US09123990B2 Multi-feed antenna apparatus and methods
A space efficient multi-feed antenna apparatus, and methods for use in a radio frequency communications device. In one embodiment, the antenna assembly comprises three (3) separate radiator structures disposed on a common antenna carrier. Each of the three antenna radiators is connected to separate feed ports of a radio frequency front end. In one variant, the first and the third radiators comprise quarter-wavelength planar inverted-L antennas (PILA), while the second radiator comprises a half-wavelength grounded loop-type antenna disposed in between the first and the third radiators. The PILA radiators are characterized by radiation patterns having maximum radiation axes that are substantially perpendicular to the antenna plane. The loop radiator is characterized by radiation pattern having axis of maximum radiation that is parallel to the antenna plane. The above configuration of radiating patterns advantageously isolates the first radiator structure from the third radiator structure in at least one frequency band.
US09123985B2 Polyhedral physical and athletic training module, methods of making and using the same, and coaching and training systems including the same
A training module, training system, and methods of monitoring physical activity and making a training module are disclosed. The training module includes a compressible article having a polyhedral outer surface, a motion detector that detects compressive and rotational movement of the compressible article, a controller that determines a number of compressions and a number of rotations of the compressible article, and a signal transmitter that transmits data to a mobile electronic device. The controller is in electrical communication with the motion detector and the signal transmitter. The training system and methods generally include those that embody one or more of the inventive concepts disclosed herein. The training module can improve a user's agility, endurance, speed, reflexes, and sensitivity, provide real-time and historical feedback on performance, and improve safety during training in group activities indoors and outdoors, and on a variety of surfaces, that might otherwise involve one or more spherical objects.
US09123980B2 Flexible transmission device and communication device using the same
A flexible transmission device, for transmitting radio-frequency (RF) signals between a first communication module and a second communication module in a communication device, comprising a flexible substrate; a first metal sheet, formed on a plane of the flexible substrate and coupled between ground terminals of the first communication module and the second communication module; and a second metal sheet, formed on a plane of the flexible substrate different from the first metal sheet, and coupled between signal terminals of the first communication module and the second communication module, for transmitting the RF signals.
US09123979B1 Printed waveguide transmission line having layers with through-holes having alternating greater/lesser widths in adjacent layers
Example multi-layer apparatus for electromagnetic waves and methods for fabricating such apparatus are described. An example apparatus may include a first conducting layer including an input port and a second conducting layer including at least one through-hole. The apparatus may also include a first layer between the first conducting layer and the second conducting layer, including a first waveguide aligned at least in part with the input port and the at least one through-hole. The apparatus may also include a third conducting layer including an output port. The apparatus may also include a second layer between the second conducting layer and the third conducting layer, including a second waveguide aligned at least in part with the output port and the at least one through-hole. The at least one through-hole may be configured to couple millimeter electromagnetic waves from the first waveguide to the second waveguide.
US09123976B2 Catalyst including active particles, method of preparing the catalyst, fuel cell including the catalyst, electrode including the active particles for lithium air battery, and lithium air battery including the electrode
A catalyst including active particles that have a core including a first metal oxide, and a shell including an alloy of a second metal with a reduction product of the first metal oxide; a method of preparing the catalyst; a fuel cell including the catalyst; an electrode for lithium air battery that includes the active particles; and a lithium air battery including the electrode.
US09123970B2 Lithium battery binder composition, method for preparing the same and lithium battery including the same
A lithium battery binder composition in accordance with some example embodiments of the inventive concept may include a lithium ion polymer, an inorganic particle and an organic solution in which a lithium salt is dissolved. The lithium ion polymer may be a cellulosic polymer having sulfonic acid lithium salt or carboxylic acid lithium salt functional group. The lithium ion polymer may be manufactured by substituting hydroxyl group or carboxylic group of cellulosic polymer. The lithium battery binder composition may be used to at least one of an electrolyte, a cathode layer and an anode layer.
US09123967B2 Stepped electrode assembly having predetermined a reversible capacitance ratio in the interface between electrode units, battery cell and device comprising the same
There are provided an electrode assembly, and a battery cell, a battery pack, and a device. The electrode assembly includes a combination of two or more types of electrode units having different areas, wherein the electrode units are stacked such that steps are formed, and electrode units are formed such that a positive electrode and a negative electrode face one another at an interface between the electrode units.
US09123962B2 Flow battery having electrodes with a plurality of different pore sizes and or different layers
A flow battery includes an electrode operable to be wet by a solution having a reversible redox couple reactant. In one embodiment, the electrode can have plurality of micro and macro pores, wherein the macro pores have a size at least one order of magnitude greater than a size of the micro pores. In another embodiment, the electrode includes a plurality of layers, wherein one of the plurality of layers has a plurality of macro pores, and wherein another one of the plurality of layers has a plurality of micro pores. In another embodiment, the electrode has a thickness less than approximately 2 mm. In still another embodiment, the electrode has a porous carbon layer, wherein the layer is formed of a plurality of particles bound together.
US09123959B2 High energy cathode material
A composition for use in a battery electrode comprising a compound including lithium, manganese, nickel, and oxygen. The composition is characterized by a powder X-ray diffraction pattern having peaks including 18.6±0.2, 35.0±0.2, 36.4±0.2, 37.7±0.2, 42.1±0.2, and 44.5±0.2 degrees 2θ as measured using Cu Kα radiation.
US09123954B2 Three-dimensional microbattery having a porous silicon anode
An electrical energy storage device (20) includes a silicon substrate (22), which is formed so as to define a multiplicity of micro-containers (24, 26) having porous silicon walls (28), which are configured to serve as an anode layer. A cathode layer (34) overlies the micro-containers, with a separator layer (32) intermediate the anode layer and the cathode layer.
US09123948B2 Secondary battery
A secondary battery includes an electrode assembly. The electrode assembly includes a first electrode plate provided with a first tab portion, a second electrode plate provided with a second tab portion, and a separator interposed between the electrode plates. In the electrode assembly, the width of the first or second tab portion is in the range from over 0.5 of the half of the width of each of the electrode plates to below the half of the width of each of the electrode plates, and the first or second tab portion is provided to have a spacing distance b from a central portion of the first or second electrode plate to a starting portion of the first or second tab portion. The spacing distance is in the range from over 0 mm to less than half of the half (¼) of the width of the first or second electrode plate.
US09123943B1 Synthesis of electroactive ionic liquids for flow battery applications
The present disclosure is directed to synthesizing metal ionic liquids with transition metal coordination cations, where such metal ionic liquids can be used in a flow battery. A cation of a metal ionic liquid includes a transition metal and a ligand coordinated to the transition metal.
US09123934B2 Portable electronic device and battery fixing mechanism
A portable electronic device includes a main body, a battery, and a battery fixing mechanism including a button disposed through a button hole of the main body, first and second rod members, a first linkage rod pivoted to the first rod member and disposed in an oblique slot of the button, first and second transverse elastic members, and a rail member having transverse, oblique, and incurve rails. When a protruding rod of the first rod member moves in the transverse, oblique, or incurve rail, the rail member moves longitudinally to make the first rod member move transversely to be engaged with or separated from a first fixing hole of the battery. The first and second transverse elastic members are respectively disposed on the first and second rod members. The second rod member abuts against the first rod member for pushing the first rod member when the button is pressed.
US09123925B2 Hydrogen energy systems
Hydrogen energy systems for obtaining hydrogen gas from a solid storage medium using controlled laser beams. Also disclosed are systems for charging/recharging magnesium with hydrogen to obtain magnesium hydride. Other relatively safe systems assisting storage, transport and use (as in vehicles) of such solid storage mediums are disclosed.
US09123922B2 Lithium ion battery exterior material
A lithium ion battery exterior material, includes: a base material layer, and a sequentially laminated adhesive layer, aluminum foil layer provided with a corrosion prevention treated layer, and an adhesive resin layer on one surface of the base material layer; wherein, the adhesive resin layer contains an acid-modified polyolefin resin and a miscible elastomer dispersed in the acid-modified polyolefin at a dispersed phase size of 1 nm to less than 1 μm.
US09123918B2 Electric storage device
There is provided an electric storage device in which an electrode assembly enclosed in an insulating cover can be smoothly inserted in a case and the electrode assembly is positioned in place inside the case when housed in the case. The electric storage device according to the present invention includes an electrode assembly, an insulating cover covering the electrode assembly, and a case including a case body having a rectangular box shape and having an opening, the case body being configured to house the electrode assembly and the insulating cover, wherein the insulating cover is formed into a rectangular box shape conforming to the case body, and a portion of each of edges at which adjacent side surfaces of the insulating cover meet each other is beveled into a beveled part, the portion being close to the bottom of the insulating cover.
US09123916B2 Rechargeable battery
A rechargeable battery prevents an electrolyte solution from being leaked from a can connector and improves the productivity of a can. A rechargeable battery constructed as an embodiment of the present invention includes an electrode assembly formed by stacking and winding a positive electrode, a separator, and a negative electrode; a can receiving the electrode assembly, and the can including a body formed by a polygonal tube and a bottom plate bent from at least one surface among multiple surfaces at an opening of the body and physically connected to the rest of the multiple surfaces of the body; and a cap assembly sealing another opening of the body and the cap assembly being disposed opposite to the bottom plate.
US09123910B2 Organic light emitting diode display device and display panel thereof
An organic light emitting diode (OLED) display device and a display panel thereof are provided. The organic light emitting diode display panel comprises a first substrate, a first electrode, an organic light emitting layer, a second electrode, and a second substrate. The first electrode is disposed on the first substrate. The organic light emitting layer is disposed on the first electrode. The second electrode is disposed on the organic light emitting layer. The second substrate is located on the second electrode. The material of the second electrode comprises an alkaline earth element and silver. The second electrode comprises a first portion and a second portion, and the first portion is located between the second portion and the first substrate. The ratios of the alkaline earth element to silver in the first portion and in the second portion are different.
US09123905B2 Solar cells and methods of manufacturing the same
Solar cells and methods of manufacturing the solar cells are provided. The solar cell may be formed on a substrate having a plurality of concave portions. A plurality of nanostructures may be formed on a surface of the substrate, in which the plurality of concave portions are formed. A photoactive layer may be formed to cover the plurality of nanostructures. The nanostructures may include an inorganic material, and the photoactive layer may include an organic material.
US09123904B2 Light emitting device and method of manufacturing the light emitting device
In one example embodiment, a light emitting device includes a transparent substrate and a transparent electrode on the transparent substrate, the transparent electrode comprising at least two transparent electrode layers, the at least two transparent electrode layers being successively stacked and having different refractive indices, the refractive index of one of the at least two transparent electrode layers that is closer to the transparent substrate being higher than the refractive index of the other one of the at least two transparent electrode layers. The light emitting device further includes a light emission layer on the transparent electrode and a reflective electrode on the light emission layer.
US09123897B2 Benzotriazole derivatives and organic electroluminescent devices using the derivatives
Benzotriazole derivatives represented by the following general formula (1), wherein Ar1 and Ar2 are, for example, aromatic hydrocarbon groups or aromatic heterocyclic ring groups, and A is a group including a pyridine ring. The compounds excel in electron injection/transport capability, feature a high hole-blocking power and a high stability in their thin-film form, and are useful as materials for producing highly efficient and highly durable organic electroluminescent devices.
US09123894B2 Electronic devices, circuits and their manufacture
A method of manufacturing an electronic device, comprising a layer of semiconductive material and at least one insulative feature arranged to interrupt the layer of semiconductive material, comprises: providing a layer of semiconductive material, and a layer of compressible material supporting the layer of semiconductive material; and forming the or each insulative feature by a method comprising displacing a respective selected portion of the layer of semiconductive material towards the compressible material so as to compress compressible material under the or each displaced portion and separate at least partly the or each displaced portion from undisplaced semiconductive material.
US09123893B2 Carbon nano-tube dispersant
Disclosed is a carbon nano-tube dispersant comprising a highly branched polymer having a repeating unit represented by, for example, formula (12) or (13), wherein the highly branched polymer is produced by the polycondensation of a triarylamine compound and an aldehyde compound and/or a ketone compound in the presence of an acid catalyst. The carbon nano-tube dispersant enables the dispersion of CNTs in a medium such as an organic solvent until the CNTs are so decomposed as to have an individual size. (In the formula, Z1 and Z2 independently represent a hydrogen atom, a phenyl group, a thienyl group, or the like.)
US09123892B2 Polymer blend composition and actuators using the same
The present invention relates to a polymer blend composition comprising a dielectric elastomer, an actuator film manufactured using the same, and an actuator comprising the film. The polymer blend composition according to the present invention comprises a block copolymer having excellent compatibility with the dielectric elastomer and excellent dielectric properties, and thus displacement values suitable for the purpose can be obtained by a simple method of adjusting a composition of the polymer blend. Moreover, the film manufactured using the same has high dielectric constant, low dielectric loss and high electromechanical displacement, and thus the film exhibits excellent dielectric properties when it is applied in a dielectric layer for an actuator.
US09123887B2 Magnetic electronic device
A magnetic electronic device comprises a substrate, a buffer layer, a first CoFeB layer, a first metal oxidation layer and a capping layer. The buffer layer is disposed above the substrate. The first CoFeB layer is disposed above the buffer layer. The first metal oxidation layer is disposed above the first CoFeB layer. The capping layer is disposed above the first metal oxidation layer and covers the first metal oxidation layer. A manufacturing method of the magnetic electronic device is also disclosed.
US09123885B2 Piezoelectric device and method for manufacturing piezoelectric device
A piezoelectric device includes a piezoelectric thin film formed by separating and forming a piezoelectric single crystal substrate, an inorganic layer formed on a back surface of the piezoelectric thin film, an elastic body layer disposed on a surface opposite to the piezoelectric thin film of the inorganic layer, and a support pasted to a surface opposite to the inorganic layer of the elastic body layer. In a membrane structure portion, the inorganic layer and the elastic body layer are disposed on the piezoelectric thin film through a gap layer. The elastic body layer reduces a stress caused by pasting the piezoelectric thin film including the inorganic layer and the support and has a certain elastic modulus. The inorganic layer is formed with a material having an elastic modulus higher than that of the elastic body layer and suppresses damping caused by disposing the elastic body layer.
US09123881B2 Electronic device and electronic apparatus
A sensor device includes an IC chip, a package which includes a base in which the IC chip is provided and houses the IC chip, the base having a through hole provided in a position that overlaps with the IC chip in the plan view, and a spacer which is provided between the IC chip and the base, and has an aperture communicating the through hole with the space on the opposite side to the base with respect to the IC chip in the package between the IC chip and the space.
US09123878B2 Magnetic memory device utilizing magnetic domain wall motion
A magnetic memory device includes a magnetic thin wire including magnetic domains along a direction in which the magnetic thin wire extends. Magnetization directions of the magnetic domains are variable. A magnetic tunnel junction (MTJ) structure includes a pinned layer with a fixed magnetization direction and an insulator, and makes an MTJ including the pinned layer and insulator and a magnetic domain in the magnetic thin wire in a first position to sandwich the insulator with pinned layer. First and second electrodes are at both ends of the magnetic thin wire. At least one third electrode is coupled to the magnetic thin wire between the first and second electrodes.
US09123877B2 Single-chip bridge-type magnetic field sensor and preparation method thereof
The present invention discloses a design and manufacturing method for a single-chip magnetic sensor bridge. The sensor bridge comprises four magnetoresistive elements. The magnetization of the pinned layer of each of the four magnetoresistive elements is set in the same direction, but the magnetization directions of the free layers of the magnetoresistive elements on adjacent arms of the bridge are set at different angles with respect to the pinned layer magnetization direction. The absolute values of the angles of the magnetization directions of the free layers of all four magnetoresistive elements are the same with respect with their pinning layers. The disclosed magnetic biasing scheme enables the integration of a push-pull Wheatstone bridge magnetic field sensor on a single chip with better performance, lower cost, and easier manufacturability than conventional magnetoresistive sensor designs.
US09123876B2 Single-package bridge-type magnetic-field angle sensor
A single-package bridge-type magnetic-field angle sensor comprising one or more pairs of magnetic tunnel junction sensor chips rotated relative to each other by 90 degrees in order to detect two magnetic field components in orthogonal directions respectively is disclosed. The magnetic-field angle sensor may comprise a pair of MTJ full-bridges or half-bridges interconnected with a semiconductor package lead. The magnetic-field angle sensor can be packaged into various low-cost standard semiconductor packages.
US09123869B2 Semiconductor device with a light emitting semiconductor die
A semiconductor device includes a light emitting semiconductor die mounted on at least one of first and second electrically conductive bonding pads, which are located on a first major surface of a substrate of the device. The light emitting semiconductor die has an anode and a cathode, which are electrically connected to the first and second electrically conductive bonding pads. The semiconductor device further includes first and second electrically conductive connecting pads, which are located on a second major surface of the substrate. The first and second electrically conductive bonding pads are electrically connected to the first and second electrically conductive connecting pads via first and second electrically conductive edge interconnecting elements.
US09123867B2 Light emitting device
A light emitting device which includes: a base body; a conductive member disposed on the base body; a light emitting element placed on the conductive member; and a translucent member disposed above the light emitting element. A surface of the translucent member is formed in a lens shape, and when a portion formed in the lens shape of the translucent member on a surface of the conductive member is perspectively seen from above, an area other than a portion where the light emitting element is placed is coated with an insulating filler to form a light reflection layer.
US09123862B2 Nitride semiconductor light-emitting device
A semiconductor light emitting device is provided. The semiconductor light emitting device includes a first nitride layer, an active layer, and a second nitride layer. The first nitride layer includes an irregular, uneven surface, and the active layer is formed on the irregular, uneven surface. The second nitride layer is formed on the active layer. A plurality of quantum dots are formed at the active layer.
US09123846B2 Photovoltaic module comprising a localised spectral conversion element and production process
A photovoltaic module including a plate transparent to the incident electromagnetic radiation, a photovoltaic cell including an active face arranged facing said transparent plate, a spectral conversion element including a luminescent material formed by at least a first spectral conversion area arranged facing a lateral face of the photovoltaic cell, a direct transmission area separating the transparent plate from the photovoltaic cell, the spectral conversion element including a second spectral conversion area extending the first spectral conversion area, the second spectral conversion area being positioned on the peripheral edge of the active face of the photovoltaic cell, so that the part of the active face of the photovoltaic cell directly receiving the incident electromagnetic radiation represents between 40% and 90% of the total surface of the active face of the photovoltaic cell.
US09123839B2 Image sensor with stacked grid structure
Among other things, one or more image sensors and techniques for guiding light towards a photodiode are provided. An image sensor comprises a metal grid configured to direct light towards a corresponding photodiode and away from other photodiodes. The image sensor also comprises a dielectric grid and a filler grid over the metal grid to direct light towards the corresponding photodiode and away from other photodiodes, where the filler grid has a different refractive index than the dielectric grid. In this way, crosstalk, otherwise resulting from detection of light by incorrect photodiodes, is mitigated.
US09123834B2 Solid-state image sensing device manufacturing method and solid-state image sensing device
According to one embodiment, a solid-state image sensing device manufacturing method includes forming a photoelectric converting element, a diffusion layer included in a floating diffusion, and a read transistor, in a photoelectric converting element formation region of a semiconductor substrate, a floating diffusion formation region, and a read transistor formation region located between the photoelectric converting element formation region and the floating diffusion formation region, respectively, and forming a semiconductor layer including a impurity on the diffusion layer on the semiconductor substrate.
US09123825B2 Methods for fabricating FinFET integrated circuits using laser interference lithography techniques
A method for fabricating an integrated circuit includes providing a semiconductor substrate with a pad layer overlying the semiconductor substrate and a photoresist layer overlying the pad layer, exposing the photoresist layer to a split laser beam to form a plurality of parallel linear void regions in the photoresist layer, and etching the pad layer and the semiconductor substrate beneath the plurality of parallel linear void regions to form a plurality of extended parallel linear void regions. The method further includes depositing a first dielectric material over the semiconductor substrate, patterning a photoresist material over the semiconductor substrate to cover a portion of the semiconductor substrate, and etching portions of the pad layer, the first dielectric material, and the semiconductor substrate. Still further, the method includes depositing a second dielectric material into the second void regions.
US09123821B2 Electrode for oxide semiconductor, method of forming the same, and oxide semiconductor device provided with the electrode
To make it possible to form a metal electrode of low electrical contact resistance on a conductive indium-containing oxide semiconductor layer constituting a device active layer of a thin-film transistor or the like. Between an indium-containing oxide semiconductor layer and a metal electrode layer provided above this layer for passing device operating current, which can reduce indium oxide or the like of the oxide semiconductor layer. A metallic oxide layer and a metal layer are formed using as material a metal film including an easily oxidable metal, and further an indium-rich layer in which reduced indium is accumulated is formed at a boundary between the metallic oxide layer and the metal layer.
US09123812B2 Semiconductor device and fabrication method
Semiconductor devices and fabrication methods are provided. In an exemplary method, a semiconductor layer including a first opening can be provided. The first opening can be filled with a stress material. The stress material can then be etched to form a second opening having a width less than a width of the first opening to leave a stress material layer in the semiconductor layer and on each sidewall of the second opening. The semiconductor layer can be etched to form a fin structure on a sidewall surface of the stress material layer. A main gate structure can be formed on the sidewall surface of the fin structure. A back gate structure can be formed on the sidewall surface of the stress material layer.
US09123811B2 Semiconductor device having a triple gate transistor and method for manufacturing the same
In a semiconductor capable of reducing NBTI and a method for manufacturing the same, a multi-gate transistor includes an active region, gate dielectric, channels in the active region, and gate electrodes, and is formed on a semiconductor wafer. The active region has a top and side surfaces, and is oriented in a first direction. The gate dielectric is formed on the top and side surfaces of the active region. The channels are formed in the top and side surfaces of the active region. The gate electrodes are formed on the gate dielectric corresponding to the channels and aligned perpendicular to the active region such that current flows in the first direction. In one aspect of the invention, an SOI layer having a second orientation indicator in a second direction is formed on a supporting substrate having a first orientation indicator in a first direction.
US09123810B2 Semiconductor integrated device including FinFET device and protecting structure
A semiconductor integrated device includes a substrate, a plurality of active fins, and a plurality of first protecting fins. The substrate includes an active region, and the active fins are positioned in the active region. The active region is surrounded by the first protecting fins. The active fins and the first protecting fins all extend along a first direction.
US09123809B2 Transistor having a stressed body
A transistor includes a body and a semiconductor region configured to stress a portion of the body. For example, stressing a channel of the transistor may increase the mobility of carriers in the channel, and thus may reduce the “on” resistance of the transistor. For example, the substrate, source/drain regions, or both the substrate and source/drain regions of a PFET may be doped to compressively stress the channel so as to increase the mobility of holes in the channel. Or, the substrate, source/drain regions, or both the substrate and source/drain regions of an NFET may be doped to tensile stress the channel so as to increase the mobility of electrons in the channel.
US09123806B2 Method of manufacturing a semiconductor device
The method includes providing a semiconductor chip having a first main face and a second main face opposite the first main face. The semiconductor chip includes an electrical device adjacent to the first main face. Material of the semiconductor chip is removed at the second main face except for a pre-defined portion so that a non-planar surface remains at the second main face.
US09123805B2 Method to manufacture short channel trench MOSFET
Aspects of the present disclosure describe a trench MOSFET with a channel length that may be controlled by counterdoping the body-drain junction to form a straggle region adjacent to the trenches. The channel length is defined between the straggle region at the bottom and a source region at the top. Both of the straggle region and the source region are of the same conductivity type though they may be different ion species.
US09123802B2 Vertical trench MOSFET device in integrated power technologies
A semiconductor device having a vertical drain extended MOS transistor may be formed by forming deep trench structures to define at least one vertical drift region bounded on at least two opposite sides by the deep trench structures. The deep trench structures include dielectric liners. The deep trench structures are spaced so as to form RESURF regions for the drift region. Vertical gates are formed in vertically oriented gate trenches in the dielectric liners of the deep trench structures, abutting the vertical drift regions. A body implant mask for implanting dopants for the transistor body is also used as an etch mask for forming the vertically oriented gate trenches in the dielectric liners.
US09123795B2 Method of manufacturing semiconductor wafers
A method of manufacturing semiconductor wafers which facilitates formation of orientation flat lines and allows beveling work without problems. The method of manufacturing semiconductor wafers includes steps wherein a plurality of small-diameter wafers is cut out from a large-diameter semiconductor wafer, the method including: a marking step of forming straight groove-like orientation flat lines by a laser beam so as to cross the respective small-diameter wafers in each row in the large-diameter semiconductor wafer, wherein cutout positions of the small-diameter wafers are aligned in rows in a specific direction, collectively for each of the rows; and a cutting step of cutting out the small-diameter wafers separately from the large-diameter semiconductor wafer, by a laser beam, after the marking step, in such a way that the orientation flat lines are located at required positions in the small-diameter wafers to be obtained.
US09123794B2 Dicing die bond film
The present invention provides a dicing die bond film in which peeling electrification hardly occurs and which has good tackiness and workability. The dicing die bond film of the present invention is a dicing die bond film including a dicing film and a thermosetting type die bond film provided thereon, wherein the thermosetting type die bond film contains conductive particles, the volume resistivity of the thermosetting type die bond film is 1×10−6 Ω·cm or more and 1×10−3 Ω·cm or less, and the tensile storage modulus of the thermosetting type die bond film at −20° C. before thermal curing is 0.1 to 10 GPa.
US09123791B2 Semiconductor device and method
A semiconductor device includes a first compound semiconductor material including a first doping concentration and a second compound semiconductor material on the first compound semiconductor material, the second compound semiconductor material including a different material than the first compound semiconductor material. The semiconductor device further includes a control electrode and at least one buried semiconductor material region including a second doping concentration different from the first doping concentration. The at least one buried semiconductor material region is disposed in the first compound semiconductor material in a region other than a region of the first compound semiconductor material being covered by the control electrode.
US09123789B2 Chip with through silicon via electrode and method of forming the same
The present invention provides a method of forming a chip with TSV electrode. A substrate with a first surface and a second surface is provided. A thinning process is performed from a side of the second surface so the second surface becomes a third surface. Next, a penetration via which penetrates through the first surface and the third surface is formed in the substrate. A patterned material layer is formed on the substrate, wherein the patterned material layer has an opening exposes the penetration via. A conductive layer is formed on the third surface thereby simultaneously forming a TSV electrode in the penetration via and a surface conductive layer in the opening.
US09123780B2 Method and structures for heat dissipating interposers
A method for making an interconnect element includes depositing a thermally conductive layer on an in-process unit. The in-process unit includes a semiconductor material layer defining a surface and edges surrounding the surface, a plurality of conductive elements, each conductive element having a first portion extending through the semiconductor material layer and a second portion extending from the surface of the semiconductor material layer. Dielectric coatings extend over at least the second portion of each conductive element. The thermally conductive layer is deposited on the in-process unit at a thickness of at least 10 microns so as to overlie a portion of the surface of the semiconductor material layer between the second portions of the conductive elements with the dielectric coatings positioned between the conductive elements and the thermally conductive layer.
US09123778B2 Damascene conductor for 3D array
For certain three dimensionally stacked memory devices, bit lines or word lines for memory cells are stacked in spaced apart ridge like structures arranged to extend in a first direction. In such structures, complementary wordlines or bit lines, can be damascene features between the spaced apart. The damascene conductors can be formed using double patterned masks to etch sub-lithographic sacrificial lines, forming a fill over the sacrificial lines, and then removing the sacrificial lines to leave trenches that act as the damascene molds in the fill. Then the trenches are filled with the conductor material. The 3D memory array can include dielectric charge trapping memory cells, which have a high-K blocking dielectric layer, and in which the conductor material comprises a high work function material.
US09123771B2 Shallow trench isolation integration methods and devices formed thereby
Aspects of the present invention generally relate to approaches for forming a semiconductor device such as a TSV device having a “buffer zone” or gap layer between the TSV and transistor(s). The gap layer is typically filled with a low stress thin film fill material that controls stresses and crack formation on the devices. Further, the gap layer ensures a certain spatial distance between TSVs and transistors to reduce the adverse effects of temperature excursion.
US09123765B2 Susceptor support shaft for improved wafer temperature uniformity and process repeatability
Embodiments of the invention generally relate to susceptor support shafts and process chambers containing the same. A susceptor support shaft supports a susceptor thereon, which in turn, supports a substrate during processing. The susceptor support shaft reduces variations in temperature measurement of the susceptor and/or substrate by providing a consistent path for a pyrometer focal beam directed towards the susceptor and/or substrate, even when the susceptor support shaft is rotated. The susceptor support shafts also have a relatively low thermal mass which increases the ramp up and ramp down rates of a process chamber.
US09123759B2 Susceptor, vapor phase growth apparatus, and method of manufacturing epitaxial wafer
An aspect of the present invention relates to a susceptor comprising a counterbored groove receiving a semiconductor wafer in the course of manufacturing an epitaxial wafer by vapor phase growing an epitaxial layer on a surface of the semiconductor wafer, wherein a lateral wall of the counterbored groove is comprised of at least one flat portion and at least one protruding portion being higher than the flat portion, and a height of the flat portion is equal to or greater than a thickness of the semiconductor wafer.
US09123751B2 Method for manufacturing semiconductor device
An object is to manufacture a semiconductor device including an oxide semiconductor at low cost with high productivity in such a manner that a photolithography process is simplified by reducing the number of light-exposure masks. In a method for manufacturing a semiconductor device including a channel-etched inverted-staggered thin film transistor, an oxide semiconductor film and a conductive film are etched using a mask layer formed with the use of a multi-tone mask which is a light-exposure mask through which light is transmitted so as to have a plurality of intensities. In etching steps, a first etching step is performed by dry etching in which an etching gas is used, and a second etching step is performed by wet etching in which an etchant is used.
US09123749B2 Nonvolatile semiconductor memory device and method of manufacturing the same
According to one embodiment, a nonvolatile semiconductor memory device comprises a semiconductor substrate, a first layer, a first conductive layer, a second conductive layer, an insulating layer, a block insulating layer formed on an inner surface of a pair of through holes formed in the insulating layer, the second conductive layer, and the first conductive layer, and on an inner surface of a connecting hole formed in the first layer and configured, a charge storage layer formed on the block insulating layer, a tunnel insulating layer formed on the charge storage layer, and a semiconductor pillar formed on the tunnel insulating layer. The semiconductor pillar includes a doped silicide layer which is formed in the insulating layer, a silicon layer formed in the second conductive layer and the first conductive layer, and a silicide layer formed in first layer.
US09123745B2 Device with a vertical gate structure
A device includes a wafer substrate, a conical frustum structure formed in the wafer substrate, and a gate all-around (GAA) structure circumscribing the middle portion of the conical frustum structure. The conical frustum structure includes a drain formed at a bottom portion of the conical frustum, a source formed at a top portion of the vertical conical frustum, and a channel formed at a middle portion of the conical frustum connecting the source and the drain. The GAA structure overlaps with the source at one side of the GAA structure, crosses over the channel, and overlaps with the drain at another side of the GAA structure.
US09123742B2 Semiconductor device and method for manufacturing semiconductor device
A method for manufacturing a semiconductor device includes forming a first gate electrode on a semiconductor substrate in a first transistor region; forming a channel dose region; and forming a first source extension region, wherein the channel dose region is formed by using a first mask as a mask and by ion-implanting a first dopant of the first conductivity type, and the first mask covering a drain side of the first gate electrode and covering a drain region, and the first source extension region is formed by using a second mask and the gate electrode as masks and by ion-implanting a second dopant of a second conductivity type that is a conductivity type opposite to the first conductivity type, the second mask covering the drain side of the first gate electrode and covering the drain region.
US09123736B2 Semiconductor device and method of manufacturing the same
The semiconductor device includes a semiconductor substrate having a cell region and a peripheral circuit region defined therein, semiconductor memory elements formed over the semiconductor substrate in the cell region, an interlayer insulating layer formed over the semiconductor substrate in the peripheral circuit region, first conductive layers substantially vertically passing through the interlayer insulating layer, and arranged in a matrix, and second conductive layers coupling the first conductive layers in rows or columns, each pair of the second conductive layers and the first conductive layers coupled to the each pair of the second conductive layers, respectively, forming electrodes of a capacitor.
US09123731B2 Semiconductor device
According to one embodiment, a semiconductor device includes a circuit substrate, a semiconductor element, a sealing resin layer, and a conductive shielding layer. The circuit substrate includes an insulating layer, a plurality of interconnections forming first interconnection layers provided on an upper surface side of the insulating layer, a plurality of interconnections forming second interconnection layers provided on a lower surface side of the insulating layer, and a plurality of vias penetrating from the upper surface to the lower surface of the insulating layer. The semiconductor element is mounted on the upper surface side of the circuit substrate. The conductive shielding layer covers the sealing resin layer and part of an end portion of the circuit substrate. Any of the plurality of vias and the conductive shielding layer are electrically connected.
US09123730B2 Semiconductor device having through silicon trench shielding structure surrounding RF circuit
The present invention provides a semiconductor device with a shielding structure. The semiconductor device includes a substrate, an RF circuit, a shielding structure and an interconnection system. The substrate includes an active side and a back side. The RF circuit is disposed on the active side of the substrate. The shielding structure is disposed on the active side and encompasses the RF circuit. The shielding structure is grounded. The shielding structure includes a shielding TST which does not penetrate through the substrate. The interconnection system is disposed on the active side of the substrate. The interconnection system includes a connection unit providing a signal to the RF circuit.
US09123727B2 Airgap interconnect with hood layer and method of forming
An airgap interconnect structure with hood layer and methods for forming such an airgap interconnect structure are disclosed. A substrate having a dielectric layer with a plurality of interconnects formed therein is provided. Each interconnect is encapsulated by a barrier layer. A hardmask is formed on the dielectric layer and patterned to expose the dielectric layer between adjacent interconnects where an airgap is desired. The dielectric layer is etched to form a trench, wherein the etching process additionally etches at least a portion of the barrier layer to expose a portion of the side surface of each adjacent copper interconnect. A hood layer is electrolessly plated onto an exposed portion of the top surface and the exposed portion of the side surface to reseal the interconnect. A gap-sealing dielectric layer is formed over the device, sealing the trench to form an airgap.
US09123721B2 Placement of monolithic inter-tier vias (MIVs) within monolithic three dimensional (3D) integrated circuits (ICs) (3DICs) using clustering to increase usable whitespace
Placement of Monolithic Inter-tier Vias (MIVs) within monolithic three dimensional (3D) integrated circuits (ICs) (3DICs) using clustering to increase usable whitespace is disclosed. In one embodiment, a method of placing MIVs in a monolithic 3DIC using clustering is provided. The method comprises determining if any MIV placement clusters are included within a plurality of initial MIV placements of a plurality of MIVs within an initial 3DIC layout plan. The method further comprises aligning each MIV of the plurality of MIVs within each MIV placement cluster in the initial 3DIC layout plan at a final MIV placement for each MIV placement cluster to provide a clustered 3DIC layout plan.
US09123713B2 Lead structures with vertical offsets
A microelectronic structure includes a first row of contacts (14) and a second row of contacts (24) offset from the first row, so that the first and second rows cooperatively define pairs of contacts. These pairs of contacts include first pairs (30a) and second pairs (30b) arranged in alternating sequence in the row direction. The first pairs are provided with low connectors (32a), whereas the second pairs are provided with high connectors (32b). The high connectors and low connectors have sections vertically offset from one another to reduce mutual impedance between adjacent connectors.
US09123708B2 Semiconductor chip package
The semiconductor chip package comprises a carrier, a semiconductor chip comprising a first main face and a second main face opposite to the first main face, chip contact elements disposed on one or more of the first or second main faces of the semiconductor chip, an encapsulation layer covering the first main face of the semiconductor chip, the encapsulation layer comprising a first main face facing the carrier and a second main face remote from the carrier, first contact elements disposed on the second main face of the encapsulation layer, each one of the first contact elements being connected to one of the chip contact elements, and second contact elements disposed on the first main face of the encapsulation layer, each one of the second contact elements being connected to one of the chip contact elements.
US09123707B2 Methods for forming a hydrogen free silicon containing dielectric film
Embodiments of the disclosure generally provide methods of forming a hydrogen free silicon containing layer in TFT devices. The hydrogen free silicon containing layer may be used as a passivation layer, a gate dielectric layer, an etch stop layer, or other suitable layers in TFT devices, photodiodes, semiconductor diode, light-emitting diode (LED), or organic light-emitting diode (OLED), or other suitable display applications. In one embodiment, a method for forming a hydrogen free silicon containing layer in a thin film transistor includes supplying a gas mixture comprising a hydrogen free silicon containing gas and a reacting gas into a plasma enhanced chemical vapor deposition chamber, wherein the hydrogen free silicon containing gas is selected from a group consisting of SiF4, SiCl4, Si2Cl6, and forming a hydrogen free silicon containing layer on the substrate in the presence of the gas mixture.
US09123697B2 Semiconductor cooling device
A semiconductor cooling device includes: a cooling medium flow channel, through which a cooling medium for cooling a semiconductor chip flows; a laminar flow section which is provided in a region upstream of the cooling medium flow channel and allows the cooling medium to flow in the form of laminar flow; and a turbulent flow section which is provided in a region downstream of the laminar flow section in the cooling medium flow channel and allows the cooling medium, which flows in the form of laminar flow from the laminar flow section, to flow in the form of turbulent flow.
US09123690B1 Systems and methods for forming contact definitions
In one embodiment, an electrical circuit formed on a substrate includes a first multi-layer stack and a second multi-layer stack that share a top layer that comprises a continuous piece of conductive material.
US09123684B2 Chip package structure and manufacturing method thereof
A chip package structure including a leadframe, a chip, at least one heat dissipation pillar, and a molding compound is provided. The leadframe includes a die pad and a plurality of leads. The die pad has at least one through hole. The leads surround the die pad. The chip is located on the die pad and electronically connected to the leads. The chip includes an active surface and a back surface opposite to the active surface. The back surface of the chip is adhered to the die pad. The heat dissipation pillar is located on the back surface and passes through the through hole. The molding compound encapsulates the chip, at least parts of the leads, and the die pad. The molding compound includes at least one opening to expose the heat dissipation pillar. A manufacturing method of the chip package structure is also provided.
US09123679B2 Active matrix substrate
An active matrix substrate includes a substrate and an insulating unit arranged on the substrate. The substrate includes a display region and a periphery circuit region beside the display region. The periphery circuit region has at least a chip connecting unit. Each chip connecting unit includes a number of connecting elements. Each of the connecting elements includes a conducting pad and a wire electrically connected to the conducting pad. The conducting pads of the connecting elements are arranged in at least two rows. The insulating unit has a number of contact holes corresponding to the conducting pads so that each of the conducting pads is entirely exposed by the corresponding contact hole. The active matrix substrate is applied to a display device to increase reliability of the display device and improve the quality of the display device.
US09123671B2 Silicon wafer strength enhancement
Provided is a method of fabricating a semiconductor device. The method includes: receiving a silicon wafer that contains oxygen; forming a zone in the silicon wafer, the zone being substantially depleted of oxygen; causing a nucleation process to take place in the silicon wafer to form oxygen nuclei in a region of the silicon wafer outside the zone; and growing the oxygen nuclei into defects. Also provided is an apparatus that includes a silicon wafer. The silicon wafer includes: a first portion that is substantially free of oxygen, the first portion being disposed near a surface of the silicon wafer; and a second portion that contains oxygen; wherein the second portion is at least partially surrounded by the first portion.
US09123670B2 Display device and method of manufacturing the same
In one aspect, a display device comprising: a lower substrate, a light-emitting element formed on the lower substrate and comprising a plurality of pixels, an upper substrate disposed on the light-emitting element with a gap therebetween sealed with a sealant, a filler filling the gap between the light-emitting element and the upper substrate, and a light-absorbing material formed between the lower substrate and the upper substrate and selectively absorbing light of a certain wavelength range is provided.
US09123665B2 Organic EL device, method for manufacturing the same, and electronic apparatus
An organic EL device has a pixel including a red, a green and a blue sub-pixel. The organic EL device includes anodes disposed in the sub-pixels, and a cathode. A red luminescent layer is formed by liquid application between the anode and the cathode, and a green luminescent layer is formed by liquid application between the anode and the cathode. A blue luminescent layer is formed by vapor deposition over the entire region of the red, green and blue sub-pixels between the red and green luminescent layers and the cathode, and between the anode and the cathode in the blue sub-pixel. An infrared luminescent layer is formed by vapor deposition over the entire region of the red, green and blue sub-pixels between the red and green luminescent layers and the blue luminescent layer, and between the anode and the blue luminescent layer in the blue sub-pixel.
US09123662B2 Reducing defects in patterning processes
A method includes forming a mask layer forming a first photo resist over the mask layer, performing a first patterning step on the first photo resist, and performing a first etching step on the mask layer using the first photo resist as an etching mask. The first photo resist is then removed. The method further includes forming a particle-fixing layer on a top surface and sidewalls of the mask layer, forming a second photo resist over the particle-fixing layer and the mask layer, performing a second patterning step on the second photo resist, and performing a second etching step on the particle-fixing layer and the mask layer using the second photo resist as an etching mask. The particle-fixing layer is etched through. A target layer underlying the mask layer is etched using the mask layer as an etching mask.
US09123660B2 Chemical mechanical polishing slurry compositions and polishing method using the same
Disclosed herein is a CMP slurry composition. The CMP slurry composition includes cerium oxide particles, an adsorbent for adsorbing the cerium oxide particles to a polishing pad, an adsorption adjusting agent for adjusting adsorption performance of the adsorbent, and a pH adjusting agent. The CMP slurry composition may improve polishing efficiency of a patterned oxide layer and lifespan of a diamond disc conditioner.
US09123654B2 Trilayer SIT process with transfer layer for FINFET patterning
Improved sidewall image transfer (SIT) techniques are provided. In one aspect, a SIT method includes the following steps. An oxide layer is formed on a substrate. A transfer layer is formed on a side of the oxide layer opposite the substrate. A mandrel layer is formed on a side of the transfer layer opposite the oxide layer. The mandrel layer is patterned to form at least one mandrel. Sidewall spacers are formed on opposite sides of the at least one mandrel. The at least one mandrel is removed, wherein the transfer layer covers and protects the substrate during removal of the at least one mandrel. The transfer layer is etched using the sidewall spacers as a hardmask to form a patterned transfer layer. The oxide layer and the sidewall spacers are removed from the substrate. The substrate is etched using the patterned transfer layer as a hardmask.
US09123646B2 Light-emitting device
A light-emitting device includes a light-emitting element, and a sealing material for sealing the light-emitting element. The sealing material includes a first layer including a radical polymerizable resin and a second layer including a non-radical polymerizable resin, the first layer being in contact with the light-emitting element and the second layer covering an upper surface of the first layer.
US09123638B2 Multi-heterojunction nanoparticles, methods of manufacture thereof and articles comprising the same
Disclosed herein is a semiconducting nanoparticle comprising a one-dimensional semiconducting nanoparticle having a first end and a second end; where the second end is opposed to the first end; a first node that comprises a first semiconductor; where the first node contacts a radial surface of the one-dimensional semiconducting nanoparticle producing a first heterojunction at the point of contact; and a second node that comprises a second semiconductor; where the second node contacts the radial surface of the one-dimensional semiconducting nanoparticle producing a second heterojunction at the point of contact; where the first heterojunction is compositionally different from the second heterojunction.
US09123632B2 Semiconductor device
A highly reliable structure is provided when high-speed driving of a semiconductor device is achieved by improving on-state characteristics of the transistor. The on-state characteristics of the transistor are improved as follows: an end portion of a source electrode and an end portion of a drain electrode overlap with end portions of a gate electrode, and the gate electrode surely overlaps with a region serving as a channel formation region of an oxide semiconductor layer. Further, embedded conductive layers are formed in an insulating layer so that large contact areas are obtained between the embedded conductive layers and the source and drain electrodes; thus, the contact resistance of the transistor can be reduced. Prevention of coverage failure with a gate insulating layer enables the oxide semiconductor layer to be thin; thus, the transistor is miniaturized.
US09123628B2 Semiconductor device
Disclosed is a semiconductor device suppressed in decrease of reliability. The semiconductor device comprises an electrode pad portion (2) formed on the upper surface of a semiconductor substrate (1), a passivation layer (3) so formed on the upper surface of the semiconductor substrate (1) as to overlap a part of the electrode pad portion (2) and having a first opening portion (3a) where the upper surface of the electrode pad portion (2) is exposed, a barrier metal layer (5) formed on the electrode pad portion (2), and a solder bump (6) formed on the barrier metal layer (5). The barrier metal layer (5) is formed such that an outer peripheral end (5b) lies within the first opening portion (3a) of the passivation layer (3) when viewed in plan.
US09123619B2 Method for inhibiting the electric crosstalk of back illuminated CMOS image sensor
The present invention discloses a method for inhibiting the electric crosstalk of back illuminated CMOS image sensor. This invention comprises, two ion implanting layers are implanted at the different area of the backside of the pixel unit after the thickness of the backside of CMOS image sensor is reduced. The ion concentrations implanted into the two layers are controlled to decrease progressively from top to bottom. An electric field is formed from top to bottom inside the epitaxial layer. The said electric field absorbs the incident light which arrives at the substrate region outside of the space charge of the photodiode. It reduces the electron diffuses in different pixels. Consequently, it reduces the electric crosstalk of pixels, improves the manufacture process and improve the image quality of the of CMOS image sensor.
US09123618B2 Method for producing image pickup apparatus, and method for producing semiconductor apparatus
A method for producing an image pickup apparatus includes: a process of fabricating a plurality of image pickup chips by cutting an image pickup chip substrate where light receiving sections and electrode pads are formed; a process of fabricating a joined wafer by bonding the image pickup chips to a glass wafer; a process of filling a gap between the plurality of image pickup chips with a sealing member; a process of machining the joined wafer to reduce a thickness; a process of forming through-hole vias; a process of forming an insulating layer that covers the image pickup chips; a process of forming through-hole interconnections; a process of forming external connection electrodes, each of which is connected to each of the through-hole interconnections; and a process of cutting the joined wafer.
US09123614B2 Methods and applications of non-planar imaging arrays
System, devices and methods are presented that provide an imaging array fabrication process method, comprising fabricating an array of semiconductor imaging elements, interconnecting the elements with stretchable interconnections, and transfer printing the array with a pre-strained elastomeric stamp to a secondary non-planar surface.
US09123607B1 Modified hybrid infrared focal plane array architecture for large scaling
An apparatus for infrared imaging may include a hybrid infrared focal plane array including a front-end (FE) portion and a back-end (BE) portion. The FE portion may be coupled to the BE portion via multiple electrically conductive bump bonds. The FE portion may include nano-electronic circuits integrated with an array of infrared imaging pixels. The CNT electronic circuits may be configured to generate multiplexed output signals. The BE portion may include electronic circuits implemented on a substrate and configured to generate readout output signals. A count of the multiple electrically conductive bump bonds may be substantially less than a count of the infrared imaging pixels of the array.
US09123598B2 Method of fabricating array substrate of liquid crystal display device
An array substrate of a liquid crystal display device and a method of fabricating the array substrate. A gate electrode of a thin film transistor of the array substrate is formed. The gate electrode has an edge region surrounding an interior region of the gate electrode and the edge region of the gate electrode is thicker than the interior region of the gate electrode. A semiconductor layer is formed over the gate electrode. A source electrode and a drain electrode of the thin film transistor are formed that define a channel region in the semiconductor layer. The channel region is located over the interior region of the gate electrode. Additionally, the gate electrode may be formed with a half-tone mask that results in the edge region of the gate electrode being thicker than the interior region of the gate electrode.
US09123596B2 Display panel and sealing process thereof
A display panel and a sealing process are provided. The display panel has a display area and a non-display area; the sealing process includes following steps. A first substrate having a pixel array in the display area is provided. An absorption material layer is formed in the non-display area of the first substrate. A second substrate having a sealing material layer in the non-display area is provided. The second substrate and the first substrate are assembled, and a display medium is formed therebetween. The absorption material layer and the sealing material layer at least partially overlap. A laser processing process is performed on the sealing material layer, so that the first substrate is adhered to the second substrate by the sealing material layer. The absorption material layer is adopted for absorbing a portion of a laser beam passing through the sealing material layer in the laser processing process.
US09123594B2 Organic light-emitting display apparatus having high aperture ratio
In an organic light-emitting display apparatus and a method of manufacturing the same, the organic light-emitting display apparatus comprises: at least one transistor, each including a semiconductor layer, a gate electrode, and source and drain electrodes; a first capacitor including a first electrode formed on the same plane as the semiconductor layer, a second electrode formed on the same plane as the gate electrode, and a third electrode formed on the same plane as the source and drain electrodes; a second capacitor including a first electrode formed on the same plane as the semiconductor layer and comprising ion impurities, and a second electrode formed on the same plane as the gate electrode; a pixel electrode formed on the same plane as the gate electrode and electrically connected to the transistor; a light-emitting layer disposed on the pixel electrode; and an opposite electrode disposed on the light-emitting layer and facing the pixel electrode.
US09123580B2 Semiconductor device and method of manufacturing the same
A semiconductor device includes word lines and interlayer insulating layers alternately stacked over a substrate, vertical channel layers protruding from the substrate and passing through the word lines and the interlayer insulating layers, a tunnel insulating layer surrounding each of the vertical channel layers, a charge trap layer surrounding the tunnel insulating layer, wherein first regions of the charge trap layer between the tunnel insulating layer and the word lines have a thickness smaller than a thickness of second regions thereof between the tunnel insulating layer and the interlayer insulating layers, and first charge blocking layer patterns surrounding the first regions of the charge trap layer.
US09123575B1 Semiconductor memory device having increased separation between memory elements
The present invention is directed to a semiconductor memory device including a plurality of first level contacts arranged in an array with every third row vacant along a first direction, thereby forming multiple contact regions separated by multiple vacant regions along the first direction with each of the multiple contact regions including a first row and a second row of the first level contacts extending along a second direction; a first and second plurality of second level contacts formed on top of the first level contacts with the second plurality of second level contacts having elongated shape extending into the vacant regions adjacent thereto; and a first and second plurality of memory elements formed on top of the first and second plurality of second level contacts, respectively, thereby permitting the memory elements to have greater center-to-center distance between two closest neighbors than the first level contacts.
US09123569B1 Complementary metal-oxide-semiconductor structure with III-V and silicon germanium transistors on insulator
Embodiments for the present invention provide a CMOS structure and methods for fabrication. In an embodiment of the present invention, a CMOS structure comprises a NFET, formed on a wafer, having a gate stack and a channel. A PFET having a gate stack and a channel is also formed on the wafer. The channel of the PFET and the channel of the NFET include semiconductor material formed on III-V semiconductor material, such that the III-V semiconductor material acts like a buried oxide because of a valence band offset between the semiconductor material and the III-V material. There is a height difference between a terminal of the NFET and a terminal of the PFET. In addition, the gate stack NFET is the same height as the gate stack PFET.
US09123565B2 Masks formed based on integrated circuit layout design having standard cell that includes extended active region
An integrated circuit layout that includes a first standard cell having a first transistor region and a second transistor region; a second standard cell having a third transistor region and a fourth transistor region. The first and second standard cells adjoin each other at side boundaries thereof and the first transistor region and the third transistor region are formed in a first continuous active region, and the second transistor region and the fourth transistor region are formed in a second continuous region.
US09123556B2 Decoupling capacitor and method of making same
A semiconductor substrate has at least two active regions, each having at least one active device that includes a gate electrode layer, and a shallow trench isolation (STI) region between the active regions. A decoupling capacitor comprises first and second dummy conductive patterns formed in the same gate electrode layer over the STI region. The first and second dummy conductive regions are unconnected to any of the at least one active device. The first dummy conductive pattern is connected to a source of a first potential. The second dummy conductive pattern is connected to a source of a second potential. A dielectric material is provided between the first and second dummy conductive patterns.
US09123549B2 Semiconductor device
A field limiting regions are arranged in the upper surface of a semiconductor region in the peripheral region and connected to upper portions of at least some of columnar regions. An insulating film is provided on the semiconductor region in the peripheral region and covering a field limiting region. A coupling plate electrode is provided above a pair of the field limiting regions adjacent to each other in a direction from a boundary between the element region and the peripheral region to an outer edge of the peripheral region. The joint field regions are in contact with one of the pair of field limiting regions on a boundary side in an opening formed in the insulating film, and reaching the other one of the pair of the field limiting regions on an outer edge side with the insulating film interposed therebetween.
US09123542B2 Plasma etching method
A plasma etching method forms a tapered recess portion in a wide-gap semiconductor substrate. The method includes forming on the substrate K an etching film having an etching speed higher than that of the substrate K, and forming a mask M having an opening on the high-speed etching film. The substrate K with the etching film and the mask is then placed on a platen and heated to a temperature equal to or higher than 200 ° C., a plasma is generated from an etching gas supplied into a processing chamber, and a bias potential is applied to the platen to etch substrate.
US09123526B2 Module comprising a semiconductor chip
A module includes a semiconductor chip having at least a first terminal contact surface and a second terminal contact surface. A first bond element made of a material on the basis of Cu is attached to the first terminal contact surface, and a second bond element is attached to the second terminal contact surface. The second bond element is made of a material different from the material of the first bond element or is made of a type of bond element different from the type of the first bond element.
US09123523B2 Excitation of reagent molecules withn a rf confined ion guide or ion trap to perform ion molecule, ion radical or ion-ion interaction experiments
A mass spectrometer is disclosed comprising an RF ion guide or ion trap and a device arranged and adapted to supply a reagent gas within the RF ion guide or ion trap. The mass spectrometer further comprises a photo-ionization device and a control system arranged and adapted: (i) to cause first ions to fragment or dissociate within the RF ion guide or ion trap to form second ions and neutral molecules; and (ii) to cause the photo-ionization device to photo-ionize and/or photo-excite the reagent gas to form reagent ions, excited species or radical species. The reagent ions, excited species or radical species interact with at least some of the neutral molecules located within the RF ion guide or ion trap to form analyte ions.
US09123520B2 Method for selective detection of explosives in mass spectrometer or ion mobility spectrometer at parts-per-quadrillion level
A method for selective detection of volatile and non-volatile explosives in a mass spectrometer or ion mobility spectrometer at a parts-per-quadrillion level without preconcentration is disclosed. The method comprises the steps of ionizing a carrier gas with an ionization source to form reactant ions or reactant adduct ions comprising nitrate ions (NO3−); selectively reacting the reactant ions or reactant adduct ions with at least one volatile or non-volatile explosive analyte at a carrier gas pressure of at least about 100 Ton in a reaction region disposed between the ionization source and an ion detector, the reaction region having a length which provides a residence time (tr) for reactant ions therein of at least about 0.10 seconds, wherein the selective reaction yields product ions comprising reactant ions or reactant adduct ions that are selectively bound to the at least one explosive analyte when present therein; and detecting product ions with the ion detector to determine presence or absence of the at least one explosive analyte.
US09123519B2 Methods and systems for time-of-flight neutron interrogation for material discrimination
The present invention provides a Time-of-Flight based neutron inspection system. The system employs a collimated beam of fast neutrons for targeted interrogation of suspect areas in cargo. Elemental composition is determined as a function of depth. Analysis is then used to determine the presence of contraband. The system may be used for secondary inspection for material discrimination to reduce false alarm rate and high cost and time associated with manual unpacking.
US09123516B2 Multipole segments aligned in an offset manner in a mass spectrometer
This mass spectrometer is provided with an ion guide (37) having a multipole rod electrode (1), a power source unit (5) for applying voltage to the multipole rod electrode, and a control unit for controlling the power source unit, said mass spectrometer being characterised by the multipole rod electrode having a rod electrode divided into a plurality of segmented rods (2A-1, 2A-2, 2B-1, 2B-2, 2C-1, 2C-2, 2D-1, 2D-2) at mutually different positions in the axial direction. Thus enabled is low-cost, high-throughput analysis.
US09123514B2 In situ generation of ozone for mass spectrometers
In some embodiments, a mass spectrometer capable of performing OzID is disclosed that can provide ozone in situ within an evacuated chamber of the spectrometer, e.g., within a collision cell or within the vacuum chamber of the mass spectrometer. In some embodiments, a corona discharge generated within the evacuated chamber can be employed to convert an ozone precursor delivered to the chamber into ozone.
US09123513B2 Method for mass analysis
A method and system for analyzing a sample for an iterative information dependent acquisition cycle is disclosed, the method comprising performing an initial survey mass spectrum to generate a spectral peak list from the initial survey mass spectrum, applying threshold criteria to the spectral peak list to generate a threshold spectral peak list, performing a dependent MS/MS on the threshold peak list to obtain a plurality of mass spectra, and based on the plurality of mass spectra, determining exclusion criteria for a plurality of subsequent surveys. For each subsequent scan, the exclusion criteria are applied to generate a precursor list. The subsequent mass spectra for precursors that are common to previous IDA cycles are summed with spectra for the plurality of mass spectra from previous IDA cycles to obtain summed mass spectra.
US09123510B2 Method for controlling in-plane uniformity of substrate processed by plasma-assisted process
A method for controlling in-plane uniformity of a substrate processed by plasma-assisted process in a reactor, includes: supplying a principal gas to a reaction space, and discharging radially the principal gas from the reaction space through an annular duct; and supplying an secondary gas to the reaction space from an area in close proximity to an outer periphery of a susceptor, outside an outer circumference of the substrate as viewed from above, so as to flow at least partially in an inward direction passing the outer circumference of the substrate, reversing the direction of the secondary gas to flow toward the annular duct in a vicinity of the outer circumference of the substrate, and discharging radially the secondary gas together with the principal gas from the reaction space through the annular duct.
US09123505B1 Apparatus and methods for implementing predicted systematic error correction in location specific processing
A method of modifying an upper layer of a workpiece using a gas cluster ion beam (GCIB) is described. The method includes collecting parametric data relating to an upper layer of a workpiece, and determining a predicted systematic error response for applying a GCIB to the upper layer to alter an initial profile of a measured attribute by using the parametric data. Additionally, the method includes identifying a target profile of the measured attribute, directing the GCIB toward the upper layer of the workpiece, and spatially modulating an applied property of the GCIB, based at least in part on the predicted systematic error response and the parametric data, as a function of position on the upper layer of the workpiece to achieve the target profile of the measured attribute.
US09123495B2 Auxiliary trip device for tripping a circuit breaker
An auxiliary trip unit for a circuit breaker comprises: a drive part with a movable blade, a latch fitted pivoting around a swivelling axis and designed to secure the blade in a neutral position, against a flexible bias force, until movement of the latch takes place to a released position, a nose of the latch salient in a direction passing through the swivelling axis so as to comprise a salient end where positive latching of the blade on the latch takes place in the neutral position. The latch collaborates with the blade to receive a thrust force acting in the direction of resetting of the latch to its latching position.
US09123486B2 Tactile feedback apparatus
A tactile feedback apparatus is disclosed. The tactile feedback apparatus includes at least one tactile feedback unit. The feedback tactile sense unit includes at least one feedback electrode, a dielectric layer and at least one reference electrode. A common reference potential is formed by a user's finger and the tactile feedback apparatus using the reference electrode. An electric filed is generated on the user's finger by the dielectric layer and the feedback electrode to provide a tactile feedback. Besides, the tactile feedback apparatus also provides a touch sensing function.
US09123481B2 Mounting of splitter plates in the switch pole of a circuit breaker
An embodiment of the invention relates to a switch pole of a circuit breaker having two pole shells between which are disposed, in the assembled state, at least one switching contact, current-carrying elements and an arc quenching device having an arc runner plate and at least one splitter plate delimiting an arc chute, wherein at least one slot for accommodating the splitter and/or arc runner plate is provided between the pole shells. In at least one embodiment, there is provided inside between the pole shells a functional component having a least one slot spaced apart from the pole shells which is used to accommodate the at least one splitter and/or arc runner plate.
US09123480B2 Drive for a switching device
A drive for a switching device having a contact system with a fixed contact and a moving contact, includes a force initiation element for initiating a drive force, an actuator for actuating the moving contact to close or open the contact system and a transmission disposed between the force initiation element and the actuator. The transmission allows both transferring the contact system from the closed to the open state and transferring the contact system from the open to the closed state to be triggered by a drive force in the same direction, making the drive cost-effective and compact.
US09123471B2 Biaxially stretched polypropylene film, metallized film and film capacitor
A biaxially stretched polypropylene film includes protrusions on both surfaces, in which the biaxially stretched polypropylene film has a thickness t1 of 1 μm to 3 μm, has a tensile strength in the machine direction of 120 MPa to 250 MPa, has a tensile strength in the transverse direction of 250 MPa to 400 MPa, has a minimum protrusion height Pmin of 100 nm or greater and a maximum protrusion height Pmax of 1,600 nm or smaller for either surface, and satisfies all of Formulae (1) to (3) when one of the surfaces is surface A and the other is surface B: 0.5≦Pa250-450/Pa≦1.0 (1), 0.5≦Pb450-1600/Pb≦1.0 (2), and 600≦Pa+Pb≦1,200 (3).
US09123463B2 Magnetic tunnel junction device
The output voltage of an MRAM is increased by means of an Fe(001)/MgO(001)/Fe(001) MTJ device, which is formed by microfabrication of a sample prepared as follows: A single-crystalline MgO (001) substrate is prepared. An epitaxial Fe(001) lower electrode (a first electrode) is grown on a MgO(001) seed layer at room temperature, followed by annealing under ultrahigh vacuum. A MgO(001) barrier layer is epitaxially formed on the Fe(001) lower electrode (the first electrode) at room temperature, using a MgO electron-beam evaporation. A Fe(001) upper electrode (a second electrode) is then formed on the MgO(001) barrier layer at room temperature. This is successively followed by the deposition of a Co layer on the Fe(001) upper electrode (the second electrode). The Co layer is provided so as to increase the coercive force of the upper electrode in order to realize an antiparallel magnetization alignment.
US09123462B2 Magneto-rheological fluid and clutch using the same
A magneto-rheological fluid includes: a magnetic particle mixture; and a dispersion medium in which the magnetic particle mixture is dispersed. The magnetic particle mixture includes first magnetic particles and second magnetic particles. The first magnetic particles have an average particle size greater than or equal to 1 μm and less than or equal to 50 μm. The second magnetic particles have an average particle size greater than or equal to 20 nm and less than or equal to 200 nm, and have surfaces provided with a surface modified layer. A proportion of the second magnetic particles in the magnetic particle mixture is greater than or equal to 2 wt % and less than or equal to 10 wt %.
US09123461B2 Reconfiguring tape wound cores for inductors
A tape wound inductor core device, inductors including same and methods of manufacture. Tape wound material may be cut and/or shaped into “pucks” that have an exterior surface made up of or defined substantially by the edge surfaces of the layers of the constituent conductive material, with all or most of the broad surfaces disposed inwardly, thereby reducing eddy currents and associated losses. Various puck configurations, inductor arrangements and fabrication techniques are disclosed.
US09123452B2 Differential signaling cable, transmission cable assembly using same, and production method for differential signaling cable
A differential signaling cable according to the present invention comprises: a pair of signal conductors provided in parallel; an insulator which covers the periphery of the pair of signal conductors in a batch; and a shield conductor provided on the outer periphery of the insulator, in which an interval between the pair of signal conductors is specified so that even-mode impedance becomes 1.5 to 1.9 times odd-mode impedance.
US09123444B2 Method of testing coherency of data storage in multi-processor shared memory system
A method of testing the coherency of data storage in a memory shared by multiple processor cores through core interconnects in a device under test (DUT) includes running test patterns including data transactions between the processor cores and the shared memory, and comparing the results of the data transactions with expected results. The test patterns include false sharing operations and irritator operations causing memory thrashing.
US09123442B2 Testing device
A testing device including a first connector, a control unit, a first detecting circuit and a memory controller is provided. The first connector is electrically connected to a first bus. The control unit generates a plurality of first control signals according to a first enable signal from the first connector. The first detecting circuit is electrically connected to a plurality of first transmission lines in the first bus, and sequentially conducts the first transmission lines to a ground according to the first control signals. The memory controller detects states of the signals transmitted by the first transmission lines and determines whether to generate a first abnormal indication signal according to a detecting result. The control unit controls a plurality of indication lights according to the first abnormal indication signal.
US09123437B1 Scaleable look-up table based memory
An integrated circuit having a logic element that includes an array of storage elements convertibly functioning as either a configuration random access memory (CRAM) or a static random access memory (SRAM) is provided. The logic element includes first and second pairs of data paths having dedicated multiplexers. In one embodiment, the first and second pairs of data paths are multiplexed into bit lines of a row of the array. The logic element also includes a data path control block generating control signals for each of the dedicated multiplexers. The control signals determine whether the storage elements function as a CRAM or a SRAM. A method for selectively configuring a memory array between a CRAM mode and SRAM mode are provided.
US09123433B2 Memory component with pattern register circuitry to provide data patterns for calibration
A memory component includes a memory core comprising dynamic random access memory (DRAM) storage cells and a first circuit to receive external commands. The external commands include a read command that specifies transmitting data accessed from the memory core. The memory component also includes a second circuit to transmit data onto an external bus in response to a read command and pattern register circuitry operable during calibration to provide at least a first data pattern and a second data pattern. During the calibration, a selected one of the first data pattern and the second data pattern is transmitted by the second circuit onto the external bus in response to a read command received during the calibration.
US09123430B2 Differential current sense amplifier and method for non-volatile memory
The selected bit line in a non-volatile memory carries a cell conduction current to be measured and also a leakage current or noise due to weak coupling with neighboring array structures. In a first phase, a sense amplifier senses the bit line current by discharging a capacitor with the combined current (cell conduction current plus the leakage current) over a predetermined time. In a second phase, the cell conduction current is minimized and significantly the leakage current in the selected bit line is used to recharge in tandem the capacitor in a time same as the predetermined time, effectively subtracting the component of the leakage current measured in the first sensing phase. The resultant voltage drop on the capacitor over the two sensing phases provides a measure of the cell conduction current alone, thereby avoiding reading errors due to the leakage current present in the selected bit line.
US09123427B2 Semiconductor integrated circuit for low and high voltage operations
A semiconductor integrated circuit comprising a first circuit area for a low voltage operation and a second circuit area for a high voltage operation. The circuit areas comprise two vertically stacked backend patterned metal layers that are separated by an inter-metallic dielectric (IMD). The two metal layers and the IMD form a combination that is operable at the low voltage. The first circuit area uses a first portion of the combination for operating at the low voltage and the second circuit area uses a second portion of the combination for routing at the high voltage, the two metal layers in the second portion being interconnected through the IMD by via hole, for withstanding the high voltage. The first portion may comprise an array of magnetic random access memory (MRAM) devices and the second circuit area may comprise a display drive circuit.
US09123424B2 Optimizing pass voltage and initial program voltage based on performance of non-volatile memory
A programming techniques adaptively sets a pass voltage and an initial program voltage based on a programming speed of a set of memory cells. In one pass of a multi-pass programming operation, a programming speed-indicating program voltage is obtained. For example, this can be a final program voltage or a program voltage at another programming milestone. A pass voltage is determined for another programming pass of the multi-pass programming operation, by providing an adjustment to a reference pass voltage. An initial program voltage is determined for the another programming pass based on an offset from the programming speed-indicating program voltage. The initial program voltage is further adjusted to counteract an effect of the adjustment to a reference pass voltage. The adjustment to the initial program voltage is opposite in polarity and smaller in magnitude than the adjustment to the reference pass voltage.
US09123412B2 Resistance change memory
According to one embodiment, a resistance change memory includes the following configuration. A first inverter includes first input and first output terminals and first and second voltage terminals. A second inverter includes second input and second output terminals and third and fourth voltage terminals. The second input terminal is connected to the first output terminal. The second output terminal is connected to the first input terminal. First and second transistors are connected to the first and second output terminals, respectively. Third and fourth transistors are connected to the first and third voltage terminals, respectively. A fifth transistor is connected between the first voltage terminal and the first memory cell. A sixth transistor is connected to the third voltage terminal. A controller turns on the first and second transistors, after turning off the fifth and sixth transistors.
US09123387B1 Magnetic recording drives with active photocatalytic filtration
One aspect of a recording device includes a memory, a head configured to access the memory, and a photocatalytic filter configured to prevent contaminants from depositing on the memory or the head, the photocatalytic filter comprising a photocatalytic material, and a light-emitting diode configured to illuminate the photocatalytic material.
US09123379B2 Disk
A disk (100) having a center hole (100a), the disk (100) being provided with a support-capable structure for making it possible to support a disk (100A) positioned one level above the lowermost part in a stacked state using separation claws (164Ac, 164Bc) protruding radially outward from the center hole (100a).
US09123373B1 Electrochemical etching of magnetic recording layer
A method of fabricating a perpendicular magnetic recording disk is described. The method may include providing a magnetic recording layer disposed above a substrate with a plurality of intermediate layers disposed there between and electrochemically etching the magnetic recording layer.
US09123370B1 Data storage device calibrating fly height actuator based on laser power for heat assisted magnetic recording
A data storage device is disclosed comprising a disk, a head comprising a laser, and a fly height actuator (FHA) configured to actuate the head vertically over the disk based on an FHA setting. A first fly height of the head is measured at a first laser power setting, and a second fly height of the head is measured at a second laser power. A FHA write setting is generated based on a calibrated write laser power, the first and second fly height measurements, and a first function representing a nominal FHA delta setting between a read touchdown FHA setting and a write touchdown FHA setting relative to a delta in a fly height of the head due to a corresponding change in laser power applied to the laser, where the FHA write setting is applied to the FHA during the write operation.
US09123367B1 Swage mount having a mixture of a conductive material and a coating material and method of manufacturing the swage mount
A swage mount is manufactured for attaching a head suspension assembly to a head actuator arm for a hard disk drive. A conductive material is deposited on a predetermined part of the swage mount. A coating material is deposited on the swage mount including the predetermined part. Heat is applied to the swage mount, forming a mixture of the conductive material and the coating material. The mixture is conductive and supports a reliable connection between the swage mount and other disk drive components. Furthermore, the mixture enhances cleanliness by reducing particles shed from the swage mount. The conductive material is preferably gold, and the coating material is preferably nickel-based.
US09123366B2 Disc drive with magnetic self-assembled monolayer
A magnetic data storage drive that includes a self-assembled monolayer having a magnetic function. The drive comprises a magnetic data storage medium having a magnetic surface, a slider having a working surface, the slider positioned and configured to detect magnetic fields from the magnetic surface of the medium, and a self-assembled monolayer between the magnetic surface and the working surface, the self-assembled monolayer having a magnetic function to reduce dispersion of magnetic fields from the magnetic surface of the medium to the working surface of the slider.
US09123356B2 Detecting track information from overlapping signals read from a data storage medium
Detecting track information involves receiving first and second overlapping track signals from first and second read elements that read first and second tracks from a data storage medium. Information of the first and second tracks is estimated using the respective first and second track signals. An improved information estimate of the first track is obtained using the first track signal and the estimated information of the second track, and an improved information estimate of the second track is obtained using the second track signal and the estimated information of the first track. First and second track data are decoded using the respective improved information estimates of the first and second tracks.
US09123350B2 Method and system for extracting audio features from an encoded bitstream for audio classification
A method and system for extracting audio features from an encoded bitstream for audio classification. The method comprises partially decoding the encoded bitstream; obtaining uniform window block size spectral coefficients of the encoded bitstream; and extracting audio features based on the uniform window block spectral coefficients.
US09123339B1 Speech recognition using repeated utterances
Subject matter described in this specification can be embodied in methods, computer program products and systems relating to speech-to-text conversion. A first spoken input is received from a user of an electronic device (an “original utterance”). Based on the original utterance, a first set of character string candidates are determined that each represent the original utterance converted to textual characters and a selection of one or more of the character string candidates are provided in a format for display to the user. A second spoken input is received from the user and a determination is made that the second spoken input is a repeat utterance of the original utterance. Based on this determination and using the original utterance and the repeat utterance, a second set of character string candidates is determined.
US09123334B2 Vector quantization of algebraic codebook with high-pass characteristic for polarity selection
Provided are a vector quantization device, a voice coding device, a vector quantization method, and a voice coding method which enable a reduction in the calculation amount of voice codec without deterioration of voice quality. In the vector quantization device, a first reference vector calculation unit (201) calculates a first reference vector by multiplying a target vector (x) by an auditory weighting LPC synthesis filter (H), and a second reference vector calculation unit (202) calculates a second reference vector by multiplying an element of the first reference vector by a filter having a high pass characteristic. A polarity preliminary selection unit (205) generates a polar vector by disposing a unit pulse having a positive or negative polarity, which is selected on the basis of the polarity of an element of the second reference vector, in the position of said element.
US09123325B2 Active vibration noise control device
An active vibration noise control device cancels vibration noise by making plural speakers generate control sounds. The active vibration noise control device selects one or more speakers which output the control sounds, from plural speakers, based on a relationship between (1) a first phase difference which corresponds to a difference between phase characteristics of the vibration noise from a vibration noise source to an evaluation point and phase characteristics of the vibration noise from the vibration noise source to a pseudo evaluation point and (2) a second phase difference for each of the plural speakers corresponding to a difference between phase characteristics of the control sound from the speaker to the evaluation point and phase characteristics of the control sound from the speaker to the pseudo evaluation point. Therefore, it stably decreases the vibration noise at the pseudo evaluation point independently of a frequency band of the vibration noise.
US09123324B2 Non-linear post-processing control in stereo acoustic echo cancellation
Methods, systems, and apparatus are provided for multiple-input multiple-output acoustic echo cancellation. A multiple-input multiple-output acoustic echo canceller (MIMO AEC) is provided as a high quality echo canceller for voice and/or audio communication over a network (e.g., packet switched network). The MIMO AEC is an extension of, as well as an application/usage of a single-input single-output acoustic echo canceller (“mono AEC”). The MIMO AEC is an extension of the mono AEC in that the code/theory underlying the mono AEC is adjusted for use with multiple channels. The manner in which AEC is applied (e.g., on each microphone signal using separate mono-AECs) is an application of mono-AECs.
US09123304B2 Method for driving liquid crystal display device
An object is to suppress deterioration of a displayed image even when a refresh rate is reduced in displaying a still image. A liquid crystal display device includes a pixel transistor electrically connected to a pixel electrode, and a capacitor having one electrode electrically connected to the pixel electrode and the other electrode electrically connected to a capacitor line. The pixel transistor is turned on and a voltage based on an image signal is supplied to the pixel electrode, and then, the pixel transistor is turned off so that a holding period during which the pixel electrode holds the voltage based on the image signal starts. A holding signal corresponding to change of the voltage based on the image signal in the pixel electrode in the holding period is supplied to the capacitor line so that a potential of the pixel electrode is constant.
US09123292B2 Display apparatus
Disclosed herein is a display apparatus, including, a panel having a plurality of pixels disposed in a matrix and each including a self-luminous element for emitting light, the panel including first to third conductive layers laminated in order on a supporting substrate, a first contact portion between the first and second conductive layers and a second contact portion between the second and third conductive layers being disposed at the same position in a planar direction.
US09123287B2 System for displaying images
A system for displaying images employing a pixel structure. The pixel structure includes a first sub-pixel, a second sub-pixel, a third sub-pixel, and a filling layer. Particularly, each sub-pixel includes a color filter layer, and an electroluminescent element corresponding to the color filter layer. The transmittances of the color filter layers of the first sub-pixel, the second sub-pixel, and third sub-pixel, for a radiance level used for curing the filling layer, are determined according to the following equation: transmittance of the color filter layer of the first sub-pixel>transmittance of the color filter layer of the second sub-pixel>transmittance of the color filter layer of the third sub-pixel. Further, the distance between the first and second sub-pixels is greater than that between the first and third sub-pixels.
US09123286B2 Power generator having a power selector and organic light emitting display device using the same
A power generator includes a booster that boosts an input voltage supplied from a power supply unit and that supplies a boosted input voltage to an output terminal, a selector that selects one of the input voltage and a voltage at the output terminal as a selected voltage and supplies the selected voltage as an output voltage, a reference voltage generator that generates a reference voltage based on the output voltage, a comparator that compares a feedback voltage supplied from the booster and the reference voltage with each other, and a controller that controls the booster to output a chosen voltage from the output terminal according to a comparison result of the comparator.
US09123285B2 Transparent display device and transparency adjustment method thereof
A transparent display device and a transparency adjustment method thereof are provided. The transparent display device includes a transparent display unit, a sensing module and a processing unit. The sensing module detects at least one of conditions of the environmental background of the transparent display device and a user's input. The processing unit determines if it is necessary to adjust the transparent degree of a transparent image displayed by the transparent display unit or not according to a sensing result detected by the sensing module.
US09123274B2 Gate signal line drive circuit and display device
A gate signal line driving circuit includes plural basic circuits, each outputting to a gate signal line a gate signal which is high during a high signal period and low during a low signal period. Each of the basic circuits includes: agate line high voltage application circuit which is turned on in accordance with the high signal period to apply the high voltage to the gate signal line; a gate line low voltage application circuit which is turned on in accordance with the low signal period to apply the low voltage to the gate signal line; and a second gate line low voltage application circuit which is turned on to apply the low voltage to the gate signal line in at least a part of a period between turning off the gate line high voltage application circuit and turning on the gate line low voltage application circuit.
US09123273B2 Method and system for enabling rendering of electronic media content via a secure ad hoc network configuration utilizing a handheld wireless communication device
A handheld wireless communication device (HWCD) establishes an ad hoc network comprising interconnected networks for a user. The HWCD gains access to content on a first device and controls communication of the content from the first device via the HWCD to a second device. The HWCD enables the second device to consume the content. The content may be streamed from the first device via the HWCD to the second device. The first device is a service provider network device or other network device. The access may be authenticated and/or secure. Secure access to the content is extended from the first device to the second device. The ad hoc network is configured and/or reconfigured until communication is complete. The HWCD comprises multiple wireless interfaces. The ad hoc network comprises a PAN, WLAN, WAN and/or cellular network. The HWCD may hand-off among base stations during communication of the content.
US09123272B1 Realistic image lighting and shading
An electronic device can utilize one or more sensors and/or imaging elements to determine the relative position of at least one light source relative to the device. In various embodiments, occlusions can be used to cause shadows to be cast on certain sensors. By determining the relative position of each occlusion relative to the sensor, the device can determine an approximate direction of the light source. Utilizing the relative position of a light source, the electronic device can properly light or shade a graphical object to be rendered by the device or otherwise process image information captured by the device.
US09123271B2 Apparatus and method for establishing a network connection in a portable terminal
An apparatus and method for establishing a network connection in a portable terminal. The apparatus includes a controller, an image acquisition unit, and a code image analyzer. The controller establishes a network connection with a peripheral terminal using network information acquired through a code image. The image acquisition unit captures the code image generated by the peripheral terminal. The code image analyzer analyzes the code image acquired by the image acquisition unit and acquires the network information of the peripheral terminal. The code image includes at least any one of network information of the peripheral terminal, code image generation information, and information on an automatic execution program to be automatically executed after code image recognition.
US09123268B2 Controller, operation method, and storage medium
A stick-type controller 21 comprises an acceleration sensor 61 that obtains acceleration values generated in respective directions of the X-axis, the Y-axis, and the Z-axis, LEDs 64 that emit light corresponding to the acceleration values on the X-axis, the Y-axis, and the Z-axis obtained by the acceleration sensor 61, and a CPU 63 that controls the light emission of the LEDs 64. Further, if the acceleration values obtained by the acceleration sensor 61 are not a value that can be regarded as 0 on at least one axis among the three axes of the X-axis, the Y-axis, and the Z-axis of the stick-type controller 21, the CPU 63 causes the LEDs 64 to emit light in a color corresponding to the axis or axes on which an acceleration value other than a value that can be regarded as 0 was obtained.
US09123262B1 Corrugated signage
A corrugated display sign with a main body having an inner surface and an outer surface, with the body including a first portion and a second portion. The sign further includes at least one or more formers, and in some embodiments two or more formers, secured to the first portion of the inner surface of the main body, with the formers each including a tab section that secures the former to the main body, a front body portion with a wing portion, and a back body portion with a wing portion. Further, the second portion of the main body is folded around the first portion and the formers, so as to create an elongated elliptical shape for the sign. The display sign is capable of being erected from a knockdown configuration to an erected configuration by folding the former body portions and the wing, and folding the second portion of the main body around the first portion and the formers.
US09123258B2 Interface apparatus for touch input and tactile output communication
An interface apparatus (1600A) comprises a surface (1642) touchable by a finger (120). The surface has a touch-sensitive area with a predetermined position (1646), to which a function is assigned. The finger's presence at the predetermined position (1646) is detected. An electrosensory stimulus is generated to the finger by applying an alternating electrical drive to one or more electrodes (1662). Each electrode is provided with an insulator, which prevents DC flow from the electrode to the finger and a capacitive coupling over the insulator is formed between the electrode (1662) and the finger (120). The capacitive coupling and electrical drive are dimensioned to produce an electrosensory sensation, independently of mechanical vibration of the electrode. The electrosensory stimulus is varied temporally based on the detected presence or absence of the of the finger (120) near the at least one touch-sensitive area having the predetermined position (1646).
US09123255B2 Computing method and system with detached sensor in a window environment
One embodiment includes a computer-implemented method using a window environment of a display, with a detached imaging sensor, to enable a user to learn. Another embodiment includes a computer-implemented system helping a user learn using a detached imaging sensor. In yet another embodiment, a computer-implemented system monitors automatically more than once a user's behavior while the user is working on materials. Through monitoring the user's volitional or involuntary behavior, the system determines whether to change what is to be presented by the display. The change could include providing rewards, punishments, and stimulation; or changing the materials. The system can also react by asking the user a question. Based on the user's response, the system may change to more appropriate materials, or different presentation styles.
US09123250B2 Systems and methods for reporting real-time handling characteristics
A vehicle may include a monitoring unit configured to determine a time-varying handling characteristic of the vehicle. The time-varying handling characteristic may include a characteristic of vehicle performance in executing maneuvers, a status of a vehicle component (e.g., tires, brakes, drivetrain, etc.), and/or the like. The time-varying handling characteristic may be transmitted to one or more nearby vehicles to improve the ability of manual operators and/or automatic-driving software of the nearby vehicles to predict the performance of the vehicle in executing maneuvers, to be aware of a failure (or likely failure) of a vehicle component, and/or the like. Record of the transmission of the time-varying handling characteristic and/or of any acknowledgements of receipt of the time-varying handling characteristic by the nearby vehicles may be logged to a persistent storage device.
US09123240B1 System and method for laser emitter for traffic preemption
A laser emitter for a traffic control preemption system, the laser emitter comprising a laser emitting diode or array configured to emit a laser beam, one or more optics coupled to the laser emitting diode and configured to shape the laser beam, and a control module configured to trigger emission of the laser beam at a predetermined frequency and for a predetermined duration in accordance with one or more requirements of the traffic control preemption system.
US09123238B1 Method to enable small vehicles to trip a traffic light inductive loop sensor
A method to allow vehicles of low metallic mass to trip an inductive loop detector at a traffic light by first matching the loop detector's running frequency, then, while monitoring, raising the frequency of the loop detector through normal transformer action with a transducer that is in close proximity to the loop detector, until the frequency of the transmissions from the transducer and that of the loop detector just start to diverge. This is the point at which maximal influence is achieved over the loop detector's running frequency commensurate with the transformer couple that exists between transducer and loop detector. Since the initially encountered (uninfluenced) frequency of the loop detector is measured, and the degree of increase subsequently induced is known in real time, a display can be provided for the user showing not only that a loop has been detected, but also the degree of influence achieved.
US09123232B1 Telephone reassurance, activity monitoring and reminder system
A communication apparatus and method to provide timed monitoring and reminder function using a telephone switch to make calls to a subscriber with the option to repeat each call one or more times to allow the subscriber to answer any one of the calls to signal activity. If the subscriber is not responding to any one of the calls, the apparatus will communicate to someone related to the subscriber such as a friend or a member of the family to report the subscriber's inactivity. Alternatively, the subscriber can signal activity before the call occurs to avoid the call. Allowing a subscriber multiple opportunities to respond to a call and to take action proactively is an improvement over existing methods to provide telephone reassurance. With switches and motion sensors connecting to a phone device to initiate and to respond to phone calls, the apparatus can be used effectively as an alert system where motion or movement of an object serves as a trigger to report or to suppress the reporting of an event that is of concern to the subscriber and others who share the subscriber's interests.
US09123231B1 Methods and systems related to remote power loss detection
Remote power loss detection. At least some of the example embodiments are methods including: tracking location of an asset by an onboard device mechanically coupled to the asset, the onboard device electrically coupled to a source of power of the asset, and the onboard device receiving power from the asset; charging a supercapacitor coupled to the onboard device; and then detecting a complete loss of power provided to the onboard device, and the detecting by the onboard device; and after the complete loss of power sending a message by wireless transmission, the sending based on power derived from the supercapacitor, and the message including an indication of a last known voltage provide by the asset prior to the complete loss of power, and the sending by the onboard device after the complete loss of power.
US09123230B2 Sewer backup alarm
This system will alert an occupant of a backup in the sewer or septic system and could be used in a residential or commercial structure. The system is affixed to a sewer waste line and includes a float device and a wireless alert device. When a backup occurs, the float will lift and break the magnetic connection between a magnet connected to the float and a sensor on the wireless alert device. This, in turn, will cause a chime or other alarm device to activate inside the structure, alerting the occupant of a backup. The alarm will enable the occupant to turn off or not use any items which use running water until the problem is resolved.
US09123224B2 Mobile perimeter access security system
A mobile security system is provided having a container configured to be moved to a plurality of locations. A walkway extends transversely through the container and provides access to an exit gate when the mobile security system is positioned adjacent an exit gate. The mobile security system includes a RFID detection system for detecting and identifying RFID tags that move through the walkway. If a RFID tag associated with a jobsite item is identified, an alarm system and/or camera devices within the container are actuated. The electronic components of the mobile security system are stored in a primary cabinet in the container so as to be inaccessible from the walkway. The container is configured to prevent damage to the electronic components caused by movement, vibration, or harsh environmental conditions.
US09123213B2 Portable terminal for acquiring product data
A portable terminal for the acquisition of product data, for example in a point of sale or in a collection, distribution and/or storage point, includes a coded information reader, a user interface, and an interface for the logical connection with an external control station. Advantageously, the terminal also includes an interface for the wireless connection with cellular devices and/or telephones and/or PDAs and at least one internal management unit for the activation of the interface. The interface allows establishing a wireless connection with a single pre-identified cellular device and/or telephone and/or PDA, i.e., recognized following a recognition procedure. The terminal is then configured as a peripheral device of the pre-identified cellular device.
US09123209B2 Symbol collection during reel spin
A method for conducting a wagering game via a gaming terminal includes receiving, via an input device, a wager to play the wagering game. An array of symbol positions arranged in a plurality of columns is displayed, on one or more display devices. At least a portion of a plurality of symbols is visually moved with respect to the array of symbol positions on the one or more display devices. One or more of the plurality of the symbols are special symbols. In response to one or more of the special symbols being visually moved on the one or more display devices, the visually moved special symbols are caused to be visually collected in a symbol collection area adjacent to the array of symbol positions on the one or more display devices.
US09123204B2 Secure smart card operations
Various embodiments described or referenced herein are directed to different devices, methods, systems, and computer program products for facilitating cashless digital transactions (e.g., in a casino environment). A wager-based gaming machine may include a memory device capable of storing a first credit balance representing an amount of credit available for wagering. The wager-based gaming machine may include a communication interface configured to communicate with a portable electronic device capable of storing a second credit balance representing a second amount of credit available on the portable electronic device. The wager-based gaming machine may include a secure transaction device. The secure transaction device may be operable to transmit to the portable electronic device a request to update the second credit balance, the request including security authorization information. The secure transaction device may also be operable to receive from the portable electronic device an indication that the second amount of credit has been updated in accordance with the request, when it is determined that the security authorization information complies with one or more security authorization requirements. The secure transaction device may also be operable to update the first credit balance stored in the first memory device in accordance with the request.
US09123203B2 Enhanced video gaming machine
The present invention provides a closed-loop system that allows the operator of video gaming machines or other systems to define promotional events for the particular machines or systems, monitor the activity of the particular machines or systems, and grant awards. More specifically, the promotional events may include scheduling information, winning criteria and awards. During the period of time that the promotional event is active, the activity of the machine or system is monitored to determine if the winning criteria has been satisfied. If the winning criteria are satisfied, information pertaining to event is recorded. The present invention is applicable to a variety of embodiments including video poker machines, black jack machines or other gaming and gambling machines, as well as other systems that include a display mechanism and an activity that can be monitored.
US09123192B2 Method and device for processing banknotes
A bank note processing apparatus processes bank notes by first singling the bank notes, then transporting the singled bank notes through a sensor device and on to several output units. Before delivering the bank notes to the output units, the bank notes are checked by evaluating data as well as determining and storing serial numbers of the bank notes, wherein the bank notes are delivered to the output units depending on the result of the checking. Further, in determining the serial numbers of the bank notes, a unique serial number is established for each bank note.
US09123189B2 System and method for point-of-use instruction
In accordance with one or more embodiments of the present disclosure, systems and methods for transferring data over a network include communicating with a user via a portable communication device over the network, receiving a request for at least one instruction sequence related to a particular repair task of a machine from the user via the portable communication device over the network, processing the request from the user by accessing and retrieving the at least one instruction sequence from a database component, and transferring the at least one instruction sequence from the database component to the portable communication device.
US09123177B2 Three dimensional processing circuit and processing method
A three dimensional processing circuit and processing method is disclosed. In the present invention, a key depth is obtained to change an OSD location by analyzing the key image information in the 3D image. Therefore, the disadvantages of the conventional 3D processing circuit and processing method are fixed so as to decrease fatigue of user's eyes.
US09123173B2 Method for rasterizing non-rectangular tile groups in a raster stage of a graphics pipeline
In a raster stage of a graphics pipeline, a method for rasterizing non-rectangular tile groups. The method includes receiving a graphics primitive for rasterization in a raster stage of a graphics processor. The graphics primitive is rasterized at a first level by generating a non-rectangular footprint comprising a set of pixels related to the graphics primitive. The graphics primitive is then rasterized at a second level by accessing the set of pixels and determining covered pixels out of the set of pixels. The raster stage subsequently outputs the covered pixels for rendering operations in a subsequent stage of the graphics processor.
US09123170B2 Representing characteristics of an animated object moving through a three-dimensional coordinate system
A method for representing characteristics of an animated object as it traverses a path through a three-dimensional coordinate system. The path is broken into a sequential series of subpaths (or “courses”) and each pair of adjacent courses shares a common boundary point. A processor associates each boundary point with a three-dimensional wireframe mesh defined by a set of vector pairs. Each vector pair is computed as a function of a position of one point on the object's surface when the object traverses the boundary point. When animating the object, the processor may adjust animation or display characteristics along each course as a function of the wireframe meshes at that course's boundary points. Such characteristics may be related to representing the course, the object, a background, or other displayed entities, and may include combinations of attributes like color, texture, reflectance, size, orientation, font, or animation speed.
US09123157B2 Multi-instance, multi-user virtual reality spaces
A multi-instance, multi-user animation platform includes a plurality of modeled parallel dimensions in a computer memory. Each of the parallel dimensions may be an independent model of a physical, three-dimensional space having corresponding features such that the parallel dimensions are recognizable as counterparts to each other. Avatars are located within corresponding ones of the parallel dimensions so as to prevent over-population of any one of the parallel dimensions by avatars. Avatars are animated within different ones of the parallel dimensions using input from respective users to provide virtual-reality data. A common space is modeled in the computer memory configured in relation to the plurality of parallel instances so that an object located inside the common space is visible from viewpoints located inside each of the plurality of parallel instances. Remote clients may output an animated display of a corresponding one of the parallel dimensions and avatars therein.
US09123156B2 X-ray CT apparatus and image reconstruction method
In order to provide an X-ray CT apparatus and the like that reconstruct an image using an iterative approximation method which ensures stable convergence and can be executed at high speed, a computation device 5 of an X-ray CT apparatus 1 calculates matrices A, B, D, R, and R′ on the basis of the scanning conditions input through an input device 6 (step 1). Then, the computation device 5 calculates each element of a matrix I−α(SBTDA+βSR) (step 2). Then, the computation device 5 calculates the operator norm ∥I−α(SBTDA+βSR)∥ of the matrix I−α(SBTDA+βSR) (step 3). Then, the computation device 5 determines a relaxation coefficient α such that a predetermined conditional expression is satisfied (step 4).
US09123144B2 Computing 3D shape parameters for face animation
A three-dimensional shape parameter computation system and method for computing three-dimensional human head shape parameters from two-dimensional facial feature points. A series of images containing a user's face is captured. Embodiments of the system and method deduce the 3D parameters of the user's head by examining a series of captured images of the user over time and in a variety of head poses and facial expressions, and then computing an average. An energy function is constructed over a batch of frames containing 2D face feature points obtained from the captured images, and the energy function is minimized to solve for the head shape parameters valid for the batch of frames. Head pose parameters and facial expression and animation parameters can vary over each captured image in the batch of frames. In some embodiments this minimization is performed using a modified Gauss-Newton minimization technique using a single iteration.
US09123138B2 Adaptive patch-based image upscaling
Image upscaling techniques are described. These techniques may include use of iterative and adjustment upscaling techniques to upscale an input image. A variety of functionality may be incorporated as part of these techniques, examples of which include content-adaptive patch finding techniques that may be employed to give preference to an in-place patch to minimize structure distortion. In another example, content metric techniques may be employed to assign weights for combining patches. In a further example, algorithm parameters may be adapted with respect to algorithm iterations, which may be performed to increase efficiency of computing device resource utilization and speed of performance. For instance, algorithm parameters may be adapted to enforce a minimum and/or maximum number to iterations, cease iterations for image sizes over a threshold amount, set sampling step sizes for patches, employ techniques based on color channels (which may include independence and joint processing techniques), and so on.
US09123135B2 Adaptive switching between vision aided INS and vision only pose
A mobile device tracks a relative pose between a camera and a target using Vision aided Inertial Navigation System (VINS), that includes a contribution from inertial sensor measurements and a contribution from vision based measurements. When the mobile device detects movement of the target, the contribution from the inertial sensor measurements to track the relative pose between the camera and the target is reduced or eliminated. Movement of the target may be detected by comparing vision only measurements from captured images and inertia based measurements to determine if a discrepancy exists indicating that the target has moved. Additionally or alternatively, movement of the target may be detected using projections of feature vectors extracted from captured images.
US09123133B1 Method and apparatus for moving object detection based on cerebellar model articulation controller network
A method for moving object detection based on a Cerebellar Model Articulation Controller (CMAC) network includes the following steps. A time series of incoming frames of a fixed location delivered over a network is received. A CMAC network is constructed from the time series of incoming frames, where the CMAC network includes an input space, an association memory space, a weight memory space, and an output space. A current frame is received and divided into a plurality of current blocks. Each of the current blocks is classified as either a background block or a moving object block according to the CMAC network. Whether a target pixel of the moving object blocks is a moving object pixel or a background pixel is determined according to an output of the CMAC network in the output space.
US09123132B2 Image processing method, image display system, and computer program
A moving object display region where a moving object is displayed and a background display region are extracted based on a difference image of frame images. Blurring processing such as averaging processing is performed on an image in the background display region. Processing for further sharpening an image, such as contrast enhancement, is performed on an image in the moving object display region.
US09123130B2 Image processing device and method with hierarchical data structure
The present technology includes a setting unit that sets the position of a boundary of image data in an upper hierarchy unit to be in a lower hierarchy unit that is lower than the upper hierarchy unit when the image data is encoded in a unit of encoding with a hierarchical structure; an encoding unit that generates encoded data by encoding the image data according to the position of the boundary set by the setting unit; and an addition unit that adds information on the image data in the upper hierarchy unit before encoded data in an intermediate hierarchy unit that includes the boundary set by the setting unit, is lower than the upper hierarchy unit, and is higher than the lower hierarchy unit. The present technology can be applied to, for example, an image processing device.
US09123129B2 Multi-mode video event indexing
Multi-mode video event indexing includes determining a quality of object distinctiveness with respect to images from a video stream input. A high-quality analytic mode is selected from multiple modes and applied to video input images via a hardware device to determine object activity within the video input images if the determined level of detected quality of object distinctiveness meets a threshold level of quality, else a low-quality analytic mode is selected and applied to the video input images via a hardware device to determine object activity within the video input images, wherein the low-quality analytic mode is different from the high-quality analytic mode.
US09123126B2 Method for enhancing local contrast of an image
A method for enhancing local contrast of an image. The method comprises receiving a component of an image, computing a wavelets decomposition of the received component into wavelet coefficients, determining at least three subsets of wavelets coefficients based on a first threshold, a second threshold and computed wavelet coefficients, modifying the determined at least three subsets by applying at least a sharpening transformation on wavelet coefficients of at least one subset in said at least three subsets, recombining the at least three subsets into final wavelet coefficients, and reconstructing a new component based on the final wavelet coefficients.
US09123125B2 Image processing method and associated apparatus
An image processing method includes: receiving a plurality of images, the images being captured under different view points; and performing image alignment for the plurality of images by warping the plurality of images, where the plurality of images are warped according to a set of parameters, and the set of parameters are obtained by finding a solution constrained to predetermined ranges of physical camera parameters. In particular, the step of performing the image alignment further includes: automatically performing the image alignment to reproduce a three-dimensional (3D) visual effect, where the plurality of images is captured by utilizing a camera module, and the camera module is not calibrated with regard to the view points. For example, the 3D visual effect can be a multi-angle view (MAV) visual effect. In another example, the 3D visual effect can be a 3D panorama visual effect. An associated apparatus is also provided.
US09123123B2 Pattern processing device, pattern processing method, and pattern processing program
A pattern processing device includes: an input unit to input an input image containing a plurality of pattern elements; an extraction unit that calculates edge intensities of pixels from the input image so as to extract edge pixels; an evaluation unit that obtains evaluation values for determining whether the pixels are foreground pixels or background pixels, based on comparison result between first thresholds set corresponding to the edge pixels and pixel values of pixels contained in vicinity regions of the edge pixels; a binarization determining unit that determines whether the pixels are the foreground pixels or the background pixels by comparing the evaluation values with a predetermined second threshold, and a coupling component extraction unit that extracts pixel coupling components obtained by coupling the pixels adjacent in any direction among the pixels determined to be the foreground pixels.
US09123119B2 Extraction of objects from CT images by sequential segmentation and carving
Extracting objects from a computed tomography (CT) image, including: sequentially applying segmentation and carving on volumetric data of the objects in the CT image; and splitting and merging the segmented objects based on homogeneity of the objects in the CT image.
US09123114B2 System and processor implemented method for improved image quality and enhancement based on quantum properties
A method and system for generating an image utilizing entangled quantum particle pairs comprising at least one processor; at least one source of entangled quantum particles having first and second channels, the first and second channel s outputting first and second pairs of entangled quantum particles, respectively, a first beam splitter operatively connected to the first channel; the first beam splitter configured to split the first pairs of entangled particles for entry into first and second spatial detectors; at least one focusing device operatively connected to the second channel configured to direct the second pairs of entangled quantum particles towards a distant target; each of the first and second spatial detectors detecting one particle of the first pairs of entangled quantum particles; the at least one processor operating to record the detection of entangled quantum particles by the first and second spatial detectors and create image data for display.
US09123105B2 Image processing device, image processing method, image capturing device, computer program, and recording medium
An image processing device (21) is provided with: a noise suppression processor (23) for creating a noise-reduced image (NRs) by executing spatial filtering on a plurality of pixels, which fall within a reference range that includes a pixel of interest, in an input image (Is); and a distortion correction processor (24) for correcting distortion by local stretching or shrinking by a magnification factor (R) corresponding to the local amount of distortion in the noise-reduced image (NRs). The reference range is dynamically changed in accordance with the magnification factor (R). Control is performed so that the reference range becomes narrower as the magnification factor (R) increases.
US09123097B2 System and method for automatic generation of initial radiation treatment plans
A non-transitory computer-readable storage medium storing a set of instructions executable by a processor. The set of instructions is operable to receive a current patient medical image of a current patient, compare the current patient medical image to a plurality of previous patient medical images, each of the previous patient medical images corresponding to a previous patient, select one of the previous patients based on a geometric similarity between the previous patient medical image of the selected one of the previous patients and the current patient medical image, and determine an initial radiation treatment plan based on a radiation treatment plan of the selected one of the previous patients.
US09123096B2 Information processing apparatus and control method thereof
In an information processing apparatus, an ROI acquisition unit acquires a position of an ROI in an object. A position/orientation acquisition unit acquires a position and orientation of a tomographic image acquired by an ultrasonic probe. A processing-target region acquisition unit acquires a processing-target region defined based on the position of the ROI. A calculation unit calculates a cross area between the processing-target region and the tomographic image based on the position and orientation of the tomographic image. A display control unit displays the tomographic image and an outline image indicating an approximate outline of a portion to be examined, and also displays information indicating the cross region on the outline image.
US09123093B1 Vision inspection programming method and apparatus
A method and programming system for specifying vision inspection tools for a vision inspection system, the programming system comprising a workstation including a processor programmed to provide a first interface including a first view of a vision inspection system as the inspection system is being specified, the first interface usable to select vision inspection tools to be used in the vision inspection system from a first tool subset and a second interface including a second view of the vision inspection system as the inspection system is being specified, the second interface usable to specify vision inspection tools to be used with the vision inspection system from a second tool subset, the second interface also usable to specify script expressions that cannot be specified using the first interface, wherein, a developer can switch from the second interface to the first interface to observe the second view and the first view of the vision inspection system, respectively, during the inspection system specifying process.
US09123087B2 Systems and methods for segmenting an image
A method on a computing device for categorizing one or more blocks of an image is disclosed. The method includes computing a membership value of each of the one or more blocks for each of one or more categories based on a set of parameters associated with each of the one or more blocks. The one or more categories comprise at least an image category. Each of the one or more blocks is categorized in the one or more categories based on the membership value. A category of at least one block is modified to the image category based on a reference signal and the membership value such that the number of blocks categorized under the image category increases.
US09123075B2 Used automobile transaction facilitation for a specific used automobile
A system, methods, and apparatus for performing used automobile transactions are disclosed. In an example embodiment, automobile market data representative of current automobile market characteristics is stored. The automobile market data may include pricing and consumer interest information received from consumers, dealers, and manufacturers. A consumer seller or manufacturer off-lease seller may provide a request for a response regarding a specific used automobile with a specific a vehicle identification number. Automobile market data may be provided to a used automobile buyer based on the request. Bids to purchase the specific used automobile may be requested from used automobile buyers based on the request. Buyer bids may be provided to the consumer seller or manufacturer off-lease seller with prices and a delivery options. The consumer seller or manufacturer off-lease seller may select a bid to sell the specific used automobile based on the bid.
US09123071B1 Services for using group preferences to improve item selection decisions
Computer services use group preferences, as partially or wholly specified by preference lists of individual members, to identify items well suited for a designated group of users. In one embodiment, items in the movie/video rental queue (one type of preference list) of a first user are prioritized based, at least partly, on the rental queue of a second, affiliated user, to give priority to items corresponding to the collective preferences of both users. Items may also be recommended to the users based on their collective preferences. In a second embodiment, the suggestion lists of multiple members of a book club are used, optionally in combination with other member preference information, to select or recommend book titles for the club. In a third embodiment, the wish lists of two or more affiliated users are used to assist others in purchasing gifts that correspond to their collective preferences.
US09123070B2 Dynamic array presentation and multiple selection of digitally stored objects and corresponding link tokens for simultaneous presentation
A system and method for the multiple selection of digitally stored objects and the link-tokens of each selected object for simultaneous presentation and examination of the selected objects with their associated linked objects and information, including organized array presentation for graphical thumbnails that represent the selected objects, as well as sub-framing, which allows intelligent partitioning of information associated with an object.
US09123068B2 Physical on demand
A software system that performs the creation of compact discs (CDs) containing full product files (executables, binaries, etc.) is described. This system allows clients to produce, on demand, software CD's as required for purchases and avoid maintenance of stock of product. A method of providing software CD's also is described.
US09123063B2 Authenticating a third-party application for enabling access to messaging functionalities
A method for authenticating a third-party application for enabling access to messaging functionalities, including: receiving a first application launching request for an establishment of a connection between the first application and a server, wherein the connection enables a set of messaging functionalities that reside at the server and that are available for implementation by a second application to be available for implementation by the first application; validating that the first application is allowed to access the set of messaging functionalities at the server, wherein the validating includes: sending an indication of the first application launching request, to the server; and receiving an authentication token from the server, wherein the authentication token is configured for providing an authentication pass to the server when delivered thereto by the first application, thereby allowing the first application access to the set of messaging functionalities; and delivering the authentication token to the first application.
US09123061B2 System and method for personalized dynamic web content based on photographic data
There is provided a system and method for providing personalized dynamic online content based on photographic data. There is provided a method comprising receiving photographic data of a user, determining user preferences by analyzing the photographic data, generating personalized dynamic online content using the user preferences and a profile associated with the user, and providing the personalized dynamic online content for output on a display of the user. In particular, the photographic data may be analyzed to identify creative properties, such as favored brands and characters. Through the immediate user preference feedback provided by the photographic content, a higher degree of optimal targeted content can be provided to the user without requiring conventional burdensome procedures such as manually completed user surveys or lengthy periods of behavioral monitoring.
US09123053B2 Analyzing reading metrics to generate action information
Data reports are received from a plurality of clients including action reports and timing reports. Action reports describe actions performed by users of the clients at location within an eBook. Timing reports describe reading speeds of users of the clients. The data reports are analyzed to identify an action that is performed by the users of the clients at a location within the eBook frequently relative to other actions. Action information is generated for automatically performing the identified action at the location within the eBook. The action information is transmitted to a client. The client is configured to automatically perform the action at the location within the eBook. The reading location of a user of the client is determined based on the timing reports.
US09123037B2 Financial transaction terminal
The system provides a two device solution for transaction processing, a merchant facing device (MFD) and a cardholder (customer) facing device CFD. What this means is that one device always faces the checkout representative of the merchant (the merchant facing device) and the other faces the consumer (the cardholder facing device). The CFD includes a payment/card reader (such as a swipe style reader, a near field communication (NFC) or RFID reader, or some other contactless means) and a numeric key pad (i.e. PIN pad) where the consumer can, when required, allow the card to be read (e.g. by swipe, insert, or wave the card) and enter an authorization PIN (personal identification number).
US09123028B2 Computer implemented methods and apparatus for controlling the inclusion of edited information in an information feed
Disclosed are systems, apparatus, methods and computer-readable media for controlling the inclusion of edited information in an information feed to be displayed on a display device. In some implementations, a message associated with a user is received and stored on one or more storage mediums. A request to edit the message is received, and it is determined whether the message is in an editable state. When the message is in the editable state, an edited message is generated and stored on the one or more storage mediums. When the message is not in the editable state, information is generated indicating that the request to edit the message is denied.
US09123021B2 Searching linked content using an external search system
A message is delivered to an external indexing service when a link is located within a given communication. The message includes a request to index content contained within the link to ensure that the link is indexed. When a keyword search query is performed within the communication system, both a local index and an external index associated with the external indexing service are queried. Results from the query are merged and surfaced.
US09123017B2 Systems and methods for network inventory management utilizing mobile technology
A system for streamlining a network management system (NMS) includes scanning, via a mobile device, a code on a hardware or software component; and determining, via the mobile device, whether the hardware or software component is a network component (NC), based on the scanned code. The hardware or software component may be a call manager, server, client device, interface card, repeater, hub, bridge, switch, router, or firewall, for example.
US09123013B2 Container conveying carriage and conveying system including a container conveying carriage
A container conveying carriage includes a supporting section which supports a container, a container transfer device which transfers the container, and an item supply device which supplies an item stored in the container. The carriage can travel along a traveling path. Also, the container transfer device transfers the container between the supporting section and a container transfer point outside the carriage. Moreover, the item supply device takes out the item from the container and supplies the item to an item supply point outside the carriage.
US09123012B2 Method and system for defining packaging components using lifecycle analysis
Methods and systems for defining packaging components are provided. An exemplary embodiment provides an expert system (508) for defining packaging components. The expert system includes a processor (512) and a memory (514). The memory (514) includes code (510) configured to direct the processor (512) to obtain a product definition, obtain lifecycle parameters, and access a database (518, 522, or 524) to identify packaging components that match the lifecycle parameters and product definition.
US09123009B1 Equitable shift rotation and efficient assignment mechanisms for contact center agents
Systems and methods are provided for facilitating equitable assignment of rotating shifts to agents in a contact center. In one embodiment, points are allocated to agents indicating their frequency of receiving undesirable shift assignments. Based on the previously allocated points, future undesirable shifts are assigned to agents. The point allocation scheme accommodates various exceptions scheduling periodic rotating shifts, such as skipping assignment of an agent from an upcoming undesirable shift, agents leaving, swapping a shift, and agents being added. In another embodiments, agents are assigned to rotating shifts using constructs of a cycle and a rotation template, which facilitates assigning agents to a work schedule with a calendar in a repetitious manner, and where certain shifts are non-rotational in nature and other shifts are rotational in nature.
US09123006B2 Techniques for parallel business intelligence evaluation and management
Techniques for parallel business intelligence and management are provided. Data is collected from a variety of disparate sources and from a variety of disparate network locations. The data is then filtered and normalized. Next, relationships between elements in the data are established and correlations are created between the elements. The elements are then tagged and integrated with other data of a distributed knowledge store to create customized business intelligence reports and customized data visualizations.
US09123005B2 Method and system to define implement and enforce workflow of a mobile workforce
The computer program manages a mobile workforce with task persons and GPS-enabled devices by using the GPS time-based location data. A database is populated with task situs location data, event time data and task person data and task person contact data. The database is coupled to the web-based processor, telecommunications network and GPS-enabled device. The system operator programs temporal (time) based rules and location-based rules unique to the task situs. Some rules are both time and location based. When the temporal or territorial rules are violated, first and second comm-events are generated by the system, for example, a text or IVR message to the task person. When associated time-and-territorial rules are violated, a third communications event arises. The time based rules may be associated or correlated with the event time for the task. The event time may be a “time of arrival.” Further, rules may be for approach, entry, or on-location. Territorial rules may proximal, intermediate and distal territories. Designated persons for the comm-notice may be hierarchically related to the task person. The comm-notice may be dynamically created from a designated persona as a content provider.
US09123002B2 Graphically based method for developing rules for managing a laboratory workflow
A computer readable memory medium comprising program instructions for graphically creating a rule for defining a workflow in a laboratory management system is provided. The program instructions are executable by a processor to generate a first node within a graphical diagram in response to user input and to display a node condition/action window adjacent the graphical diagram. The first node represents an action or condition. The graphical diagram represents the rule and each node within the graphical diagram assists in creating the rule. The node condition/action window displays program code for executing the action or condition represented by the first node.
US09122994B2 Apparatus and methods for temporally proximate object recognition
Object recognition apparatus and methods useful for extracting information from an input signal. In one embodiment, the input signal is representative of an element of an image, and the extracted information is encoded into patterns of pulses. The patterns of pulses are directed via transmission channels to a plurality of detector nodes configured to generate an output pulse upon detecting an object of interest. Upon detecting a particular object, a given detector node elevates its sensitivity to that particular object when processing subsequent inputs. In one implementation, one or more of the detector nodes are also configured to prevent adjacent detector nodes from generating detection signals in response to the same object representation. The object recognition apparatus modulates properties of the transmission channels by promoting contributions from channels carrying information used in object recognition.
US09122993B2 Parallel multi-layer cognitive network optimization
System (300) and methods (400, 600) for providing a Cognitive Network (“CN”). The methods involve: partially solving Multi-Objective Optimization Algorithms (“MOOAs”) for Protocol Stack Layers (“PSLs”) using initialization parameters generated based on project requirements (572); and monitoring the convergence behaviors of MOOAs (584) to identify when solutions (106) thereof start to converge toward Pareto-Optimal solutions (104). In response to said identification, a convergence of a solution trajectory for at least one MOOA is “biased” so that compatible non-dominated solutions are generated at PSLs. A Pareto Front (100) for each PSL is determined by generating remaining solutions for MOOAs. The Pareto Fronts are analyzed in aggregate to develop Best Overall Network Solutions (“BONSs”). BONSs are ranked according to a pre-defined criteria. A Top Ranked Solution (“TRS”) is identified for BONSs that complies with current regulatory/project policies. Configuration parameters are computed for PSL protocols that enable implementation of TRS within CN.
US09122991B2 Systems and methods for prediction of trips
A system is disclosed. The system includes a processing subsystem that receives component data signals corresponding to a plurality of parameters of a device, wherein the processing subsystem generates one or more sets of state category component data by allocating the component data signals into respective one or more sets of state category component data, determines a plurality of first dynamic thresholds and a plurality of second dynamic thresholds corresponding to at least one of the one or more sets of state category component data based upon a respective set of state category component data in the one or more sets of state category component data and a respective parameter in the plurality of parameters, and determines an impending trip of the device utilizing the plurality of first dynamic thresholds and the plurality of second dynamic thresholds.
US09122987B2 Method for predicting future travel time using geospatial inference
Future travel times of a target vehicle traveling on a route from a starting point to a destination are predicted by first acquiring, by a probe vehicle, real-time probe data to alternative links from the starting point to the destination. Then, the future travel time for each link is predicted using a set of regression functions.
US09122986B2 Techniques for utilizing and adapting a prediction model
A computer-implemented technique of providing relevant search results to a user of a website at a query time. The technique can include receiving, at a computing device having one or more processors, a query from the user, the query corresponding to a description of potential search results desired by the user. The technique can further include retrieving a user history corresponding to previous user interactions with the website and determining a context of the user corresponding to an interaction of the user with the website at the query time. The relevant search results can be determined based on the query, the user history, and the context of the user and a prediction model, and be provided to the user via updating of a webpage presented to the user. The technique can further include adapting the prediction model based on a prediction event and set of corresponding prediction event features.
US09122983B2 Method for model construction for a travel-time database
According to a method for creating a model for a travel time database, a leg network comprising leg sections between a starting point and a destination point are analyzed. Multiple routes are ascertained between the starting and destination points. Each leg section of a route is associated with a relative travel time loss and is weighted. The ascertained travel time losses and the associated weightings are used as input data for a learning method by way of which an existing knowledge base is iteratively expanded.
US09122982B2 Device and method for destination prediction
A device for constructing a hierarchical destination prediction mode includes an extracting unit configured to receive a user's historical location data and extract input data and output data from the user's historical location data. The input data includes a leaving location and associated time for the user and the output data includes an arriving location for the user. A determining unit is configured to determine the user's possible activities of each location and their original probabilities based on the input data and the output data, and to adjust the original activity probabilities based on the user's arriving patterns and leaving patterns. A prediction model obtaining unit is configured to obtain the hierarchical destination prediction model based on the input data and the adjusted probabilities. A high layer of the hierarchical destination prediction model represents activities and their transitions, and a low layer of the model represents locations of the activities.
US09122980B2 Information processing device and method extracting a contour from image of combined pixel data object and vector data object
An information processing device includes an identifying unit, a generation unit, and a contour extraction unit. The identifying unit identifies a first object expressed by pixel data and a second object expressed by vector data from target image data including drawing information for each object. The generation unit performs rasterization based on first drawing information indicating the drawing information of the first object and second drawing information indicating the drawing information of the second object to generate combined image data, into which the first object and the second object are combined. The contour extraction unit extracts a contour from the combined image data.
US09122978B2 Image processing device and method, and non-transitory computer readable medium
An image processing device includes an accepting unit, and a conversion information generating unit. The accepting unit accepts items of read data in a device-dependent color space that are generated by reading color patches, items of reference data in a device-independent color space of the color patches, and items of specific color component data each indicating a specific color component in a corresponding one of the color patches. The conversion information generating unit generates conversion information reflecting the presence or amount of a specific color component included in each color patch as information for converting input data in the device-dependent color space to output data in the device-independent color space, on the basis of the items of read data, the items of reference data, and the items of specific color component data.
US09122976B2 Printing device capable of canceling print job, printing method, and storage medium
The printing device is a printing device having a reception part receiving print data, a print job information storage storing print job information of the print data, an image data conversion part concerting the print data to image data, a print queue generation part generating print queue information administrating the print data on the basis of page upon conversion from the print data to image data, a print job ID storage storing the print job ID at the time of an order when job cancellation is ordered, and a control part comparing the print job ID stored in the print job ID storage with the print job ID at the time of execution in execution of job cancellation and cancelling the print job ID when the print job IDs are equal. The printing device allows job cancellation to be specified without multiple panel operations in ordering job cancellation order.
US09122974B2 Print control apparatus for causing a printing apparatus to execute printing by controlling the printing apparatus, method of controlling the same, and storage medium
According to a print control apparatus and a method of controlling the same of the present invention, when the printing apparatus is in a power saving state, when an instruction for registering in the printing apparatus sheet information stored in a storage unit in association with a sheet feeder of the printing apparatus is received, the sheet information is registered in a list, and when the printing apparatus returns from the power saving state, control is performed so that sheet information registered in the list is transmitted to the printing apparatus.
US09122969B2 Dual transponder radio frequency identification
Embodiments are discussed herein related to radio frequency identification (“RFID”) and, more particularly, to systems, methods, apparatuses, computer readable media products and other means for integrating two transponders into a tag, where each transponder functions independent from and does not couple with the other transponder. In some embodiments, one of the transponders can be a near field RFID transponder and the other a far field transponder. The near field RFID transponder can be used to, among other things, authenticate the far field RFID transponder. In some embodiments, the far field RFID transponder can be encoded to transmit generic information, while the near field RFID transmits more detailed or user-specific information. Additionally, in some embodiments, the near field and far field RFID transponders can operate in accordance with the same wireless protocol and include their own circuitry and antenna.
US09122966B2 Communication device
A communication device is provided and includes a first major surface including a display and a mixed array. The mixed array includes at least two different types of array units and occupies an area coinciding with, in plan view as viewed perpendicular to the major surface, at least substantially the entire major surface. The mixed array includes at least one emitting or transmission element and at least one input or receiving element positioned in a pixel stack.
US09122962B2 Color evaluation system, method and storage medium for evaluating color reproducibility and measure patches having identification and color space characteristics
Print data are generated so as to include an evaluation patch group, which has at least one evaluation color patch, the color of which was determined depending on the type of input color space characteristics used in a color conversion process on content data representing print content, and an identification color patch having a color inherent to the type of input color space characteristics. The type of input color space characteristics is identified based on a colorimetric value of the identification color patch on a print. Judgment conditions for color reproducibility are acquired depending on the type of input color space characteristics.
US09122958B1 Object recognition or detection based on verification tests
Object recognition systems, methods, and devices are provided. Candidate objects may be detected. The candidate objects may be verified as depicting objects of a predetermined object type with verification tests that are based on comparisons with reference images known to include such objects and/or based on context of the candidate objects. The object recognition system may identify images in a social networking service that may include objects of a predetermined type.
US09122947B2 Gesture recognition
A state machine gesture recognition algorithm for interpreting streams of coordinates received from a touch sensor. The gesture recognition code can be written in a high level language such as C and then compiled and embedded in a microcontroller chip, or CPU chip as desired. The gesture recognition code can be loaded into the same chip that interprets the touch signals from the touch sensor and generates the time series data, e.g. a microcontroller, or other programmable logic device such as a field programmable gate array.
US09122946B2 Systems, methods, and media for capturing scene images and depth geometry and generating a compensation image
In some embodiments, systems for capturing scene images and depth geometry are provided, comprising a projector, an optical sensor, and a digital processing device. The projector is capable of being defocused with respect to a scene and projects light having a shifting periodic illumination pattern on the scene. The optical sensor has a plurality of pixels and detects a portion of the radiance of at least one image of the scene at each of the pixels. The digital processing device is capable of being coupled to the optical sensor and obtains a temporal radiance profile from the radiance over a time period for each of the pixels, determines an amount of projection defocus at each of the of pixels using the temporal radiance profile, and, at each of the pixels, computes a depth to the scene at the pixel using the amount of projection defocus at the pixel.
US09122941B2 Protective case for a portable computing device
A protective case for a portable computing device may include a rigid component comprising an upper surface and a cavity therein for receiving a portable computing device. The protective case may also include a cover having a surface area that is larger than the area of the upper surface that is open to the cavity. At least a central area of the cover may be transparent. The cover may be positioned over the cavity, and may also be positioned over part of the upper surface of the rigid component. The protective case may also include a pliable component molded around at least a portion of the rigid component and over a portion of the cover that is in contact with the upper surface of the rigid component, thereby forming a waterproof seal between the cover and the upper surface of the rigid component.
US09122939B2 System and method for reading optical codes on reflective surfaces while minimizing flicker perception of pulsed illumination
Methods and systems are disclosed for improved operation of readers of optical codes presented on electronic display screens or other highly reflective surfaces. Certain configurations include controlling image exposure and illumination pulse timing so as to avoid or minimize the perception of flicker of the pulsed illumination by a user or bystander while implementing methods for reading optical codes presented on electronic display screens or other highly reflective surfaces.
US09122933B2 After market driving assistance system
The system comprises a sensing system and a speed detection system to monitor and gather information associated with a driver, a vehicle being operated by the driver, a monitored area proximate to the vehicle. The system further comprises a display module located within the interior of the vehicle and a controller in communication with the speed detection system, the sensing system and the display module. Upon receiving the gathered information from the sensing system, the controller utilizes the gathered information to detect the presence and the proximity of an object in the monitored zone of the vehicle and the speed of the vehicle. Upon detecting said object in the monitored zone of the vehicle, the controller determines the appropriateness of providing a warning to a driver of the vehicle regarding said object. The appropriateness of providing the warning is determined as a function of the proximity of said object to the vehicle and a speed of the vehicle. Upon determining that the warning is appropriate, the controller displays the warning to the driver through the display module.
US09122931B2 Object identification system and method
An object identification method is provided. The method includes dividing an input video into a number of video shots, each containing one or more video frames. The method also includes detecting target-class object occurrences and related-class object occurrences in each video shot. Further, the method includes generating hint information including a small subset of frames representing the input video and performing object tracking and recognition based on the hint information. The method also includes fusing tracking and recognition results and outputting labeled objects based on the combined tracking and recognition results.
US09122930B2 Automated remote car counting
A system for automated car counting comprises a satellite-based image collection subsystem; a data storage subsystem; and an analysis software module stored and operating on a computer coupled to the data storage subsystem. The satellite-based image collection subsystem collects images corresponding to a plurality of areas of interest and stores them in the data storage subsystem. The analysis module: (a) retrieves images corresponding to an area of interest from the data storage subsystem; (b) identifies a parking space in an image; (c) determines if there is a car located in the parking space; (d) determines a location, size, and angular direction of a car in a parking space; (e) determines an amount of overlap of a car with an adjacent parking space; (f) iterates steps (b)-(e) until no unprocessed parking spaces remain; and (g) iterates steps (a)-(f) until no unprocessed images corresponding to areas of interest remain.
US09122927B2 Generating an image tour based on a set of images
Systems and methods for generating image tour are provided. Method includes constructing image graph comprising primary image nodes and secondary image nodes and edges. Method also includes determining, for each pair of primary nodes, pruned subgraph including pair of primary nodes and first subset of plurality of secondary nodes. Method also includes determining order of plurality of primary nodes based on rendering costs in pruned subgraphs. Method also includes splicing pruned subgraphs together according to determined order of primary nodes to generate spliced graph. Method also includes determining path through spliced graph. Path includes plurality of primary nodes in determined order and second subset of plurality of secondary nodes selected based on rendering costs and turning costs associated with transitioning between pairs of edges in spliced graph. Method also includes providing ordered subset of image set based on determined path for display as image tour on client.
US09122914B2 Systems and methods for matching face shapes
Systems for matching face shapes may include a computer-readable non-transitory storage medium and an executing hardware unit. The storage medium may include a set of instructions for target object shape matching. The executing hardware unit may be in communication with the storage medium and may be configured to execute the set of instructions. The executing hardware unit may be configured to obtain a target object image for shape matching; determine a shape character of the target object image based on a shape of the target object image; determine similarities between the target object image and a plurality of template images of reference objects based on the shape character of the target object image and shape characters of the reference objects in the plurality of template images; and select a template image from the plurality of template images that has a largest similarity to the target object image.
US09122913B2 Method for logging a user in to a mobile device
A method is provided for logging a first user in to a mobile device being in a locked mode. The method comprising: storing a password associated with the first user and information that relates to a facial image of that first user; when the mobile device is in a locked mode: receiving a password inserted by a user; comparing the received password with the stored password and determining whether they match; if a match is found, prompting an image capturing device to capture an image; retrieving information that relates to a facial image from the captured image and comparing that information with the stored information; if the retrieved information matches the stored information, unlocking the mobile device.
US09122910B2 Method, apparatus, and system for friend recommendations
A method is for friend recommendation which includes obtaining a first picture sent by a user, and determining one or more users associated with the first picture based on attribute information of the first picture. The method also includes, when it is determined that a total number of the users associated with the first picture is two or more, detecting whether a first user and a second user from the one or more users associated with the first picture are friends. Further, the method includes, when it is detected that the first user and the second user are not friends, sending friend recommendation information to one of the first user and the second user, wherein the friend recommendation information contains information of the other of the first user and the second. It is more likely that the friend recommendation information is of real interest of the users receiving the information.
US09122908B2 Real-time people counting system using layer scanning method
Disclosed herein is a method for counting the number of the targets using the layer scanning method. The steps of this method includes constructing a background frame, filtering the noise of foreground frame and classifying the targets, and screening the area of targets based on layer scanning to calculate the number of targets by determining the highest positions of the respective targets. In addition, the dynamic numbers of targets are calculated using algorithm. Accordingly, the present invention is beneficial in automatically, effectively and precisely calculating the number of the targets in/out a specific area, achieving the flow control for targets and reducing artificial error upon calculation.
US09122906B2 Image processing device, image processing method, program, and recording medium for detection of epidermis pattern
An epidermis pattern detection unit detects epidermis patterns in an epidermis image captured from the epidermis of skin by an epidermis image capturing unit. An acquired element analysis unit analyzes uniformity of shapes of the epidermis patterns in the epidermis image. A texture evaluation unit evaluates a texture state of the skin based on the uniformity of shapes of the epidermis patterns. The present technology, for example, may be applied to systems that evaluate the texture state of the skin.
US09122903B2 Method of managing communications with a NFC controller
The invention is a NFC controller able to communicate in contact mode with first and second applications and able to establish and to manage a first communication between a contactless reader device and the first application by using a specific type of contactless protocol. The NFC controller is able to establish and to manage a second communication between the contactless reader device and the second application by using the specific type of contactless protocol. The NFC controller is adapted to handle simultaneously said first and second communications.
US09122893B1 Trusted platform module switching
A computer system comprises a Trusted Platform Module System (TPMS). The TPMS comprises a first Trusted Platform Module (TPM) and a second TPM, which comports with a different TPM specification than that followed by the first TPM. A physical presence input device receives a local physical change signal that proves a local physical presence of a user at the computer system. A toggle input device, which requires the local physical change signal, causes the state being output from the GPIO pin on the first TPM to switch from a first state to a second state. This change of state causes a TPM switch to selectively decouple the first TPM from a central processing unit and to couple the second TPM to the central processing unit.
US09122891B2 Functional timing sensors
A functional timing sensor includes a setup time violation detecting circuit, a hold time violation detecting circuit, and an interface from the setup time violation detecting circuit and the hold time violation detecting circuit. The interface provides a notification upon detection of a violation by either the setup time violation detecting circuit or the hold time violation detecting circuit.
US09122885B1 Creating distinct user spaces through user identifiers
A method of, and a processing system for, creating distinct user spaces. In a platform originally intended to be a single user platform, for each of a plurality of users, a first application used by the user can be assigned a user identifier (UID) unique to the user and the first application. The first UID can be associated with user data exclusively associated with the user and the first application to create a multi-user platform.
US09122881B2 Social and retail hotspots
Systems, methods, and apparatus for social and retail hotspots are provided.
US09122875B2 Trusted platform module data harmonization during trusted server rendevous
Embodiments of the present invention address deficiencies of the art in respect to trusted platform module (TPM) unification in a trusted computing environment and provide a novel and non-obvious method, system and computer program product for trusted platform module data harmonization. In one embodiment of the invention, a TPM log harmonization method can include designating both a single master TPM for a master node among multiple nodes, and also a multiplicity of subsidiary TPMs for remaining ones of the nodes. The method further can include extending the single master TPM with a measurement representing a rendezvous operation for the nodes.
US09122872B1 System and method for treatment of malware using antivirus driver
Disclosed are systems, methods and computer program products for treatment of malware using an antivirus driver. In one aspect, an example method includes performing, by an antivirus software, an antivirus scan of the computer; detecting, by the antivirus software, a malicious object on the computer; formulating at least one task for treatment of the detected malicious object; configuring and activating on the computer an antivirus driver of the antivirus software to execute the at least one formulated task for treatment of the detected malicious object; and rebooting the computer by the antivirus software, whereby upon rebooting of the computer the antivirus driver is loaded by the operating system of the computer to execute the at least one task for treatment of the detected malicious object.
US09122868B2 Method for securing a transaction performed with a programmable portable device
A method for securing a transaction between a transaction device and an external device is described. The transaction device includes a communication controller, an application processor, and an input device. The method includes requiring the user to enter agreed transaction data via the input device, monitoring the transaction data designated to be sent to the external device or received from the external device, and preventing the transaction data designated to be sent from being sent to the external device if the transaction data designated to be sent is different from the agreed transaction data, or rejecting the received transaction data if the received transaction data is different from the agreed transaction data.
US09122865B2 System and method to establish and use credentials for a common lightweight identity through digital certificates
A system and method for authentication of a user using “lightweight” identities. The system and method provides for establishment of user credentials for a particular electronic mail address by an identity server through the recordation of a mail token and private token after receiving a request for credentials from the user. The identity server sends a private token to the user and sends a verification message to the user containing a specific link to the identity server for verification of the user along with the mail token, and then can verify the user by confirming that a mail token and private token recorded by the identity server match a mail token and a private token received from the user. After the verification process is successful, the identity server issues credentials that consist of a certificate either with or without a private key to the user which serves as an authenticated, unique, lightweight identity that a user can assume to access various services.
US09122860B2 Device and method for identification and authentication
A device for identification and authentication of a remote user connecting to a service over a network includes a cryptographic processor and at least one cryptographic key and storage means, additional processing means and interface means to generate and transmit a unique authentication code as emulated keystrokes through a standard input, means of a client terminal. The code may be transmitted only by an explicit command of the user.
US09122857B1 Authenticating a user in an authentication system
There is disclosed method and system for authenticating user in authentication system comprising verifier and authentication device configured such that verifier and device comprise secret. A first voice sample of user recorded in verifier. Authentication information is generated in device. The device configured such that information generated is dynamic information based on secret. The information generated in device presented to user. An input signal received in verifier comprising a second voice sample of user and response by user to information. The input signal received in verifier in response to user responding to information by voicing response to information. The first and second samples compared in verifier. The information generated by device and response by user to information compared in verifier. An authentication result generated in verifier based on comparison of first and second samples and comparison of information and response. The result used for authenticating user.
US09122855B2 System for obfuscating identity
Embodiments disclosed herein relate to compositions, apparatus, systems, kits, and methods, including but not limited to, feedback and cooperative methods and systems for obfuscating target biological material identifiers in an environment. In an embodiment, a method may include receiving a first input associated with a first possible dataset. The first possible data set may include data representative of one or more environmental biological material identifiers. The method may further include determining data representative of one or more second obfuscating components for one or more target biological material identifiers based on the first possible data set. The method may further include directing one or more controller units to instruct one or more dispensing units to dispense the one or more second obfuscating components to an environment.
US09122850B2 Alternate game-like multi-level authentication
The disclosed embodiments provide a convenient way for users to access segregated work spaces on mobile devices. A game-like multi-level interactive approach is used to prompt users for input to verify their identity. Multiple identity verification attributes can be collected at each level of interaction. Authentication is achieved when a settable level of user identification confidence is reached. This can potentially reduce the amount of interaction needed as compared to requiring a user to type in a long, cryptic password.
US09122848B2 Authentication of user interface elements in a web 2.0 environment
A method for managing authentication of user interface elements in a user interface can be provided. The method can include displaying a plurality of widgets in the web browser and sending an HTTP request for data to a web site, wherein the HTTP request is sent via an XMLHttpRequest API. The method can further include receiving from the web site a 401 HTTP status code associated with a custom “WWW-Authenticate” header value indicating that the HTTP request is unauthorized for communication with the web site and detecting the custom “WWW-Authenticate” header value. The method can further include displaying in a first widget of the plurality of widgets a text field for entering user credentials. The method can further include sending to the web site an HTTP request including the user credentials entered by a user, wherein the HTTP request is sent via the XMLHttpRequest API.
US09122843B2 Software license reconciliation facility
A method is presented for monitoring software product usage in a data processing system. The method may include installing an instance of a software product on a target entity of a data processing system. A usage condition applicable to the instance may be identified. Reconciliation information may be generated upon installation of the instance. This reconciliation information may correlate the usage condition with the instance to facilitate later determining compliance of the software product with applicable usage conditions.
US09122830B2 Wide pin for improved circuit routing
Embodiments described herein provide approaches for improved circuit routing using a wide-edge pin. Specifically, provided is an integrated circuit (IC) device comprising a standard cell having a first metal layer (M1) pin coupled to a second metal layer (M2) wire at a via. The M1 pin has a width greater than a width of the via sufficient to satisfy an enclosure rule for the via, while the M1 pin extends vertically past the via a distance substantially equal to or greater than zero. This layout increases the number of available pin access points within the standard cell and thus improves routing efficiency and chip size.
US09122820B2 Subwavelength grating coupler
A method, system or device for configuring an optical coupling device including obtaining characteristics of an optical signal and ambient conditions for storage in memory, utilizing a processor for identifying an optimum effective subwavelength area refractive index and a grating period for the input signal and ambient characteristics stored in memory, and utilizing the processor for identifying a preferred filling factor for a transverse polarization.
US09122818B2 Representation and discovery of geometric relationships in a three dimensional model
Systems and methods for maintaining equivalence relations in product data management (PDM) systems. A method includes receiving a 3D model including a plurality of components, and receiving a selection of one of the plurality of components of the model. The method includes receiving a selection of at least one equivalence relation to be discovered in the 3D model and identifying at least one target component of the plurality of components of the model. The method includes completing the selected component with respect to each target component according to each selected equivalence relation. The method includes building and storing an equivalence relationship graph according to the completed selected component.
US09122813B2 USB host determination of whether a USB device provides power via a USB coupling
System and method for a USB host to determine whether or not a USB device provides power via a USB coupling between the USB host and the USB device. At a first time, it may be determined that the USB device is coupled to the USB host via a USB coupling and does not provide power. Power may be provided to the USB device via the USB coupling. At a second time it may be determined that the USB device does provide power via the USB coupling. Power may no longer be provided to the USB device via the USB coupling after it is determined that the USB device does provide power via the USB coupling. A battery of the USB host may be charged using power provided by the USB device via the USB coupling based on determining that the USB device does provide power via the USB coupling.
US09122800B1 System and method of non-intrusive measurement of memory access profiles of threads in a multi-core processor
A method of non-intrusively measuring a memory profile of a thread under test comprises executing a detection thread in parallel with the thread under test, the thread under test executed on a first core of a multi-core processor and the detection thread executed on a second core of the multi-core processor; generating a pattern of cache miss memory reads on the detection thread in order to access a memory shared by the first core and the second core; periodically obtaining read times in the detection thread indicating the amount of time taken to complete the cache miss memory reads generated on the detection thread; and determining the memory profile of the thread under test based on the obtained read times of the detection thread.
US09122795B1 Recording and replaying computer program execution with log amplification logic
A computer program execution record and replay system providing recorded execution event breakpoints is described. In one embodiment, for example, in the record and replay system, a method for providing recorded execution event breakpoints, the method comprising: recording information about one or more execution events that occur during a recorded execution of a computer program; during a replay execution of the computer program in which a particular execution event of the one or more execution events is faithfully reproduced, determining whether a breakpoint is to be set in the replay execution of the computer program based on the recorded information about the particular execution event; and if the breakpoint is to be set, then setting a breakpoint in the replay execution of the computer program such that the replay execution breaks at a point corresponding to the faithful reproduction of the particular execution event.
US09122793B2 Distributed debugging of an application in a distributed computing environment
Methods, apparatuses, and computer program product for distributed debugging of an application in a distributed computing environment are provided. Embodiments include a first debug module on a first host receiving a set breakpoint message from a management debug module of a management system. In response to receiving the set breakpoint message, the first debug module sets a breakpoint for executing a first service on the first host, for the application. Upon hitting the breakpoint while executing the first service for the application, the first debug module sends a breakpoint condition of the first service to the management debug module. In response to receiving the breakpoint condition, the management debug module sends to a second debug module of a second host, an instruction to pause execution of the second service of the second host.
US09122792B2 Step over operation for machine code function calls
A method for implementing a step over operation by a debugger for an instruction in a routine includes receiving a step over command for an instruction and determining whether the instruction is a branch used for a function call. If the instruction is not a branch used for a function call, then the debugger treats the instruction as not a function call. If the instruction is a branch used for a function call, then the debugger determines whether the instruction is generated from source code. If the instruction is not generated from source code, then the debugger treats the instruction as not a function call. If the instruction is generated from source code, then the debugger treats the instruction as a function call.
US09122778B2 Methods of treating diseases
The present invention relates to computer-implemented methods and system for analyzing a biomarker which cycles in a subject. In some other aspects, the present invention relates to analyzing a biomarker which at least initially increases or decreases in amount in a subject following a treatment for a disease. In further aspects, the present invention relates to computer-implemented methods and systems for determining a preferred time to administer a therapy to treat a disease in a subject. The present invention also relates to computer program product to implement the methods. Further, the present invention relates to methods of determining the timing of treating a disease in a subject in which the immune system is cycling.
US09122776B2 Enhanced electronic health record graphical user interface system
An enhanced electronic health record system. A user device having a display accesses electronic health records and clinic note templates stored on digital storage segments. A template selection screen is presented on the display of the user device. The template selection screen has at least two view modes. One view mode is a grid view, in which icon representations of various clinic note templates are displayed, each icon representation having a number of secondary icons providing additional functionality and information to the user. Also available is a list view, which also contains a vertical listing of available clinic note templates, each list element also having secondary icons. Upon selection of a template, the user is presented with a formatted clinic note. Additional functionality is available to the user to aid in the efficient capture of information.
US09122766B2 Replacement time based caching for providing server-hosted content
A system is provided in which two sets of content are cached in a corresponding two caches—a current cache and a next cache. A client renders content in the current cache and uses the next cache to define the expiration for the content in the current cache as well as provide the replacement content when the current content expires. When a client application renders the content in the current cache, the application checks whether the expiration for the current cache has been reached according to the expiration defined by the content in the next cache (which is not being rendered). If the expiration has been reached, the content in the next cache is moved to the current cache and rendered. New content can then be downloaded to fill the next cache and define the expiration for the content formerly in the next cache but now in the current cache.
US09122754B2 Intelligent video summaries in information access
In a method for displaying video data within result presentations in information access or search systems, compressed thumbnails are computed for videos in a result page and applied to the result page. An end user is enabled to select a video in the result page and activate streaming of a video summary within the context of the associated result page.
US09122753B2 Method and apparatus for retrieving a song by hummed query
An electronic apparatus and method for retrieving a song, and a storage medium. The electronic apparatus includes: a storage unit which stores a plurality of songs; a user input unit which receives a hummed query which is inputted for retrieving a song; and a song retrieving unit which retrieves a song based on the hummed query from among the plurality of stored songs when the hummed query is received. The song retrieving unit extracts a pitch and a duration of the hummed query, converts each of the extracted pitch and duration into multi-level symbols, calculates a string edit distance between the hummed query and one of the plurality of songs based on the symbols, and determines a similarity between the hummed query and a song based on edit operations which are performed within the calculated string edit distance.
US09122751B2 Method of tagging instant messaging (IM) conversations for easy information sharing
A method, system and computer program product for selecting and tagging content within an instant messaging (IM) session. The content is selected utilizing a contextual pointer, tagged with a subject and/or key words, then assigned a uniform resource locator (URL), and stored as an IM transcript. A search system allows the IM transcript and/or selected content to be indexed according to the tag, title, and word(s)/phrase(s) selected within the content. The IM transcript is retrieved from a location within the network via the assigned URL. IM users may assign accessibility privileges to the URL of the IM transcript, allowing selected content to be shared via a community and/or corporate network. Private access privileges may be assigned to offer full IM transcript protection.
US09122731B2 Displaying search results
Website search results obtained from searching multiple electronic information stores may be displayed transparently without distinguishing the electronic information store. The search may be performed by a web host and may include receiving at least one search term that then is compared with first electronic information within a first electronic information store to determine whether matches exist, where the first electronic information includes content provided by an internal source. The search term also is compared with second electronic information within a second electronic information store to determine whether matches exist, where the second electronic information includes content provided by an external source. Results are displayed based on matches that are determined to exist with the first electronic information and the second electronic information. The results are combined in a single list of results.
US09122726B2 Tuple routing in a streaming application
A system and method for modifying the processing within a streaming application are disclosed. The method may determine one or more parameters for a tuple at a first stream operator. The one or more parameters may represent a processing history of the tuple at the first stream operator. The method may associate the one or more parameters with the tuple metadata. A second stream operator may modify the processing of the tuple if the parameter falls outside a threshold.
US09122721B2 Enriching database query responses using data from external data sources
The subject disclosure is directed towards enriching database query responses using data from external data sources. When processing a database query seeking enriched data from an external data source, a request is communicated to the external data source based on the database query. An enriched database query response is generated based on data provided by the external data source. The enriched database query response may be combined with data returned via an internal database query operation, and/or inserted into a local database table.
US09122703B1 Hierarchical category index navigational system
A map-based search application for map-based category navigation includes geographic data, category data, and categorized data comprising at least one item, wherein each item is associated with each of the geographic data and the category data. Accordingly, a user is enabled to search for categorized data that satisfies at least one condition related to the geographic data and at least one condition related to the category data. The invention further comprises a display for displaying a list of results from a search, wherein the list comprises the at least one item.
US09122701B2 Systems and methods for providing media content listings according to points of interest
Systems and methods are provided for allowing a user to obtain a listing of points of interest and associated media content listings based on the user's current geographic location. The user's current geographic location may be determined using, for example, a GPS transceiver incorporated in the user's user access device. Information may then be communicated from a remote server to the user access device that identifies points of interest associated with the geographic location as well as media content listings associated with the points of interest.
US09122694B1 Systems and methods for highly scalable system log analysis, deduplication and management
Systems and methods for parsing raw log data into structured log data, and removing duplicate entries, storing the deduplicated log data into binary format, and managing system events. The subject matter can increase speed of log data analysis and storage, reduce data storage for log data, and manage easily system events.
US09122688B1 Naming scheme for different computer systems
Storing a data storage object in a first data storage system that uses object IDs with a first object ID format includes determining if the data storage object was created on a second, different, data storage system having a second object ID format different from the first object ID format or created using an emulator of the different data storage system, using a lookup table to translate between the first object ID format and the second object ID format in response to the data storage object having been created on the different data storage system, and directly converting the object ID to a new object ID having the second object ID format without using external data. Directly converting may include converting at least a portion of the content of the data storage object into at least a portion of the object ID.
US09122682B2 Technique for processing data in a network
A technique for processing data in a network is disclosed. In one particular exemplary embodiment, the technique may be realized as a method for processing data in a network having a plurality of network stations. The method comprises receiving a first representation of data at a first of the plurality of network stations, processing the first representation so as to generate a second representation of the data, and transmitting the second representation from the first network station to a second of the plurality of network stations for storage therein, wherein the second representation is stored at an address within the second network station. The method also comprises receiving the address at the first network station, and transmitting the address from the first network station to a third of the plurality of network stations for storage therein.
US09122680B2 Information processing apparatus, information processing method, and program
An information processing apparatus includes a category classifying unit configured to classify a document into one or more categories, a word extracting unit configured to extract one or more words from the document, a word score calculating unit configured to calculate a word score for each of the one or more words extracted from the document on the basis of an appearance frequency of the word in each of the one or more categories, the word score serving as an index of interest of the word, a sentence-for-computation extracting unit configured to extract one or more sentences from the document, and a sentence score calculating unit configured to calculate a sentence score for each of the extracted one or more sentences on the basis of the word score calculated by the word score calculating unit, the sentence score serving as an index of interest of the sentence.
US09122678B2 Method and system for recommending enterprise collaboration data
The suggestions of objects in a real-time collaboration tool can be accomplished by first forming a first vector representing an object utilized in the real-time collaboration tool. The vector can then be compared to a plurality of vectors representing a plurality of objects stored in a database to locate one or more vectors similar to the first vector. One or more of the plurality of objects stored in the database can be recommended to a user of the real-time collaboration tool based on the comparing.
US09122668B1 Methods and a computing device for configuring a waterfall chart
A computing device (e.g., a processor executing instructions on the computing device) receives an input (e.g., from a user or from a data stream) into a cell of a table (e.g., a cell of a spreadsheet, worksheet, or workbook). If the input is a sum (e.g., a formula whose result is the sum of previous cells), then the computing device renders a total column representing the sum on a waterfall chart (e.g., on a user interface rendered on an electronic display). Otherwise, if the input is a static value (e.g., an integer or decimal number), then the computing device renders a change column representing the static value.
US09122667B2 Partially customized document generation
A document generation system for generating a customized document using predetermined elements of document content selected by rules operating on input information, is configured to generate a partially customized document by evaluating some of the rules to select some of the predetermined elements, and associating other of the rules and corresponding predetermined elements with the partially customized document for later use in generating a further customized document.
US09122665B2 Rich formatting for a data label associated with a data point
Rich formatting may be provided for rich data labels. A rich data label may be created for at least one data point associated with a visualization. The data label may be formatted and displayed on the visualization. The rich data label may be bind to a particular data point rather than adhering to conventional index-based anchor logic where a data label is bound to the index of a data point. Accordingly, in response to determining that the location of the data point has changed in the visualization, the location of the rich data label is automatically adjusted to remain attached to its original data point.
US09122659B2 Layout processing method for document editing by reducing blank areas in a document
A document editing apparatus capable of reducing the total number of pages of a document includes an area generation unit configured to generate a blank area including margins of a document as its objects, an area editing prohibition unit configured to prohibit deletion of blank areas designated by a user from among a plurality of blank areas of the document, and an area reduction unit configured to reduce the blank area whose deletion is prohibited by the area editing prohibition unit in a direction of columns of the document. The document editing apparatus reduces the total number of pages of a document by prohibiting the deletion of an arbitrarily designated blank area and arranging objects located in rear portions of the document in the margin generated by reducing the blank area in the direction of the columns of the document by using the area reduction unit.
US09122650B1 Web server based on the same paradigms as web clients
A method, system, Web-environment and computer program product for using browser paradigms on a server is disclosed herein. The invention for the parsing of an HTML document to create an HTML DOM on a server. The JavaScript of the document is parsed and interpreted on the server to create a parsed JavaScript, which designated to operate on the server. The HTML DOM is modified with the parsed JavaScript on the server.
US09122647B2 System and method to backup objects on an object storage platform
A method and system enable tape back-up of objects stored to an object storage platform and also enable efficient backup to a secondary storage device data objects. An offline-replica bit within a metadata of an object being stored is set to a first value, indicating that the stored object is available for secondary storage to a second storage device. In response to receiving a request for backup of one or more objects from the object storage platform: the storage controller: identifies which objects have an offline-replica bit value that is the first value; and provides only those objects requested that have their offline-replica bit value equal to the first value. An external backup tracking mechanism identifies which objects have been backed-up to the secondary storage, and only those objects that have not previously been backed up are backed up during a subsequent backup request.
US09122645B1 Method and system for tagging within virtual groups
A system and method are provided for tagging images or albums shared by a group of users. More specifically, a virtual group is defined, where each user in the virtual group has an associated image collection. The image collection of each user, or a select portion thereof, is made available to the other users in the virtual group. A number of group tags forming a tag vocabulary are defined for the virtual group, and the users in the virtual group are enabled to tag their own images, images shared by other users in the virtual group, or both using the group tags. Using the group tags, the images shared within the virtual group can be efficiently sorted, searched, and organized. Permissions may be defined to control access to and visibility of the group tags.
US09122644B2 Common users, common roles, and commonly granted privileges and roles in container databases
Techniques for common users and roles, and commonly-granted privileges and roles are described. In one approach, the DBMS of a container database allows for the creation of common roles and common users that are shared across the container database. Thus, when a common role or a common user is established, the common role or common user is propagated to each database of the container database. In another approach, the DBMS of a container database allows privileges and roles to be granted commonly or locally. When a privilege or role is granted commonly, the privilege applies in each of the databases of a container database. When a privilege or role is granted locally, the privilege applies only in the database to which the grantor of the privilege or role established a connection.
US09122638B2 Block level incremental backup
A system and method include creating a full backup copy of selected data from a storage device. A series of incremental backups are created over time following the creation of the full backup copy. The oldest incremental backup is merged into the full backup at a desired time.
US09122637B1 Systems and methods for enhancing electronic discovery searches
A computer-implemented method for enhancing electronic discovery searches may include (1) receiving a search query for at least one instance of a user being identified within a backup image of a volume of data, the search query being conducted for electronic discovery, (2) identifying metadata associated with the backup image specifying at least one action performed by the user on a computing system while the volume of data was mounted for use on the computing system, (3) performing the search query on the backup image and receiving a result of the search query in response to performing the search query, (4) enhancing the result of the search query with contextual information relating to the search query based on the metadata, the contextual information facilitating further electronic discovery, and (5) providing the enhanced result of the search query. Various other methods, systems, and computer-readable media are also disclosed.
US09122635B1 Efficient data backup with change tracking
The present disclosure provides for efficiently creating a full backup image of a client device by efficiently communicating backup data to a backup server using a change tracking log, or track log. A present full backup image can be created using a track log that is associated with a previous full backup image. The client device can determine whether files, which were included in the previous full backup image, have or have not changed using the track log. The client device can transmit changed file data to the backup server for inclusion in the present full backup image. The client device can also transmit metadata identifying unchanged file data to the backup server. The backup server can use the metadata to extract a copy of the unchanged file data from the previous full backup image for inclusion in the present full backup image.
US09122633B2 Case secure computer architecture
Two computing subsystems are disclosed, one a control subsystem, the other a user subsystem, each using engines with augmented conventional instruction sets, together with hardware and/or firmware, to compartmentalize execution of user programs to insure their behavior does not exceed defined bounds. Programs hidden in data cannot execute. User programs cannot alter the control program that manages the overall system.
US09122630B2 Memory system having high data transfer efficiency and host controller
According to one embodiment, the host controller includes a register set to issue command, and a direct memory access (DMA) unit and accesses a system memory and a device. First, second, third and fourth descriptors are stored in the system memory. The first descriptor includes a set of a plurality of pointers indicating a plurality of second descriptors. Each of the second descriptors comprises the third descriptor and fourth descriptor. The third descriptor includes a command number, etc. The fourth descriptor includes information indicating addresses and sizes of a plurality of data arranged in the system memory. The DMA unit sets, in the register set, the contents of the third descriptor forming the second descriptor, from the head of the first descriptor as a start point, and transfers data between the system memory and the host controller in accordance with the contents of the fourth descriptor.
US09122621B2 Configurable intelligent I/O expander system
A method and apparatus in a vehicular telemetry system for an intelligent I/O expander. The intelligent I/O expander may be configured in an active mode or a passive mode. A vehicular telemetry hardware system may be configured in a passive serial control mode or an active serial control mode. The intelligent I/O expander capable of adding additional device to the vehicular telemetry system.
US09122612B2 Eliminating fetch cancel for inclusive caches
A method and apparatus for eliminating fetch cancels for inclusive caches are presented. Some embodiments of the apparatus include a first cache configurable to issue fetch or prefetch requests to a second cache that is inclusive of said at least one first cache. The first cache is not permitted to cancel issued fetch or prefetch requests to the second cache. Some embodiments of the method include preventing the first cache(s) from canceling issued fetch or prefetch requests to a second cache that is inclusive of the first cache(s).
US09122607B1 Hotspot detection and caching for storage devices
A counting module counts a number of accesses to a first region of a storage medium during each of a first period and a second period. A count comparing module compares the number of accesses during the first period and the second period and determines whether the number of accesses during the second period is greater or less than the number of accesses during the first period by a predetermined amount. The region defining module splits the first region into two or more regions if the number of accesses during the second period is greater than the number of accesses during the first period by the predetermined amount, and merges the first region into a second region if the number of accesses during the second period is less than the number of accesses during the first period by the predetermined amount.
US09122603B2 Failure detection in high-performance clusters and computers using chaotic map computations
A programmable media includes a processing unit capable of independent operation in a machine that is capable of executing 1018 floating point operations per second. The processing unit is in communication with a memory element and an interconnect that couples computing nodes. The programmable media includes a logical unit configured to execute arithmetic functions, comparative functions, and/or logical functions. The processing unit is configured to detect computing component failures, memory element failures and/or interconnect failures by executing programming threads that generate one or more chaotic map trajectories. The central processing unit or graphical processing unit is configured to detect a computing component failure, memory element failure and/or an interconnect failure through an automated comparison of signal trajectories generated by the chaotic maps.
US09122600B2 Systems and methods for remote monitoring in a computer network
Systems and methods for providing automated problem reporting in elements used in conjunction with computer networks are disclosed. The system comprises a plurality of elements that perform data migration operations and a reporting manager or monitor agent which monitors the elements and data migration operations. Upon detection of hardware or software problems, the reporting manager or monitor agent automatically communicates with elements affected by the problem to gather selected hardware, software, and configuration information, analyzes the information to determine causes of the problem, and issues a problem report containing at least a portion of the selected information. The problem report is communicated to a remote monitor that does not possess access privileges to the elements, allowing automated, remote monitoring of the elements without compromising security of the computer network or elements.
US09122595B2 Fault tolerance for complex distributed computing operations
A method for enabling a distributed computing system to tolerate system faults during the execution of a client process. The method includes instantiating an execution environment relating to the client process; executing instructions within the execution environment, the instructions causing the execution environment to issue further instructions to the distributing computing system, the further instructions relating to actions to be performed with respect to data stored on the distributed computing system. An object interface proxy receives the further instructions and monitors the received to determine if the execution environment is in a desired save-state condition; and, if so, save a current state of the execution environment in a data store.
US09122587B2 Self recovery in a solid state drive
An apparatus having a nonvolatile memory and a controller. The memory stores information in multiple pages. The information includes data units and headers. Each data unit is associated with a respective identifier in an address space of the apparatus and a respective location in the memory, has a respective header having the respective identifier, and is associated with a respective time stamp. Multiple headers include ones of the time stamps. The controller is configured to (i) read information stored in the pages, (ii) determine an order in which the data units were written based on the time stamps, (iii) locate based on the order (a) each last-written occurrence of the respective identifiers and (b) the respective locations of the data units associated with the last-written occurrences, and (iv) rebuild a map of the controller according to the respective locations of each last-written occurrence of each respective identifier.
US09122584B2 File system for maintaining data version in solid state memory
One or more embodiments are directed to managing data in a solid state memory supporting data versioning. A file system residing at an information processing system reserves a plurality of logical pages from a solid state memory. Each logical page in the plurality of logical pages is associated with a plurality of physical pages in the solid state memory. Each logical page in the plurality of logical pages is assigned to one group in a plurality of groups. A request is sent to a flash translation layer for an operation to be performed by the flash translation layer on a group in the plurality of groups.
US09122577B2 Systems and methods exchanging data between processors through concurrent shared memory
A method and apparatus for matching parent processor address translations to media processors'address translations and providing concurrent memory access to a plurality of media processors through separate translation table information. In particular, a page directory for a given media application is copied to a media processor's page directory when the media application allocates memory that is to be shared by a media application running on the parent processor and media processors.
US09122576B2 Fuzzy counters for NVS to reduce lock contention
A system for data management in a computing storage environment includes a processor device, operable in the computing storage environment, that divides a plurality of counters tracking write and discard storage operations through Non Volatile Storage (NVS) space into first, accurate, and second, fuzzy, groups where the first, accurate, group is one of incremented and decremented per each write and discard storage operation, while the second, fuzzy, group is one of incremented and decremented on a more infrequent basis as compared to the first, accurate group.
US09122575B2 Processing system having memory partitioning
Memory resource partitioning code allocates a memory partition in response to a process requesting access to memory storage. Memory partition rules may define attributes of the memory partition. The attributes may include a minimum memory allocation and a maximum memory allocation for the memory partition.
US09122573B2 Using extended asynchronous data mover indirect data address words
An abstraction for storage class memory is provided that hides the details of the implementation of storage class memory from a program, and provides a standard channel programming interface for performing certain actions, such as controlling movement of data between main storage and storage class memory or managing storage class memory.
US09122558B2 Software updates using delta patching
Methods, apparatuses, and systems for software updates using delta patching are described. A first image representative of a first software stack and a second image representative of a second software stack may be combined into a compound image by a first computer. The first computer may compare the compound image and the first image to determine a difference between the compound image and the first image. The first computer may generate a file representative of the difference between the compound image and the first image, and data representative of the file representative of the difference between the compound image and the first image may be recorded to a computer-readable storage medium.
US09122548B2 Clipboard for processing received data content
An embodiment of the invention directed to a method is associated with data content, comprising discrete data portions including first data and second data portions separated from each other in the data content. A copy operation is implemented on data portions so that at least some of the data portions are each copied to a buffer, which include the first and second data portions. A paste operation is carried out to present each of the copied data portions as an input for an output data selection task. Prespecified criteria is used in the output data selection task to select a number of the copied data portions to be selected data for a given purpose, the selected number of copied data portions being less than data portions presented by the paste operation, and the selected copied data portions including the first and second data portions.
US09122544B2 Information processing apparatus, resource providing apparatus, and information processing system
There is provided an information processing apparatus which the communication unit receives a usage request of a resource described in a first format from a program providing apparatus, the conversion unit identifies a resource providing apparatus having the resource as indicated and converts the usage request described in the first format into the usage request described in a second format that can be interpreted by the resource providing apparatus identified, the communication unit transmits the usage request described in the second format to the resource providing apparatus and receives a processing result of the usage request described in the second format from the resource providing apparatus, the conversion unit converts the processing result described in the second format into the processing result described in the first format, and the program execution unit performs an operation according to the processing result described in the first format.
US09122540B2 Transformation of computer programs and eliminating errors
A method and system for transforming a first computer program having program statements to a second computer program. A parsed first computer program is translated to the second computer program. The first computer program includes a first program statement that includes a first error. The translating includes: (i) identifying a second program statement in the parsed first computer program that includes a second error and has thrown a translation exception with respect to the second error, (ii) rolling back the translating to a predefined check point prior to the second program statement in the parsed first computer program such that the predefined check point is associated with a statement in the parsed first computer program that was successfully translated, and (iii) generating an executable equivalent translation for the second statement. After the translating, a mapping of one or more statements is generated.
US09122539B2 Methods and systems for forming an adjusted perform range
One or more regions of COBOL source code having an entry point are identified. A PERFORM instruction associated with the entry point to analyze is selected. A PERFORM range for the selected PERFORM instruction is determined. An instruction that changes control flow in execution of the COBOL source code subsequent to the selected PERFORM instruction is identified. Flow-affected code resulting from the instruction is determined. An adjusted PERFORM range for the selected PERFORM instruction is formed.
US09122536B2 Automating application provisioning for heterogeneous datacenter environments
Disclosed are methods and systems to automate the provisioning and deployment of application instances within a heterogeneous data center. In one embodiment, the application provisioning is performed based upon a blueprint and deployment model defining requirements of the provisioned application. In another embodiment, the totality of available resources for provisioning is divided into different segments. When resources are requested and assigned to an incoming provisioning request, the resource pool may be refreshed or augmented as defined by thresholds or forecasting of user needs. The resource pool may be refreshed by recapturing allocated resources that are no longer in use or by configuring resources taken from the reserve. Further, when reserve resources are not available or are below a minimum reserve threshold, capacity planning actions may be initiated or advised.
US09122533B2 System and method for reducing cloud IP address utilization using a distributor registry
System and method for providing cloud computing services are described. In one embodiment, the system comprises a cloud computing environment comprising resources for supporting cloud workloads, each cloud workload having associated therewith an internal cloud address; and a routing system disposed between external workloads of an external computing environment and the cloud workloads, the routing system for directing traffic from an external cloud address to the internal cloud addresses of the cloud workloads. The routing system comprises a virtual router configured to function as a network address translator (“NAT”); a distributor connected between the virtual router and the cloud workloads; and a distributor registry accessible by the distributor for maintaining information comprising at least one of port mappings, cloud address mappings, and cloud workload configuration information.
US09122532B2 Method and apparatus for executing code in a distributed storage platform
An approach is provided for creating a framework for executing code in nodes of a distributed storage platform. An in-node code framework receives at least one job for execution over a distributed computing platform. The in-node code framework determines at least one distributed storage platform containing at least a portion of the data for executing the at least one job. The in-node then processes and/or facilitates a processing of the at least one job to determine code for executing at one or more storage nodes of the at least one distributed storage platform, wherein the code supports the at least one job.
US09122526B2 Dynamic program evaluation for system adaptation
A method and apparatus to maintain a plurality of executables for a task in a device are described. Each executable may be capable of performing the task in response to a change in an operating environment of the device. Each executable may be executed to perform a test run of the task. Each execution can consume an amount of power under the changed operating environment in the device. One of the executables may be selected to perform the task in the future based on the amounts of power consumed for the test runs of the task. The selected one executable may require no more power than each of remaining ones of the executables.
US09122525B2 Environment based node selection for work scheduling in a parallel computing system
A method, apparatus, and program product manage scheduling of a plurality of jobs in a parallel computing system of the type that includes a plurality of computing nodes and is disposed in a data center. The plurality of jobs are scheduled for execution on a group of computing nodes from the plurality of computing nodes based on the physical locations of the plurality of computing nodes in the data center. The group of computing nodes is further selected so as to distribute at least one of a heat load and an energy load within the data center. The plurality of jobs may be additionally scheduled based upon an estimated processing requirement for each job of the plurality of jobs.
US09122518B2 Method for selecting and controlling second work process during first work process in multitasking mobile terminal
Provided is a method for controlling a plurality of work processes in a multitasking mobile terminal, and more particularly, a method for selecting a second work process during a first work process and controlling a predetermined function of the selected second work process. In the controlling method, icons corresponding to the respective work processes are displayed in response to a user command, and a desired work process is selected through the displayed icons. A predetermined function of the selected work process is controlled through a pop-up menu activated in response to the user command.
US09122517B2 Fused multiply-adder with booth-encoding
A fused multiply-adder is disclosed. The fused multiply-adder includes a Booth encoder, a fraction multiplier, a carry corrector, and an adder. The Booth encoder initially encodes a first operand. The fraction multiplier multiplies the Booth-encoded first operand by a second operand to produce partial products, and then reduces the partial products into a set of redundant sum and carry vectors. The carry corrector then generates a carry correction factor for correcting the carry vectors. The adder adds the redundant sum and carry vectors and the carry correction factor to a third operand to yield a final result.
US09122510B2 Querying and managing computing resources in a networked computing environment
An approach for querying and managing/manipulating network computing resources (e.g., cloud computing resources) is provided. Typically, an interpreter component may be implemented so that a language describing such computing resources may be interpreted. The interpreter component may include other components such as a request processor, a provisioning queue, an execution engine, a results store, and response marshaller/handler that collaborate to manage the computing resources. Such computing resources may, for example, include virtual machine instances, virtual machine images, storage volumes, network resources, files, software bundles, etc.
US09122507B2 VM migration based on matching the root bridge of the virtual network of the origination host and the destination host
A method is provided in one example embodiment that includes detecting a migration of a virtual machine from an origination host to a destination host and comparing a first root bridge to a second root bridge to verify data link layer continuity of the virtual network on the destination host. The virtual machine is connected to a virtual network, the first root bridge is associated with the virtual network on the origination host and the second root bridge is associated with the virtual network on the destination host. The method may further include blocking the migration if the first root bridge and the second root bridge are not the same.
US09122504B2 Apparatus and method for encryption in virtualized environment using auxiliary medium
An apparatus and method for encryption in a virtualized environment using an auxiliary medium. The apparatus for encryption in a virtualized environment using an auxiliary medium includes a hypervisor unit for acquiring data for encryption from an auxiliary medium, and encrypting and providing protection target data of an application program using the data for encryption in response to an encryption request from the application program. A hypercall unit provides a virtualization interface between the application program and the hypervisor unit.
US09122500B2 Method for preconfiguring an appliance, and method for starting up the appliance
A method for preconfiguring an appliance having a configuration memory configured to have information written to it when the appliance is in a deactivated state, wherein the appliance is configured to make contact with at least one further appliance during operation, includes capturing a data record from the appliance, wherein the data record contains at least identification data from the appliance. The method further includes determining a piece of configuration information from the appliance by using the data record and at least one data record from the at least one further appliance, and writing the configuration information to the configuration memory of the appliance in order to preconfigure the appliance.
US09122492B2 Bios used in gaming machine supporting pluralaties of modules by utilizing subroutines of the bios code
Embodiments include a method for configuring basic input/output system (BIOS) of a wagering game machine. The method can include: initializing a processor and chipset residing on an embedded computer module residing in the wagering game machine, wherein the BIOS resides on a carrier board connected to the embedded computer module; identifying, under control of code in the BIOS, the embedded computer module as a particular one of a plurality of embedded computer modules, wherein the BIOS includes code for configuring each of the plurality of embedded computer modules; initializing, using code of the BIOS configured for the particular one of the plurality of embedded computer modules, input/output devices connected to the carrier board and embedded computer module; launching, under control of the BIOS, an operating system in the wagering game machine; presenting a wagering game on the wagering game machine, wherein the presenting utilizes information received from the input/output devices.
US09122482B2 Image processing apparatus, control method therefor and storage medium
A second control unit in an image processing apparatus receives a packet transmitted from an external apparatus, copies and stores the received packet, analyzes the header of the received packet, deletes the analyzed header, and, when transitioning the image processing apparatus from a second power mode to a first power mode based on the result of analysis in the case where the image processing apparatus is in the second power mode, transitions the image processing apparatus from the second power mode to the first power mode, and transfers to the first control unit the received packet that was stored and does not transfer to the first control unit the received packet from which the header was deleted.
US09122481B2 System and method for standby power reduction in a serial communication system
In a serial communication system having a device including a receiver detection module, this specification is directed to systems and methods for selectively reducing the power consumed by the receiver detection module, preferably when the device is operating in a low power mode. In some embodiments, a signal detection module is configured to receive a control signal from the transmitter of a device at the other end of the communications link to control the operation of the receiver detection module. The control signal may be in-band or may be transmitted on a sideband of the serial link.
US09122477B2 Execution of a perform frame management function instruction
Optimizations are provided for frame management operations, including a clear operation and/or a set storage key operation, requested by pageable guests. The operations are performed, absent host intervention, on frames not resident in host memory. The operations may be specified in an instruction issued by the pageable guests.
US09122468B2 Host apparatus connected to image forming apparatus and power save mode control method thereof
A method of controlling a power save mode of an image forming apparatus connected to a host apparatus, the method includes: requesting information on a power mode of the image forming apparatus; transmitting the power mode information and information on an entering time for a power save mode of the image forming apparatus from the image forming apparatus; and displaying the entering time for the power save mode of the image forming apparatus on a basis of the entering time information.
US09122463B2 Server and heat dissipation system thereof
A server includes a chassis, processing units and an airflow generating device. The processing units are disposed inside the chassis for heat dissipation of the processing units. Each processing unit includes a motherboard, an electric heat source, a heat dissipation fin set and a stopping air bag. The electric heat source is disposed on the motherboard, the heat dissipation fin set is attached to the electric heat source and the stopping air bag including an air inlet opening is located at space between the heat dissipation fin set and one of the processing units which is adjacent to the stopping air bag. When the airflow generating devices are operated, air is blown into the stopping air bag through the air inlet opening so that the stopping air bag is inflated to occupy the space to stop an airflow from flowing through the space.
US09122461B2 Method and system for iteratively partitioning and validating program trees into environments at visibility space granularity
Partitioning continuation based runtime programs. Embodiments may include differentiating activities of a continuation based runtime program between public children activities and implementation children activities. The continuation based runtime program is partitioned into visibility spaces. The visibility spaces have boundaries based on implementation children activities. The continuation based runtime program is partially processes at a visibility space granularity.
US09122459B2 Fixing mechanism and related electronic device
A detachable fixing mechanism includes a supporter, a contacting component, a fixing component, a track component and an ejecting component. An electronic component is hold be the supporter. The supporter includes a base, a rear wall and two lateral walls. The rear wall and the lateral walls are disposed on three sides of the base. The contacting is connected to an upper edge of the lateral wall, so as to buckle the electronic component with the base. The fixing component is movably disposed on the lateral wall. The fixing component includes a constraint portion to resiliently pass through a hole on the lateral wall. The track component is disposed on the lateral wall of the supporter. The ejecting component is slidably disposed between the track component and the supporter. A second part of the ejecting component inserts into the supporter to contact against the rear end of the electronic component.
US09122458B2 Removable cage and electronic apparatus
An electronic apparatus includes an apparatus casing and a removable cage. The removable cage includes a cage body, a carry handle, and a locking mechanism disposed on the cage body. The carry handle includes a pivotally-connecting part, pivotally connected to the cage body, a handle body, and a pushing part. The handle body and the pushing part are oppositely connected to the pivotally-connecting part. The locking mechanism includes a latching part and an unlocking part. The latching part can be engaged into a lock slot of the pivotally-connecting part so that the carry handle is fixed relative to the cage body for carrying the cage body. The unlocking part can be driven to disengage the latching part from the lock slot. By the lever rule, the carry handle can move the cage body into the apparatus casing further or move the cage body reversely to depart from the apparatus casing.
US09122455B2 Information handling system housing lid with synchronized motion provided by unequal gears
An information handling system converts from a closed position to a tablet position by rotating a lid with a display 360 degrees about a hinge having motion translated between lid and housing portions through first and second engage gears of different diameters. The hinge has first and second axles held in a spaced and substantially parallel orientation by a support with first and second gears having a gear ratio of substantially 2.54 to 1. Overall system thickness is reduced by having a lid portion gear with a diameter of substantially the thickness of the lid portion and a housing portion gear with a diameter of substantially the thickness of the housing portion.
US09122452B2 Electronic device
An electronic device includes a printed circuit board, a heat generating component disposed on the printed circuit board, and a casing including the printed circuit board and the heat generating component, the casing allowing an air flow to flow from an outside to an inside of the casing. The printed circuit board includes a first and second openings and an extending portion formed between the first and second openings so as to extend in a flow direction of the air flow in the casing, and the extending portion includes a conductive pattern and is located opposite the heat generating component.
US09122446B2 Antenna structures in electronic devices with hinged enclosures
Electronic devices may include radio-frequency transceiver circuitry and antenna structures. The antenna structures may include antenna resonating elements, parasitic antenna resonating elements, and antenna ground structures. The antenna structures may include metal traces that are wrapped around an elongated plastic carrier. The plastic carrier may have metal traces that are coupled to a metal bracket using solder that protrudes through a hole in the metal bracket. A printed circuit board may be mounted between the metal bracket and a metal housing. The metal housing may have a protruding ridge portion that is gripped between prongs on the metal bracket. A cover may cover the metal traces on the elongated plastic carrier. The antenna structures may be mounted between hinge structures that couple upper and lower housing structures. The antenna structures may be configured to operate with comparable performance when the upper and lower housing structures are open and closed.
US09122445B2 Display device, electronic apparatus and display control method with a thumbnail dispay
A display apparatus includes: a display device that displays a plurality of images in a first row, an operation of an application program being assigned to each of the images; a rearrangement device that rearranges the plurality of images, when a portion of the first row is specified, such that the specified portion is at an opened facing page section; an execution device that executes the operation of the application program corresponding to an image located at the opened facing page section when the opened facing page section is specified; and a display control device that controls the display device, when the operation is executed by the execution device, to perform a display according to the operation executed.
US09122444B2 Network accessible projectors that display multiple client screens at once
Systems and methods are provided for provisioning, via a projector, client software for accessing the projector from a network. The projector includes a light emitting unit that projects visible light representing image information onto a screen, a network interface, and a control unit. The control unit provides client software to network devices that enables the network devices to interact with the projector, receives input via the network interface from the client software operating on multiple network devices, processes the input from the client software to generate image information for the light emitting unit, and provides the generated image information to the light emitting unit for projection onto the screen.
US09122425B2 Apparatus and method for writing data to recording medium
A distance calculating unit calculates a distance from a current position on a tape to the end of the tape. A command processing unit receives a write command. If the distance is small, a determining unit sets a usable capacity of a buffer to be equal to a maximum capacity of the buffer. If the distance is large, the determining unit sets the usable capacity of the buffer according to the distance. If a capacity for data indicated by the write command is less than or equal to a difference between the usable capacity and current usage of the buffer, a buffer managing unit stores the data in the buffer. When the command processing unit receives a write FM command, the buffer managing unit reads the data from the buffer, updates the current usage, and a channel input/output unit writes the data to the tape.
US09122414B2 Methods and systems for optimizing a process of archiving at least one block of a virtual disk image
A system for optimizing a process of archiving at least one block of a virtual disk image includes a file system analysis component and an archiving component. The file system analysis component executes on a first physical computing device and identifies a plurality of blocks storing data comprising a file in a virtual disk image file. The archiving component executes on the first physical computing device, identifies a difference disk file storing an identification of a modification to the identified plurality of blocks storing data comprising the file, determines whether to archive the file, and transmits, to a second physical computing device, the plurality of blocks storing data comprising the file.
US09122412B1 System and method for producing tree perspectives of storage systems
System and method for producing tree perspectives of a plurality of storage systems using storage system descriptors and a set of search rules. The system and method herein provide an easy way to locate and identify specific storage systems. The storage system descriptors comprise external storage system metadata (referred to herein as “external metadata”) and/or internal storage system attributes (referred to herein as “internal attributes”) that describe the storage systems. The set of search rules comprises one or more metadata search rules and/or one or more attribute search rules. The set of search rules may be applied to the external metadata and/or internal attributes to determine a set of one or more matching storage systems. A tree perspective may be produced that represents the set of matching storage systems. The tree perspective may display the hierarchal organization of the set of matching storage systems through a hierarchical tree structure.
US09122408B2 Mirror copies of solid state drives using portions of hard disk drives
Mechanisms for storing data to a storage system comprising a set of one or more solid state storage devices and a set of non-solid state storage devices are provided. A request to write data to the storage system is received and the data is written to the set of one or more solid state storage devices in response to receiving the request. Moreover, a mirror copy of the data is written to the set of non-solid state storage devices in response to receiving the request. Thus, the non-solid state storage devices serve as a mirror backup copy of the data stored to the solid state storage devices.
US09122403B2 Distortion cancellation in 3-D non-volatile memory
A method in a memory that includes multiple analog memory cells arranged in a three-dimensional (3-D) configuration, includes identifying multiple groups of potentially-interfering memory cells that potentially cause interference to a group of target memory cells. Partial distortion components, which are inflicted by the respective groups of the potentially-interfering memory cells on the target memory cells, are estimated. The partial distortion components are progressively accumulated so as to produce an estimated composite distortion affecting the target memory cells, while retaining only the composite distortion and not the partial distortion components. The target memory cells are read, and the interference in the target memory cells is canceled based on the estimated composite distortion.
US09122399B2 Storage system and storage control method
A storage system includes: a storage device including a recording medium that stores data and a device controller that executes addition processing involving a change of state of the data with respect to the data; and a storage controller that controls input and output of data for the storage device. The storage controller transmits, to the storage device, determination information that can be utilized by the device controller for determining whether or not to execute the addition processing along with input-output processing relating to input-output target data. The device controller controls execution of the addition processing with respect to the input-output target data based on the determination information transmitted from the storage controller.
US09122397B2 Exposing storage resources with differing capabilities
Tracking storage resources includes providing a table containing storage resources along with capabilities and statuses thereof, updating the table in response to a change of status of a storage resource, updating the table in response to a change in capabilities of a storage resource and, in response to an inquiry for a storage resource having a particular capability, searching the table for a storage resource having the particular capability. Tracking storage resources may also include adding an element to the table in response to a new resource being added to the system. The capabilities may include RAID striping, data deduplication, and green operation. The status may be one of: on-line, off-line, and full.
US09122387B1 User configured optimizer
An adaptable graphical user interface is provided. The interface may include a setup region to display a group of available solvers to a user and to display parameters for at least one of the group of solvers to the user. The interface may include an options region to display a first group of active options to a user without requiring a user input for the first group of active options, where the first group of active options is determined based on a selected one of the group of solvers. The options region may further display a second group of active options to the user when another one of the solvers is selected by the user, where the second group of active options differs from the first group of active options.
US09122386B2 Adaptive video processing apparatus and method of scaling video based on screen size of display device
Provided are an apparatus for processing adaptive video and a method of scaling video, which generate a graphical user interface (GUI) so that a GUI suitable for the screen size of a display device can be displayed according to the screen size of the display device. The apparatus can realize a GUI most suitable for the screen size of an external display device connected to the apparatus by enlarging or reducing the size of the GUI according to the screen size of the external display device, or by changing the arrangement of items arranged on the GUI.
US09122379B2 Portable wireless terminal, wireless communication method and content reference system
A portable wireless terminal 110 includes a terminal display section 214, a terminal memory 212 that stores upload information for specifying the content uploaded to an arbitrary external server, a terminal information display section 242 that displays the information of the content specified by the upload information on the terminal display unit, a terminal deletion receiving section 244 that receives one or more pieces of content to be deleted from the displayed information of the content, and a content deletion section 246 that deletes the content to be deleted which is received by the terminal deletion receiving section, from an external server 150.
US09122371B2 Displaying an icon based upon user input
Disclosed is an apparatus, system, and method for a computing device to display an icon based upon user input. The computing device may receive user input and generate an icon based upon a checksum function of the user input. The computing device may display the icon to a user on a display device.
US09122369B2 Mobile device and method for updating display screen with online widget
A mobile device has embedded online widgets and executes a method for updating a display screen with the widgets. In the method, the mobile device receives widget update data from widget servers and then enables a flag bit of a specific one of divided regions in a widget integrated buffer. Each divided region is allocated for each widget server, and the specific divided region corresponds to the widget server that transmits the widget update data. The mobile device stores the received widget update data in the specific divided region and then determines whether a predefined display update interval arrives. If the display update interval arrives, the mobile device outputs the display screen to which the widget update data stored in the specific divided region is applied.
US09122368B2 Analysis of images located within three-dimensional environments
Images are analyzed within a 3D environment that is generated based on spatial relationships of the images and that allows users to experience the images in the 3D environment. Image analysis may include ranking images based on user viewing information, such as the number of users who have viewed an image and how long an image was viewed. Image analysis may further include analyzing the spatial density of images within a 3D environment to determine points of user interest.
US09122367B2 Navigation system for a 3D virtual scene
A navigation system for navigating a three-dimensional (3D) scene that includes a model or object with which a user can interact. The system accommodates and helps both novice and advanced users. To do this, the system provides a rewind function where view waypoints are stored as navigation occurs and the user can move the view back to one of the rewind points.
US09122364B2 Input device
An input device is disclosed. An input device comprises a display unit, an input unit, a load detection unit and a control unit. The display unit displays an object of a folder with a hierarchical structure. The input unit receives pressing inputs with respect to the display unit. The load detection unit detects a pressing load with respect to the input unit. The control unit opens and closes folders based on a change in the pressing load.
US09122362B2 Touch panels and display devices having touch panels
A display device including a touch panel arranged on a display panel, the touch panel including at least one phase retardation layer, a polarization plate arranged on the at least one phase retardation layer, a touch sensing structure including at least one sensing pattern arranged directly on at least one of at least one face of the phase retardation layer and at least one face of the polarization plate, an adhesion layer arranged on the polarization plate and a window arranged on the adhesion layer.
US09122332B2 Automatic detection for touch through glove
Aspects of the subject technology relate to a device including a touch-screen configured to detect user engagement with a surface of the touch-screen and output one or more signals corresponding with the user touch engagement. In certain aspects, the device further includes a touch sense controller coupled to the touch-screen, wherein the touch sense controller is configured to receive the one or more signals corresponding with the user engagement and to determine a mode of user engagement with the surface of the touch-screen based on the one or more signals. A method and touch sense controller are also provided.
US09122321B2 Collaboration environment using see through displays
A see-through, near-eye, mixed reality display device and system for collaboration amongst various users of other such devices and personal audio/visual devices of more limited capabilities. One or more wearers of a see through head mounted display apparatus define a collaboration environment. For the collaboration environment, a selection of collaboration data and the scope of the environment are determined. Virtual representations of the collaboration data in the field of view of the wearer, and other device users are rendered. Persons in the wearer's field of view to be included in collaboration environment and who are entitled to share information in the collaboration environment are defined by the wearer. If allowed, input from other users in the collaboration environment on the virtual object may be received and allowed to manipulate a change in the virtual object.
US09122313B2 Viewpoint change on a display device based on movement of the device
Embodiments of the disclosed technology comprise a handheld display device with built-in accelerometer and, in some embodiments, compass. The display of a human figure is changed based on a change in viewpoint/orientation of the device. That is, upon detecting a change in viewpoint (e.g., viewing angle, tilt, roll, or pitch of the device), the image of the person changes. This may be used with a still picture of a person, such as for the sale of clothing, or in conjunction with moving images, such as for a sports or exercise instructional video.
US09122311B2 Visual feedback for tactile and non-tactile user interfaces
A method, including presenting, by a computer, a scrollable list of interactive items on a display driven by the computer, and receiving an input from a user of the computer. The list is scrolled at a speed indicated by the input, and the list is zoomed in response to the speed of the scrolling.
US09122305B2 Display device having touch sensors and method for transmitting touch coordinate data thereof
A display device having touch sensors includes a display panel having a touch screen, a Tx driving circuit supplying a touch driving pulse to Tx electrode lines of the touch screen, an Rx driving circuit which samples voltages of the touch sensors received through Rx electrode lines of the touch screen due to the supply of the touch driving pulse and outputs touch raw data from the voltages of the touch sensors, and a touch controller which obtains a plurality of touch groups based on the touch raw data, sets a transmission format of an effective touch group, on which a touch operation is performed, among the plurality of touch groups to a variable touch coordinate packet, and transmits the variable touch coordinate packet to an external host system.
US09122295B2 Power supply apparatus with reducing voltage overshooting
A voltage generating unit generates a standard output voltage and sends to a voltage output side. A voltage detection unit detects a voltage of the voltage output side and informs a voltage gain control unit. When the voltage of the voltage output side is decreasing due to a dynamic load, the voltage gain control unit is configured to control the voltage generating unit to increase a gain of a voltage generated by the voltage generating unit, and the voltage generated by the voltage generating unit is lower than the standard output voltage. Then, the voltage gain control unit is configured to control the voltage generating unit to decrease the gain of the voltage generated by the voltage generating unit, and the voltage generated by the voltage generating unit is equal to the standard output voltage.
US09122293B2 Method and apparatus for LDO and distributed LDO transient response accelerator
A transient response accelerated (TRA) low dropout (LDO) regulator has an error amplifier having a feedback input, and a reference input configured to receive a reference voltage, and an output that controls a pass gate. The pass gate output voltage is applied to the feedback input. A transient response accelerator (TRA) circuit detects a rapid voltage drop on the pass gate output and, in response, applies a pulse control that rapidly lowers the resistance of the pass gate.
US09122288B1 Low power USB 2.0 subsystem
USB physical interface subsystems are provided that include a protection circuit including a power supply interface and a plurality of pin interfaces, a pin identifier circuit in communication with the protection circuit for detecting a device coupling to a pin connected to one pin interface of the plurality of pin interfaces, a USB physical interface, and a dual power supply regulator configured to receive power via the power supply interface, to continuously supply a first voltage to the protection circuit, and to provide a second voltage and a third voltage to the pin identifier circuit and the USB physical interface, the second voltage and the third voltage being switched outputs.
US09122287B2 Dual frequency control of buck-boost regulator with a pass through band
Dual frequency control of first and second pairs of switches of a buck-boost regulator with pass through band is disclosed. In buck and boost modes respectively a first pair of the switches is operated at high frequency and a second pair of the switches is operated at low frequency. In pass through mode, both pairs of switches are operated at low frequency. Dual frequency control and operation of the pairs of switches enables current sharing between positive and negative power leads in buck, boost and pass-through modes.
US09122277B2 Flow regulator
Disclosed is a flow regulator, especially for insertion into a jet regulator in an outlet fixture, comprising an insertion member that is penetrated by at least one flow duct in an axial direction as well as a throttle element which forms a control gap along with the insertion member in order to allow a fluid to penetrate into the at least one flow duct. The aim of the invention is to create a flow regulator which allows for significantly greater durability during use while offering maximum ease of operation when fluid is discharged. Said aim is achieved by a flow regulator in which the throttle element is embodied as a dimensionally stable throttle cap that is supported in relation to the insertion member via an elastic spring element.
US09122275B2 Robot and control method thereof
A robot and method of controlling the same are provided. The robot includes a hand and an arm, a grip sensor unit configured to enable the hand to sense an object, a grip control unit configured to determine whether the hand grips the object from gripping information obtained from the grip sensor unit, select an object-based coordinate to control the hand and the arm based on a motion of the object or an independent coordinate to independently control the hand and the arm according to a result of the determination, and control the hand and the arm based on the selected coordinate, and a coordinate transformation unit configured to calculate a position and a direction of a virtual object based on the object-based coordinate, and deliver information about the position and the direction of the virtual object calculated to the grip control unit.
US09122271B2 Method for collision-free transfer of a plant from an substantially off mode to an operating mode
A method for collision-free transfer of a production plant from an substantially off mode to an operating mode, wherein the production plant operating state information of connected process sections required for collision-free startup of the plant is derived at least partially from simulation data of a real-time simulation tool that simulates the production plant operation parallel to the actual operation of the production plant in real-time.
US09122266B2 Camera-based monitoring of machines with mobile machine elements for collision prevention
In a method for collision-free interaction between a machine having mobile machine elements and objects in its vicinity, safety regions are established and monitored using the knowledge of the current position and the dynamic behavior. In particular, image data of the mobile machine element are recorded by means of an image acquisition system and are correlated with a database compiled in a training phase with image data of at least one mobile machine element. The database contains image data relating to a plurality of movement phases within the movement process of the machine. Using the database, both the current position of the mobile machine element is ascertained and a future position, reachable within the stopping time, is estimated. The dynamic behavior of the machine in the event of collision risk is optimized on the basis of this estimation.
US09122253B2 Systems and methods for dynamic risk derivation
A system may include a dynamic risk calculation engine (DRCE) system. The DRCE includes a model library configured to model a system, wherein the model library comprises a plurality of subsystem models, and each of the plurality of subsystem models is configured to derive a reliability measure. The DRCE further includes a fault tolerance input and a maintenance policy input. The DRCE additionally includes a run-time risk calculation engine configured to use a user-defined set of the plurality of subsystem models, the fault tolerance input, and the maintenance policy input, to derive a system risk for an apparatus.
US09122238B2 Image forming apparatus
An image forming apparatus may include exposure members, a drum supporting member, guide members configured to support the drum supporting member, a main body circuit board and a relay board. The drum supporting member may include a pair of side walls spaced apart from each other and configured to support photoconductor drums and the exposure members therebetween. Additionally or alternatively, the guide members may be configured to support the drum supporting member while allowing movement of the drum supporting member through an opening formed in the main body. The relay board and the main body circuit board may be connected by a cable and the relay board and the plurality of exposure members may be connected by one or more other cables. In some arrangements, the relay board may be fixed to a first side wall of the pair of side walls of the drum supporting member.
US09122234B2 Recording medium conveying mechanism and image forming apparatus having the same
A recording medium conveying mechanism includes a conveying guide, a guide member, and a rotating mechanism. The conveying guide conveys recording paper to a nip zone between a mountable/demountable intermediate transfer unit and a secondary transfer roller. The guide member acting as a part of the conveying guide is rotated by the rotating mechanism so that a tip thereof is disposed up to a position just adjacent to the nip zone when the intermediate transfer unit is mounted in the apparatus main body. When the intermediate transfer unit is mounted/demounted in/from the apparatus main body, the guide member is rotated up to a position at which the tip thereof does not exceed an arrangement position of the intermediate transfer belt portion in a conveying direction of the recording paper, in a movement direction of the intermediate transfer unit during the mounting/demounting.
US09122233B2 Image forming device including mechanism for moving developer cartridge
An image forming device includes a main body, developer cartridges, a drawer, and an ejecting mechanism. The drawer is movable relative to the main body. The developer cartridges are juxtaposed in a predetermined direction and detachably attached to the drawer. Each developer cartridge includes a developing roller whose rotational axis extends in an axial direction orthogonal to the predetermined direction. The ejecting mechanism moves at least one developer cartridge from an attached position in a moving direction relative to the drawer. The moving direction intersects the predetermined direction and is orthogonal to the axial direction. The ejecting mechanism includes an operating part and an actuating part. The actuating part moves the at least one developer cartridge from the attached position in the moving direction in response to the operating part receiving an operating force.
US09122227B2 Image forming apparatus
An image forming apparatus includes: a body frame having an opening, a cartridge being configured to be removably mounted to the body frame through the opening; and a cover configured to open and close the opening, wherein the cover includes a metallic reinforcement plate that is configured to face the cartridge mounted to the body frame when the cover is closed, and wherein the reinforcement plate includes a first recess part configured to receive therein a part of the cartridge mounted to the body frame when the cover is closed.
US09122216B2 Image forming apparatus, host apparatus, server, and method of performing image forming job thereof
An image forming apparatus includes a storage unit, an interface unit which is connected to a host apparatus and at least one of other image forming apparatuses, an image forming unit which prints image data received through the interface unit, and a controller which, if image data is received when the image forming apparatus is in a normal mode, controls the image forming unit to perform an image forming job using the image data, and if the image data is received when the image forming apparatus is in a power saving mode, controls the interface unit to transmit the image data to another image forming apparatus so that the another image forming apparatus performs an image forming job.
US09122203B2 Heat sealed remanufactured toner cartridge
A remanufactured toner cartridge includes a wall defining a fill hole that is used to refill the cartridge with toner. A patch covers the fill hole, and a heat activated adhesive non-removably attaches the patch to the wall. The fill hole can be formed with a heat knife such that when the heat knife is withdrawn it forms a raised ridge of material extending around the perimeter of the fill hole. The patch is attached to the wall by applying heat and pressure to the patch, which also softens and at least partially flattens the ridge of material surrounding the fill hole such that the patch is substantially flush with the wall upon completion of the operation.
US09122200B2 Image forming apparatus having a replaceable member determination unit
An image forming apparatus includes a replaceable member, a first determination unit, and a second determination unit. The replaceable member is removable from the image forming apparatus in an open state of a door and has a storage portion storing given information. The first determination unit determines whether or not a response from the storage portion exists. The second determination unit determines the image forming apparatus is in the open state or a removed state where the replaceable member is removed from the image forming apparatus when the first determination unit determines the response is not exist in given number of times.
US09122188B2 Image forming apparatus
An image forming apparatus including: a photosensitive member driving unit configured to rotate the photosensitive member; a charge unit having an opening portion and configured to charge the surface of the photosensitive member; a shield member movable between a closed position for closing the opening portion and an open position for opening the opening portion; a shield member driving unit configured to move the shield member between the closed position and the open position; and a control unit configured to control the photosensitive member driving unit to rotate the photosensitive member in a state in which the shield member is situated at the open position, and to prevent the photosensitive member from rotating in a state in which the shield member is situated at the closed position.
US09122187B2 Charging device, image forming apparatus, and computer program product
An charging device includes: capacitors connected in series; a charging unit that charges the capacitors; bypass units, each respectively connects in parallel to each capacitors, wherein each bypass unit causes, when a charged voltage of any capacitor has reached a set voltage, a charging current to bypass the capacitor whose charged voltage has reached the set voltage; and a control unit that controls the charging unit to charge the capacitors in such a manner that, when a charging voltage of the any capacitor has reached the set voltage, the control unit causes the charging unit to reduce the charging current, and if a predetermined period has elapsed since the charging voltage has reached the set voltage, and if a charging voltage of any of the other capacitors has not reached the set voltage after the predetermined period, the control unit causes the charging unit to increase the charging current.
US09122185B2 Image forming apparatus determining transfer parameter using color measurement result, image forming method, and non-transitory computer readable medium
An image forming apparatus includes a measuring unit, an adjustment image forming unit, a density value calculating unit, and a transfer parameter determining unit. The measuring unit measures colors of an image formed on a recording medium. The adjustment image forming unit forms an adjustment image including a combination color which is produced by superimposing colorants of two or more component colors. The density value calculating unit calculates, in accordance with a measurement result obtained by measuring the combination color included in the adjustment image by the measuring unit, a density value of a component color of a colorant that is formed in an uppermost layer on the recording medium among the two or more component colors. The transfer parameter determining unit determines a value of a transfer parameter in accordance with the calculated density value, the transfer parameter defining an operation condition used for performing transfer.
US09122184B2 Image forming apparatus including a downsized image carrier of an additional color therein
An image forming apparatus includes image carriers for four fundamental colors of black, cyan, magenta, and yellow, and for an auxiliary color, and three optical scanning devices. A first optical scanning device includes two light sources for the black color and another fundamental color, a first deflector, and a first housing. A second optical scanning device includes two light sources for other two fundamental colors, a second deflector, and a second housing. A third optical scanning device includes a light source for the auxiliary color, a third deflector, a third housing, and one or more reflecting mirrors. The light source for the auxiliary color is disposed closer to the third deflector with the one or more reflecting mirrors to turn an optical path therebetween while maintaining an optical path length thereof. The optical paths for the auxiliary color and for the black color have identical light utilization efficiency.
US09122181B2 Toner for developing an electrostatic charge image and toner cartridge containing the toner
A toner for developing an electrostatic charge image, including toner particles obtained by dissolving or dispersing a binder resin and an additive in an organic solvent to prepare an oil phase component, and dispersing and granulating the oil phase component in an aqueous medium containing an inorganic dispersant dispersed therein, wherein the binder resin is a polyester resin obtained from an alcohol component, a carboxylic acid component, and a long-chain alkyl group represented by formula (1), the long chain alkyl group being present in a mole percent ranging from 6.5 to 7.5 mol % based on total number of moles of the alcohol component, the carboxylic acid component, and the long-chain alkyl group, and the polyester resin having an acid value of from 4.9 to 7.0 mgKOH/g:
US09122176B2 Method for fabricating semiconductor device, pattern writing apparatus, recording medium recording program, and pattern transfer apparatus
A method for fabricating a semiconductor device, includes dividing a pattern region of a desired pattern that is to be formed on a semiconductor substrate into a plurality of sub-regions; calculating combination condition including a shape of illumination light for transferring and a mask pattern obtained by correcting a partial pattern in the sub-region of the desired pattern formed on a mask used during transferring for each of the plurality of sub-regions, to make a dimension error of the partial pattern of each of the plurality of sub-regions smaller when transferred to the semiconductor substrate; and forming the desired pattern by making multiple exposures on the semiconductor substrate in such a way that the partial patterns of the sub-regions divided are sequentially transferred by transferring a pattern to the semiconductor substrate using the combination conditions calculated for each of the sub-regions.