Document Document Title
US09130699B2 Mobile communication system, transmitting device, receiving device, and method
A transmitting device for a mobile communication system employing a multicarrier scheme includes a mapping unit configured to map control information to subcarriers in a subframe; an inverse Fourier transform unit configured to inverse-Fourier-transform a signal of the mapped control information; and a transmitting unit configured to wirelessly transmit a transmission signal including the inverse-Fourier-transformed signal to a receiving device. The control information is mapped to control frequency bands that are discontinuous in the frequency domain and are provided across the subframe separately from frequency bands for a shared data channel. The mapping is performed such that the control information for the receiving device mapped to one of the control frequency bands is transmitted at the same time as the control information or the shared data channel for the receiving device mapped to a different frequency band.
US09130698B2 Failure indication for one or more carriers in a multi-carrier communication environment
Systems and methodologies are described that facilitate indicating a loss of channel quality on a component carrier of a plurality of component carriers. A UE can monitor configured component carriers to determine channel qualities associated therewith. The UE can transmit carrier quality information that includes the channel qualities of the plurality of component carriers. In addition, the UE can identify a component carrier experiencing a loss of channel quality and notify a base station of the component carrier with poor channel conditions. In one aspect, the UE can incorporate additional information into a scheduling request. In addition, the UE can generate a CQI report that contains the carrier quality information. Further, the base station, when a loss of channel quality occurs, can retry transmission on different carriers. Moreover, the base station can employ information provided by the UE when selecting a component carrier for a transmission.
US09130695B1 Adaptive rate control of 10GBASE-T data transport system
A 10GBASE-T circuit is disclosed. The circuit includes a physical (PHY) integrated circuit and a media access control (MAC) integrated circuit. The PHY couples to a data transfer medium and carries out data transfers at a PHY data rate. The MAC integrated circuit controls access to the date transfer medium and couples to the PHY via a bidirectional link operating at a MAC data rate. Rate control logic detects the PHY data rate, and adjusts the MAC data rate to the PHY data rate. Changes to the PHY and MAC data rates may be made at rates higher than 1 Gbps.
US09130693B2 Generation of perfectly secret keys in wireless communication networks
A method and apparatus is used for generating a perfectly random secret key between two or more transceivers in a wireless communication network. In a point-to-point system, both transceivers produce an estimate of the channel impulse response (CIR) based on the received radio signal. The CIR estimation is synchronized and may include error correction and detection. A long secret key of bits is generated from a digitized version of the CIR estimate, from which a perfectly secret encryption key is derived by privacy amplification.
US09130680B2 Optical transmitter and modulated optical signal generating method
An optical transmitter includes: an optical modulator including a first modulation unit and a second modulation unit respectively configured to propagate a first optical signal and a second optical signal that are obtained by splitting input light; a signal generator configured to generate a first drive signal and a second drive signal that are respectively supplied to the first modulation unit and the second modulation unit; a phase controller configured to control a phase difference between the first optical signal and the second optical signal in the optical modulator; and a phase difference detector configured to detect the phase difference between the first optical signal and the second optical signal controlled by the phase controller. The signal generator generates the first drive signal and the second drive signal based on the phase difference detected by the phase difference detector.
US09130662B2 Systems and methods for management of wireless clients
Systems and methods for band hopping and power conservation in a wireless network are described. At least one embodiment is directed a method of hopping channels by a device within a wireless network. The method comprises hopping from a first channel to a target channel, resetting a virtual carrier sense after hopping to the target channel to enable service on the target channel, waiting for a pre-determined period of time, and setting a virtual carrier sense on the target channel after expiration of the pre-determined period of time and prior to hopping to a next target channel.
US09130660B2 Multiple-path noise cancellation
A communication device, such as a smartphone or tablet, includes a communication interface with noise cancellation logic. The noise cancellation logic includes a lead path and a reference path. A signal source provides a signal to the lead path and the references path. The signal is amplified along the lead path and the reference path. Distortion is imparted onto the signal during amplification on the lead path. A correction signal based on the difference between the amplified signal on the lead path and the amplified signal on the reference path is generated by the noise cancellation logic. The correction signal may reflect to distortion imparted during amplification on the lead path. The correction signal is differentially combined with the amplified signal on the lead path to attempt to remove the distortion and generate an output.
US09130648B2 Method of and radio network for transmitting layered data to multiple receiving stations
A radio network with at least one sending station, at least one relay station and at least a first and a second receiving station transmits data organized in at least a first and a second layer, where at least the first layer is routed via a first path from the base station to the relay station to a first receiving station and at least the second layer is routed to the second receiving station via a different second path.
US09130640B2 Mobile wireless communications device providing pattern/frequency control features and related methods
A mobile wireless communications device may include a portable housing, a wireless transceiver carried by the portable housing, and a plurality of antennas also carried by the portable housing. Each antenna may have a different gain pattern at a different respective operating frequency, and the antennas may have different shapes to define different gain patterns at a given operating frequency. The mobile wireless communications device may further include a frequency/pattern diversity controller for controlling the wireless transceiver to preferentially operate with the plurality of antennas.
US09130639B2 Frequency resolver
A frequency resolver and a method for using the resolver. The resolver includes an oscillator circuit, a mixer circuit, and a controller circuit. The oscillator circuit is configured to provide at least two oscillated signals. The mixer circuit is coupled to the oscillator circuit and includes a first frequency mixer and a second frequency mixer for mixing an incoming RF transmission with the two oscillated signals. The mixer circuit further is configured to provide a first output signal from the first mixer and a second output signal from the second mixer. The controller circuit is coupled to the mixer circuit and configured to determine whether at least one of the first or second output signals are associated with an upper sideband (USB) frequency or a lower sideband (LSB) frequency of the RF transmission.
US09130637B2 Communication methods and systems for nonlinear multi-user environments
An electronic receiver comprises a nonlinear distortion modeling circuit and a nonlinear distortion compensation circuit. The nonlinear distortion modeling circuit is operable to determine a plurality of sets of nonlinear distortion model parameter values, where each of the sets of nonlinear distortion model parameter values representing nonlinear distortion experienced by signals received by the electronic receiver from a respective one a plurality of communication partners. The nonlinear distortion compensation circuit is operable to use the sets of nonlinear distortion model parameter values for processing of signals from the plurality of communication partners. Each of the sets of nonlinear distortion model parameter values may comprises a plurality of values corresponding to a plurality of signal powers. The sets of nonlinear distortion model parameters may be stored in a lookup table indexed by a signal strength parameter.
US09130635B2 Wireless communication system, wireless communication device, and wireless communication method
A wireless communication system includes a transmitting device and a receiving device each including a plurality of antennas. A plurality of streams are subjected to spatial multiplexing and are transmitted in a downlink in which packets are transmitted from the transmitting device to the receiving device. In the transmitting device, each of the plurality of transmission streams is divided into a plurality of bit-series groups having decoding characteristics to which priority levels are assigned, the bit-series groups are subjected to encoding processes and modulating processes in accordance with the priority levels and further subjected to weighting and synthesizing, and each of the plurality of transmission streams in which a plurality of bit series items are synthesized with one another is spatially multiplexed and transmitted.
US09130628B1 Digital pre-distorter
A digital pre-distorter (DPD) for an RF transceiver system having multiple antennas includes a DPD controller, first and second address generators, stream select and antenna select muxes, first and second lookup tables (LUTs), first and second dynamic routing logic units, multipliers, an adder, and an accumulator. The DPD controller generates antenna select, stream select and stream routing signals indicative of selection of antennas, the first and second LUTs, and input signals. The DPD controller configures the DPD to share the multipliers and the first and second LUTs between multiple antennas by providing the antenna select signal to the antenna select mux, the stream select signal to the stream select mux, and the stream routing signals to the first and second dynamic routing logic units.
US09130620B2 Coordinated multi-point transmission and reception schemes for cellular downlink
There is provided a method for generating transmit precoders for a communication system having a plurality of transmitters and a plurality of receivers forming a plurality of transmitter-receiver pairs. Each of the transmitters and receivers has a respective plurality of antennas. The method includes initializing the transmit precoders. The method further includes updating a plurality of receiver filters and a plurality of slack variables using closed form expressions. The method also includes updating the transmit precoders responsive to an output of said prior updating step. The method additionally includes iteratively repeating the updating steps until convergence is reached to obtain a final set of transmit precoders. The transmit precoders are updated to perform precoding for multiple stream data transmission for each of the plurality of transmitter-receiver pairs on each of a plurality of slots under a per-antenna power constraint imposed on each of the plurality of antennas.
US09130619B2 Finding channel state information with reduced codebook in a multi-antenna wireless communication system
Multiple antennas employed at the transmitter and receiver can significantly increase a MIMO system capacity, especially when channel knowledge is available at the transmitter. Channel state information may be provided to the transmitter by the receiver in a codebook based precoding feedback. In a proposed approach is proposed in which the receiver conducts a search of precoder elements of a codebook to provide the transmitter with rank information and precoder control index that enhances capacity. Unlike the conventional exhaustive search, the proposed approach reduces complexity by reducing the search space of precoder elements for consideration. Performance loss is minimized by reducing the search space of higher rank precoder elements. For some ranks, the complexity is reduced without any performance sacrifice by grouping the precoder elements of the rank into groups of equivalent capacities and including at most one precoder element from each group into the search space.
US09130616B2 Weighting factor reporting method in a mimo mobile communications system, and base station and user apparatus that are suitable for use in the method
A user apparatus in a multi input multi output (MIMO) mobile communications system using pre-encoding is disclosed. The user apparatus includes a PMI generator which generates a pre-encoding matrix indicator (PMI) which indicates a pre-encoding matrix to be used by a base station; a transmitter which feeds back the PMI to the base station; and a receiver which receives a signal from the base station, wherein the signal received at the receiver includes information on whether it is according to PMI information fed back from the user apparatus after a predetermined elapsed time from a timing at which the PMI information is fed back from the user apparatus.
US09130611B2 Method of using zoning map for beam searching, tracking and refinement
The disclosure is directed to a wireless communications device. In an embodiment, the wireless communications device comprises a phased antenna array comprising a plurality of antennas, a transceiver operatively coupled to the phased antenna array and configured to control the plurality of antennas and an antenna weight vector (AWV), a memory storing a spherical zoning map, and a beam controller configured to control the transceiver by setting the AWV for each antenna of the plurality of antennas.
US09130606B2 Wireless transmission system, method for wirelessly transmitting a data stream between a transmitting apparatus and a recening apparatus, method for wirelessly recening a signal, transmitting apparatus for wirelessly transmitting a data stream and recening apparatus for wirelessly recening two electric signals to produce a recened data stream
The present disclosure describes apparatuses, methods and systems for high-speed, capacitive wireless data transmission between electronic devices. A transmitting apparatus is coupled to a data stream and comprises a signal preparer and two transmitting terminals. The signal preparer provides a copy of the data stream to a first transmitting terminal and an inverted version to a second transmitting terminal. Each transmitting terminal emanates an electric field representative of the signal it has received from the signal preparer. A receiving apparatus, separated in space from the transmitting apparatus by nonconductive material, comprises two receiving terminals separated in space from each other and a data stream restorer. Each receiving terminal detects the electric field emanated by the corresponding transmitting terminal, such that a received repeated signal is induced on the first receiving terminal and a received inverted signal is induced on the second receiving terminal. These received signals are combined to produce a received data stream.
US09130601B2 Timing management for an NFC communicator and related data source
An NFC communicator has a coupler operable to couple with a coupler of a near field RF communicator in near field range to enable communication of data between the communicators by modulation of a magnetic field, a demodulator to extract modulation from a modulated signal coupled to the coupler, and a modulator to modulate an RF signal in accordance with data to be communicated by the NFC communicator. The NFC communicator communicates with a data source and is arranged to at least one of provide timing data to the data source and receive timing data from the data source.
US09130593B2 Data processing method
A data receiving circuit includes: a first de-interleave circuit configured to de-interleave first data which is demodulated and is soft-decision-processed; a second de-interleave circuit configured to de-interleave second data which is demodulated and is soft-decision-processed; a memory configured to be shared by the first de-interleave circuit and the second de-interleave circuit and store respective hard decision information and respective soft decision information of the first data and the second data; and a memory control circuit configured to vary a first through fourth number of bits stored in the memory, the first number corresponding to the hard decision information of the first data, the second number corresponding to the soft decision information of the first data, the third number corresponding to the hard decision information of the second data, the fourth number corresponding to the soft decision information of the second data.
US09130592B2 Error correction code circuit and memory device including the same
The ECC circuit includes a Chien search unit configured to determine whether there is an error in each bit of a data sequence. The Chien search unit selects a coefficient of a nonlinear term from among terms of an error locator polynomial as a nonlinear coefficient, separates the error locator polynomial into a first location equation including only linear terms and a second location equation including only nonlinear terms, determines a third location equation by dividing the first location equation by the nonlinear coefficient, determines a fourth location equation by dividing the second location equation by the nonlinear coefficient, and determines whether there is an error for each of the bits by performing an XOR operation on a result of the third location equation using the substitution value and a result of the fourth location equation using an arbitrary element of the error locator polynomial as a substitution value.
US09130590B2 Non-binary layered low density parity check decoder
A non-binary layered low density parity check decoder includes a variable node processor operable to generate variable node to check node messages and to calculate perceived values based on normalized check node to variable node messages and on normalized decoder inputs, and to output normalized decoded values, and a check node processor operable to generate the check node to variable node messages based on normalized variable node to check node messages.
US09130587B2 Frame adaptive digital to analog converter and methods for use therewith
A digital to analog converter (DAC) includes a thermometer coder that generates a plurality of micro-current source analog controls on a frame-by-frame or symbol-by-symbol basis and to process digital inputs from symbols or frames of data based on a thermometer coding to generate a plurality of micro-current source inputs. A plurality of micro-current sources generate a corresponding plurality of micro-current source outputs in response to the plurality of micro-current source inputs, wherein first selected ones of the plurality of micro-current sources are powered-off in response to the plurality of micro-current source analog controls for a first symbol or frame of the plurality of symbols or frames of data. A summing circuit generates an analog output based a sum of the corresponding plurality of micro-current source outputs.
US09130580B2 Low-power pulse width encoding scheme and counter-less shift register that may be employed therewith
A method of decoding an encoded signal includes steps of receiving the encoded signal, creating a decoding signal by delaying the encoded signal by a predetermined amount of time Δ, sampling the encoded signal using the decoding signal, and determining a value of each of a plurality of decoded bits represented by the encoded signal based on the sampling. Also, a method of operating a shift register wherein the shift register has an initialization state wherein a first binary symbol is stored in a first position and a second binary symbol different than the first binary symbol is stored in each of one or more intermediate positions and a last position. The method includes determining that the shift register is full responsive to detecting that the first binary symbol has been stored in either one of the intermediate positions or the last position.
US09130576B2 Common reference crystal systems
One embodiment of communication system comprises a crystal oscillator configured to output a reference clock; cellular radio frequency (RF) and baseband phase locked loops configured to receive the reference clock within a cellular module and compensate for calculated frequency errors between a received cellular downlink signal and a cellular local oscillator signal during operation of the cellular module; global positioning system (GPS) frequency compensation circuitry configured to receive the reference clock within a GPS module and compensate for calculated frequency errors during operation of the GPS module; and a temperature sensing circuit which includes a plurality of sensing resistors and is configured to output a signal corresponding to a temperature of a reference crystal which is translated to a frequency deviation, wherein the (GPS) frequency compensation circuitry is configured to offset the frequency deviation and output a temperate compensated signal to meet GPS clock frequency requirements.
US09130574B2 Semiconductor device incorporating a power on circuit
A semiconductor device which makes it possible to reduce a wasteful standby time at power-on is provided. In this semiconductor device, a reset of an internal circuit is canceled as described below. When a data signal stored in a storage section is at “0,” the reset is canceled by bringing an internal reset signal to the “H” level when a relatively short time has passed after the rising edge of a power on reset signal. When the data signal is at “1,” the reset is canceled by bringing the internal reset signal to the “H” level when a relatively long time has passed after the rising edge of the power on reset signal. Therefore, a wasteful standby time at power-on can be reduced by writing the data signal logically equivalent to the rise time of supply voltage to the storage section.
US09130571B2 Initializing a capacitive sensing switch for a wireless device
An apparatus, system, and method that initialize a capacitive sensing switch and detects a pushed button are described. The apparatus comprises a keypad, a logic component, an initialization threshold, a measured capacitive value, and a processor. The keypad comprises at least one capacitive sensing switch. The logic component is configured to determine a capacitive sensing range for each capacitive sensing switch, wherein the range corresponds to the difference between the maximum and minimum capacitance. Each capacitive sensing switch is initialized when the capacitive sensing range exceeds the initialization threshold. The measured capacitive value measures the capacitive value for each switch and a corresponding push-button threshold determines whether the button has been pushed. The processor is configured to process computer instructions that correspond to each switch when the capacitive sensing range exceeds the initialization threshold and when the measured capacitive value for each capacitive sensing switch exceeds the push-button threshold.
US09130569B2 Controller for load circuit
Two semiconductor switches are arranged in parallel in a load circuit for connecting a power source with a load. Further, the semiconductor switches are controlled so as to be alternately tuned on and off. As a result, since a current flows through only either of the semiconductor switches, an offset error detected by current sensors includes only an offset error of either of the semiconductor switches, the detection of current with high accuracy can be accomplished. Therefore, when performing the control of shutting off the circuit to cope with the occurrence of an overcurrent flowing through the load, the shutoff control with high accuracy can be accomplished.
US09130554B2 High-frequency power source device
A high-frequency power source device includes switching element groups having a configuration in which a plurality of switching elements turned on/off cyclically are connected in parallel. One parallel connection terminal of the switching element group is connected to a positive electrode terminal of a DC power source, and one parallel connection terminal of the switching element group is connected to a negative electrode terminal of the DC power source. Respective other parallel connection terminals of the switching element groups are connected via a reactor. A pulse voltage that appears at opposite ends of the reactor due to a cyclic on/off operation of the switching element groups is applied to a load through a coaxial cable and a matching circuit.
US09130543B2 Method and apparatus for adaptive impedance matching
A system that incorporates teachings of the present disclosure may include, for example, an adaptive impedance matching network having an RF matching network coupled to at least one RF input port and at least one RF output port and comprising one or more controllable variable reactive elements. The RF matching network can be adapted to reduce a level of reflected power transferred from said at least one input port by varying signals applied to said controllable variable reactive elements. The one or more controllable variable reactive elements can be coupled to a circuit adapted to map one or more control signals that are output from a controller to a signal range that is compatible with said one or more controllable variable reactive elements. Additional embodiments are disclosed.
US09130537B2 Radio frequency transmitter, power combiners and wireless communication unit therefor
A radio frequency transmitter includes: power amplifier stages having paired output terminals, where a pair of output terminals is coupled to a respective amplifier stage. A power combining arrangement includes: first paired input terminals, second input terminals, such that each input of the first paired input terminals is coupled to the same second input terminal; and a power transfer circuit coupling the second input terminals. A first pair of cross coupled bond wires couples a pair of amplifier stage output terminals with a different second input terminal via terminals of different pairs of the first paired input terminals; and a second pair of cross coupled bond wires overlays the first pair of cross coupled bond wires and couples a further pair of amplifier stage output terminals with a different second input terminal via terminals of different pairs of the first paired input terminals.
US09130535B2 Driver amplifier with asymmetrical T-coil matching network
A driver amplifier with asymmetrical T-coil matching network is disclosed. In an exemplary embodiment, an apparatus includes a first inductor configured to receive an input signal at an input terminal and to provide an output signal at an output terminal that is matched to a resistive load. The apparatus also includes a second inductor connected to the first inductor and coupled to the first inductor by a coupling coefficient, the second inductor having a first terminal connected to a supply voltage.
US09130526B2 Signal processing apparatus
A signal processing apparatus is configured to change volume level or frequency characteristics of an input signal with a limited bandwidth in a first frequency range. The apparatus includes: an information extracting unit configured to extract second frequency characteristic information from a collection signal with a limited bandwidth in a second frequency range different from the first frequency range; a frequency characteristic information extending unit configured to estimate first frequency characteristic information from the second frequency characteristic information extracted by the information extracting unit, the first frequency characteristic information including the first frequency range; and a signal correcting unit configured to change volume level or frequency characteristics of the input signal according to the first frequency characteristic information obtained by the frequency characteristic information extending unit.
US09130524B2 Linear amplifier and multistage linear amplifier
Disclosed is a linear amplifier which includes: a common source transistor with the gate connected with an input node; a first common gate transistor connected with the common source transistor in a cascode type, with the drain connected with an output node; and a second common gate transistor connected in parallel with the first common gate transistor, with the gate connected with the input node and the drain connected with the output node.
US09130520B2 Differential output circuit and semiconductor device
A highly reliable circuit is realized using the transistors having a lower withstand voltage. There are provided a differential pair including a first and a second transistor which respectively receive input signals having mutually reversed phases; a third and a fourth transistor respectively cascode-coupled to the first and the second transistor, and having the same conductivity type as the first and the second transistor; a first and a second output terminal coupled to respective drains of the third and the fourth transistor; and a voltage divider circuit which divides an intermediate potential between respective potentials of the first and the second output terminal and supplies the divided potential to gates of the third and the fourth transistor.
US09130514B2 Vcom switching amplifier
Certain electronic devices with displays, such as LCDs, are configured to provide a common voltage to a display backplane. The common voltage is supplied by a common voltage application circuit coupled to the display. The common voltage application circuit includes a switching amplifier configured to output the common voltage. The switching amplifier functions as a switching power supply having improved power efficiency compared to conventional common voltage application circuits.
US09130507B1 Gain smoothing for burst demodulation in servo channel
A digital gain estimation loop and a gain smoothing method for burst demodulation in a servo channel are disclosed. The gain estimation is performed on digital samples obtained from a digital finite impulse response (DFIR) filter, wherein the digital samples include at least a portion of a servo address mark (SAM) and gray data in the servo sector. The gain estimation method includes the steps of: generating a reference signal based on the digital samples obtained from the DFIR filter; generating a comparison signal by delaying the digital samples obtained from the DFIR filter; determining a gain error gradient by comparing the reference signal and the comparison signal; and calculating the second gain adjustment based on the gain error gradient.
US09130501B2 Control device for rotary machine
A storage section stores, as stored current values, currents flowing when a voltage application section applies voltage vectors to a three-phase rotary machine. A position estimation section estimates the rotor position of the rotary machine in a stopped state based on the stored current values. An adjustment section adjusts a minimum necessary application time that allows the rotary machine to be magnetically saturated by voltage vector application, to enable rotor position estimation. Further, the adjustment section uses, as an adjustment evaluation value, the magnitude |ΔY| of differential admittance obtained by dividing a summed current value calculated from the stored current values by the voltage amplitude value of the voltage vector instruction when the voltage vector based on the voltage vector instruction is applied with the application time being set at an arbitrary application time, and adjusts the application time based on |ΔY|.
US09130499B2 System and method of speed detection in an AC induction machine
A system and method for determining rotor speed of an AC induction machine is disclosed. The system is programmed to estimate a rotor speed of the induction machine according to a linear speed estimation algorithm and based on name plate information (NPI) of the induction machine and parameters of the AC induction machine during operation thereof. The rotor speed estimation system is also programmed to estimate a rotor speed of the AC induction machine according to a frequency-domain signal processing algorithm and determine if the rotor speed estimated thereby is valid. If the rotor speed estimated by the frequency-domain signal processing algorithm is valid, then a tuned rotor speed of the AC induction machine is estimated according to the linear speed estimation algorithm and based, in part, on the rotor speed estimated by the frequency-domain signal processing algorithm.
US09130493B2 Control of a brushless motor
A method of controlling a brushless motor that includes rectifying an alternating voltage to provide a rectified voltage, exciting a winding of the motor with the rectified voltage for a conduction period over each electrical half-cycle of the motor, and updating the conduction period in response to a zero-crossing in the alternating voltage. Additionally, a control system that implements the method, and a motor system that incorporates the control system.
US09130489B2 Vehicle and control method of vehicle
A vehicle converts DC power from a power storage device into AC power by an inverter to run by driving a three-phase motor generator. A switching unit is provided at a path electrically connecting the motor generator and the inverter. The switching unit includes a relay corresponding to each phase. Each relay is configured to connect a coil of a corresponding phase in the motor generator to a corresponding driving arm in the inverter, or to a connection node of capacitors connected in series between direct current side terminals of the inverter. When short-circuit failure is detected at a switching element of any one of the phases in the inverter, an ECU switches the relay of the corresponding phase in the switching unit to the side of the connection node.
US09130486B2 Motor position detecting unit and brushless DC motor system
Provided is a motor position detecting unit that includes a first computing element configured to output three-phase back-electromotive foreces (back-EMFs) based on a linear computation; a second computing element configured to output three-phase back-EMF based on a non-linear computation; and a computing controller configured to receive a control signal, three-phase voltage and current, and selecting any one of the first and second computing elements based on the received control signal, the received three-phase voltages and currents, wherein the control signal includes information on operation modes of an external motor.
US09130484B2 Vacuum augmented electroadhesive device
An electroadhesive gripping system includes a vacuum-augmented gripper. The gripper can include an electroadhesive surface associated with one or more electrodes and a load-bearing backing structure coupled to the electroadhesive surface. The backing couples to the backside of the electroadhesive surface so as to at least partially define a shape of the electroadhesive surface. The backing is configured to flex between a curled shape and an uncurled shape. A spreading arm is configured to apply force to the backing so as to flex the backing from the curled shape to the uncurled shape. When positioned next to a substrate, the uncurling motion of the backing can cause the electroadhesive surface to become vacuum sealed to the substrate. A power supply can be configured to apply voltage to the electroadhesive surface.
US09130483B2 Piezoelectric power generator
A piezoelectric power generator that includes a first elastic body, which deforms along a first direction x upon receiving a stress, and a piezoelectric power-generating element. A second elastic body is arranged on a y1 side of the first elastic body and a piezoelectric element is fixed to a y1-side surface of the second elastic body. When the first elastic body bends into a shape that is concave toward the y1 side, the second elastic body receives a stress from the first elastic body. When the first elastic body bends into a shape that is convex toward the y1 side, the second elastic body does not receive a stress from the first elastic body. The piezoelectric power generator further includes a vibration suppressing member that is arranged between the first elastic body and the second elastic body and suppresses bending mode vibration of the second elastic body.
US09130482B2 Pseudo zero vectors for space vector modulation and enhanced space vector modulation
A method of performing space vector modulation for PWM control for creating AC waveforms includes generating and sampling a reference signal to generate reference samples and performing a reference vector approximation to synthesize a reference vector associated with at least one of the reference samples. The reference vector approximation employs active vectors, one or more zero vectors, and one or more pseudo zero vectors in the formation thereof. Another method of performing space vector modulation (SVM) includes generating a reference signal and sampling the reference signal at a sampling frequency to generate a plurality of reference samples. The method also includes performing a reference vector approximation to synthesize a reference vector associated with at least one of the reference samples, wherein the reference vector approximation has a first portion that employs two adjacent active vectors and a remaining portion that employs two non-adjacent active vectors in the formation thereof.
US09130481B2 Power converting appartatus
In a power converting apparatus having a plurality of phases on an AC side and configured to perform conversion between DC power and AC power, a current detector detects currents flowing through a DC source line through which a plurality of phase currents commonly flow. A control unit sets a current detection period and a succeeding current control period in each successive control cycle. Using first gate signals based on reference gate signals for PWM control, the control unit calculates values of the individual phase currents from the first gate signals and the detected currents during the current detection period. Then, during the current control period, the control unit performs PWM control using phase voltage commands generated by correcting phase voltage target values so as to cancel out voltage errors that occur during the current detection period.
US09130480B2 Device for applying high voltage using pulse voltage, and method of applying high voltage
A device for applying a high voltage using a pulse voltage is provided which applies a high voltage having a pulse width τ0 to a capacitive load (1) through a pulse transformer (4), the high voltage having pulse-like peaks with a steep leading edge, wherein a capacitance C1 of the capacitive load (1) and a secondary side leakage inductance L1 of the pulse transformer (4) satisfy the equation: L1=(τ0/π)2×(1/C1). This enables enlargement of the pulse-like peaks and application of any pulse repetition frequency when the high voltage having the pulse-like peaks is applied to the capacitive load through the pulse transformer.
US09130477B2 High voltage converter for limiting short-circuit currents
A submodule of a high-voltage inverter has a first sub-unit with a first energy storage device, a first series circuit of two power semiconductor switching units connected in parallel with the first energy storage device, each including a switchable power semiconductor, having the same pass-through direction, and each being conductive opposite the nominal pass-through direction. A first connection terminal is connected to the potential point between the power semiconductor switching units of the first series circuit. A second sub-unit has a second energy storage device, a second series circuit of two power semiconductor switching units connected in parallel with the second energy storage device, each including a switchable power semiconductor, having the same pass-through direction, and each being conductive opposite the nominal pass-through direction. A second connection terminal is connected to the potential point between the power semiconductor switching units of the second series circuit, limiting short circuit currents quickly, reliably, and effectively in case of a fault. The first and second sub-units are connected to each other by connections designed such that a current flow between the first connection terminal and the second connection terminal in both directions takes place only via the first energy storage device and/or the second energy storage device in a selected switching state of all power semiconductor switching units.
US09130475B2 Switched-mode power supply capable of catching radiated electromagnetic interference and using its energy
A switched-mode power supply (SMPS), capable of catching radiated electromagnetic interference (EMI) and using its energy, includes a specific component, an antenna, a rectifier, and an energy storage capacitor or a rechargeable battery. The specific component generates radiated EMI. The antenna is disposed on or embedded in the specific component, and the frequency range of the antenna corresponds to the frequency band of the radiated EMI generated by the specific component. The rectifier is electrically connected with a terminal of the antenna. The energy storage capacitor or the rechargeable battery is electrically connected with the rectifier. The SMPS may simplify the design of circuits for suppressing radiated EMI to reduce cost, and to achieve the purpose of power saving by recycling and reuse of dissipated energy.
US09130469B2 Primary-side feedback controlled AC/DC converter with an improved error amplifier
An error amplifier, a controller using the error amplifier, and a primary-side feedback controlled AC/DC converter using the controller are discussed. When the output voltage of the primary-side feedback controlled AC/DC converter according to present invention changes, the alternating current path enjoys a fast response and adjusts the output voltage quickly with a lower precision, avoiding large voltage fluctuate, then the direct current path functions slowly to reduce equivalent output error. In such a way, the output voltage precision is enhanced while the stability of the primary-side feedback controlled AC/DC converter is maintained.
US09130464B2 Soft-start switching power converting apparatus with pulse-frequency modulation technique
A switching power converting apparatus includes a voltage conversion module, a detecting unit, and a switching signal generating unit. The voltage conversion module converts an input voltage into an output voltage associated with a secondary side current, which flows through a secondary winding of a transformer and is generated based on a switching signal. The detecting unit generates a detecting signal based on the output voltage and a predetermined reference voltage. The switching signal generating unit generates the switching signal based on the detecting signal and an adjusting signal so that the secondary side current is gradually increased during a start period of the switching power converting apparatus.
US09130461B2 Universal power conversion methods with disconnect after driving
Methods and systems for transforming electric power between two or more portals. Any or all portals can be DC, single phase AC, or multi-phase AC. Conversion is accomplished by a plurality of bi-directional conducting and blocking semiconductor switches which alternately connect an inductor and parallel capacitor between said portals, such that energy is transferred into the inductor from one or more input portals and/or phases, then the energy is transferred out of the inductor to one or more output portals and/or phases, with said parallel capacitor facilitating “soft” turn-off, and with any excess inductor energy being returned back to the input. Soft turn-on and reverse recovery is also facilitated. Said bi-directional switches allow for two power transfers per inductor/capacitor cycle, thereby maximizing inductor/capacitor utilization as well as providing for optimum converter operation with high input/output voltage ratios. Control means coordinate the switches to accomplish the desired power transfers.
US09130457B2 Control logic for switches coupled to an inductor
Simple and efficient techniques for closed loop control of a boost converter. In an aspect, a current feed-forward (CFF) mode of operation includes providing current information to a control logic block controlling transistor switches of the boost converter to advantageously smooth the signals present in the closed loop control of the system. In another aspect, a modified peak current (MPC) mode of operation includes providing a simplified control mechanism based on a peak current mode of operation. Both CFF mode and MPC mode may share similar circuit elements, allowing a single implementation to selectively implement either of these modes of control. Further techniques are provided for determining average current information for the logic block.
US09130455B2 Method and apparatus for control of switched-mode power supplies
The present invention relates to nonlinear and time-variant signal processing, and, in particular, to methods, systems, and apparatus for adaptive filtering and control applicable to switching power supplies.
US09130439B2 Method of flaring stator windings
A method of flaring stator windings includes supporting a first axial end of a stator core having first and second end turn portions on a first cuff having a first central opening. The first end turn portion extends through the first central opening. The method further includes positioning a second cuff having a second central opening upon a second axial end of the stator core with the second end turn portion extending through the second central opening, positioning a flaring guide having an angled surface upon the second cuff about the second end turn portion, aligning a flaring portion of a flare tool with the second end turn portion, urging the flaring portion between first and second stator winding layers forming the second end turn portion, and flaring the second stator winding layer radially outward of the stator core.
US09130426B2 Permanent magnet rotors and methods of assembling the same
A method for securing a plurality of permanent magnets about a perimeter of a rotor core is described that includes positioning the plurality of magnets with respect to the rotor core, the magnets including at least one feature formed at each side thereof, each feature opposing a feature formed in an adjacent magnet, and applying a material between the magnets that engages the features formed in the magnets to form a molded material, the material extending into a groove formed within the rotor core such that the molded material operates to engage the rotor core, the engagement of the molded material with the rotor core and the engagement of the molded material with the magnets operative to maintain a position of the magnets with respect to the rotor core.
US09130424B2 Rotor of interior permanent magnet motor
A rotor of an interior permanent magnet motor includes a rotor core configured to form a body of the rotor. An upper permanent magnet group is configured to be inserted into the rotor core to form a magnetic pole. A lower permanent magnet group is configured to be inserted into the rotor core below the upper permanent magnet group to form a two-layered structure with the upper permanent magnet group. Each of the upper and lower permanent magnet groups may include two V-shaped permanent magnets. A polar arc angle formed by the two permanent magnets of the upper permanent magnet group may be different from a polar arc angle formed by the permanent magnets of the lower permanent magnet group.
US09130423B2 Rotor and motor
Magnets may be embedded in first recessed portions of a rotor core, and at least one stopper is each attached to an axial end of the rotor core. The rotor core may include second recessed portions each including a locking portion arranged to project inward therein. The stopper may include a base portion arranged to close the first recessed portions, and elastically deformable hook portions each arranged to be inserted into a separate one of the second recessed portions to be engaged with the locking portion. The rotor core may include first plates and second plates placed upon one another. Each first plate may include first locking elements each defining an opening, while each second plate may include second locking elements each defining a larger opening. The locking portions may be defined by arranging the second plates axially inward and placing the first plates upon the second plates.
US09130414B2 Ecocharge system with layered graphene sheets for generating EMF from the earth's magnetic field to power electric vehicles
The earth's magnetic field has not been mined as a source of energy for electric vehicles. With average field strength of 0.5×10−4 Tesla around the world it is easy to understand why it has been overlooked. A disruptive technology is needed to mine the earth's magnetic field for powering electric vehicles. Such a technology, graphene, is now at an early stage of development with excellent properties in the form of high conductivity, low resistivity sheets that are durable, light weight, and low cost. Electrical properties of multiple sheets of graphene provide a significant multiplier to earth's weak magnetic field yielding a feasible source of ecologically clean power for electric vehicles. Graphene based EcoCharge systems can be mounted on a vehicles drive shaft and axles putting graphene in motion to mine the earth's magnetic field. Estimates show that EcoCharge can generate 15.1 kW at 60 mph while weighing only 10 oz.
US09130402B2 System and method for generating and providing dispatchable operating reserve energy capacity through use of active load management
A utility employs a method for generating available operating reserve. Electric power consumption by at least one device serviced by the utility is determined during at least one period of time to produce power consumption data, stored in a repository. A determination is made that a control event is to occur during which power is to be reduced to one or more devices. Prior to the control event and under an assumption that it is not to occur, power consumption behavior expected of the device(s) is generated for a time period during which the control event is expected to occur based on the stored power consumption data. Additionally, prior to the control event, projected energy savings resulting from the control event, and associated with a power supply value (PSV) are determined based on the devices' power consumption behavior. An amount of available operating reserve is determined based on the projected energy savings.
US09130400B2 Multiport power converter with load detection capabilities
Power converters are provided that convert alternating current (AC) power to direct current (DC) power. A power converter may have multiple ports. Each port may have an associated connector with multiple power and data terminals. When an electronic device is connected to a given port, the electronic device draws DC power from the power converter. To ensure that the capacity of the power converter is not exceeded when multiple devices are connected to the ports of the power converter, the power converter may actively monitor its ports for active loads. Load detection circuitry can determine what number of ports are active. Control circuitry can compute a per-port available DC power level based on the number of active ports and can provide this information to connected devices.
US09130391B2 Charge balancing system for batteries
A charge balancing system for a power battery includes a number of modules connected in series, each having two accumulator stages, each having an accumulator and isolated parallel converters connected to associated accumulator stages and to a low-voltage power system for supplying auxiliaries of an automobile. The converters have first unidirectional converters, each connected across terminals of a module and to the supply system, and second unidirectional converters each connected to the supply system and across the terminals of the accumulator stages, and a control unit for the first and second unidirectional converters. The control unit is configured for controlling a first converter to bring the modules to a similar charge level, for controlling a energy transfer from the battery to the supply system via the first converters, and for controlling a second converter to bring the associated accumulator stages of a module to a similar charge level.
US09130388B2 Contactless electricity-supplying device
There is provided a contactless electricity-supplying device that can safely and efficiently supply power to a load.A contactless electricity-supplying device includes a plurality of electricity-supplying coils; a DC/AC converter that converts an output voltage from a DC supplying unit into an AC voltage to be applied to each electricity-supplying coils; a plurality of electricity-receiving coils selectively and detachably mounted on positions where the electricity-receiving coils are electromagnetically coupled to the electricity-supplying coils to receive AC voltages from the corresponding electricity-supplying coils in a contactless manner; a plurality of rectifying/smooth units that each convert an AC voltage output from each electricity-receiving coil into a DC voltage and smooth the DC voltage; a switching device that connects the DC voltages output from the rectifying/smoothing units to a single load; an electricity-reception detection sensor for detecting that the electricity-receiving coils receive the AC voltages from the corresponding electricity-supplying coils; and a control unit that turns on the switching device when it is detected that all of the electricity-receiving coils receive the AC voltages from the corresponding electricity-supplying coils.
US09130387B2 Hybrid integrated wind-solar-diesel-city power supply system
The invention relates to a hybrid integrated wind-solar-diesel-city power supply system, which comprises at least one subsystem selected from wind power subsystems or solar power subsystems and at least one diesel-city power subsystem, a direct-current bus unit, a main control unit, multiple high frequency rectifiers and a direct-current distribution unit. Each one subsystem has a DC output coupled to said direct-current bus unit for afflux. Said main control unit is configured to select a set of subsystems from the wind and solar power subsystems and enable the selected set of subsystems but disable others, so as to let a sum of maximum power output of all enabled subsystems to be larger than or equal to power demanded while minimize the number of the enabled subsystems contained in the selected set of the subsystems, and adjust operation of the selected subsystems so as to optimize the system efficiency, and also configured to control current and voltage output of said high frequency rectifier according to the operation status of said direct-current distribution unit and the voltage and current output of said direct-current bus unit, thereby advantageously increasing efficiency and reducing the power consumption of the system, and thus also improve reliability and life of the system apparatus.
US09130382B1 Charging protection circuit
Provided is a charging protection circuit. The charging protection circuit includes a wireless charging base and a charging receiving circuit. The charging receiving circuit includes first receiving coils configured to receive electromagnetic waves from the wireless charging base; a high-permeability magnetic core coupled to the first receiving coils and configured to block electromagnetic waves opposite to the electromagnetic waves from the wireless charging base; a detection circuit coupled to the high-permeability magnetic core and configured to detect whether the high-permeability magnetic core has failed; and a power supply circuit coupled to the high-permeability magnetic core and configured to convert electromagnetic energy generated by electromagnetic waves into electric energy to supply power to a power receiving device. With the technical solution, the serious result caused by continuous charging of a wireless charger after a high-permeability magnetic core has failed is avoided, thus guaranteeing the security of a power receiving device.
US09130377B2 System and method for battery pack management using predictive balancing
Predictive battery pack cell balancing apparatus and methods are presented in which active bypass current switching is controlled according to initial balancing bypass current values to balance the cell depth of discharge (DOD) values by the end of a charging/discharging time period, and according to continuous balancing bypass current values representing an amount of bypass current needed to maintain a present relationship of the cell DOD values.
US09130373B2 Universal power control device
The present invention is directed to an intelligent dimmer that is capable of “learning” the type of load it is controlling, and adjusts its operating parameters accordingly. The present invention can adaptively drive electrical loads over a wide range of wattages. The intelligent dimmer of the present invention is configured to automatically calibrate itself based on the load current demands of a particular electrical load. The intelligent dimmer of the present invention also adaptively limits in-rush currents to extend the life expectancy of the solid state switching components used therein.
US09130372B2 Protecting against transients in a communication system
A system for transmitting alternating current power and communication signals between a first location and a second location through a communication path which includes at least one inductive load and at least one switch configured to switch power to the at least one inductive load on and off is disclosed herein. The system comprises a control configured to control the at least one switch so that, if the power is switched on during a particular phase of the power, is the power is switched off during the opposite phase of the power, and if the power is switched off during a particular phase of the power, the power is switched on during the opposite phase of the power.
US09130370B2 Compressor protection and grid fault detection device
A system includes a control module and a monitor module. The control module selectively operates a component of the system in an ON state. The system receives power from an electrical grid. The monitor module selectively detects a fault event of the electrical grid in response to (i) an amount of current drawn by the component or (ii) a voltage of power received by the component. In response to detecting the fault event, the control module switches the component from the ON state to a second state, determines a first delay period according to a random process, identifies an apparent conclusion of the fault event, and in response to the apparent conclusion of the fault, waits for the first delay period before switching the component back to the ON state. The component consumes less power in the second state than in the ON state.
US09130369B2 Wireless power overvoltage protection circuit with reduced power dissipation
Systems, methods, and apparatus for overvoltage protection in a wireless power receiver are disclosed. One aspect of the disclosure is a wireless power receiver apparatus. The apparatus includes an antenna circuit configured to wirelessly receive power, from a transmitter, at a level sufficient to power or charge a load, wherein the antenna circuit is electrically connected to an overvoltage protection circuit that is electrically connected between the antenna circuit and the load. The apparatus also includes a matching circuit electrically connected to the antenna circuit and a switching element electrically connected to the matching circuit. At least one of the matching circuit or the switching element is configured to control an amount of the received power flowing into the overvoltage protection circuit.
US09130347B2 Nanopillar photonic crystal lasers
A nanopillar photonic crystal laser includes a plurality of nanopillars and a support structure in contact with at least a portion of each of the nanopillars. Each nanopillar has an axial dimension and two mutually orthogonal cross dimensions. The axial dimension of each of the nanopillars is greater than the two mutually orthogonal cross dimensions, where there mutually orthogonal cross dimensions are less than about 1 μm and greater than about 1 nm. The support structure holds the plurality of nanopillars in preselected relative orientations and displacements relative to each other to form an array pattern that confines light of a preselected wavelength to a resonance region that intercepts at least one nanopillar of the plurality of nanopillars. The at least one nanopillar includes a lasing material to provide an output laser beam of light at the preselected wavelength.
US09130346B2 Device, light source device, and imaging apparatus using the same
A device includes a first resonating cavity and a second resonating cavity. The first resonating cavity includes a first end surface and a second end surface. The first resonating cavity has a first free spectral range. The first free spectral range is a first frequency of a wavelength dependent ripple in a gain of the device that is a function of a first distance between the first end surface and the second end surface. The second resonating cavity includes a third end surface and a fourth end surface. A second distance between the third end surface and the fourth end surface is set such that an amplitude of the wavelength dependent ripple is reduced.
US09130343B2 Gas laser oscillator having function of judging start of discharge
A gas laser oscillator including a discharge tube provided in a gas channel through which a laser gas circulates; an output command part outputting a power output command; a power supply part applying to the discharge tube a discharge tube voltage corresponding to a power output command value; a voltage detector detecting the discharge tube voltage; and a discharge start judging part judging if a discharge has been started in the discharge tube based on a ratio of change of the discharge tube voltage. The output command part increases the power output command value in steps by an increment obtained by dividing a power output command value corresponding to a discharge start voltage serving as a predetermined reference by a number of steps of 2 or more, at a step time interval determined by using as a reference the time required until the power supply part responds to the power output command.
US09130340B1 System and method for output port management in short-length fiber amplifiers
The system contains an input fiber section coupled in optical communication with an optical input signal. A length of doped optical gain fiber is optically coupled with the input fiber section. A pumping mechanism is coupled to the doped optical gain fiber. An output port is formed at a distal end of the doped optical gain fiber, wherein the output port is approximately less than twenty centimeters long.
US09130324B2 Lever lock connector and connector unit having that
A connector 1 has a housing 4 including a side wall 42 extending from a base plate 41, a pair of projections 45 projecting from the side wall, and a lever 5 including a pair of plate members 50A having a guide groove 53 and a plate connecting member 50B connecting the pair of plate members. The lever is positioned from a release position to a slide start position, at which the surface of the base plate is in parallel to and slid along the lengthwise direction of the guide groove 53, and tube members 59, 71 and locking members 46, 58 are engaged. A first surface 5a at a side apart from the guide groove is perpendicular to a slide direction at the slide position and a second surface 5b at a side near to the guide groove is perpendicular to a connecting direction Z at the release position. When the lever 5 reaches a lock position, detect connectors in tube members 59, 71 become engaged to close the power circuit.
US09130322B2 Electrical connector assembly with an adapter assembled thereof
An electrical connector assembly includes a first electrical connector, a second electrical connector and an adapter assembled between the first and second electrical connector. The first electrical connector includes a first insulating housing and a plurality of first contacts received in the first insulating housing. The second electrical connector includes a second insulating housing and a plurality of second contacts received in the second insulating housing. The adapter includes a base and a plurality of pin contacts retained in the base, the pin contacts run through the base and contact the first and second contacts simultaneously.
US09130319B2 Connector with spring controlled electrode and sealing
A male connector and/or a female connector portion having a sealed chamber are utilized, and connection and separation of a first electrode and a facing second electrode are performed inside the sealed chamber. That is, the female connector portion is provided with: a casing; seal sections for sealing off the interior of the casing; first and second electrodes provided inside the casing; and an electrode connection control section that separates the first and second electrodes from each other in a state in which the female connector portion is not fitted to the male connector portion, and connects the electrodes together in a fitted state.
US09130314B2 Communication connector and terminal lead frame thereof
A terminal lead frame comprises a frame and a plurality of terminal pairs set in the frame. The frame is a first dielectric material. The terminal pairs include a first terminal and a second terminal. The first terminal and the second terminal include a first and second extensions extending into the frame along with a first path and a second path, respectively. The first path is longer than the second path, wherein the first extension contacts with a second material to form a first area of contact while the second extension has a second area of contact with respect to the second dielectric material. The first area of contact is larger than the second area of contact.
US09130304B2 Circular connector having a sealing element with a conical and a concave sealing surfaces
A specially designed sealing element (17) for a circular connector in which the sealing surface is subdivided into two areas, a first sealing section being designed to have a mainly radial sealing effect and a second sealing section being designed to have a mainly axial sealing effect. As a result, an effective sealing is achieved even in the case of counterparts having higher tolerances.
US09130298B1 Grommet assembly for vehicle body panel
A vehicle includes a body panel defining a pass-through, a grommet sealed against the body panel, an electrical connector having a surface defining a sleeve and a tab, and a walled retainer in the grommet and seated within the pass-through. The walled retainer has a prong formed thereon. The prong is configured to slidably receive the sleeve orienting the electrical connector within the pass-through. The prong further defines a channel terminating a ledge. The channel, ledge, and tab are arranged such that the channel and ledge cooperate to retain the tab to prevent movement of the connector relative to the walled retainer.
US09130291B2 Device connector including magnet
In one implementation a device connector includes a first electronic device magnet, second electronic device magnet, and third electronic device magnet to connect to a power supply. The power supply magnet can be oriented to the opposite pole of one of the electronic device magnets.
US09130285B2 Push wire connector having a spring biasing member
An electrical connector includes a housing and a conductive contact assembly disposed in the housing. A first contact member of the contact assembly receives a blade contact of an electrical device. A second contact member receives an electrical wire through a push-in connection. The electrical connector is receivable by an aperture in a rear surface of the electrical device.
US09130282B2 Terminal fitting with electric wire
A coupling portion is approximately U-shaped with two side plates extending up from a bottom plate. Front and rear ends of the bottom plate are respectively joined to a bottom wall of a box and a mounting plate of a crimping portion. Front and rear ends of the side plates are respectively joined to side walls of the box and crimping pieces of the crimping portion. In the crimping portion, an electric wire is crimped by wrapping the first crimping pieces around a terminal portion of the electric wire mounted on a mounting plate while deforming and bending them. In respective end edges of the side plates in an upward extending direction, reinforcing portions are formed continuously extending from respective front ends that are joined to the side walls to rear ends that are joined to the crimping pieces and having regions that are bent inward.
US09130279B1 Multi-feed antenna with independent tuning capability
Antenna structures and methods of operating the same of a multi-feed antenna of an electronic device are described. A multi-feed antenna includes a first antenna element coupled to a first tuner circuit that is coupled a first radio frequency (RF) feed, and a second antenna element coupled to a second tuner circuit that is coupled to a second RF feed. The first tuner circuit is programmable to independently adjust a first impedance of the first antenna element and the second tuner circuit is programmable to independently adjust a second impedance of the second antenna element.
US09130275B2 Open-loop GPS antenna
An open-loop GPS antenna configured on an insulation object is provided. The open-loop GPS antenna includes a feed, a high frequency circuit, a low frequency circuit and a ground. The high frequency circuit includes a first end, connected to the feed, and a second end. The low frequency circuit includes a third end and a fourth end. The third end is disposed parallel to the second end so as to couple to the second end and generate a capacitance effect to transmit a signal. The fourth end is connected to the ground.
US09130269B2 Wireless communication device having metal end portion of housing thereof
An exemplary wireless communication device includes a circuit board, a metal end portion, an antenna, and a connecting member. The antenna is positioned on the circuit board. The connecting member interconnects the circuit board and the end portion. The connecting member serves as a feeding point of the antenna. The end portion is a portion of a housing of the wireless communication device and further serves as a radiating portion of the antenna.
US09130266B2 Handheld communication device and communication method of the same
A communication method used in a handheld communication device is provided. The communication method comprises the steps outlined below. Whether a voice communication is established is determined. When the voice communication is established, a sensing element is activated to determine whether the handheld communication device is operated in a hand mode. When the handheld communication device is not operated in the hand mode, an antenna module of the handheld communication device would be operated in a first operation frequency band to perform the voice communication. When the handheld communication device is operated in the hand mode, the antenna module of the handheld communication device would be operated in a second operation frequency band to perform the voice communication, in which the second operation frequency band is higher than the first operation frequency band. A handheld communication device is disclosed herein as well.
US09130252B2 Symmetric baluns and isolation techniques
Wideband balun having good performance characteristics for use in feeding differential antenna elements in array antennas, balanced amplifier circuits and other applications is described. Also described is a common mode isolation circuit suitable for integration with the balun.
US09130235B2 Cable-type secondary battery capable of wireless charge
The present invention provides a cable-type secondary battery capable of wireless charge. The cable-type secondary battery according to the present invention can be applied in a wireless charging method, thereby being conveniently charged as compared with conventional batteries which are charged with wires, and has an outer current collector configured in a wound form, which can overcome the problem of local charge caused by the shape of conventional cable-type batteries. Also, the outer current collector configured in a wound form acts as a current of electrodes, and also can act as a charger which generates a current by external magnetic field, thereby simplifying battery configuration.
US09130227B2 Photonic crystal electrical property indicator
A photonic crystal electrical property indicator for a battery comprising: an electrically conductive working electrode and an electrically conductive counter electrode; an electrically-responsive photonic crystal material in contact with at least one of said first and second electrically conductive electrodes; an ionically conductive electrolyte provided between the working and counter electrodes; and electrical conductors for connecting the indicator to terminals of the battery; wherein the photonic crystal material has a reflectance spectrum that is responsive to a change in at least one electrical property of the battery, thereby providing an optically detectable indication of the at least one electrical property of the battery.
US09130224B2 Battery pack and method of manufacturing battery pack
A battery pack and a method of manufacturing the battery pack. An embodiment of a battery pack includes: a bare cell including an electrode assembly, a can containing the electrode assembly and having an opening at an end thereof for receiving the electrode assembly, and a cap plate sealing the opening; a protection circuit module for protecting the bare cell during charging; and a lead plate press-fit coupled to the cap plate and electrically connecting the bare cell to the protection circuit module.
US09130221B2 Squeeze pin and secondary battery using the same
A squeeze pin and a secondary battery using the same improve the coupling intensity of an electrode tab and a lead terminal, prevent damage of a protection circuit module, and reduce the cost. The secondary battery includes an outer case; an electrode assembly accommodated in the outer case and including a positive electrode plate connected to a positive electrode tab, a negative electrode plate connected to a negative electrode tab, and a separator; a protective circuit board including first and second connection terminals; and a first lead terminal connecting the positive electrode tab to the first connection terminal and a second lead terminal connecting the negative electrode tab to the second connection terminal, wherein at least one of the first lead terminal and the positive electrode tab, or the second lead terminal and the negative electrode tab are physically electrically connected to each other.
US09130220B2 Power source apparatus equipped with a service plug and vehicle carrying that power source apparatus
A power source apparatus provided with battery blocks (2) that have a plurality of battery cells (1) connected together, an outer case (3) that houses the battery blocks and/or electrical components connected to the battery blocks, a socket (4) connected in series with the battery blocks and disposed on the outer case, and a service plug (5) that connects with the socket in a removable manner. The service plug connects with the socket to connect the service plug in series with the batteries via the socket. The outer case is provided with a socket and service plug thermal isolation region (8) sectioned-off by a heat-shielding plate (7), and the socket and service plug are disposed in the thermal isolation region.
US09130219B1 Method of making redox materials for solid oxide redox flow battery
A method of forming a redox couple bed for a solid oxide redox flow battery is described. The method includes mixing together carbon and metal oxide. The method further includes heating the mixture while feeding an inert gas into the mixture, the inert gas removing gas products CO and CO2. The metal oxide is reduced to a metal resulting in formation of a redox couple bed.
US09130209B2 Electric storage apparatus including inter-electric storage device air passages between electric storage devices and air vent portion formed at end of electric storage devices
An electric storage apparatus includes a holder for holding a plurality of electric storage devices. An inter-electric storage device air passage is formed between the electric storage devices. A holder body of the holder includes: at least one wall portion extending in a second direction, the at least one wall portion being opposed from outside to an electric storage device located at one end in a first direction among the plurality of electric storage devices; and an air vent portion formed side by side with the wall portion in a third direction orthogonal to the first and second directions, the air vent portion being opened to the first and second directions.
US09130204B2 System for drying the exhaust gases from a fuel cell system using the existing liquid hydrogen as a heat sink
A system for the drying of exhaust gases from a fuel cell system includes two heat exchangers alternately exposed to an exhaust gas, which ice and accumulate water vapour from the exhaust gas by cooling through a coolant. A valve arrangement with a number of valves is adapted in such a manner that it operates one of the heat exchangers in an icing phase, in which the icing of water vapour is conducted, and the other heat exchanger in a regeneration phase, in which the accumulated ice melts and is extracted, in an alternating manner. This system is especially suitable in aircraft for drying an oxygen depleted exhaust gas from a fuel cell system for inerting a tank.
US09130202B2 Method for controlling fuel cell system with in-stop-mode power generating process and startup process
A method includes an in-stop-mode power generating process and a first startup process. In the a first startup process, if an operation start instruction to start a fuel cell system is detected after the in-stop-mode power generating process, supply of a fuel gas from a fuel-gas supply apparatus is started, and supply of an oxide gas from an oxide-gas supply apparatus is started after a predetermined time has elapsed from the starting of supply of the fuel gas, when a pressure of an anode side is equal to or lower than a first threshold pressure.
US09130200B2 Polymer fused batteries
Polymer-fused batteries are provided. The battery includes a casing, an anode coupled to the casing, an electrical source disposed between the casing and the anode, and a fuse over at least a portion of the anode. The polymer fuse comprises an electrically-conductive material formulated to decompose upon contact with a bodily fluid and to provide electrical communication between the anode cap and the electrical source when the polymer fuse is intact.
US09130196B2 Light-emitting component and method for producing a light-emitting component
A light-emitting component may include: an electrically active region, including a first electrode, a second electrode, an organic functional layer structure between the first electrode and the second electrode, a cover arranged above the electrically active region, and a layer structure arranged between the cover and the electrically active region. The component may have at least one layer having a refractive index which is less than the refractive index of the cover.
US09130192B2 Organic light emitting diode display and manufacturing method thereof
A organic light emitting diode display including an organic light emitting display panel displaying an image, and a lower passivation film attached to a bottom of the organic light emitting panel and including a polymer resin and an antistatic agent, wherein the lower passivation film includes a plurality of stress adjustment patterns disposed to be adjacent to each other wherein decreasing the bending interval between the bending stress adjustment patterns formed at the lower passivation film processed with the antistatic agent and attached at the position corresponding to the bending portion of the organic light emitting panel, thereby selectively minimizes the stress of the bending portion of the organic light emitting panel, therefore, asymmetry of strains of the bending portions of the organic light emitting display panel can be prevented to remove a picture abnormality, and static electricity may be prevented.
US09130191B2 Display panel, method of manufacturing the same, and FRIT composition used in the display panel
Provided are display panel, method of manufacturing the same, and frit composition used in the display panel. A display panel comprising: a first substrate, a second substrate facing the first substrate and a frit bonding the first substrate and the second substrate together, wherein the frit has an optical density of more than about 0.0683/μm for laser light of any one wavelength in a wavelength range of about 760 to about 860 nm.
US09130174B2 Material for organic electroluminescence device and organic electroluminescence device
A material for organic EL device which includes a compound having a specific structure: an azine ring having a cyano-substituted aromatic hydrocarbon group, an azine ring having a cyano-substituted heterocyclic group, or an azine ring having a cyano group directly bonded to the azine ring. An organic electroluminescence device including an organic thin film layer between a cathode and an anode, wherein the organic thin film layer includes a light emitting layer and at least one layer containing the material for organic electroluminescence device, has a long lifetime.
US09130169B2 Piezoelectric element, piezoelectric actuator, piezoelectric sensor, hard disk drive, and inkjet printer device
A piezoelectric element includes, as a piezoelectric layer, a thin film of potassium sodium niobate that is a perovskite compound represented by a general expression ABO3, in which Sr (strontium) is substituted on both of an A site and a B site and Mn (manganese) is substituted only on the A site. Accordingly, the piezoelectric element is provided to decrease a leak current of the piezoelectric element using the thin film of potassium sodium niobate, to increase a withstand voltage thereof and to improve piezoelectric characteristics thereof.
US09130162B2 Resistance variable memory structure and method of forming the same
A semiconductor structure includes a resistance variable memory structure. The semiconductor structure also includes a dielectric layer. The resistance variable memory structure is over the dielectric layer. The resistance variable memory structure includes a first electrode disposed over the dielectric layer. The first electrode has a sidewall surface. A resistance variable layer has a first portion which is disposed over the sidewall surface of the first electrode and a second portion which extends from the first portion away from the first electrode. A second electrode is over the resistance variable layer.
US09130156B2 Process to remove film from semiconductor devices
Embodiments of the present disclosure are a method of forming a semiconductor device, a method of forming an MRAM device, and a method of forming a semiconductor device. An embodiment is a method of forming a semiconductor device, the method comprising forming a second layer over a first layer, and performing a first etch process on the second layer to define a feature, wherein the first etch process forms a film on a surface of the feature. The method further comprises performing an ion beam etch process on the feature, wherein the ion beam etch removes the film from the surface of the feature.
US09130153B2 Semiconductor device and electronic device including the same
A semiconductor device includes a first conductive layer, a second conductive layer spaced from the first conductive layer, a variable resistance layer interposed between the first and second conductive layers, and an impurity-doped layer provided over a side surface of the variable resistance layer. The variable resistance layer has a smaller width than the first and the second conductive layers.
US09130140B2 Light-emitting device including a heat dissipation hole
A light-emitting device includes a thermally conductive substrate, a wiring electrode formed on the thermally conductive substrate, a resist formed on the wiring electrode except a terminal thereof, and a light-emitting element that is disposed in an element mounting region of the thermally conductive substrate and electrically connected to the terminal of the wiring electrode. A heat dissipation hole is formed in a region of the resist outside the element mounting region so as to expose a surface of the thermally conductive substrate.
US09130139B2 Packaging photon building blocks having only top side connections in a molded interconnect structure
Standardized photon building blocks are packaged in molded interconnect structures to form a variety of LED array products. No electrical conductors pass between the top and bottom surfaces of the substrate upon which LED dies are mounted. Microdots of highly reflective material are jetted onto the top surface. Landing pads on the top surface of the substrate are attached to contact pads disposed on the underside of a lip of the interconnect structure. In a solder reflow process, the photon building blocks self-align within the interconnect structure. Conductors in the interconnect structure are electrically coupled to the LED dies in the photon building blocks through the contact pads and landing pads. Compression molding is used to form lenses over the LED dies and leaves a flash layer of silicone covering the landing pads. The flash layer laterally above the landing pads is removed by blasting particles at the flash layer.
US09130136B2 Leadframe for optoelectronic components and method for producing optoelectronic components
A leadframe for producing a number of optoelectronic components is specified. At least one mounting region includes a number of chip mounting areas for a number of semiconductor chips. Alongside the mounting region at at least one main area of the leadframe one or more of grooves for reducing mechanical stresses in the leadframe are formed. The groove(s) do not completely penetrate through the leadframe. A method for producing a number of optoelectronic components on a leadframe of this type is furthermore specified.
US09130134B2 Semiconductor light emitting device and method for manufacturing same
According to one embodiment, a semiconductor light emitting device includes: a stacked body and an insulative optical path control section. The stacked body includes: a first semiconductor layer of a first conductivity type; a second semiconductor layer of a second conductivity type; and a light emitting layer provided between the first semiconductor layer and the second semiconductor layer. The first semiconductor layer, the second semiconductor layer, and the light emitting layer are stacked along a stacking direction. The insulative optical path control section penetrates through the second semiconductor layer and the light emitting layer, has a refractive index lower than refractive index of the first semiconductor layer, refractive index of the second semiconductor layer, and refractive index of the light emitting layer. The insulative optical path control section is configured to change traveling direction of light emitted from the light emitting layer.
US09130132B2 Package for light-emitting device
The present invention provides a package for a light-emitting device, including the light-emitting device configured to provide light having a specific wavelength region, electrode pads formed on the light-emitting device, and a phosphor layer formed over the light-emitting device other than regions where the electrode pads are formed and configured to convert the light of the light-emitting device into white light by changing the wavelength of the light provided by the light-emitting device, wherein the phosphor layer is formed in a conformable thickness and is formed in a region wider than an upper region of the light-emitting device other than the regions where the electrode pads are formed.
US09130121B2 Nitride semiconductor device
In the nitride semiconductor device of the present invention, an active layer 12 is sandwiched between a p-type nitride semiconductor layer 11 and an n-type nitride semiconductor layer 13. The active layer 12 has, at least, a barrier layer 2a having an n-type impurity; a well layer 1a made of a nitride semiconductor that includes In; and a barrier layer 2c that has a p-type impurity, or that has been grown without being doped. An appropriate injection of carriers into the active layer 12 becomes possible by arranging the barrier layer 2c nearest to the p-type layer side.
US09130115B2 Light-emitting diode with textured substrate
A light-emitting diode (LED) device is provided. The LED device has raised semiconductor regions formed on a substrate. LED structures are formed over the raised semiconductor regions such that bottom contact layers and active layers of the LED device are conformal layers. The top contact layer has a planar surface. In an embodiment, the top contact layers are continuous over a plurality of the raised semiconductor regions while the bottom contact layers and the active layers are discontinuous between adjacent raised semiconductor regions.
US09130096B2 High-concentration photovoltaic solar module
A high-concentration photovoltaic solar module is formed by a casing (1) that contains photovoltaic receivers (2) in the base (3) thereof, which are interconnected with one another, and in the upper part thereof has Fresnel concentrator lenses (7) in a plane parallel to that of the photovoltaic receivers (2), which close the casing in a leak-tight manner. Each of the Fresnel concentrator lenses (7) is arranged on one of the photovoltaic receivers (2). Furthermore, the module includes secondary optical elements (8), each arranged on the photovoltaic cell (5) of each photovoltaic receiver (2). The casing (1) is produced by injection-molding of plastic and incorporates cavities (9) in the base (3), each of the cavities housing a photovoltaic receiver (2), and metal laminar elements (10) for interconnecting the photovoltaic receivers (2).
US09130094B2 Method and apparatus for dividing thin film device into separate cells
A method and apparatus for dividing a thin film device having a first layer which is a lower electrode layer, a second layer which is an active layer and a third layer which is an upper electrode layer, the layers each being continuous over the device, into separate cells each having a width W, which are electrically interconnected in series by interconnect structures. The dividing of the cells and the formation of the interconnect structures between adjacent cells are carried out by a process head which is arranged to operate on more than one interconnect structure at a time in a sequence of passes to and fro over the device, the process head performing the following steps: a) making a first cut through the first, second and third layers; b) making a second cut through the second and third layers, the second cut being adjacent to the first cut; c) making a third cut through the third layer the third cut being adjacent to the second cut and on the opposite side of the second cut to the first cut; d) using a first ink jet print head to deposit a non-conducting material into the first cut; and e) using a second ink jet print head to apply conducting material to bridge the non-conducting material in the first cut and either fully or partially fill the second cut such to form an electrical connection between the first layer and the third layer, wherein step (a) precedes step (d), step (d) precedes step (e) and step (b) precedes step (e), (otherwise the steps may be carried out in any order in the single pass of the process head across the device). The thin film device may be a solar panel, a lighting panel or a battery.
US09130089B2 Device for supporting and attaching panels or the like, and roof system comprising such a device
A device for supporting and attaching panels to a roof including an added sealing covering on the surface thereof includes brackets for tiltedly supporting and bearing the panels, including a bottom bearing portion and at least one top portion for supporting the panels, the brackets having a triangular structure and consisting of a hollow body. The device is characterized in that the bottom portion (4) of the brackets (3) is provided, on the underside thereof, with at least one added plate (5) secured to the console (3), wherein the plate(s) (5) consist of a material or contain a material that is compatible with and/or similar to the layer or the surface coating of the roof covering (2), and are bonded to the layer or the covering by an adhesive bond, and in that the top portion (4′) provides bearing surfaces for the edges of the panels or profile members for mounting such panels.
US09130088B2 Solar panel with integrated mounting clip/shipping support
An integral mounting and shipping support device. The device includes a mounting structure and a shipping support structure. The shipping support structure is configured to grip an object to be shipped. The device also includes a first stacking structure and a second stacking structure. The first stacking structure of a first mounting and shipping support device is configured to couple with the second stacking structure of a second mounting and shipping support device.
US09130069B2 Method for manufacturing nitride semiconductor layer and method for manufacturing semiconductor light emitting device
According to one embodiment, a method is disclosed for manufacturing a nitride semiconductor layer. The method can include forming a first nitride semiconductor layer on a substrate in a reactor supplied with a first carrier gas and a first source gas. The first nitride semiconductor layer includes indium. The first carrier gas includes hydrogen supplied into the reactor at a first flow rate and includes nitrogen supplied into the reactor at a second flow rate. The first source gas includes indium and nitrogen and supplied into the reactor at a third flow rate. The first flow rate is not less than 0.07% and not more than 0.15% of a sum of the first flow rate, the second flow rate, and the third flow rate.
US09130067B2 Display device
In order to take advantage of the properties of a display device including an oxide semiconductor, a protective circuit and the like having appropriate structures and a small occupied area are necessary. The protective circuit is formed using a non-linear element which includes a gate insulating film covering a gate electrode; a first oxide semiconductor layer over the gate insulating film; a channel protective layer covering a region which overlaps with a channel formation region of the first oxide semiconductor layer; and a first wiring layer and a second wiring layer each of which is formed by stacking a conductive layer and a second oxide semiconductor layer and over the first oxide semiconductor layer. The gate electrode is connected to a scan line or a signal line, the first wiring layer or the second wiring layer is directly connected to the gate electrode.
US09130065B2 Power module having stacked flip-chip and method for fabricating the power module
Provided are a power module having a stacked flip-chip and a method of fabricating the power module. The power module includes a lead frame; a control device part including a control device chip; a power device part including a power device chip and being electrically connected to the lead frame; and an interconnecting substrate of which the control and power device parts are respectively disposed at upper and lower portions, and each of the control and power device chips may be attached to one of the lead frame and the interconnecting substrate using a flip-chip bonding method. The method includes forming bumps on power and control device chips on a wafer level; separately sawing the power and control device chips into individual chips; adhering the power device chip onto a thermal substrate and the control device chip onto an interconnecting substrate; combining a lead frame, the thermal substrate, and the interconnecting substrate with one another in a multi-jig; and sealing the power and control device chips, and the control and power device chips may be attached to one of the lead frame and the interconnecting substrate using a flip-chip bonding method.
US09130062B2 Method of manufacturing semiconductor device
Provided is a semiconductor device having improved reliability. In the semiconductor device in an embodiment, a mark is provided correspondingly to the bonding area of a belt-like wiring exposed from an opening provided in a solder resist. As a result, in an alignment step for the wire bonding area, the coordinate position of the wire bonding area can be adjusted using not the end portion of the opening formed in the solder resist, but the mark formed correspondingly to the wire bonding area as a reference. Also, in the semiconductor device in the embodiment, the mark serving as a characteristic pattern is formed. This allows the wire bonding area to be adjusted based on camera recognition.
US09130051B2 Semiconductor device including semiconductor layer over insulating layer and manufacturing method thereof
A semiconductor device having a highly responsive thin film transistor (TFT) with low subthreshold swing and suppressed decrease in the on-state current and a manufacturing method thereof are demonstrated. The TFT of the present invention is characterized by its semiconductor layer where the thickness of the source region or the drain region is larger than that of the channel formation region. Manufacture of the TFT is readily achieved by the formation of an amorphous semiconductor layer on a projection portion and a depression portion, which is followed by subjecting the melting process of the semiconductor layer, resulting in the formation of a crystalline semiconductor layer having different thicknesses. Selective addition of impurity to the thick portion of the semiconductor layer provides a semiconductor layer in which the channel formation region is thinner than the source or drain region.
US09130049B2 Amorphous oxide and field effect transistor
A novel amorphous oxide applicable, for example, to an active layer of a TFT is provided. The amorphous oxide comprises microcrystals.
US09130045B2 Thin film transistor and method for preparing the same
The present invention relates to a thin film transistor and a method of manufacturing the same. More particularly, the present invention relates to a thin film transistor that includes a zinc oxide material including Si as a channel material of a semiconductor layer, and a method of manufacturing the same.
US09130042B2 Thin film transistor and method for fabricating the same
Disclosed is a thin film transistor and a method of fabricating the same which includes a light-shielding layer made of the same material as a semiconductor layer on a substrate, wherein the light-shielding layer absorbs light incident upon the semiconductor layer, thereby preventing deterioration in characteristics of the thin film transistor caused by exterior light.
US09130033B2 Semiconductor device and method for fabricating the same
The invention provides a semiconductor device, including: a semiconductor device includes: a substrate having a first conductivity type, including: a body region having the first conductivity type; a source region formed in the body region; a drift region having a second conductivity type adjacent to the body region, wherein the first conductivity type is opposite to the second conductivity type; and a drain region formed in the drift region; a trench formed in the substrate between the body and drift regions; a gate dielectric layer disposed adjacent to the trench; a liner lining the trench and adjoining with the gate dielectric layer; and a gate electrode formed over the gate dielectric layer and extending into the trench.
US09130031B2 Wafer processing method
A wafer processing method including a modified layer forming step of applying a laser beam having a transmission wavelength to a substrate from the back side of the substrate along division lines. The modified layer forming step includes the steps of making the polarization plane of linearly polarized light of the laser beam parallel to the direction perpendicular to each division line, shifting the beam center of the laser beam from the optical axis of a focusing lens of a focusing unit for focusing the laser beam, in the direction perpendicular to each division line, and shifting the focal point of the laser beam by the focusing lens in the same direction as the direction where the beam center of the laser beam has been shifted.
US09130028B2 Field effect power transistors
A normally OFF field effect transistor (FET) comprising: a plurality of contiguous nitride semiconductor layers having different composition and heterojunction interfaces between contiguous layers, a Fermi level, and conduction and valence energy bands; a source and a drain overlying a top nitride layer of the plurality of nitride layers and having source and drain access regions respectively comprising regions of at least two of the heterojunctions near the source and drain; a first gate between the source and drain; wherein when there is no potential difference between the gates and a common ground voltage, a two dimensional electron gas (2DEG) is present in the access region at a plurality of heterojunctions in each of the source and drain access regions, and substantially no 2DEG is present adjacent any regions of the heterojunctions under the first gate.
US09130021B2 3D IC method and device
A method of three-dimensionally integrating elements such as singulated die or wafers and an integrated structure having connected elements such as singulated dies or wafers. Either or both of the die and wafer may have semiconductor devices formed therein. A first element having a first contact structure is bonded to a second element having a second contact structure. First and second contact structures can be exposed at bonding and electrically interconnected as a result of the bonding. A via may be etched and filled after bonding to expose and form an electrical interconnect to interconnected first and second contact structures and provide electrical access to this interconnect from a surface. Alternatively, first and/or second contact structures are not exposed at bonding, and a via is etched and filled after bonding to electrically interconnect first and second contact structures and provide electrical access to interconnected first and second contact structure to a surface. Also, a device may be formed in a first substrate, the device being disposed in a device region of the first substrate and having a first contact structure. A via may be etched, or etched and filled, through the device region and into the first substrate before bonding and the first substrate thinned to expose the via, or filled via after bonding.
US09130014B2 Method for fabricating shallow trench isolation structure
A method for fabricating shallow trench isolation structure is disclosed. The method includes the steps of: (a) providing a substrate; (b) forming a trench in the substrate; (c) forming a silicon layer in the trench; and (d) performing an oxidation process to partially transform a surface of the silicon layer into an oxide layer.
US09130013B2 Semiconductor device and method of manufacturing the same
A method of manufacturing a semiconductor device includes forming isolation layers in a first direction at trenches at isolation regions defined at a semiconductor substrate and forming gate lines in a second direction crossing the first direction over the isolation layers and active regions defined between the isolation layers, performing a dry-etch process to remove the isolation layers, and forming an insulating layer over the semiconductor substrate to form a first air gap extending in the first direction in the trenches and a second air gap extending in the second direction between the gate lines.
US09130012B2 Microstructure, micromachine, and manufacturing method of microstructure and micromachine
Without sacrificial layer etching, a microstructure and a micromachine are manufactured. A separation layer 102 is formed over a substrate 101, and a layer 103 to be a movable electrode is formed over the separation layer 102. At an interface of the separation layer 102, the layer 103 to be a movable electrode is separated from the substrate. A layer 106 to be a fixed electrode is formed over another substrate 105. The layer 103 to be a movable electrode is fixed to the substrate 105 with the spacer layer 103 which is partially provided interposed therebetween, so that the layer 103 to be a movable electrode and a layer 106 to be a fixed electrode face each other.
US09130009B2 Memory transistors with buried gate electrodes
A device includes a semiconductor region surrounded with the isolation region and includes a first active region, a channel region and a second active region arranged in that order in a first direction. A first side portion of the first active region and a second side portion of the second active region faces each other across a top surface of the channel region in the first direction. A gate electrode covers the top surface and the first and second side portions and extends in a second direction that intersects the first direction. A first diffusion layer is formed in the first active region. A second diffusion layer is formed in the second active region. An embedded contact plug is formed in the first active region and extends downwardly from the upper surface of the semiconductor region and contacts with the first diffusion layer.
US09130000B2 Wafer bonding device and wafer bonding method
A wafer bonding method includes: holding a first substrate with an upper holding mechanism 7 by applying a voltage to the upper holding mechanism 7; generating a bonded substrate by bonding the first substrate and a second substrate held with a lower holding mechanism 8; and dechucking the bonded substrate from the upper holding mechanism 7 after a voltage which attenuates while alternating is applied to the upper holding mechanism 7. By applying the voltage which attenuates while alternating to the upper holding mechanism 7, residual attracting force between the bonded substrate and the upper holding mechanism 7 is reduced, thereby enabling the bonded substrate to be dechucked from the holding mechanism more surely in a shorter time period. As a result, the first substrate and the second substrate can be bonded in a shorter time period.
US09129999B2 Treatment device, treatment method, and surface treatment jig
The treatment device 100 of the present invention is a treatment device for carrying out treatment to a treatment object 18 whose treatment surface includes a second treatment surface 18b and a first treatment surface 18a surrounding the second treatment surface 18b, the treatment device including: a table section 10 for placing the treatment object 18 thereon; and a first feeding section 24 for feeding a first treatment liquid to an approximate boundary between the first and the second treatment surfaces 18a, 18b and a second feeding section 46 for feeding a second treatment liquid to the second treatment surface 18b. Thus, the present invention provides a treatment device, a treatment method, and a surface treatment jig, each of the treatment device and the treatment method being capable of carrying out independent treatments to a treatment surface and an exposed surface surrounding the treatment surface, respectively.
US09129998B2 Apparatus for cleaning an object and method of operating the same
An apparatus for cleaning at least one object may include a cleaning chamber, an air-blowing unit, a rotating unit and a collecting unit. The at least one object may be received within the cleaning chamber. The air-blowing unit may be configured to blow air to the at least one object in the cleaning chamber to float particles from the at least one object. The rotating unit may be configured to rotate the at least one object to provide the at least one object with the air in at least two directions from the air-blowing unit. The collecting unit may be configured to collect the floated particles.
US09129996B2 Non-volatile memory (NVM) cell and high-K and metal gate transistor integration
A method of making a semiconductor device includes depositing a layer of polysilicon in a non-volatile memory (NVM) region and a logic region of a substrate. The layer of polysilicon is patterned into a gate in the NVM region while the layer of polysilicon remains in the logic region. A memory cell is formed including the gate in the NVM region while the layer of polysilicon remains in the logic region. The layer of polysilicon in the logic region is removed and the substrate is implanted to form a well region in the logic region after the memory cell is formed. A layer of gate material is deposited in the logic region. The layer of gate material is patterned into a logic gate in the logic region.
US09129993B1 Forming a VTFT using printing
Fabricating a vertical thin film transistor includes printing a polymeric inhibitor in a cap pattern on a structural polymer layer on a substrate. A polymeric inhibitor is printed in a gate pattern on the substrate, in a dielectric pattern on the substrate, in a semiconductor pattern on a patterned conformal dielectric layer, and in an electrode pattern. The electrode pattern includes an open area over a portion of a reentrant profile that allows the polymeric inhibitor to wick along the reentrant profile in the open area. Fabrication of the vertical transistor also includes depositing an inorganic thin film, a first conductive thin film, a dielectric thin film, a semiconductor thin film, and a second conductive thin film using an atomic layer deposition (ALD) process.
US09129991B2 Vertical MOSFET transistor with a vertical capacitor region
A method to manufacture a vertical capacitor region that comprises a plurality of trenches, wherein the portions of the semiconductor region in between the trenches comprise an impurity. This allows for the trenches to be placed in closer vicinity to each other, thus improving the capacitance per unit area ratio. The total capacitance of the device is defined by two series components, that is, the capacitance across the dielectric liner, and the depletion capacitance of the silicon next to the trench. An increase of the voltage on the capacitor increases the depletion in the silicon and the depletion capacitance as a result, such that the overall capacitance is reduced. This effect may be countered by minimizing the depletion region which may be achieved by ensuring that the silicon adjacent to the capacitor is as highly doped as possible.
US09129983B2 Memory cells, memory arrays, methods of forming memory cells, and methods of forming a shared doped semiconductor region of a vertically oriented thyristor and a vertically oriented access transistor
A memory cell includes a thyristor having a plurality of alternately doped, vertically superposed semiconductor regions; a vertically oriented access transistor having an access gate; and a control gate operatively laterally adjacent one of the alternately doped, vertically superposed semiconductor regions. The control gate is spaced laterally of the access gate. Other embodiments are disclosed, including methods of forming memory cells and methods of forming a shared doped semiconductor region of a vertically oriented thyristor and a vertically oriented access transistor.
US09129978B1 Integrated circuit packaging system with void prevention mechanism and method of manufacture thereof
An integrated circuit packaging system, and a method of manufacture of an integrated circuit packaging system thereof, includes: a singulation substrate having an air vent portion having longitudinal grooves in the air vent portion, the longitudinal grooves all parallel to each other; an integrated circuit die attached to the singulation substrate; and a molding compound on the singulation substrate, on the air vent portion, in a portion of the longitudinal grooves, and on the integrated circuit die.
US09129969B2 Nanoscale interconnects fabricated by electrical field directed assembly of nanoelements
The invention provides a fast, scalable, room temperature process for fabricating metallic nanorods from nanoparticles or fabricating metallic or semiconducting nanorods from carbon nanotubes suspended in an aqueous solution. The assembled nanorods are suitable for use as nanoscale interconnects in CMOS-based devices and sensors. Metallic nanoparticles or carbon nanotubes are assembled into lithographically patterned vias by applying an external electric field. Since the dimensions of nanorods are controlled by the dimensions of vias, the nanorod dimensions can be scaled down to the low nanometer range. The aqueous assembly process is environmentally friendly and can be used to make nanorods using different types of metallic particles as well as semiconducting and metallic nanotubes.
US09129964B2 Programmable electrical fuse
A method of forming an electronic fuse including forming a first metal line and a second metal line in a first interconnect level, the first metal line is electrically insulated from the second metal line, forming a single via in a second interconnect level above the first interconnect level, the via is made from the same material as either the first metal line or the second metal line, and the via is in direct contact with both the first metal line and the second metal line, a contact area between the via and the first metal line or the second metal line ranges from about 5% to about 25% of a total cross-sectional area of the via, the via has a height to width ratio greater than 1, and forming a third metal line in the second interconnect level in direct contact with the via.
US09129959B2 Method for manufacturing an electronic module and an electronic module
A number of semiconductor chips each include a first main face and a second main face opposite from the first main face. The second main face includes at least one electrical contact element. The semiconductor chips are placed on a carrier. A material layer is applied into intermediate spaces between adjacent semiconductor chips. The carrier is removed and a first electrical contact layer is applied to the first main faces of the semiconductor chips so that the electrical contact layer is electrically connected with each one of the electrical contact elements.
US09129955B2 Semiconductor flip-chip system having oblong connectors and reduced trace pitches
A semiconductor chip (102) assembled on a substrate (101). The substrate has a first surface (101a) including conductive traces (110), which have a first length (111) and a first width (112), the first width being uniform along the first length, and further a pitch (114) to respective adjacent traces. The semiconductor chip has a second surface (102a) including contact pads (121); the second surface faces the first surface spaced apart by a gap (130). A conductive pillar (140) contacts each contact pad; the pillar includes a metal core (141) and a solder body (142), which connects the core to the respective trace across the gap. The pillar core (141) has an oblong cross section of a second width (151) and a second length (152) greater than the second width. Trace pitch (141) is equal to or smaller than twice the second width (151). The trace pitch is equal to or smaller than the second length (152).
US09129946B2 Semiconductor device
A semiconductor device includes a header, a semiconductor chip fixed to the header constituting a MOSFET, and a sealing body of insulating resin which covers the semiconductor chip, the header and the like, and further includes a drain lead contiguously formed with the header and projects from one side surface of the sealing body, and a source lead and a gate lead which project in parallel from one side surface of the sealing body, and wires which are positioned in the inside of the sealing body and connect electrodes on an upper surface of the semiconductor chip and the source lead and the gate lead, with a gate electrode pad arranged at a position from the gate lead and the source lead farther than a source electrode pad.
US09129942B2 Method for shaping a laminate substrate
A method for shaping a laminate substrate includes characterizing the laminate substrate for warpage characteristics over a range of temperatures. The laminate substrate is placed into a shaping fixture with any necessary correction to obtain a flat laminate substrate chip site area at a chip join temperature. The laminate substrate is shaped at a temperature greater than or equal to a maximum laminate substrate fabrication temperature. The shape of the laminate substrate is retained when it is removed from the shaping fixture.
US09129941B2 Wireless module with plural in-plane terminals
The wireless module according to the present invention includes a wireless IC chip for processing transmission/reception signals, a substrate on which the wireless IC chip is mounted, an antenna provided on the substrate, and a plurality of terminals extending off from the substrate in an in-plane direction of the substrate.
US09129939B2 SiC semiconductor device and method for manufacturing the same
In some aspects of the invention, a layer containing titanium and nickel is formed on an SiC substrate. A nickel silicide layer containing titanium carbide can be formed by heating. A carbon layer precipitated is removed by reverse sputtering. Thus, separation of an electrode of a metal layer formed on nickel silicide in a subsequent step is suppressed. The effect of preventing the separation can be further improved when the relation between the amount of precipitated carbon and the amount of carbon in titanium carbide in the surface of nickel silicide from which the carbon layer has not yet been removed satisfies a predetermined condition.
US09129938B1 Methods of forming germanium-containing and/or III-V nanowire gate-all-around transistors
Methods of forming gate-all-around transistors which include a germanium-containing nanowire and/or an III-V compound semiconductor nanowire. Each method includes the growth of a germanium-containing material or an III-V compound semiconductor material that includes an upper portion and a lower portion within a nano-trench and on an exposed surface of a semiconductor layer. In some instances, the upper portion of the grown semiconductor material is used as the semiconductor nanowire. In other instances, the upper portion is removed and then a semiconductor etch stop layer and a nanowire template semiconductor material of a Ge-containing material or an III-V compound semiconductor material can be formed atop the lower portion. Upon subsequent processing, each nanowire template semiconductor material provides a semiconductor nanowire.
US09129936B2 Devices, components and methods combining trench field plates with immobile electrostatic charge
N-channel power semiconductor devices in which an insulated field plate is coupled to the drift region, and immobile electrostatic charge is also present at the interface between the drift region and the insulation around the field plate. The electrostatic charge permits OFF-state voltage drop to occur near the source region, in addition to the voltage drop which occurs near the drain region (due to the presence of the field plate).
US09129928B2 Display apparatus and electronic apparatus
Disclosed herein is a display apparatus, including: a plurality of subpixels disposed adjacent each other and forming one pixel which forms a unit for formation of a color image; the plurality of subpixels including a first subpixel which emits light of the shortest wavelength and a second subpixel disposed adjacent the first subpixel; the second subpixel having a light blocking member disposed between the second subpixel and the first subpixel and having a width greater than a channel length or a channel width of a transistor which forms the second subpixel.
US09129920B2 Display panel and display device
The present application discloses a display panel including flexible substrates on which first power lines are mounted to supply power; a substrate including a first surface provided with a display area, a second surface opposite to the first surface, and second power lines for connecting the first power lines to the display pixels; a thermal conduction member partially covering the second surface and conducting heat in an in-plane direction; and a thermal conduction seal covering a periphery of the thermal conduction member. The first surface includes an arrangement area to arrange the second power lines between the flexible substrates and the display area. The second surface includes a first area opposite to the display area and a second area opposite to the arrangement area. The thermal conduction member covers at least the first area. The thermal conduction seal covers the second area.
US09129916B2 Display device including touch sensor
A display device including a touch sensor is disclosed. In one aspect, the display device includes a lower substrate and a display layer formed over the lower substrate. An upper substrate is formed over the display layer and a touch sensing layer is formed over the upper substrate. The display device also includes a first flexible printed circuit board electrically connected to the display layer and attached to a surface of the lower substrate and a second flexible printed circuit board electrically connected to the touch sensing layer and attached to the surface of the lower substrate. The second flexible printed circuit board includes a body having a first end connected to the touch sensing layer and a tail extending from a second end. The tail includes a connection portion electrically connected to the first flexible printed circuit board and at least a portion of the tail is bent.
US09129908B2 Manufacturing a semiconductor package including an embedded circuit component within a support structure of the package
A method and apparatus are provided in which a cavity is formed in a support structure, the support structure being operable to support a semiconductor device, disposing at least a portion of a circuit element in the cavity in the support structure, filling the cavity in the support structure with an electrically non-conductive filling material so as to at least partially surround the circuit element with the non-conductive filling material, and electrically connecting the semiconductor device to the circuit element. In an example embodiment, the circuit element is operable to substantially block direct current that is output by the semiconductor device or another semiconductor device.
US09129906B2 Self-aligned double spacer patterning process
Embodiments of the present disclosure are a method of forming a semiconductor device and methods of patterning a semiconductor device. An embodiment is a method of forming a semiconductor device, the method including forming a first hard mask layer over a semiconductor device layer, the first hard mask layer comprising a metal-containing material, forming a second hard mask layer over the first hard mask layer, and forming a first set of metal-containing spacers over the second hard mask layer. The method further includes patterning the second hard mask layer using the first set of metal-containing spacers as a mask, forming a second set of metal-containing spacers on sidewalls of the patterned second hard mask layer, and patterning the first hard mask layer using the second set of metal-containing spacers as a mask.
US09129905B2 Planar metrology pad adjacent a set of fins of a fin field effect transistor device
Approaches for providing a planar metrology pad adjacent a set of fins of a fin field effect transistor (FinFET) device are disclosed. A previously deposited amorphous carbon layer can be removed from over a mandrel that has been previously formed on a subset of a substrate, such as using a photoresist. A pad hardmask can be formed over the mandrel on the subset of the substrate. This formation results in the subset of the substrate having the pad hardmask covering the mandrel thereon and the remainder of the substrate having the amorphous carbon layer covering the mandrel thereon. This amorphous carbon layer can be removed from over the mandrel on the remainder of the substrate, allowing a set of fins to be formed therein while the amorphous carbon layer keeps the set of fins from being formed in the portion of the substrate that it covers.
US09129903B2 Methods of fabricating a semiconductor device using voids in a sacrificial layer
A semiconductor device is fabricated by forming first holes arranged along a first direction on an etch-target layer, forming dielectric patterns in the first holes, conformally forming a barrier layer on the dielectric patterns, forming a sacrificial layer on the barrier layer to define a first void, partially removing the sacrificial layer to expose the first void, anisotropically etching the barrier layer to form second holes below the first void, and etching portions of the etch-target layer located below the first and second holes to form contact holes. The first void may be formed on a first gap region confined by at least three of the dielectric patterns disposed adjacent to each other, and the sacrificial layer may include a material having a low conformality.
US09129898B2 Semiconductor encapsulation adhesive composition, semiconductor encapsulation film-like adhesive, method for producing semiconductor device and semiconductor device
A semiconductor encapsulation adhesive composition comprising (a) an epoxy resin, (b) a curing agent and (c) an antioxidant.
US09129895B2 In situ real-time wafer breakage detection
The disclosure provides a real-time wafer breakage detection method. The detection method includes the following operations. A wafer is positioned on a wafer holder of a process chamber in which a thermal process is being performed. Then, the temperature at the wafer holder is measured. And, a notification for corrective action is issued if the temperature is out of a predetermined alarm range.
US09129891B2 Semiconductor device
A semiconductor device includes a first semiconductor layer provided over a substrate; an electron transit layer contacting a top of the first semiconductor layer; and a second semiconductor layer contacting a top of the electron transit layer, wherein the electron transit layer has a dual quantum well layer having a structure where a first well layer, an intermediate barrier layer, and a second well layer are sequentially stacked, an energy of a conduction band of the intermediate barrier layer is lower than an energy of conduction band of the first semiconductor layer and the second semiconductor layer, and a ground level is generated in the first and second well layers, and a first excitation level is generated in the dual quantum well layer.
US09129886B2 Integrated piezoelectric resonator and additional active circuit
A semiconductor device comprises a semiconductor wafer; a piezoelectric resonator formed on the wafer, and an active circuit also formed on the wafer. The active circuit (e.g., a frequency divider) is electrically connected to the piezoelectric resonator.
US09129882B2 Method of fabricating graphene nano device
Provided is a method of fabricating a graphene nano device. The method includes forming a first metal mask pattern on a substrate on which a graphene layer is formed, and forming a graphene pattern by performing an etching process on the graphene layer using the first metal mask pattern as an etching mask. The forming of the first metal mask pattern includes forming a first adhesive layer on the graphene layer, disposing the first metal mask pattern prepared in advance on the first adhesive layer, and heating the first adhesive layer to attach the first metal mask pattern on the substrate.
US09129879B2 Solid state imaging device and camera system
An MOS type solid state imaging device in which unit pixels 10 each having a photodiode 11, a transfer transistor 12 for transferring the signal of the photodiode 11 to a floating node N11, an amplifier transistor 13 for outputting the signal of the floating node N11 to a vertical signal line 22, and a reset transistor 14 for resetting the floating node N11 are arrayed in a matrix and in which a gate voltage of the reset transistor 14 is controlled by three values of a power source potential (for example 3V), a ground potential (0V), and a negative power source potential (for example −1V).
US09129877B2 Method of manufacturing a semiconductor device including a plurality of photoelectric conversion portions
A first waveguide member is formed, as viewed from above, in an image pickup region and a peripheral region of a semiconductor substrate. A part of the first waveguide member, which part is disposed in the peripheral region, is removed. A flattening step is then performed to flatten a surface of the first waveguide member on the side opposite to the semiconductor substrate.
US09129874B1 Light sensor having IR cut interference filter with color filter integrated on-chip
Techniques are described to furnish a light sensor that includes a patterned IR interference filter integrated with a patterned color pass filter. In one or more implementations, the light sensor includes a substrate having a surface. An IR interference filter configured to block infrared light is disposed over the surface of the substrate. The light sensor also includes one or more color pass filters placed above or below the IR interference filter. The color pass filters are configured to filter visible light to pass light in a limited spectrum of wavelengths to the one or more photodetectors.
US09129872B2 Imaging pixels with improved photodiode structures
A photodiodes may be formed on a substrate such as an imager substrate. The photodiode may include first and second layers in the substrate that form a p-n junction. The first layer may have a first doping type such as p-type doping, whereas the second layer may have a second, opposite doping type such as n-type doping. A counter-doping implant region may be provided that only partially overlaps with the second layer of the photodiode. The counter-doping implant region may have an opposite doping type to the second layer and may have a dopant concentration that is less than the dopant concentration of the second layer. The counter-doping implant region may extend into a third layer of the substrate that may have the same doping type of the second layer but at a lower concentration than the counter-doping implant region.
US09129870B2 Package structure having embedded electronic component
A package structure having an embedded electronic component includes: a carrier having a cavity penetrating therethrough; a semiconductor chip received in the cavity and having solder bumps disposed thereon; a dielectric layer formed on the carrier and the semiconductor chip so as to encapsulate the solder bumps; a wiring layer formed on the dielectric layer; an insulating protection layer formed on the dielectric layer and the wiring layer; and a solder material formed in the dielectric layer and the insulating protection layer for electrically connecting the wiring layer and the solder bumps, thereby shortening the signal transmission path between the semiconductor chip and the carrier to avoid signal losses.
US09129859B2 Three dimensional memory structure
A method to fabricate a three dimensional memory structure includes forming an array stack, creating a layer of sacrificial material above the array stack, etching a hole through the layer of sacrificial material and the array stack, creating a pillar of semiconductor material in the hole to form at least two vertically stacked flash memory cells that use the pillar as a common body, removing at least some of the layer of sacrificial material around the pillar to expose a portion of the pillar, and forming a field effect transistor (FET) using the portion of the pillar as the body of the FET.
US09129857B2 Semiconductor device including a first core pattern under a second core pattern
According to example embodiments, a semiconductor device includes horizontal patterns stacked on a substrate. The horizontal patterns define an opening through the horizontal patterns. A first core pattern is in the opening. A second core pattern is in the opening on the first core pattern. A first active pattern is between the first core pattern and the horizontal patterns. A second active pattern containing a first element is between the second core pattern and the horizontal patterns. The second active pattern contains the first element at a higher concentration than a concentration of the first element in the second core pattern.
US09129848B2 Method and structure for integrating capacitor-less memory cell with logic
Methods for fabricating integrated circuits include fabricating a logic device on a substrate, forming an intermediate semiconductor substrate on a surface of the logic device, and fabricating a capacitor-less memory cell on the intermediate semiconductor substrate. Integrated circuits with capacitor-less memory cells formed on a surface of a logic device are also disclosed, as are multi-core microprocessors including such integrated circuits.
US09129846B2 Semiconductor package and method of forming
The semiconductor package includes: a package substrate comprising a bonding pad; a plurality of semiconductor chips stacked on the package substrate; and a bonding wire configured to electrically connect the semiconductor chips and the bonding pad. For at least one of the plurality of semiconductor chips: the semiconductor chip comprises: a semiconductor device; a first pad electrically connected to the semiconductor device; a conductive pattern; and a second pad electrically connected to the first pad, spaced apart from the conductive pattern, and extending over the conductive pattern; and the bonding wire is connected to the second pad.
US09129843B1 Integrated inductor
A method of forming an inductor in a crystal semiconductor layer is provided, including generating an ion beam, directing the ion beam to a surface of the crystal semiconductor layer, applying a magnetic field to the ion beam to generate a helical motion of the ions and forming a three-dimensional helical structure in the crystal semiconductor layer by means of the ions of the ion beam.
US09129842B2 Formation of silicide contacts in semiconductor devices
Methods of forming silicide contacts in semiconductor devices are presented. An exemplary method comprises providing a semiconductor substrate having an n-type field effect transistor (nFET) region and a p-type field effect transistor (pFET) region; performing a pre-amorphized implantation (PAI) process to an n-type doped silicon (Si) feature in on the nFET region and a p-type doped silicon germanium (SiGe) feature in the pFET region, thereby forming an n-type amorphous silicon (a-Si) feature and a p-type amorphous silicon germanium (a-SiGe) feature; depositing a metal layer over each of the a-Si and a-SiGe features; performing an annealing process on the semiconductor device with a temperature ramp-up rate tuned according to a silicide growth rate difference between the n-type a-Si and the p-type a-SiGe features. During the annealing process the n-type a-Si and the p-type a-SiGe features are completely consumed, and amorphous silicide features are formed in the nFET and pFET regions.
US09129838B2 Semiconductor device and electronic apparatus
According to a semiconductor device (101), a first switching active element (103) of a normally-on type and a second switching active element (104) of a normally-off type are cascode-connected to each other. This causes an electric current path to be formed. The first and second switching active elements (103, 104) are provided and connected so that loop area of the electric current path is a minimum area in a plan view of the semiconductor device (101).
US09129837B2 Semiconductor device
A semiconductor device has an active region defined by a device isolation region arranged on a surface of a semiconductor substrate, a plurality of transistor pillars arranged along a first direction within the active region, and a first dummy pillar disposed in the device isolation region. The first dummy pillar is arranged on a line extending along the first direction from the transistor pillars. The semiconductor device also has a second dummy pillar disposed between the transistor pillars and the first dummy pillar, a gate electrode continuously extending so as to surround each of side surfaces of the transistor pillars, a first power supply gate electrode surrounding a side surface of the first dummy pillar, and a second power supply gate electrode surrounding a side surface of the second dummy pillar. The second power supply gate electrode is connected to the gate electrode and the first power supply gate electrode.
US09129834B2 Submount for LED device package
A light emitting diode (LED) assembly may include an LED semiconductor attached to a first surface of a submount made of optically transparent material. The submount may redirect back side light emitted by the LED semiconductor light away from the LED semiconductor to increase recovery of back side light. The submount may be used with an external bulk reflecting element. The submount may itself include a reflective coating at a second surface opposite from the first surface and be mounted on a reflecting substrate. The submount may include a phosphor forming the first surface or the second surface. The first surface or the second surface may be a textured surface. An array of LED semiconductors may be mounted to the submount. The array of LED semiconductors may be disposed on the submount in an arrangement that optimizes total light output of the LED assembly.
US09129822B2 High voltage field balance metal oxide field effect transistor (FBM)
A semiconductor power device formed in a semiconductor substrate comprising a highly doped region near a top surface of the semiconductor substrate on top of a lightly doped region supported by a heavily doped region. The semiconductor power device further comprises source trenches opened into the highly doped region filled with conductive trench filling material in electrical contact with the source region near the top surface. The semiconductor power device further comprises buried P-regions disposed below the source trenches and doped with dopants of opposite conductivity from the highly doped region. It is emphasized that this abstract is provided to comply with the rules requiring an abstract that will allow a searcher or other reader to quickly ascertain the subject matter of the technical disclosure. It is submitted with the understanding that it will not be used to interpret or limit the scope or meaning of the claims.
US09129817B2 Magnetic core inductor (MCI) structures for integrated voltage regulators
Semiconductor packages including magnetic core inductor (MCI) structures for integrated voltage regulators are described. In an example, a semiconductor package includes a package substrate and a semiconductor die coupled to a first surface of the package substrate. The semiconductor die has a first plurality of metal-insulator-metal (MIM) capacitor layers thereon. The semiconductor package also includes a magnetic core inductor (MCI) die coupled to a second surface of the package substrate. The MCI die includes one or more slotted inductors and has a second plurality of MIM capacitor layers thereon.
US09129814B2 Method for integrated circuit patterning
A method of forming a target pattern includes forming a plurality of lines over a substrate with a first mask and forming a spacer layer over the substrate, over the plurality of lines, and onto sidewalls of the plurality of lines. The method further includes removing at least a portion of the spacer layer to expose the plurality of lines and the substrate. The method further includes shrinking the spacer layer disposed onto the sidewalls of the plurality of lines and removing the plurality of lines thereby resulting in a patterned spacer layer over the substrate.
US09129812B2 Method for directed self-assembly (DSA) of block copolymers
In directed self-assembly (DSA) of a block copolymer (BCP), a patterned sublayer on a substrate serves as a guiding chemical prepattern on which BCPs form more uniform and/or denser patterns. A layer of a blend of a BCP and functional homopolymers, referred to as inks, is deposited on the patterned sublayer and annealed to change the initial chemical prepattern to a 1:1-like chemical pattern that is more favorable to DSA. After annealing, the inks selectively distribute into blocks by DSA, and part of the inks graft on the substrate underneath the blocks. The BCP blend layer is then rinsed away, leaving the grafted inks. A second layer of BCP is then deposited and annealed as a second DSA step to form alternating lines of the BCP components. One of the BCP components is removed, leaving lines of the other BCP component as a mask for patterning the substrate.
US09129804B2 Silicon carbide semiconductor device and method for manufacturing same
The present invention provides a silicon carbide semiconductor device having an ohmic electrode improved in adhesion of a wire thereto by preventing deposition of carbon so as not to form a Schottky contact, as well as a method for manufacturing such a silicon carbide semiconductor device. In the SiC semiconductor device, upon forming the ohmic electrode, a first metal layer made of one first metallic element is formed on one main surface of a SiC layer. Further, a Si layer made of Si is formed on an opposite surface of the first metal layer to its surface facing the SiC layer. The stacked structure thus formed is subjected to thermal treatment. In this way, there can be obtained a silicon carbide semiconductor device having an ohmic electrode adhered well to a wire by preventing deposition of carbon atoms on the surface layer of the electrode and formation of a Schottky contact resulting from Si and SiC.
US09129803B2 Graphene deposition and graphenated substrates
Methods, devices, systems and/or articles related to techniques for forming a graphene film on a substrate, and the resulting graphene layers and graphenated substrates are generally disclosed. Some example techniques may be embodied as methods or processes for forming graphene. Some other example techniques may be embodied as devices employed to manipulate, treat, or otherwise process substrates, graphite, graphene and/or graphenated substrates as described herein. Graphene layers and graphenated substrates produced by the various techniques and devices provided herein are also disclosed.
US09129798B1 Methods of forming semiconductor structures comprising aluminum oxide
A semiconductor structure comprising aluminum oxide. The semiconductor structure comprises a dielectric material overlying a substrate. The aluminum oxide overlies the dielectric material in a first region of the structure. A second region of the structure includes a first titanium nitride portion overlying the dielectric material, magnesium over the first titanium nitride portion, and a second titanium nitride portion over the magnesium. Methods of forming the semiconductor structure including aluminum oxide are also disclosed.
US09129796B2 Pre-metal deposition clean process
A process of forming an integrated circuit including an MOS transistor, in which a pre-metal deposition cleanup prior to depositing metal for silicide formation includes an HF etch, a first SC1 etch, a piranha etch and a second SC1 etch, so that a native oxide on the source/drain regions is less the 2 nanometers thick before deposition of the silicide metal. A process of forming a metal silicide layer on an integrated circuit containing an MOS transistor, in which a pre-metal deposition cleanup prior to depositing metal for silicide formation includes an HF etch, a first SC1 etch, a piranha etch and a second SC1 etch, so that a native oxide on the source/drain regions and the MOS gate is less the 2 nanometers thick before deposition of the silicide metal.
US09129795B2 Process for plasma treatment employing ceramic-filled polyamideimide composite parts
Internal components of plasma reactors are composed of a toleratable, ceramic filled plasma-useful polymer such as a high temperature engineering thermoplastic, preferably a polyamideimide. The parts exhibit a low erosion rate upon exposure to plasma at low pressure.
US09129794B2 Tubular light source having overwind
Embodiments of the present invention generally relate to a tubular lamp with a coiled filament having an overwind wrapped around the coil. In one embodiment, the tubular lamp has a coiled coil filament, and the coiled coil has an overwind wrapped around the coiled coil.
US09129790B2 Orthogonal acceleration TOF with ion guide mode
Mass spectrometry systems include an electronic controller and a time-of-flight mass analyzer in communication with the electronic controller. The time-of-flight mass analyzer includes a pulsing region defining a channel that extends along an axis. The pulsing region includes: a first electrode extending along the axis, the first electrode defining one or more apertures; a second electrode extending along the axis, the first and second electrodes being positioned on opposing sides of the axis in a first direction perpendicular to the axis. The electronic controller is programmed to apply a first set of voltages to the electrodes to constrain a motion of ions propagating along the axis in a radial direction relative to the axis, and apply a second set of voltages to the electrodes to accelerate the ions out of the pulsing region through the one or more apertures.
US09129788B2 Lens for electron capture dissociation, Fourier transform ion cyclotron resonance mass spectrometer comprising the same and method for improving signal of Fourier transform ion cyclotron resonance mass spectrometer
A lens for electron capture dissociation may include: a first electrode and a second electrode spaced apart from each other and arranged along a first direction; and a third electrode and a fourth electrode spaced apart from each other and arranged along a second direction perpendicular to the first direction. The first electrode and the second electrode may be disposed in a space in which a magnetic field is formed in the first direction and trap electrons. The third electrode and the fourth electrode may be in the form of a flat plate and may apply an electric field to the trapped electrons in the second direction.
US09129781B2 M/Z targeted attenuation on time of flight instruments
A method of mass spectrometry is disclosed comprising separating ions according to one or more physico-chemical properties. Ions which are onwardly transmitted to a Time of Flight mass analyzer are controlled by attenuating ions which would otherwise be transmitted to the Time of Flight mass analyzer and cause saturation of an ion detector and which have been determined or which are predicted to have a relatively high intensity.
US09129778B2 Fluid distribution members and/or assemblies
A fluid distribution member assembly for use in a substrate processing system includes a fluid distribution member having a central portion and a perimeter portion. The fluid distribution member defines at least one slot formed there-through and the at least one slot extends along a non-radial path configured to allow the central portion to expand and rotate with respect to the perimeter portion.
US09129775B2 Specimen potential measuring method, and charged particle beam device
The present invention has an object to perform specimen charge measurement or focusing at a high speed and with high precision also for a specimen in which fixed charge and induced charge may be mixedly present.As one mode to achieve the object, there are proposed a specimen potential measuring method and a device to implement the method characterized in that when specimen potential information obtained by a first specimen potential measuring device disposed outside a specimen chamber or specimen potential information beforehand obtained is equal to or more than a predetermined threshold value or is more than the threshold value, measurement of specimen potential is selectively conducted by use of a second specimen potential measuring device in the specimen chamber.
US09129771B2 Emitter structure, gas ion source and focused ion beam system
There is provided an emitter structure, a gas ion source including the emitter structure, and a focused ion beam system including the gas ion source. The emitter structure includes a pair of conductive pins which are fixed to a base member, a filament which is connected between the pair of conductive pins, and an emitter which is connected to the filament and has a sharp tip. A supporting member is fixed to the base material, and the emitter is connected to the supporting member.
US09129762B2 Push switch
There is provided a push switch including an insulating case, a conductive member, a movable electrode and an operating member. The insulating case has a wall portion defining a recess. The conductive member has a first portion embedded into the wall portion and a second portion disposed in the recess as a fixed electrode. The movable electrode is disposed in the recess and is displaced between a first position and a second position. The operating member is moved to displace the movable electrode from the second position to the first position. An anchor member protrudes from the conductive member in a direction not parallel to the direction in which the operating member is moved, and embedded into the wall portion.
US09129754B2 Electrode for power storage device and power storage device
To provide an electrode for a power storage device, which has high reliability and can be miniaturized. To provide a power storage device including the electrode. In the electrode, a stress-relieving layer which relieves internal stress of an active material layer including a whisker is provided over a current collector. By the stress-relieving layer, deformation of the current collector can be suppressed and the productivity of the power storage device can be increased. In addition, the size of the power storage device can be reduced and the reliability thereof can be increased. Graphene may be formed so as to cover the active material layer including a whisker.
US09129749B2 Sintered electrodes to store energy in an implantable medical device
An example includes a capacitor case sealed to retain electrolyte, at least one anode disposed in the capacitor case, the at least one anode comprising a sintered portion disposed on a substrate, an anode conductor coupled to the substrate in electrical communication with the sintered portion, the anode conductor sealingly extending through the capacitor case to an anode terminal disposed on the exterior of the capacitor case with the anode terminal in electrical communication with the sintered portion, a cathode disposed in the capacitor case, a separator disposed between the cathode and the anode and a cathode terminal disposed on an exterior of the capacitor case and in electrical communication with the cathode, with the anode terminal and the cathode terminal electrically isolated from one another.
US09129747B2 Abrasive blasted cathode of a wet electrolytic capacitor
A wet electrolytic capacitor that includes a porous anode body containing a dielectric layer, an electrolyte, and a cathode containing a metal substrate on which is disposed a conductive coating is provided. Prior to application of the conductive coating, the metal substrate is blasted with abrasive particles to enhance the ability of the substrate to adhere to the coating. The micro-roughened metal substrate can be treated after blasting so that substantially all of the abrasive particles are removed. This is accomplished by contacting the metal substrate with an extraction solution to remove the particles, and also by selectively controlling the nature of the abrasive particles so that they are dispersible (e.g., soluble) in the solution.
US09129741B2 Method and apparatus for wireless power transmission
Embodiments of the invention relate to a method and system for transferring power wirelessly to electronic devices. The system can utilize magnetic coupling between two coils at close proximity to transfer sufficient power to charge an electronic device. Embodiments of the invention pertain to an array of spiral coils that can be used to transmit power for transfer to receiver coils. Potential applications of this technology include charging consumer electronic devices (cell phones, laptops, PDAs, etc), developing hermetically sealed devices for extreme environments, and less invasive transcutaneous energy transfer (TET) systems. Various embodiments of the subject system can be referred to as PowerPad system. Embodiments can incorporate one or more of the following: planar inductors, PCB transformers, and very high frequency power supplies. Embodiments of the invention also pertain to planar inductors having characteristics that allow the production of even magnetic field, as well as systems that incorporate such planar inductors.
US09129740B2 Ignition coil having integrated electronics
An ignition coil, in particular for an internal combustion engine in a vehicle, is described. The ignition coil includes a housing, a primary winding and a secondary winding, and an electronic component, a highly heat-conducting, electrically insulating, elastic heat-conducting element, which is situated between the electronic component and the housing, and a thermally and electrically insulating casting compound, which is introduced into the housing in order to fill interspaces in the housing, the heat-conducting element touching the electronic component.
US09129737B2 Laminated inductor
A laminated inductor includes: a laminate having an insulating part constituted by non-magnetic layers, as well as a coil part constituted by conductors positioned between the non-magnetic layers; and external electrodes that are electrically connected to the ends of the coil part and positioned on the exterior surfaces of the laminate; wherein the external electrodes each have a first electrode layer whose primary constituent is Ag, as well as a second electrode layer whose primary constituent is Cu and which is positioned on the outer side of the first electrode layer and has a thickness of 4 μm or more, and the total thickness of the first electrode layer and second electrode layer is 5 μm or more and preferably 10 μm or less.
US09129732B2 Magnetorheological fluid composition and method for forming the same
The present invention provides a magnetorheological fluid composition and method for forming the same. The magnetorheological fluid composition comprises a carrier fluid and a nano-magnetic-responsive composite dispersed uniformly in the carrier fluid. The nano-magnetic-responsive composite is formed by having carbonyl iron microparticles react with a grafting agent to form a modified carbonyl iron nanoparticles and blending the modified carbonyl iron nanoparticles with acid-treated graphene or carbon nanotubes.
US09129727B2 Communication cable with embossed tape having encapsulated gas
A layered tape having pockets therein is used as part of a communication cable to improve alien crosstalk attenuation. In one embodiment, a single layered tape has an embossed layer bonded to a matrix tape layer having non-continuous conductive traces, with the resulting layered tape reducing alien crosstalk between cables. Pockets resulting from the embossing are filled with a gas such as dry air to decrease the dielectric constant through the effective thickness of the tape. A layered tape may alternatively be provided as a separate tape from a matrix tape, such that coupling between conductive pairs of the cable and the matrix tape is reduced. Decreasing the dielectric constant of materials between adjacent cables also decreases alien crosstalk coupling between the cables.
US09129726B2 Rubber composition for tire, and pneumatic tire
Provided are a rubber composition for a tire which achieves a balanced improvement in tensile properties at break and fuel economy while providing excellent conductivity; and a pneumatic tire including the rubber composition. The present invention relates to a rubber composition for a tire, including: a rubber component; a carbon black having a nitrogen adsorption specific surface area of 20 to 110 m2/g and a DBP oil absorption of 60 to 130 ml/100 g; and a conductive carbon black having a nitrogen adsorption specific surface area of 900 m2/g or larger, a DBP oil absorption of 300 ml/100 g or more, and a volatile content of 0.8% by mass or more, the rubber composition containing 0.1 to 3 parts by mass of the conductive carbon black per 100 parts by mass of the rubber component.
US09129718B2 X-ray waveguide
A X-ray waveguide includes a core for guiding X-rays having a wavelength band in which the real part of refractive index of material is smaller than 1 and a cladding for confining the X-rays in the core. The core has a one-dimensional periodic structure in which a plurality of layers respectively formed of inorganic materials having different real parts of refractive index are periodically laminated. The core and the cladding are configured so that a critical angle for total reflection for the X-rays at an interface between the core and the cladding is larger than a Bragg angle due to a periodicity of the one-dimensional periodic structure. A critical angle for total reflection for the X-rays at an interface between layers in the one-dimensional periodic structure is smaller than the Bragg angle due to the periodicity of the one-dimensional periodic structure.
US09129712B2 Programmable memory repair scheme
A controller including a non-volatile memory to store a repair address, and a memory control unit operatively coupled with the non-volatile memory. The memory control unit comprising a memory test function configured to detect a malfunctioning address of primary data storage elements within a memory device. The memory device being another semiconductor device separate from the controller. The memory test function configured to store the repair address in the non-volatile memory, the repair address indicating the malfunctioning address of the primary data storage element.
US09129697B2 Method of providing an operating voltage in a memory device and a memory controller for the memory device
A method of providing an operating voltage in a memory device includes applying a read voltage to a selected word line while applying a first pass voltage to at least one unselected word line among word lines adjacent to the selected word line; and while applying a second pass voltage to the remaining unselected word lines (other than the at least one unselected word line to which the first pass voltage is applied). The level of the first pass voltage is higher than the level of the second pass voltage. The level of the first pass voltage may be set based on the level of the read voltage.
US09129681B2 Thin film transistor
Disclosed herein are thin film transistors (TFTs) and techniques for fabricating TFTs. A major plane of the gate electrode of the TFT may be vertically oriented with respect to a horizontal layer of polysilicon in which the TFT resides. An interface between the gate electrode and gate dielectric may be vertically oriented with respect to a horizontal layer of polysilicon in which the TFT resides. The TFT may have a channel width that is defined by a thickness of the horizontal layer of polysilicon. The TFT may be formed by etching a hole in a layer of polysilicon. Then, a gate electrode and gate dielectric may be formed in the hole by depositing layers of dielectric and conductor material on the sidewall. The body may be formed in the horizontal layer of polysilicon outside the hole.
US09129678B2 Method and apparatus for reforming a memory cell of a memory
A memory including a memory cell and first and second modules. The memory cell has first and second states, where the second state is different than the first state. The first module, subsequent to an initial forming of the memory cell and subsequent to a read cycle or a write cycle of the memory cell, determines a first difference between the first state and a first predetermined threshold or a second difference between the first state and the second state. The second module, subsequent to the first module determining the first difference or the second difference, reforms the memory cell to reset and increase the first difference or the second difference. The second module, during the reforming of the memory cell, applies a first voltage to the memory cell. The first voltage is greater than a voltage applied to the memory cell during the read cycle or the write cycle.
US09129661B2 Single port memory that emulates dual port memory
A single-port memory that operates in single-cycle dual-port mode has a logical capacity of N=k·m memory words and (k+1) single-port RAM having an overall physical capacity of (k+1)·m memory words. A status register holds words identifying which RAM bank has the last data at the ith address in the RAM banks and defining k status words for valid data among the (k+1) RAM banks. Write data is written to the write address of a valid RAM bank for a write operation in the absence of RAM bank read address contention. Write data is written to the write address of a different RAM bank that has no valid data for a write operation if there is contention with the RAM bank read address RADDR of a read operation. The status register is updated to identify the RAM bank of the write operation.
US09129660B2 Transducer resistor shunt structure for low-cost probing
Embodiments described herein generally relate to resistive shunt design in a read sensor for providing accurate measurements from an electronic lapping guide (ELG). More specifically, embodiments described herein relate to a transducer resistor shunt structure for low cost probing. A bleed resistor network for a read sensor may comprise one or more first resistors arranged in parallel with one another and a second resistor arranged in series with the one or more first resistors. The resistor arrangement may require a small physical area and reduce or prevent ELG measurement errors.
US09129650B2 Array-reader based magnetic recording systems with frequency division multiplexing
A magnetic recording system includes an array of analog inputs operable to receive analog signals retrieved from a magnetic storage medium, a modulator operable to combine the analog signals to yield a frequency division multiplexed signal, a demodulator operable to yield a plurality of demodulated signals from the frequency division multiplexed signal corresponding to each channel of the array, and a joint equalizer operable to filter the plurality of demodulated signals to yield an equalized output.
US09129639B1 Method of imbalance correction using a grooved disk clamp
A disk clamp that can engage a disk hub to couple a disk media to a disk hub, the disk clamp having a body portion, and a groove formed in a surface of the body portion and extending at least in a circumferential direction substantially parallel to at least a portion of the circumference of the disk clamp; and a balance weight installed in the groove formed in the surface of the disk clamp, the balance weight having a quantity of material applied in the groove. A disk drive assembly using the disk hub and a method of correcting a drive imbalance using the disk hub.
US09129636B2 Method and apparatus for manufacturing magnetic recording medium
The present invention provides a method for manufacturing a magnetic recording medium by mounting a substrate for film formation on a carrier, sequentially transporting said substrate into a plurality of connected chambers, and forming at least a magnetic film and a carbon protective film on said substrate for film formation within said chambers, wherein said method comprises a step of conducting ashing to remove an accumulated carbon protective film adhered to a carrier surface, which is performed following a step of removing a magnetic recording medium from said carrier following film formation, but prior to a step of mounting a substrate for film formation on said carrier.
US09129635B2 Magnetic recording medium with controlled anisotropic fields and magnetic memory device
There are provided a magnetic recording medium and a magnetic memory device capable of implementing high recording density, in the case of using a microwave assisted magnetic recording (MAMR) scheme. In a magnetic memory device including a magnetic recording medium having a recording film with three or more layers, a recording magnetic pole generating a recording magnetic field, an opposed magnetic pole, a high frequency magnetic field generating element generating a microwave for recording assist, and a magnetic reproduction element, an anisotropic field of a first layer which is a top layer of the recording film is larger than 20 kOe.
US09129627B1 Sector-based write operation
A method or system comprises determining a target sector of a write operation in response to a request for the write operation to a band in a storage device, determining a plurality of down-track data sectors in the band, and performing a band rewrite operation on the target data sector and the down-track data sectors.
US09129626B2 Near-field transducer with rounded or obtuse corners
Embodiments are directed to an apparatus having an air-bearing surface that is configured to interact with magnetic medium. The apparatus includes a waveguide and a plasmonic near-field transducer positioned at or near the air-bearing surface. The plasmonic near-field transducer is operatively coupled to the waveguide. The plasmonic near-field transducer includes an enlarged region and a peg region. The peg region extends from the enlarged region towards the air-bearing surface. The peg region has at least a portion of a periphery of its cross-sectional shape include curvature or at least one substantially obtuse angle.
US09129623B2 Method and system for measuring noise of a magnetic head
A method for measuring noise of a magnetic head includes setting a plurality of threshold values, applying bias current or voltage to a read element of the magnetic head, applying an external transverse magnetic field to the magnetic head, amplifying output signal from the read element to produce an amplified signal, filtering the amplified signal to produce a filtered signal, generating an enable signal for each threshold value in a predetermined time window by a counting control means with input signals which include the filtered signal and the threshold value, measuring the cumulative time duration of each enable signal, making an amplitude-duration distribution according to the cumulative time durations and the threshold values, calculating a plurality of parameters according to the amplitude-duration distribution and analyzing the parameters with a plurality of predetermined criteria to determine the defects of the magnetic head. Accordingly, the invention also discloses a system for measuring noise of a magnetic head.
US09129617B2 Magnetic recording head, magnetic head assembly, magnetic recording apparatus, and magnetic recording method
An example magnetic recording apparatus includes a magnetic recording medium, a magnetic recording head and a signal processor. The magnetic recording head includes a first magnetic pole; a second magnetic pole; a spin torque oscillator; a first coil to magnetize the first magnetic pole; and a second coil through which a current is passed independently of the first coil. The signal processor writes and reads a signal on the magnetic recording medium by using the magnetic recording head and includes a first current circuit to supply a recording current to the first coil and a second current circuit to supply a modulating current to the second coil.
US09129615B2 Tilt adjusting apparatus and optical disc drive using the same
Provided is a tilt adjusting apparatus of an optical disc drive for adjusting a tilt of an optical pickup unit. The tilt adjusting apparatus includes an optical pickup unit moving in a radial direction of the disc, along first and second guide shafts. The tilt adjusting unit also includes a fixing support unit that fixes the first guide shaft and an adjustment supporting unit that supports the second guide shaft and enables the height of both ends of the second guide shaft to be adjusted.
US09129599B2 Automated tuning of speech recognition parameters
A method for execution on a server for serving presence information, the method for providing dynamically loaded speech recognition parameters to a speech recognition engine, can be provided. The method can include storing at least one rule for selecting speech recognition parameters, wherein a rule comprises an if-portion including criteria and a then-portion specifying speech recognition parameters that must be used when the criteria is met. The method can further include receiving notice that a speech recognition session has been initiated between a user and the speech recognition engine. The method can further include selecting a first set of speech recognition parameters responsive to executing the at least one rule and providing to the speech recognition engine the first set of speech recognition parameters for performing speech recognition of the user.
US09129594B2 Signal processing apparatus and signal processing method
A signal processing apparatus feeding a frame of a signal in frequency domain of a reception voice signal into a sound echo canceler includes a first reception section for receiving frames of the reception voice signal in frequency domain before having a rate-of-speech change process applied; a second reception section for receiving frames of a signal in time domain having the rate-of-speech change process applied by units of frames; and a frequency-domain frame synthesis section for synthesizing a frame of the signal in frequency domain of the reception voice signal based on the signal in time domain having the rate-of-speech change process applied at a frame currently being processed by the signal processing apparatus, and a frame of the reception voice signal in frequency domain corresponding to the signal in time domain having the rate-of-speech change process applied.
US09129592B2 Signal artifact detection and elimination for audio output
A method and apparatus are provided for processing a received digital radio broadcast signal to efficiently remove signal interference artifacts from digital and/or analog signals by using signal quality information extracted from audio samples in one or more buffered audio frames to detect audio frames containing clipped noise artifacts and weaker noise artifacts and to selectively apply anti-interference processing to remove the signal interference artifacts.
US09129584B2 Method of playing chord inversions on a virtual instrument
A user interface implemented on a touch-sensitive display for a virtual musical instrument comprising a plurality of chord touch regions configured in a predetermined sequence, each chord touch region corresponding to a chord in a musical key and being divided into a plurality of separate touch zones, the plurality of chord touch regions defining a predetermined set of chords, where each of the plurality of separate touch zones in each region is associated with one or more preselected MIDI files stored in a computer-readable medium. In some embodiments, the touch zones are configured to provide different harmonic configurations of a base chord associated with the chord touch region. Some harmonic configurations provide progressively wider harmonic ranges across each adjacent touch zone. Other harmonic configurations can provide chords with a progressively higher relative pitch across each adjacent touch zone.
US09129577B2 Layout of a group of gate driving stages wherein two stages are adjacent in the column direction and a third stage is adjacent to both said stages in the row direction
A display apparatus includes a display panel including a plurality of pixel columns to display an image, wherein each of the pixel columns includes a plurality of pixels arranged in a first direction and sequentially turned-on in the first direction; a gate driver disposed on the display panel and including a plurality of stages connected to the pixels to sequentially apply a gate signal to the pixels, where at least two stages of the stages are disposed adjacent to each other in a second direction different from the first direction; and a data driver which applies a data voltage to the pixels.
US09129576B2 Gate driving waveform control
A gate driver and associated method for a double gate liquid crystal display (LCD) is disclosed. A gate driving signal generating circuit, such as coupled shift registers, generates the gate driving signals in response to horizontal synchronization signal. In one embodiment, a phase control circuit, such as logic AND gates, is coupled to receive the outputs of the shift registers for determining phase relationship between the outputs of the shift registers and the horizontal synchronization signal.
US09129575B2 Liquid crystal display device
In a liquid crystal display device having a configuration in which one pixel is divided into a plurality of sub-pixels to improve the view angle characteristic, the number of IC chips for driving a panel is reduced more than that in the conventional technique. A gate driver is provided with a first shift register (20A) corresponding to first gate bus lines (GLAi) (i=1 to n), a second shift register (20B) corresponding to second gate bus lines (GLBi), and AND operation circuits (ANDi) each outputting a signal indicating AND between an output signal (QAi) from the first shift register (20A) and an output signal (QBi) from the second shift register (20B). To the first gate bus line (GLAi), the output signal (QAi) from the first shift register (20A) is applied as it is as a scanning signal (GAi). To the second gate bus line (GLBi), an output signal from the AND operation circuit (ANDi) is applied as a scanning signal (GBi).
US09129571B2 Partially-driven display apparatus
A display apparatus and an operation method thereof are provided. The display apparatus includes a display panel. The display panel includes a plurality of data lines, a plurality of scan lines and a plurality of pixels. The pixels are arranged in a matrix manner, and each pixel is electrically connected to one of the data lines and one of the scan lines. The operation method includes steps of: dividing the scan lines into N scan line groups, wherein N is an integer from 2 to the number of the scan lines; and in N frame periods sequentially driving the N scan line groups of scan line respectively and thereby sequentially updating display data of the pixels electrically connected to the N scan line groups of the scan line respectively.
US09129569B2 Liquid crystal display device
A liquid crystal display device (100A) according to the present invention includes a plurality of pixels (10) which are arranged in columns and rows to form a matrix pattern. Each of the plurality of pixels (10) includes first and second subpixels (10a, 10b), which are arranged in a column direction, one of which is a bright subpixel that exhibits a higher luminance than the other at least at a particular grayscale, and the other of which is a dark subpixel. The plurality of pixels define a plurality of color display pixels, each of which includes an even number of pixels including first, second, third and fourth pixels (Y, R, G, B) that are arranged in a row direction. In an arbitrary row of pixels, a row of subpixels including the bright subpixels includes the respective bright subpixels of all of the first, second, third and fourth pixels.
US09129560B2 Display device
A display device includes: a display panel for displaying frames during an elapse of time; and an emission driver for providing first and second emission power sources to the display panel, wherein: each of the frames comprises a first light emitting period, a light non-emitting period and a second light emitting period according to a time sequence, a difference value between the first and second emission power sources is substantially equal to or greater than a reference value during the first and second light emitting periods, and is less than the reference value during the light non-emitting period, and the difference value between the first and second emission power sources decreases over an elapse of time during the first light emitting period, and increases over an elapse of time during the second light emitting period.
US09129553B2 Display device and electronic equipment
A display device is disclosed. The display device includes: a pixel array unit and a driving unit which drives the pixel array unit. The pixel array unit includes rows of first scanning lines and second scanning lines, columns of signals, pixels in a matrix state arranged at portions where the scanning lines and the signal lines cross each other and power supply lines and ground lines supplying power to respective pixels. The driving unit includes a first scanner performing line-sequential scanning to pixels by each row by supplying a first control signal to each first scanning line sequentially, a second scanner supplying a second control signal to each second scanning line sequentially so as to correspond to the line-sequential scanning and a signal selector supplying a video signal to rows of signal lines so as to correspond to the line-sequential scanning.
US09129551B2 Driving circuit of display apparatus and driving chip
Disclosed are a driving circuit of a display apparatus and a driving chip, which shuts off the output of image data, in a display apparatus in which a plurality of driving chips is connected to each other in a daisy chain method to correspond to a single display panel, when serial communication of the driving chips is not completed successfully, or when any one of the driving chips is not operated normally, thereby preventing an abnormal screen from being displayed.
US09129550B2 Adjusting orientation of content regions in a page layout
When a device is rotated from a portrait orientation to landscape orientation, or vice versa, the display device rotates the content items within distinct respective content regions of a page template (“slots”) that each appear to stay in their same position with respect to a frame of reference of the display device. While the content regions stay in their same positions, the content within each content region counter-rotates in place to offset the rotation of the display device. Thus, the content within the content regions maintains an orientation with respect to a constant (non-rotating) frame of reference, regardless of the orientation or rotation of the display device. In one embodiment, a slot's position, height, and width in a template in a second orientation are determined from the slot's position, height, and width in the template in a first orientation.
US09129540B2 Traffic beacon having irregular pattern
A flashing beacon may include a signal unit, a control unit associated with the signal unit, a solar panel or collector, and an activation device that may all be mounted or otherwise positioned on a post of a roadway sign. Light units associated with the signal unit may be programmed to flash on and off in a unique wig-wag pattern. Further, a light bar may also be used with the beacon to generate an intense flash of light soon after activation of the beacon as an additional means of grabbing the attention of the operator of a vehicle.
US09129536B2 Circuit for secure provisioning in an untrusted environment
Embodiments of electronic circuits enable security of sensitive data in a design and manufacturing process that includes multiple parties. An embodiment of an electronic circuit can include a private key embedded within the electronic circuit that is derived from a plurality of components including at least one component known only to the electronic circuit and at least one immutable value cryptographically bound into messages and residing on the electronic circuit, public key generation logic that generates a public key to match the private key, and message signing logic that signs messages with the private key.
US09129527B2 Sound playing system of a cluster
Disclosed is a sound playing system of a cluster which improves a driver's recognition of and quality of sounds played by the cluster. The sound playing system transmits driving information of a vehicle to a driver through the sound played by the cluster, and may include: a micom mounted in the cluster for supervising various controls such as sound control; a sound source chip mounted in the cluster for selecting sound sources according to a command of the micom; and a speaker for generating sound waves by the selected sound sources and outputting a sound. A database of sounds may be stored in the micom, and the micom may transmit information regarding sounds to the sound source chip based on the database so as to control selection of the sound sources.
US09129523B2 Method and system for obstacle detection for vehicles using planar sensor data
A computer-implemented method and system for automatically detecting an obstacle from a moving vehicle using a planar sensor mounted on the vehicle.
US09129522B2 Traffic speed estimation using temporal and spatial smoothing of GPS speed data
Estimation of traffic speed includes applying data processing functions to determine missing speed information by smoothing spatial and temporal GPS data to achieve an accurate estimation of link speed over all links of a transportation network at all time periods. This estimation of traffic speed uses one link's observed speed information to estimate neighboring links without observed speed information and therefore provides a system and method of processing collected GPS data to obtain a thorough understanding of traffic flow conditions for all represented links without further collection of GPS data. The present invention also provides a framework for analyzing and improving real-time collection of GPS speed data.
US09129521B2 System and method for displaying a runway position indicator
A dynamic runway indicator is displayed overlying a conformal runway for assisting a pilot in completing an approach to landing on a runway. The dynamic runway indicator includes a polygon, that by changing position with respect to the conformal runway, provides advanced instrumentation cues to the pilot for adjusting the aircraft flight path to a normal, or recommended, path to the runway for landing, thereby assisting the pilot to improve the accuracy and safety of the approach and landing.
US09129507B2 Portable electrical apparatus and method for detecting state of the same
A portable electrical apparatus includes a sensor, a micro-controller, and a wireless positioning module. The sensor is configured for sensing a movement of the portable electrical apparatus to generate a sensing signal. The micro-controller is configured for receiving the sensing signal and comparing a threshold value with a sensing value corresponding to the sensing signal. The wireless positioning module is configured for positioning the portable electrical apparatus to generate a plurality of position data corresponding to a location of the portable electrical apparatus. When the sensing value is greater than the threshold value, the micro-controller loads the position data generated within a predetermined period, which is right after the sensing value being greater than the threshold value, compares the loaded position data with each other, and an alarm signal is sent out according to a comparison result.
US09129500B2 Apparatus for monitoring the condition of an operator and related system and method
An apparatus includes a headset having one or more speaker units. Each speaker unit is configured to provide audio signals to an operator. Each speaker unit includes an ear cuff configured to contact the operator's head. The headset further includes multiple sensors configured to measure one or more characteristics associated with the operator. At least one of the sensors is embedded within at least one ear cuff of at least one speaker unit. The sensors could include an electrocardiography electrode, a skin conductivity probe, pulse oximetry light emitting diodes and photodetectors, an accelerometer, a gyroscope, or a temperature sensor. The apparatus could also include a processing unit configured to analyze audio signals captured by a microphone unit of the headset to identify respiration by the operator or at least one voice characteristic of the operator.
US09129494B2 Alarming pusher system
An alarm device configured to monitor retail merchandise on a retail pusher system is provided. The alarm device includes a triggering mechanism that activates an alarm when retail merchandise is removed from the retail pusher system. The alarm makes store personnel aware that retail merchandise has been removed from a particular pusher system. In certain embodiments of the invention, the alarm device is disposed on a front stop of the retail pusher system. A biasing member of the pusher system biases retail merchandise into a switch of the alarm device. In this configuration, the alarm device may include a plunger switch that activates an alarm when retail merchandise is not biased into the plunger switch.
US09129491B2 Gaming machine and control method thereof
The controller of the gaming machine executing processing operations of: (a) determining a magnification of a respective one of plural kinds of colors which are produced in a color displayable manner by means of the multiple color light emitting backlight and then displaying on the display; (b) determining a light emitting color by means of the multiple color light emitting backlight and then controlling light emission in the determined color; and (c) executing a payout of a number which is obtained by multiplying the magnification that corresponds to the color determined in the processing (b), from among the magnifications of the respective colors, the magnifications being determined in the processing (a), for a payment that corresponds to the pattern of the specific symbols.
US09129489B2 Remote gaming method where venue's system suggests different games to remote player using a mobile gaming device
A mobile gaming device may be a player's own personal tablet, smartphone, PDA, etc., with an application program installed via the internet for carrying out a remote gaming session. All gaming functions are carried out by a stationary gaming terminal communicating with the mobile device, such as by using WiFi. The mobile device operates as a user interface. While the player is playing one game on the mobile device, the venue's system recommends other games to the player via the player's tablet either based on the player's past gaming history, if the player used a player tracking card, or based on real time game play, if the player is anonymous. Upon the player selecting a different game, the system automatically transfers communications to a different gaming terminal and transfers the player's credits. The gaming terminals may be gaming machines, where each gaming machine carries out a different game.
US09129488B2 Gaming machine reel having a rotatable dynamic display
A gaming machine reel having a motor capable of rotating the reel operatively coupled to a controller to control a reel rotation speed, a support mechanism coupled to the motor having an outer circumferential region, a rotatable display mounted on the outer circumferential region operable to rotate about an axis of the reel. The rotatable display may be used to display game play indicia utilized in a wager-based game of chance. A game controller coupled to the rotatable display may be configured to determine a portion of the rotatable display that is visible through a viewing window on the gaming machine at a particular, determine pixel locations associated with the visible portions and map visual content to the visible portions as a function of time while the rotatable display is rotating.
US09129480B2 Gaming machine and control method thereof
To provide a gaming machine and a control method therefor, having a new entertainment characteristics, a slot machine 10 of the present invention, when a “BONUS” symbol 250 associated with a pick-up bonus game is selected, receives selection of any one of twenty little pig's noses 210 displayed. Then, a benefit associated with the selected little pig's nose 210 is awarded. When the benefit to be awarded is a “stick house” 218 which means “step-up”, a step-up occurs to the stick house stage and the expectation value for a payout is raised. Thus, when one little pig's nose 210 is selected out of the twenty little pig's noses 210 displayed in the stick house stage, the payout amount of the benefit associated with the little pig's nose 210 is increased.
US09129465B2 Medium sensing apparatus, medium handling apparatus and financial device
Provided is a medium sensing apparatus. The medium sensing apparatus comprises a first frame having a hole in a side surface thereof, a second frame coupled to the first frame, a first sensor mounted on the first frame, a bracket connected to the first sensor, the bracket contacting the second frame, and a shaft disposed on the first sensor or the bracket to pass through the hole, the shaft being movable within the hole.
US09129461B2 Apparatus, method and article for collection, charging and distributing power storage devices, such as batteries
A collection, charging and distribution machine collects, charges and distributes portable electrical energy storage devices (e.g., batteries, super- or ultracapacitors). To charge, the machine employs electrical current from an external source, such as the electrical grid or an electrical service of an installation location. The machine determines a first number of devices to be rapidly charged, employing charge from a second number of devices identified to sacrifice charge. Thus, some devices may be concurrently charged via current from the electrical service and current from other devices, to achieve rapid charging of some subset of devices. The devices that sacrifice charge may later be charged. Such may ensure availability of devices for end users.
US09129450B2 System and method for accessing a structure using a mobile device
A wireless device access system employs short-range wireless communication to require the proximity of a user device to a structure prior to communicating an unlock request. The access system authenticates the unlock request and the proximity of the user to the structure prior to transmitting an unlock command to the structure. Additionally, the wireless device may require the proximity of a user token prior to operation and/or the access system may include an override within the structure blocking any unlock command.
US09129447B2 Method and device for generating graphic images
A method generates an image from a set of image zones each delimited by a contour of polygonal shape defined by a set of vertexes, and comprising pixels having an attribute value which can be deduced from the value of a corresponding attribute of each of the vertexes of the image zone. The method includes determining to within a pixel the pixels that belong to each image zone according to the dimensions in number of pixels of the image to be generated; associating the pixels of each image zone in blocks of pixels; and determining an attribute value for each block of pixels of each image zone as a function of the value of the corresponding attribute of each vertex of the image zone.
US09129446B2 Apparatus and method for object positioning
An entertainment device comprises an input, a marker detector and a failure boundary calculation processor. The input is operable to receive a captured image from a video camera. The marker detector is operable to detect a fiduciary marker within the captured image, and is also operable to estimate a distance and angle of the fiduciary marker. The failure boundary calculation processor is operable to calculate at least one of an additional distance and an additional angle from the currently estimated distance and angle of the fiduciary marker at which recognition of the fiduciary marker is assumed to fail.
US09129443B2 Cache-efficient processor and method of rendering indirect illumination using interleaving and sub-image blur
A cache-efficient processor and method for rendering indirect illumination using interleaving and sub-image blur. One embodiment of the processor is configured to render an indirect illumination image and includes: (1) a buffer restructurer configured to organize a reflective shadow map (RSM), rendered with respect to a reference point, into a plurality of unique sub-RSMs, each having sub-RSM pixels, (2) an indirect illumination computer configured to employ interleaved sampling on the plurality of unique sub-RSMs to generate a plurality of indirect illumination sub-images, and (3) a filter operable to smooth accumulated light values of the indirect illumination sub-images for subsequent interleaving into the indirect illumination image.
US09129435B2 Method for creating 3-D models by stitching multiple partial 3-D models
A method of creating a 3-D model by capturing partial 3-D models each comprising a sequence of 2-D images, analyzing each of the partial 3-D models to identify image features in the sequence of 2-D images of each of the partial 3-D models, identifying pairs of overlapping image features between the 2-D mages of each of the partial 3-D models by identifying image features in each 2-D image in the sequence of 2-D images of each of the partial 3-D models that overlaps image features in 2-D images of the sequence of 2-D images of the other partial 3-D models and selecting a 2-d image from each of the partial 3-D models, computing an initial transformation between 3-D coordinates of individual pairs of identified image features between the selected 2-D image from each of the partial 3-D models; and generating a final 3-D model based on the initial transformation.
US09129426B2 Motion compensation in image processing
Methods and systems for processing a set of images are described. In accordance with this disclosure, images are registered and an analysis is performed in view of one or more constraints (such as constraints based upon anatomical or physiological considerations). Weighting factors are determined based on the analysis. The weighting factors are used in subsequent processing of the registered (and/or unregistered) images and/or to formulate a visualization that conveys the degree of confidence in the motion estimation used in the registration process.
US09129425B2 Reconstruction of dynamic multi-dimensional image data
Disclosed is a method of reconstructing a multi-dimensional data set representing a dynamic sample at a series of reconstruction instants. The multi-dimensional data set comprises a static component and a dynamic component. The method comprises acquiring a plurality of projection images of the dynamic sample; reconstructing a static component of the multi-dimensional data set from the acquired projection images; acquiring a further plurality of projection images of the dynamic sample; and reconstructing a dynamic component of the multi-dimensional data set at each reconstruction instant from the further plurality of acquired projection images using a priori information about the sample. The multi-dimensional data set is the sum of the static component and the dynamic component at each reconstruction instant.
US09129411B2 Upsampling in a tiered signal quality hierarchy
A signal processor selects an element from a rendition of a signal at a first level of quality to upsample into multiple elements of a rendition of the signal at a second (higher) level of quality. The signal processor produces a metric based on settings of elements in a vicinity of the selected element in the rendition of the signal at the first level of quality. The metric defines a boundary between a first set of elements in a vicinity of the selected element and a second set of elements in a vicinity of the selected element. The signal processor utilizes the metric to calculate settings for the multiple elements in the signal at the second level of quality. A location and orientation of the boundary with respect to the selected element depends on the settings of elements in the vicinity of the selected element.
US09129404B1 Measuring physical objects and presenting virtual articles
An image of an environment including an object (i.e., object in reality, physical object) can be captured and be displayed by a computing device. The size of an image representation of the object can be determined. Information about a physical size of the object and about a distance between the computing device and the object in the environment can be obtained/determined. A comparison of the size of the image representation of the object and the physical size of the object can be used to calculate a scale for converting between an actual size of a real-world item and a size of the item as displayed. The information about the distance can optionally be used to determine/adjust/modify the scale. A virtual article depicting/representing a real-world article/item/object (i.e., real-world correspondence) can be displayed with the captured image. The virtual article displayed can be scaled to an appropriate size using the scale.
US09129396B2 Display driving architectures
A display driving architecture that can include two graphics pipelines with an optional connection between them to provide a mirrored mode. In one embodiment, one of the two pipelines can be automatically configured (e.g. routed in one of a plurality of ways, such as routing to do color conversion) based upon the type of cable that is coupled to a connector of the one pipeline. In another embodiment, a connection of a cable can cause display information (e.g. resolutions of an external display) to be provided to an application which can select a display mode while one of the graphics pipelines is kept in a low power state.
US09129395B2 Graphic rendering engine and method for implementing graphic rendering engine
A method for implementing a graphic rendering engine may be provided. In the method, rendering function information of a first graphic processing interface and a second graphic processing interface may be extracted. The first graphic processing interface and the second graphic processing interface may be encapsulated as a graphic rendering engine interface. Member functions of the graphic rendering engine interface may be defined according to the rendering function information. A rendering function corresponding to the member functions may be implemented by calling the first graphic processing interface or the second graphic processing interface with the graphic rendering engine interface.
US09129394B2 CPU-GPU parallelization
Embodiments described herein relate to improving throughput of a CPU and a GPU working in conjunction to render graphics. Time frames for executing CPU and GPU work units are synchronized with a refresh rate of a display. Pending CPU work is performed when a time frame starts (a vsync occurs). When a prior GPU work unit is still executing on the GPU, then a parallel mode is entered. In the parallel mode, some GPU work and some CPU work is performed concurrently. When the parallel mode is exited, for example when there is no CPU work to perform, the parallel mode may be exited.
US09129393B2 Image chroma noise reduction in the bayer domain
An embodiment relates to a method and an image processor for reducing chroma noise in digital-image data. An embodiment performs noise reduction in the color-filter-array domain prior to demosaicing in order to prevent spreading of noise in subsequent stages of the image-processing pipeline. Peaks in the CFA data are attenuated in order to prevent any undesired color cast. Specifically, any correction to a certain pixel is made in accordance with the amplitude of digital gains applied, as well as with the local luminance and the contribution of the current color channel to the local luminance. In this manner, corrections are restricted to image areas that are subject to high digital amplification, that are comparatively dark, and that are not dominated by the current color channel.
US09129385B2 Image processing device, image processing method and apparatus for high precision document corners extraction
The present invention provides an image processing device, an image processing method and an apparatus so as to improve at least the precision of extracting document corners in image processing performed on an image captured for a document. The image processing device includes: an extracting unit for extracting boundaries of a document in a first direction and roughly-detected document corners, where the first direction is a horizontal direction or a vertical direction of the document image; a determining unit for determining candidate page corners on the boundaries in the first direction around the roughly-detected document corners; and a selecting unit for determining document corners of the document among the candidate page corners. With the foregoing technology of the invention, more precise document corners can be extracted, a better effect of image processing can be obtained, and applications in the field of image processing are possible.
US09129384B2 Medical image processing device
A medical image processing device includes an input section to which a biological mucous membrane image obtained by picking up an image of a biological mucous membrane is inputted, a region extracting section that extracts a mucous membrane microstructure region corresponding to a mucous membrane microstructure from the inputted biological mucous membrane image, a closed region identifying section that identifies at least one closed region regarded as being surrounded by the mucous membrane microstructure region, and a unit region setting section that sets a biologically histological unit region on the basis of the mucous membrane microstructure region and the closed region.
US09129383B2 Character string detection device, image processing device, character string detection method, control program and storage medium
A character string detection device for detecting a character string including at least one character in an image has a clustering unit that defines at least one cluster including at least a fixed number of pixel groups having similar colors based on color information included in each pixel configuring the image, a clipping unit that partitions the image into a region of the pixel groups belonging to the cluster defined by the clustering unit and a region of other pixel groups, and generating a clipped image excluding the region of the other pixel groups from the image, and a character string detection unit that detects each character in a detection target character string to be detected so as to detect the detection target character string in the clipped image generated by the clipping unit.
US09129380B2 Background understanding in video data
Long-term understanding of background modeling includes determining first and second dimension gradient model derivatives of image brightness data of an image pixel along respective dimensions of two-dimensional, single channel image brightness data of a static image scene. The determined gradients are averaged with previous determined gradients of the image pixels, and with gradients of neighboring pixels as a function of their respective distances to the image pixel, the averaging generating averaged pixel gradient models for each of a plurality of pixels of the video image data of the static image scene that each have mean values and weight values. Background models for the static image scene are constructed as a function of the averaged pixel gradients and weights, wherein the background model pixels are represented by averaged pixel gradient models having similar orientation and magnitude and weights meeting a threshold weight requirement.
US09129379B2 Method and apparatus for bilayer image segmentation
A method and an apparatus for bilayer image segmentation are described. A set of segmentation seeds for the image is generated by analyzing a depth histogram of the image. Then a segmentation map is generated by minimizing an objective function, which models a directed flow from the foreground segmentation seeds towards the background segmentation seeds.
US09129373B2 Apparatus for evaluating the accuracy of a SPECT or PET system using a phantom filled with a radioisotope
A measuring image acquisition means 2 acquires a 3-D measuring image in which a phantom filled with the radioactive material into a necessary part is measured with a SPECT system. A measuring image Fourier transform means 4 operates the 3-D measuring image with the 3-D Fourier transform. An actual image acquisition means 6 acquires a 3-D actual image of the part of the phantom which is filled with the radioactive material. An actual image Fourier transform means 8 operates a 3-D actual image with the 3-D Fourier transform. An error image calculation means 10 divides each Fourier transform value of the 3-D Fourier transform measuring image by each Fourier transform value of the corresponding 3-D Fourier transform actual image and acquires a 3-D Fourier transform error image. A point spread function calculation means 12 operates the 3-D Fourier transform error image with the inverse Fourier transform and determines the point spread function image by calculation. A measurement accuracy processing means 14 calculates the measurement accuracy of the measuring apparatus based on the point spread function image.
US09129370B2 Medical diagnostic imaging apparatus and image correction method
The CT image processor determines the position of the liver in the body of a subject based on CT image. The PET image processor determines the position of the liver in the body of a subject based on PET image. The CT image processor calculates the displacement in the positions of the liver determined by the CT and PET images. The CT image processor extracts the contour of the liver from a CT image. The CT image processor generates a correction CT image by modifying a CT image by moving a CT image to decrease the displacement of the extracted contour in the internal area. The PET image processor performs decrease correction based on the modified CT image.
US09129368B2 Thermal image smoothing method, surface temperature-measuring method, and surface temperature-measuring device
The thermal image smoothing method, which is a method for smoothing thermal images produced on the basis of thermal image values measured with a work that has been coated with a black body coating, is provided with a removal process wherein estimated thermal image values are set as values on respective line segments between maximum points and thermal image values that are smaller than the estimated thermal image values are removed from the thermal image values as anomalous thermal image values.
US09129363B2 Method for teeth segmentation and alignment detection in CBCT volume
A method of automatic tooth segmentation, the method executed at least in part on a computer system acquires volume image data for either or both upper and lower jaw regions of a patient and identifies image content for a specified jaw from the acquired volume image data. For the specified jaw, the method estimates average tooth height for teeth within the specified jaw, finds a jaw arch region, detects one or more separation curves between teeth in the jaw arch region, defines an individual tooth sub volume according to the estimated average tooth height and the detected separation curves, segments at least one tooth from within the defined sub-volume, and displays the at least one segmented tooth.
US09129353B2 Charged particle beam device, and image analysis device
In a scanning electron microscope, if a failure is caused to occur in a SEM image by the influence of a disturbance such as magnetic field or vibration inside and from outside the device, the cause is identified simply and accurately using this SEM image. There is provided a measurement technique whose measurement accuracy is not influenced by a roughness of SEM image pattern. A one-dimensional scanning is performed in a scanning-line direction (X direction) by setting the Y-direction scanning gain at zero at the time of acquiring the SEM image, and a two-dimensional image is created by arranging image information, which is obtained by the scanning, in a time-series manner in the Y direction. A shift-amount data on the two-dimensional image is acquired using a correlation function, and the magnetic field or vibration included within the SEM image is measured by a frequency analysis of the data.
US09129338B2 Digital currency purchasing flows
A social networking system leverages information obtained regarding user interactions with applications hosted through the social networking system as well as information obtained regarding purchases of application-related digital items and digital currencies to provide insight into user behavior. The social networking system can use these insights to enhance the user's experience of the applications, purchases, and the social networking system generally. For example, the social networking system can customize transaction flows, provide credit referrals, and provide users with aggregated yet personally tailored sales information.
US09129335B1 Localization of merchant data
Disclosed are various embodiments for localization of merchant data. A computing device provides at least one localization option to a merchant, where the localization option relates to an offer listing associated with an item. A localization request is obtained from the merchant relating to the offer listing, and the content contained in the offer listing is parsed. Based at least in part on the localization request, the content is translated to generate a localized offer listing.
US09129331B2 Method and system for processing requisitions
A method and system for making a requisition for one or more items including providing a requisition module written as a service, using the requisition module to place one or more orders for one or more items, and monitoring the status of the one or more orders or the one or more items. When one or more orders is placed by a user of the module, an instant message or an email is provided to the user, wherein the instant message or email specifies the status of the one or more orders to the user.
US09129327B1 Screenshot-based e-commerce
Provided are computer systems, methods, and non-transitory computer-readable medium configured for analyzing and using screenshots. The analysis and use can entail receiving a screenshot comprising identifying information of a merchandise, retrieving a candidate merchandise, offered for sale by a vendor, which candidate merchandise is a potential match to the merchandise according to the identifying information; and displaying the candidate merchandise.
US09129324B2 Social platform ecommerce system and method of operation
A social platform ecommerce system, method and computer-readable medium to engage in real-time communication through real time announcements or blogging are provided. The social platform ecommerce system, method and computer-readable medium may include a selling module for implementing social selling and determining a preferred selling method for an item, and a shipping module for determining the preferred method of shipping and the cost of shipping an item to a location designated by a buyer. Such methods and systems are socially conscious and may further include a giving application for providing a charitable contribution. A fraud checking module may also be included to check for, determine and prevent fraud by interrupting the sale and shipping process to ensure both the buyer and seller are protected during the ecommerce transaction.
US09129320B2 Default phone bill charging
A consumer payment control system receives a request to increase a stored value of the consumer account by a credit value, transmits a funding request to a consumer account funding infrastructure, the funding request including a credit value, and increases a stored value of the consumer account by the credit value. A communication and routing module receives a charge request, including an amount and identifies a selected one of the consumer accounts. A transaction processing system processes the charge request based on an account detail of the selected consumer account. The consumer payment control system determines whether a top-up confirmation has been received from the consumer account funding infrastructure after a predetermined period of time, and causes charging of the consumer account if the top-up confirmation has not been received.
US09129317B2 Method, medium, and system for providing location aware classified content
A system and method in accordance with exemplary embodiments may include receiving, from a seller system, seller classified profile information via a network, receiving, from a buyer system, buyer classified profile information via the network, receiving, from a Global Positioning System (GPS) enabled device associated with a buyer, polling information via the network, matching the buyer classified profile information to the seller classified profile information in response to receiving the polling information based on at least one of the seller classified profile information, the buyer classified profile information, and the polling information, and transmitting a notification of the match to the Global Positioning System (GPS) enabled device via the network.
US09129316B2 Providing location based triggers in a mobile environment
Receiving from a wireless electronic device, positioning data indicating that the wireless electronic device is within a predetermined range of a particular geographical location that is of a type authorized to service a device is disclosed. A current condition of the device may also be provided. Triggering a new location sensitive trigger event based on the current condition of the device indicating the device needs to be serviced and the positioning data indicating that the wireless electronic device is within the predetermined range of the particular geographical location is also disclosed.
US09129315B2 Bill folder with visual device and dynamic information content updating system
A bill folder for providing a user with relevant information when paying for a service such as in a restaurant, hotel, etc., in which said bill folder comprises a first portion that has a coating and one or more holding elements, and a second portion that has a coating and one or more holding elements, in which both portions are joined by an intermediate hinged portion that forms a spine. The first portion contains a first enclosure and includes at least one visual device, and the first enclosure contains a motherboard, the second portion contains a second enclosure, in which the at least one visual device is able to display dynamic information obtained from a content updating system. The present invention overcomes the technical problem of integrating an information content updating system dynamically and in a manner suitable to all locations, orders, levels and types of service.
US09129314B1 System and method for communicating between a mobile communication device and a gaming device
A system and method for communicating between a mobile communication device and a venue apparatus is disclosed herein. The system comprises a mobile communication device, a venue apparatus, and a wireless local area network (WLAN) for a venue. The venue apparatus comprises a beacon for transmitting low energy BLUETOOTH transmissions. The mobile application is configured to verify a transmission from the venue apparatus in a registry when the mobile communication device is within three feet of the venue apparatus.
US09129308B2 Systems for associating advertising with internet content
The present invention provides method and system for associating an advertisement with one or more content on Internet. The method comprising gathering one or more feeds associated with the one or more content from a plurality of content. The method further comprises categorizing the one or more content into at least one general web-based category belonging to a set of general web-based categories based on the one or more feeds. Thereafter, the set of general web-based categories is translated to a set of pre-defined categories, such that one or more general web-based categories are translated to a pre-defined category. Finally, the advertisement is associated with the one or more content in one or more pre-defined categories based on at least one predetermined criterion.
US09129307B2 Fee-based distribution of media based on device proximity
Embodiments of the invention provide techniques for commercial transactions for the sale of images carried out over short-range wireless transmissions. In one embodiment, the transaction may be initiated by a vendor (e.g., a professional photographer), who transmits a wireless signal including an offer for sale of an image. A customer wishing to purchase the image responds by sending a wireless signal including an acceptance of the offer. In another embodiment, the transaction may be initiated by a customer, who transmits a wireless signal including a request for an image to be fulfilled by a vendor. A vendor agreeing to supply the image responds by sending a wireless signal including an acceptance of the request. By offering the images to customers who are in close proximity to the image capture, the vendor may increase the likelihood that the images will be purchased.
US09129304B2 Method of conducting social network application operations
In one embodiment, a computer-implemented method comprises: receiving, by a social networking system, location information for a device associated with a first user of the social networking system; associating the location information with the first user in a user profile associated with the first user of the social networking system; sending, from the social networking system, to a second user a communication generated based at least in part on the location information.
US09129299B1 Systems and methods for computing performance metrics for a sourcing department
Computerized systems and methods compute performance metrics for a sourcing department of a firm that measure the value-added from sourcing-related activities. Evaluation of the firm's sourcing department with the metrics should drive behaviors that optimize performance across the firm's entire sourcing portfolio. The new performance metrics include several metrics that isolate the impact of price changes and quantity changes on the overall run-rate of sourcing contracts, and several that measure of the attribution of run-rate impacts to both the sourcing department and the relevant business units. Other new metrics measure the changes in run-rate that are expected from and uncorrelated to, respectively, changes in market prices. The performance metrics can be aggregated across an expense category (or categories) and/or vendor (or vendors) to enhance expense management analytics.
US09129291B2 Personalized sound management and method
Methods for personalized sound management are provided. A module comprising hardware and software is provided to manufacturers to build a device. A process is architected for remote enabling of a device with personalized sound management applications. Consumers select applications for managing their sound environment through purchased and subscription hardware and applications via a web environment. All products developed by manufacturers are tested and certified running the personalized sound management applications. Manufacturers and consumers may both be covered under liability insurance. Users may remotely purchase, update hardware, and add and download subscription based applications through the web environment.
US09129289B2 Systems and methods for providing remote ordering capabilities
The invention relates to methods and systems for receiving, processing and fulfilling remotely placed orders. In one aspect, requests to place an order are received from a remote location, and based on a customer identifier included in the request, customer preference data is retrieved. An electronic selection menu based on customer preference data is transmitted to the customer, the order is received and prepared. The customer's arrival is automatically detected, and the completed order is provided to the customer.
US09129287B2 System and method for gathering data for detecting fraudulent transactions
A system and method for gathering data for detecting fraudulent transactions includes, in one embodiment, a web page that contains a fraud data gathering script and causes a client device to download a fraud detection applet. The fraud data gathering script causes the client device to collect information from the client device that is usable to identify the client device. The fraud detection applet causes the client device to connect to an identification echo service server to obtain the actual IP address of the client device. The fraud detection data, including the identifying information and the actual IP address, are then sent to a web server and/or a fraud data gathering server for further processing and to determine whether a transaction with the client device is likely to be fraudulent.
US09129284B2 Systems, methods and apparatuses for secure digital transactions
A method for authorizing recurring transaction according to one embodiment includes receiving a defined payment amount associated with a user or entity. Additionally, the method includes receiving a first code associated with a first predetermined currency value, where the first code is also associated with the user or entity. Furthermore, the method includes verifying an availability of funds to pay the defined payment amount and authorizing payment of the defined payment amount if funds are available to pay the defined payment amount. Further still, the method includes generating a new code associated with a new predetermined currency value, and sending the new code to a sender of the defined payment amount.
US09129282B2 Near field communication apparatus and method for supporting security modules
The present disclosure provides a terminal comprising: a socket configured to receive a security module; an NFC (Near Field Communication) unit configured to communicate with an external reader or another terminal; and a protocol identifying unit configured to supply a voltage to the security module and to identify whether the security module supports a first protocol by transmitting a signal for using the first protocol through a first contact of the security module and receiving from the security module a first information associated with a protocol supported by the security module, wherein the terminal additionally receives a second information associated with the protocol supported by the security module through a second contact of the security module, and wherein the NFC unit receives a information from the security module through the first contact based on the first protocol identified by the protocol identifying unit, and transmits the received information to the external reader or another terminal.
US09129281B2 Automated contactless access device location system and method
A method is disclosed. The method includes receiving transaction data in an authorization request message from an access device, where the transaction data is associated with a merchant and a transaction location. The method also includes analyzing the transaction data to determine if a location database comprises location data corresponding to the merchant associated with the transaction data, and adding the transaction location and information regarding the access device to the location database.
US09129280B2 Secure smart card system
A smart card usable in magnetic stripe swipe transactions with a transaction terminal configured to read transaction information encoded on a magnetic stripe of a standard transaction card includes a card body, which includes a magnetic stripe emulator for use with the transaction terminal, a smart card chip programmed with at least one transaction application for providing secured data for use in a transaction and dynamic card verification data, a power supply, and a card controller in communication with the magnetic stripe emulator. The card controller is configured to receive the dynamic card verification data and control the magnetic stripe emulator to emit a magnetic field encoded with at least a portion of the secured data and the dynamic card verification data.
US09129270B2 Portable E-wallet and universal card
Universal cards are used in place of all the other traditional cards which a person may want to carry. The universal card can include a short range communications transceiver to communicate with a mobile device. The mobile device can include a user interface and an e-wallet application so that the user can interface with the e-wallet application for programming the universal card via the short range communication link. Once programmed, the universal card emulates a function of a traditional card.
US09129267B2 Project management systems and methods thereof
Project management systems and methods to streamline project planning, task management, time management, and other similar applications. The method includes filing a request to start a project on a project management system. The method further includes receiving notice that role handlers have been assigned to a plurality of tasks required to complete the project. The method further includes performing at least one task of the plurality of tasks. The method further includes receiving notice that the at least one task has been reviewed by at least one of the assigned role handlers.
US09129266B2 Automated schedule systems and methods
Automated notification and acceptance/rejection of appointment or opening in a calendar/schedule via network-based systems and methods, including application over social networks and website based connection between users and service providers.
US09129261B2 3D character mail system
The present invention has an object to enrich expression of contents of an e-mail message. In a mobile phone (1), text data (TxD) is input, and a 3D authoring operation is carried out. The text data (TxD) and 3D authoring instruction data (DD) are transmitted from the mobile phone (1) to a server (3), and then, scenario data (SD) which is control information about 3D graphics is generated in the server (3). The text data (TxD) and scenario data (SD) are stored in the server (3) as 3D message information (MD). When access information to the 3D message information (MD) is notified from the mobile phone (1) to a mobile phone (2), the mobile phone (2) makes access to the server (3) to download the 3D message information (MD) and a necessary 3D font. 3D character mail is thereby reproduced in the mobile phone (2).
US09129251B2 Rail-mounted robotic inventory system
Examples of a rail-mounted robotic inventory system are provided. The system includes a rail-mounted robot having an electronic tag reader configured to receive electronic tag data from electronic tags associated with inventory items. The system can include a navigation module configured to direct the rail-mounted robot along a rail through an inventory area, detect obstacles, and determine a position of the rail-mounted robot within the inventory area. The system can include an inventory identification module configured to receive the electronic tag data from the rail-mounted robot and identify and/or locate the inventory items in the inventory area based at least partly on the electronic tag data.
US09129250B1 Automated inventory management
Some examples include using an inventory tracking device to track the addition of inventory items to an inventory holder of an inventory system or removal of inventory items from the inventory holder. The inventory holder may include one or more trays to store one or more inventory items, with each tray including one or more bins that may be defined by dividers on the tray. The inventory tracking device may use inventory holder configuration data that identifies locations of the bins to determine that the inventory item was added to or removed from a particular bin of the inventory holder.
US09129249B2 Enhancing a user's shopping experience
The subject disclosure provides systems and methods for enhancing a purchasing experience by enabling a purchaser to receive a variety of real-time updates or recommendations regarding products that the purchaser, such as a user, may need or intend to purchase. A recommendation provided by the system may be based upon comparing the product with a plurality of sources. The recommendation may include a recommendation that a product may near depletion and thus may need to be replaced, a recommendation that the user may already have a sufficient amount or number of the product, a recommendation that the product may or may not match an existing item owned by the user, or a recommendation not to purchase a product. A virtual closet may also be created according the systems and methods of the subject disclosure, allowing users and contacts selected by the user to collaborate on products.
US09129231B2 Real time energy consumption analysis and reporting
The claimed subject matter relates to an architecture that can facilitate analysis, processing, or reporting in connection with energy consumption data and/or emissions or sustainability factors associated with an automation process. In particular, the architecture can obtain process-level or machine- or device-level energy consumption data collected during execution of an automation process. The data can be analyzed or processed, with general or application-specific results output to a specified recipient and/or formatted (e.g., parsed, filtered, or transformed) according to a general or application-specific scheme.
US09129230B2 Virtual badge, device and method
A system, method, and device comprising a virtual badge are disclosed. A virtual badge can be displayed on a cell phone or in another linked portable device, and for security purposes, has images which can be scanned, and the capability to alternate colors and/or self-destruct on a pre-set schedule. Whether for after a disaster or for daily use, the system uses cell phones or mobile devices loaded with specialized software. Using plugin technologies, the system optionally can enable field collected photos and notes on customizable forms to be mapped, tracked, and time/date stamped—including in a 100% disconnected environment. A modifiable virtual badge can aid in inventory, accountability, organization, and efficiency. The system can be employed by the “Whole Community”—citizens, businesses, not-for-profits, and government agencies—for social media, business, cleanup, insurance adjusters, or personnel focused on day to day operations or on mitigation, preparedness, response, and recovery.
US09129224B2 Systems and methods for increasing the energy scale of a quantum processor
Increasing the energy scale of a quantum processor improves its performance. Energy scale of a quantum processor may be increased by increasing the coupling strength of communicatively coupled superconducting devices comprised in the quantum processor. Configuring the physical dimensions of communicatively coupled superconducting devices such that an intentional direct coupling is induced between a pair of superconducting devices communicatively coupled by a coupling device may controllably add an additional mutual inductance to the mutual inductance of the pair of superconducting devices. Furthermore, reducing the beta parameter of a coupling device may improve the tunability of the coupling device. The combined effects of improved tunability of the coupling devices and the increased coupling strength between superconducting devices communicatively coupled by respective coupling devices comprised in the quantum processor may thus improve the performance of the quantum processor.
US09129221B2 Spiking neural network feedback apparatus and methods
In one approach, spiking neurons receive sensory stimulus and context signal that correspond to the same context. When the stimulus provides sufficient excitation, neurons generate response. Context connections are adjusted according to inverse spike-timing dependent plasticity. When the context signal precedes the post synaptic spike, context synaptic connections are depressed. Conversely, whenever the context signal follows the post synaptic spike, the connections are potentiated. The inverse STDP connection adjustment ensures precise control of feedback-induced firing, eliminates runaway positive feedback loops, and enables self-stabilizing network operation. In another aspect, the connection adjustment methodology facilitates robust context switching when processing visual information. When a context (such an object) becomes intermittently absent, prior context connection potentiation enables firing for a period of time. If the object remains absent, the connection becomes depressed thereby preventing further firing.
US09129219B1 Crime risk forecasting
A computer-based crime risk forecasting system and corresponding method are provided for generating crime risk forecasts and conveying the forecasts to a user. With the conveyed forecasts, the user can more effectively gauge both the level of increased crime threat and its potential duration. The user can then leverage the information conveyed by the forecasts to take a more proactive approach to law enforcement in the affected areas during the period of increased crime threat.
US09129202B2 Device for automated fuel delivery authorization and method for installation thereof
The present invention relates to a device for automated and secure fuel delivery authorization and in particular, to such a device in which fuel delivery authorization device comprises a vehicle RFID tag disposed on the filler neck of a vehicle having a simplified installation process.
US09129200B2 Protection system for radio frequency communications
A system for protecting radio frequency (RF) communications and related techniques includes generating masking signals at an RF device such as a radio frequency identification (RFID) card.
US09129196B2 Image capturing device and recording apparatus
An image capturing device includes: a housing; a reference pattern used for color measurement and arranged in the housing; an image capturing element that captures an image of the reference pattern in a first area and an image of an object in a second area of the image capturing area; an image forming element causing the image of the reference pattern and the image of the object to be formed on the image capturing element by being arranged on a first optical path between the image capturing element and the reference pattern and a second optical path between the image capturing element and the object; and an optical member that guides any one of the images of the reference pattern and the object formed by the image forming element so that the images are to be formed on an element surface of the image capturing element.
US09129184B2 Image synthesis processor and image synthesis method
An image processor includes an image degradation measuring unit configured to compute a degradation level of block data with respect to each of blocks within an image, a degradation determining unit configured to select, with respect to each of the blocks within the image, the block data of a target block of one of a plurality of the images based on degradation levels of respective block data of the target blocks of the plurality of the images, and an image synthesis unit configured to generate a sheet of an image by synthesizing the block data selected with respect to the blocks within the image.
US09129179B1 Image-based object location
Disclosed herein are systems, methods, and non-transitory computer-readable storage media for identifying objects within images. Analysis are performed, comparing metadata, tags, and similarity of images, to determine trends and similarity. Based on these trends and similarities, metadata and tags are copied and generated, with the associated images then being more closely associated with one another. These images can then be organized in more meaningful and useful formats. The associated objects can also be used to provide a user with information about an object located in an image provided by a user, where the information can include location, pricing, availability, or other such information that can be determined from the metadata, tags, and other information associated with the images.
US09129176B2 Method and apparatus for assembling an image of a document
An optical code scanner is presented for assembling an image of a document from multiple images captured by the optical code scanner. A document is presented to the optical code scanner which captures multiple images where each image includes only a portion of the document. Once every part of the document has been captured in at least one image, the optical code scanner processes the images to generate a single image of the entire document.
US09129174B2 Mobile computing unit for reducing usage fatigue
A mobile unit (MU) is described. The MU includes a handle configured for gripping the MU with fingers of one hand of a user's arm. The MU includes a trigger switch positioned on the handle and configured to activate a data capture function of the MU when the trigger switch is depressed. The MU includes a display device positioned above the handle of the MU such that the display device is viewable to the user when the fingers grip the handle of the MU and the user's arm is maximally extended. The MU includes a data acquisition device located on an opposite side of the display device so as to capture data from an object positioned in a field of view of the data acquisition device when the trigger switch is depressed.
US09129167B2 Methods and systems for GPS-enabled baggage tags
An electronic baggage tag is self-reliant and self-regulating and provides the underlying foundation for a baggage tracking and management system, the center of which operates one or more tag service provider servers. The tag is attached to a baggage and is loaded with various data, including passenger itinerary, GPS data, and journey profile data. The tag has sensors, such for detecting different vibrations, electro-magnetic sensor, GPS, and others. As the baggage to which the tag is attached goes on its journey, the sensors detect stimuli and ascertain where in the journey the baggage is and use itinerary and other data to determine where the baggage should be. The tag service provider server communicates with the tag at various stages in the journey, providing up-to-date itinerary data to the tag. The tag automatically shuts off to be compliant with government regulations for devices in flight.
US09129165B2 RFID tag reader, RFID tag reading system, method for performing RFID tag reading process and computer-readable recording medium
An RFID tag reader is disclosed that includes a signal intensity obtaining part configured to obtain signal intensities of a first RFID tag and a second RFID tag that are read at plural read processes, a read-number obtaining part configured to obtain a number of RFID tags, among the first and the second RFID tags, that are read at the same read process, a processing part configured to weight the signal intensity of the first RFID tag obtained by the signal intensity obtaining part based on the number obtained at the corresponding read process, and a selecting part configured to select a read result of the first RFID tag based on the signal intensity of the first RFID tag weighted by the processing part.
US09129155B2 Systems and methods for initializing motion tracking of human hands using template matching within bounded regions determined using a depth map
Systems and methods for initializing motion tracking of human hands within bounded regions are disclosed. One embodiment includes: a processor; reference and alternate view cameras; and memory containing a plurality of templates that are rotated and scaled versions of a base template. In addition, a hand tracking application configures the processor to: obtain reference and alternate view frames of video data; generate a depth map; identify at least one bounded region within the reference frame of video data containing pixels having distances from the reference camera that are within a specific range of distances; determine whether any of the pixels within the at least one bounded region are part of a human hand; track the motion of the part of the human hand in a sequence of frames of video data obtained from the reference camera; and confirm that the tracked motion corresponds to a predetermined initialization gesture.
US09129154B2 Gesture recognition apparatus, robot system including the same and gesture recognition method using the same
Provided is a gesture recognition apparatus. The gesture recognition apparatus includes a human detection unit, a gesture region setting region, an arm detection unit and a gesture determination unit. The human detection unit detects a face region of a user from an input image. The gesture region setting unit sets a gesture region, in which a gesture of the user's arm occurs, with respect to the detected face region. The arm detection unit detects an arm region of the user in the gesture region. The gesture determination unit analyzes a position, moving directionality and shape information of the arm region in the gesture region to determine a target gesture of the user. Such a gesture recognition apparatus may be used as a useful means for a human-robot interaction in a long distance where a robot has difficulty in recognizing a user's voice.
US09129152B2 Exemplar-based feature weighting
In an example embodiment, for each of the image exemplars, a first location offset between an actual landmark location for a first landmark in the image exemplar and a predicted landmark location for the first landmark in the image exemplar is determined. Then, a probability that the image recognition process applied using the first feature produces an accurate identification of the first landmark in the image exemplars is determined based on the first location offsets for each of the image exemplars. A weight may then be assigned to the first feature based on the derived probability. An image recognition process may then be performed on an image, the image recognition process utilizing a voting process, for each of one or more features, for one or more landmarks in the plurality of image exemplars, the voting process for the first feature weighted according to the weight assigned to the first feature.
US09129145B2 Identification apparatus, identification method, and program
An identification apparatus includes a classification unit that determines two or more classes into which input biometric data is classified out of a plurality of classes based on features of the input biometric data, where a plurality of items of registered biometric data have been classified into at least one of the plurality of classes, a calculation unit that calculates similarity between the input biometric data and each item of the registered biometric data registered in each of the two or more classes into which the input biometric data is classified, and an identification unit that identifies data on a user who has entered the input biometric data among the registered biometric data registered in any of the two or more classes into which the input biometric data is classified, based on the similarity to the input biometric data.
US09129144B2 RFID middleware system and method of supporting real-time balancing of loads of reader connections
Disclosed is radio frequency identification (RFID) middleware system and method of detecting the load of reader connections occurs during the middleware is running and balancing the load in real-time so as to minimize a decrease of the performance of the RFID middleware system. The RFID middleware system comprises: a client; a RFID middleware; RFID readers; and RFID tags, wherein the RFID middleware comprises: a middleware engine which filters tag events collected according to queries registered in the client; and a reader framework which detects the load of the connections of the RFID readers occurs while the RFID middleware is running and balances the load in real-time.
US09129139B2 Solid state memory and method for protecting digital contents by interrupting copying or accessing and proceeding only upon user verification or authentication
A solid state memory including a processor and a method for protecting the digital contents of the solid state memory. The microprocessor inserts at least an interruption during a copying or a reading of the digital contents and proceeds with the copying or reading only subsequent to a verification of a PIN or other user action. In particular, the verification provides control to ensure that the PIN is inserted manually. Access may be prevented if a time elapsed between the interruption and inputting of a PIN is shorter than a threshold time representing a speed of manual input, or if the PIN does not correspond to a sequence of requests for access to selectable files, which may be virtual files. The interruption may comprise substituting altered or cryptographic data if verification fails, or reproduction of an audio or visual message to be understood by the user.
US09129122B2 Signature verification apparatus, signature verification method, program, and recording medium
A signature verification apparatus including a signature acquisition unit configured to acquire a digital signature including first information generated based on a pair of multi-order multivariate polynomials F=(f1, . . . , fm) defined in a ring K, a signature key s which is an element of a set Kn, and a document M and a plurality of pieces of second information for verifying that the first information is generated using the signature key s based on the data M, the pair of multi-order multivariate polynomials F, and vectors y=(f1(s), . . . , fm(s)), and a signature verification unit configured to verify legitimacy of the document M by confirming whether or not the first information is restorable using the plurality of pieces of second information included in the digital signature. The pair of multivariate polynomials F and the vectors y are public keys.
US09129118B1 Mapping identifying information
A technology is described for making a decision based on identifying without disclosing the identifying information. The method may include receiving a mapping value that represents identifying information that has been converted into a mapping value. A request for data associated with the identifying information may be made by providing the mapping value as a proxy for the identifying information whereby the data associated with the identifying information may be located using the mapping value and returned to a requesting client or service.
US09129114B2 Preboot environment with system security check
Booting an operating system that includes a secure preboot environment that performs integrity checks against security threats. A computer system boots to a preboot environment, which performs integrity checks and other anti-malware operations. Once the preboot environment finishes, the system reboots into a regular environment. The preboot environment can reside on a secure portion of a flash memory, with a computer system booting therefrom; or the preboot environment can reside securely in the computer system. The preboot environment includes integrity checks for a regular environment, and anti-malware programming. Once the preboot environment is done, the computer system reboots into a regular environment, such as from the flash memory or on the computer system. The integrity checks confirm that files in the regular environment are unchanged or uninfected. The integrity checks include determining the accuracy of a trusted system configuration on the computer system, such as using a TPM.
US09129111B2 Computer protection against malware affection
A method is provided of protecting a computer against malware affection. The computer has a data storage and an operating system for managing the data storage. The method comprises providing a filter module in the operating system which operates to detect an attempt to store data in the data storage, to determine a data format of the data to be stored in the data storage, and to prevent storage of the data if the data format is determined to relate to a predefined type. The filter module may be provided as a file system filter driver in a kernel of the operating system. The filter module may be arranged to operate between an input/output manager of the operating system and a driver associated with the data storage. The input/output manager and driver associated with the data storage may form part of the kernel of the operating system.
US09129108B2 Systems, methods and computer programs providing impact mitigation of cyber-security failures
Disclosed is a method and system to operate a governed data processing system in concert with a governing data processing system. The method includes operating a secure governing data processing system to monitor operation of at least one governed data processing system to detect a deviation from modeled user and governed data processing system behavior. The method further includes, upon detecting a deviation from the modeled behavior, taking proactive action to mitigate an occurrence of a potential adverse result of an occurrence of a cyber-security threat.
US09129106B2 Systems and methods for secure in-VM monitoring
Security systems can provide secure and efficient in-VM monitoring. An exemplary security system can be built upon hardware virtualization features and can comprise a virtual machine having a plurality of standard virtual address spaces, as well as a hidden virtual address space. While the standard virtual address spaces can be directly accessible by a kernel in the virtual machine, the hidden virtual address space can be hidden from the kernel, which can be absent a virtual page table corresponding to the hidden virtual address space. A security monitor can reside in the hidden address space, monitoring the kernel without being modifiable by the kernel. A processor can transfer focus from the standard virtual address spaces to the hidden virtual address space only through predetermined entry gates, and the processor can transfer focus from the hidden virtual address space to the standard virtual address spaces only through predetermined exit gates.
US09129105B2 Privileged account manager, managed account perspectives
Techniques for managing accounts are provided. An access management system may check out credentials for accessing target systems. For example a user may receive a password for a period of time or until checked back in. Access to the target system may be logged during this time. Upon the password being checked in, a security account may modify the password so that the user may not log back in without checking out a new password. Additionally, in some examples, password policies for the security account may be managed. As such, when a password policy changes, the security account password may be dynamically updated. Additionally, in some examples, hierarchical viewing perspectives may be determined and/or selected for visualizing one or more managed accounts. Further, accounts may be organized into groups based on roles, and grants for the accounts may be dynamically updated as changes occur or new accounts are managed.
US09129094B2 Syndication including melody recognition and opt out
A syndication system facilitates rights management services between media content owners and media hosting services that elect to participate in the syndication system and mutually elect to participate with each other. The syndication system utilizes a content recognition system to identify hosted media content and ownership rights associated with the hosted content. By applying melody recognition, the content recognition system can identify compositions embodied in hosted media content even when these compositions do not precisely match any known sound recording. Thus, the content recognition system is beneficially able to detect, for example, recorded cover performances and recorded live performances embodied in hosted media content. Once identified, ownership information is determined and the syndication system can facilitate rights management policies associated with the content such as monetizing or blocking the protected content.
US09129087B2 Systems and methods for managing digital rights based on a union or intersection of individual rights
Systems and methods are provided for aggregating digital access rights owned by a group of individuals and for correlating access rights to physical presence of the users to more accurately control access and distribution of copyrighted media. The intersection of content authorization information associated with each individual of a group may be analyzed. The aggregation and analysis of digital access rights enables multiple users to share the cost of a digital access right to access a content asset in a common area.
US09129081B2 Synchronized three-dimensional display of connected documents
A system and method for synchronizing the display and edit of a plurality of connected layouts or documents within a single display. A first document or plurality of elements may be displayed as active and a second document or plurality of elements may be displayed as non-active background in a first window. The second document or plurality of elements may be displayed as active and the first document or plurality of elements may be displayed as non-active background in a second window. Any action detected in either window may be displayed in the other window. Upon selection of any active element or predefined net list, the elements physically or logically connected to the selected element or net list may be highlighted in the active documents, listed, or otherwise identified. An inter-document net list may identify connections between existing net lists in multiple documents.
US09129076B2 Hierarchical wafer yield prediction method and hierarchical lifetime prediction method
For improving wafer fabrication, yield and lifetime of wafers are predicted by determining coefficients of a yield domain for wafer yield prediction and a lifetime domain for a wafer lifetime prediction, an integral domain, an electric/layout domain, a metrology/defect domain, and a machine sensor domain in a hierarchical manner. With the aid of the hierarchically-determined coefficients, noises in prediction can be reduced so that precision of prediction results of the yields or the lifetimes of wafers can be raised.
US09129072B2 Virtual GPIO
A finite state machine is provided that both serializes virtual GPIO signals and deserializes virtual GPIO signals responsive to cycles of an external clock. The finite state machine frames the serialized virtual GPIO signals into frames each demarcated by a start bit and an end bit.
US09129068B2 Methods and structure for buffering host requests in serial attached SCSI expanders
Methods and structure are provided for “spoofing” an active connection between a Serial Attached SCSI (SAS) initiator and a SAS target. The structure includes a SAS expander, comprising multiple physical links with associated transceivers (PHYs), switching hardware, a memory, and a control unit. Each PHY is operable to receive incoming Open Address Frames (OAFs) from SAS initiators that request connections with target devices. The switching hardware is operable to selectively link PHYs of the expander with each other to enable connections between initiators and target devices. The control unit is operable to determine that a connection requested by a received OAF cannot be completed, is operable to transmit an OPEN ACCEPT to the SAS initiator that transmitted the OAF responsive to making the determination, and is operable to store I/O received from the SAS initiator for the requested connection in the memory, responsive to transmitting the OPEN ACCEPT.
US09129066B2 Device disconnect detection
Systems and methods for operating a universal serial bus are described herein. The method includes sending packet data from a USB2 device to a USB2 host on a pair of signal lines, and after sending the packet data, sending an End-Of-Packet (EOP) signal from the USB2 device to the USB2 host. The method also includes, entering the USB2 device into idle state after sending the EOP signal. The method also includes sending a digital ping from the USB2 device to the USB2 host to indicate device presence during idle state.
US09129062B1 Intercepting subroutine return in unmodified binaries
Systems and methods for instrumenting code are disclosed. The entry to a subroutine is trapped and the subroutine's return address is mutated to create an invalid instruction pointer. The mutated return address is stored in the architecture reserved space for the return address. An exception handler is executed that has been instrumented to handle the fault caused by the mutated return address such that the exit from the subroutine is instrumented.
US09129059B2 Analyzing administrative healthcare claims data and other data sources
Techniques suitable for identifying potential subjects for a clinical trial and other applications are disclosed. One or more exclusion or inclusion criteria are defined for the clinical trial. One or more specialized searching tables are pre-generated using administrative healthcare claims data and the one or more exclusion or inclusion criteria. The specialized searching tables are searched. Through the searching step, subjects are identified within the administrative healthcare claims data who match the one or more exclusion or inclusion criteria. Through the searching step, a geographical area is identified corresponding to the subjects who match the one or more exclusion or inclusion criteria. A customized report is generated using the identified subjects and geographical area.
US09129048B2 Systems and methods for an ultrasound workflow
An ultrasound imaging system including a user interface configured to receive user inputs from an operator during an imaging session. The user interface includes a display device having a display area and an image-processing module that is configured to receive ultrasound signals from a diagnostic probe and process the signals to generate ultrasound images. The system also includes a workflow module that is configured to display, concurrently, an acquired image of the ultrasound images and a user-selectable element in the display area. The acquired image includes an anatomical feature of a subject. The workflow module is configured to display an activated frame over the acquired image in the display area when the user-selectable element is selected by the operator. The activated frame appears partially transparent such that the anatomical feature is visible through the activated frame.
US09129047B2 Programming and bolus monitoring device for an implantable drug pump
A programming device for an implantable drug pump includes a display device, a communication device, and a controller. The communication device is adapted to facilitate a communication link between the programming device and an implantable drug pump. The controller adapted to receive bolus data stored on the implantable drug pump when the communications link has been established, to process the bolus data, and to control the display device to generate a visual representation of numbers of bolus attempts for multiple periodic time intervals.
US09129046B2 Systems and methods for managing a master patient index including duplicate record detection
A system for managing a master patient index is described. The master patient index database is constructed using inverted indices. The inverted index formulation enables faster, more complete and more flexible duplicate detection as compared to traditional master patient database management techniques. A master patient index management system including a remote user interface configured to leverage the inverted index formulation is described. The user interface includes features for managing records in an MPI database including identifying, efficiently comparing, updating and merging duplicate records across a heterogeneous healthcare organization.
US09129041B1 Technique for updating a context that facilitates evaluating qualitative search terms
The disclosed embodiments relate to a system that updates a context that facilitates evaluating qualitative search terms for an attribute during query processing. During operation, the system extracts a value for the attribute from each data item in a set of data items. Next, the system updates the context based on the extracted attribute values, wherein the context includes a concept-mapping for one or more qualitative search terms applied to the attribute, and wherein each concept-mapping associates a given attribute value with a numerical compatibility index that indicates a compatibility between the given attribute value and a corresponding qualitative search term.
US09129039B2 Scenario driven data modelling: a method for integrating diverse sources of data and data streams
A system and method of integrating diverse sources of data and data streams is presented. The method can include selecting a scenario based on a topic, creating a multi-relational directed graph based on the scenario, identifying and converting resources in accordance with the scenario and updating the multi-directed graph based on the resources, identifying data feeds in accordance with the scenario and updating the multi-directed graph based on the data feeds, identifying analytical routines in accordance with the scenario and updating the multi-directed graph using the analytical routines and identifying data outputs in accordance with the scenario and defining queries to produce the data outputs from the multi-directed graph.
US09129038B2 Discovering and exploiting relationships in software repositories
Software development items can be represented in a graph data structure. Relationships between the represented items can be detected and reflected in the graph data structure. Queries can be run against the data structure to determine which software development items are related to each other. Implicit query can be implemented in a software development context. A graph browser can present panes showing related items.In some embodiments, a set of regular expressions can be used to identify paths in a graph. Probability scores for the identified paths can be computed. Path data for the identified paths, including the probability scores, can be stored in a searchable location accessible by one or more applications. A query of the path data can be processed to return query results associated with at least one of the identified paths.
US09129035B2 Systems, methods, and apparatus for accessing object representations of data sets
In one embodiment, markup representation of a data set is requested at a relational data store. The data set has a first portion stored at a first table structure of the relational data store and a second portion stored at a second tale structure of the relational data store. The markup representation of the data set is received from the relational data store and an object representation of the data set is generated based on the markup representation of the data set. The object representation of the data set includes a first element having a value of the first portion and a second element having a value of the second portion.
US09129032B2 System and method for processing a clickstream in a parallel processing architecture
An aspect of the present invention relates to tracking a computer user's web browsing behavior by collecting web browser click events as a clickstream and and processing the clickstream in a parallel processing architecture.
US09129024B2 Graphical user interface in keyword search
A method and computer program product for conducting a weighted keyword search and a method for displaying search results. A computer determines respective weights of respective keywords, based on proximity of a user interaction position to the respective keywords on a graphical presentation. The computer conducts a weighted keyword search of documents based on the keywords and the respective weights of the keywords. In a method of displaying search results, based on the respective weights, a computer displays the search results associated with the respective keywords.
US09129021B2 Apparatus, system and method for a brand affinity engine using positive and negative mentions and indexing
A computer-based search engine for performing a search for a keyword, comprising a result responsive to a search, a database comprising a plurality of terms organized by categories wherein at least one of the categories includes the keyword, and relational ones of the plurality of terms to the keyword; a heuristic engine comprising a plurality of rules which, when executed by a processor, applies the rules in accordance with the relational ones of the plurality of terms to a networked site to assess the keyword as a primary subject of the networked site.
US09129015B1 Min/max filter for audio matching
Systems and methods are provided herein relating to audio matching. Descriptors can be generated for a received audio signal and matched with reference descriptors. Potential matching reference samples can then be filtered based on, at least in part, a number of hits, a match threshold, and a window size. As more hits are accumulated for a reference sample, the more likely the reference sample is to pass through the filter. Eliminating potential false positive matches before performing more computational demanding matching algorithms can increase efficiency within an audio matching system.
US09129013B2 Methods and apparatus for entity detection
Techniques for entity detection include matching a token from at least a portion of a text string with a matching concept in an ontology. A first concept may be identified as being hierarchically related to the matching concept within the ontology, and a second concept may be identified as being hierarchically related to the first concept within the ontology. The first and second concepts may be included in a set of features of the token. Based at least in part on the set of features of the token, a measure related to a likelihood that the at least a portion of the text string corresponds to a particular entity type may be determined.
US09129006B2 Creation device, creation method, and recording medium
A device determines an additional component added to a second model, and a modification component modified in a third model, wherein a condition includes a wild card, and a first model are described in a module, the first model serving as a model when the module is applied to a model satisfying the condition and including a variable in which a string in a model satisfying the condition is stored, and the third model is a model when the module is applied to the second model satisfying the condition and where a string in the second model, which corresponds to the wild card, is stored in a variable, based on a word in a fourth model, and a word in the additional component and the modification component, calculates a degree regarding numbers of the word in the third model and the fourth, and creates a tag corresponding to the module.
US09129000B2 Method and system for centralized control of database applications
According to one embodiment of the present invention, a system enables control of database applications. The system comprises a computer system including a database application to provide access to a database system, and at least one processor. The computer system requests retrieval of application specific property information for the database application from a data repository, and applies the retrieved application specific property information to the database application to control operation of the database application. Embodiments of the present invention further include a method and computer program product for controlling database applications in substantially the same manner described above.
US09128998B2 Presentation of data object hierarchies
Systems and methods for use in presenting a hierarchy of data objects. Data objects in a hierarchy are each associated with a node type of a plurality of node types. A graphical representation of the hierarchy is created. The graphical representation includes including a plurality of strata corresponding to the plurality of node types. A plurality of tree nodes representing the data objects is created. Each tree node is associated with the node type that corresponds to the associated data object. The tree nodes associated with the node type that corresponds to the stratum are included in each stratum of the plurality of strata. The graphical representation may include hierarchical connectors extending between the tree nodes and representing hierarchical relationships between the data objects represented by the tree nodes.
US09128996B2 Uniform data model and API for representation and processing of semantic data
In some implementations, a method includes receiving a first data set that is stored using a first format, generating an info item based on the first data set, the info item representing an entity extracted from the first data set, generating a delta item based on the first data set, the delta item including a reference to the info item and defining a context-based modification of the info item, generating a second data set in a second format comprising the info item and the delta item, and storing the second data set to the computer-readable storage medium.
US09128990B2 Executing stored procedures at parallel databases
The present invention extends to methods, systems, and computer program products for executed stored procedures at parallel databases. Stored procedures are transformed so that execution of the stored procedure is split between a standalone database server and a parallel database coordinator. Execution of the stored procedure is initiated at the standalone database server. At execution time, control-flow statements, variable assignment, expression evaluation, etc., are handled by the standalone database server. SQL statements are passed from the standalone database server to the database for the execution. Results from executed SQL statements can be returned to the standalone database server or to a client. The parallel database coordinator can be added as a linked server to the standalone database server. In some embodiments, a session token is used to share session state between different parties.
US09128984B2 Query plan analysis of alternative plans using robustness mapping
Computer-implemented and associated operating methods evaluate robustness of a query plan by measuring performance with regard to a range of runtime conditions and producing a map of relative performance of the given query plan when compared with alternative plans for a range of conditions. The computer-implemented system comprises logic that evaluates the selected query plan in comparison to multiple alternative query plans in a predetermined range of runtime conditions that include data characteristics. The logic produces a set of performance measurements and analyzes the measured performance to map performance of the selected query plan in comparison to performance of one or more alternative query plans.
US09128983B2 Systems and methods for query optimization
In accordance with certain embodiments, a query from a client may be received at a server, and a default query range may be applied to the query. The query may be executed in a first execution using an index comprising a category of information stored in the database and subject to the default query range. If the number of query results from the first execution is outside a predetermined range, then the query range may be adjusted to obtain a number of query results closer to or within the predetermined range. Additionally, the query may be executed in a second execution using the index comprising the category of information stored in the database and subject to the adjusted query range. Thereafter, the query results obtained from the second execution of the query may be sent to the client.
US09128976B2 Offline restructuring of DEDB databases
An IMS DEDB database restructure operation creates an empty offline DEDB having the desired structure. The offline database is populated with data from a source (online) database while keeping the source database online (i.e., available for access and update operations). Updates to the source database made during this process are selectively processed in parallel with the offline DEDB load operation. When the contents of the offline database is substantially the same as the source or online database, the source database is taken offline, final updates to the offline database are applied whereafter the offline database is brought online, thereby replacing the source database. It is significant to note that updates occurring to the source or online DEDB are applied to the offline DEDB.
US09128975B2 Systems and methods for determining data dependency for dynamic tiles
A system and method to dynamically update a data field are disclosed. In some embodiments, data may be received from a plurality of databases and organized into a plurality of data fields. A first data field may be associated with a single database of the plurality of databases. A user may modify the first data field and the system and method may identify a dependency between the first data field and at least a second data field. The second data field may be updated based on the dependency between the first data field and the second data field.
US09128966B2 Determining a storage location based on frequency of use
Aspects provide a method of determining a storage location for a data item, including providing first and second data storage locations, the first location having an appreciably faster access speed than the second, the data storage locations are primary storage locations providing persistent storage, accessing a score associated with the data item, the score being calculated based on a frequency of access; and selecting only one of the storage locations based on the score with respect to other data scores, wherein the data item is stored in only one of the storage locations at any time, re-calculating the scores, wherein the score is accessed from a score table of data items; and in response to re-calculating of the scores, causing a change in the selection of the data storage location, removing the data item from a current storage location and adding the data item to a newly selected storage location.
US09128962B2 View based table replacement for applications
A method includes identifying a table over a conventional database used by an application, creating a view of the table equivalent to the identified table in an in-memory database, and calling the view with a same call as used for the identified table such that calling the view via the application provides a same result as would have been obtained from the same call to the table in the conventional database.
US09128947B2 Quick response in software applications
Embodiments of the present invention may include an apparatus and method for automatically installing mobile versions of software applications on a mobile device using quick response (QR) code technology. A software application may initially be loaded on a personal computer in response to a user request. The personal computer may determine if there is a mobile version of the software application available. If there is a mobile version available, the personal computer may generate a QR code that represents an encoded version of a link for the mobile version of the software application. Subsequently, the QR code may be displayed on a display device of the personal computer for the user to scan and access the mobile version of the software application on his/her mobile device.
US09128943B1 Method and system for tracking re-sizing and re-creation of volumes created for making incremental backups
A method for tracking resizing and recreation of volumes in a block-based snapshot backup program. In an embodiment, a record ID is associated with a major and minor number assigned to each volume to be backed up. The record ID maintains a unique reference to the bitmap corresponding to a backed up volume in case the minor number is reused by the volume manager driver during a recreate operation. The length of the volume to be maintained is maintained and compared to the length of the to track any resizing of the volume by the volume manager. In the event of any resizing or recreation, the original bitmap can be replaced with an updated bitmap to ensure proper backup of the resized or recreated volumes.
US09128942B1 On-demand operations
Many applications and computing environments allow users to migrate data from a source object to a target object (e.g., a file may be cut/pasted, copied, etc.). It may be advantageous to provide users with access to the data (e.g., migrated data at the target object and/or data that has yet to be migrated from the source object) before all of the data is completely migrated (e.g., a user may otherwise have to wait hours for a 2 TB file to be copied between various data volumes). Accordingly, as provided herein, migration of a source object to a target object may be declared as completed, even though the target object may not comprise all of the data that is to be migrated. In this way, an I/O request may be satisfied based upon migrated data within the target object and/or data, not yet migrated, retrieved on-demand from the source object.
US09128941B2 On-demand content classification using an out-of-band communications channel for facilitating file activity monitoring and control
Communications to a server over an in-band communications channel are monitored for requests to access a file. Based on the communications, a request to access a particular file stored by the server is identified. Security and/or audit rules are identified based on the request. A determination is thereafter made that the security and/or audit rules require evaluation of classification information for contents of the requested file. Thus, a determination is made as to whether classification information for the contents of the particular file is available, such as determining whether the classification information is stored in a local classification cache. Responsive to a determination that the classification information is not available, classification information is obtained for the contents of the particular file using an out-of-band communications channel. Thereafter, processing with respect to the request to access the particular file is performed based on the obtained classification information and the one or more security and/or audit rules.
US09128934B2 User interface for presenting and searching relationships between document objects located on a network
A user interface for presenting and searching relationships between document objects located on a network is described. The user interface may include a first portion of a screen display for displaying one or more link relationship attributes and a second portion of the screen display for displaying one or more entries from a group consisting of: (a) link references that represent the document objects, (b) link relationship attributes describing the link relationships, (c) link reference attributes describing the link references, and (d) document objects. The displayed entries in the second portion of the user interface are related to the displayed one or more link relationship attributes in the first portion.
US09128933B2 Measuring entity extraction complexity
A named entity input is received and a target sense for which the named entity input is to be extracted from a set of documents is identified. An extraction complexity feature is generated based on the named entity input, the target sense, and the set of documents. The extraction complexity feature indicates how difficult or complex it is deemed to be to identify the named entity input for the target sense in the set of documents.
US09128931B2 Communication of digital information presented on an appliance display
A system and method of communicating information associated with an appliance is provided. An appliance can present an optical machine-readable representation, such as a linear or matrix barcode, on a display of the appliance. The optical machine-readable representation can encode information associated with an event occurrence for the appliance. A client, such as a computer, smartphone, tablet, etc., can capture information indicative of the optical machine-readable representation. The client computing device can then access information, such as diagnostic information, responsive to the optical machine-readable representation.
US09128928B2 Memory method and apparatus with button release
A flash memory device apparatus and method is provided such that data or programming information is uploaded or downloaded between the flash memory device and a host, in response to a single-press of a button associated with the flash memory device. The system can facilitate a number of operations including saving an active window application or associated data, transferring media files to or from media players, providing device-specific and/or data-specific transfer of applications or data and/or providing protection of transferred data or applications.
US09128914B2 Semiconductor integrated circuit
Disclosed is a semiconductor integrated circuit capable of efficiently performing debugging. The semiconductor integrated circuit includes a distributing part distributing received packets according to destinations of the packets, a plurality of accumulating parts sequentially accumulating the packets distributed thereto, respectively, a plurality of relaying parts supplying the packets accumulated in one of the accumulating parts to corresponding one of the processing parts, respectively, and an output controlling part assigning the relay permission command to one relaying part designated by a relay permission packet from among the relaying parts when a packet distributed thereto from the distributing part is determined as the relay permission packet.
US09128907B2 Language model generating device, method thereof, and recording medium storing program thereof
A text in a corpus including a set of world wide web (web) pages is analyzed. At least one word appropriate for a document type set according to a voice recognition target is extracted based on an analysis result. A word set is generated from the extracted at least one word. A retrieval engine is caused to perform a retrieval process using the generated word set as a retrieval query of the retrieval engine on the Internet, and a link to a web page from the retrieval result is acquired. A language model for voice recognition is generated from the acquired web page.
US09128903B2 Computer system, active system computer, and standby system computer
Upon a receipt of an advance notice, an active system computer on which asynchronous replication is performed with a standby system computer stops a business application and transmits to the standby system computer transmission start information indicating start of data synchronization, data accumulated in a transmission queue 118, and transmission completion information indicating completion of the data synchronization in this order. The standby system computer generates and holds first reliability guarantee information indicating that the data received before the transmission start information upon a receipt of the transmission start information, and generates and holds second reliability guarantee information indicating that the data received before the transmission completion information is reliable data upon a receipt of the transmission completion information. Accordingly, while taking advantages of the asynchronous replication to the data replication, reliability of data backed up on the standby system computer is guaranteed upon a failure.
US09128884B2 Virtual machine fault tolerance
One or more techniques and/or systems are provided for hosting a virtual machine from a snapshot. In particular, a snapshot of a virtual machine hosted on a primary computing device may be created. The virtual machine may be hosted on a secondary computing device using the snapshot, for example, when a failure of the virtual machine on the primary computing device occurs. If a virtual machine type (format) of the snapshot is not supported by the secondary computing device, then the virtual machine within the snapshot may be converted to a virtual machine type supported by the secondary computing device. In this way, the virtual machine may be operable and/or accessible on the secondary computing device despite the failure. Hosting the virtual machine on the secondary computing device provides, among other things, fault tolerance for the virtual machine and/or applications comprised therein.
US09128883B2 Data storage resource allocation by performing abbreviated resource checks based on relative chances of failure of the data storage resources to determine whether data storage requests would fail
A resource allocation system begins with an ordered plan for matching requests to resources that is sorted by priority. The resource allocation system optimizes the plan by determining those requests in the plan that will fail if performed. The resource allocation system removes or defers the determined requests. In addition, when a request that is performed fails, the resource allocation system may remove requests that require similar resources from the plan. Moreover, when resources are released by a request, the resource allocation system may place the resources in a temporary holding area until the resource allocation returns to the top of the ordered plan so that lower priority requests that are lower in the plan do not take resources that are needed by waiting higher priority requests higher in the plan.
US09128880B2 Synchronizing and controlling software downloads, such as for utility meter-reading data collection and processing
Method and apparatus to manage software updates of networked data collection devices are disclosed. Example disclosed methods involve in response to receiving a software update, determining if the data collection device is to receive the software update and, if the data collection device is to receive the software update, setting, in memory, a state indicator for the data collection device to an update state. Disclosed methods also include in response to receiving a configuration request from the data collection device when the corresponding state indicator is set to the update state, sending an update command to the data collection device, the update command to include a bill of materials corresponding to the software update and a time for the software update to take effect.
US09128874B2 Method of using microphones to measure particle velocity
A method of using microphones to measure a particle velocity comprises steps: arranging a sound source, a first microphone and a second microphone in a space, wherein the first microphone is arranged between the sound source and second microphone, and wherein the first microphone is located at a first position and the second microphone is located at a second position more far away from the sound source than the first position; using the first and second microphones to measure the sound source and obtain first and second acoustic pressures respectively; using the first and second positions and an equivalent source method to establish a free-space Green's function, and using the first and second acoustic pressures and the equivalent source method to establish an acoustic pressure function; and using the free-space Green's function and acoustic pressure function to predict state space of sound amplitude and then obtain a particle velocity.
US09128873B2 Memory bus attached input/output (‘I/O’) subsystem management in a computing system
Memory bus attached Input/Output (‘I/O’) subsystem management in a computing system, the computing system including an I/O subsystem communicatively coupled to a memory bus, including: detecting, by an I/O subsystem device driver, a hibernation request; setting, by the I/O subsystem device driver, a predetermined memory address to a value indicating that the I/O subsystem is not to service system requests; detecting, by the I/O subsystem device driver, that the I/O subsystem device driver has been restarted; and setting, by the I/O subsystem device driver, the predetermined memory address to a value indicating that the I/O subsystem can resume servicing system requests.
US09128871B2 Memory system with variable length page stripes including data protection information
Methods and apparatuses for enhanced protection of data stored in a non-volatile memory system involve a controller capable of adapting to the failure of one or more non-volatile memory devices in the memory system. The controller stores data in the form of page stripes, each page stripe composed of data pages, and each data page stored in a different non-volatile memory device. The controller also detects failure of a non-volatile memory device in which a data page of a particular page stripe is stored, reconstructs the data page, and stores the reconstructed data page in a new page stripe, where the number of data pages in the new page stripe is less than the number of data pages in the particular page stripe, and where no page of the new page stripe is stored in a memory location within the failed non-volatile memory device.
US09128854B1 System and method for data prediction
A method, computer program product, and computing system for monitoring data requests made by an application being executed on a host to generate a prediction concerning a quantity of data that may be needed by the application in the future. The quantity of data is stored within a backend cache system included within a data array coupled to the host. The quantity of data is provided to the host.
US09128853B1 Lookup structure for large block cache
Systems, methods, and other embodiments associated with a lookup structure for a large block cache are described. According to one embodiment, at least two blocks of data are stored in a cache. A lookup entry is constructed that describes the at least two blocks of data. The lookup entry includes block specific information that describes individual blocks of the at least two blocks of data. The lookup entry is stored in the lookup structure.
US09128852B2 Prefetching for a parent core in a multi-core chip
Embodiments of the invention relate to prefetching data on a chip having at least one scout core, at least one parent core, and a shared cache that is common between the at least one scout core and the at least one parent core. A prefetch code is executed by the scout core for monitoring the parent core. The prefetch code executes independently from the parent core. The scout core determines that at least one specified data pattern has occurred in the parent core based on monitoring the parent core. A prefetch request is sent from the scout core to the shared cache. The prefetch request is sent based on the at least one specified pattern being detected by the scout core. A data set indicated by the prefetch request is sent to the parent core by the shared cache.
US09128851B2 Prefetching for multiple parent cores in a multi-core chip
Embodiments relate to a method and computer program product for prefetching data on a chip. The chip has at least one scout core, multiple parent cores that cooperate together to execute various tasks, and a shared cache that is common between the scout core and the multiple parent cores. An aspect of the embodiments includes monitoring the multiple parent cores by the at least one scout core through the shared cache for a shared cache access occurring in a base parent core. The method includes saving a fetch address by the at least one scout core based on the shared cache access occurring. The fetch address indicates a location of a specific line of cache requested by the base parent core.
US09128844B2 Enhancing analytics performance using distributed multi-tiering
Embodiments relate to cluster-centric tiered storage with a flexible tier definition to support performance of transactions. Object data is distributed in a multi-tiered shared-nothing cluster. Hierarchical tiers of data storage are assigned different roles within the hierarchy. The tiers are arranged according to a number of cycles required to access a tier. The tiers are managed globally across the cluster and objects are placed in tiers according to a flexible tier definition and the tier arrangement. The probability of object access is computed for objects, and objects are placed on different tiers responsive to the computation and the number of cycles required to access the tier. Objects are moved between tiers responsive to a probability frequency of object access.
US09128838B2 System and method of high integrity DMA operation
A system and method for direct memory access (DMA) operation provides for receiving DMA requestors, assigning the received DMA requestors to one or more of a plurality of DMA engines for processing the received DMA requestors, and if one of the received DMA requestors is a safety requestor, assigning the safety requestor to at least two DMA engines of the plurality of DMA engines for processing the safety requestor, disabling a bus interface for coupling at least one DMA engine of the at least two DMA engines to memories, comparing the outputs of the at least two DMA engines, and generating an error message if the comparison of the outputs of the at least two DMA engines are different from each other.
US09128835B2 Background memory validation for gaming devices
Various embodiments are directed to a gaming device including a background memory validation system. The background memory validation system includes a background kernel thread that validates read-only pages on the gaming device. Additionally, the background kernel thread also minimizes potential timing problems because this process only validates page content in memory that is fully-loaded and functional.
US09128834B2 Implementing memory module communications with a host processor in multiported memory configurations
A method, system and computer program product are provided for implementing ECC (Error Correction Codes) memory module communications with a host processor in multi-ported memory configurations in a computer system. Each of multiple memory modules operating in unison is enabled to identify which memory module is the one required to communicate module specific information back to the host processor. All of the multiple memory modules operating in unison are enabled to generate back to the host processor a valid ECC word, while other multiple memory modules individually being unaware of data contents of the one memory module required to communicate back to the processor.
US09128831B2 Electrical device and method of setting address
An electrical device includes a plurality of apparatus connected with a daisy chain connection through a communication line so that the apparatus communicate with each other through the communication line; and a control unit connected to one of the apparatus at an end stage thereof so that the control unit is configured to communicate with the one of the apparatus. The apparatus includes an address setting unit for setting a specific number to an address of the apparatus according to an address setting command when the apparatus receives address setting data including an address addition instruction as the address setting command for adding the specific number to the address of the apparatus. The apparatus further includes an address setting data transmission control unit for outputting the address setting data to a later stage apparatus when the address setting unit sets the specific value to the address of the apparatus.
US09128826B2 Data storage architecuture and system for high performance computing hash on metadata in reference to storage request in nonvolatile memory (NVM) location
Data storage systems and methods for storing data are described herein. The storage system may be integrated with or coupled with a compute cluster or super computer having multiple computing nodes. A plurality of nonvolatile memory units may be included with computing nodes, coupled with computing nodes or coupled with input/output nodes. The input/output nodes may be included with the compute cluster or super computer, or coupled thereto. The nonvolatile memory units store data items provided by the computing nodes, and the input/output nodes maintain where the data items are stored in the nonvolatile memory units via a hash table distributed among the input/output nodes. The use of a distributed hash table allows for quick access to data items stored in the nonvolatile memory units even as the computing nodes are writing large amounts of data to the storage system quickly in bursts.
US09128821B2 Data updating in non-volatile memory
Various embodiments of the present invention are generally directed to an apparatus and associated method for updating data in a non-volatile memory array. In accordance with some embodiments, a memory block is formed with a plurality of types of memory cell sectors arranged in data pages of a first type and log pages of a second type that can be updated in-place. A first updated sector is written to a first log page while maintaining an outdated sector in an original data page, and overwritten with a second updated sector.
US09128806B2 Squaring binary finite field elements
Methods and systems for squaring a binary finite field element are described. In some aspects, a data processing apparatus includes registers and processor logic. A first register stores a sequence of binary values that define a binary finite field element input. The processor logic accesses input components from the first register according to intervals in the sequence. Each input component includes a binary value from each interval in the sequence. In some cases, the intervals are periodic and the binary finite field element corresponds to a sum of phase-shifted input components. The processor logic generates output components based on the input components. The processor logic generates a square of the binary finite field element in the second register based on the output components. The number of input components can be selected, for example, to balance costs of additional processing time against benefits associated with reduced processing hardware.
US09128802B2 Automated call center software build generator
A call center (CC) generator includes generator software (GSW) executing on a computerized appliance from a machine-readable physical medium, an input interface for receiving a CC configuration, access to a data repository storing CC software components, a function relating configuration parameters to individual ones of the stored CC software components, and an output interface for delivering a CC SW suite. The CC generator, executing the GSW, considers the CC configuration, applies the relating function, selects CC software components to copy from the data repository, and builds the CC SW suite for output.
US09128800B2 Personalized platform for accessing internet applications
The present invention provides a system and method for providing a personalized platform for accessing internet applications. According to one embodiment of the invention, a social network provider receives a request for installation of an application from a user of the social network, installs the application at multiple points in the user's social network environment, and personalizes interfaces with the application at these integration points based on information about the user available from the social network. The present invention enables applications to be integrated in the social network environment at multiple integration points and to be personalized for and configured by the user.
US09128784B2 Data transfer using a network clipboard
Systems, methods, and computer-readable media provide for the transfer of data between electronic devices utilizing a network clipboard. According to various embodiments described herein, a clipboard application residing on a host device associated with a user transmits data from a local clipboard of the host device to a remote network clipboard via a network. A clipboard application associated with a target device associated with the user transmits a request for the data stored on the network clipboard. A copy of the data associated with the user is retrieved from the network clipboard and stored on a local clipboard of the target device. The data is then copied to a target application. This process results from a single network clipboard transaction that includes a cut or copy action on the host device and a paste action on the target device.
US09128768B2 Cloud based master data management
A cloud based service provides Master Data Management (MDM) services to clients. A client may create/modify MDM workflows that are hosted by the cloud based service to assist in meeting their needs. An interface is provided at points within the workflow that is hosted by the cloud based service. The cloud based service utilizes a flexible pipeline that executes predefined configurable blocks. A user can create or customize an existing workflow based on the predefined set of blocks (e.g. execution blocks, conditional blocks, loop blocks). The blocks are configured to receive, process and send information relating to the master data according to a predefined schema. Clients may publish master data changes and/or subscribe to master data changes made by other clients.
US09128765B2 Assigning restored virtual machine based on past application usage of requesting user
A method of sharing virtual machine resources. The method includes: in response to at least one user logging in to the virtual machine, monitoring file operations taken by the user in the virtual machine; recording the types of file operations; in response to the user logging out from the virtual machine, restoring the virtual machine back to the original state at the time when the user logged in to the virtual machine according to the recorded types of file operations; and in response to receiving a request for virtual machine resources, assigning one of the virtual machines which is idle and restored back to the original state to the requesting user.
US09128760B2 Dynamically adjusting priority by providing a longer duration of use of a shared resource
A method to dynamically adjust priority may include providing a boost, by a processing device, to an element relative to at least one other element in response to a boost feature associated with the element being activated. Providing the boost to the element may include providing a predetermined longer duration of use of a shared use resource to the element relative to the at least one other element based on a boost setting associated with the element. The boost results in adjusting a priority of the element by allowing the element to complete a task in a shorter time period.
US09128759B2 Decimal multi-precision overflow and tininess detection
An approach is provided in which a processor includes an adder that concurrently generates one or more intermediate results and a boundary indicator based upon instructions retrieved from a memory area. The boundary indicator indicates whether a collective result generated from the intermediate results is within a boundary precision value.
US09128758B2 Encoding densely packed decimals
According to one aspect of the present disclosure, a method and technique for encoding densely packed decimals is disclosed. The method includes: executing a floating point instruction configured to perform a floating point operation on decimal data in a binary coded decimal (BCD) format; determining whether a result of the operation includes a rounded mantissa overflow; and responsive to determining that the result of the operation includes a rounded mantissa overflow, compressing a result of the operation from the BCD-formatted decimal data to decimal data in a densely packed decimal (DPD) format by shifting select bit values of the BCD formatted decimal data by one digit to select bit positions in the DPD format.
US09128755B2 Method and apparatus for scheduling resources in system architecture
The present invention relates to a method and apparatus for scheduling resources in system architecture. In one embodiment, this can be accomplished by storing temporarily jobs form a plurality of queues, where each queue a weight is set up, forming a set of elements, wherein the set size is based on the weights assigned to each queue, selecting one element from the formed set in an order, wherein the order can be predefined or random order and serving at least one job from the plurality of queues, wherein selection of the job is from the queue that corresponds to element of the formed set.
US09128751B2 Schema-based link processing
An apparatus includes a processing unit configured to determine, using a control application, a type of schema of a selected link. When the schema is of a first type, the control application causes processing associated with the selected link to be performed by a content display module. When the schema is of a second type, the control application causes processing associated with the selected link to be performed by a module different from the content display module. The processing unit can be configured to run an operating system, a control application, and a content display module, such that the control application is interposed between the operating system and the content display module. The control application can determine a type of schema of a selected link.
US09128749B1 Method and system for lock free statistics collection
Lock free collection of performance data from an application program executing in a computer system having a multi-core central processing unit is described. A data collection mechanism creates a water mark queue that includes a data structure to store an array and plurality of pointers, including head, tail, high water mark and low water mark pointers. A plurality of worker threads is spawned, each configured to collect and store data from the application program. The data collection includes incrementing the head pointer, reading an index from a head element of the array and incrementing the high water mark pointer in a single transaction. A context is retrieved corresponding to the retrieved index. An operation is performed based on information contained in the retrieved context. Subsequently, the tail pointer is incremented, the index is written to a tail element of the array and the low water mark pointer is incremented.
US09128742B1 Systems and methods for enhancing virtual machine backup image data
A computer-implemented method for enhancing virtual machine backup image data may include identifying a virtual machine to be stored as a backup image. The computer-implemented method may also include collecting configuration information that identifies at least one aspect of how the virtual machine is configured. The computer-implemented method may further include storing the backup image of the virtual machine in a backup repository. The computer-implemented method may additionally include associating the configuration information within the backup image in a catalog of virtual machine backup images, the catalog being searchable by the configuration information. Various other methods, systems, and computer-readable media are also disclosed.
US09128739B1 Determining instances to maintain on at least one cloud responsive to an evaluation of performance characteristics
A method includes the step of running a set of instances on at least one cloud for a first time interval, each of the instances comprising a bundle of virtualized resources. The method also includes the step of evaluating one or more performance characteristics of each of the instances in the set of instances over the first time interval. The method further includes the step of determining a first subset of the set of instances to maintain for a second time interval and a second subset of the set of instances to terminate for the second time interval responsive to the evaluating step. The steps are performed by at least one processing device comprising a processor coupled to a memory.
US09128738B2 Information processing program and information processing method
An information processing device stores, in a storage device, command execution user data associating an attribute of a command with a name of a user entitled to execute the command. When execution of the command is requested, a service of the information processing device extracts, from the command execution user data, a name of a user entitled to execute the requested command and executes the command with the extracted user name.
US09128732B2 Selective randomization for non-deterministically compiled code
A method and an apparatus for runtime compilation that generates non-deterministic and unpredictable code to protect against un-trusted code attacks are described. The runtime compilation may be based on heuristic rules without requiring deterministic behavior reduction operations for all the code generated. The heuristic rules may include estimations on, for example, runtime overhead or cost incurred for code protection, amount of code protection required and/or other applicable factors and their relationships.
US09128730B2 Method for executing bios tool program in non-SMI mechanism
A method for executing a Basic Input Output System (BIOS) tool program in a non-System Management Interrupt (SMI) mechanism is applicable to a computer and includes: bi-directionally transmitting, by an ACPI ASL module and a service module, a corresponding trigger signal; bi-directionally transmitting, by the service module and a driver, the trigger signal; bi-directionally transmitting, by the driver and a real-time service module of a BIOS, the trigger signal; and performing, by the BIOS, event processing according to the trigger signal to obtain a processing result, or performing, by the BIOS, logic operation on the data to obtain operation data.
US09128729B1 System and method for automatically configuring bios performance profiles
Each of a plurality of Basic Input/Output System (BIOS) performance profiles can be determined upon a corresponding performance goal. A particular performance profile can be selected from the plurality of BIOS performance profiles. A BIOS configuration can be determined for a computer system automatically based at least in part on the particular performance profile or a hardware configuration of the computer system. The computer system can be initialized with the BIOS configuration.
US09128723B2 Method and apparatus for dynamic document object model (DOM) aware code editing
A computer implemented method and apparatus for dynamic Document Object Model (DOM) aware code editing. The method comprising storing, in a DOM model, a plurality of Document Object Model (DOM) elements in one or more HyperText Markup Language (HTML) files for a project; and storing, in the DOM model at least one modification to the DOM that results from execution of one or more JavaScript code files for the project, wherein during JavaScript code editing, the at least one modification to the DOM identifies an interaction between the JavaScript code and the DOM elements.
US09128721B2 Closed loop CPU performance control
The invention provides a technique for targeted scaling of the voltage and/or frequency of a processor included in a computing device. One embodiment involves scaling the voltage/frequency of the processor based on the number of frames per second being input to a frame buffer in order to reduce or eliminate choppiness in animations shown on a display of the computing device. Another embodiment of the invention involves scaling the voltage/frequency of the processor based on a utilization rate of the GPU in order to reduce or eliminate any bottleneck caused by slow issuance of instructions from the CPU to the GPU. Yet another embodiment of the invention involves scaling the voltage/frequency of the CPU based on specific types of instructions being executed by the CPU. Further embodiments include scaling the voltage and/or frequency of a CPU when the CPU executes workloads that have characteristics of traditional desktop/laptop computer applications.
US09128720B2 Methods and apparatus for voltage scaling
Methods and apparatus for voltage scaling are provided. In an example, an operational limit of a processor is determined by varying a supply voltage to force a processor interrupt fault and/or a processor reset. A clock frequency and the supply voltage can be maintained substantially constant for a time duration. If these operational parameters do not force the processor interrupt fault and/or the processor reset, the supply voltage is varied again, and the clock frequency and the supply voltage are maintained substantially constant for a second time duration. The variation continues until initiation of the processor interrupt fault and/or the processor reset, at which time least one of a clock frequency, the supply voltage, and a temperature are recorded as an operational limit. After determining the operational limit, the supply voltage is adjusted to within the operational limit.
US09128711B2 Method, computer system and control device for reducing power consumption
A computer system is provided. In one embodiment, the computer system includes a memory, a peripheral device, a central processing unit (CPU), and a peripheral device controller. The CPU stores information about the data transmission in a descriptor in the memory when data transmission between the CPU and the peripheral device is required. The peripheral device controller reads the descriptor from the memory at an access frequency, records whether the descriptor read from the memory requests for data transmission as a recording result, and adjusts the access frequency according to the recording result.
US09128708B2 Power saving method and system applied in optical disk drive
A power saving method and a power saving system are applied in an optical disk drive. The power saving system comprises a power controlling unit for differentiating the specific sets of circuits not being used at a specific operation rate and powering them down. The sets of circuits not being used will be powered up while the associated operation rate at which they are required to operate is nearly started.
US09128696B1 Method and system for generating script for a virtual connect configuration of a blade enclosure
A system and method for generating command scripts for profile configurations of an Hewlett Packard Virtual Connect Blade enclosure, by parsing a show-all report of the domain, generating a configuration script that includes configuration statements for static entities of the domain; and generating a configuration script that includes configuration statements for dynamic entities of the domain.
US09128692B2 LED light means with timepiece
An LED light with a time piece uses a simple light-medium body with a very rough finish to allow light from LED(s) to pass though input-end(s) of the light-medium body and travel within the body and obtain a very even brightness on all surfaces of the light medium that are seen by a viewer. Combined with a milky/frosted front sheet overlay, the light-medium surface can get perfect area illumination effects. The movement for the time display can include analog indicators with a guilt-in light-medium on the top cover to achieve a super slim LED illumination for the time piece. For night light application, the sealed-unit may consist of prong-means and an LED related circuit sealed within a safety standard plastic material and assembled with the night light body to save a lot of cost enable use of all kinds of materials. The invention may also be adapted to an LCD display timepiece.
US09128690B2 Bus pin reduction and power management
A reduced-pin bus system includes a bus having one or more signal lines that are coupled to a bus power supply through a current limiting device. A master unit is coupled to the bus and is arranged to transmit communications across the bus during an active period of the bus and to initiate communications during (and/or at the end of) a quiescent period of the bus. A slave unit is coupled to the bus and is arranged to couple power from the one or more signal lines to a capacitor during the quiescent period of the bus and to consume power from the capacitor during the active period of the bus.
US09128677B2 Input module and electronic device having the same
An input module includes a substrate, at least two bio-keys and a control unit. The substrate has at least two bio-leads and switches. Each of the bio-keys has a key surface, at least one conductive elastic piece and a protrusion. The conductive elastic piece is electrically connected and conducted to the key surface and the bio-leads. The control unit has an input-signal generating element and a biological-signal generating element. The input-signal generating element is configured to generate a first input signal and a second input signal by using the protrusion to toggle the switch. The biological-signal generating element is configured to generate a bioelectric signal through the electrical conduction between the bio-key and the bio-lead. The present invention further provides an electronic device, in which the bioelectric signal is analyzed by an operational unit to generate a biological function index.
US09128675B2 Electronic device
A mobile computer includes: an operation casing 2 including a right side face 2g, a top surface 2a, and a back surface 2d; a lid component 4 configured to cover a battery insertion/detachment opening 6a formed in the right side face 2g; and an engaged component 5 formed on the top surface 2a. The lid component 4 includes: a securing portion 4e secured to a part of the operation casing 2; a lid portion 4a configured to cover the battery insertion/detachment opening 6a; an engaging portion 4d having an engagement hole 4f that engages with the engaged component 5; a first bent portion 4c configured to connect between the securing portion 4e and the lid portion 4a; and a second bent portion 4b configured to connect between the lid portion 4a and the engaging portion 4d, so as to be integrated into the lid component 4.
US09128666B2 Housing for portable electronic device with reduced border region
An electronic device having a housing structure that is configured to receive at least one glass cover is disclosed. The glass cover serves to cover a display assembly provided within the electronic device. The glass cover can be secured to the housing structure so as to facilitate providing a narrow border between an active display area and an outer edge of the housing structure. The enclosure for the electronic device can be thin yet be sufficiently strong to be suitable for use in electronic devices, such as portable electronic devices.
US09128664B1 Invertible clamshell notebook computer
A computing device is provided herein. For instance, the computing device comprises base and lid assemblies, and a connector. The base assembly includes a base housing, a first hinge portion attached to the housing, a keyboard, a touch-based input surface, and an electronic component within the housing. The housing includes a first surface at least partly surrounding the keyboard and touch-based input, and a second opposing surface. The lid assembly includes a lid housing, a second hinge portion, and a display, and includes a first surface at least partly surrounding the display and a second surface opposite the first surface. The connector has a third hinge portion, a fourth hinge portion and a body extending therebetween. The third hinge portion is rotatably affixed to the first hinge portion of the base assembly, and the fourth hinge portion is rotatably affixed to the second hinge portion of the lid assembly.
US09128661B2 Communication blocks having multiple-planes of detection components and associated method of conveying information based on their arrangement
An apparatus is provided that includes a housing, a display, a communication interface, a processor, and a plurality of detection components each of which is located proximate a respective face of the housing. At least two of the faces of the housing proximate to which two of the respective detection components are located are adjoining faces lying in planes that cut one another, the apparatus thereby supporting a two-dimensional arrangement of apparatuses. The apparatus and other apparatuses may be formed into an arranged group of apparatuses, and in such instances, the processor is configured to receive corresponding indications from the detection components, and data from the other apparatuses in the group via the communication interface. The processor is configured to calculate an output as a function of the number of apparatuses and their arrangement, and configured to communicate the calculated output via the display.
US09128660B2 Dual display pinyin touch input
Methods and devices including providing a device having at least a primary screen and a secondary screen; receiving a first input, where the first input comprises a pinyin input on the primary screen; processing the first input to estimate a character based on the first input; displaying the estimated character(s); and displaying a selection, where the selection includes a chosen character selected from the estimated character(s).
US09128648B2 Image forming apparatus and control method thereof
An image forming apparatus includes execution units configured to execute predetermined functional processing, and switches to a second power state lower than a first power state. After a user selects priority on power saving or priority on convenience as a condition for switching to the second power state, the image forming apparatus receives a plurality of recovery triggers for switching to the first power state. A number of times of detection of each recovery trigger received is stored. If the user selects priority on convenience, it is determined whether the number of times of detection of each recovery trigger requiring a large power amount consumed by execution units associated with each recovery trigger falls below a predetermined threshold. If it is determined that the number of times of detection of a recovery trigger falls below the predetermined threshold, the recovery trigger may be disabled.
US09128640B2 Software product consistency assessment
A consistency assessment system for assessment of consistency of a software product includes a mapping module to obtain a plurality of configuration elements associated with the software product being developed, where each of the plurality of configuration elements influence software product development. Each of the plurality of configuration elements pertains to one of a plurality of element categories influencing software product development. The mapping module further identifies based on one or more identifiers, association of at least one configuration element from among the plurality of configuration elements with at least one another configuration element from among the plurality of configuration elements. Upon identification, an assessing module determines a requirement consistency index (RCI) for assessment of consistency of the software product. The RCI indicates an overall consistency of the software product.
US09128639B1 Scheduling commands in a dependent array of disk drives
An array of disk drives is disclosed comprising a controller, a plurality of disk drives, wherein the controller is configured to transmit a first access command out of a group of access commands to a first disk drive in the array; transmit a plurality of the access commands out of the group of access commands to other disk drives in the array; and transmit a completion status to the first disk drive, wherein the completion status identifies a status of the plurality of access commands transmitted to the other disk drives.
US09128637B2 Logical unit operation
The present disclosure includes methods and devices for logical unit operation. One device embodiment includes a number of logical units, wherein each of the number of logical units has a unique address. The device includes control circuitry coupled to the number of logical units and configured optionally to control more than one of the number of logical units with one of a number of commands and one address.
US09128636B2 Methods and apparatus for migrating thin provisioning volumes between storage systems
Multiple storage systems have capability to provide thin provisioning volumes to host computers and capability to transfer (import/export) management information regarding thin provisioning between storage systems. Moreover, at least one of the storage systems posses capability to provide storage area of other storage system as own storage area virtually via connection to the other storage system (i.e. external storage). Target storage system achieves efficient migration and unifying storage resource pool by importing or referring the management information obtained from source storage system and by utilizing the source storage system as external storage. One implementation involves method and process for migration of thin provisioning volumes using chunks having same length between source storage system and destination storage system. In this implementation, storage resource pool is unified by importing management information from the source storage system, and automated page-based relocation is performed to adjust actual location of data.
US09128634B1 Systems and methods of packed command management for non-volatile storage devices
The present disclosure includes systems and methods relating to packed command management for non-volatile storage devices. In some implementations, a device includes: a host controller configured to transfer data between a host memory and a storage device; and a non-transitory medium encoding host software configured to prepare a packed command, which represents more than one command, by loading pointers to memory blocks associated with the packed command into a host memory; wherein the host controller is configured to assert an interrupt to the host software, for at least one command of the packed command, after data transfer for the at least one command is completed, but before data transfer for all of the commands of the packed command is completed.
US09128620B2 Non-volatile memory with write protection data structure with write latency improvements
A data storage device includes a write protection data structure that includes a first set of entries corresponding to a first set of ranges of memory addresses. A first indication stored in an entry, in the first set of entries, corresponds to an absence of write-protected data between a lowest address of the range of addresses corresponding to the entry and a highest address of a memory. A second indication stored in the entry corresponds to write-protected data within the range of addresses. The data storage device also includes a write protection map that includes a second set of entries corresponding to a second set of ranges of the memory addresses. The device is configured to locate, in the write protection data structure, an entry corresponding to a range of memory addresses.
US09128606B2 Mobile terminal and screen partitioning method thereof
A mobile terminal and controlling method thereof are disclosed, by which various and convenient functions are provided through screen partition in consideration of a plurality of users. The present invention includes a touchscreen recognizing a touch input and a controller setting a reference line on the touchscreen to correspond to a 1st pattern touch input, the controller partitioning the touchscreen into a 1st region and a 2nd region in accordance with the set reference line, the controller controlling an image displayed on the 1st region to be displayed on the 2nd region in a manner of being reversed.
US09128601B2 Embedded authentication systems in an electronic device
Described are methods, devices and computer-readable media for displaying, on a touch screen display, a user interface that includes an unlocked element, detecting user inputs that include movement of a finger contact on the unlocked element toward the first location, wherein the first location is in respective direction from the unlocked element. Fingerprint data is obtained based on the finger movement, and based on the obtained fingerprint data, it is determined whether the user inputs meet unlock criteria or not.
US09128596B2 Method and device for selecting and displaying a region of interest in an electronic document
A method is provided for selecting a region of interest in an electronic document and displaying the selected region in a manner that is adapted to the capabilities of a display. The method may comprise such steps as loading a document, selecting a position within said document, analyzing the layout of the document in order to identify a region of interest containing said position, and displaying said region of interest on said display in a manner that aligns the region of interest with a window of said display. Also described is a device configured to perform the method and a computer program product including instructions for performing the method on a computing device.
US09128594B1 Touch interfaces and controls for aviation displays
An apparatus for controlling an aviation display is provided. The apparatus includes processing electronics configured to cause the aviation display to switch, in response to a user input, a first format for aviation data and a second format for aviation data. The first format includes a full format image of live data and the second format includes a scaled representation of the live data.
US09128593B2 Enabling an interactive program associated with a live broadcast on a mobile device
A method of providing an interactive content to a prospective user at a mobile device, the mobile device including a non-transitory computer readable medium including a computer executable program code and a processor for executing the computer executable program code is described. The method includes steps for initiating capture of an audio stream by shaking the mobile device; capturing the audio stream via a microphone in the mobile device; converting the captured audio stream into an audio fingerprint; sending the audio fingerprint to a server; receiving the interactive content from the server if there is a match between audio fingerprints stored on the server, and the audio fingerprint sent by the mobile device; and displaying the interactive content on the mobile device.
US09128591B1 Providing an identifier for presenting content at a selected position
Systems and methods are provided for generating an identifier that identifies a specific position within content. For example, at least a portion of content may be presented in a manner such that any position within the presented content can be selected, such as a specific word or line of text content. A selection may be received indicating a position within the content, where the selection corresponds to a request to generate an identifier that identifies the selected position. In response, an identifier may be generated that includes information identifying the content and the position within the content, such that selection of the identifier causes presentation of a representation of the content at the given position.
US09128588B2 Assisted service registration facilitating business process service reuse
Methods and systems receive a service name, a service description, and/or operational steps of a service being registered. A first menu of previously established service class choices is provided in ranked order based on the service name, service description, and/or operational steps. Similarly, second and third menus of previously established class input/output mappings to inputs and outputs (required and produced by the operational steps of the service being registered) is presented in a ranked order, based on similar input/outputs of the selected service class. A fourth menu of previously established class transformations is provided in ranked order based on the similarity of inputs and outputs required for the operational steps of the service being registered, and inputs and outputs of the selected service class. The service is registered based on the selected service class, the selected class input mappings, the selected class output mappings, and the selected transformations.
US09128587B1 System, method, and computer program for presenting service options to a user utilizing a three-dimensional structure
A system, method, and computer program product are provided for presenting service options to a user utilizing a three-dimensional structure. In use, a first group of service options are presented to a user, utilizing a three-dimensional structure. Additionally, a selection of one or more of the first group of service options by the user is received. Further, a selection of a depth element associated with the three-dimensional structure by the user is received. Further still, a second group of service options are presented to the user utilizing the three-dimensional structure, based on the selection of the one or more of the first group of service options and the selection of the depth element.
US09128581B1 Providing supplemental information for a digital work in a user interface
In some implementations, a device displays a user interface that provides supplemental information in connection with a digital work. For example, the supplemental information may include a listing of objects identified in the digital work. Further, a visual representation may be displayed with each listed object. The visual representation for each listed object may provide a representation of at least one location of at least one occurrence of the object in the digital work. The objects may be displayed according to a supplemental information view, a page view, a chapter view, a book view, a series view, a library view, or the like. Additionally, one or more object buttons may be displayed concurrently with the listing of objects. The object buttons may correspond to the types of objects displayed, and may be selected to limit the displayed objects to a particular type.
US09128580B2 System and method for interacting with a touch screen interface utilizing an intelligent stencil mask
A system and method are provided for employing an intelligent stencil mask to interact with a touch screen interface and thereby reduce the probability of accidental control function activation. A touch screen interface onboard an aircraft is coupled to a processor and is configured to generate a first virtual mask having a first region and a second region. A user interaction is then detected with one of the first region and the second region. A first reconfigured virtual mask is generated if the user interacted with the second region. However, an aircraft control function is activated if the user interacted with the first region.
US09128575B2 Intelligent input method
An intelligent input method and intelligent input system are disclosed. The intelligent input system includes an electronic device and an input device. The intelligent input method comprises the following steps. Firstly, a touch input is received through an input interface of an input device. Then, plural control areas on the input interface are defined according to a touch position of the touch input on the input interface. The plural control areas are respectively correlated with plural input functions of the input device. The intelligent input method allows the user to input or select a target object or browse a web page or operate any graphical user interface containing randomly-distributed objects in an electronic device such as an intelligent TV or a digital multimedia player. Consequently, the target object can be selected and inputted in an intelligent, quick and intuitive manner.
US09128570B2 Noise filtering devices, systems and methods for capacitance sensing devices
A capacitance sensing system can filter noise that presents in a subset of electrodes in the proximity of a sense object (i.e., finger). A capacitance sensing system can include a sense network comprising a plurality of electrodes for generating sense values; a noise listening circuit configured to detect noise on a plurality of the electrodes; and a filtering circuit that enables a filtering for localized noise events when detected noise values are above one level, and disables the filtering for localized noise events when detected noise values are below the one level.
US09128567B2 Segmented waveguide core touch sensor systems and methods
Systems and related methods providing for touch sensors having a waveguide reflective array within a major reflective array are discussed herein. A touch sensor may include a substrate configured to propagate surface acoustic waves. The substrate may include a front surface, a back surface including the reflective arrays, and a connecting surface joining the front surface and the back surface. The reflective arrays may be configured to cause the surface acoustic waves to propagate from the back surface, via the connecting surface, to the front surface. The touch censor may further include circuitry configured to determine a coordinate of a touch event on the front surface based on received attenuations in the surface acoustic waves.
US09128564B2 Optical touch system and touch sensing method
An optical touch system including a touch surface, a reflection structure and light source modules is provided. The reflection structure and the light source modules are disposed at a periphery of the touch surface. Each light source module has a light-emitting unit and a sensing unit. The sensing unit obtains a brightness value distribution of a sensing light emitted by the light-emitting unit after the sensing light is reflected by the reflection structure, so as to sense touch input. The periphery of the touch surface includes first and second sections. When the light-emitting unit located on the first section emits the sensing light, the sensing light is not reflected by the reflection structure at the light source modules located on the second section so that low-brightness areas are formed, and the light-emitting units of the second group emit compensation lights correspondingly. In addition, a touch sensing method is also provided.
US09128558B2 Force detecting method for capacitive touch screen
A method for force detection of a deformable touch element with a capacitive touch-screen device includes providing drive and sense electrode arrays and a touch-detection circuit connected to the electrodes for detecting capacitance at a touch location. No-touch capacitance, light-touch capacitance, and heavy-touch capacitance are sensed with the touch-detection circuit at the touch location in response to forcible deformation of the deformable touch element proximate to the touch and a force signal reported.
US09128553B2 Touch panel and touch type input device
A sensing apparatus that includes a polylactic acid film having a first surface and an opposing second surface. The polylactic acid film is molecularly oriented and thermally treated so as to have a shear piezoelectric property. An electrode arrangement is provided adjacent at least one of the first and second surfaces of the polylactic acid film, and is configured to detect a relative position of an input on the polylactic acid film and detect a pressure of the input toward the polylactic acid film.
US09128544B2 Mobile terminal and control method slidably displaying multiple menu screens
A terminal for simply selecting one of menus in multitasking operation and displaying the selected menu as an entire image on a screen in consideration of user convenience, and its control method are disclosed. The terminal includes a display module; a user input unit configured to detect a touch input; and a controller configured to slide currently executed menus according to a pre-set method if the input touch continues by longer than a particular time, selecting one of executed screen image of the slid menu, and display it as an entirely magnified image.
US09128543B2 Touch pad device and method for determining a position of an input object on the device using capacitive coupling
A touch pad device and method for determining a position of an input object on the device uses multiple sensing electrodes to produce signals induced by mutual capacitive coupling that are dependent on which conductors of the device are being electrically contacted by the input object. These signals are then processed to determine the position of the input object on the touch pad device.
US09128542B2 Combination touch and transducer input system and method
A combination touch and transducer input system is provided, which facilitates user input into an electronic system with a finger and/or a transducer (e.g., a stylus). The system includes a transducer configured to generate an electric field, and a sensor including an array of electrodes and a controller. The transducer is configured to transmit digital data, such as pen pressure data and switch status data, to the sensor. The sensor controller operates both in a touch sensing mode and in a transducer sensing mode. During the touch sensing mode, the controller determines a position of a proximate object (e.g., a finger) by capacitively sensing the object with the array of electrodes. During the transducer sensing mode, the controller determines a position of the transducer based on a signal received by the array of electrodes from the transducer, and also receives and decodes the digital data encoded in the received signal.
US09128535B2 Portable electronic device, control method, and control program
The portable electronic device includes an operation unit, a storage unit, a setting unit, and a control unit. The operation unit inputs characters. The storage unit stores a first conversion table and a second conversion table different from the first conversion table. The second conversion table is different from the first conversion table. The setting unit sets a first mode and a second mode. In a case in which the first mode has been set by the setting unit, the control unit refers to the first conversion table when characters input by way of an operation of the operation unit are converted into another type of characters or character set. In a case in which the second mode has been set by the setting unit, the control unit refers to the second conversion table when characters input by way of an operation of the operation unit are converted into another type of characters or character set.
US09128530B2 Hand pointing estimation for human computer interaction
Hand pointing has been an intuitive gesture for human interaction with computers. A hand pointing estimation system is provided, based on two regular cameras, which includes hand region detection, hand finger estimation, two views' feature detection, and 3D pointing direction estimation. The technique may employ a polar coordinate system to represent the hand region, and tests show a good result in terms of the robustness to hand orientation variation. To estimate the pointing direction, Active Appearance Models are employed to detect and track, e.g., 14 feature points along the hand contour from a top view and a side view. Combining two views of the hand features, the 3D pointing direction is estimated.
US09128527B2 Mobile terminal and touch recognizing method therein
A mobile terminal and touch recognizing method therein are disclosed, by which a multi-touch can be recognized. The present invention includes receiving a plurality of touches simultaneously using a touchscreen, consecutively receiving a plurality of images including a plurality of the received touches for a predetermined time using a camera provided under the touchscreen, determining patterns and pattern changes of a plurality of the touches included in a plurality of the images, respectively, and recognizing a gesture by a plurality of the touches in accordance with a result of the determining step. Moreover, the touch pattern includes at least one selected from the group consisting of a touch number, a touch point, a touch size and a touch figure.
US09128523B2 Dynamically generating haptic effects from audio data
Haptic effects are dynamically generated for content presentation on a device through analysis of the content. During content playback, audio data for the content may be analyzed to determine low frequency audio data. The low frequency audio data is mapped from a low frequency range to a haptic control frequency range of one or more haptic actuators included in the device. This mapping may be used to generate a control signal to drive the one or more haptic actuators. The haptic effects and the content may be synchronized to one another during the presentation of the content on the device. The haptic actuator control signal may be amplified proportionally to the amplitude of the low frequency audio data.
US09128515B2 Control device for providing a reconfigurable operator interface
A control device for providing a reconfigurable operator interface for a medical apparatus is provided. The control device comprises a control surface comprising at least one control actuator arranged on the control surface. The control device further comprises a plurality of modules arranged side-by-side and attached to each other via adjacent abutting side surfaces in a liquid-tight manner, wherein the plurality of modules comprise a first terminal module having a closing end surface and an abutting side surface opposite the closing end surface, and a second terminal module having an abutting side surface facing towards the abutting side surface of the first terminal module, and an opposite closing end surface. Operation of the control device is enabled when all the abutting side surfaces of the plurality of modules are in an attached state.
US09128512B2 Image data processing server
Provided is a server, wherein an image group and a terminal ID are received from an imaging terminal, a first ID specifying a first image among the image group, the terminal ID, and the first image are stored in a first storage, a second ID specifying a second image among the image group, the terminal ID, and the second image are stored in a first storage, a user ID and a terminal ID are received from an data terminal, the user ID and the terminal ID are stored in a second storage, the terminal ID is extracted by conducting a search thereof inside the second memory using the user ID as the key, the first image and the second image are extracted as a result of conducting a search thereof inside the first storage using the terminal ID as the key, a first summary image is stored in association with the terminal ID and the first ID in a third storage, a second summarized image is stored in association with the terminal ID and the second ID in the third storage, and the first summary image and the second summary image are sent to the data terminal.
US09128511B2 Semiconductor device and operation method thereof
A semiconductor device includes a characteristic code storage unit configured to store signal transfer characteristic information input through a given pad and output a control code corresponding to the signal transfer characteristic information, and a characteristic reflection unit configured to reflect the signal transfer characteristic information in an input signal input through the given pad, in response to the control code, and to output the reflected input signal.
US09128501B2 Regulator circuitry capable of tracking reference voltages
An integrated circuit having a regulator circuit capable of tracking reference voltages is provided. The integrated circuit includes shunt regulator circuitry. The shunt regulator circuitry includes a shunt regulator circuit and a voltage tracking circuit. The shunt regulator circuit has an output on which a regulated voltage is provided. The shunt regulator circuit also provides electrical current to the output when the regulated voltage is outside of a voltage range bounded by first and second reference voltages. The voltage tracking circuit may be coupled to the shunt regulator circuit. The voltage tracking circuit may generate the first and second reference voltages. In one instance, the first voltage is greater than the regulated voltage and the second voltage is less than the regulated voltage.
US09128500B2 Switching circuits with voltage valley detection
A switching circuit and a method of operating the same are disclosed. In an embodiment, the switching circuit includes a switching transistor adapted to control operation of the switching circuit according to a control signal applied to the control terminal of the switching transistor, a regulating circuit adapted to generate the control signal, and a detecting circuit adapted to sense a voltage at the control terminal when the switching transistor is in an OFF state and to generate a drive signal according to the sensed voltage. The regulating circuit is adapted to generate the control signal based on the generated drive signal.
US09128491B2 Regulator for corrosive gas tapping in under-atmospheric conditions
The invention relates to a device for regulating a pressurized gas, said device including: a stopper (4) engaging with a seat (5) and capable of closing a pressurized gas passage; a so-called low-pressure chamber (29) downstream from the seat (5), the low-pressure chamber including a plate (27) to which the stopper (4) is coupled, and the plate being subjected to the force of a spring (30) housed in said chamber (29) and arranged concentrically relative to the seat (5) and the fastening means (28) thereof. The chamber (29) is defined by a diaphragm (26) in free contact with the plate (27). The opposite surface of the diaphragm (26) is subjected to the force of a spring (20) having a prestress which is adjustable via control means (13, 14). The control means are indexed according to two positions: a first prestress release position for ensuring the closure of the device at the stopper (4), and a second calibrated prestress position of the diaphragm (26) corresponding to the regulator operational position. A sealed chamber (24) defined by the surface of the membrane (26) opposite the low-pressure chamber (29) is formed by the prestress control means for ensuring the connection to a detector for detecting the presence of a leak or of the used gas in order to detect a potential leak at the diaphragm.
US09128489B2 Inductively coupled distributed control system
A distributed control system is provided wherein a master controller inductively delivers power and data to a plurality of remote slave modules or controllers via a plurality of coupling loops formed along a length of transmission line. Each of the remote slave modules, in turn, inductively delivers return data to the master controller via the plurality of coupling loops. The use of inductive coupling provides an advantage over the state of the art because no direct galvanic electrical connection is required between the transmission line and the remote slave modules which promise to simplify installation and enhance long-term reliability. Example applications for the control system described herein include agricultural irrigation systems where individual sprinkler and valve components may be controlled collectively, individually, or in groups or subsets, to vary application rates according to prescribed irrigation parameters.
US09128480B2 Safety controller and method for controlling an automated installation
A safety controller controls an automated installation on the basis of project data representing an individual application running. The safety controller has a plurality of controller hardware components. At least some controller hardware components have a respective project data memory. The project data memories each are designed to store project data supplied to them. The safety controller includes a connecting unit, such as a communication network, which connects the controller hardware components to one another. The safety controller also has a distribution unit for distributing at least some of the project data via the connecting unit to at least some of the project data memories.
US09128479B2 Automation control and monitoring system and method
An automation control and monitoring system includes an operating system and a data model. The operating system is configured to receive a request for instantiation of an object representing an attribute of the automation control and monitoring system. The operating system is also configured to generate an object identifier when the request for instantiation is received, wherein the object identifier is unique from any other object identifiers employed by the operating system. The data model is configured to store and associate the object with the generated object identifier such that any component of the automation control and monitoring system may access the object by referencing the object identifier.
US09128478B2 Method for selecting a communication system assigned to a transmission network of an automation system
A method for selecting a communication system assigned to a transmission network of an automation system, where a transmission network with a plurality of subscribers, connected to the transmission network, of one or more automation systems is displayed, or is capable of being displayed, on a display unit. The transmission network is assigned to a plurality of communication systems, where the plurality of communication systems are each designed or configured for communication over the transmission network between at least two of the subscribers connected to the transmission network. By selecting a selection area assigned to the transmission network on the display unit by a selection device, the plurality of communication systems assigned to the transmission network are displayed on the display unit. Subsequent to selection of the selection area assigned to the transmission network by the selection means, one of the displayed communication systems is then selectable by means of the selection means.
US09128476B2 Secure robotic operational system
Methods and systems for a secure robotic operational system include but are not limited to receiving an authorization associated with a directive to perform robotic operational tasks regarding one or more objects; verifying the authorization associated with the directive; and controlling operation of the robotic operational system via controlling a plurality of robotic elements, each robotic element of the plurality of robotic elements individually and/or in combination performing one or more functions in accordance with the authorization.
US09128475B2 Parallelized program control based on scheduled expiry of time signal generators associated with respective processing units
A processor comprises a plurality of processing units operating in parallel. Each processing unit is associated with a time signal generator upon the expiry of which the corresponding processing unit is capable to set expired time signal generator to a predefined duration of time. In case an end of the predefined duration of time deviates less than a predefined duration of time from a scheduled expiry of a time signal generator assigned to a different processing unit; predefined duration of time is modified.
US09128472B2 Industrial automation service templates for provisioning of cloud services
A library of cloud templates for configuring cloud-based industrial solutions is provided. A cloud template provisioning system provides a platform for location and retrieval of a variety of cloud templates that facilitate configuration of cloud-based industrial applications, including control panel templates, dashboard templates, data historian templates, virtual machine management templates, and other such templates. The cloud templates can be installed and executed on a client device to provide an intuitive interface for configuring various aspects of the cloud-based solution.
US09128441B2 Image forming apparatus and image forming method
An image forming apparatus includes a charging device configured to uniformly charge a surface of a photoconductive element; an image writing device configured to write an image in the charged photoconductive element by light to form an electrostatic latent image; a developing device configured to visualize the formed electrostatic latent image as a toner image; a transfer device configured to transfer the toner image to a sheet recording medium; a fixing device configured to fix the transferred toner image onto the medium; and a surface information detecting device configured to detect surface information of a fixing member of the fixing device. The surface information detecting device radiates optical spots on a surface of the fixing member in a direction crossing a conveying direction, receives reflected light of each optical spot, and detects the surface information of the fixing device based on the detection results of the reflective lights.
US09128438B2 Method of using an imaging device having a media stiffness sensor assembly
A method of determining a media weight using a media stiffness sensor in an imaging device. A media sheet is staged having a cantilevered portion which is deflected by a contact member translated into the cantilevered portion. Based on the energy used to move the contact member through a travel distance, a media weight can be determined. An operating parameter of the imaging device may be adjusted based on the media weight that was determined.
US09128430B2 Image forming apparatus using power control to select power levels based on temperature
One disclosed aspect of the embodiments relates to power control of a heater in a fixing unit. A plurality of control tables having different ratios of phase control waveforms and wave number control waveforms in one control cycle have been set, and a control table is selected depending on a set target temperature.
US09128424B2 Belt cleaning configuration for an image forming apparatus
An image forming apparatus includes an image carrier configured to carry thereon a developer image, an endless belt configured to be rotated while contacting the image carrier, a first cleaning roller having an outer surface made of semiconductor material and configured to electrically remove attachments attached on the endless belt, and a backup roller made of metal and arranged to oppose the first cleaning roller with the endless belt being interposed therebetween. The endless belt has a nip portion at which both the backup roller and the first cleaning roller contact the endless belt while opposing each other, and the first cleaning roller contacts the endless belt at a more upstream side than the nip portion in a moving direction of the endless belt.
US09128414B2 Seal
A gasket seal is disclosed. The gasket seal containing a gasket defining an opening containing a first gasket longitudinal edge, a second gasket longitudinal edge, a gasket transverse edge, wherein the gasket transverse edge forms a 90 degree angle with the first gasket longitudinal edge and the second gasket longitudinal edge, a seal strip containing a first seal longitudinal edge, a second seal longitudinal edge, and a seal transverse edge, wherein the seal transverse edge forms an acute angle with the first seal longitudinal edge wherein the seal transverse edge forms an obtuse angle with the second seal longitudinal edge, wherein the seal strip is removably coupled with the gasket.
US09128409B2 Circuit board configuration for image forming apparatus
An image forming apparatus is provided. The image forming apparatus includes a plurality of photosensitive members arranged to align in parallel with one another, an exposure device arranged in an upper position with respect to the plurality of photosensitive members and configured to expose the photosensitive members to light, an exposure controller arranged in an upper position with respect to the exposure device and configured to control the exposure device according to inputted image data, a power board, arranged in a lower position with respect to the plurality of photosensitive members and configured to convert alternate current power to direct current power, and a voltage converter arranged in an upper position with respect to the exposure device and configured to convert the direct current power supplied from the power board into an at least single-leveled first voltage and supply the first voltage to the exposure controller.
US09128398B2 Toner for forming electrophotographic image, method for manufacturing toner for forming electrophotographic image, image forming method, and process cartridge
A toner for forming an electrophotographic image is provided, wherein the toner includes at least four types of binder resins, wherein the binder resins includes at least: a crystalline polyester resin (A); a non-crystalline resin (B); a non-crystalline resin (C); and a composite resin (D) which includes a condensation polymerization resin unit and an addition polymerization resin unit, wherein the non-crystalline resin (B) includes a chloroform insoluble matter, wherein the non-crystalline resin (C) has a softening temperature (T½) lower than that of the non-crystalline resin (B) by 25° C. or more, and wherein the toner has a main peak between 1,000 to 10,000 in a molecular weight distribution obtained by GPC from a tetrahydrofuran soluble matter, and the toner has a half-value width of the molecular weight distribution of 15,000 or less.
US09128394B2 Electrophotographic toner and method for producing the same
An electrophotographic toner produced by mixing a dispersion of colorant particles containing a colorant and a dispersion of release agent particles containing a release agent and having a volume average particle diameter smaller than that of the colorant particles, aggregating the colorant particles and the release agent particles in the dispersion to produce first aggregates, mixing a dispersion of resin particles containing a binder resin and having a volume average particle diameter smaller than that of the release agent particles in the dispersion containing the first aggregates, and aggregating the first aggregates and the resin particles in the dispersion of the first aggregates and the resin particles to coat the first aggregates with the resin particles, producing second aggregates.
US09128387B2 Ultraviolet light emitting diode array light source for photolithography and method
A light source includes a plurality of ultraviolet (UV) light emitting diodes (LEDs) and an LED phase shift controller coupled to the plurality of UV LEDs adapted to control the phase shift of each UV LED in the plurality of UV LEDs. The plurality of UV LEDs forms a UV LED array. An ultraviolet lithography system can include a light source as described above. The system can further include a mirror assembly in a light path of the light source, the mirror assembly having a polarization mirror with an interference coating. A method provides a light source for an ultraviolet lithography system including the element of providing an plurality of UV LEDs that emit UV light and the element of controlling a phase shift of the plurality of UV LEDs with an LED phase shift controller coupled to each UV LED or arrays of the UV LEDs in the plurality of UV LEDs.
US09128386B2 Apparatus of photolithography process to liquid display panel and method thereof
The present invention discloses an apparatus of photolithography process to a liquid display panel, comprising: a platform, employed for loading the liquid display panel; a power supplying device, employed for supplying power to the liquid display panel; an ultraviolet light source supply device, employed for providing the ultraviolet light; a light distributing plate, employed for homogenizing the ultraviolet light. The present invention also discloses a method of photolithography process to a liquid display panel. The monomer can plenty reacts without damaging liquid crystal molecules according to the present invention.
US09128382B2 Plasma mediated ashing processes that include formation of a protective layer before and/or during the plasma mediated ashing process
A method for processing a substrate includes arranging a substrate including masked portions and unmasked portions in a process chamber; creating plasma in a process chamber; supplying a passivation gas mixture that includes nitrogen or carbon to create a plasma passivation gas mixture; exposing a substrate to the plasma passivation gas mixture to create a passivation layer on the unmasked portions of the substrate; supplying a stripping gas mixture that includes oxygen to the plasma to create a plasma stripping gas mixture; exposing the substrate to the plasma stripping gas mixture to strip at least part of the masked portions and at least part of the unmasked portions; and repeating creating the passivation layer and the stripping to remove a predetermined amount of the masked portions.
US09128358B2 Projector and projector system
A second projector is configured to be able to connect with a first projector via a USB cable including a VBUS line. The second projector includes an image projecting unit that modulates light emitted from a light source and projects the light, a USB communication unit that detects, in a standby state, the supply of power via a VBUS from the first projector, and a control unit that performs control to switch an operating state of the second projector between the standby state and a normal operating state. When the supply of power of the VBUS is detected by the USB communication unit, the control unit activates the second projector from the standby state to the normal operating state.
US09128344B2 LED vehicle headlamp with electrochromic device
An LED vehicle headlamp includes an LED light source, at least one electrochromic device optically coupled to the LED light source, and a collimator positioned between the LED light source and the electrochromic device. The electrochromic device has an alterable light transmission characteristics in response to voltage/current level applied thereto. The collimator is configured for collimating and converging light emitted from the LED light source and directing light into the electrochromic device. When a forward bias voltage/current is applied to the electrochromic device, the visible light transmission of the electrochromic device decreases accordingly to generate a first light intensity distribution pattern, which is a low beam. When a backward bias voltage/current is applied to the electrochromic device, the visible light transmission of the electrochromic increases accordingly to generate a second light intensity distribution pattern (high beam) different from the first light intensity distribution pattern.
US09128337B2 Display apparatus
A display apparatus includes a display panel, and at least one flexible printed circuit board connected to the display panel. The display panel includes signal lines, pixels connected to the signal lines, and contact pads provided at one end of the signal lines. The flexible printed circuit board includes a fan-out part including a plurality of connection lines corresponding to the contact pads in a one-to-one correspondence, overlapping with the contact pads and connected to the contact pads, and a driving driver connected to the connection lines, the driving driver applying a driving signal to the pixels.
US09128334B1 Liquid crystal display panel and display apparatus using the same
The present invention provides a liquid crystal display (LCD) panel and a display apparatus using the same. The LCD panel comprises a first substrate, a second substrate, a liquid crystal layer and quarter wave (λ/4) pattern retarder films. The second electrode of the second substrate comprises first sub-pixels and second sub-pixels. When images are displayed by the pixels, a voltage difference between a first voltage of the first sub-pixels and a second voltage of the second sub-pixels is inversely proportional to a grayscale of the images displayed by the pixels. The present invention can mitigate the viewing angle problem of the pixels.
US09128326B2 Supporting member for backlight unit, backlight unit and image display apparatus having the same
A supporting member usable with a backlight unit of an image display apparatus includes a supporting portion that is formed of a transparent material, is disposed below the diffuser plate to support the diffuser plate, and has a first end being in contact with the diffuser plate; and a base that is formed at a second end of the supporting portion and fixes the supporting portion to an under chassis of the backlight unit.
US09128320B2 Three-dimensional display and three dimensional display system
A three-dimensional display including a display and a micro-lens is provided. The display has a plurality of pixel units thereon, and each pixel unit has a pixel pitch i. The micro-lens is disposed at a side of the display, the micro-lens has a plurality of lens units thereon, and each lens unit has a lens pitch l. A right eye viewing zone and a left eye viewing zone are formed if an image displayed from the display passes though the micro-lens, wherein a distance between the center of the right eye viewing zone and the center of the left eye viewing zone is wz, and lens pitch l satisfies: 2 ⁢ i > l ≥ 2 ⁢ i × w z w z + i , wz is between 70 and 500 mm and i is between 0.1 and 500 μm.
US09128313B2 Method of manufacturing liquid crystal display
A method of manufacturing a liquid crystal display includes disposing a gate electrode and a light blocking member on a substrate, disposing a source electrode and a drain electrode on the gate electrode to form a thin film transistor, disposing a data line on the light blocking member, disposing an organic layer on the thin film transistor and the data line, exposing a first convex part of the organic layer to light in a first area corresponding to the thin film transistor during an exposure process, and exposing a second convex part of the organic layer to the light in a second area corresponding to the data line during the exposure process using a mask. The mask includes a first transflective part aligned with the first area and a second transflective part aligned with the second area during the exposure process.
US09128311B2 Liquid crystal display device
A liquid crystal display device using a pseudo-dot inversion driving system includes a pixel circuit arranged in a matrix shape in a row direction and a column direction. First and second gate lines extend in the row direction. First and second signal lines extend in the column direction. The pixel circuit includes a pixel electrode arranged between the first and second signal lines and electrically connected with the first signal line through a switching element. Parasitic capacitance formed between the pixel electrode and the first signal line is smaller than the parasitic capacitance between the pixel electrode and the second signal line.
US09128310B2 Advanced modulation format using two-state modulators
A method, comprising modulating digital data onto an optical carrier. Modulating includes intensity splitting the optical carrier in an input optical coupler of an interferometer. The interferometer including two or more controllable optical waveguides located on a substrate, each controllable optical waveguide connecting the input optical coupler to an output optical coupler of the interferometer and having a two-state modulator along a segment thereof. Modulating include optically modulating separate data streams onto each of the optical carriers produced by the splitting. The two or more controllable optical waveguides are connected to transmit an output to the output optical coupler, substantially different light amplitudes and/or phases when the two-state modulators of the two or more controllable optical waveguides are in different states, as driven by the data streams having different information content. The two or more controllable optical waveguides are configured to modulate the light amplitudes and/or phases in a substantially same manner when the two-state modulators are in identical states.
US09128303B1 Contact pad arrangement for eyeglass frames
An eyeglass assembly that enables eyeglasses to be worn more comfortably when lifted above the eyes and onto the head. The eyeglasses have a frame with a bridge. Two pad arms may extend from the frame under the bridge. Two nose pads are provided at attach to the frames either directly or with the pad arms. Each of the nose pads contains a nose contact surface. Two complex pad structures are provided that either replace or attach to the nose pads. Each of the complex pad structures has a first contact surface and a second contact surface. The first contact surface lays parallel over the nose contact surface of the nose pad. The second contact surface is oriented to be generally perpendicular to the first contact surface. When the set of eyeglasses are lifted above the eyes, the second contact surface can directly rest against the wearer's head without causing discomfort.
US09128297B2 Endoscope
An endoscope including a bending portion in an insertion portion comprises multiple pulling members, an operation device, a driving force transfer mechanism and a biasing mechanism. The multiple pulling members are mounted on the bending portion. The operation device generates a driving force for pulling the pulling members in conjunction with a turning operation. The bending portion is bent by the operation device between an approximately straight state and a bending state. The driving force transfer mechanism transfers the driving force generated in conjunction with the turning operation of the operation device to the pulling members. The biasing mechanism provides the driving force transfer mechanism with a biasing force for turning the operation device in a reverse direction to the turning operation direction in a state where the bending portion is bent by turning the operation device.
US09128295B2 Liquid crystal lens panel, three dimensional panel assembly, and display apparatus having the same
A liquid crystal lens panel includes a first substrate, a second substrate, and a liquid crystal layer. The first substrate includes a first base substrate, a lens common electrode disposed on the first base substrate, and a first alignment layer disposed on the lens common electrode, the first alignment layer including a first alignment direction. The second substrate includes a second base substrate opposite to the first base substrate, a plurality of lens electrodes that extend in a lens axis and is parallel with each other, and a second alignment layer disposed on the plurality of lens electrodes, the second alignment layer including a second alignment direction substantially perpendicular to the first alignment direction. The liquid crystal layer is disposed between the first and second alignment layers.
US09128294B2 Display device comprising a liquid crystal lens panel wherein liquid crystal material is driven in a twisted nematic mode on stripe electrodes
A liquid crystal material is driven in a twisted nematic mode so that while liquid crystal molecules lose, on a stripe electrode, rotary power toward a direction along an electric field by a voltage applied between the stripe electrode and a second electrode and form, in a region between the adjacent stripe electrodes, refractive index distribution of a lenticular lens that includes a cylindrical lens in which a cylindrical axis is arranged in a first direction. The cylindrical lens faces at least two rows of pixels, and has an effective refractive index for causing light from the at least two rows of pixels to advance in separating directions from each other after emission from a second polarizing plate. A distance d of a cell gap and an interval s between the adjacent stripe electrodes satisfy the relation of 3.5≦s/d≦7.
US09128293B2 Computer-readable storage medium having stored therein display control program, display control apparatus, display control system, and display control method
An image display apparatus includes a stereoscopic image display apparatus configured to display a stereoscopically visible image, and a planar image display apparatus configured to display a planar image. An adjustment section of the image display apparatus adjusts relative positions, relative sizes, and relative rotations of a left-eye image taken by a left-eye image imaging section and a right-eye image taken by a right-eye image imaging section. The adjusted left-eye image and the adjusted right-eye image are viewed by the left eye and the right eye of the user, respectively, thereby displaying the stereoscopic image on the stereoscopic image display apparatus. The adjusted left-eye image and the adjusted right-eye image are made semi-transparent and superimposed one on the other, and thus a resulting superimposed planar image is displayed on the planar image display apparatus.
US09128290B2 Apparatus and method for combining lane information with a far-infrared night vision image
The present invention provides an apparatus and method for combining lane information with a far-infrared image, by combining an image taken by a far-infrared image capturing device with a lane information image, and displaying the combined image such that a driver can visualize the location and position of the road lanes on a night vision image that allows visualization of objects such as, for example, animals, people, vehicles, and the like, in the road at night, or in inclement weather conditions, thereby ensuring safe driving while preventing the driver from veering out of a road lane.
US09128279B2 Wavelength-tunable interference filter, optical module, and optical analysis apparatus
A wavelength-tunable interference filter comprising a first substrate, a second substrate facing the first substrate, a first reflective film provided on the first substrate, a second reflective film provided on the second substrate, the second reflective film facing the first reflective film, a first electrode provided on the first substrate, and a second electrode provided on the second substrate, the second electrode facing the first electrode, wherein the first electrode includes a first electrode layer and a second electrode layer, the first electrode layer has a first in-plane internal stress which is compressive, and the second electrode layer has a second in-plane internal stress which is tensile.
US09128278B2 Dust cleaning device
A dust cleaning device includes a tray, a cover assembled to the tray, and an air nozzle. The tray defines recesses for receiving lens barrels. A bottom of each of the recesses defines a through hole communicating with the lens barrel. The cover includes a main body and an inlet tube. The main body includes a top wall, a bottom wall, sidewalls, guide passages between the top and bottom walls, an inlet passage, and outlet passages. The inlet tube extends from the top wall. The guide passages criss-cross and communicate with each other. The sidewalls shield the guide passages. The inlet passage communicates with an inside of the inlet tube and one of the guide passages. The outlet passages communicate with the guide passages and are exposed at the bottom wall. The outlet passages are aligned with the respective recesses. The air nozzle is mounted in the inlet tube.
US09128276B2 Optical imaging system
An optical imaging system includes, in the order from an object side to an image side, a first lens element with positive refractive power, a second lens element, a third lens element, a fourth lens element, and a fifth lens element. Each of the fourth lens element and the fifth lens element includes at least one aspheric surface. The fourth lens element and the fifth lens element are made of plastic. The fifth lens element includes a concave image-side surface and at least one inflection point. An air gap is formed on an optical axis between every two lens elements adjacent to each other among all lens elements, and the optical imaging system further includes a stop.
US09128275B2 Variable magnification optical system and imaging apparatus
A variable magnification optical system includes a negative first lens group, a stop, and a positive second lens group. The distance in an optical axis direction between the first and the second lens groups is reduced when magnification is changed from the wide angle end to the telephoto end. The stop is fixed with respect to an image plane when magnification is changed, and the first lens group includes a positive lens, a negative lens, a negative lens, and a positive meniscus lens with a convex surface on the object side in order from the object side. The optical system satisfies predetermined conditional expressions with respect to the average Abbe number of the positive lens and the positive meniscus lens of the first lens group at the d-line, and the focal length of the entire system at the wide angle end and the focal length of the negative lens.
US09128273B2 Zoom lens and image pickup apparatus equipped with zoom lens
A zoom lens includes a first lens unit of a positive refractive power, a second lens unit of a negative refractive power, a third lens unit of a positive refractive power, and a rear lens group including one or more lens units in order from an object side to an image side, the first, second, and third lens units being moved towards an object side during zooming from a wide-angle end to a telephoto end with respect to an image plane, wherein the first lens unit includes a positive lens and a negative lens, and movement amounts of the first, second, and third lens units during zooming from a wide-angle end to a telephoto end and a focal length of the entire zoom lens at the wide-angle end are appropriately set.
US09128271B2 Super wide angle lens and imaging apparatus using it
A super wide angle lens substantially consists of a positive first lens group in which a positive first lens, a negative second lens, a negative third lens, a negative fourth lens, a positive fifth lens, a sixth lens unit that is a cemented lens, a seventh lens, an aperture stop, and an eighth lens unit that is a cemented lens are arranged in this order from an object side, a second lens group in which a first lens unit that is a positive single lens or a cemented lens and a second lens unit that is a cemented lens are arranged in this order from the object side, and a third lens group including a positive lens. The super wide angle lens is structured in such a manner to satisfy conditional formula (1): 0.8<(T16+T17)/f<2.5.
US09128270B2 Imaging lens and imaging apparatus including the imaging lens
An imaging lens consists of seven lenses of a first lens that has positive refractive power in the vicinity of an optical axis and a convex surface facing an object side in the vicinity of the optical axis, a second lens, a third lens, a fourth lens, a fifth lens, a sixth lens, and a seventh lens having a concave surface facing an image side in the vicinity of the optical axis, and at least one of the surfaces of which includes an inflection point, and both of the surfaces of which are aspherical, which are in this order from the object side. Further, each of the first lens through the seventh lens is a single lens.
US09128269B1 Lens array
A lens array includes a plurality of micro-lens modules. Each of the micro-lens modules includes a first lens group and a second lens group. The first lens group and the second lens group are arranged sequentially from an object side to an image side along an optical axis. An effective focal length (EFL) of the first lens group is f1, an EFL of the second lens group is f2, and the micro-lens modules satisfy a following condition: −0.2
US09128267B2 Imaging lens and imaging apparatus including the imaging lens
An imaging lens substantially consists of, in order from an object side, five lenses of a first lens that has a positive refractive power and has a meniscus shape which is convex toward the object side, a second lens that has a biconcave shape, a third lens that has a meniscus shape which is convex toward the object side, a fourth lens that has a meniscus shape which is convex toward the image side; and a fifth lens that has a negative refractive power and has at least one inflection point on an image side surface. Further, the following conditional expression (1) is satisfied. 1.4
US09128262B2 Slidable telecommunications tray with cable slack management
A fiber optic telecommunications device includes a rack for mounting a plurality of chassis, each chassis including a plurality of trays slidably mounted thereon and arranged in a vertically stacked arrangement. Each tray includes fiber optic connection locations and a cable manager coupled to the tray and also coupled to the chassis, the cable manager for routing cables to and from the fiber optic connection locations and defining a plurality of link arms pivotally connected such that the manager retracts and extends with a corresponding movement of the tray, wherein the link arms pivot relative to each other to prevent cables managed therein from being bent in an arc having a radius of curvature less than a predetermined value, each link arm defining a top wall, a bottom wall, and two oppositely positioned sidewalls, each link arm defining an open portion along at least one of the sidewalls and an open portion along the top wall for receiving cables therein, the open portions along the top wall and the at least one of the sidewalls communicating with each other.
US09128261B2 Optical communication module and method for making the same
An optical communication module according to the present invention includes an optical semiconductor element with an optical function region that performs light-receiving function or light-emitting function, while also including a first resin member covering the optical semiconductor element and made of a resin that transmits light emitted from the optical function region or light to be received by the optical function region, and a second resin member covering the first resin member. The optical communication module includes an attachment hole for attaching an optical fiber. The attachment hole exposes a part of the first resin member and is open at an outer surface of the second resin member.
US09128255B2 Interconnecting adapter for LC type optical connectors
The invention prevents an LC type optical connector plug from seriously harming a body of a worker, particularly eyes of the worker in a work for fitting the LC type optical connector plug having various concavo-convex shapes. A connector housing (1) has in its inner side of a side wall a guide groove line (7a, 7b, 12) which inserts and guides LC type optical connector plugs (P1, P2) from its fitting portion, and a recess portion (11b) which conforms to a swing motion of a shutter plate (11), and the guide groove line (7a, 7b, 12) is constructed by cutting a part of the guide groove line (7a, 7b, 12) so as to form the same planar shape by forming the recess portion (11b).
US09128253B2 Rotary optical cable connector
The rotary connector is intended for use in the field of fiber optic communication and information transfer. The rotary optical cable connector includes a housing, in which two units with guide sleeves are arranged opposite one another, each having the ends of optical cables fastened therein. One of the units is able to rotate, and the other is fixed. A prism is situated between the guide sleeves, and retainers in the form of rods with a cruciform cross-section are secured in the sleeves. The optical cables are disposed in the recesses in the aforesaid retainers and the ends of the cables line up with gradient-index lenses. The rotary connector transmits four rotating light beams with minimal loss.
US09128252B2 Optical switch using optical fibers
A method and apparatus for routing light signals. A light signal is sent into a first optical fiber core in an optical coupler having an input region, a coupling region, and an output region. The first optical fiber core is located in a cladding having a substantially circular cross section. The light signal is coupled between the first optical fiber core and one of the first optical fiber core and a second optical fiber core in the coupling region of the optical coupler based on a position of the coupling region as the light signal travels through the coupling region to the output region of the optical coupler using a switching system configured to move the coupling region between one of a first position and a second position.