Document Document Title
US09253978B2 Sulfoperoxycarboxylic acids, their preparation and methods of use as bleaching and antimicrobial agents
The present invention relates to novel sulfoperoxycarboxylic acid compounds, and methods for making and using them. The sulfoperoxycarboxylic compounds of the invention are storage stable, water soluble and have low to no odor. Further, the compounds of the present invention can be formed from non-petroleum based renewable materials. The compounds of the present invention can be used as antimicrobials, and bleaching agents. The compounds of the present invention are also suitable for use as coupling agents.
US09253975B2 Tool for transferring membranous tissue, kit and method for transferring membranous tissue
Disclosed herein is a tool, a kit, and associated method for transferring a membranous tissue composed of cells derived from a living body. The tool can include a first sheet-like supporting member disposed on one side of the membranous tissue in a wet state, and a second sheet-like supporting member disposed on the other side of the membranous tissue in a wet state. The first supporting member and the second supporting member can be configured to entirely hold the membranous tissue, such that a frictional force between the first supporting member and the membranous tissue is larger than a frictional force between the second supporting member and the membranous tissue.
US09253974B2 Waterfowl decoy with lifelike feeding movement
A motorized decoy provides lifelike feeding motion by rotating a decoy head through a full 360 degrees while passing through a longitudinal channel in the decoy body. The decoy body bobs in the water as the decoy head rotates.
US09253972B2 Device for driving away birds by means of acoustic oscillation
A device for subjecting a spatial area to acoustic oscillation in the ultrasound range or the ultrasound near range, the device provided with a housing having a plurality of irradiation surfaces wherein cylindrical cavities are formed as resonator spaces. The housing has a cylindrical inner space and is penetrated by a rotationally fixed vertical axis divided into two. The first part of the shaft is formed by an outer bearing flange and an inner bearing flange with distancing bolts screwed thereinbetween, and an electrical motor and a reduction gear arranged between the two bearing flanges. The second part of the shaft is formed by a pot-shaped sleeve to which a collector ring is fixed, a current collector lying on the collector ring in a sliding manner and connected to the rotating housing. Lines lead from the current collector through a borehole into the resonator space.
US09253954B1 Maize inbred PH1DCW
A novel maize variety designated PH1DCW and seed, plants and plant parts thereof. Methods for producing a maize plant that comprise crossing maize variety PH1DCW with another maize plant. Methods for producing a maize plant containing in its genetic material one or more traits introgressed into PH1DCW through backcross conversion and/or transformation, and to the maize seed, plant and plant part produced thereby. Hybrid maize seed, plant or plant part produced by crossing the variety PH1DCW or a locus conversion of PH1DCW with another maize variety.
US09253949B2 Plant cultivating pot
A plant cultivating pot is disclosed. The pot has top and bottom wall spaced apart by a sidewall or panel. The cross-section of the top is larger than the bottom wall so that the sidewall is inwardly sloped from the bottom wall to the top. Openings in the sidewall provide points for planting a plant in media for supporting plant growth from within the interior volume of the body of the pot. The increasing cross-section of the pot from the top to the bottom maximizes exposure of each plant to sunlight. A frusto-pyramidal shaped, non-woven geotextile material provides an optimal shape and material for the body of the pot for growing strawberries.
US09253948B2 Continuous round baler with adjustable screed
A continuous round baler system has a baler and an accumulating system. The accumulating system includes a conveyor configured to convey crop material extending from a pickup mechanism to a bale formation chamber in the baler. A screed is positioned adjacent the end of the conveyor and is configured to be movable by a lifting mechanism between a raised position and a lowered position relative to the first conveyor. In the raised position, a gap is formed between the screed and the first conveyor so that crop material passes into the bale formation chamber. In the lowered position, the gap is closed thereby preventing the crop material from passing to the baler causing the crop material to remain on the conveyor.
US09253946B2 Bale accumulator system
A bale accumulator system that includes a bale accumulator that has a platform with a plurality of centrally located rollers that extend from a first end of the platform to a second end of the platform. First and second pivot racks are provided that have L-shaped support members that are used so that once the plurality of rollers are full of bales the first or second pivot racks can be pivoted in order to place the bales at a different storage location on the platform.
US09258933B2 Wire harness
A wire harness includes an electric wire, a braided shield covering the electric wire, an annular electromagnetic wave absorption component that includes a through-hole for inserting electric wire and absorbs electromagnetic wave emitted from the electric wire, and a movement-restricting member for restricting the electromagnetic wave absorption component from moving in a direction of inserting the electric wire in the through-hole.
US09258922B2 PoP structures including through-assembly via modules
A device includes a Through-Assembly Via (TAV) Module, which includes a substrate, a plurality of through-vias penetrating through the substrate, and a second plurality of metal posts at a bottom surface of the TAV module and electrically coupled to the plurality of through-vias. A polymer includes a first portion between and contacting sidewalls of the first package component and the TAV module, a second portion disposed between the first plurality of metal posts, and a third portion disposed between the second plurality of metal posts. A first plurality of Redistribution Lines (RDLs) is underlying a bottom surface of the second and the third portions of the polymer. A second plurality of RDLs is over the first package component and the TAV module. The first plurality of RDLs is electrically coupled to the second plurality of RDLs through the plurality of through-vias in the TAV module.
US09258917B2 Gas insulated electrical equipment
According to an embodiment, a gas insulated electrical equipment includes: a high-voltage conductor to be electrically charged; a hermetically sealed tank to be filled with insulating gas, one or more insulating spacers for dividing the hermetically sealed tank into gas compartments and supporting the high-voltage conductor; and a pressure release device equipped with a mouth of flow channel adapted to allow the inside and the outside of the hermetically sealed tank to communicate with each other so as to release the pressure in the hermetically sealed tank, which maintains the hermetically sealed state in an ordinary condition where the pressure in a gas compartment does not exceed the working pressure but releases the pressure in the hermetically sealed tank in an abnormal condition where the pressure in the gas compartment exceeds the working pressure.
US09258916B2 High density cassette storage system
A cassette conveying system comprising a housing having front, back, left, and right sides, wherein the front side is open; and a cassette holding assembly for holding one or more cassettes, the holding assembly including a bracket to which each cassette is coupled, each cassette including at least one device and receiving one or more cables operatively connected to the device, and a cassette conveying assembly operably coupling the cassette holding assembly to the housing such that the cassette holding assembly is linearly and rotationally movable in relation to the housing and transitionable between a stored state and a retracted state; wherein, in the stored state, the cassette holding mechanism is stored completely within the housing; and wherein, in the retracted state, the cassette holding mechanism is at least partially external the front side of the housing.
US09258911B2 Multi-rack retractable door apparatus
A electronic equipment rack assembly retractable door apparatus is disclosed, which may include channels, horizontally mounted at the top and bottom of an open side of the rack assembly, and latch plates mounted to the rack assembly. The retractable door apparatus may have movable door frame members, each having a housing with a cavity and a slot opening to the cavity, rollers attached to the housing and contained within the channels, designed to maintain the door frame member in a vertical orientation, a spool, attached within the housing, a spring configured provide a torsional tensioning force on the spool, and a latching door handle, attached to the housing to engage with the latch plate receptacles. The retractable door apparatus may also include a door material attached to the door frame member spools and configured to pass through the slots in the door frame member housings.
US09258904B2 Semiconductor device and method of forming narrow interconnect sites on substrate with elongated mask openings
A semiconductor device has a semiconductor die with a plurality of bumps formed over a surface of the semiconductor die. A plurality of conductive traces is formed over a surface of the substrate with interconnect sites. A masking layer is formed over the surface of the substrate. The masking layer has a plurality of parallel elongated openings each exposing at least two of the conductive traces and permitting a flow of bump material along a length of the plurality of conductive traces within the plurality of elongated openings while preventing the flow of bump material past a boundary of the plurality of elongated openings. One of the conductive traces passes beneath at least two of the elongated openings. The bumps are bonded to the interconnect sites so that the bumps cover a top surface and side surface of the interconnect sites. An encapsulant is deposited around the bumps between the semiconductor die and substrate.
US09258894B2 Bolometer and preparation method thereof
A bolometer and a preparation method thereof. The bolometer includes: an infrared detection element (1) and a readout circuit (2), wherein the infrared detection element (1) is formed on one side of a first substrate (100), and an edge of the infrared detection element (1) is provided with an electrode hole (9), and the readout circuit (2) is formed on one side of a second substrate (200) and the readout circuit (2) has an electrode, the first substrate (100) is formed thereon with a silicon via (8) passing through the first substrate (100) and filed with a conductive material, the electrode hole (9) of the infrared detection element (1) is electrically connected to the electrode of the readout circuit (2) via the conductive material filled in the silicon via (8). The following defects are overcome: bolometers in the prior art need to flatten the silicon wafer surface with a suitable chemical-mechanical polishing process after a readout circuit thereof has been manufactured, the circuit is large in area, and the requirements of the system integration process are high.
US09258890B2 Support structure for stacked integrated circuit dies
Delamination of stacked integrated circuit die configurations on printed circuit boards is avoided by providing a metal trace support structure underneath the die stack. The metal trace support structure features substantially equally spaced thin metal traces in place of a contiguous metal plate which has been used in the past. Spaced apart thin metal traces are less vulnerable to thermal expansion than a metal plate which has a large thermal mass. The metal traces still provide structural stability, while preventing delamination of the die stack configuration during thermal processing. A method of attaching a bridge die stack configuration to a printed circuit board by adhering a die attach film to a field of metal traces is demonstrated. In addition, the electrical and structural integrity of the bridge die stack formed with a metal trace support structure is confirmed with test results.
US09258887B2 Printed circuit board
A printed circuit board is designed to meet the following requirements. A front-back copper foil residual rate difference a−b falls within a range of −10% to 10%, where the insulative board is divided into a plurality of divisions, in which front and back surface copper foil residual rates of each division are a % and b %, respectively. A difference (a−b)−(c−d) between front-back copper foil residual rate differences of adjacent divisions falls within a range of −10% to 10%, where the front and back surface copper foil residual rates of a division adjacent to the each division are c % and d %, respectively. There are not three or more consecutive divisions for which the difference between the front-back copper foil residual rate differences goes beyond a range of −5% to 5%.
US09258886B2 Printed circuit board having differential line pairs with a percentage of their lengths disposed as an outer signal layer
A printed circuit board includes an outer signal layer, a first ground layer, a first ground layer located below the outer signal layer, an inner signal layer located below the first ground layer, an second ground layer located below the inner signal layer, and a first differential signal transmission pair and a second differential signal transmission pair laid on the outer signal layer and the inner signal layer. A value h is equal to a distance between the inner signal layer and its closest ground layer. A distance between the first pair and the second pair is not more than h×3.
US09258884B2 Suppression of current component using EBG structure
A structure member is mounted in a communication apparatus including a conductive housing incorporating a dielectric substrate on which a high-frequency circuit is mounted. The structure member includes a pass member which passes a harmonic current component of an operating frequency generated in the dielectric substrate when the high-frequency circuit operates, and a suppression member having an EBG structure which suppresses a predetermined current component of the operating frequency. The structure member is provided between the dielectric substrate and the conductive housing. The suppression member is disposed along a current path of a harmonic current component flowing in the pass member.
US09258871B2 LED flash light and method for indicating near-end-of-life status of such an LED flash light
The invention comprises a method for indicating that an LED flash light for an aircraft such as an anti-collision or beacon or strobe LED light has reached a near-end-of-life status, wherein the LED flash light under normal operational condition within a given time interval generates a predetermined number of normal flashes with the number being one or more than one, e.g. two. The method comprises the steps of determining the actual photometric condition of the LED flash light, and comparing the actual photometric condition to a given condition in a normal flashing mode. If the actual condition deviates from the given condition by more than a predetermined amount, the LED flash light is operated in order to generate within the given time interval one additional near-end-of-life-indicating flash.
US09258869B2 Trailer tail light adapter/converter
An electrical adapter configured to allow a towing vehicle's standard six wire electrical output connection to be used with a trailer's standard four wire electrical input connection, with the adapter combining electrical signals from the towing vehicle by use of a pair of logic circuits in a manner that results in the trailer's tail lights displaying all desired signals, including simultaneous braking and turning signals, and a converter configured to allow a towing vehicle's standard four wire electrical output connection to be used with a trailer's standard four wire electrical input connection, with the converter combining electrical signals from the towing vehicle by use of a pair of logic circuits in a manner that results in the trailer's tail lights displaying all desired signals, including simultaneous braking and turning signals.
US09258864B2 LED light control and management system
An LED light and communication system is in communication with a broadband over power line communications system. The LED light and communication system includes at least one optical transceiver light fixture. The optical transceiver light fixture includes a plurality of light emitting diodes, at least one photodetector, and a processor. A facility management unit is in communication with the processor. The facility management unit is constructed and arranged to control the operation of the optical transceiver light fixture.
US09258863B2 Method and apparatus for TRIAC applications
Aspects of the disclosure provide a circuit. The circuit includes a control circuit and a return path circuit. The control circuit is configured to operate in response to a first conduction angle of a dimmer coupled to the circuit. The first conduction angle is adjusted to control an output power to a first device. The dimmer has a second conduction angle that is independent of the control of the output power to the first device. The return path circuit is configured to provide a return path to enable providing power to a second device in response to the second conduction angle.
US09258856B2 Light emitting diode power supply apparatus
There is provided a light emitting diode power supply apparatus capable of limiting a rise in a voltage level of a power supplied to a light emitting diode even in the case in which driving of the light emitting diode is stopped for a long period of time. The light emitting diode power supply apparatus includes: a power supply unit supplying a driving power set under a control to a light emitting diode; and a controlling unit selecting one of a detection voltage obtained by detecting a current flowing to the light emitting diode and a voltage provided according to an operation state of the light emitting diode to control a power supply operation of the power supply unit.
US09258848B2 Matrix-patterned cloth
A matrix-patterned cloth includes: first and second fiber layers including mutually isolated first and second conductors, respectively; an intermediate fiber layer between the first and second fiber layers; conductive connecting yarns connecting one of the first conductors and one of the second conductors, wherein, when a pressure is applied to the matrix-patterned cloth, each connecting yarn bends so that a position of contact between the connecting yarn and the first or second conductor changes depending on how large the pressure is; a selector; and a heating controller or a resistance measuring unit. The selector scans and sequentially selects one of the first conductors and one of the second conductors. The heating controller applies voltage to intersecting areas where the selected first and second conductors intersect each other via the first and second conductors. The resistance measuring unit measures electric resistances of the intersecting areas via the first and second conductors.
US09258847B2 Method for transmitting coordinated multipoint transmission/reception coordinated group messages and an evolved NodeB thereof
A method for transmitting Coordinated Multipoint transmission/reception (CoMP) coordinated group information and an Evolved NodeB (eNB) thereof are provided in the present invention. The method includes: the eNB sends the CoMP coordinated group information of the CoMP coordinated group to which the local service cell belongs, and/or the CoMP coordinated group information of the CoMP coordinated group to which the neighboring cell of the local service cell belongs to other eNBs via the X2 interface message. The eNB is configured with an X2 interface unit and a storage unit. The present invention can improve the CoMP transmission handover success rate of the network and improve the network performance.
US09258843B2 Wireless mesh network configuration
A wireless mesh network employs an integrated interface between a plurality of access points for mitigating throughput degradation of multiple consecutive “daisy chain,” or mesh, links. The mesh network employs a plurality of access points, each linked back to a root access point by a series of “hops” through other access points. The wireless mesh network, therefore, employs a plurality of access points operable for wireless links to subscriber, or user, devices, including cellular phones, smart phones, tablet and laptop computing devices, or any suitable portable or handheld computing device. Access points establish an integrated interface with an adjacent access point for direct coupling of the access points for message traffic. The resulting integrated access point establishes a wireless link to a root access point connected to a backhaul network from which media services emanate.
US09258842B2 Collision avoidance systems and methods
Disclosed herein are various embodiments of collision avoidance systems and methods. One method embodiment, among others, comprises a client sending an end of transmission (EOT) request to an access point (AP), and responsive to the EOT request, the AP responding with an EOT frame.
US09258838B2 Communication apparatus and a timing method thereof
A timing method and communication apparatus therefor. The timing method, performed by a mobile communication device, includes: activating a first communication module; receiving updated information when the first communication module is active; determining and setting an expiry time for an adaptive timer based on the updated information; activating the adaptive timer to count to the determined expiry time; and activating a second communication module when the adaptive timer expires.
US09258836B2 Information processing apparatus, control method therefor, and recording medium
An information processing apparatus, for communicating with a communication device using a first wireless communication protocol and a second wireless communication protocol, includes a first wireless communication unit configured to use the first wireless communication protocol and configured to receive information, relating to a start-up state of the communication device, from the communication device using the first wireless communication protocol, a second wireless communication unit configured to use the second wireless communication protocol, and a control unit configured to control a sequence for establishing connection, using the second wireless communication unit and the second wireless communication protocol, with the communication device. The control unit is arranged to change the sequence for establishing connection, using the second wireless communication unit and the second wireless communication protocol, in accordance with the content of the received information relating to the start-up state of the communication device.
US09258832B2 Method and device for transmitting data in wireless communication system
Provided are a method and device for transmitting data in a wireless communication system. A user equipment (UE) transmits uplink data, to a base station, via a physical uplink shared channel (PUSCH) corresponding to a random access response grant, in a UE-specific aperiodic SRS subframe. At said time, the PUSCH is assigned to the entire UE-specific aperiodic SRS subframe.
US09258828B2 Wireless communication apparatus and method
According to one embodiment, a wireless communication apparatus includes a storage, a selection unit, a processing unit. The storage stores a first set and a second set, including first frame spaces of one or more types and the second set including second frame spaces of the one or more types, each of the second frame spaces that are identical in type to the first frame spaces being not less than the first frame spaces, and a second frame space of any one of the types being longer than a first frame space of the any one of the types. The selection unit selects either the first set or the second set. The processing unit communicates with a first apparatus, by using either the first frame spaces or the second frame spaces.
US09258825B2 Base station apparatus, mobile terminal apparatus and communication control method
The present invention makes it possible to transmit and receive CSI-RSs adequately even when the number of CSI-RSs increase following the increase of antennas. The present invention provides a base station apparatus (20) that transmits CSI-RSs to a mobile terminal apparatus (10A) which is capable of receiving CSI-RSs for channel state measurement from a plurality of antennas, and to a mobile terminal apparatus (10B) which is capable of receiving CSI-RSs from a smaller number of antennas than the mobile terminal apparatus, and this base station apparatus has a CSI-RS allocation section (211) which allocates CSI-RSs for the number of antennas which the mobile terminal apparatus (10A) supports, to radio resources, and a transmitting/receiving section which reports, to the mobile terminal apparatus (10A), the resources where the CSI-RSs are allocated, and which, upon reporting the resources where CSI-RSs are allocated, to the mobile terminal apparatus (10B), reports part of the resources as resources to be muted.
US09258823B2 Interference suppression method and apparatus in multi-point coordinated transmission system
The present invention provides an apparatus for suppressing interference in a coordinated multi-point CoMP transmission system, comprising: frame configuration conflicting detection unit configured to detect conflicting frame configurations; frame configuration conflicting notification unit configured to give a notification of conflicting frame configurations; and interference suppression unit configured to suppress interference between a first CoMP cluster and a second CoMP cluster that are adjacent in the CoMP transmission system when detecting conflicting frame configurations. The present invention further provides a method of suppressing interference in a coordinated multi-point CoMP transmission system. The present invention provides a novel solution that may suppress inter-cell UL/DL ICI by adopting coordinated beamforming (CBF) and coordinated scheduling (CS) in a TDD CoMP system, while maintaining sound implementation of CoMP and flexibility of frame configuration in the TDD system.
US09258819B2 Femtocell and method of adjusting frequency
A femtocell includes a frequency offset detecting module and a frequency correction module. The frequency offset detecting module calculates frequency offset and detects whether the frequency offset exceeds a default frequency offset. The frequency detecting offset module counts the time of the frequency offset exceeding the default frequency offset, and detects whether the counted number of times exceed a first default number. The frequency detecting module re-calculates frequency offset after an internal when the counted number of times does not exceed the first default number. The frequency correction module uses a last calculated frequency offsets to adjust the frequency of the femtocell, when the counted number of times exceed the first default number. A method of adjusting frequency of the femtocell is also provided.
US09258817B2 Direct link setup method and channel allocation method in multi-channel wireless communication network
Provided are a direct link setup procedure and a channel allocation mechanism in a multi-channel wireless communication network. The method includes transmitting a direct link setup request message comprising request information for specifying one or more channels, each of which desires to set up a direct link, among multiple channels, and receiving a direct link setup response message comprising response information for setting up the direct link to one or more channels in response to the direct link setup request message.
US09258812B2 Method and apparatus for transmitting control information in a wireless communication system
The present invention relates to a wireless communication system, and more specifically, to an ACK/NACK (Acknowledgement/Negative ACK) transmission method in a wireless communication system and an apparatus therefor. The ACK/NACK transmission method preformed by user equipment in a wireless communication system comprises: receiving a PDCCH (Physical Downlink Control Channel); receiving a PDSCH (Physical Downlink Shared Channel) indicated by the PDCCH; and transmitting an ACK/NACK for the PDSCH. According to the ACK/NACK transmission method and apparatus of the invention.
US09258802B2 Integrated circuit for controlling a process and integrated circuit comprising circuitry
A base station can prevent deterioration of data channel application control accuracy due to influence of transmission power control to a control channel. In the base station, each encoding section performs encoding processing to an SCCH (Shared Control Channel) of each mobile station, each modulating section performs modulation processing to the encoded SCCH, an arranging section arranges the SCCH to each mobile station to one of a plurality of subcarriers which configure an OFDM symbol, and transmission power control section controls transmission power of the SCCH based on reception quality information reported from each mobile station. The arranging section arranges a plurality of the SCCH to be under transmission power control to one of the subcarriers so that combinations at resource blocks are the same.
US09258800B2 Method of mapping physical resource to logical resource in wireless communication system
A method of mapping a physical resource to a logical resource in a wireless communication system is described. The method includes dividing a physical frequency band into at least one frequency partition. Each frequency partition is divided into a localized region and a distributed region in a frequency domain. The method further includes mapping the at least one frequency partition into at least one logical resource unit. The localized region is directly mapped into the logical resource unit and the distributed region is mapped into the logical resource unit after rearranging subcarriers within the distributed region.
US09258797B2 Method and apparatus for a local positioning system
A local positioning system uses a power delivery network throughout a facility to easily deploy inexpensive electromagnetic receivers for capturing location fingerprints from the transmission of wireless devices. These captured fingerprints are then compared with a database of similar fingerprints compiled from a facility surveying process. Location of the wireless device is inferred from the known location corresponding to that survey-derived fingerprint that is most highly correlated with the fingerprint derived from the wireless device. The known location may then be used to provide a logical mapping of the wireless device within facility floor plans or the like.
US09258793B1 Method and system for lightweight sessions in content management clients
Methods and systems for providing light weight client sessions. Connections are immediately decoupled from sessions when released by a user and made available to the same or other users. Re-authentication of the user to re-use a connection can be streamlined by maintaining client login data in a client login record cache.
US09258791B2 Method and device of performing multi-radio access bearer power scaling
The present disclosure relates to a method and user equipment, UE, in a wireless communication network of performing power scaling on uplink transmission to a receiving radio access node, RAN. In particular, the disclosure relates to a method and user equipment for power scaling on a multi-radio access bearer, multi-RAB, wherein a Dedicated Physical Data Channel, DPDCH, and an enhanced Dedicated Physical Data Channel, E-DPDCH are configured for uplink transmission from the UE to the receiving RAN. The method comprises determining (S31) a total UE transmit power exceeding a predetermined maximum power limit value. The total UE transmit power is reduced (S32) to the predetermined maximum power limit value by reducing one or more E-DPDCH gain factors by an equal scaling factor. A DPDCH transmission status is determined (S33), whereupon a power scaling procedure is selected (S34) based on the determined DPDCH transmission status. The selected power scaling procedure is applied (S35) on the uplink transmission.
US09258788B2 Methods and apparatus for use in peer to peer communications devices and/or systems relating to rate scheduling, traffic scheduling, rate control, and/or power control
Methods and apparatus related to peer to peer communication networks are described. Embodiments directed to methods and apparatus for establishing traffic data transmission rates and/or transmission power levels between wireless terminals is described. Embodiments direct to methods and apparatus of making decisions whether or not to transmit as a function of the received power of the received response signals are also described. Transmission of pilot signals after granting of a transmission request and a decision to transmit traffic data has been made occurs in some embodiments. Rate information to be used in determining a traffic rate may be received in response to the pilot signal from a peer to peer (P2P) device.
US09258780B2 Device, system and method of power management in a wireless area network
Device, system, and method of power management. In some demonstrative embodiments, a device may include a wireless communication unit to transmit to a control point of a wireless area network an information request frame identifying at least one other wireless communication device in the wireless area network, wherein the wireless communication unit is to receive from the control point a response including wakeup information defining a wakeup schedule including at least one wakeup period of the other wireless communication device, and wherein, based on the wakeup information, the wireless communication unit is to transmit a wireless transmission directly to the other wireless communication device during the wakeup period. Other embodiments are described and claimed.
US09258763B2 Communication apparatus and method that can promptly and efficiently perform decoding/processing of a downlink control information that is related to a search space
A communication system, a mobile station apparatus, a base station apparatus, and a processing method are provided that can perform decoding processing of a PDCCH related to a search space efficiently, and can perform communication promptly. A mobile station apparatus for performing communication with a base station apparatus in a mobile communication system: perform monitoring of a physical downlink control channel in an extension search space in accordance with an instruction from the base station apparatus.
US09258750B2 Methods and apparatus for inter-eNB carrier aggregation
A method and apparatus for connecting to a secondary enhanced NodeB. A transceiver configured to receive a Radio Resource Control (RRC) message from a Master enhanced NodeB (MeNB). The RRC message comprises a dedicated random access resources configuration for the UE to perform random access to a cell associated with a Secondary enhanced NodeB (SeNB) for a purpose of an addition of the SeNB, and an identification of the cell to which the random access is to be performed. Responsive to receiving the RRC message, command the Media Access Control (MAC) to trigger the random access for the addition of the SeNB to the cell with the identification indicated in the RRC message with the random access resources indicated in the RRC message. The MeNB is an eNB which the UE connects to initially and which acts as mobility anchor.
US09258748B1 Circuit switch fallback handling for wireless communication devices in wireless communication networks
Systems, methods, and software for handling circuit switch fallback (CSFB) communications are provided herein. A method of operating a wireless communication device includes wirelessly registering with the first communication network to receive a wireless data service, and after the registration with the first communication network with an enabled CSFB configuration, wirelessly registering with a second wireless communication network to receive a wireless circuit switched voice service. The method also includes identifying a service problem with the second wireless communication network, and in response, de-registering from the first wireless communication network and disabling the CSFB configuration. The method includes, after disabling the CSFB configuration, re-registering with the first wireless communication network to receive the wireless data service. After the re-registration with the first wireless communication network, the method includes exchanging voice communications over the wireless data service of the first wireless communication network without using the CSFB services.
US09258735B2 Device-assisted services for protecting network capacity
A wireless end-user device has a wireless wide-area network (WWAN) modem. A network element securely provisions the device with a differential traffic control policy list that distinguishes how network traffic for at least one network type should be treated on a per-application basis. A user is also allowed, through an interface, to configure one or more aspects of how a differential traffic control policy is applied to applications. One or more device agents classify whether an application is interacting with a user in a user interface foreground of the device and whether data communication for Internet service activities is provided through the WWAN modem. Based on the network- and user-configured policy information and the classifications, a network stack agent determines whether to allow or disallow a given Internet access request. Some requests that may otherwise be disallowed are allowed when the WWAN modem is already active to serve another request.
US09258729B1 Enhanced forced dormancy based on air interface conditions
A method, system, and apparatus for managing release of air interface traffic channels are described. When a radio access network (RAN) is deciding whether to release traffic channels assigned to one or more of a plurality of mobile stations, the RAN may prioritize the release of the assigned air interface traffic channels based on reported air interface conditions. For instance, when the RAN is deciding whether to release a traffic channel from a first mobile station or a second mobile station, the RAN may determine to release the assigned traffic channel from the first mobile station if the first mobile station is experiencing worse air interface conditions.
US09258719B2 Methods and apparatus for partitioning wireless network cells into time-based clusters
In some embodiments, an apparatus includes a cluster partitioning module and an optimization module. The cluster partitioning module receives a first performance indicator set for a first instance of a time period set. The cluster partitioning module defines a recurring schedule set, where each time period from the recurring schedule set is associated with a performance indicator from the first performance indicator set and within a predefined range of a performance indicator associated with the remaining time periods from the recurring schedule set. The optimization module receives a second performance indicator set for a second instance of the time period set. The optimization module defines a metric value based on the second performance indicator set, and causes a change in a network implementation based on the metric value at each time period from a third instance of the time period set and from the recurring schedule set.
US09258716B2 Communications systems
A method of controlling spectrum use in a first wireless communications system which is operable to take part in a spectrum assignment process involving a plurality of wireless communications systems including the first wireless communications system, in which spectrum assignment process one of the said wireless communications systems assigns a portion of spectrum to at least one of the other said wireless communications systems. The method comprising effecting an instance of the spectrum assignment process in response to a trigger which is based on network conditions.
US09258697B2 Mobile station, position management apparatus, mobile communication system and communication method
A system includes a subscription storage that stores a group identifier for identifying a home base station 60 and the service available for a UE 70 as subscription information, in correspondence with a mobile terminal identifier for identifying UE 70; a positional information update request receiver for receiving a positional information update request of UE 70 from an MME 40; and a positional information response transmitter that extracts the available service corresponding to the mobile terminal included in the positional information update request, from the subscription storage and transmits a positional information update response included with the extracted service to MME 40. With this configuration, it is possible to provide a mobile communication system or the like in which, for a plurality of services provided through local IP access functionality of a home base station, the owner of a home base station or the mobile network operator can designate the access right for each of the services, and forwarding of communication data and communication path selection can be done based on the designated access right.
US09258693B2 Device centric or interactive discovery
Methods and apparatus are provided for discovering computing devices in a local area. A method includes receiving, by a first device, a request to provide discovery information, generating, by the first device, the discovery information, wherein the discovery information includes a communication address of the first device, and providing, by the first device, the discovery information using a short-range protocol that can be received only within a defined distance of the first device. The method can further include receiving, by a second device, the discovery information, wherein the second device is located within the defined distance of the first device, extracting, by the second device, the communication address of the first device from the discovery information, and initiating, by the second device, communication with the first device using the communication address and a communication protocol associated with the address.
US09258692B2 Relay assisted peer discovery
Techniques for enabling relay assisted peer discovery in a wireless communication network are disclosed. A relay may receive, from at least one user equipment (UE), at least one hashed expression to transmit. Further, a relay may compute a time dependent hash of the at least one hashed expression to transmit. The relay may broadcast, and the second UEs may receive, the time dependent hash of the at least one hashed expression. The UE may be, for example, an eNodeB. The hashed expression may be a time varied hashed expression.
US09258689B1 Transfer of trimmed commercial mobile alert system messages
Systems, methods, and software for transferring Commercial Mobile Alert System (CMAS) messages over wireless communication networks are provided herein. In one example, a method of operating a management node in a wireless communication network is provided that includes receiving a CMAS message transferred by an emergency authority system for transfer over the wireless communication network, the CMAS message accompanied by a payload list of wireless access nodes that are affected by the CMAS message. The method includes processing the CMAS message and the payload list to determine if wireless access nodes associated with a tracking area handled by the management node are indicated by the payload list. The method includes determining a trimmed payload list that includes at least one of the wireless access nodes, and transferring the CMAS message with the trimmed payload list for delivery to the at least one of the wireless access nodes.
US09258688B2 Alert device and system
An alert device and methods of using the device in conjunction with a portable communication device are presented. The alert device is intended to be worn discretely on the person of the user and includes an output mechanism and user interface such that the user is notified of incoming communications received by a portable communication device, such as a cellular telephone, and may trigger the portable communication device to send pre-selected responses to those communications through interaction solely with the alert device. The alert device may further initiate pre-selected communications to be sent by the portable communication device solely through interaction with the alert device.
US09258675B2 Method and system for providing enhanced location based information for wireless handsets using dead reckoning
Methods, devices and systems for generating enhanced location information on or about a mobile device may include improved dead reckoning solutions in which the mobile device performs location determination calculations with the aid of network components or global positioning systems (GPS). The network aided location information may be provided to the processor and utilized in measuring the accuracy of sensor based location calculations. The mobile device may utilize local sensors to obtain a set of combined sensor output location information, which may seed execution of dead reckoning. To ensure that most accurate location information is provide to the enhanced location based service, the dead reckoning location information may be compared to a current best estimate. Results of the comparison may be passed to the enhanced location based service and the methods, systems, and devices may reiterate the location determination.
US09258673B2 Centralized status server for call management of location-aware mobile devices
Systems, methods and computer program products for utilizing location information in a virtual private branch exchange (vPBX) system are described. In some implementations, the vPBX system can use the location information to determine an availability status of a user of a mobile device (e.g., out of the office, in the office, at home, busy, and the like). The vPBX system can obtain the geographic coordinates of the mobile device and correlate these coordinates with known coordinates for locations associated with the user (e.g., the user's office, home, or other predefined locations). An inference of the user's availability can then be determined based on the correlation (e.g., whether the user is currently out of the user's office, at the user's home, or at another location). The user's availability can be made available to other users associated with the vPBX system, and can be used for call management (e.g., routing).
US09258669B2 Registering a mobile application with a server
In an example embodiment, a test request is sent to a server configured to provide data to the mobile device application. Then a response to the test request is received from the server. The response is analyzed to identify a pattern in the response indicative of a communication sent via a particular communication path. An available communication path between the mobile device application and the server corresponding to the pattern is identified. Then, a mobile device application is registered with the server via the identified communication path.
US09258663B2 Systems and methods for assembling non-occluding earbuds
Systems and methods for assembling non-occluding earbuds are disclosed. The earbud includes a non-occluding housing having a directional sound port offset with respect to a center axis of the earbud. The housing can have an asymmetric shape amenable to in-the-ear retention. Additionally, the housing can have a seamless or nearly seamless construction even though two or more parts are joined together to form the housing.
US09258660B2 Reset circuit for MEMS capacitive microphones
A method of initiating a reset sequence for a MEMS capacitive microphone. The method includes monitoring an output of a microphone and detecting a mute condition in the output of the microphone indicative of a fault condition. The method also includes activating a timing circuit. The timing circuit is configured to indicate when a certain time period since the initiation of the timing circuit has elapsed. Upon expiration of the time period indicated by the timing circuit, a microphone reset sequence is initiated.
US09258656B2 Sound acquisition and analysis systems, devices and components for magnetic hearing aids
Disclosed are various embodiments of components and devices in a sound acquisition system for a magnetic hearing aid that include a sound acquisition device. In one embodiment, the sound acquisition device is configured to be positioned between a magnetic spacer and a magnetic implant, and to be magnetically coupled to the magnetic spacer and the magnetic implant, such that sound signals generated by an EM transducer in the hearing aid may be acquired by a sound sensor forming a portion of the sound acquisition device as the sound signals pass through the sound acquisition device into the patient's skull or a test fixture.
US09258655B2 Method and device for frequency compression with harmonic correction
Artifacts occurring during frequency compression, in particular in the case of hearing aids, are avoided or reduced. The method compresses the frequency of an audio signal having a fundamental frequency and at least one harmonic. The audio signal is provided in a plurality of frequency channels. The harmonic of the audio signal is shifted or mapped from a first frequency channel of the plurality of frequency channels into a second frequency channel. In addition a frequency which is likewise harmonic with respect to the fundamental frequency is estimated in the second frequency channel, the harmonic being shifted or mapped onto the estimated frequency. As a result the harmonic pattern is preserved in the compressed signal and the artifacts are reduced.
US09258651B2 Transparent parametric transducer and related methods
A transparent ultrasonic audio speaker includes an emitter and a driver. The emitter can include first and second transparent conductive sheets. The conductive sheets can comprise a base layer and a conductive layer, and can be transparent. The transparent ultrasonic audio speaker can be configured to be positioned on or in place of the display screen of a content device.
US09258650B2 Capacitive electromechanical transducer
A capacitive electromechanical transducer in which a reception characteristic is hardly affected by an elastic wave intruding into a substrate is provided. The capacitive electromechanical transducer includes a first electric connection portion that is connected to a second electrode disposed on a surface of a substrate to draw the second electrode onto a side of a surface of the first substrate on a side opposite from a surface in which a first electrode and the second electrodes are provided. With respect to a thickness direction of a first substrate, a diaphragm with which the first electric connection portion is covered is formed on the side of the surface of the first substrate, in which the first and second electrodes are provided.
US09258643B2 System for blending signals
A time modification system is disclosed. The time modification module includes a delay module for receiving an input signal comprising a series of digital samples at an input sample rate. The delay module provides a delayed output signal. The time modification module further includes a duration modification module for receiving the input signal or a delayed version thereof, and providing a modified output signal. A first switch is included for selecting either the delayed output signal or the modified output signal.
US09258642B2 Audio-optical arrangement, accessory, earpiece unit and audio device
There is provided an arrangement, an accessory, an audio device, and at least one earpiece unit. The accessory is suitable for an audio device capable of providing an electrical audio signal. The accessory comprises first and second signal conveyers for conveying electrical audio signal driving audio transducers and electrical optic signal driving optical radiation sources, respectively. The audio transducers and the optical radiation sources are located in the earpiece unit.
US09258639B2 Method and apparatus for creating personal sound zone
An apparatus and method for creating a personal sound zone are provided. The personal sound zone creating apparatus increases directivity in a horizontal direction by including a broadside array adapted to generate a sound beam perpendicularly to an arrangement of an array constituted by at least three transducers in a personal audio device. Also, the personal sound zone creating apparatus controls back radiation by including an end-fire array by arranging at least two arrays.
US09258631B1 Micro-speaker
A micro-speaker is disclosed. The micro-speaker includes a frame, a magnetic circuit unit in the frame, a diaphragm, and a voice coil connected to the diaphragm. The frame includes a plurality of blocks for positioning the magnetic circuit unit. The voice coil includes a pair of lead wires. The block has an upper surface, a side surface and a bottom surface treated by laser direct structuring process for electrically connecting to the lead wires of the voice coil.
US09258614B2 System and method for resolving scheduling conflicts in multi-tuner devices and systems
A system and method for resolving scheduling conflicts in multi-tuner devices. A multi-tuner device generates an interactive graphical display representing a current schedule for tuner usage. A user may identify a program for viewing or recording and conditionally reserve a tuner to provide the requested service. The multi-tuner device identifies any scheduling conflicts arising from the requested service and provides an updated graphical display showing a new schedule for tuner usage, which schedule is subject to selection by the requesting user. Upon selection of the new schedule, the new schedule becomes the current schedule.
US09258610B2 Correlation of media metadata gathered from diverse sources
A DVR, server, or other agent correlates media metadata from diverse sources, like an EPG data provider and multiple video-on-demand (VOD) service providers. Metadata sets from different sources are compared in order to attempt to identify identical programs to which the metadata sets pertain. From at least one metadata set, information about the program that the other metadata set lacks is selected. A “canonical” data structure instance for the program is created. The information that is lacking from at least one of the metadata sources is inserted into that instance. For each source from which a program is available, the DVR stores the identity of that source on the DVR's persistent storage device in association with the canonical data structure instance for that program. The DVR receives search criteria from a user and then searches the stored canonical data structure instance for programs that satisfy the criteria.
US09258601B2 Methodology for equalizing systemic latencies in television reception in connection with games of skill played in connection with live television programming
A method of and system for handling latency issues encountered in producing real-time entertainment such as games of skill synchronized with live or taped televised events is described herein. There are multiple situations that are dealt with regarding latencies in receiving a television signal with respect to real-time entertainment based on the unfolding games played along with the telecasts. Systemic delays, arbitrarily imposed delays of a broadcast signal and variances in the precise broadcast times of taped television programs have to be equalized so as to provide fair entertainment.
US09258600B2 Digital television signal, digital television receiver, and method of processing digital television signal
A method of processing a digital television (DTV) signal in a DTV receiver, the method includes receiving a digital television signal including a plurality of extended text table (ETT) instances that appear in transport stream packets with common PID values, the ETT instances having common table ID values, each ETT instance comprising a section header and a message body, the section header containing a table identification (ID) extension field that serves to establish uniqueness of each ETT instance, the message body containing an extended text message (ETM) which provides detailed descriptions of a virtual channel or an event associated with each ETT instance, wherein the section header further contains a current next indicator field, wherein the ETT instance further contains a CRC 32 field, demodulating the digital television signal and identifying at least one pertinent ETT instance from the plurality of ETT instances.
US09258599B2 Systems and methods for interrupted program recording
Program recording systems and methods are operable to adjust recording times of a program of interest in response to an occurrence of an interrupting program that alters the scheduled recording times of the program of interest. An exemplary embodiment receives an unscheduled program flag (UPF) corresponding to an occurrence of an unscheduled program; adjusts at least one of a scheduled recording start time associated with the program of interest to an updated record start time and a scheduled recording end time associated with the program of interest to an updated record end time in response to receiving the UPF; and records the program of interest based upon at least one of the updated record start time and the updated record end time.
US09258590B2 Method for receiving media and device thereof
A method for receiving media according to one embodiment comprises the following steps: selecting a receiving channel; receiving a media transport stream transmitted through the receiving channel; generating a media storage stream based on the received media transport stream; and recording the media storage stream. The media transport stream comprises at least one sync bite which represents data removed from the media transport stream.
US09258578B2 System and method for selectively transcoding signal from one format to one of plurality of formats
A device is provided for use with an input signal and a selecting signal. The input signal has a first format, and the selecting signal has a first state and a second state. The device comprises a receiving portion and a transcoder portion. The receiving portion can receive the input signal and output a received signal. The transcoder portion is arranged to receive the selecting signal and can output a first transcoded signal when the selecting signal is in the first state and can output a second transcoded signal when the selecting signal is in the second state. The first transcoded signal is based on the received signal and is in a second format. The second transcoded signal is based on the received signal and is in a third format, wherein the first format is different from the second format, the first format is different from the third format and the second format is different from the third format.
US09258576B2 Multimedia program information
A disclosed system and method relate to presenting a program guide that includes information associated with an instance of programming, including audio information and visual information. A request for the information associated with the instance of programming is received, and a determination is made whether delivery of the first audio information could be completed within a threshold time after receiving the request. The audio information is provided to a user in connection with the visual information when the delivery of the first audio information could be completed within the threshold time. Alternatively, when the delivery of the first audio information could not be completed within the first threshold time, other audio information associated with the instance of the programming is obtained and provided to the user in connection with the visual information.
US09258572B2 Video processing system and transcoder for use with layered video coding and methods for use therewith
A video processing system includes a video transcoder that receives a independent video layer stream and a first dependent video layer stream that requires the independent video layer for decoding, the video transcoder generating a transcoded video signal based at least one of the independent video stream and the dependent video layer stream.
US09258557B2 Rate optimization for scalable video transmission
The disclosure concerns encoding of information, such as content information for streaming, in a scalable manner. That is, a base layer of encoded content can be supplemented by one or more enhancement layers as channel capacity allows. Definition of bounds for the base layer and the one or more enhancement layers is governed by long-term channel information, while selection of layers for transmission at a particular time is governed by short-term, or instantaneous, channel state considerations.
US09258546B2 Three-dimensional imaging system and image reproducing method thereof
A three dimensional (3D)imaging system capable of effectively displaying a 3D image suitable for a user by use of different cameras, and an image reproducing method thereof, the 3D imaging system configured to have different cameras freely selected without restriction while enabling the placement of the cameras thereof to be changeable according to the disposition of eyes of the user, so that a 3D image is generated and displayed from a stereo image adapted to the user, and by using the by-user generated 3D image, various contents services including a real time broadcasting, a Contents on Demand (COD), games, and a video communication are provided to a user, so that the fatigue or dizziness of a user is reduced, and the optimum perception of 3D sense is provided.
US09258545B2 Stereoscopic imaging apparatus
A stereoscopic imaging apparatus which uses contrast AF to obviate disadvantages of phase-difference AF, shorten processing time of contrast AF, and improve focusing accuracy. A stereoscopic imaging apparatus including a single photographing optical system, an image sensor for forming a first image which passed through a first region and a second image which passed through a second region, wherein the first region and the second region are pupil-split in a predetermined different direction in the photographing optical system, and a contrast AF controlling part for controlling the positions of a lens in the photographing optical system by using the first image and the second image.
US09258535B2 Intrinsically safe video inspection system
An intrinsically safe video inspection system intended for use in a Class I, Zone 0 area is capable of visually surveying hazardous area locations; where the potential for fire or explosion exists because of gases, dust, or easily ignitable fibers in the atmosphere. The intrinsically safe camera of the present invention has the distinct ability to be used all areas that require increased safety and works in various hazardous environments, allowing users the ability to remotely view and inspect various mines, silos, and storage tanks. The inspection system includes a low power, high 3.2 megapixel resolution camera with digital zoom capability that allows for the close inspection and examination and utilizes an LED fiber light pipe for illumination needs. The video inspection system of the present invention provides for the illumination in various cavity sizes, while reducing the risk of unintended accidents.
US09258532B2 Portable terminal device and storage medium
There is provided a portable terminal device and a storage medium having stored therein a parking position guiding program, which are capable of accurately assisting a search of a parking position when a user goes back to a parking position. A portable terminal device is configured to acquire position information representing a current position of a vehicle, stores the position information in a storage unit when the accuracy of the acquired position information satisfies a predetermined accuracy, and give a notice to a user to image an image of a surrounding area when the accuracy of the acquired position information does not satisfy a predetermined accuracy.
US09258526B2 Method and system for audio/video communication, and client thereof
The disclosure relates to a method and system for audio/video communication, and a client. The method includes setting up a connection with a server for audio/video communication, opening multiple windows for the audio/video communication; obtaining an enabling instruction for enabling audio/video communication of any one of the windows for audio/video communication amongst the multiple windows for audio/video communication; disabling audio/video communication for other windows for audio/video communication amongst the multiple windows for audio/video communication according to the enabling instruction. The method and system for audio/video communication obtain enabling instructions from the user for enabling any window for audio/video communication, and disable audio/video communication of the other windows for audio/video communication according to the enabling instruction, while the user would not have to close those unneeded windows for audio/video communication one by one, thereby improving the operation facility greatly, saving time and loosening the user's burden, and meeting the users' demands.
US09258520B2 Video communication terminal and method of displaying images
A mobile terminal includes a communication unit, a display, a camera for obtaining images, and a processor for causing an image to be displayed on the display and for causing images to be communicated via the communication unit. The processor may be further configured to obtain a first image from the camera, obtain a substantial mirror image of the first image to form a second image, display the second image on the display, and communicate the first image to a receiving device via a wireless communication link.
US09258515B2 Image display device
An image display device includes: an image generation unit that generates image display light based on an image signal; a projection unit that projects the image display light generated by the image generation unit; a combiner that presents the image display light projected by the projection unit as a virtual image; and a rotating unit that rotationally moves the combiner along at least one rotation surface, wherein the projection unit changes a direction in which the image display light is projected based on the rotational movement of the combiner.
US09258513B2 Method and system for reconfiguring a selection system based on layers of categories descriptive of recordable events
A method and system for selection of recordable events from among a set of recordable events, based on categories and sub-categories, that cumulatively describe a substantial portion of the entire set of recordable events. After receiving a first set of categories, and first sets of sub-categories corresponding to the first set of categories, at a device, the device is configured to use the first set of categories and the first set of sub-categories, to guide a user in selecting a series of recordable events to experience and/or record. Thereafter, the device receives a second set of categories and respective second sets of sub-categories that correspond to the categories of the second set of categories, and the device responsively configures itself to use the second set of categories and the second sets of sub-categories, to guide a user in selecting a series of recordable events to experience and/or record.
US09258503B2 A/D converter, image sensor, and digital camera
An A/D converter includes: an A/D converter circuit that causes a dissipation current (Idis) having dependence on an input voltage (Vin); and a counteracting current generation circuit controlled based on an output digital value (Dout) provided from the A/D converter circuit to generate a counteracting current (Icnt) that is a dissipation current for reducing the dependence of the dissipation current (Idis) on the input voltage.
US09258500B2 Backside illumination image sensor, manufacturing method thereof and image-capturing device
An image sensor includes a first pixel that is capable of outputting a focus detection signal and a second pixel that includes a semiconductor layer and a wiring layer. The semiconductor layer includes a first surface on which light enters, a second surface opposite from the first surface, and a photoelectric conversion unit that converts light to an electric charge and is disposed between the first surface and the second surface. The wiring layer is formed on a side of the second surface of the semiconductor layer and includes a signal output line through which the focus detection signal read out from the first pixel and an image-capturing signal generated according to the electric charge converted at the photoelectric conversion unit are output.
US09258484B2 Image pickup apparatus and control method for same
An image pickup apparatus performs image shake correction by driving a correction member which is movable for image shake correction. An image sensing device receives light focused by an imaging optical system and then photoelectrically converts the optical image into an image signal so as to output the image signal. An attitude sensor unit detects the attitude of the image pickup apparatus, and a drive control unit performs drive control of the correction member and position detection. A geometric deformation amount calculating unit decomposes distortion of an image into a first distortion component which varies due to the driving of the correction member and a second distortion component which does not vary due to the driving of the correction member so as to calculate correction values for the first and second distortion components. An image processing unit corrects the first and second distortion components by image processing based on the calculated correction values.
US09258470B1 Multi-aperture imaging systems
An example composite imaging system includes a first imaging system further comprising a first image sensor and a first aperture anterior to the first image sensor. The first aperture (i) is defined by an inner perimeter and an outer perimeter and (ii) defines, at least in part, a field of view of the first imaging system. The first imaging system further includes a plurality of reflectors posterior to the first aperture that are configured to redirect light that crosses the first aperture to the first image sensor. The first image sensor, the first aperture, and the plurality of reflectors are arranged around a common optical axis. The composite imaging system further includes a second imaging system arranged substantially anterior to the first imaging system. The second imaging system is arranged such that the second imaging system is outside a field of view of the first imaging system.
US09258468B2 Method and apparatus for separate spectral imaging and sensing
An optical device that creates separate images for different wavelength bands of light. The device comprises a light sensor, a first dichroic filter, and a first mirror. The light sensor comprises a first light sensing portion and a second light sensing portion. The first dichroic filter reflects a first portion of incident light of a first wavelength band from a source through an imaging lens with the imaging lens projecting a first image of the source onto the first light sensing portion of the light sensor; and the first dichroic filter transmits a second portion of incident light of a second wavelength band from the scene different from the first wavelength range. The first mirror is positioned to reflect the transmitted second portion of incident light through the imaging lens, the imaging lens projecting a second image of the source onto the second light sensing portion of the light sensor.
US09258466B2 Camera module
Disclosed herein is a camera module including: a lens barrel including at least one lens L stacked and bonded therein and having a lower protrusion part formed on a bottom surface thereof; a housing having an internal space so as to receive the lens barrel therein and having a supporting surface supporting the lens barrel; and a substrate formed below the housing and having an image sensor mounted thereon.
US09258463B2 Photoelectric conversion element and imaging device
The solid-state imaging device includes lower electrodes acting as pixel electrodes, an organic photoelectric conversion film formed on the lower electrodes and generating electric charge in response to received light, and a transparent upper electrode that are formed on a substrate having signal readout circuits. The organic photoelectric conversion film, a transition area having at least one of its film thickness and film quality undergone transition from a film thickness and film quality of an area corresponding to a pixel electrode area in which the lower electrodes have been formed is an area that starts from an outer edge of the organic photoelectric conversion film and ends at a point away from the outer edge by a distance of 200 μm or less.
US09258462B2 Camera guided web browsing based on passive object detection
Systems and methods for performing camera-guided browsing, such as web browsing, are described herein. A method for operating a camera-guided web browser as provided herein includes displaying a web page on a display associated with a portable device; passively detecting a first object within a field of view of a camera associated with the portable device; and altering at least part of the web page with first content associated with the first object in response to passively detecting the first object within the field of view of the camera.
US09258460B2 Image processing method and apparatus for correcting an image
The present disclosure relates to method and apparatus for image recovery and image correction. In an embodiment, the present disclosure relates to recovering images that are occluded due to some material in the optical path while capturing the images. The detection of noisy region is performed by taking the residual image between the images yielded by large sized and small sized Gaussian window smoothening filters on red, green and blue channels. The recovery of the image that alleviates the noise is obtained by point-wise multiplication of the above said residue image with a suitably synthesized Gaussian distributed co-efficient of same size.
US09258458B2 Displaying an image with an available effect applied
A method for automatically displaying an image with an available effect applied on a digital display device includes analyzing the image stored on a storage device and choosing the available effect to apply to the image, where analyzing the image includes executing an image analysis on the image to identify at least one characteristic of the image, where the available effect to apply to the image to be displayed is automatically chosen from a list of available effects which may be applied to the image in consideration of the at least one characteristic of the image, and rendering the image with the available effect applied on the digital display device.
US09258457B2 Gamma correction table generation method or image processing method using gamma correction table and control method thereof
A gamma correction table generation method includes: obtaining density information by reading, with a reading sensor, a density patch output by an image forming device in a range wider than a cell, the density patch including a plurality of cells disposed such that a part of the cells as a unit representing a tone overlaps with each other and dots included in each of the cells are separated from each other to an extent that no influence is exerted on each other on a recording medium which the image forming device outputs; correcting the density information according to a number of the cells in the density patch; and generating a gamma correction table based on the corrected density information.
US09258450B2 Facsimile machine and facsimile system that performs fax transmission to specific transmission destination and perform fax reception from specific sender periodically
Provided is a facsimile apparatus that prevents a transmission forgetfulness of a regular transmission. Every time a FAX is transmitted, a transmission history is accumulated in a transmission history table. A regular transmission detecting part refers to the transmission history table for every time zone corresponding to the check interval memorized in a setting table. Thereby, the regular transmission detecting part detects whether or not the regular transmission was carried out in the past. If the regular transmission is carried out, the transmission judging part refers to the transmission history table. The transmission judging part judges whether or not the regular transmission was carried out in the time zone for today. If judged the transmission being not carried out, an informing part reports that the regular transmission is not carried out to the mail address corresponding to the report destination memorized in the setting table.
US09258439B2 Image processing apparatus and system, and methods of controlling these, and storage medium
An image forming apparatus, in a case where in a remote control instruction received from an information processing apparatus that controls a maintenance, a screen to be displayed next is a restricted screen, if a predetermined input is not accepted from a user of the image forming apparatus, does not display the restricted screen to the operation unit, and if the predetermined input is accepted, does display the restricted screen to the operation unit.
US09258428B2 Audio bandwidth extension for conferencing
In one embodiment, a method includes extracting, by a processor, components from an audio signal to generate a modulating signal. The audio signal is generated by an endpoint operable to capture audio proximate the endpoint. The method also includes filtering, by the processor, the audio signal to generate a band-limited audio signal. The method also includes modulating, by the processor, the band-limited audio signal by the modulating signal to generate an enhancement signal. The method also includes combining, by the processor, the audio signal and the enhancement signal to generate an enhanced audio signal.
US09258418B2 Method and apparatus for accessing and interacting with an internet web page
A facility is provided for interfacing the Internet with a telecommunications network and vice versa so that a user who does not have access to the Internet may, nevertheless, provide a Web page and update the Web page via the telecommunications network and so that a user may access the telecommunications network via the Internet.
US09258413B1 System and methods for reducing silence descriptor frame transmit rate to improve performance in a multi-SIM wireless communication device
Methods and devices are disclosed for enabling improved transmission performance on a multi-SIM wireless communication device. The wireless device may detect a voice communication in a held state on a modem stack associated with the first SIM and an active voice communication on a modem stack associated with the second SIM. The wireless device may detect a conflict between at least one silence descriptor (SID) frame scheduled for transmission by the modem stack associated with the first SIM and a transmit opportunity for the modem stack associated with the second SIM. Once the wireless device identifies a SID frame transmission rate for the modem stack associated with the first SIM, the wireless device may apply a reduction scheme to the SID frames scheduled to be transmitted by the modem stack associated with the first SIM.
US09258411B2 Forensic diagnostic capability including G.inp
There is a need for a forensic diagnostic capability to facilitate a greater understanding of why xDSL transceivers are subject to otherwise inexplicable service interruptions during Showtime (steady state data transmission mode). In certain exemplary embodiments, diagnostic data from a previous Showtime is stored and then communicated to another transceiver and/or reported (or communicated) to a management entity. The stored diagnostic data can be used to determine why the service interruption occurred. In other embodiments, one or more portions diagnostic data from a last Showtime are stored. In additional embodiments, this diagnostic data is collected immediately prior to exiting Showtime and/or retraining (the “last” data collected prior to exiting Showtime and/or retraining). Alternatively, or in addition, the diagnostic data can be collected during a current Showtime using a sliding window that covers the most recently received signals and communicated to another transceiver and/or a management entity during the current Showtime.
US09258410B2 Methods and systems for determining crosstalk for a joining line in a vectored system
At least one example embodiment discloses a method of determining crosstalk for a joining line in a communication system having a plurality of current active lines. The method includes obtaining a number of disturber lines among the plurality of current active lines, the number of disturber lines being less than a number of the plurality of current active lines, obtaining a pilot matrix, a first dimension of the pilot matrix being based on the number of disturber lines, the pilot matrix representing a sequence of pilots to be transmitted across the plurality of current active lines and the joining line, the first dimension being a number of time instances, the number of time instances being less than the number of the plurality of active lines and determining a crosstalk coupling vector for the joining line based on the pilot matrix.
US09258409B1 Determining that a user is in a vehicle or driving a vehicle based on sensor data gathered by a user device
A device may receive sensor data regarding a user device; and determine, based on the sensor data, that a user of the user device is in a vehicle or driving the vehicle. When determining that the user of the user device is in the vehicle or driving the vehicle, the device may compare the sensor data, received from the user device, with a reference dataset that includes reference data associated with users being present in or driving a vehicle, or determine that a value of a measurement, received as part of the sensor data, satisfies a threshold that is related to whether the user is in the vehicle or driving the vehicle. The device may output a particular control instruction to the user device based on determining that the user is in the vehicle or is driving the vehicle.
US09258398B2 Terminal holding stand including speech function
Provided is a terminal holding stand (10), which is capable of holding a portable terminal (40, 50) and includes a first speech control section (31). The terminal holding stand (10) comprises: a terminal communication section (34); a first transmission/reception section (60); a voice path control section (32) configured to establish a voice path one of between the first speech control section (31) and the first transmission/reception section (60) or between the terminal communication section (34) and the first transmission/reception section (60); and a switching request input section (26). When a switching request to switch a voice path, which is made by a user through depression of a speech switch button (26), is received under a state in which a speech to the portable terminal (40, 50) is established and the voice path to the portable terminal (40, 50) is formed, the voice path control section (32) disconnects the voice path between the portable terminal (40, 50) and the first transmission/reception section (60) while the speech established by the portable terminal (40, 50) is maintained. In this manner, the voice path in the portable terminal (40, 50) is established.
US09258397B2 Protective case with speaker sound amplification path
A protective case having a speaker sound amplification path and an electronic device including at least one speaker device are disclosed. The protective case includes a base surface placed adjacent to at least one side of the electronic device to protect the electronic device, at least one speaker sound amplification path formed in the base surface and having a specific depth including a first location corresponding to a speaker hole of the electronic device to output a speaker sound of the speaker device, and a speaker sound output hole at a second location extended from the speaker sound amplification path and formed to an outer side of the protective case in an open manner, wherein the speaker sound output from the speaker hole is amplified within the speaker sound amplification path and is then output through the speaker sound output hole.
US09258392B2 Method and apparatus for generating metadata of immersive media
Disclosed are a method and an apparatus for generating metadata of immersive media and disclosed also are an apparatus and a method for transmitting metadata related information. The apparatus includes: at least one of a camera module photographing or capturing the image; a gyro module sensing horizontality; a global positioning sensor (GPS) module calculating a position by receiving a satellite signal; and an audio module recording audio; and a network module receiving sensor effect information from a sensor aggregator through a wireless communication network; and an application generating metadata by performing timer-synchronization of an image photographed based on the camera module, a sensor effect collected by using the gyro module or the GPS module, or audio collected based on the audio module.
US09258389B2 Encoder and method
An encoder includes data processing hardware which is operable: to divide input data into a plurality of blocks or packets; to apply a plurality of transformations to content of the blocks or packets to generate corresponding transformed data; to check a quality of representation of the transformed data prior to application of the transformations to determine whether or not the quality of representation of the transformed data satisfies one or more quality criteria; if the quality of representation of the transformed data does not satisfy the one or more quality criteria, to sub-divide and/or to combine the one or more blocks or packets further and repeating the transformation step; and if the quality of representation of the transformed data satisfies the one or more quality criteria, to output the transformed data to provide encoded output data representative of the input data to be encoded.
US09258385B2 Method for loading a program module into a network device and network with network devices
A method for loading program modules into programmable network devices of a network comprises loading an ID-generator into each network device for generating a unique identification code for the network devices. Next the program modules are loaded into the network devices based on the identification codes. Thus selective programming of network devices within a network is possible.
US09258382B2 User-specific roaming settings
Disclosed herein is a roaming settings service that receives an update to roaming settings specific to a user that is initiated by an instance of an application program provisioned according to a first application mode. Upon receiving a request for the roaming settings specific to the user initiated by an instance of the application program provisioned according to a second application model, the roaming settings service retrieves updated roaming settings that reflect the update to the roaming settings. The settings service transfers the updated roaming settings for delivery to the instance of the application program provisioned according to the second application model.
US09258381B2 Information processing apparatus, information processing method and storage medium storing program
An information processing apparatus accesses to each of a plurality of access destinations via communications between the information processing apparatus and the server. And the apparatus decides a time-out time corresponding to each of the plurality of access destinations based on a communication count, with the server, for access to each of the plurality of access destinations. When accessing to an access destination of the plurality of access destinations via the communication with the server, the apparatus controls the communication to reach a time-out according to the time-out time which is decided and corresponds to the access destination.
US09258380B2 Cross-platform multimedia interaction system with multiple displays and dynamically-configured hierarchical servers and related method, electronic device and computer program product
A cross-platform multimedia interaction system with dynamically-configured hierarchical servers is disclosed, including: a central relay server (CRS); multiple electronic devices; and multiple displays respectively arranged in the multiple electronic devices. The CRS dynamically assigns one of the multiple electronic devices as a local relay server (LRS) and instructs the LRS to active a websocket server, and the CRS notifies the other electronic devices of a network address of the LRS. When the LRS actives the websocket server, other electronic devices establish one or more network sockets with the LRS. The multiple electronic devices communicate control parameters via the websocket server, generate corresponding images according to received control parameters, and respectively display the resulting images on the multiple displays.
US09258376B2 Aggregated presence over user federated devices
One embodiment of a system for aggregating and distributing presence information comprises a hosted presence aggregator server. The hosted presence aggregator server receives an update of presence information from a user device and relays the presence information update to another user device, wherein the user devices are part of a federation of user devices controlled by a single user which relay updates in presence status of the single user to one another via the hosted presence aggregator server.
US09258348B2 Applying a variable encoding/decoding scheme in a communication network
Various systems, devices and methods for providing variable encoder/decoder mechanisms are disclosed. As one example, a coder/decoder device including a plurality of coder/decoder mechanisms, a coder/decoder selection engine, and a computer readable medium is disclosed. The computer readable medium includes a network statistic. The coder/decoder selection engine is operable to select at least one of the plurality of coder/decoder mechanisms based at least in part on the network statistic. Further, the coder/decoder selection engine is operable to offer the at least one of the plurality of coder/decoder mechanisms.
US09258346B2 System, method and program for controlling MP3 player
Communicating an audio message to a listener of an audio player device. An audio message file is generated at a workstation and sent to the audio player device via a network. In response to receipt of the audio message file, the audio player device halts play of a song or other audio content that was being played by the audio player device at a time of receipt of the audio message file, and plays the audio message file. Alternately, the audio player device plays the audio message file after completion of play of the song or other audio content that was being played by the audio player device at a time of receipt of the audio message file.
US09258345B2 Full-duplex bi-directional communication over a remote procedure call based communications protocol, and applications thereof
Systems and methods for reducing the cost but increasing the performance caused in streaming data between a client and a server are described herein. Embodiments of the present invention relate to reducing the cost but increasing the performance by the traditional data streaming where two TCP connections, one for each direction of traffic is used. Further embodiments allow a server in communication with one or more clients using a RPC based communication protocol to bi-directional stream not on two TCP connections but a single TCP connection. In one embodiment, this is achieved by transmitting from the client to the server an initial handshake. If the server receives the handshake, then the client streams a request stream to the server and the server streams a response stream to the client simultaneously over the same single TCP connection establishing full-duplex streaming.
US09258334B2 Universe media shuffling
A communication broker and methods of administering the same are provided. The communication broker is adapted to direct various enterprises to set up a media channel directly therebetween while remaining in the control signaling path for the communication session. The broker may enable the enterprises to use standard authentication techniques and the Datagram Transport Layer Security (DTLS) protocol to establish the media channel.
US09258329B2 Dynamic access control policy with port restrictions for a network security appliance
A network security appliance supports definition of a security policy to control access to a network. The security policy is defined by match criteria including a layer seven network application, a static port list of layer four ports for a transport-layer protocol, and actions to be applied to packet flows that match the match criteria. A rules engine dynamically identifies a type of layer seven network application associated with the received packet flow based on inspection of application-layer data within payloads of packets of the packet flow without basing the identification solely on a layer four port specified by headers within the packets. The rules engine is configured to apply the security policy to determine whether the packet flow matches the static port lists specified by the match criteria. The network security appliance applies the actions specified by the security policy to the packet flow.
US09258323B1 Distributed filtering for networks
A firewall coordinates with devices in a network to create a distributed filtering system. The firewall detects an attack in the network, such as a distributed denial of service attack, and creates attack information defining characteristics of malicious packets used in the attack. The attack information is forwarded to the devices in the network. The devices use the attack information to configure themselves to detect packets having the characteristics of the malicious packets. After configuration, the devices detect and discard malicious packets.
US09258322B2 Systems and methods for assessing the compliance of a computer across a network
The disclosed principles describe systems and methods for assessing the security posture of a target device, wherein the assessment is performed by a scanning computer in communication with the target device via a communication network. By employing a system or method in accordance with the disclosed principles, distinct advantages are achieved. Specifically, conducting such a remote scan allows for the scanner computer to perform a remote scan of the remote device without installing client software to the remote device. Thus, the disclosed principles reduce the need for internal IT resources to manage the deployment and updates of client software on the target device. Also, conducting a remote scan according to the disclosed principles allows for the remote scan to be performed even if the scanner computer and remote device run different operating systems.
US09258321B2 Automated internet threat detection and mitigation system and associated methods
A risk assessment and managed security system for network users provides security services for dealing with formidable cyber threats, malware creations and phishing techniques. Automated solutions in combination with human-driven solutions establish an always-alert positioning for incident anticipation, mitigation, discovery and response. A proactive, intelligence-driven and customized approach is taken to protect network users. Assessments of threats are made before and after a breach. Cyber threats are identified in advance of a resulting network problem, and automated analysis locates the threats and stops them from having an adverse effect. Humans can focus on the high-level view, instead of looking at every single potential problem area. Troubling patterns may be reviewed within the network environment to identify issues. Cyber analysis is conducted to provide a baseline over time via statistically proven, predictive models that anticipate vulnerabilities brought on by social-media usage, Web surfing and other behaviors that invite risk.
US09258320B2 System for testing computer application
This document discloses a method, apparatus, and computer program product for testing a computer program application in a server computer. The method comprises: receiving, from a client device, a test request requesting the server computer to test suspicious behavior associated with the computer program application; acquiring the computer program application on the basis of the test request; applying at least one test routine to the computer program application and testing for suspicious behavior associated with the computer program application; creating a test report specifying at least some features of the suspicious behavior, if any found during the at least one test routine; and communicating the test report to the client device.
US09258315B2 Dynamic filtering for SDN API calls across a security boundary
Presented herein are techniques to reduce the vulnerabilities of network elements to malicious API calls. One or more filters that validate data across an API boundary at a network element are dynamically loaded into the network element such that a reboot of the network element is not required to use the one or more filters. An API call is received for an API function, wherein the API call contains one or more parameter values associated with the API function. The parameters may be validated using the one or more filters. If it is determined that the one or more filters validate the parameters for the API function, the API function may be executed using the parameter values. If it is determined that the one or more filters do not validate the parameters for the API function, the execution of the API function may be aborted.
US09258313B1 Distributed application awareness
A network device is configured to receive network traffic associated with an application executing on a user device; identify, based on the network traffic, an application identifier associated with the application; determine whether the application identifier matches one of a set of application identifiers stored by the network device; identify a policy based on the application identifier when the application identifier matches one of the set of application identifiers; and apply the policy to the network traffic associated with the application. The policy may be obtained from another network device, in communication with the network device, when the application identifier does not match one of the set of application identifiers.
US09258308B1 Point to multi-point connections
Communicating with a plurality of networks is disclosed. One or more credentials is provided to a first gatekeeper of a first network. One or more credentials is provided to a second gatekeeper of a second network. A session is maintained with the first gatekeeper. A second session is simultaneously maintained with the second gatekeeper.
US09258301B2 Advanced authentication techniques
A method, system, apparatus, and computer program product are provided for facilitating advanced authentication techniques. For example, a method is provided that includes receiving at least one request to access at least one resource and receiving at least one composite authentication credential, the composite authentication credential comprising a first credential component and a second credential component. The method further includes determining whether the first credential component is valid, determining whether the second credential component is valid and, in an instance in which it is determined that the first and second credential components are valid, causing access to the at least one resource to be permitted.
US09258297B2 Methods, devices, and mediums for securely sharing restricted content
A computing device is disclosed for securely sharing restricted content. The computing device includes a memory storing computer readable instructions, and one or more processors configured to execute the computer readable instructions. The computer readable instructions configure the one or more processors to, collectively, receive a share request to share the restricted content; in response to the share request, encode a link with encrypted access information, the access information including a first password and identifying the restricted content; receive an access request for access to the restricted content from a client device executing the link, the access request including the encrypted access information; receive a second password from the client device in association with the access request; and grant the client device access to the restricted content in response to determining the first password matches the second password. A method and a computer readable medium are also disclosed.
US09258296B2 System and method for generating a strong multi factor personalized server key from a simple user password
The present invention relates to a method of generating a multi-factor encryption key using a simple password in order to access control over information stored at a second entity from a first entity via at least one communication network. In one embodiment this is accomplished by, requesting to receive an application at the first entity from the second entity via the communication network, activating the first entity to generate a shared secret key, wherein the shared secret key is computed from a first entity specific ID and a random number generated at the first and second entity and allowing the user to register with the application of the second entity by the first entity, wherein the registration include entry of a personal PIN (personal identification number), a personal message etc.
US09258282B2 Simplified mechanism for multi-tenant encrypted virtual networks
The present disclosure provides protection of customer data traveling across a network. A reverse cryptographic map (also referred to herein as a reverse crypto map) can be defined for a customer, where the reverse crypto map indicates how customer data should be protected. A reverse crypto map for a customer is applied to an interface of an edge device that is coupled to that customer's private subnet (or customer-facing interface). A reverse crypto map can be configured by a network administrator on a provider edge device, or can be pushed from a key server as part of group policy. A provider edge device can protect customer data by encrypting and decrypting the customer data according to the reverse crypto map. A provider edge device can also be configured with virtual routing and forwarding (VRF) tables that can be used to forward the VPN traffic flow across a provider network.
US09258273B2 Duplicating packets efficiently within a network security appliance
A network security appliance uses a switch to switch packets between cores configured for fast path processing and slow path processing. The switch duplicates packets for delivery to the slow path processing cores, eliminating the need for the fast path processing cores to expend processor resources on packet duplication. The switch can use IEEE 802.1ad Q-in-Q VLAN tags in the packet to perform the switching and packet duplication. Slow path processing cores may also broadcast packets to other slow path processing cores via the switch.
US09258265B2 Message tracking with thread-recurrent data
A method, system, computer program product, and related business methods are described in the context of a web-based business information system having an internal email facility, wherein e-mail communications between a native e-mail system of an end user of the web-based business information system and an external contact are facilitated and automatically tracked by the web-based business information system, the native e-mail system lying outside the web-based business information system but often being preferred by the end user over the internal e-mail facility of the web-based business information system. The described preferred embodiments provide for easy-to-use, reasonably transparent, “no-click” integration of the web-based business information system with the end user's native e-mail system in a manner that is independent of the particular type and choice of native e-mail system.
US09258264B1 Processing socially networked entities
Implementations are directed to accessing social network data of a user, including relationship data representative of relationships between the user and a plurality of entities associated with the user by at least one social network service, the social network data including profile data descriptive of the plurality of entities, the profile data including a profile for each of the plurality of entities and one or more attributes within each profile, the profile data including a plurality of values for the attribute, wherein the one or more attributes represent at least one of an intensity of interaction with the user, the plurality of values representing intensities of interaction with the user, and a social distance from the user, the plurality of values further representing social distances from the user, determining a subset of the plurality of entities, and determining being based on at least one of the one or more attributes.
US09258255B2 Hierarchical programming of dual-stack switches in a network environment
An example method for hierarchical programming of dual-stack switches in a network environment is provided and includes receiving packets from the network at a line card in the modular switch, a first portion of the packets being destined to Internet Protocol version 6 (IPv6) destination IP (DIP) addresses and a second portion of the packets being destined to IPv4 DIP addresses, and performing hierarchical lookups of the IPv6 DIP addresses and the IPv4 DIP addresses. Layer 3 (L3) lookups for the IPv6 DIP addresses are performed at the line card, and L3 lookups for IPv4 DIP addresses are performed at a fabric module in the modular switch. The line card and the fabric module are interconnected inside a chassis of the modular switch. In specific embodiments, the method further comprises inspecting the packets' destination Media Access Control (DMAC) addresses comprising router MAC addresses indicative of IPv6 or IPv4 address families.
US09258250B2 Dynamic data channel scheduling
Data channels are sorted into an order in terms of an exponent E, where E is defined in the equation: segment interval=C*2E, in which segment interval is a number of the slots between instances of a given data channel, and the data channels are assigned to ones of the slots in terms of the order. Subsequent to the assigning data channels, the control channel is assigned to ones of the slots on the data line. Optionally assigning the data channels assigns all data channels to ones of the slots on the data line to reduce the number of unassigned slots.
US09258246B2 Integrated circuit device and methods for performing cut-through forwarding
An integrated circuit device comprising at least one cut-through forwarding module. The cut-through forwarding module comprises at least one receiver component arranged to receive data to be forwarded, and to generate a request for transmission of a block of data upon receipt thereof, and at least one controller unit arranged to execute at least one thread for processing requests generated by the at least one receiver component. The at least one controller unit is arranged to set a priority context for the at least one thread, and to schedule an execution of the at least one thread based at least partly on the priority context therefor.
US09258244B1 Protocol for communications in potentially noisy environments
A communications protocol that is designed for transmission of data in networks that are subjected to harsh conditions is described herein. A network includes a plurality of devices, where the devices comprise respective nodes. The nodes are in communication with one another by way of a central network hub. The protocol causes the nodes to transmit data over a network bus at different data rates depending upon whether the nodes are operating normally or an arbitration procedure has been invoked.
US09258234B1 Dynamically adjusting liveliness detection intervals for periodic network communications
In general, techniques are described to dynamically adjust a session detection time defined by a timer in accordance with a bidirectional forwarding detection (BFD) protocol. The techniques utilize existing hardware and BFD software infrastructure. An example network device includes a memory, programmable processor(s), and a control unit configured to execute a timer, receive one or more packets provided by the BFD protocol, detect, based on the received one or more packets, a congestion condition associated with a link via which the network device is coupled to a network, adjust, based on the detected congestion condition, a session detection time defined by the timer, and in response to a failure to receive a packet provided by the BFD protocol within the session detection time defined by the timer, detect a failure associated with the link.
US09258222B2 Implementing a shortest path bridging (SPB) network using a virtual routing and forwarding (VRF) identifier
A method, apparatus and computer program product for using Backbone Virtual Local Area Network (BVLAN) as Virtual Routing and Forwarding (VRF) Identifier and shared Backbone Media Access Control (BMAC) tables to implement a Shortest Path Bridging (SPB) Layer 3 (L3) Virtual Services Network (VSN) is presented. For routed traffic, a Layer 3 (L3) Virtual Services Network (VSN) is associated with a unique Virtual Local Area Network Identifier (VLAN_ID) value in a first Shortest Path Bridging (SPB) network for routed traffic. The routed traffic comprises traffic sent over an SPB network interface, traffic received from an SPB interface, or traffic forwarded from a first SPB Network interface to a second SPB Network interface.
US09258218B2 Software-defined network overlay
A software-defined network overlay capability is configured to control one or more overlay networks using software-defined networking (SDN) in which control functions and forwarding functions are separated. The software-defined network overlay capability may be configured to vertically move packets across network layers, e.g., into an overlay network (e.g., into a tunnel via encapsulation), out of an overlay network (e.g., out of a tunnel via decapsulation), or the like. The software-defined network overlay capability may be configured to move packets from native forwarding infrastructure into an overlay network, between overlay networks (e.g., into a first overlay network from a second overlay network without leaving the second overlay network, out of a first overlay network and into a second overlay network, out of a first overlay network while remaining within a second overlay network, or the like), from an overlay network onto native forwarding infrastructure, or the like.
US09258216B2 Methods and systems for transmitting packets through network interfaces
A method carried out by a first communications device for transmitting data packets, wherein the first communications device comprises a plurality of network interfaces. Data packets are transmitted through a first network interface when a first condition is satisfied, and through a second network interface when a second condition is satisfied. In one of the embodiments, the plurality of network interfaces are classified into a plurality of groups of network interfaces according to a first group of conditions, and the first network interface and second network interface belong to two different groups of network interfaces.
US09258212B2 Supporting arbitrary routing criteria in software defined networks
System, method, and computer program product to route data communications based on non-routing criteria, by receiving, by a network element, a data packet, identifying, in a routing table of the network element, a first route for routing the data packet, computing, by an application executing on the network element, a routing score for the first route based on one or more non-routing criteria, computing, by the application, a routing score for a second route for routing the data packet based on the one or more non-routing criteria, and upon determining that the routing score for the second route is less than the routing score of the first route, updating the routing table to cause the network element to route the data packet according to the second route.
US09258209B2 System and method for layer 3 proxy routing
A system and method for efficiently handling layer 3 proxy routing after mobile devices move between subnets includes a controller and one or more ports coupled to the controller. The controller is configured to receive a gateway address request on the one or more ports, determine whether the gateway address request is received on an inter-domain link from a second gateway, determine whether the gateway address request is originated from the second gateway when the gateway address request is received on the inter-domain link, determine a layer 2 address of the second gateway when the gateway address request is not originated from the second gateway, form a gateway address response including the layer 2 address of the second gateway, and transmit the gateway address response on one of the one or more ports.
US09258207B2 System and method for detecting active streams using a heartbeat and secure stop mechanism
One embodiment of the present invention sets forth a technique for identifying active streaming connections associated with a particular user account. Each active streaming connection transmits heartbeat packets periodically to a server that tracks the receipt of the heartbeat packets. If, for a particular streaming connection, the server stops receiving heartbeat packets, then the server is able to infer that the streaming connection has been terminated.
US09258203B1 Monitoring computer performance metrics utilizing baseline performance metric filtering
A system and method for managing performance metric information is provided. Baseline performance metrics, such as network bandwidth capabilities, of various client computing devices may be obtained. The baseline performance metrics can be used to separate client computing devices into one or more groups. Based on the groupings, subsequent performance metrics associated with the one or more monitored groups can be collected in a manner to mitigate performance latencies associated with the baseline performance metric. The subsequent performance metrics can be processed to determine which metrics correspond to a potential performance problem.
US09258193B2 Method, apparatus, and computer program product for wireless network cluster discovery and concurrency management
Embodiments enable discovery of networks in a wireless communications medium. In example embodiments, a method comprises identifying, by an apparatus, a plurality of wireless network clusters by receiving wireless synchronization messages from one or more member devices of each of the plurality of wireless network clusters; calculating, by the apparatus, a cluster grade for each of the plurality of identified wireless network clusters based on information of the received wireless synchronization messages; selecting, by the apparatus, a wireless network cluster from the plurality of identified wireless network clusters, having a highest cluster grade for joining and operating in said wireless network cluster; and ranking, by the apparatus, non-selected wireless network clusters based on predefined criteria applied to information received by the apparatus characterizing the non-selected wireless network clusters.
US09258183B2 Method, device, and system for realizing disaster tolerance backup
Embodiments of the present invention provide a method, a device, and a system for realizing disaster tolerance backup. The method includes the following steps: a device with an active-standby function determines a current state of the device with the active-standby function, after it is determined that the current state is an active state, the device with the active-standby function issues reachable route information to a connected routing device, where the device with the active-standby function and a device of which a current state is a standby state have a same IP address, the reachable route information includes route information relevant to the IP address, so that the IP address is reachable, and the device with the active-standby function and the device of which the current state is the standby state are backup devices for each other. The present invention can realize remote disaster tolerance backup and avoid service interruption.
US09258176B2 Device management method, server and system and mobile equipment
A method and system remotely manage a Mobile Equipment (ME). All the different service provider DM servers interconnected with each other to perform data recovery and locking operations in the ME. The DM servers of multiple service providers collaborate and provide interoperable services to the connected mobile equipments.
US09258163B2 Systems and methods for phase rotating duplicate frames in wireless LAN transmission
Methods, devices, and computer program products for optimally phase rotating duplicate frames in wireless LAN transmissions are disclosed. In one aspect, phase rotation sequences may be chosen in order to minimize a peak-to-average power ratio (PAPR) of a frame or data unit, or of a portion of a frame or data unit, where the frame contains a plurality of identical frequency segments, such as a duplicate frame. The method involves selecting a frame bandwidth, and then selecting a phase rotation sequence based upon the frame bandwidth. The method further includes generating a frame including a number of identical 1 MHz frequency segments, and rotating some of those segments relative to other segments, based on the selected phase rotation sequence. The method further includes transmitting the frame.
US09258160B2 Multiplexing demodulation reference signals in wireless communications
Methods and apparatuses are provided for determining cyclic shift (CS) values and/or orthogonal cover codes (OCC) for a plurality of demodulation reference signals (DM-RS) transmitted over multiple layers in multiple-input multiple-output (MIMO) communications. A CS index can be received from a base station in downlink control information (DCI) or similar signaling. Based at least in part on the CS index, CS values for the plurality of DM-RSs can be determined. In addition, OCC can be explicitly signaled or similarly determined from the CS index and/or a configured CS value received from a higher layer. In addition, controlling assignment of CS indices and/or OCC can facilitate providing orthogonality for communications from paired devices in multiuser MIMO.
US09258156B2 Baseband envelope predistorter
Digital predistortion circuity is disclosed including digital interface circuitry configured to receive a digital input signal having a signal bandwidth (BW) centered about a frequency f0 and provide a digital transmission signal based on the digital input signal. The digital predistortion circuitry includes circuitry configured to generate a digital correction signal based at least in part on the digital input signal, one or more first signal transmission paths configured to transmit the digital transmission signal, and one or more second signal transmission paths separate from the one or more first signal transmission paths and configured to transmit the correction signal.
US09258155B1 Pam data communication with reflection cancellation
The present invention is directed to data communication systems and methods. More specifically, embodiments of the present invention provide a communication system that removes reflection signals. A digital data stream is processed through both tentative path and the main path. The tentative path uses a first DFE device and a reflection cancellation circuit to generate a correction signal for removing reflection signal from the digital data stream. A second DFE device removes ISI and other noises from the corrected digital data stream. There are other embodiments as well.
US09258152B2 Systems, circuits and methods for adapting parameters of a linear equalizer in a receiver
A receiver is optimized by adapting parameters of a linear equalizer component within the receiver. Data decisions and error decisions are generated. These data decision and error decisions are used to derive an error rate of data by measuring the number of margin hits that occur. A balance value is also calculated from the data decisions and the error decisions. The balance value is used to update parameters of the linear equalizer. The updating of the parameter continues until the number of margin hits has been minimized.
US09258148B2 Method for channel estimation, related channel estimator, receiver, and computer program product
An embodiment of a method for channel estimation for an Orthogonal Frequency Division Multiplexing communication system, including estimating a Time Domain Least Squares channel impulse response having a given maximum number of L taps based on a channel covariance matrix Q, and for each tap l=1, . . . , L a respective channel impulse response in the time-domain ĥl, wherein the channel impulse responses in the time-domain are grouped as a channel impulse response vector in the time domain ĥ. Specifically, an updated channel-impulse-response vector in the time domain {tilde over (h)} is determined by computing for each tap l the solution of the following system: Q1:l, 1:l{tilde over (h)}l×1=ĥ1:l, wherein the updated channel-impulse-response vector in the time domain {tilde over (h)} is computed recursively via a Levinson Durbin algorithm.
US09258122B1 Systems and methods for securing data at third-party storage services
A computer-implemented method for securing data at third-party storage services may include (1) receiving, at a server-side computing system, a request to provide a user with access to a file that is encrypted, (2) determining, in response to the request, whether a transitory symmetric key of the user is available to encrypt a decryption key with which the file may be decrypted, (3) encrypting the decryption key with the transitory symmetric key of the user if the transitory symmetric key of the user is available or encrypting the decryption key with the public key of an asymmetric key pair designated for the user if the transitory symmetric key of the user is unavailable, and (4) storing the encrypted decryption key. Various other methods, systems, and computer-readable media are also disclosed.
US09258115B2 Securing information exchanged via a network
A privacy key is provided over a network. An information page is provided over the network. A submission of data that is to be transmitted over the network in response to the information page is detected. A subset of the data is to be encrypted using the privacy key is determined. The privacy key is used to encrypt the subset of the data.
US09258109B2 Clock recovery method and apparatus
The invention relates to a phase rotation method for a clock recovery, comprising the steps of: providing a timing estimation value that indicates for each input data symbol at least whether an input data sample has been sampled early or late by a sampling clock signal; generating a phase offset value indicating a phase rotation of the sampling clock signal based on the timing estimation value; modifying the timing function value based on a change of the phase offset value, resulting in the timing estimation value.
US09258108B2 Closed loop, optical feedback synchronization system for imaging applications
A closed loop, optical feedback synchronization system provides real time feedback and control of a light emitting fiber when scanning or displaying an image. The light emitting fiber is driven by an actuator in an angular pattern to scan the image. Light reflected from a lens assembly is received by an optical synchronizer integrated circuit that includes a slot located between walls of the circuit. The reflected light is directed toward a multi-mode fiber in optical communication with the circuit. A radial position of the reflected light as it passes the slot may be used to compensate for a drift in angular velocity of the light emitting fiber.
US09258096B2 Method and system for supporting multiple hybrid automatic repeat request processes per transmission time interval
A method and apparatus may be used for supporting multiple hybrid automatic repeat request (H-ARQ) processes per transmission time interval (TTI). A transmitter and a receiver may include a plurality of H-ARQ processes. Each H-ARQ process may transmit and receive one TB per TTI. The transmitter may generate a plurality of TBs and assign each TB to a H-ARQ process. The transmitter may send control information for each TB, which may include H-ARQ information associated TBs with the TBs. The transmitter may send the TBs using the associated H-ARQ processes simultaneously per TTI. After receiving the TBs, the receiver may send feedback for each of the H-ARQ processes and associated TBs indicating successful or unsuccessful receipt of each of the TBs to the transmitter. The feedback for multiple TBs may be combined for the simultaneously transmitted H-ARQ processes, (i.e., TBs).
US09258093B2 Estimating tone maps in a communication network
A network device may be configured to iteratively modify an initial tone map for each communication region of a powerline cycle to minimize the time before application data can be transmitted. A first network device estimates an initial tone map for each communication region based, at least in part, on sounding messages received from a second network device. The first network device determines whether to estimate a modified tone map for the first communication region based on at least one performance measurement associated with a data packet generated using the initial tone map for the first communication region. If so, the second network device retransmits the sounding messages in the first communication region that will be used to modify the initial tone map for the first communication region, and the second network device continues to transmit the data packets using the initial tone maps in the remaining communication regions.
US09258091B2 Resource allocation method and device in communication network
A resource allocation method and device in a communication network. The method includes: determining the carrier aggregation (CA) mode of the communication network; and selecting a resource allocating mode for the communication network according to the CA mode of the communication network. The method can select different resource scheduling modes according to different CA scenarios, thereby providing system frequency diversity gain and multi-user diversity gain.
US09258085B2 Apparatus and method for transmitting and receiving signal in broadcasting and communication systems
A method for transmitting a signal in broadcasting and communication systems is provided. The method includes dividing source data into two or more streams and respectively coding the two or more streams through coders, selecting two or more symbols from among coded codeword symbols, mapping the selected two or more symbols to one signal constellation for modulation, and transmitting a modulated signal, in which the codeword symbols include one or more non-binary codewords, and a product of orders of finite fields on which the codeword symbols are defined is equal to an order of the signal constellation.
US09258076B2 Amortization of expensive optical components
A laser system includes an array of lasers that emit light at a number of different, fixed wavelengths. A group of optical transport systems connect to the laser system. Each of the optical transport systems is configured to modulate data signals onto the light from the laser system to create optical signals and transmit the optical signals on one or more optical fibers.
US09258073B2 Network element for a packet-switched network
A network element for a packet-switched network has a plurality of network ports for exchanging synchronization messages with further network elements, a local clock, a timestamp generation module associated to each network port for triggering generation of a timestamp, and a synchronization control module selectively configurable in a first operating mode and a second operating mode as a function of a configuration signal. When the synchronization control module is configured in the first operating mode, it is adapted to adjust an offset of the local clock as a function of the timestamps of the synchronization messages received through the slave port. When the synchronization control module is configured in the second operating mode, it is adapted to compute a residence time of a synchronization message in the network element as a function of the timestamps obtained at the time of receiving and sending the synchronization message.
US09258064B2 Light emission circuit
Apparatus comprises first and second light sources driven respectively by second and third inverting amplifiers with feedback from the first and second light sources to provide signal content respectively on positive and negative phases of an input signal; and a bias control arrangement configured to measure a bias level of one of the light sources and to bias the second and third amplifiers based on the measured bias level.
US09258056B2 Methods and apparatus for monitoring and controlling the performance of optical communication systems
In some embodiments, an apparatus includes an optical detector that can sample asynchronously an optical signal from an optical component that can be either an optical transmitter or an optical receiver. In such embodiments, the apparatus also includes a processor operatively coupled to the optical detector, where the processor can calculate a metric value of the optical signal without an extinction ratio of the optical signal being measured. The metric value is proportional to the extinction ratio of the optical signal. In such embodiments, the processor can define an error signal based on the metric value of the optical signal and the processor can send the error signal to the optical transmitter such that the optical transmitter modifies an output optical signal.
US09258053B2 Interface module for a unit of an antenna distribution system, and antenna distribution system
An interface module for a unit designed to transmit and/or amplify communication signals inside an antenna distribution system includes a first analog interface for forwarding and receiving communication signals from mobile terminals and a second interface for forwarding and receiving communication signals from the antenna distribution system. A signal path forwards the received communication signals between the first and second interfaces. A controllable digital unit in the signal path is configured for digitizing incoming communication signals to digital signals and converting outgoing communication signals to analog signals. The digital unit is configured to evaluate characteristic signal parameters of the digital communication signals and select a subset of signals from the digital communication signals. The controllable digital unit is further configured for forwarding the selected subset of signals.
US09258043B2 Distortion-aware multiple input multiple output precoding
Precoding parameters used for precoding of a source are selected to minimize distortion that would otherwise be induced in the source during encoding and transmission of the source over a multiple input multiple output (MIMO) channel.
US09258040B2 Channel sounding for improved system performance
A transmitter generates and transmits a low rate signal to its intended receiver. Upon receiving the low rate signal, the intended receiver generates and transmits a channel sounding response (CSR), said CSR being a short burst having a predefined transmit format and carrying predetermined information. The transmitter then analyzes the CSR and determines uplink channel response, estimates downlink channel response, and determines appropriate transmit parameter settings based on the analysis and downlink response estimate. Adjustment of the transmit parameters can be made in either the MAC or PHY layer or in a combination of both. After adjusting its transmit parameters and modulating sub-carriers with user-data according to the determined transmit settings, the transmitter transmits the user-data to the receiver on a preferred portion of bandwidth. In a preferred embodiment, the transmitter also generates and transmits a transmit format control (TFC) signal containing the determined transmit parameter settings, including sub-carrier modulation information, to the receiver.
US09258037B2 Method of managing mobility using coordinated multiple point communication
Provided is a method of managing mobility of a user equipment. The method includes: establishing by a first base station a communication with the user equipment; transmitting by the first base station a Coordinated Multiple Point (CoMP) addition request to a second base station; establishing by the first and second base stations a CoMP communication with the user equipment according to the CoMP addition request; transmitting by the first base station an anchor cell change request to the second base station; and operating the second base station as an anchor cell of the CoMP communication according to the anchor cell switch request.
US09258033B2 Docking system and method using near field communication
A method and system for configuring a mobile computing device to a docking station using near field communication is disclosed. A mobile computing device may scan an NFC tag integrated with the docking station to gather docking-station information. This docking-station information may be used by the mobile computing device to (i) configure its interface connector to match the docking connector, (ii) establish a communication link with the docking station and/or a host computer connected to the docking station, or (iii) authenticate the docking station to the mobile computing device or vice versa.
US09258026B2 Mobile communication device with human body recognition function
A mobile communication device with a human body recognition function includes sensing pad and a sensor. The sensing pad is electrically connected to the sensor. When a target object approaches the mobile communication device, an induction signal is generated between the sensing pad and the target object. The sensor receives the induction signal, and the sensor includes a first sensitivity and a second sensitivity. When no target object approaches the mobile communication device, the sensor is set at the first sensitivity. When the sensor receives the induction signal, the first sensitivity is switched to the second sensitivity. The induction signal is converted into a first signal and the first sensitivity is compared with a default value. If the first signal is greater than the default value, the target object is determined as a human body and a power adjustment unit is adjusted to reduce an output power.
US09258025B2 Antenna structure and wireless communication device using the same
Antenna structure includes a feed section, a first radiator, and a second radiator. The first radiator includes a first radiation portion, a ground end, a second radiation portion, the first radiation portion is spaced from the feed end, the ground end is connected between the first radiation portion and the second radiation portion. The second radiator is located below the second radiation portion, and includes a first extending strip, a ground portion, a second extending strip, and a third extending strip. The first extending strip is spaced from the feed end, the second extending strip is connected to the first extending strip and extends along the first extending strip, and the ground portion is connected to a junction of the first extending strip, the second extending strip, and the third extending strip.
US09258019B2 Communication device
An RFID device provided at a transmission and reception circuit processes an RFID carrier signal belonging to a band of about 902 MHz to about 928 MHz or about 865 MHz to about 868 MHz to execute near field radio communication. An RFIC provided at a transmission and reception circuit processes a GSM carrier signal belonging to a band of about 824 MHz to about 894 MHz or about 880 MHz to about 960 MHz to execute mobile communication. A filter circuit provided at the transmission and reception circuit takes the band of about 850 MHz to about 940 MHz where RFID carrier signals appear as the pass band, and takes the band greater than or equal to about 1.2 GHz where a harmonic wave component of GSM carrier signals appears as the attenuation band.
US09258017B2 Input device switching an operating channel of a radio transceiver between first and second computer systems
An input device for switchable use between first and second computer systems. A controller of the input device can execute switching logic to direct a radio transceiver of the input device to switch an operating channel of the radio transceiver to a first channel monitored by the first computer system in response to a first event, and thereby, the input device can be utilized to insert data into the first computer system. The controller can execute switching logic to direct the radio transceiver to switch the operating channel to a second channel monitored by the second computer system in response to a second event, and thereby, the input device can be utilized to insert data into the second computer system.
US09258016B2 Method and apparatus for controlling the decoding of codewords received by a linear block code pipelined decoder from an input buffer
A computer implemented method of controlling the decoding of codewords received by a linear block code pipelined decoder from an input buffer, the pipelined decoder comprising at least two decoding stages. The method comprises iteratively: loading the decoding stages of the pipelined decoder, executing a decoding step, determining the number of residual errors in the codewords and outputting error free codewords. The method allows the different decoding stages to be loaded with any codeword coming from the buffer or from any decoding stage of the decoder. Accordingly, the occupation rate of the pipeline is improved.
US09258011B2 Efficient two-stage asynchronous sample-rate converter
Methods and systems consistent with the present invention provide an improved sample-rate converter that overcomes the limitations of conventional sample-rate converters. The improved system comprises a simple asynchronous sample-rate converter and synchronous sample-rate converter. The output of the simple asynchronous sample-rate converter is connected to the input of the synchronous sample-rate converter. In an alternative embodiment, the output of the synchronous sample-rate converter is connected to the input of the simple asynchronous sample-rate converter.
US09258009B2 AD converter
A successive approximation type AD converter includes: a comparator comparing an analog input signal and a DA-converted comparison code; and a control circuit. When an output of the comparator settles before a limit time period has passed since the comparator started a comparison operation, the control circuit updates the comparison code on the basis of the settled output of the comparator. When the limit time period has passed before the output of the comparator settles, the control circuit updates the comparison code not on the basis of the present output of the comparator.
US09257995B2 Apparatuses and methods for mitigating uneven circuit degradation of delay circuits
Apparatuses and methods for mitigating uneven circuit degradation of delay circuits are disclosed. In an example method, an imbalance in transistor threshold voltages is detected between a transistor of a first delay circuit and a transistor of a second delay circuit that is series coupled to the first delay circuit, and a clock level of an input clock signal to the first delay circuit is switched responsive to detecting the imbalance.
US09257994B2 Apparatus and system for digitally controlled oscillator
Described herein is apparatus and system for a digitally controlled oscillator (DCO). The apparatus comprises a voltage regulator to provide an adjustable power supply; and a DCO to generate an output clock signal, the DCO including one or more delay elements, each delay element operable to change its propagation delay via the adjustable power supply, wherein each delay element comprising an inverter with adjustable drive strength, wherein the inverter is powered by the adjustable power supply. The apparatus further comprises a digital controller to generate a first signal for instructing the voltage regulator to adjust a voltage level of the adjustable power supply.
US09257988B2 Configurable decoder with applications in FPGAs
The invention relates to hardware decoders that efficiently expand a small number of input bits to a large number of output bits, while providing considerable flexibility in selecting the output instances. One main area of application of the invention is in pin-limited environments, such as field programmable gates array (FPGA) used with dynamic reconfiguration. The invention includes a mapping unit that is a circuit, possibly in combination with a reconfigurable memory device. The circuit has as input a z-bit source word having a value at each bit position and it outputs an n-bit output word, where n>z, where the value of each bit position of the n-bit output word is based upon the value of a pre-selected hardwired one of the bit positions in the x-bit word, where the said pre-selected hardwired bit positions is selected by a selector address. The invention may include a second reconfigurable memory device that outputs the z-bit source word, based upon an x-bit source address input to the second memory device, where x
US09257980B2 Measuring capacitance of a capacitive sensor with a microcontroller having digital outputs for driving a guard ring
A guard ring is provided around each capacitive sensor plate and charged to substantially the same voltage as a voltage on the capacitive sensor plate. The guard ring reduces parasitic capacitances of the capacitive sensor plate caused by differences in voltage potentials between the capacitive sensor plate, and adjacent circuit conductors, ground planes and power planes. Two digital outputs and associated voltage divider resistors are used to drive the guard ring voltage to substantially the same voltage as the voltage on the capacitive sensor plate.
US09257978B2 Multiplex driving circuit
A multiplex driving circuit receives m master signals and n slave signals, and includes m driving modules for generating m×n gate driving signals. Each driving module includes a voltage boost stage and n driving stages. The voltage boost stage is used for receiving a first master signal of the m master signals and converting the first master signal into a first high voltage signal, wherein a high logic level of the first master signal is increased to a highest voltage by the voltage boost stage. The n driving stages receives the n slave signals, respectively, and receives the first high voltage signal. In response to the highest voltage of the first high voltage signal, the n driving stages sequentially generates n gate driving signals according to the n slave signals.
US09257977B1 Duty-cycle distortion self-correcting delay line
A duty-cycle distortion self-correcting delay line has an even number of programmable delay lines connected in series between a data signal input and a data signal output. Each programmable delay line is paired with a corresponding inverting element. A data signal propagated from the input to the output is passed un-inverted in half of the delay lines and is passed inverted in the other half of the delay lines. When the data signal is a square wave clock signal, a duty cycle distortion caused by the delay lines passing the un-inverted signal is cancelled by a duty cycle distortion caused by the delay lines passing the inverted signal. The inverting elements may be XNOR or XOR gates connected to an anti-aging signal input which, when asserted, maintains all of the delay lines in order to avoid differential aging effects leading to acquired duty cycle distortion.
US09257973B1 Supply-state-enabled level shifter interface circuit and method
An enable circuit receives an input enable signal that is referenced to a first voltage and generates a level-shifted output enable signal referenced to a second voltage. Bias control circuitry prevents shoot-through currents during ramping of the first voltage and from causing indeterminate logic levels of the level-shifted output enable signal. An enabled level-shifting circuit receives an input logic signal that is referenced to the first voltage and generates a level-shifted output logic signal referenced to the second voltage. Enable circuitry operates in response to the level-shifted output enable signal to enable normal level-shifting operation while the first and second voltages are at normal operating levels and prevents shoot-through currents in the enabled level-shifting circuit from causing indeterminate levels of the level-shifted output logic signal.
US09257969B2 Frequency locking oscillator
A delay line of individually selectable delay elements can operate as an oscillator in an open loop mode to track process variation or drive a clock signal that varies with temperatures and voltages in the system. The delay line oscillator can also operate in a closed loop mode to match a frequency given by a tuner ratio and a reference clock. The delay line can also be used for measuring clock jitter or duty cycle.
US09257956B2 Passive filter
A passive filter may include at least one elliptical filter unit and at least one asymmetric rejection filter unit coupled in series with the elliptical filter unit. The at least one asymmetric rejection filter unit may have a frequency response curve that includes a dip with different attenuations on either side, and an overshoot upon exiting the dip at the side with the lower attenuation.
US09257954B2 Automatic audio harmonization based on pitch distributions
Two audio samples and/or sets of audio samples are identified. The pitch distributions of the audio samples and/or sets of audio samples are identified, the pitch distribution of an audio sample or set of audio samples referring to how much of each of multiple pitches of notes is present in the audio sample or set of audio samples. Based on the pitch distributions of the audio samples and/or sets of audio samples, at least one pitch of one of the audio sample and/or set of audio samples can be automatically adjusted (but need not be, depending on the pitch distributions) to increase harmonic coherence of the audio samples and/or sets of audio samples.
US09257953B2 Digital equalizing filters with fixed phase response
An equalization filter structure for filtering an audio signal within an audio system is disclosed. The equalization filter comprises a first and a second shelving filter each having a fixed first and a fixed second phase response, each of which is determined by a respective cut-off frequency and Q factor which represent the transfer characteristic of the corresponding shelving filter. The first and the second shelving filters are coupled in series and each shelving filter comprises at least one fourth order low-pass filter having a cut-off frequency, a Q factor and a first broadband gain and further at least one fourth order high-pass filter having a second broadband gain and the same cut-off frequency and the same Q factor as the low-pass filter. The fourth order low-pass filter and the fourth order high-pass filter are connected in parallel, such that both filters receive the same input signal and the corresponding filtered signals are summed to form a respective shelving filter output signal. Each fourth order low-pass and high-pass filter is composed of a cascade of two second order low-pass or high-pass filters, respectively, and each second order filter has the same cut-off frequency and Q factor as the corresponding shelving filter.
US09257952B2 Apparatuses and methods for multi-channel signal compression during desired voice activity detection
Systems and methods are described to create a desired voice activity detection signal. A main acoustic signal and a plurality of reference acoustic signals are compressed. The compressed main acoustic signal is normalized by the plurality of compressed reference acoustic signals to create a plurality of normalized compressed main acoustic signals. The plurality of normalized compressed main acoustic signals is processed with a plurality of single channel normalized voice threshold comparators to form a plurality of normalized desired voice activity detection signals. One of the plurality of normalized desired voice activity detection signals is selected from the plurality of normalized desired voice activity detection signals to output as the desired voice activity detection signal.
US09257948B2 High efficiency power amplifier
A high efficiency power amplifier of the present invention includes a transistor and an output power processing circuit section. The output power processing circuit section includes an output matching circuit section and an output harmonic processing circuit section. The output matching circuit section carries out impedance matching to the fundamental wave component of the output power. The output harmonic processing circuit section carries out a reactive power control to a reactive power of a plurality of harmonic power components respectively having a plurality of harmonic angular frequencies which are integral multiples of the base angular frequency of the output power. The output harmonic processing circuit section is formed to realize the reactive power control to at least one of the plurality of harmonic power components by orthogonalizing the phases of the current and voltage in the reactive power.
US09257947B2 Semiconductor device
A semiconductor device includes a power amplifier for amplifying RF signals in multiple frequency bands, an output matching circuit connected to an output of the power amplifier, a first capacitor connected at a first end to an output of the output matching circuit, multiple output paths, a switch connected to a second end of the first capacitor and directing each of the RF signals to a respective one of the output paths in accordance with frequency band of the each of the RF signals, and multiple second capacitors. Each second capacitor is connected in series to a respective one of the output paths. The switch and either the first capacitor or the second capacitors, or both the first and second capacitors, are integrated as a single monolithic microwave integrated circuit.
US09257942B2 Audio amplifier apparatus
An audio amplifier apparatus for driving a loudspeaker is provided. The audio amplifier apparatus includes a soft charge unit, a first amplification module, and a second amplification module. The soft charge unit is coupled to the loudspeaker through an output terminal and supplies a driving current according to a first control signal to soft charge the loudspeaker, so as to gradually increase a voltage level on the output terminal. The first amplification module receives an audio signal according to the first control signal and amplifies the audio signal to output a first amplified signal for driving the loudspeaker. The second amplification module receives the audio signal according to a second control signal and amplifies the audio signal to output a second amplified signal for driving the loudspeaker. The soft charge unit generates the second control signal by comparing the voltage level on the output terminal with a predetermined voltage level.
US09257940B2 Apparatus and methods for capacitive load reduction
Apparatus and methods for capacitive load reduction are disclosed. In one embodiment, a power amplifier system includes a plurality of power amplifiers and an envelope tracking module for generating a supply voltage for the power amplifiers. The power amplifier system further includes a switch and a decoupling capacitor operatively associated with a first power amplifier of the system. The switch is configured to electrically float an end of the decoupling capacitor when the first power amplifier is disabled so as to reduce capacitive loading of the envelope tracker and to operate as a dampening resistor when the power amplifier is enabled so as to improve the stability of the system.
US09257938B2 Integrated system for cooling a building, collecting rainwater, and cleaning a rooftop solar array
This invention provides a simple integrated system that uses roof-spray, water collection, and water storage components to cool a building, collect and store rainwater, and clean a rooftop solar array.
US09257937B2 Minimal penetration modular roof-top mounting racks and solar photovoltaic systems incorporating the same
The present invention provides for a modular, plug-and-play DC/AC compatible solar photovoltaic power system and mounting frames therefor, having inexpensive modular designs which require no or minimal penetration for rooftop installation and provide enhanced wind-induced position disruption protection.
US09257933B2 Variable speed induction motor with single external power supply and control method thereof
A single external power supply variable speed induction motor and a control method thereof are disclosed. An induction motor includes: a stator in which coils directly connected to a single-phase or 3-phase or more systematic power supply are wound; a rotor that is supported to be rotatable in the stator; a power conversion device that is attached to the rotor and controls a rotor current without connection of a separate external power supply; and a control circuit that is connected to the power conversion device and controls the power conversion device.
US09257926B2 Method and control system for controlling mobility vehicles
A method of controlling at least one motor in a motorized mobility vehicle, wherein the motor is part of a drive circuit for mobilizing the mobility vehicle, the method comprising the steps of: utilizing a stored profile of a motor performance parameter to develop a compensation term for controlling the motor, wherein the stored profile is of a resistance based variable associated with the motor as a function of a further variable and dynamically updating the compensation term when the mobility vehicle is in use.
US09257922B2 Parallel harness current imbalance and failure detection
Current imbalance may be detected in a 3-phase power system by monitoring current output between two points of a phase signal provided along wire pairs from an inverter to a motor. In some embodiments, each wire of a wire pair leading to the motor from the inverter may be provided with a line current sensor. A comparison of current output from each wire in the wire pair may be performed to determine if a current imbalance is present. In some embodiments, a phase current sensor may be coupled to a phase input of the inverter. Failures in the 3-phase system may be detected by measuring the output from each phase current sensor for imbalanced distribution of power output. In some embodiments, the output from the phase current sensors may be compared to an output of a line current sensor along the same phase for current imbalances or harness failures.
US09257911B2 Switching power source device with timing control of synchronous rectifier
A synchronous rectification switching power source device accurately determines the timing of the turning off of a synchronous rectifier switching element regardless of the state of the load, and a synchronous rectification period is utilized to the maximum. The switching power source device is configured of a main FET connected to a primary winding of a transformer, a snubber circuit connected to the primary winding, a synchronous rectifier FET connected to a secondary winding of the transformer, a diode connected to the synchronous rectifier FET, a synchronous rectifier FET drain voltage detection unit, an output voltage detection unit, and a drive control unit. The drive control unit accurately determines the timing of the turning off of the synchronous rectifier switching element using a unit that detects the on/off state of the main FET, a variable pulse generator unit, a count value generated by a counter unit, and a threshold value.
US09257904B2 Direct current conversion circuit
A direct current (DC) conversion circuit suitable for driving a load comprises a buck-boost converter, a resonant stage circuit and an output stage circuit. The buck-boost converter has two input ends receiving a first DC signal, and two output ends outputting a second DC signal. The resonant stage circuit has two input ends receiving the second DC signal. The resonant stage circuit converts the second DC signal to energy and further converts the energy to a negative voltage by a resonance effect. The resonant stage circuit has two input ends outputting the energy. The output stage circuit has two input ends receiving the energy to store the energy, and two output ends outputting energy to the load.
US09257903B2 Pumping circuit
A pumping circuit includes a cross-coupled charge pump circuit including first and second capacitors configured to pump an input voltage in response to a first clock signal and to an inverted first clock signal and a plurality of transistors configured to one of transfer the input voltage to the first and second capacitors and to transfer a pumping voltage to an output node, and a switching voltage supply circuit configured to supply switching voltages to gates of the plurality of transistors to enable the transfer of the input voltage and the pumping voltage.
US09257888B2 Rotary solenoid
In one of its aspects the technology disclosed herein concerns a process of making a rotary solenoid. In a generic mode, the process comprises fitting together two mating core half members (22A, 22B) of a stator until two respective pole faces (32A, 32B) of the two mating core half members (22A, 22B) press to a positive stop against a precision diameter pin positioned between the two mating core half members and so that the two mating core half members interlock at the positive stop. The process further comprises removing the precision diameter pin to provide an axially extending space comprising a predetermined distance between the two respective pole faces (32A, 32B). The process further comprises inserting a rotor (26) within the axially extending space. The process further comprises fitting the two mating core half members (22A, 22B) and the rotor (26) between the two opposing end caps (20, 30). The act of fitting the two mating core half members and the rotor between the two opposing end caps preferably comprises aligning the two pole faces (32A, 32B) with pole face alignment features provided on the two opposing end caps whereby the two pole faces are retained at a predetermined position relative to the rotor.
US09257881B2 Rotating electric machine
A rotating electric machine includes a stator, a rotor, and a coolant supply passage. Coils are wound on the teeth of the stator. The rotor is disposed coaxially with the stator, and has an outer circumferential surface that faces respective distal end faces of the teeth with a constant gap formed therebetween. The coolant supply passage is disposed inside the rotor, and is configured to eject a coolant from a coolant outlet of the outer circumferential surface of the rotor toward the distal end face of a corresponding one of the teeth so as to supply the coolant to the gap. A discharge groove is formed in the distal end face of the corresponding tooth. The discharge groove is inclined radially outwardly of the stator, from a coolant supply position as an axial position of the stator facing the coolant outlet, toward one edge of the distal end face of the corresponding tooth.
US09257880B2 Camera, control apparatus for cam drive mechanism and control method for cam drive mechanism
A control apparatus for a cam drive mechanism comprising a motor, a driven member having a cam follower, a rotatable cam which is rotated by the motor, and a cam surface on the cam, the cam surface including a pressing area which is inclined so as to press the cam follower against a load when the cam is rotated by the motor and a recessed area which is inclined in a direction opposite to the inclination direction of said pressing area. A controller rotates the cam by the motor in a single direction, and changes a rotational speed of the motor between when the cam is positioned at a first rotational position at which the recessed area and the cam follower face each other, and when the cam is positioned at a second rotational position at which the pressing area and the cam follower face each other.
US09257879B2 Motor for environment-friendly vehicle
Discloses is a motor for an environmentally friendly vehicle. In particular, the motor includes a stator core including a first coating portion and a second coating portion. The first portion and the second coating portion are adjacent to each other, wound with a coil on an outside thereof and fixedly installed in a motor case and the first coating portion is thinner than the second coating portion. The motor also includes a rotor core configured to move between the first coating portion and the second coating portion depending upon a speed of the motor. A controller is configured to control an operation of an actuator to move the rotor between the first coating portion and the second coating portion to maximize the efficiency of the motor depending upon the speed of the motor.
US09257878B2 Arrangement of conducting bar ends
An arrangement includes conducting bar ends connected together and a cap) covering them filled with a putty. The cap is made of a resin containing a high thermal conductivity filler. The putty is a silicone elastomer containing a high thermal conductivity filler.
US09257864B2 Input power controller for AC/DC battery charging
A control approach of adjusting the input power of a power factor correction (PFC) stage so that the output voltage (DC-link) of the input AC/DC stage to an intermediate DC voltage (DC-Bus voltage) is adjusted based on the amount of power required to charge a high energy battery is disclosed. The present invention controls the input power of the PFC instead of the DC-bus voltage as is common in conventional methods. Therefore, a very fast response compared to the conventional sluggish voltage loop can be achieved. Also, having different DC-bus voltages for different output load conditions allows the DC/DC converter to work with an optimal duty cycle for a whole range of load variations.
US09257848B2 Method for controlling single-phase DC/AC converters and converter arrangement
A method is disclosed for controlling single-phase DC/AC converters, along with a converter arrangement having at least two single-phase DC/AC converters. A controller is provided which can control the at least two single-phase DC/AC converters, and an isolation transformer, wherein outputs of the at least two single-phase DC/AC converters are cascade-connected with each other and an input of the isolation transformer. The controller is configured to control the at least two single-phase DC/AC converters to deliver power from their inputs to their outputs by turns.
US09257837B2 Power balancing in a multi-phase system
Some embodiments of the invention provide a method for balancing the power output to each phase of a set of micro-inverters. The method of some embodiments is performed by a gateway, which receives output messages from a plurality of micro-inverters. The gateway identifies the phase of each micro-inverter and calculates the output of the plurality of micro-inverters to each power line of a multi-phase system. The gateway then sends control signals to the micro-inverters to control the output of each micro-inverter to maintain a balanced aggregate power output to each phase of the power grid.
US09257832B2 Resettable circuit protection system and vehicle with same
A resettable circuit protection system for a vehicle includes a power outlet, a resettable circuit protection device, a resettable switch, a control module, and a user interface. The resettable circuit protection device is disposed in power communication with the power outlet, is operable between open and closed positions, and is configured to automatically open in response to an electrical overload condition at the power outlet. The resettable switch is electrically disposed in series with the circuit protection device, and operates between open and closed positions. The control module is disposed in signal communication with the circuit protection device and the switch. The user interface is disposed in signal communication with the control module. When the circuit protection device is open, the control module is responsive to facilitate display of a message at the user interface indicative of the circuit protection device being open, and to facilitate opening of the switch.
US09257822B2 Distribution structure of wire harness
A wire group of a branch line or a trunk line of a wire harness is covered with a corrugated tube in proximity to an external interfering material projecting from a vehicle body panel. A corrugated clamp is fit fixedly on an end side of the branch portion of the corrugated tube, an outer surface of a vehicle body locking box of the corrugated clamp is brought into abutment with the vehicle body panel having the external interfering material projecting therefrom, and the distance between an outer surface of the wire group covered with the corrugated clamp and the corrugated tube fitted thereon and the external interfering material is larger than the dimension of projection of the external interfering material from the vehicle body panel.
US09257818B2 Enclosure power distribution architectures
Computational enclosures may be designed to distribute power from power supplies to load units (e.g., processors, storage devices, or network routers). The architecture may affect the efficiency, cost, modularity, accessibility, and space utilization of the components within the enclosure. Presented herein are power distribution architectures involving a distribution board oriented along a first (e.g., vertical) axis within the enclosure, comprising a power interconnect configured to distribute power among a set of load boards oriented along a second (e.g., lateral) axis and respectively connecting with a set of load units oriented along a third (e.g., sagittal) axis, and a set of power supplies also oriented along the third axis. This orientation may compactly and proximately position the loads near the power supplies in the distribution system, and result in a comparatively low local current that enables the use of printed circuit boards for the distribution board and load boards.
US09257815B1 Optical semiconductor device
An optical semiconductor device includes: a mesa stripe structure including an n-type cladding layer, an active layer, and a p-type cladding layer laid one on another; and a buried layer buried on opposite sides of the mesa stripe structure, wherein the active layer is a multiple quantum well structure having well layers and carbon-doped barrier layers, the buried layer includes a p-type semiconductor layer and an Fe-doped or Ru-doped high-resistance semiconductor layer laid one on another, side surfaces of the n-type cladding layer are covered with the p-type semiconductor layer and are not contiguous with the high-resistance semiconductor layer, and side surfaces of the active layer are not contiguous with the p-type semiconductor layer.
US09257813B2 Flip chip type laser diode
A flip chip type laser diode includes a substrate, a first semiconductor layer, an emitting layer, a second semiconductor layer, at least one current conducting layer, a patterned insulating layer, at least one first electrode and a second electrode. The first semiconductor layer is disposed on the substrate. The emitting layer is disposed on a part of the first semiconductor layer. The second semiconductor layer is disposed on the emitting layer and forms a ridge mesa. The current conducting layer is disposed on a part of the first semiconductor layer. The patterned insulating layer covers the first semiconductor layer, the emitting layer, a part of the second semiconductor layer and a part of the current conducting layer. The first electrode and the second electrode are disposed on areas of the current conducting layer and the second semiconductor layer which are not covered by the patterned insulating layer.
US09257811B2 Broad band continuous tunable laser
The invention relates to a broad band continuous tunable laser. The laser includes a first laser cavity mirror, a laser gain medium, an intracavity collimating lens, an active optical phase modulator, a tunable acousto-optic filter, and the tunable laser further includes an intracavity reflection mirror to reflect the first order diffracted beam of the first diffraction back to the tunable acousto-optic filter to compensate the wavelength shift, a tunable Fabry-Perot filter arranged in the optical path of the second diffraction beam, a second laser cavity mirror and a laser drive and control circuit system. A stable laser output and the precision optical frequency tuning for less than 1 GHz frequency accuracy within a wide spectrum range can be realized. The invention is compact with stable performance, low cost for volume production and easy installation without moving parts.
US09257797B2 Cable assembly having an improved circuit board
A cable assembly (100) includes a cover (8) defining an outer cavity (822), a shielding cage (7) defining an inner cavity (712) and being mounted into the outer cavity, an inner board (20) assembled in said inner cavity, and a cable (5) assembled onto the inner board. The inner board includes a top surface (38), a bottom surface (37) and two side surfaces (31). The side surface has a first ground pad (310) adapted to connect with the shielding cage, the bottom surface has a second ground pad (33) adapted to connect with the cable, and the top surface has a third ground pad (343) adapted to connect with the cable.
US09257794B2 High speed bypass cable for use with backplanes
A cable bypass assembly is disclosed for use in providing a high speed transmission line for connecting a chip, processor or circuitry mounted on a circuit board to other similar components. The bypass cable assembly has a structure that maintains the geometry of the cable in place from the chip to the connector and then through the connector. The connector includes a plurality of conductive terminals and shield members arranged within an insulative support frame in a manner that approximates the structure of the cable so that the impedance and other electrical characteristics of the cable may be maintained as best is possible through the cable termination and the connector.
US09257791B2 Multistage capacitive crosstalk compensation arrangement
Methods and systems for providing crosstalk compensation in a jack are disclosed. According to one method, the crosstalk compensation is adapted to compensate for undesired crosstalk generated at a capacitive coupling located at a plug inserted within the jack. The method includes positioning a first capacitive coupling a first time delay away from the capacitive coupling of the plug, the first capacitive coupling having a greater magnitude and an opposite polarity as compared to the capacitive coupling of the plug. The method also includes positioning a second capacitive coupling at a second time delay from the first capacitive coupling, the second time delay corresponding to an average time delay that optimizes near end crosstalk. The second capacitive coupling has generally the same overall magnitude but an opposite polarity as compared to the first capacitive coupling, and includes two capacitive elements spaced at different time delays from the first capacitive coupling.
US09257787B2 Interface device
In a preferred embodiment, the present invention is an interface device comprising a receiver and a test adapter. The receiver has on each outer side a groove or ridge for use in initial engagement of the test adapter with the receiver. The test adapter has an engagement member having a plurality of clips arranged such that at least one clip engages with the groove or ridge on a side of the receiver. The test adapter further has a screw mechanism for drawing the engagement in and out of the test adapter to engage and disengage the test adapter with the receiver.
US09257783B2 Hermetic cable adapter
A hermetic adapter includes an adapter body, a hermetic seal disposed between the adapter body and a pin, a contact connected to the pin which is disposed within a dielectric, the dielectric being disposed within the adapter body. A sealing ring is press-fit into the adapter body and includes a sharp edge configured to deform a surface of an external adapter to which the hermetic adapter is attachable.
US09257777B2 Flash drive
A flash drive including a storage module and a rotating member is provided. The storage module has a carrier, a first connecting interface, and a second connecting interface. The carrier has a groove. The first and the second connecting interfaces are assembled to the carrier and disposed backward from each other at opposite sides of the carrier along a first axis. The rotating member has a driving portion connected to the groove. The rotating member is rotated on a rotation axis, such that the driving portion is slid in the groove, and the carrier is moved along the first axis. A traveling path of the first connecting interface along the first axis is different from a traveling path of the second connecting interface along the first axis.
US09257775B2 Charger device for a portable electronic device
A device having an electrical plug, such as a charger device, includes a locking member coupled to a carriage that is movable into a housing. Prongs of the device are movable between a retracted position and an extended position along two different travel paths by actuating the prongs or by actuating the carriage.
US09257765B2 Connector pin on springs
An electronic device includes a printed circuit board (PCB) with a first conductive element and having a first side opposite a second side. The electronic device includes a wall disposed on the first side of the PCB and having a channel through the wall. The electronic device includes a supporting structure disposed on the second side of the PCB. The electronic device includes a connector which includes an electrically conductive based configured to provide a conductive path between the first conductive element and the channel and also includes a spring structure disposed between the electrically conductive base and the supporting structure.
US09257762B1 Cable connector for covering a cable
A cable connector having an outer tube, a first inner tube, a metal ring, a second inner tube and a grip portion is provided. The outer tube has an upper receiving space and a lower receiving space. The first inner tube is disposed in the upper receiving space from up to down. The metal ring is utilized for covering the first inner tube. The second inner tube is disposed in the lower receiving space from down to up. The grip portion is disposed between the outer tube and the first inner tube.
US09257752B2 Tunable projected artificial magnetic mirror and applications thereof
A tunable projected artificial magnetic minor (PAMM) includes a plurality of artificial magnetic minor (AMM) cells and a control module. The AMM cells collectively produce an artificial magnetic conductor (AMC) having a geometric shape a distance from a surface of the tunable PAMM for an electromagnetic signal in a given frequency range. The control module is operably coupled to the plurality of AMM cells and provides control information to one or more of the AMM cells to tune at least one of the geometric shape of the AMC and the distance of the AMC from the surface of the tunable PAMM.
US09257740B2 Watch with bezel antenna configuration
A wrist-worn electronic device comprises a housing, a display, a location determining element, a first antenna, and second antenna. The housing includes a lower surface configured to contact a wearer's wrist, an opposing upper surface, and an internal cavity. The display is visible from the upper surface of the housing. The location determining element is configured to process a location signal to determine a current geolocation of the electronic device. The first antenna is positioned on the upper surface of the housing adjacent a perimeter of the display and electrically connected with the second antenna positioned at least partially within the internal cavity. The first antenna and second antenna function in cooperation to receive the location signal from a satellite-based positioning system and communicate the location signal to the location determining element.
US09257738B2 Mobile terminal, and method for improving radiation performance and specific absorption rate of an antenna of a mobile terminal
A method and a mobile terminal of improving radiation performance and Specific Absorption Rate (SAR) of an antenna are provided. The mobile terminal includes a controller for generating a control signal for switching a ground according to a frequency band used by an antenna, and a switch unit for switching a contact point for each frequency band according to the control signal.
US09257737B2 Antenna switching circuit and electronic device and antenna switching method thereof
An antenna switching circuit and an electronic device and an antenna switching method thereof are provided. The antenna switching circuit is disposed in the electronic device including an internal antenna and a RF module, and includes an external antenna connector and a controller. The external antenna connector has an independent ground terminal for receiving an independent ground signal, and the external antenna connector is electrically connected to an external antenna. The controller has a first RF terminal, a second RF terminal and a control terminal, the first RF terminal is electrically connected to the RF module, the second RF terminal is electrically connected to the internal antenna, and the control terminal detects the independent ground signal. When the controller detects no change in the independent ground signal, the controller electrically connects the RF module to the internal antenna; otherwise, the controller electrically connects the RF module to the external antenna.
US09257732B2 Battery cell assembly
A battery cell assembly having a first battery cell and a cooling fin is provided. The first battery cell has a first housing and first and second electrical terminals. The cooling fin is disposed against the first housing. The cooling fin has a substantially rectangular-shaped plate that extends along a longitudinal axis. The substantially rectangular-shaped plate has a plate portion with a first side and a second side. The first side has a first plurality of recessed regions and a first plurality of flat regions. Each recessed region of the first plurality of recessed regions is disposed between two flat regions of the first plurality of flat regions along the longitudinal axis. The first housing of the first battery cell is disposed against the first side such that the first housing contacts the first plurality of flat regions.
US09257727B2 Assembled battery and battery pack
An assembled battery includes a conductive filler, a first cell, a second cell. The first cell includes a flat first electrode tab made of aluminum or an aluminum alloy. The second cell includes a flat second electrode tab made of aluminum or an aluminum alloy. The second electrode tab is electrically connected to the first electrode tab through the conductive filler intervening between the first cell and the second cell and through weld surfaces of the first cell and the second cell which are at least partly welded to each other.
US09257726B2 Battery assembly with enhanced properties
A battery assembly for use in an aircraft. The battery assembly may include a battery and a circuit configured to monitor the battery in situ. The circuit may include at least one sensor positioned to sense at least one property of the battery and a processor in communication with the sensor. The battery assembly may also include a battery housing, wherein the battery and the circuit are positioned within the battery housing. A method for evaluating a battery in an electric device. The method may include collecting operational information from the battery. The operational information may be collected without removing the battery from the electric device. The method may also include comparing the operational information to a degradation routine describing a property of the battery and calculating a capacity of the battery.
US09257720B2 Nonaqueous electrolyte solution and nonaqueous electrolyte battery using same
The present invention provides a non-aqueous electrolytic solution including a methylenebissulfonate derivative and improving initial irreversible capacity and other characteristics of a battery such as a cycle characteristics, electric capacity, and storage characteristics; a method for producing thereof; and a battery using the electrolytic solution. The non-aqueous electrolytic solution includes: (1) a non-aqueous solvent comprising at least one selected from a cyclic carbonate ester, a straight chained carbonate ester and/or a cyclic carboxylic acid ester, (2) a lithium salt which may be dissolved in the non-aqueous solvent, as an electrolyte salt, and (3) a methylenebissulfonate derivative of formula [1]: The method includes steps of dissolving a lithium salt in a non-aqueous solvent, and then dissolving the methylenebissulfonate derivative. The non-aqueous electrolytic solution battery includes (i) the non-aqueous electrolytic solution, (ii) a negative electrode, (iii) a positive electrode, and (iv) a separator.
US09257710B2 Flow battery start-up and recovery management
A start-up plating process for a flow cell battery is disclosed. Upon start-up of the flow-cell stack, catalysts may have deplated from the electrodes. The catalyst is replated to the electrode by application of currents to the stack prior to circulating electrolyte fluids.
US09257708B2 Fuel cartridge with connecting valve
A shut-off valve or connecting valve capable of connecting a fuel supply to a fuel cell is disclosed. The valve comprises a first valve component and a second valve component. Each valve component has an outer housing and a biased slidable member disposed inside the housing forming an internal seal. During the connection process, the two valve components establish an inter-component seal. Afterward, in one suitable embodiment the slidable member moves inward and opens the internal seal in the valve component to establish a flow path. In another embodiment, the slidable member moves inward and exposes a first filler and the first filler abuts a second filler in the other valve component to establish a flow path. In other embodiments, at least one valve component is sized and dimensioned to limit access to the internal seal.
US09257701B2 Electrochemical cell
The present invention relates to a positive active material for an electrochemical cell including a compound having a nano-shape and represented by the following Formula 1. Lix[Li1-y-zM1yM2z]O2-αDα  [Formula 1] wherein, 0.8≦x≦1.1, 0≦y≦0.5, 0≦z≦0.5, and 0≦α≦0.05, M1 and M2 are independently selected from transition elements, and D is selected from the group consisting of O, F, S, P, and combinations thereof. The positive active material of the present invention has high reversible capacity and an excellent cycle life characteristic, and in particular, an excellent cycle life characteristic at a high rate.
US09257699B2 Sulfur cathode hosted in porous organic polymeric matrices
A composite material includes a porous organic polymer and an electrochemically active material, wherein the porous organic polymer contains a plurality of pores having a diameter of from about 0.1 nm to about 100 nm, and the electrochemically active material is disposed within the pores.
US09257698B2 Composition, energy storage device, and related process
A positive electrode composition is provided. The positive electrode composition includes at least one electroactive metal selected from the group consisting of titanium, vanadium, niobium, molybdenum, nickel, iron, cobalt, chromium, manganese, silver, antimony, cadmium, tin, lead, copper, zinc, and combination thereof, an alkali metal halide, and aluminum, present in an amount of at least 0.5 weight percent, based on the weight of the positive electrode composition. Optionally, an amount of sodium iodide of up to about 1.0 weight percent, based on the weight of the sodium halide in the positive electrode composition, is included. The composition may be included in a positive electrode with a molten electrolyte salt comprising the reaction product of an alkali metal halide and an aluminum halide. An energy storage device including the composition is provided, as well as a method of operating the device.
US09257696B2 Positive electrode mixture slurry for lithium secondary batteries, and positive electrode and lithium secondary battery that use said slurry
The invention provides a stable positive-electrode mixture slurry that is not subject to gelation, a positive electrode with abundant flexibility, and a lithium secondary battery with excellent battery characteristics. The slurry comprises a positive-electrode active material, a binder, and an organic solvent, the positive-electrode active material is a lithium-containing complex metal oxide represented by Formula: Lix M1yM21-yO2 (wherein 0.4≦x≦1; 0.3≦y≦1; M1 is at least one selected from Ni or Mn; and M2 is at least one selected from Co, Al, or Fe); and the binder comprises a fluorine-containing polymer represented by Composition Formula: (VDF)m(TFE)n(HFP)l (wherein VDF is a structural unit from vinylidene fluoride; TFE is a structural unit from tetrafluoroethylene; HFP is a structural unit from hexafluoropropylene; and 0.45≦m≦1; 0≦n≦0.5; and 0≦l≦0.1, and m+n+l=1).
US09257682B2 Method for manufacturing external cladding for laminate battery
In method for manufacturing an external cladding for a laminate battery according to the present invention, austenitic stainless steel foil having a thermoplastic resin layer on one of a front surface and a rear surface and a lubricating film on the other surface is used as a material, the stainless steel foil is disposed such that the surface provided with the thermoplastic resin layer opposes a punch, and drawing is implemented on the stainless steel foil without using lubricating oil in a condition where an annular region of the stainless steel foil, which is contacted by a shoulder portion of the punch, is set at a temperature of 20° C. or lower, and an exterior region on an exterior of the annular region is set at a temperature between 40° C. and 100° C.
US09257679B2 Manufacturing method for flexible display device
A method of manufacturing a flexible display device, the method including depositing a separation layer on a supporting substrate; depositing a display panel on the separation layer; cutting the display panel to have a predetermined shape; cutting the supporting substrate and the separation layer to have a wider area than an area where the display panel, that is cut with the predetermined shape, contacts the supporting substrate and the separate layer; and separating the separate layer and the display panel from each other.
US09257678B2 Organic luminescent display device
An organic electroluminescent display device of the invention includes an element substrate, an organic electroluminescent light-emitting element disposed on the element substrate, and a sealing film disposed on the organic electroluminescent light-emitting element, wherein the organic electroluminescent light-emitting element includes an anode formed of metal and disposed on the element substrate, a light-emitting layer disposed on the anode, and a transparent cathode disposed on the light-emitting layer, and the sealing film includes a light-transmittance-reducing layer colored in black.
US09257676B2 Light-emitting device
A first electrode having light transmissivity is formed on a first surface of a first light transmissive substrate and. An organic functional layer includes a light-emitting layer and is located on an opposite side to the first light transmissive substrate with the first electrode interposed therebetween. A second electrode is located on an opposite side to the first electrode with the organic functional layer interposed therebetween. A second surface which is a surface of the first light transmissive substrate on an opposite side to the above-mentioned first surface is fixed to the second light transmissive substrate, which has a bending rigidity higher than that of the first light transmissive substrate. First irregularities are formed in the second surface of the first light transmissive substrate, and second irregularities are formed in a surface of the second light transmissive substrate which faces the first light transmissive substrate.
US09257659B2 Organometallic complex, and light-emitting element, light-emitting device, electronic device and electronic device using the organometallic complex
An object is to provide a novel organometallic complex capable of emitting phosphorescence, an organometallic complex which exhibits deep red emission, and a light-emitting element which provides deep red emission. Provided is an organometallic complex having a structure represented by the following General Formula (G1). In the formula, R1, R2, R3, R4, R5, R6, R7, R8, and R9 represent substituents, and M is a central metal and represents either a Group 9 element or a Group 10 element.
US09257652B2 Photoelectric conversion material, method for producing the same, and organic photovoltaic cell containing the same
A photoelectric conversion material, which acts as an electron donor for donating an electron or an electron acceptor for accepting an electron, contains a polymer having at least one structural unit selected from graphenes represented by the following general formulae (1) to (4):
US09257650B2 Method for producing display device
A method for producing a display device includes forming a resin film on a substrate, forming a plurality of light emitting elements above the resin film, forming a plurality of first grooves in a surface of the resin film, the plurality of first grooves enclosing the plurality of light emitting elements individually in a multiple-fold manner, cutting the substrate at a position overlapping any one of the plurality of first grooves other than the first groove closest to one of the plurality of light emitting elements, and peeling off the substrate from the resin layer.
US09257645B2 Memristors having mixed oxide phases
A memristor includes a first electrode; a second electrode; and a switching layer interposed between the first electrode and the second electrode, wherein the switching layer includes an electrically semiconducting or nominally insulating and weak ionic switching mixed metal oxide phase for forming at least one switching channel in the switching layer. A method of forming the memristor is also provided.
US09257643B2 Phase change memory cell with improved phase change material
A phase change memory cell. The phase change memory cell includes a substrate and a phase change material. The phase change material is deposited on the substrate for performing a phase change function in the phase change memory cell. The phase change material is an alloy having a mass density change of less than three percent during a transition between an amorphous phase and a crystalline phase.
US09257627B2 Method and structure for thermoelectric unicouple assembly
Method for assembling thermoelectric unicouples is provided and applied with silicon-based nanostructure thermoelectric legs. The method includes preparing and disposing both n-type and p-type thermoelectric material blocks in alternative columns on a first shunt material. The method includes a sequence of cutting processes to resize the thermoelectric material blocks to form multiple singulated unicouples each having an n-type thermoelectric leg and a p-type thermoelectric leg bonded to a section of the first shunt material. Additionally, the method includes re-disposing these singulated unicouples in a serial daisy chain configuration with a predetermined pitch distance and bonding a second shunt material on top. The method further includes performing additional cutting processes to form one or more daisy chains of thermoelectric unicouples. The first shunt material is coupled to a cold-side heat sink and the second shunt material is coupled to a hot-side heat sink.
US09257625B2 Semiconductor light emitting device
Disclosed is a semiconductor light emitting device. The semiconductor light emitting device includes a light emitting structure including a first conductive semiconductor layer, an active layer and a second conductive semiconductor layer, a metal support layer having a plurality of protrusions disposed under the second conductive semiconductor layer, an insulating layer disposed between the second conductive semiconductor layer and the metal support layer, and a stepped conductive layer disposed between the second conductive semiconductor layer and the metal support layer. The stepped conductive layer includes a lower parts and an upper parts. The upper parts are directly contacted with the second conductive semiconductor layer. The lower parts are disposed between the insulating layer and the metal support layer. The insulating layer is laterally disposed between the plurality of upper parts.
US09257624B2 Light emitting diode package
A light emitting diode package includes a package body having a cavity, a light emitting diode chip having a plurality of light emitting cells connected in series to one another, a phosphor converting a frequency of light emitted from the light emitting diode chip, and a pair of lead electrodes. The light emitting cells are connected in series between the pair of lead electrodes.
US09257609B2 Light-emitting diode chip
A light-emitting diode (LED) chip is disclosed. The chip includes a light-emitting diode and an electrode layer on the light-emitting diode. The electrode layer includes a reflective metal layer. The reflective metal layer includes a first composition and a second composition. The first composition includes aluminum or silver, and the second composition includes copper, silicon, tin, platinum, gold or a combination thereof. The weight percentage of the second composition is greater than 0% and less than 20%.
US09257608B2 Nitride semiconductor light emitting device
A light emitting device includes a first layer of a first conductivity type, a second layer of a second conductivity type, a light emitting layer between the first and second layers, a first electrode disposed on a surface of the first layer, and a second electrode disposed on a surface of the second layer and electrically insulated from the first layer. The first layer has first and second regions, each of which contacts the first electrode. A dopant concentration in the first region is less than a dopant concentration in the second region.
US09257605B2 Nano-structure semiconductor light emitting device
A method of manufacturing a light emitting device having a plurality of nano-light emitting structures is provided. The method comprises depositing a first conductivity-type semiconductor material on a substrate to form a base layer. A mask having a plurality of openings is formed on the base layer. The first conductivity-type nitride semiconductor material is deposited in the openings of the mask to form a plurality of nanocores having a main portion bounded by the mask and an exposed tip portion. A current blocking layer is deposited on the tip portion of the nanocores. A portion of the mask is removed to expose the main portion of the nanocore. An active material layer is deposited on the plurality of nanocores. A second conductivity-type nitride semiconductor layer is deposited on the active material layer.
US09257602B2 Substrate having hetero-structure, method for manufacturing the same and nitride semiconductor light emitting device using the same
Provided is a hetero-substrate that may include a base substrate, a buffer layer disposed on the base substrate, and a first semiconductor layer disposed on the buffer layer, the first semiconductor layer including a nitride semiconductor. A defect blocking layer is disposed on the first semiconductor layer. The defect blocking layer may include a plurality of metal droplets. A second semiconductor layer may be disposed on the defect blocking layer, the second semiconductor layer including a nitride semiconductor.
US09257594B2 Thin film transistor with an oxide semiconductor layer
An object is to provide a semiconductor device including a thin film transistor with excellent electrical characteristics and high reliability and a method for manufacturing the semiconductor device with high mass productivity. A main point is to form a low-resistance oxide semiconductor layer as a source or drain region after forming a drain or source electrode layer over a gate insulating layer and to form an oxide semiconductor film thereover as a semiconductor layer. It is preferable that an oxygen-excess oxide semiconductor layer be used as a semiconductor layer and an oxygen-deficient oxide semiconductor layer be used as a source region and a drain region.
US09257590B2 Photoelectric element, display unit and method for fabricating the same
A photoelectric element including a transparent bottom electrode, a photosensitive layer, a first electrode, a second electrode and a transparent top electrode is provided. The photosensitive layer is located above the transparent bottom electrode. The first electrode and the second electrode are disposed on the photosensitive layer. The transparent top electrode is located above the photosensitive layer.
US09257571B1 Memory gate first approach to forming a split gate flash memory cell device
A split gate flash memory cell device with a line-shaped charge trapping dielectric structure is provided. A semiconductor substrate includes a first source/drain region and a second source/drain region. A select gate and a memory gate are spaced over the semiconductor substrate between the first and second source/drain regions. A line-shaped charge trapping dielectric structure is arranged between the semiconductor substrate and the memory gate. A method for manufacturing the split gate flash memory cell device is also provided.
US09257559B2 Semiconductor device and formation thereof
A semiconductor device and method of formation are provided herein. A semiconductor device includes a fin having a first wall extending along a first plane, the fin including a doped region defining a first furrow on a first side of the first plane. A dielectric is disposed within the first furrow, such that the dielectric is in contact with the first furrow between a first end of the dielectric and a second end of the dielectric. The first end is separated a first distance from the first plane. The dielectric disposed within the furrow increases the isolation of a channel portion of adjacent fins, and thus decreases current leakage of a FinFet, as compared to a FinFet including fins that do not include a dielectric disposed within a furrow.
US09257552B2 Semiconductor device and method of manufacturing same
In one embodiment, a method of manufacturing a semiconductor device includes forming, on a semiconductor substrate, a sacrificial semiconductor pillar having a pillar-like shape extending in a first direction perpendicular to a main surface of the semiconductor substrate, and being formed of a first semiconductor material. The method further includes forming, around the sacrificial semiconductor pillar, a channel semiconductor layer having a tube-like shape extending in the first direction, and being formed of a second semiconductor material different from the first semiconductor material. The method further includes removing the sacrificial semiconductor pillar after the channel semiconductor layer is formed. The channel semiconductor layer is formed on electrode layers via an insulator, the electrode layers being formed on the semiconductor substrate.
US09257551B2 Semiconductor device and method for manufacturing same
An N type well (NW) is formed over a prescribed depth from a main surface of a semiconductor substrate (SUB), and a P type well (PW) and an N type drain region (ND) are formed in the N type well (NW). An N type source region (NS), an N+ type source region (NNS), and a P+ type impurity region (BCR) are formed in the P type well (PW). The N type source region (NS) is formed on a region situated directly below the N+ type source region (NNS), and not on a region situated directly below the P+ type impurity region (BCR), and the P+ type impurity region (BCR) is in direct contact with the P type well (PW).
US09257549B2 Semiconductor field effect power switching device
A semiconductor device having a semiconductor body, a source metallization arranged on a first surface of the semiconductor body and a trench including a first trench portion and a second trench portion and extending from the first surface into the semiconductor body is provided. The semiconductor body further includes a pn-junction formed between a first semiconductor region and a second semiconductor region. The first trench portion includes an insulated gate electrode which is connected to the source metallization, and the second trench portion includes a conductive plug which is connected to the source metallization and to the second semiconductor region.
US09257543B2 Reverse-conducting insulated gate bipolar transistor and diode with one structure semiconductor device
In the reverse-conducting IGBT according to the present invention, an n-type buffer layer surrounds a p-type collector layer. A p-type separation layer surrounds an n-type cathode layer. The n-type buffer layer separates the p-type collector layer and the p-type separation layer from each other. The p-type separation layer separates the n-type cathode layer and the n-type buffer layer from each other. Therefore, the present invention makes it possible to reduce snapback.
US09257542B2 Power semiconductor device with resistance control structure
A power semiconductor device includes a resistance control structure disposed in a central portion of a semiconductor substrate having a resistance to a current higher than in a peripheral portion of the substrate surrounding the central portion. The semiconductor includes a first semiconductor layer of a first conductivity type which extends laterally to run across the central portion and the peripheral portion, and a second semiconductor layer of a second conductivity type which faces the first semiconductor layer in a thickness direction and extends laterally to run across the central portion and the peripheral portion. A lifetime control layer is provided in the first semiconductor layer, extends laterally to run across the central portion and the peripheral portion and has a higher lifetime killer concentration in the central portion than the peripheral portion. The resistance control structure includes the lifetime control layer.
US09257539B2 Method for manufacturing transistor and associated device
A method for manufacturing a transistor device is provided, comprising providing a plurality of parallel nanowires on a substrate; providing a dummy gate structure over a central portion of the parallel nanowires; epitaxially growing extension portions of a second material, selectively on the parallel nanowires, outside a central portion; providing a filler layer around and on top of the dummy gate structure and the extension portions; removing the dummy gate structure to create a gate trench, exposing the central portion of the parallel nanowires; providing spacer structures on the sidewalls of the gate trench, to define a final gate trench; thinning the parallel nanowires, thereby creating free space in between the nanowires and spacer structures; and selectively growing a quantum well layer on or around the parallel nanowires, at least partially filling the free space, to thereby provide a connection between the quantum well layer and extension portions.
US09257538B2 Fin-type field effect transistor and manufacturing method thereof
A FinFET device includes a gate dielectric layer on a substrate, a fin on the gate dielectric layer having a middle section and source and drain regions at opposite ends, and a gate structure on the middle section of the fin. The FinFET device also includes a trench in a portion of the source and drain regions and a multi-layered epitaxial structure in the trench. The multi-layered epitaxial structure includes a first epitaxial layer in direct contact with the bottom of the trench, a second epitaxial layer on the first epitaxial layer, and a third epitaxial layer on the second epitaxial layer. The first epitaxial layer is a carbon-doped silicon layer having a carbon dopant concentration of less than 4 percent by weight, the second epitaxial layer is a barrier metal layer, and the third epitaxial layer is a metal layer.
US09257537B2 Finfet including improved epitaxial topology
A semiconductor device includes a semiconductor substrate having a plurality of semiconductor fins formed on an upper surface thereof. An epitaxial material is formed on the upper surface of the semiconductor substrate and on an outer surface of the semiconductor fins. The epitaxial material includes an epi upper surface having a lower region that contacts the semiconductor fins and an upper region formed above the lower region. The upper region extends parallel with an upper surface of the semiconductor fins.
US09257534B2 Single poly plate low on resistance extended drain metal oxide semiconductor device
A semiconductor device, in particular, an extended drain metal oxide semiconductor (ED-MOS) device, defined by a doped shallow drain implant in a drift region. For example, an extend drain n-channel metal oxide semiconductor (ED-NMOS) device is defined by an n doped shallow drain (NDD) implant in the drift region. The device is also characterized by conductive layer separated from a substrate in part by a thin oxide layer and in another part by a thick/thin oxide layer. A method of fabricating a semiconductor device, in particular an ED-NMOS device, having a doped shallow drain implant of a drift region is also provided. A method is also provided for fabricating conductive layer disposed in part across a thin oxide layer and in another part across a thick/thin oxide layer.
US09257525B2 Systems and methods for forming isolated devices in a handle wafer
A method for through active-silicon via integration is provided. The method comprises forming an electrical device in a handle wafer. The method also comprises forming an isolation layer over the handle wafer and the electrical device and joining an active layer to the isolation layer. Further, the method comprises forming at least one trench through the active layer and the isolation layer to expose a portion of the handle wafer and depositing an electrically conductive material in the at least one trench, the electrically conductive material providing an electrical connection to the electrical device through the active layer.
US09257524B2 Layered film including heteroepitaxial PN junction oxide thin film
Semiconductors of different types are formed by a crystal growth technique and joined at the interface at which rapid atomic-layer-level compositional changes occur while maintaining high crystallinity of the semiconductor layers so as to form a heterogeneous PN junction. A layered film that includes a PN junction oxide thin film is formed on a single crystal substrate. The PN junction oxide thin film is constituted by an N-type semiconductor oxide thin film and a P-type semiconductor oxide thin film that are epitaxially grown to have c-axis orientation represented by (00k).
US09257517B2 Vertical DMOS-field effect transistor
A vertical diffused metal oxide semiconductor (DMOS) field-effect transistors (FET) comprises a substrate of a first conductivity type forming a drain region; an epitaxial layer of the first conductivity type on said substrate; first and second base regions of the second conductivity type within said epitaxial layer, spaced apart by a predefined distance; first and second source regions of a first conductivity type arranged in said first and second base regions, respectively, wherein said first and second base region is operable to form first and second lateral channels between said source region and said epitaxial layer; a gate structure insulated from said epitaxial layer by an insulation layer and arranged above the region between the first and second base regions and wherein the gate structure comprises first and second gate regions, each gate region only covering the first and second channel, respectively within said first and second base region.
US09257512B2 Semiconductor component with dynamic behavior
One embodiment provides a semiconductor component including a semiconductor body having a first side and a second side and a drift zone; a first semiconductor zone doped complementarily to the drift zone and adjacent to the drift zone in a direction of the first side; a second semiconductor zone of the same conduction type as the drift zone adjacent to the drift zone in a direction of the second side; at least two trenches arranged in the semiconductor body and extending into the semiconductor body and arranged at a distance from one another; and a field electrode arranged in the at least two trenches adjacent to the drift zone. The at least two trenches are arranged at a distance from the second semiconductor zone in the vertical direction, a distance between the trenches and the second semiconductor zone is greater than 1.5 times the mutual distance between the trenches, and a doping concentration of the drift zone in a section between the trenches and the second semiconductor zone differs by at most 35% from a minimum doping concentration in a section between the trenches.
US09257511B2 Silicon carbide device and a method for forming a silicon carbide device
A silicon carbide device includes a silicon carbide substrate, an inorganic passivation layer structure and a molding material layer. The inorganic passivation layer structure laterally covers at least partly a main surface of the silicon carbide substrate and the molding material layer is arranged adjacent to the inorganic passivation layer structure.
US09257510B2 Electronic device having graphene channels
A graphene electronic device includes a substrate, a first electrode and a second electrode provided on the substrate and spaced apart from each other, and graphene channels connecting the first electrode with the second electrode. Each of the graphene channels is separated from the substrate to have a cylindrical structure.
US09257508B2 Transistors and methods of manufacturing the same
Transistors and methods of manufacturing the same may include a gate on a substrate, a channel layer having a three-dimensional (3D) channel region covering at least a portion of a gate, a source electrode over a first region of the channel layer, and a drain electrode over a second region of the channel layer.
US09257504B2 Isolation structures for semiconductor devices
Isolation structures for isolating semiconductor devices from a substrate include floor isolation regions buried within the substrate and one or more trenches extending from a surface of the substrate to the buried floor isolation region.
US09257503B2 Superjunction semiconductor device and method for producing thereof
A method of forming a superjunction device includes forming at least one trench in a first surface of a first semiconductor layer of a first doping type, and a semiconductor mesa region adjoining the at least one trench. A second semiconductor layer is formed at least on sidewalls and a bottom of the at least one trench. The second semiconductor layer is etched by filling the at least one trench with an etchant, and applying a voltage between the first semiconductor layer and the etchant such that a space charge region expands in the second semiconductor layer and in the first semiconductor layer. The voltage is adjusted such that there is a first region in the semiconductor mesa region that is free of the space charge region when the voltage is applied.
US09257499B2 Connection structure for an integrated circuit with capacitive function
An embodiment, in a single structure, combines a pad including a connection terminal suitable for coupling the circuit elements integrated in a chip to circuits outside of the chip itself and at least one capacitor. By combining a connection pad and a capacitor in a single structure, it may be possible to reduce the overall area of the chip that otherwise in common integrated circuits would be greater due to the presence of the capacitor itself. In this way, the costs and size of the chip can be reduced.
US09257497B2 Metal-insulator-metal (MIM) capacitor techniques
Some embodiments relate to a metal-insulator-metal (MIM) capacitor. The MIM capacitor includes a capacitor bottom metal (CBM) electrode, a high-k dielectric layer arranged over the CBM electrode, and a capacitor top metal (CTM) electrode arranged over the high-k dielectric layer. A capping layer is arranged over the CTM electrode. A lower surface of the capping layer and an upper surface of the CTM electrode meet at an interface. Protective sidewalls are adjacent to outer sidewalls of the CTM electrode. The protective sidewalls have upper surfaces at least substantially aligned to the interface at which the upper surface of the CTM electrode meets the lower surface of the capping layer.
US09257491B2 Electroluminescence display device
There is provided an EL display device of a color filter system which obtains sufficient brightness and contrast while making it difficult to generate a color mixture even if pixels become fine. An EL display device 100 according to the present invention includes a first substrate 1, a circuit layer 2 formed on the first substrate 1, a color selection reflection layer 11 formed in an upper layer of the circuit layer 2, lower electrodes 5 formed in an upper layer of the color selection reflection layer 11, a white light emission EL layer 7 formed in an upper layer of the lower electrodes 5, an upper electrode 8 formed in an upper layer of the EL layer 7, and a sealing layer 9 formed in an upper layer of the upper electrode 8.
US09257490B2 Full-color active matrix organic light emitting display with hybrid
A full-color AM OLED includes a transparent substrate, a color filter positioned on an upper surface of the substrate, and a metal oxide thin film transistor backpanel positioned in overlying relationship on the color filter and defining an array of pixels. An array of OLEDs is formed on the backpanel and positioned to emit light downwardly through the backpanel, the color filter, and the substrate in a full-color display. Light emitted by each OLED includes a first emission band with wavelengths extending across the range of two of the primary colors and a second emission band with wavelengths extending across the range of the remaining primary color. The color filter includes for each pixel, two zones separating the first emission band into two separate primary colors and a third zone passing the second emission band.
US09257486B2 RRAM array having lateral RRAM cells and vertical conducting structures
An RRAM array is provided. The RRAM array includes a plurality of horizontal electrode lines elongated in a horizontal direction. The RRAM array also includes a plurality of conducting structures elongated in a vertical direction. Each of the conducting structures includes a plurality of electrode blocks and a plurality of contact vias which are alternately arranged. The electrode blocks and the electrode lines are on the same horizontal planes. The RRAM array further includes a plurality of resistance variable elements sandwiched between the electrode lines and the electrode blocks.
US09257484B2 Non-volatile memory device and method of manufacturing the same
According to one embodiment, there are provided a memory cell forming region, a first wiring hookup region in which first wirings extending in a first direction are formed by being drawn outside of the memory cell forming region, a second wiring hookup region which is disposed in a layer above the first wirings and in which second wirings extending in a second direction are formed by being drawn outside of the memory cell forming region, and a first dummy wiring connected to each of the second wirings. The first dummy wiring is disposed so that a sum of the area of the second wiring and the area of the first dummy wiring becomes the same in the respective second wirings.
US09257482B2 Display device using semiconductor light emitting device
Discussed is a display device using a semiconductor light emitting device. In a display device including a plurality of semiconductor light emitting devices, each of the plurality of semiconductor light emitting devices includes a first conductive semiconductor layer, a second conductive semiconductor layer overlapped with the first conductive semiconductor layer, an active layer disposed between the first conductive semiconductor layer and the second conductive semiconductor layer, a first electrode deposited on the first conductive semiconductor layer, and a second electrode deposited on the second conductive semiconductor layer, wherein the first electrode is extended toward an adjoining semiconductor light emitting device to be electrically connected to the adjoining semiconductor light emitting device.
US09257473B2 Solid-state imaging device
According to one embodiment, a solid-state imaging device is provided which comprises a floating diffusion, a transfer gate, and a photoelectric conversion element. The floating diffusion is provided in a surface of a semiconductor layer. The transfer gate extends inward from the surface of the semiconductor layer and bends in the semiconductor layer toward the floating diffusion side. The photoelectric conversion element is provided in part of the semiconductor layer on the opposite side of the transfer gate from the floating diffusion and stretches from the side-surface side of the transfer gate to a position under the bottom thereof.
US09257468B2 Solid-state imaging device, imaging device, and signal reading medium that accumulates an amplified signal without digitization
This solid-state imaging device includes a first substrate and a second substrate which have circuit elements constituting pixels disposed therein are electrically connected to each other. The pixels includes: a photoelectric conversion element disposed in the first substrate; an amplifier circuit that amplifies a signal generated in the photoelectric conversion element to output the amplified signal; a signal accumulation circuit which is disposed in the second substrate and accumulates the amplified signal which is output from the amplifier circuit; and an output circuit that outputs the amplified signal accumulated in the signal accumulation circuit from the pixel.
US09257464B2 Solid-state image device, method of fabricating the same, and electronic apparatus
There is provided a solid-state image device, including a semiconductor substrate, a circuit formed on a first face of the semiconductor substrate, a grid pattern provided on a second face of the semiconductor substrate, and a semiconductor layer formed within the grid pattern and having a shape whose cross-sectional surface area in a plane parallel to a surface of the semiconductor substrate decreases with increasing distance from the semiconductor substrate.
US09257460B2 Image capturing apparatus and control method therefor
An image capturing apparatus having pixels is provided. Each pixel includes a photoelectric conversion unit including a charge accumulation region, an output unit configured to output a signal based on a potential of a node electrically connected to the charge accumulation region, and a connection unit configured to electrically connect a capacitance to the node. The charge accumulation region includes a first portion and a second portion. Charge is configured to be first accumulated in the first portion, and, after the first portion is saturated, be accumulated in the second portion. The output unit is configured to output a first signal based on the potential of the node before the capacitance is connected thereto, and, then a second signal based on the potential of the node after the capacitance is connected thereto.
US09257459B2 Image pickup apparatus with pixels that include an amplifier and method for driving the same
An image pickup apparatus of the present invention includes a clipping circuit that clips the voltage of an input node of an amplifying unit in a pixel. The clipping circuit can operate at least in a time period in which a charge is transferred from a photoelectric conversion unit to the input node of the amplifying unit, and can switch among multiple clipping voltages.
US09257452B2 Portable semiconductor device including transistor with oxide semiconductor layer
An object of one embodiment of the disclosed invention is to provide a semiconductor device having a novel structure in which stored data can be held even when power is not supplied and the number of times of writing is not limited. The semiconductor device is formed using an insulating layer formed over a supporting substrate and, over the insulating layer, a highly purified oxide semiconductor and single crystal silicon which is used as a silicon on insulator (SOI). A transistor formed using a highly purified oxide semiconductor can hold data for a long time because leakage current thereof is extremely small. Further, by using an SOI substrate and utilizing features of thin single crystal silicon formed over an insulating layer, fully-depleted transistors can be formed; therefore, a semiconductor integrated circuit with high added values such as high integration, high-speed driving, and low power consumption can be obtained.
US09257448B2 Integrated semiconductor device having an insulating structure and a manufacturing method
An integrated semiconductor device is provided. The integrated semiconductor device has a first semiconductor region of a second conductivity type, a second semiconductor region of a first conductivity type forming a pn-junction with the first semiconductor region, a non-monocrystalline semiconductor layer of the first conductivity type arranged on the second semiconductor region, a first well and at least one second well of the first conductivity type arranged on the non-monocrystalline semiconductor layer and an insulating structure insulating the first well from the at least one second well and the non-monocrystalline semiconductor layer. Further, a method for forming a semiconductor device is provided.
US09257443B1 Memory device and method for manufacturing the same
According to an embodiment, a semiconductor memory device includes a semiconductor pillar, a first electrode film, a second electrode film, a first insulating film, a second insulating film, and a wiring film. The semiconductor member is extending in a first direction. The first electrode film is disposed at the lateral side of the semiconductor member away from the semiconductor member. The second electrode film is provided between the semiconductor member and the first electrode film. The first insulating film is provided between the semiconductor member and the second electrode film. The second insulating film is provided between the second electrode film and the first electrode film. The wiring film is disposed in a wiring lead-out region adjacent to the memory cell region. And the first electrode film is formed of a material different from a material of the wiring film, and being electrically connected to the wiring film.
US09257439B2 Structure and method for FinFET SRAM
Provided is an embedded FinFET SRAM structure and methods of making the same. The embedded FinFET SRAM structure includes an array of SRAM cells. The SRAM cells have a first pitch in a first direction and a second pitch in a second direction orthogonal to the first direction. The first and second pitches are configured so as to align fin active lines and gate features of the SRAM cells with those of peripheral logic circuits. A layout of the SRAM structure includes three layers, wherein a first layer defines mandrel patterns for forming fins, a second layer defines a first cut pattern for removing dummy fins, and a third layer defines a second cut pattern for shortening fin ends. The three layers collectively define fin active lines of the SRAM structure.
US09257434B2 Semiconductor device including a reservoir capacitor
A semiconductor device includes: a Through Silicon Via (TSV) region extending in a first direction and crossing a center portion of a semiconductor device; a plurality of cell regions disposed at both sides of the TSV region in a second direction crossing the first direction; a plurality of peripheral circuit regions each disposed between the TSV region and a corresponding cell region or between two neighboring cell regions in the first direction; a plurality of test pad regions each disposed at an edge portion of the semiconductor device and having a plurality of test pads, wherein the plurality of test pad regions encloses the cell regions, the peripheral circuit regions, and the TSV region; and a reservoir capacitor disposed below corresponding test pads in a test pad regions.
US09257420B2 Overvoltage protection device
An overvoltage protection device including: a doped substrate of a first conductivity type having a first doping level, coated with a doped epitaxial layer of the second conductivity type having a second doping level; a first doped buried region of the second conductivity type having a third doping level greater than the second level, located at the interface between the substrate and the epitaxial layer in a first portion of the device; and a second doped buried region of the first conductivity type having a fourth doping level greater than the first level, located at the interface between the substrate and the epitaxial layer in a second portion of the device.
US09257418B2 Semiconductor package having heat slug and passive device
Provided is a semiconductor package including a substrate, a semiconductor chip and a passive device disposed on the substrate, and a heat slug configured to cover the semiconductor chip and the passive device. The substrate and a first electrode of the passive device are electrically connected to each other, and the heat slug and a second electrode of the passive device are electrically connected to each other. The semiconductor package may include multiple passive devices in which a vertical height of each passive device is greater than a horizontal width thereof. Also disclosed is an electronic system, which may include a power supply unit, a microprocessor unit, a function unit, and a display controller unit to receive one or more power supply voltages from the power supply unit. At least one of the microprocessor unit, the function unit, or the display controller unit may further include the described semiconductor package.
US09257416B2 Semiconductor light emitting device and method for manufacturing same
According to one embodiment, a semiconductor light emitting device includes not less than three chips. Each of the chips includes a semiconductor layer having a first face, a second face formed on a side opposite to the first face, and a light emitting layer, a p-side electrode, and an n-side electrode. The chips include a central chip centrally positioned in a plan view, and at least two peripheral chips arranged symmetrically to each other sandwiching the central chip in the plan view. A thickness of the fluorescent body layer on the first face is same among the peripheral chips, and the fluorescent body layer on the first face of the central chip and the fluorescent body layers on the first faces of the peripheral chips have thicknesses different from each other.
US09257412B2 Stress reduction apparatus
A structure comprises a plurality of connectors formed on a top surface of a first semiconductor die, a second semiconductor die formed on the first semiconductor die and coupled to the first semiconductor die through the plurality of connectors and a first dummy conductive plane formed between an edge of the first semiconductor die and the plurality of connectors, wherein an edge of the first dummy conductive plane and a first distance to neutral point (DNP) direction form a first angle, and wherein the first angle is less than or equal to 45 degrees.
US09257411B2 Semiconductor device and method of embedding bumps formed on semiconductor die into penetrable adhesive layer to reduce die shifting during encapsulation
A semiconductor device has a semiconductor die with a plurality of bumps formed over a surface of the first semiconductor die. A penetrable adhesive layer is formed over a temporary carrier. The adhesive layer can include a plurality of slots. The semiconductor die is mounted to the carrier by embedding the bumps into the penetrable adhesive layer. The semiconductor die and interconnect structure can be separated by a gap. An encapsulant is deposited over the first semiconductor die. The bumps embedded into the penetrable adhesive layer reduce shifting of the first semiconductor die while depositing the encapsulant. The carrier is removed. An interconnect structure is formed over the semiconductor die. The interconnect structure is electrically connected to the bumps. A thermally conductive bump is formed over the semiconductor die, and a heat sink is mounted to the interconnect structure and thermally connected to the thermally conductive bump.
US09257410B2 Package assembly including a semiconductor substrate in which a first portion of a surface of the semiconductor substrate is recessed relative to a second portion of the surface of the semiconductor substrate to form a recessed region in the semiconductor substrate
Embodiments of the present disclosure provide an apparatus comprising a semiconductor substrate having a first surface, a second surface that is disposed opposite to the first surface, wherein at least a portion of the first surface is recessed to form a recessed region of the semiconductor substrate, and one or more vias formed in the recessed region of the semiconductor substrate to provide an electrical or thermal pathway between the first surface and the second surface of the semiconductor substrate, and a die coupled to the semiconductor substrate, the die being electrically coupled to the one or more vias formed in the recessed region of the semiconductor substrate. Other embodiments may be described and/or claimed.
US09257409B2 Decoupling MIM capacitor designs for interposers and methods of manufacture thereof
Decoupling metal-insulator-metal (MIM) capacitor designs for interposers and methods of manufacture thereof are disclosed. In one embodiment, a method of forming a decoupling capacitor includes providing a packaging device, and forming a decoupling MIM capacitor in at least two metallization layers of the packaging device.
US09257407B2 Heterogeneous channel material integration into wafer
Methods for integrating heterogeneous channel material into a semiconductor device, and semiconductor devices that integrate heterogeneous channel material. A method for fabricating a semiconductor device includes processing a first substrate of a first material at a first thermal budget to fabricate a p-type device. The method further includes coupling a second substrate of a second material to the first substrate. The method also includes processing the second substrate to fabricate an n-type device at a second thermal budget that is less than the first thermal budget. The p-type device and the n-type device may cooperate to form a complementary device.
US09257400B2 Semiconductor device
A semiconductor device has a chip mounting part, a first semiconductor chip, and a second semiconductor chip. The first semiconductor chip is mounted over the chip mounting part in a direction in which its first principal plane faces the chip mounting part. A part of the second semiconductor chip is mounted over the chip mounting part in a direction in which its third principal plane faces the first semiconductor chip. The element mounting part has a notch part. A part of the second semiconductor chip overlaps the notch part. In a region of the third principal plane of the second semiconductor chip that overlaps the notch part, a second electrode pad is provided.
US09257394B2 Shield, package structure and semiconductor package having the shield and fabrication method of the semiconductor package
A fabrication method of a semiconductor package is disclosed, which includes the steps of: providing a substrate having at least a carrying region and a cutting region defined on a surface thereof, wherein the cutting region surrounds the carrying region; disposing at least an electronic element on the carrying region of the substrate; disposing a shield having a recess portion and at least a positioning member extending outwards, on the carrying region of the substrate with the electronic element received in the recess portion and the positioning member extending outwards to the cutting region; and performing a cutting process along the cutting region to remove portions of the positioning member and the substrate. Therefore, the shield is precisely positioned on the substrate.
US09257390B2 Semiconductor device with dual damascene wirings
A semiconductor device includes a semiconductor substrate, an insulating film formed above the semiconductor substrate, and a multilayered wiring formed in a prescribed area within the insulating film. The multilayered wiring includes a dual damascene wiring positioned on at least one layer of the multilayered wiring. The dual damascene wiring includes an alloy having copper as a principal component. A concentration of at least one metallic element contained as an added component of the alloy in a via connected to the dual damascene wiring is 10% or more higher in a via connected to a wiring whose width exceeds by five or more times a diameter of the via than that in another via connected to another wiring of a smallest width in a same upper wiring layer of the multilayered wiring.
US09257381B2 Semiconductor package, and interposer structure of the semiconductor package
A method of fabricating a semiconductor package is provided, including: cutting a substrate into a plurality of interposers; disposing the interposers in a plurality of openings of a carrier, wherein the openings are spaced from one another by a distance; forming a first encapsulant to encapsulate the interposers; removing the carrier; and disposing at least a semiconductor element on each of the interposers. By cutting the substrate first, good interposers can be selected and rearranged such that finished packages can be prevented from being wasted due to inferior interposers.
US09257377B2 Semiconductor device and measurement device having an oscillator
A semiconductor device includes: an oscillator including external terminals disposed on a first face with a specific distance along a first direction; an integrated circuit including a first region formed with first electrode pads along one side, and a second region formed with second electrode pads on two opposing sides of the first region; a lead frame that includes terminals at a peripheral portion, and on which the oscillator and the integrated circuit are mounted such that the external terminals, the first and second electrode pads face in a substantially same direction and such that one side of the integrated circuit is substantially parallel to the first direction; a first bonding wire that connects one external terminal to one first electrode pad; a second bonding wire that connects one terminal of one lead frame to one second electrode pad; and a sealing member that seals all of the components.
US09257375B2 Multi-die semiconductor package
A multi-die package has a plurality of leads and first and second semiconductor dies in superimposition and bonded together defining a die stack. The die stack has opposed first and second sides, with each of the first and second semiconductor dies having gate, drain and source regions, and gate, drain and source contacts. The first opposed side has the drain contact of the second semiconductor die, which is in electrical communication with a first set of the plurality of leads. The gate, drain and source contacts of the first semiconductor die and the gate and source contacts of the second semiconductor die are disposed on the second of said opposed sides and in electrical communication with a second set of the plurality of leads. The lead for the source of the first semiconductor die may be the same as the lead for the drain of the second semiconductor die.
US09257367B2 Integrated circuit device, method for producing mask layout, and program for producing mask layout
According to one embodiment, a method for producing a mask layout of an exposure mask for forming wiring of an integrated circuit device, includes estimating shape of the wiring formed based on an edge of a pattern included in an initial layout of the exposure mask. The method includes modifying shape of the edge if the estimated shape of the wiring does not satisfy a requirement.
US09257357B2 Semiconductor device and method of forming prefabricated heat spreader frame with embedded semiconductor die
A semiconductor device is made by mounting a prefabricated heat spreader frame over a temporary substrate. The heat spreader frame includes vertical bodies over a flat plate. A semiconductor die is mounted to the heat spreader frame for thermal dissipation. An encapsulant is deposited around the vertical bodies and semiconductor die while leaving contact pads on the semiconductor die exposed. The encapsulant can be deposited using a wafer level direct/top gate molding process or wafer level film assist molding process. An interconnect structure is formed over the semiconductor die. The interconnect structure includes a first conductive layer formed over the semiconductor die, an insulating layer formed over the first conductive layer, and a second conductive layer formed over the first conductive layer and insulating layer. The temporary substrate is removed, dicing tape is applied to the heat spreader frame, and the semiconductor die is singulated.
US09257355B2 Method for embedding a chipset having an intermediary interposer in high density electronic modules
A method for creating a high density electronic module including the steps of coupling a die to an interposer for form a chipset, mounting the chipset to a substrate, coupling a wafer to the substrate so that the chipset is within a window formed in the wafer, filling the window with encapsulant to encapsulate the chipset, removing the substrate to create a reconstructed wafer, and providing an interconnection structure on the interposer to form the high density electronic module.
US09257353B1 Integrated circuits with test structures including bi-directional protection diodes
Integrated circuits that include bi-directional protection diode structures are disclosed. In one example, an integrated circuit includes a test circuit portion for testing the functionality of the integrated circuit during or after fabrication of the integrated circuit. The test circuit portion includes first, second, and third diode structures and a resistor structure. The first and third diode structures are in parallel with one another and in series with the resistor, and the resistor and the first and third diode structures are in series with the second diode structure. The first and third diode structures are configured for current flow in a first direction and the second diode structure is configured for current flow in a second direction that is opposite the first direction.
US09257349B2 Method of scavenging impurities in forming a gate stack having an interfacial layer
A multi-layer scavenging metal gate stack, and methods of manufacturing the same, are disclosed. In an example, a gate stack disposed over a semiconductor substrate includes an interfacial dielectric layer disposed over the semiconductor substrate, a high-k dielectric layer disposed over the interfacial dielectric layer, a first conductive layer disposed over the high-k dielectric layer, and a second conductive layer disposed over the first conductive layer. The first conductive layer includes a first metal layer disposed over the high-k dielectric layer, a second metal layer disposed over the first metal layer, and a third metal layer disposed over the second metal layer. The first metal layer includes a material that scavenges oxygen impurities from the interfacial dielectric layer, and the second metal layer includes a material that adsorbs oxygen impurities from the third metal layer and prevents oxygen impurities from diffusing into the first metal layer.
US09257348B2 Methods of forming replacement gate structures for transistors and the resulting devices
Disclosed herein are illustrative methods and devices that involve forming spacers with internally trimmed internal surfaces to increase the width of the upper portions of a gate cavity. In some embodiments, the internal surface of the spacer has a stepped cross-sectional configuration or a tapered cross-sectional configuration. In one example, a device is disclosed wherein the P-type work function metal for a PMOS device is positioned only within the lateral space defined by the untrimmed internal surfaces of the spacers, while the work function adjusting metal for the NMOS device is positioned laterally between the lateral spaces defined by both the trimmed and untrimmed internal surfaces of the sidewall spacers.
US09257347B2 System and method for a field-effect transistor with a raised drain structure
A method for forming a field-effect transistor with a raised drain structure is disclosed. The method includes forming a frustoconical source by etching a semiconductor substrate, the frustoconical source protruding above a planar surface of the semiconductor substrate; forming a transistor gate, a first portion of the transistor gate surrounding a portion of the frustoconical source and a second portion of the gate configured to couple to a first electrical contact; and forming a drain having a raised portion configured to couple to a second electrical contact and located at a same level above the planar surface of the semiconductor substrate as the second portion of the transistor gate. A semiconductor device having a raised drain structure is also disclosed.
US09257345B2 Anti-fuse array of semiconductor device and method for forming the same
An anti-fuse array of a semiconductor device and a method for forming the same are disclosed. The anti-fuse array for a semiconductor device includes a first-type semiconductor substrate formed to define an active region by a device isolation region, a second-type impurity implantation region formed in the active region, a first-type channel region isolated from the semiconductor substrate by the second-type impurity implantation region, a gate electrode formed over the channel region, and a first metal contact formed over the second-type impurity implantation region.
US09257336B2 Bottom-up plating of through-substrate vias
According to one embodiment of the present invention, a method of plating a TSV hole in a substrate is provided. The TSV hole may include an open end terminating at a conductive pad, a stack of wiring levels, and a plurality of chip interconnects. The method of plating a TSV may include attaching a handler to the plurality of chip interconnects, the handler having a conductive layer in electrical contact with the plurality of chip interconnects; exposing a closed end of the TSV hole, including the conductive pad, to an electrolyte solution; and applying an electrical potential along an electrical path from the conductive layer to the conductive pad causing conductive material from the electrolyte solution to deposit on the conductive pad and within the TSV hole, the electrical path including the conductive layer, the plurality of chip interconnects, the stack of wiring levels and the conductive pad.
US09257333B2 Interconnect structures and methods of forming same
Embodiments of the present disclosure include interconnect structures and methods of forming interconnect structures. An embodiment is an interconnect structure including a post-passivation interconnect (PPI) over a first substrate and a conductive connector on the PPI. The interconnect structure further includes a molding compound on a top surface of the PPI and surrounding a portion of the conductive connector, a top surface of the molding compound adjoining the conductive connector at an angle from about 10 degrees to about 60 degrees relative to a plane parallel with a major surface of the first substrate, the conductive connector having a first width at the adjoining top surface of the molding compound, and a second substrate over the conductive connector, the second substrate being mounted to the conductive connector.
US09257332B2 Through-assembly via modules and methods for forming the same
A discrete Through-Assembly Via (TAV) module includes a substrate, and vias extending from a surface of the substrate into the substrate. The TAV module is free from conductive features in contact with one end of each of the conductive vias.
US09257330B2 Ultra-thin structure to protect copper and method of preparation
Methods of depositing thin, low dielectric constant layers that are effective diffusion barriers on metal interconnects of semiconductor circuits are described. A self-assembled monolayer (SAM) of molecules each having a head moiety and a tail moiety are deposited on the metal. The SAM molecules self-align, wherein the head moiety is formulated to selectively bond to the metal layer leaving the tail moiety disposed at a distal end of the molecule. A dielectric layer is subsequently deposited on the SAM, chemically bonding to the tail moiety of the SAM molecules.
US09257325B2 Semiconductor structures and methods for forming isolation between Fin structures of FinFET devices
Semiconductor structures and methods for forming isolation between fin structures formed from a bulk silicon wafer are provided. A bulk silicon wafer is provided having one or more fin structures formed therefrom. Forming of the fin structures defines isolation trenches between the one or more fin structures. Each of the fin structures has vertical sidewalls. An oxide layer is deposited in the isolation trenches and on the vertical sidewalls using HDPCVD in about a 4:1 ratio or greater. The oxide layer is isotropically etched to remove the oxide layer from the vertical sidewalls and a portion of the oxide layer from the bottom of the isolation trenches. A substantially uniformly thick isolating oxide layer is formed on the bottom of the isolation trench to isolate the one or more fin structures and substantially reduce fin height variability.
US09257322B2 Method for manufacturing through substrate via (TSV), structure and control method of TSV capacitance
A method for manufacturing a through substrate via (TSV) structure, a TSV structure, and a control method of a TSV capacitance are provided. The method for manufacturing the TSV structure includes: providing a substrate having a first surface and a second surface; forming a trench in the first surface of the substrate; filling a low resistance material into the trench; forming an insulating layer on the first surface of the substrate; forming at least one opening in the first surface of the substrate, wherein the opening is located differently the trench; forming an oxide liner layer, a barrier layer and a conductive seed layer on a sidewall and a bottom of the opening and on the insulating layer of the first surface; and filling a conductive material into the opening, wherein the opening is used to form at least one via.
US09257315B2 Cooling plate, method for manufacturing the same, and member for semiconductor manufacturing apparatus
A member for a semiconductor manufacturing apparatus includes an AlN electrostatic chuck, a cooling plate, and a cooling plate-chuck bonding layer. The cooling plate includes first to third substrates, a first metal bonding layer between the first and second substrates, a second metal bonding layer between the second and third substrates, and a refrigerant path. The first to third substrates are formed of a dense composite material containing SiC, Ti3SiC2, and TiC. The metal bonding layers are formed by thermal compression bonding of the substrates with an Al—Si—Mg metal bonding material interposed between the first and second substrates and between the second and third substrates.
US09257313B2 Substrate processing and positioning apparatus, substrate processing and positioning method and storage medium recording program for processing and positioning a substrate
Disclosed is a substrate processing apparatus including: a substrate processing unit that performs substrate processing by supplying a processing liquid to a substrate to be processed; a positioning mechanism that contacts the sides of the substrate to determine the position of the substrate; a positioning driver that drives the positioning mechanism; a detector that detects the position of the positioning mechanism; a storage unit that stores the position of the positioning mechanism with respect to a reference substrate serving as a reference of the substrate as a reference position information; and an operator that calculates a difference between the reference position information and the position information of the positioning mechanism detected in the detector and calculates measurement information on the processed substrate based on the difference.
US09257311B2 Method of fabricating a semiconductor package with heat dissipating structure having a deformed supporting portion
A method of fabricating a semiconductor package is provided, including: providing a heat dissipating structure having a heat dissipating portion, a deformable supporting portion coupled to the heat dissipating portion, and a coupling portion coupled to the supporting portion; coupling a carrier having a semiconductor element carried thereon to the coupling portion of the heat dissipating structure to form between the carrier and the heat dissipating portion a receiving space for the semiconductor element to be received therein; and forming in the receiving space an encapsulant that encapsulates the semiconductor element. The use of the supporting portion enhances the bonding between the heat dissipating structure and a mold used for packaging, thereby preventing the heat dissipating structure from having an overflow of encapsulant onto an external surface of the heat-dissipating portion.
US09257309B2 Multi-chip package and method of manufacturing the same
A multi-chip package may include a package substrate, a first semiconductor chip, a second semiconductor chip and a supporting member. The first semiconductor chip may be arranged on an upper surface of the package substrate. The first semiconductor chip may be electrically connected with the package substrate. The second semiconductor chip may be arranged on an upper surface of the first semiconductor chip. The second semiconductor chip may be electrically connected with the first semiconductor chip. The second semiconductor chip may have a protrusion overhanging an area beyond a side surface of the first semiconductor chip. The supporting member may be interposed between the protrusion of the second semiconductor chip and the package substrate to prevent a deflection of the protrusion. Thus, the protrusion may not be deflected.
US09257305B2 Methods of forming a thin film and methods of fabricating a semiconductor device including using the same
Provided are methods of forming a thin film and methods of fabricating a semiconductor device including the same. The thin film forming methods may include supplying an organic silicon source to form a silicon seed layer on a lower layer, the silicon seed layer including silicon seed particles adsorbed on the lower layer, and supplying an inorganic silicon source to deposit a silicon film on the lower layer adsorbed with the silicon atoms.
US09257304B2 Method of manufacturing non-volatile memory device
A method for manufacturing a non-volatile memory includes depositing a first conductive film and a protective film on a substrate including a logic area and a cell area, patterning the protective film, depositing a hard mask layer on the first conductive film and the patterned protective film to pattern the hard mask layer, using the patterned hard mask layer to form a logic gate on the logic area, exposing a surface of the first conductive film in the cell area and forming a control gate on the cell area.
US09257299B2 Method of manufacturing semiconductor device and semiconductor manufacturing apparatus
According to one embodiment, a method of manufacturing a semiconductor device includes forming a resist and a layer to be etched on a substrate, forming a non-cured layer on the resist by supplying a metal compound containing Ru, forming a cured layer on a surface layer of the resist by using the non-cured layer, and etching the layer to be etched by reactive ion etching using the cured layer and the resist as a mask.
US09257296B2 Etch process with pre-etch transient conditioning
A method for etching features with different aspect ratios in an etch layer is provided. A plurality of cycles is provided wherein each cycle comprises a pre-etch transient conditioning of the etch layer, which provides a transient condition of the etch layer, wherein the transient condition has a duration and etching the etch layer for a duration, wherein the duration of the etching with respect to the duration of the transient condition is controlled to control etch aspect ratio dependence.
US09257293B2 Methods of forming silicon nitride spacers
Embodiments of methods of forming silicon nitride spacers are provided herein. In some embodiments, a method of forming silicon nitride spacers atop a substrate includes: depositing a silicon nitride layer atop an exposed silicon containing layer and an at least partially formed gate stack disposed atop a substrate; modifying a portion of the silicon nitride layer by exposing the silicon nitride layer to a hydrogen or helium containing plasma that is substantially free of fluorine; and removing the modified portion of the silicon nitride layer by performing a wet cleaning process to form the silicon nitride spacers, wherein the wet cleaning process removes the modified portion of the silicon nitride layer selectively to the silicon containing layer.
US09257285B2 Ion source devices and methods
An ion source includes a chamber defining an interior cavity for ionization, an electron beam source at a first end of the interior cavity, an inlet for introducing ionizable gas into the chamber, and an arc slit for extracting ions from the chamber. The chamber includes an electrically conductive ceramic.
US09257277B2 Methods for extreme ultraviolet mask defect mitigation by multi-patterning
Methods for extreme ultraviolet (EUV) mask defect mitigation by using multi-patterning lithography techniques. In one exemplary embodiment, a method for fabricating an integrated circuit including identifying a position of a defect in a first EUV photolithographic mask, the photolithographic mask including a desired pattern and transferring the desired pattern to a photoresist material disposed on a semiconductor substrate. Transferring the desired pattern further transfers an error pattern feature to the photoresist material as a result of the defect in the first EUV photolithographic mask. The method further includes, using a second photolithographic mask, transferring a trim pattern to the photoresist material, wherein the trim pattern removes the error pattern feature from the photoresist material.
US09257272B2 Deposited material and method of formation
A system and method for manufacturing a semiconductor device is provided. An embodiment comprises forming a deposited layer using an atomic layer deposition (ALD) process. The ALD process may utilize a first precursor for a first time period, a first purge for a second time period longer than the first time period, a second precursor for a third time period longer than the first time period, and a second purge for a fourth time period longer than the third time period.
US09257269B2 Methods and apparatus for the ion mobility based separation and collection of molecules
This invention describes an apparatus and method with a combined primary electrospray and secondary electrospray ionization source used to enhance ionization efficiency. The solid phase as well as liquid phase sampling, ionization, and detection is described.
US09257266B2 Micro-channel plate, method for manufacturing micro-channel plate, and image intensifier
In a micro-channel plate, an electron emission film and an ion barrier film formed on a substrate are integrally formed by the same film formation step. In this structure, the electron emission film and the ion barrier film are made as continuous and firm films and the ion barrier film can be made thinner. Since the ion barrier film is formed on the back side of an organic film, the organic film is exposed during removal of the organic film. This prevents the organic film from remaining and thus suppresses degradation of performance of the ion barrier film due to the residual organic film, so as to suppress ion feedback from the micro-channel plate and achieve a sufficient improvement in life characteristics of an image intensifier.
US09257260B2 Method and system for adaptively scanning a sample during electron beam inspection
A system for adaptive electron beam scanning may include an inspection sub-system configured to scan an electron beam across the surface of a sample. The inspection sub-system may include an electron beam source, a sample stage, a set of electron-optic elements, a detector assembly and a controller communicatively coupled to one or more portions of the inspection sub-system. The controller may assess one or more characteristics of one or more portions of an area of the sample for inspection and, responsive to the assessed one or more characteristics, adjust one or more scan parameters of the inspection sub-system.
US09257254B2 Transmissive target, X-ray generating tube including transmissive target, X-ray generating apparatus, and radiography system
A transmissive target includes a target layer configured to include target metal and generate X-ray when receiving electrons and a substrate configured to support the target layer and include carbon as a main component. A carbide region including carbide of the target metal and a non-carbide region including the target metal are disposed in a mixed manner on a boundary surface between the substrate and the target layer on a target layer side.
US09257249B2 Power supply control device
The power supply control device in accordance with the present invention includes: a power reception terminal for receiving power; a power supply terminal for supplying power; a relay configured to make and break an electrical connection between the power reception terminal and the power supply terminal; a control circuit configured to control the relay; a power supply circuit configured to supply power to the control circuit by use of power received via the power reception terminal; and a printed wiring board. The control circuit and the power supply circuit are mounted on the printed wiring board.
US09257242B2 Work vehicle
An operation unit cover moves between a position of covering an operation lever and a position of exposing the operation lever and holding the operation lever at a first operational position while being at the position of covering. A housing covers lateral sides and a top side of a case that cross a front side of the case and exposes the operation unit cover from the front side. A pivoting member pivots about a pivoting member's pivot shaft located above the operation unit cover, between a closed position of covering the operation unit cover and an opened position of exposing the operation unit cover and, while the pivoting member is at the closed position, the pivoting member forms a closed space between the pivoting member and the housing for accommodating at least the operation unit cover and holds the operation unit cover at the position of covering the operation lever.
US09257240B2 Key assembly and electronic device having the same
A key assembly which is configured to provide improved click feeling to a user and an electronic device having the same are provided. The key assembly includes a key body of elastic materials and contact projections, each of the contact projections which is protruded and formed from the key body and presses a switch device spaced apart from the key body by a gap providing a certain interval, wherein the key body is installed such that a contact surface of each of the contact projections is in contact with and pushed back by a certain distance by a pre-loading force of the switch device.
US09257231B2 High energy capacitors
The following invention relates to high energy capacitors with increased thermal resilience over conventional bulk ceramic capacitors, particularly capacitors that may be formed into a three dimensional shape to fit inside an existing device. The capacitor is provided with first and second electrodes which have a plurality of interlocating protrusions, which increase the relative surface area of the electrodes. The first and second electrodes and interlocating protrusions are provided with through holes. The devices are filled with a flowable dielectric material.
US09257226B2 Rotary transformer and associated devices, systems, and methods for rotational intravascular ultrasound
Rotational intravascular ultrasound (IVUS) imaging devices, systems, and methods are provided. The present disclosure is particularly directed to rotary transformers incorporating flex circuits that are suitable for use in rotational IVUS systems. In one embodiment, a rotary transformer for a rotational IVUS device includes: a rotational component and a stationary component. At least one of the rotational and stationary components includes a core formed of a magnetically conductive material and a flex circuit coupled to the core. In some instances, the flex circuit is coupled to the core such that a coil portion of the flex circuit is received within a recess of the core and an extension of the flex circuit extending from the coil portion extends through an opening of the core.
US09257223B2 Inductor
An inductor includes soft magnetic alloy powder-containing resin that contains amorphous soft magnetic alloy powder, which resin is used as a sealing material that seals a coil wound around a winding core of the core. This soft magnetic alloy powder-containing resin contains two groups of large and small particles having a first peak and second peak in their particle size distribution, where the particle size corresponding to the second peak is equal to or smaller than one-half the particle size corresponding to the first peak, and the magnitude ratio (abundance ratio) of the second peak and first peak is 0.2 or more but 0.6 or less. The inductor demonstrates improved DC superimposition characteristics and does not cause sealing irregularities.
US09257222B2 Inverter housing system
A housing system can comprise a plastic cover (12); a plastic base (14) comprising a floor (20) having sidewalls (22, 24); a first elevation (26); a second elevation (34); a first mounting column (40) located in a transformer end (32) of the plastic base (14) adjacent a major axis first sidewall (22); a second mounting column (42) located in the transformer end (32) of the plastic base (14) adjacent a major axis second sidewall (22); wherein the first and second mounting columns (40,42) have a top surface (44) that protrudes a distance from the floor (20), in the Z direction, in an amount greater than or equal to elevation walls (28,36), wherein the top surface (44) is configured to receive an attachment element (46). The housing system can also comprise a transformer (72), physically attached to the mounting columns; a capacitor (74); a fan (78), and a printed circuit board (80).
US09257221B2 Through-hole via inductor in a high-frequency device
The invention discloses a high-frequency device having a through-hole via inductor in a substrate. The through-hole via inductor has an integral body. The inductance of the through-hole via inductor is greater than that of the horizontal inductor. The through-hole via inductor comprises at least two materials, wherein one of said at least two materials is a conductive material. The present invention also discloses a method for manufacturing the structure of the high-frequency device, wherein the method mainly includes via-drilling and via-filling in the substrate, and lithography process on the substrate.
US09257212B2 Dielectric material with low dielectric loss
The invention provides a dielectric material with low dielectric loss. The dielectric material comprises (i) 40˜80 parts by weight of polyphenylene ether resin having a Mw of 1000˜7000, a Mn of 1000˜4000 and Mw/Mn=1.0˜1.8; (ii) 5˜30 parts by weight of bismaleimide resins; and (iii) 5˜30 parts by weight of polymer additives, wherein the dielectric material has Dk of 3.75˜4.0 and Df of 0.0025˜0.0045. The dielectric material is suitably used in prepregs and insulation layers of a circuit board, because it has high Tg, low thermal expansion coefficient, low moisture absorption and excellent dielectric properties such as Dk and Df.
US09257211B2 Process of forming transparent conductive coatings with sintering additives
A process is disclosed for the delayed sintering of metal nanoparticles in a self-assembled transparent conductive coating by incorporating a sintering additive into the water phase of the emulsion used to form the coating. The sintering additive reduces the standard reduction potential of the metal ion of the metal forming the nanoparticles by an amount greater than 0.1V but less than the full reduction potential of the metal ion. Emulsion compositions used in the process are also disclosed.
US09257210B2 Lanthanum boride sintered body and method for producing the same
A lanthanum boride sintered body includes a phase including lanthanum and silicon at grain boundaries between crystal grains of lanthanum boride. In this lanthanum boride sintered body, the phase exists in various configurations such as a phase present at a triple point of grain boundary, and a phase present along the grain boundary. This phase is based on a lanthanum silicide (represented by the composition formula LaSix (0
US09257209B2 Electromagnetic wave generator and bit generator using oscillation of charged particles
An electromagnetic wave generator includes first and second electrodes facing each other and spaced apart from each other; a chargeable particle disposed between the first and second electrodes; a voltage source which applies a voltage between the first and second electrodes; and an antenna electrically connected to one of the first and second electrodes and which radiates an electromagnetic wave due to induced current oscillation based on the applied voltage.
US09257191B1 Charge redistribution during erase in charge trapping memory
Techniques are provided to accelerate the redistribution of the holes in connection with an erase operation, so that there will be a reduced amount of redistribution of the holes after programming. As a result, short-term charge loss after programming is reduced. In one aspect, a positive control gate voltage is applied to a set of memory cells after erase and before programming. The positive control gate voltage has a relatively low amplitude and a long duration, compared to a programming voltage. The positive control gate voltage can be adjusted based on the erase depth of the memory cells and factors such as a count of program-erase cycles, a count of erase-verify iterations, sensing of a position of the lower tail, and a cross-sectional width of a vertical pillar of a memory hole.
US09257189B2 Non-volatile semiconductor memory adapted to store a multi-valued data in a single memory cell
A non-volatile semiconductor memory device includes an electrically data rewritable non-volatile semiconductor memory cell and a write circuit for writing data in the memory cell, the write circuit writing a data in the memory cells by supplying a write voltage Vpgm and a write control voltage VBL to the memory cell, continuing the writing of the data in the memory cell by changing the value of the write control voltage VBL in response to an advent of a first write state of the memory cell and inhibiting any operation of writing a data to the memory cell by further changing the value of the write control voltage VBL to Vdd in response to an advent of a second write state of the memory cell.
US09257187B2 Data storing method, memory control circuit unit and memory storage apparatus
A data writing method, and a memory control circuit unit and a memory storage apparatus using the method are provided. The method including: programming data to several memory cells on a first word line of the rewritable non-volatile memory module of the memory storage apparatus, and a first predetermined reading voltage is initially configured for the first word line. The data storing method further includes: adjusting the first predetermined reading voltage to obtain a first available reading voltage for the first word line, and applying the first available reading voltage to the first word line to read first page data. The storing method further includes: if the difference value between the first available reading voltage and the first predetermined reading voltage is larger than a predetermined threshold value, performing a protection operation for the first page data.
US09257185B2 Nonvolatile memory device, nonvolatile memory system, program method thereof, and operation method of controller controlling the same
According to example embodiments, a nonvolatile memory device includes a first memory cell configured to store a first data pattern, a second memory cell configured to be programmed using a program voltage, and a coupling program control unit. The coupling program control unit may be configured to perform a verification operation for verifying whether the first memory cell is programmed with the first data pattern. The verification operation may provide to the first memory cell a verification voltage corresponding to the first data pattern. The coupling program control unit may be configured to end programming the second memory cell when the verification operation on the first memory cell indicates a pass.
US09257184B2 Nonvolatile memory systems with embedded fast read and write memories
A nonvolatile memory system is described with novel architecture coupling nonvolatile storage memory with random access volatile memory. New commands are included to enhance the read and write performance of the memory system.
US09257180B2 Random telegraph signal noise reduction scheme for semiconductor memories
Embodiments are provided that include a method including providing a first pulsed gate signal to a selected memory cell, wherein the pulsed gate signal alternates between a first voltage level and a second voltage level during a time period and sensing a data line response to determine data stored on the selected memory of cells. Further embodiments provide a system including a memory device, having a regulator circuit coupled to a plurality of access lines of a NAND memory cell, and a switching circuit configured to sequentially bias at least one of the plurality of the access lines between a first voltage level and a second voltage level based on an input signal.
US09257179B2 Semiconductor memory having volatile and multi-bit non-volatile functionality and method of operating
A semiconductor memory cell, semiconductor memory devices comprising a plurality of the semiconductor memory cells, and methods of using the semiconductor memory cell and devices are described. A semiconductor memory cell includes a substrate having a first conductivity type; a first region embedded in the substrate at a first location of the substrate and having a second conductivity type; a second region embedded in the substrate at a second location of the substrate and have the second conductivity type, such that at least a portion of the substrate having the first conductivity type is located between the first and second locations and functions as a floating body to store data in volatile memory; a trapping layer positioned in between the first and second locations and above a surface of the substrate; the trapping layer comprising first and second storage locations being configured to store data as nonvolatile memory independently of one another; and a control gate positioned above the trapping layer.
US09257177B2 Write control circuits and write control methods
According to various embodiments, a write control circuit configured to control writing to a memory cell by applying a writing current to the memory cell may be provided. The write control circuit may include: a current application circuit configured to apply the writing current to the memory cell; a determination circuit configured to determine whether writing to the memory cell is finished; and a stop writing circuit configured to cut off the writing current from the memory cell if it is determined that writing to the memory cell is finished.
US09257173B2 Arithmetic processing unit and driving method thereof
An arithmetic processing unit including an SRAM with low power consumption and performing backup and recovery operation with no burden on circuits. One embodiment is a memory device including a plurality of memory cells. The memory cells include inverters in which capacitors for backing up data are provided. When data of all the memory cells in a region is not rewritten after data is returned from the capacitors to the inverters, data in the region is not transferred from the inverters to the capacitors and the inverters are turned off. When data of at least one of the memory cells in the region is rewritten, data in the region is transferred from the inverters to the capacitors and then power of the inverters are turned off. In this manner, backup is selectively performed to reduce power consumption. Other embodiments are described and claimed.
US09257172B2 Multi-port memory cell
A circuit includes a first data line, a second data line, a reference node, and a memory cell. The reference node is configured to have a reference voltage level corresponding to a first logical value. The memory cell includes a data node, a first transistor and a second transistor connected in series between the first data line and the reference node, and a third transistor between the data node and the second data line. A gate of the first transistor is coupled to the data node, and the first transistor is configured to be turned off when the gate of the first transistor has a voltage level corresponding to the first logical value. The third transistor is configured to be turned off when a gate of the third transistor has a voltage level corresponding to a second logical value different from the first logical value.
US09257168B2 Magnetic recording device and magnetic recording apparatus
An example magnetic recording device includes a magnetic recording section and a magnetization oscillator and a first nonmagnetic layer disposed between the magnetic recording section and the magnetization oscillator. The magnetic recording section includes a first ferromagnetic layer with a magnetization substantially fixed in a first direction; a second ferromagnetic layer with a variable magnetization direction; and a second nonmagnetic layer disposed between the first ferromagnetic layer and the second ferromagnetic layer. The magnetization oscillator includes a third ferromagnetic layer with a variable magnetization direction; a fourth ferromagnetic layer with a magnetization substantially fixed in a second direction; and a third nonmagnetic layer disposed between the third ferromagnetic layer and the fourth ferromagnetic layer.
US09257166B2 Current sense amplifying circuit in semiconductor memory device
Disclosed is a current sense amplifier suitable for a nonvolatile memory device such as a magnetic random access memory. In the current sense amplifier, a reference memory cell for sensing is implemented by a memory cell equal to a normal memory cell without fabricating different reference memory cells. The current sense amplifier is formed of first and second cross coupled differential amplifiers being covalent bonded. The current sense amplifier compares a current flowing to a sensing node of a memory cell directly with currents flowing to reference sensing nodes.
US09257165B2 Assisted local source line
In some examples, a memory device has a memory array configured to include sets of bit cells grouped based in part on an arrangement of local source lines. Each of the groups of cells may include an assist bit having a lower impedance than the other bit cells of the group to cause current distributed by the local source lines to be largely provided to the assist bit. In some examples, the assist bit include a shorted tunnel junction and in other examples, multiple assist bits may be connected by one or more bridge assisted bit lines.
US09257160B2 Precharge circuit and semiconductor memory apparatus using the same
A precharge circuit may include a precharge control unit, a first precharge unit, and a second precharge unit. The precharge control unit may generate a read precharge signal and a write precharge signal in response to a read signal, a write signal, and a precharge signal. The first precharge unit may precharge a data input/output line to a first voltage level in response to the read precharge signal. The second precharge unit may precharge the data input/output line to either a second voltage level or a third voltage level in response to the write precharge signal.
US09257139B2 Co-located gimbal-based dual stage actuation disk drive suspensions with motor stiffeners
Various embodiments concern a gimbaled flexure having a dual stage actuation structure. The flexure comprises a gimbal which includes a pair of spring arms, a pair of struts, and a tongue between the spring arms. A motor is mounted on the gimbal. The motor comprises a top side and a bottom side opposite the top side. The bottom side of the motor faces the flexure. A stiffener is mounted on the top side of the motor. At least one layer of adhesive is located between the stiffener and the motor and bonded to the stiffener and the motor. The gimbaled flexure includes a slider mounting for attaching a slider, such as to the tongue. The motor bends the struts to move the slider mounting about a tracking axis while the stiffener limits the degree of bending of the motor.
US09257131B2 Speech signal processing apparatus and method
A speech signal processing apparatus includes an amplitude and phase signal generation section that, based on an analyzing signal expressed by a complex signal generated from a speech signal applied with pitch marks every 1 pitch cycle, generates an amplitude signal and a phase signal on the time axis of the speech signal, a phase signal conversion section that converts the phase signal into a phase signal of a target pitch cycle width for each section of the 1 pitch cycle width based on the pitch marks, and a pitch conversion speech signal generation section that generates a speech signal in which pitch cycle is converted to the target pitch cycle based on an amplitude signal of the target pitch cycle width of a section corresponding to the section of the amplitude signal and based on a phase signal of the target pitch cycle width.
US09257130B2 Audio encoding/decoding with syntax portions using forward aliasing cancellation
A codec supporting switching between time-domain aliasing cancellation transform coding mode and time-domain coding mode is made less liable to frame loss by adding a further syntax portion to the frames, depending on which the parser of the decoder may select between a first action of expecting the current frame to have, and thus reading forward aliasing cancellation data from the current frame and a second action of not-expecting the current frame to have, and thus not reading forward aliasing cancellation data from the current frame. In other words, while a bit of coding efficiency is lost due to the provision of the new syntax portion, it is merely the new syntax portion which provides for the ability to use the codec in case of a communication channel with frame loss. Without the new syntax portion, the decoder would not be capable of decoding any data stream portion after a loss and will crash in trying to resume parsing. Thus, in an error prone environment, the coding efficiency is prevented from vanishing by the introduction of the new syntax portion.
US09257127B2 Apparatus and method for coding and decoding multi-object audio signal with various channel including information bitstream conversion
Provided is an apparatus and method for coding and decoding multi-object audio signals with various channels and providing backward compatibility with a conventional spatial audio coding (SAC) bitstream. The apparatus includes: an audio object coding unit for coding audio-object signals inputted to the coding apparatus based on a spatial cue and creating rendering information for the coded audio-object signals, where the rendering information provides a coding apparatus including spatial cue information for audio-object signals; channel information of the audio-object signals; and identification information of the audio-object signals, and used in coding and decoding of the audio signals.
US09257114B2 Electronic device, information processing apparatus,and method for controlling the same
The present invention provides a technology for enabling a natural voice reproduction in which, depending on a gazed character position, a position of a voice output character follows but not excessively reacts with the gazed character position. Therefore, in an electronic device provided with a display unit for displaying text on a screen, a voice outputting unit for outputting the text as voice, and a sight-line detection unit for detecting a sight-line direction of a user, a control unit changes a starting position at which a voice outputting unit starts voice output if a distance between the position of the current output character and the position of the current gazed character is a preset threshold or more.
US09257110B1 Torque suppressor
Disclosed is a torque suppressor for bodies having a forward assembly comprising an extension having a rear-portion, a mid-portion, and a fore-portion, wherein the fore-portion is configured to attach to the forward assembly, the rear-portion is configured to attach to the body at a forward point of attachment, and the mid-portion is configured to attach to a first end of a shoulder strap, the shoulder strap having a second end configured to attach to a rear point of attachment of the body. The device is effective in eliminating neck dive.
US09257109B2 Eyebolt bracket assembly
Eyebolt mounting devices are disclosed. In an aspect, the present disclosure provides an eyebolt bracket assembly for mounting a musical instrument to a rod. The assembly has a bracket having a first side having a first opening, a second side having a second opening, and a top side having a third opening. The bracket houses an eyebolt member having a threaded portion and an eye opening portion. The eye opening portion has an eye opening, an outer surface, and inner surface. A spring is disposed on the threaded portion and to apply a variable tension force to the eyebolt member. The threaded portion passes through the third opening and receives a washer and a fastener. The eyebolt member is held to the bracket by the fastener and is movable within the bracket.
US09257094B2 Projection display device, projection display method, and computer program
A projection display device according to the invention includes a separating unit that assigns X separation information for identifying a type of an image to each pixel by using a characteristic amount of the input image, a luminance detecting unit that detects a luminance of a screen, a first determining unit that determines a first target region indicating a region on which halftone processing of converting the number of gradations is performed on the input image by using the X separation information, and a halftone processing unit that executes the halftone processing that varies depending on the luminance on the first target region.
US09257092B2 Method and system for enhancing user experience for remoting technologies
The disclosure herein describes a client-side system that enhances user experience on a remoting client without consuming additional network bandwidth. During operation, the system receives a sequence of frame updates for a display screen, and determines a sequence of frames corresponding to the frame updates. The system further adaptively applies one or more image enhancing techniques to the sequence of frames based on available network bandwidth, frame refresh rate, or image quality. The image enhancement techniques include predicting a frame based on previously received frames, interpolating a frame based on at least two buffered frames, and reducing appearance of artifacts in a received frame, thereby reducing visual artifacts.
US09257084B2 Shift register unit and gate driver circuit
Provided are a shift register unit and a gate driver circuit, which are configured to suppress output errors caused by the drifts in the threshold voltages and the interval existed in the operation of pulling the output terminal, and thus to enhance stability of the shift register unit. The shift register unit comprises: an input module, a first output module, a pull-down driving module, a pull-down module and a first output discharging unit. The pull-down driving module is connected to the first clock signal input terminal and the second clock signal input terminal, and configured to provide the first clock signal to a first pull-down node in response to the first clock signal, provide the second clock signal to a second pull-down node in response to the second clock signal, provide a first low voltage signal to the first pull-down node and the second pull-down node in response to the voltage signal at the pull-up node, provide the first low voltage signal to the second pull-down node in response to a voltage signal at the first pull-down node, and provide the first low voltage signal to the first pull-down node in response to a voltage signal at the second pull-down node.
US09257082B2 Display device and electronic device
A display device including a pixel having a memory. The pixel includes at least a display element, a capacitor, an inverter, and a switch. The switch is controlled with a signal held in the capacitor and a signal output from the inverter so that voltage is supplied to the display element. The inverter and the switch can be constituted by transistors with the same polarity. A semiconductor layer included in the pixel may be formed using a light-transmitting material. Moreover, a gate electrode, a drain electrode, and a capacitor electrode may be formed using a light-transmitting conductive layer. The pixel is formed using a light-transmitting material in such a manner, whereby the display device can be a transmissive display device while including a pixel having a memory.
US09257074B2 Pixel compensation circuit
A pixel compensation circuit includes a first transistor, a second transistor, a third transistor, a fourth transistor, a fifth transistor, a switch unit and a light emitting diode. The first transistor, the third transistor, the fourth transistor, the fifth transistor, and the switch unit are used to receive a respective switch signal. The pixel compensation circuit can compensate a threshold voltage of transistor automatically; and consequentially a driving current of light emitting diode is prevented from being affected by the change of the threshold voltage or the voltage drop of the light emitting diode.
US09257070B2 Image display method and display system
A display panel is provided. The display panel includes: a white-light organic light-emitting diode (WOLED) array, having a plurality of pixels, wherein the pixels are divided into multiple light groups and the light groups emit light according to a driving signal; a lens layer, configured to receive light from the WOLED array; a color filter layer, having color filters in different colors to filter the light from the lens layer; and a driving circuit, configured to receive a light group control signal and generate a driving signal to control the emission of the light groups, wherein the lens layer is placed between the color filter layer and the WOLED array, and is configured to refract the light emitted from each light group of the WOLED array, so that the light passes through the color filter layer to form images.
US09257068B2 Organic light emitting display device including a redundant element for a test gate line
An organic light emitting display device according to example embodiments includes a display unit, a test data line to which a test data voltage is applied during a sheet unit test, a test gate line to which a first voltage is applied during the sheet unit test and to which a second voltage is applied during a normal operation of the organic light emitting display device, a plurality of test transistors configured to selectively couple the test data line to a plurality of data lines in the display unit in accordance with a voltage provided by the test gate line, and at least one redundant element configured to maintain the test gate line at the second voltage during the normal operation even if the test gate line is damaged.
US09257054B2 Sport ball athletic activity monitoring methods and systems
A method for monitoring a ball used for an athletic activity includes detecting movement of the ball at a first time, using a sensor module coupled to the ball, determining that the movement of the ball corresponds to a predetermined activation movement, entering an active state of the sensor module in response to the determination that the movement of the ball corresponds to the predetermined activation movement, and detecting movement of the ball at a second time, using the sensor module in the active state.
US09257053B2 System and method for providing audio for a requested note using a render cache
A method for providing audio data corresponding to a requested musical note is disclosed, the method comprising: (a) providing a render cache having a plurality of cache entries, each of the cache entries corresponding to a different note; (b) receiving a request for a first note from a client; (c) identifying a first cache entry corresponding to the first note; (d) determining that a first audio segment corresponding to the first cache entry is not available; (e) identifying a second audio segment corresponding to a near-hit cache entry in the render cache; and (f) processing the second audio segment into a third audio segment that is substantially similar to the first audio segment.
US09257052B2 Evaluating candidate answers to questions in a target knowledge domain
Evaluating candidate answers to questions in a target knowledge domain, including: identifying, by a question answering module, a plurality of evidence items in the target knowledge domain; identifying, by the question answering module, a plurality of answers to questions in the target knowledge domain; determining, by the question answering module, associations between each evidence item and one or more of the answers; receiving, by the question answering module, a question; receiving, by the question answering module, values for the one or more evidence items; and providing, by the question answering module, an answer to the question in dependence upon the associations between each evidence item and one or more of the answers and the values for the one or more evidence items.
US09257047B2 Computation of new aircraft trajectory using time factor
A time factor corresponding to an airspace delay or acceleration is communicated to an aircraft. A flight management computer or other computational device of the aircraft calculates a proposed change in trajectory in order to accommodate the time factor in an optimum or nearly optimum manner. One or more proposed changes in trajectory are subject to review by the pilot or other flight personnel. An operator-selected change in trajectory is then implemented in order to accommodate a new arrival time of the aircraft at its destination or a positional point.
US09257043B2 Lane correction system, lane correction apparatus and method of correcting lane
The embodiment provides a method of correcting a lane. The method includes receiving first lane information detected by a lane departure warning system; comparing the received first lane information with previously stored second lane information to identify a degree of variation of a lane as a function for time; sensing whether a fault detection of the received first lane information exists according to the identified degree of variation of the lane; correcting the received first lane information when the fault detection of the first lane information is sensed; and transmitting the corrected lane information to the lane departure warning system.
US09257038B2 Fluids testing apparatus and methods of use
The invention is directed to a mobile hand held miniature laboratory system in general, and to fluid testing apparatus for performing a parameter measurement in a fluid sample and methods of use in particular. The apparatus comprising: a strip adapted to absorb a fluid sample and to produce a signal indicative of the parameter level in the sample; and adaptor adapted to connect the strip to a smart phone to allow delivery of the produced signal or a correlated signal to the smart phone for obtaining a measurement of the fluid parameter displayed on the smart phone, wherein the testing apparatus relies on the smart phone at least for power supply and display device. The fluid may be a physiological fluid such as blood, urine, saliva or amniotic fluid, or a non-physiological fluid such as fluid obtained from industrial pools for fish or algae growth, or entertainment swimming pools.
US09257034B2 Systems, methods and apparatus for providing an audio indicator via a remote control
Apparatus, systems and methods are described for outputting audible or visual indicators via a remote control for a controlled device. A remote control queries an associated controlled device for information. The controlled device generates a request for the remote control to activate an audio or visual indicator. The request is integrated with a response to the query that is transmitted to the remote control. The remote control outputs an audio or visual indicator responsive to the request.
US09257032B2 System and method for emergency communication in a TCP/IP based redundant fire panel network
A system and method for providing emergency alarm communications in an fire panel network having a ring topology. The fire panels of the network each include an emergency interface between a panel processor and a panel transceiver. The emergency interface includes a communication link that is different from a normal TCP/IP communication link of the associated panel. The emergency interface comprises a separate communication path from the normal communication link. When normal TCP/IP communications are interrupted, the emergency interface is operable to transmit alarm signals to an adjacent panel in the network. The alarm signals may then be transmitted between subsequently connected panels and a workstation or central monitoring station via the normal TCP/IP mode. The workstation and/or central monitoring station can recognize the alarm signals as being generated by the originating panel. Other embodiments are disclosed and claimed.
US09257023B2 Media device and control method thereof
A media device connected to an external device and a control method thereof are provided. The media device includes a display unit configured to output a plan view denoting a structure of a building, a signal input/output unit configured to, when emergency occurs, receive information regarding a location in which emergency has occurred from a management center, and a controller configured to classify a plurality of emergency exits disposed in the building into available emergency exits and unavailable emergency exits by using the location information, map a fire escape route leading to an emergency exit closest to the location in which the media device is installed, among the available emergency exits.
US09257013B2 Facilitation of gaming event re-creation
For facilitating re-experience of an event of a gaming device with a player, data is sampled from the gaming device by a gaming system having supervisory hierarchical control over the gaming device, the data provided by the gaming system to a data processing device in communication with the gaming system, that is external to the gaming device. The sampled data is processed to create a facsimile animation recreation of the event at a subsequent time.
US09257010B2 Gaming system and method for enabling a player to accept or reject a progressive award
A gaming system which enables a player to exchange progressive awards of corresponding progressive award levels of different multi-level progressive award (“MLP”) configurations. Following the gaming system determining a progressive award of a specific progressive award level of a specific MLP configuration, the gaming system enables the player to accept that determined progressive award or forfeit that determined progressive award for another progressive award of a corresponding progressive award level of a different MLP configuration. The gaming system thus enables a player to swap or replace one progressive award of one progressive award level of one MLP configuration for a different progressive award of a corresponding progressive award level of a different MLP configuration. Such a configuration provides an increased level of excitement and enjoyment for certain players because the player's individual decisions regarding which progressive award offers to accept or reject determine which progressive award the player is ultimately provided.
US09257002B2 Gaming machine with common game featuring 3D effects
A plurality of gaming terminals 10, a terminal image display panel 16 and an upper display 700 which display effect images in accordance with the gaming state of a game on the gaming terminals 10 and display at least one of the effect images in three dimensions, a terminal controller 630, which switches at least one of the effect images on the terminal image display panel 16 and the upper display 700 from two dimensional display to three dimensional display when the gaming state satisfies a predetermined condition, and a center controller 200.
US09256975B2 Graphics processing systems
An “accumulation buffer” process in a graphics processing system is carried out not by rendering each sub-frame making up the accumulated frame in its entirety in turn, but by subjecting each individual tile 2, 3, 4 and 5 making up the accumulated frame to the sequence of different rendering passes individually. Thus, for each individual tile making up the accumulated frame, several sub-tiles (e.g. 2′, 2″, 2′″ and 2″″) are generated in turn and accumulated together to provide a final accumulation tile (2ACC) that is output as the accumulated version of the tile in question. This is then repeated for each of the remaining individual tiles 3, 4 and 5 making up the accumulated frame 1, and the individual accumulated tiles 2ACC, 3ACC, 4ACC and 5ACC are combined together to provide the output accumulated frame 6.
US09256973B2 Controlling animated character expression
A system includes a computer system capable of representing one or more animated characters. The computer system includes a blendshape manager that combines multiple blendshapes to produce the animated character. The computer system also includes an expression manager to respectively adjust one or more control parameters associated with each of the plurality of blendshapes for adjusting an expression of the animated character. The computer system also includes a corrective element manager that applies one or more corrective elements to the combined blendshapes based upon at least one of the control parameters. The one or more applied corrective elements are adjustable based upon one or more of the control parameters absent the introduction of one or more additional control parameters.
US09256967B2 Systems and methods for partial volume correction in PET penalized-likelihood image reconstruction
A computer-implemented method for partial volume correction in Positron Emission Tomography (PET) image reconstruction includes receiving emission data related to an activity distribution, reconstructing the activity distribution from the emission data by maximizing a penalized-likelihood objective function to produce a reconstructed PET image, quantifying an activity concentration in a region of interest of the reconstructed PET image to produce an uncorrected quantitation, and correcting the uncorrected quantitation based on a pre-calculated contrast recovery coefficient value to account for a partial volume error in the uncorrected quantitation.
US09256962B2 Personalizing medical conditions with augmented reality
Augmented reality is used to simulate the impact of medical conditions on body parts and other objects within images taken of the objects. The simulations enable a user to see how a medical condition can affect the user by dynamically simulating the impact of the medical condition on captured images of body parts associated with the user in real-time. A user can select different medical conditions that are associated with different body parts. These objects are then identified within images containing the body parts using image recognition algorithms and/or user input. Thereafter, the images are modified so as to render the body parts as though the body parts were being impacted by the medical condition. The modifications are made by blending image data of the captured image with condition image data available to the processing system.
US09256948B1 Depth map generation using bokeh detection
In one aspect, one or more computing devices receive a set of image frames. Each image frame includes pixels. The computing devices align image frames in order to identify flows of the pixels in the set of image frames. Regions of bokeh effect are identified in each image frame by measuring the sizes of areas of expansion across image frames using a set of assumptions and the identified flows. The computing devices adjust the alignment of the set of image frames based at least in part on the identified regions of bokeh effect. For each image frame, the computing devices generates an index map of focus values for each of the pixels that image frame using the improved alignment. A depth map is generated by the computing devices based at least in part on the index maps.
US09256939B1 System and method for aligning mammography images
A method and system of aligning plurality of physically scaled mammography images within at least one viewport comprising: categorizing each mammography image to a corresponding mammography view; determining the image dimensions of each image based on the pixel spacing; choosing a first mammography image for each mammographic view based on the image dimensions; centering the first mammography image of each mammographic view within the at least one viewport; generating a virtual line across the at least one viewport along a boundary of the first mammography image; and aligning subsequent mammography images of the same mammographic view such that a boundary of the mammography image is aligned to the virtual line.
US09256934B2 Enhanced image reconstruction in photoacoustic tomography
Various embodiments of methods and systems are provided for image reconstruction in photoacoustic tomography. In one embodiment, among others, a method includes obtaining photoacoustic time-domain data; reconstructing an image from the photoacoustic time-domain data using total-variation minimization based photoacoustic tomography reconstruction; and providing the reconstructed image for rendering on a display device. In another embodiment, a system includes a computing device and an image reconstruction program executable in the computing device. The image reconstruction program includes logic that obtains photoacoustic time-domain data; logic that reconstructs an image from the photoacoustic time-domain data using total-variation minimization based photoacoustic tomography reconstruction; and logic that provides the reconstructed image for rendering on a display device.
US09256930B2 X-ray inspection method and device
A first X-ray image is obtained by imaging a target in a first direction and at a first elevation angle, and a second X-ray image is obtained by imaging the target in a second direction and at a second elevation angle. Based on these two X-ray images, cross-section data of the target is obtained. The first and second X-ray images are converted into first and second thickness data, and first cross-section data based on a first surface side of the target and second cross-section data based on a second surface side of the target are obtained based on the first thickness data. Similar third cross-section data and four cross-section data are obtained based on the second thickness data. The cross-section data of the target is obtained by partially extracting and synthesizing cross-section data of a highly reliable region from these pieces of cross-section data.
US09256926B2 Use of inpainting techniques for image correction
A method of processing an image signal comprising image and depth information is provided. The method is configured to perform segmentation on an image based on depth/disparity information present in the image signal comprising said image, and subsequently inpaint background for correction of the errors in the image around the foreground objects into a region that extends beyond the segment boundary of the foreground object and/or inpaint foreground for correction of errors in the image into a region that extends inside the segment boundary of the foreground object. In this way compression and other artifacts may be reduced.
US09256920B1 Image enhancement using a patch based technique
A system for determining a high resolution output image that includes receiving a low resolution image having a first resolution and determining an intermediate high resolution image having a second resolution based upon the low resolution image, where the second resolution is greater than the first resolution. The system determines a set of matches between a patch of the intermediate high resolution image and each of a plurality of degraded high resolution images, then selecting a subset of the set of matches and determining a corresponding reside patch for each of the subset of the set of patches. The system modifies the intermediate high resolution image based upon the corresponding reside patches to determine the high resolution output image.
US09256913B2 Information processing apparatus, control method thereof, and program
An information processing apparatus which causes a printing apparatus to print an image to which information is added, includes a causing unit for causing, when a setting is specified for adding information to an image and the information cannot be acquired from a router, the printing apparatus not to print the image, and for causing, when a setting is specified for adding information to an image and the information can be acquired from a router, the printing apparatus to print an image to which the acquired information is added.
US09256910B2 Medical monitoring/consumables tracking device
The present invention generally provides medical monitoring devices, and corresponding systems, that includes at least one sensor for detecting usage of at least one consumable, an electronic controller electrically connected to the sensor to receive a signal therefrom produced when consumable usage is detected, and an electronic memory electrically connected to the controller for storing consumable usage data thereon. The medical monitoring device may further include at least one sensor for determining one or more physiological parameter of a subject and a display device for displaying the physiological parameter. The medical monitoring device may also include a communications unit for communicating stored data, such as usage and physiological parameter data, over a communication network to a remote computer.
US09256901B2 Methods and system for enabling communication of identity information during online transaction
Methods and system for enabling communication of identity information for an online transaction includes detecting a request to enter the identity information. In response, a first and a second image with a detectable trait are identified for displaying on a receiver device. A first and second delta-based analyzers are executed to monitor changes of the first and the second images. The changes of the images are combined. The changes of the images are adjustable to respective first and second display settings. The combined changes of the images are transmitted to a receiver device for display. A query regarding the detectable trait is transmitted to the receiver device and a response from a user is received. User input of the identity information is enabled at the receiver device when the response to the query is determined to be successful.
US09256895B2 Specially programmed computer processors and methods of use thereof
In some embodiments, the instant invention provides an improved computer system programmed for searching which includes at least the following components: a specialized computer machine, at least one processor for executing a particular program code stored in a memory, where the particular program code is configured to perform the following operations upon the execution: obtaining business information regarding a plurality of businesses and a plurality of offerings offered by the plurality of businesses; generating a rating score for each business based on consumer ratings; associating each business with the rating score; and concurrently conducting a plurality of searches of the business information based on: business identifying search parameter(s) obtained from each consumer, a geographic indication, a plurality of ranked filtering criteria, a rating score filtering parameter.
US09256893B2 System and method for providing customer service help
Systems, methods, and computer-readable storage media for providing customer service help. The system first receives, from a user device, contact information associated with the user device, wherein the contact information is received via a customer service terminal having a user interface configured to wirelessly receive data from the user device when the user device is within a distance of the customer service terminal. In response to receiving the contact information, the system then identifies a customer service representative associated with the customer service terminal. The system then sends the contact information to a remote device associated with the customer service representative. The customer service representative can then initiate a customer service communication between the user device and the remote device in order to provide customer service help to the user associated with the user device.
US09256889B1 Automatic quote generation
Automatic quotes or references are generated based on a user's interaction with one or more pieces of content. A passage for quotation may be determined based at least in part on usage data including information about interaction with one or more pieces of content. A user may begin to type a quotation and a corresponding passage is inserted. The user may vary the scope of the passage, such as adding sentences or paragraphs. User annotation of the passage while the content is presented may also generate an automatically inserted quotation. A citation descriptive of the quoted passage may also be inserted. The automatically inserted quotation may be configured with a link or script, allowing additional functions or access to source content.
US09256887B2 Providing offers for sales of combinations of virtual items at discounted prices
A method of providing offers for sales of combinations of virtual items at discounted prices is disclosed. An offer is generated for a sale of a combination of virtual items at a discounted price. The offer for the sale of the combination of virtual items at the discounted price is presented to a user. The presenting suggests to the user that the combination of virtual items is randomly selected from a set of virtual items and the discounted price is randomly selected from a set of discounted prices, the presenting of the offer being performed by a processor. However, in actuality, the combination of virtual items or the discounted price may not be selected randomly.
US09256884B2 System and method to increase efficiency and speed of analytics report generation in audience measurement systems
A method of generating television Audience Measurement System (AMS) reports and a system executing the method are disclosed. The method comprises the steps of receiving a plurality of encoded report payloads from a plurality of client devices, storing the encoded report payloads in a database, transferring at least one encoded report payload from the database into randomly addressable memory (RAM), decoding the at least one encoded report payload in RAM, parsing the decoded data in RAM with at least one matching algorithm to determine the occurrence of events, compiling a database of parsed data, and generating an AMS report from the database of parsed data.
US09256878B2 Method and apparatus for data recipient storage and retrieval of data using a network communication device
A system and method for data recipient invoked electronic commerce allowing data subjects to provide information over a network and data recipients to receive such information relating to the needs of a data subject such as purchases, distribution of application information and the like. The system includes a server having software which gathers the information from a data subject to complete a transaction over a network. The system has a data subject data structure that stores information for registered data subjects. The software is able to access the data subject data structure and enter the data subject's information during subsequent transactions. Having the software obtain and enter the data subject's purchasing information, the data subject does not have to enter the same information every time the data subject desires to effect a transaction over the network. In alternate embodiments, the same technology can be applied to other arenas where a user may have to enter the same repetitive information.
US09256875B2 Processing transactions of different payment devices of the same issuer account
Each portable payment device associated with a single account within a payment processing system is distinguished using track data. The track data from the portable payment device is read at each of a plurality of merchant point of sale terminals (POS). Rather than relying on the PAN alone, a merchant may utilizes the track data, or a proxy thereof, as the unique identifier for the portable payment device. The merchant may then process transactions involving the portable payment device based on the unique identifier. For example, in the transit environment the transit fare for each rider with different portable payment devices but the same account can be calculated using the unique identifier, such as the full track data read from both tracks of the corresponding portable payment devices.
US09256873B2 Method and device for retrofitting an offline-payment operated machine to accept electronic payments
A payment module includes: one or more processors, memory, a first interface module configured to couple the payment module with a control unit of an offline-payment operated machine, and a short-range communication capability for communicating with one or more mobile devices each including a complimentary short-range communication capability and a long-range communication capability. The payment module receives a transaction request via the short-range communication capability from a mobile device to perform a transaction with the offline-payment operated machine. The payment module validates the transaction request to verify that the mobile device is authorized to initiate payment for the transaction by a remote server via the long-range communication capability. In accordance with a determination that the transaction request is valid, the payment module causes the offline-payment operated machine to perform the requested transaction by issuing a signal, via the first interface module, to the control unit to perform the transaction.
US09256861B2 Modifying avatar behavior based on user action or mood
Techniques are described for enabling the selection of wallpaper to modify the mood projected by an avatar. The mood projected by an avatar may be modified, for example, by modifying behaviors and/or appearance of the avatar to characterize a mood to be projected. The mood projected by an avatar also may be modified based on user action, such as user input of a mood to be projected by the avatar.
US09256836B2 Reconfigurable model for auto-classification system and method
A reconfigurable automatic document-classification system and method provides classification metrics to a user and enables the user to reconfigure the classification model. The user can refine the classification model by adding or removing exemplars, creating, editing or deleting rules, or performing other such adjustments to the classification model. This technology enhances the overall transparency and defensibility of the auto-classification process.
US09256835B2 Information processing apparatus enabling discriminator to learn and method thereof
An information processing apparatus and method enables a pattern discriminator to learn. The apparatus establishes a branch structure appropriate for learning a discriminator having the branch structure without increasing processing time. The apparatus includes a preliminary learning unit to learn a preliminary discriminator for a respective one of a plurality of combinations of variations in variation categories in a discrimination target pattern. A branch structure determination unit is provided to perform discrimination processing using the preliminary discriminator and to determine a branch structure of a main discriminator based on a result of the discrimination processing. A main learning unit is included to learn the main discriminator based on the branch structure.
US09256829B2 Information propagation probability for a social network
One or more techniques and/or systems are disclosed for predicting propagation of a message on a social network. A predictive model is trained to determine a probability of propagation of information on the social network using both positive and negative information propagation feedback, which may be collected while monitoring the social network over a desired period of time for information propagation. A particular message can be input to the predictive model, which can determine a probability of propagation of the message on the social network, such as how many connections may receive at least a portion of the message and/or a likelihood of at least a portion of the message reaching respective connections in the social network.
US09256824B2 Guiding metaheuristic to search for best of worst
Figures of merit by actual design parameters are tracked over iterations for candidate solutions that include both actual design parameters and actual context parameters. Instead of returning a current iteration figure of merit, a worst observed figure of merit for a set of actual design parameters is returned as the figure of merit for a candidate solution. Since the candidate solution includes both actual design parameters and actual context parameters and the worst observed figures of merit are tracked by actual design parameters, the figure of merit for a set of design parameters wilt be the worst of the observed worst case scenarios as defined by the actual context parameters over a run of a metaheuristic optimizer.
US09256823B2 Apparatus and methods for efficient updates in spiking neuron network
Efficient updates of connections in artificial neuron networks may be implemented. A framework may be used to describe the connections using a linear synaptic dynamic process, characterized by stable equilibrium. The state of neurons and synapses within the network may be updated, based on inputs and outputs to/from neurons. In some implementations, the updates may be implemented at regular time intervals. In one or more implementations, the updates may be implemented on-demand, based on the network activity (e.g., neuron output and/or input) so as to further reduce computational load associated with the synaptic updates. The connection updates may be decomposed into multiple event-dependent connection change components that may be used to describe connection plasticity change due to neuron input. Using event-dependent connection change components, connection updates may be executed on per neuron basis, as opposed to per-connection basis.
US09256822B2 Chip card inlay for contact-activated and contactlessly activated chip cards
Chip card inlay for contact-activated and contactlessly activated chip cards, having a planar substrate layer made of a non-conductive plastics material, on which an antenna having, at its end, planar conductive pads for attaching a chip is fastened, wherein the conductive pads are formed from a textile fabric having thread crossings, and on each top side of the textile fabric an electrically conductive contact zone is provided which has a three-dimensionally conductive terminal pad structure with weave points of the textile fabric as topographical contact zone elevations.
US09256814B2 Image processing apparatus, image processing method and computer-readable storage device
A non-transitory computer-readable recording medium storing instructions which, when executed by a computer, provide processes including (1) receiving a print job including draw commands, (2) generating original image data representing original image, the original image including a plurality of objects, the objects being generated in respective rectangular areas determined by the draw commands, the original image being constituted by a plurality of lines each represented by each line data, (3) determining whether each line data is subjected to be printed across the respective rectangular area, (4) determining the line data is object-including line data when the line data is subjected to be printed across the respective rectangular area, (5) determining the line data is object-excluding line data when the line data is not subjected to be printed across the respective rectangular area, and (6) generating print data by eliminating the object-excluding line data from the original image data.
US09256810B2 Card-loading assembly for electronic device
A card-loading assembly for loading a chip card in an electronic device is provided. The electronic device includes a main body, a circuit board received in the main body, and an entrance defined in the main body. The card-loading assembly includes a positioning frame and a tray. The positioning frame is secured on the circuit board and defines a sliding recess. The tray includes a support portion and an extending portion extending from the support portion. The extending portion is made of dielectric material. The support portion and the extending portion cooperatively define a receiving space for receiving the chip card. The tray is received in the main body through the entrance. The support portion is slidably received in the sliding recess. The extending portion is positioned between the circuit board and the entrance.
US09256803B2 Automatic detection of persistent changes in naturally varying scenes
A method for detecting a persistent change in a dynamically varying scene includes: obtaining a set of reference images of the scene; transforming the reference images into an abstract feature space; classifying pixels of the reference images in the abstract feature space; generating a stable reduced-reference image based on the classifications of corresponding pixels; obtaining a set of test images of the scene; transforming the test images into the abstract feature space; classifying pixels of the test images in the abstract feature space; generating a stable test image based on the classifications of corresponding pixels; and comparing the stable reduced-reference and test images to one another to detect a difference therein, the difference corresponding to a persistent change in the dynamically varying scene occurring between when the reference images and the test images were obtained.
US09256787B2 Calculation of numeric output error values for velocity aberration correction of an image
When correcting for velocity aberration in satellite imagery, a closed-form error covariance propagation model can produce more easily calculable error terms than a corresponding Monte Carlo analysis. The closed-form error covariance propagation model is symbolic, rather than numeric. The symbolic error covariance propagation model relates input parameters to one another pairwise and in closed form. For a particular image, the symbolic error covariance propagation model receives an input measurement value and an input error value for each input parameter. The symbolic error covariance propagation model operates on the input values to produce a set of output correction values, which correct for velocity aberration. The output correction values can be used to convert apparent coordinate values to corrected coordinate values. The symbolic error covariance matrix operates on the input error values to produce a set of output error values, which identify a reliability of the corrected coordinate values.
US09256774B1 Using quick response codes to generate an electronic consent database
Electronic consent for telemarketing calls can be obtained by soliciting consent from an individual using two-dimensional barcodes, such as quick response (“QR”) codes. The QR code can be printed on an advertisement and read by a smart phone. The reading of the QR code causes communication to be originated from the individual's smart phone for the purpose of requesting the individual to be contacted for a particular purpose. The communication can be construed by the enterprise as providing electronic consent for the enterprise to contact the individual with a subsequent telemarketing call. The sender's telephone number and other relevant information can be stored in an electronic consent database used to ensure compliance with appropriate marketing regulations.
US09256773B2 Capacitive coupling of an RFID tag with a touch screen device acting as a reader
Capacitive coupling of an RFID tag with a touch screen device acting as an RFID reader, and methods to produce a capacitive coupling tag. A capacitive coupling tag, which communicates at near field distance with a host computing device by using the touch screen display of the host when the tag is placed on the touch screen or held in contact in close proximity to the touch screen by a person acting as a ground electrode and thereby causing a difference in electrical potential. A capacitive coupling tag which operates with or without a chip.
US09256765B2 System and method for identifying software changes
An enterprise trust server (ETS) can include a user interface configured to initiate generation of a first file signature associated with a first file accessed from a file system associated with a computer system at a first time and generation of a second file signature associated with a second file accessed from the file system at a second time subsequent to the first time. The ETS also includes a file signature comparator configured to compare the first and second file signatures to determine a difference set of file signatures. The ETS can be configured to send a request comprising the difference set of file signatures to a trust repository and to receive a response that identifies a software product associated with the first and second files that changed between the first and second times based on the difference set of file signatures.
US09256763B2 Method and system for providing a public key/secret key pair for encrypting and decrypting data
A method for providing a public key/secret key pair for encrypting and decrypting data, wherein the public key of the public key/secret key pair and a master secret key are generated based on predefined policy information, and wherein the secret key of the public key/secret key pair is generated based on the generated master secret key and predefined attribute information. A method for accessing a system in an untrusted environment and a system for providing a public key/secret key pair for encrypting and decrypting data as well as a use for access control are also described.
US09256762B1 Securing a remote database
A database access system may protect a field by storing the field as one or more underlying fields within a database. The database engine may not have access to keys used to protect the underlying fields within the database, such as by encryption, while the database access system may have access to the keys. Underlying fields may be used to store protected data and aid in the querying of protected data. The database access system may modify queries to use the underlying fields, which may include encrypting query terms and/or modifying query terms to fit the use of the underlying fields. The database access system may modify query results to match the format of the original query, which may include decrypting protected results and/or removing underlying fields.
US09256754B2 Data protection method and electronic device capable of creating a private folder having a same name as a public folder to hide private data
A data protection method for an electronic device is disclosed. The data protection method includes setting a log-in password for a private file stored in a public folder, creating a private folder having a same folder name as the public folder to store the private file in the private folder, and comparing an input password with the log-in password for the private folder to determine to display the private folder or the public folder.
US09256747B2 Terminal and method for hiding and restoring message
A terminal to hide a message includes an input unit to receive a signal to hide a message and a signal to restore a hidden message; a display unit to display the message and the hidden message; and a control unit to control display of the message. The terminal hides messages or applications on a separate screen. The separate screen may be a virtual screen or a different display screen. A hidden message may be displayed on the separate screen according to a conversation partner. A hidden message may be restored to a location in which the message would have originally been displayed. A portion of the stored message may be extracted and provided to an application of the terminal.
US09256746B2 Device and method for remediating vulnerabilities
Exemplary methods, apparatuses, and systems receive data describing a first software component used by a software product and vulnerability data describing a vulnerability in the first software component. A vulnerability score is calculated for the software product based upon the vulnerability data for the first software component. The vulnerability score is recalculated for the software product based upon receiving an updated status of the vulnerability in the first software component from bug tracking software, a waiver of the vulnerability of a software component, the addition of another software component, or another update to the software product or component(s). The task of remediation of the vulnerability in the first software component can be assigned to a user and tracked. A user interface is provided to enable users to monitor the vulnerabilities of software products or components.
US09256740B2 Method and system for analysis of security events in a managed computer network
An event retrieval and analysis system compares counts of event data for a device to stored profile counts to determine if alerts should be triggered. Event data can be retrieved by a sensor. Rules for analyzing the event data can be retrieved based on the device. The event data is analyzed based on the rules to determine recordable events. Recordable events are organized into categories representing a type or severity of attack. Current event counts are calculated by summing the recordable events for each category. A normal profile is retrieved for the device and compared to the current event count. A percentage change trigger can be retrieved from a threshold matrix based on the current event count. The percentage increase of the current event count over the normal profile is calculated and compared to the percentage change trigger to determine if an alert is triggered by the analysis system.
US09256739B1 Systems and methods for using event-correlation graphs to generate remediation procedures
A computer-implemented method for using event-correlation graphs to generate remediation procedures may include (1) detecting a suspicious event involving a first actor within a computing system, (2) constructing, in response to detecting the suspicious event involving the first actor, an event-correlation graph that includes (i) a first node that represents the first actor, (ii) a second node that represents a second actor, and (iii) an edge that interconnects the first node and the second node and represents an additional suspicious event involving the first actor and the second actor, and (3) using the event-correlation graph to generate a procedure for remediating an effect of an attack on the computing system that is reflected in the event-correlation graph. Various other methods, systems, and computer-readable media are also disclosed.
US09256729B2 Address translation/specification field for hardware accelerator
Embodiments relate an address translation/specification (ATS) field. An aspect includes receiving a work queue entry from a work queue in a main memory by a hardware accelerator, the work queue entry corresponding to an operation of the hardware accelerator that is requested by user-space software, the work queue entry comprising a first ATS field that describes a structure of the work queue entry. Another aspect includes, based on determining that the first ATS field is consistent with the operation corresponding to the work queue entry and the structure of the work queue entry, executing the operation corresponding to the work queue entry by the hardware accelerator. Another aspect includes, based on determining that the first ATS field is not consistent with the operation corresponding to the work queue entry and the structure of the work queue entry, rejecting the work queue entry by the hardware accelerator.
US09256720B2 Enrollment kiosk including biometric enrollment and verification, face recognition and fingerprint matching systems
An enrollment kiosk for collecting personal data includes a slidable main module and at least one modifiable section removably coupled to the main module. The main module includes a processor and one or more biometric sensing devices coupled to the processor. The one or more biometric sensing devices include a right fingerprint sensor coupled to the processor and a left fingerprint sensor coupled to the processor. The right fingerprint sensor is positioned a predetermined distance apart from the left fingerprint sensor. The at least one modifiable section includes at least one first input device coupled to the processor. The kiosk also includes a scene camera configured to record a video of an area surrounding the enrollment kiosk and to transmit the video to a remote operator being located remotely from the enrollment kiosk.
US09256714B2 Preserving integrity of messages in a messaging oriented middleware system
Message integrity in a messaging oriented middleware system is preserved by determining a message producer's level of message integrity by examination of connection details between the message producer and a messaging engine. The message producer's level of integrity is stored in a memory of the messaging engine. The message is then stored in the designated destination using the message producer's level of integrity. The message is sent from the designated destination to a consumer when it is determined that the consumer conforms to the integrity levels.
US09256708B2 Method and system for automatic generation of solutions for circuit design rule violations
Some embodiments provide a method for automatically generating several design solutions that remedy a design rule violation committed by a set of shapes in an IC design layout. The method receives a marker that indicates the design rule violation and contains information about the violation. The marker in some embodiments can be rendered as a geometric shape in the IC design layout. Based on the marker, the method generates several solutions each of which will cause the set of shapes to meet the design rule when the solution is applied to the set. Each solution requires moving at least one edge of a shape in the set of shapes.
US09256699B2 Method and system for low-redundancy e-mail handling
A method of low-redundancy e-mail handling, wherein: e-mail data is selected, attachments of e-mails comprised in the e-mail data are detached, stored and replaced with references accordingly, and wherein further e-mail threads comprised in the e-mail data are identified and split in separate e-mails, duplicates of e-mails are deleted while maintaining their e-mail references, differences between a first e-mail and an immediately preceding second e-mail of the same thread are identified, generating difference data, the first e-mail is replaced by the difference data, and a reference to the second e-mail is inserted therein, the e-mails and references to their predecessors and successors in the same thread are stored in a data storage, and a graph-based interface is generated for the stored e-mails and references, and an e-mail server computer device, e-mail client computer device, data processing program, computer program product, and computer data signal therefor.
US09256697B2 Bidirectional mapping between applications and network content
A bidirectional mapping is established between network content and application programs, based on declarations at both the network content and at the application. Additionally, bidirectional mapping can provide for deep links, which can associate specific network content with a specific presentation of data in an application program. The identification format for such deep links can conform to a predetermined standard or it can be custom implemented according to a format declared either as part of the network content or the application program. The bidirectional mapping is then utilized by a lookup service to provide functionality to a third-party entity. The lookup service can identify, to the entity, application programs associated with network content specified by that entity and network content associated with application programs specified by that entity.
US09256689B2 Mining trajectory for spatial temporal analytics
A method is provided to generate a heat map to show traffic congestion based on transit points. The method includes generating, by a processing device, a trajectory database from time-stamped global positioning system (GPS) sample points, and computing transit points for each trajectory in the trajectory database. The method further includes constructing a temporal transit graph. The transit graph captures the shortest paths among the transit points. The method further includes indexing and storing the transit graph in a spatial-temporal database for online analytic processing.
US09256685B2 Systems and methods for modifying search results based on a user's history
A user's prior searching and browsing activities are recorded for subsequent use. A user may examine the user's prior searching and browsing activities in a number of different ways, including indications of the user's prior activities related to advertisements. A set of search results may be modified in accordance with the user's historical activities. The user's activities may be examined to identify a set of preferred locations. The user's set of activities may be shared with one or more other users. The set of preferred locations presented to the user may be enhanced to include the preferred locations of one or more other users. A user's browsing activities may be monitored from one or more different client devices or client application. A user's browsing volume may be graphically displayed.
US09256684B2 Systems and methods for graphical search interface
Some embodiments of the present disclosure provide a graphical user interface as a means of inputting search parameters to database search engines. In some embodiments, two or three dimensional projections spatially represent relationships between search parameters, located along the periphery of the projections and search hits whose significance are represented by position relative to the center of the projection and comparative distance from each of the search parameters. As the user manipulates the overall shape of the search projection, the weighting of search parameters adjusts, reconfiguring the search. The present disclosure also provides, in some embodiments, an intuitive means of assimilating search parameter weightings based on peer or social network preferences with global search results.
US09256682B1 Providing search results based on sorted properties
An entity may be related to multiple related entities by one or more properties, and the entity may also be associated with one or more entity types. A system for providing sorted results may include identifying the entity, related entities, and types. The system may also determine related entity scores for each respective related entity, relative to the entity. For each property, the related entity scores of the related entities related to the entity by that property are combined to generate a property score. The properties are then sorted based on their property scores. The sorting may occur for properties associated with an entity type, and sorted search results may be provided as output for one or more entity types of interest.
US09256678B1 Method and system of signal analysis by using metadata
A system for analyzing data, such as data representing samples of a received wireless signal, includes a memory controller for storing the data in one or more memory devices, a metadata extractor for extracting metadata in real-time from the data as it is being processed for storage, and one or more processors for analyzing the metadata to identify portions of the stored data having a characteristic of interest, and for processing the identified portions of the stored data.
US09256675B1 Electronic processing and presentation of search results
Multimedia stream search results may be made perceivable to a user. A multimedia search query may be received from a user. The multimedia search query may be compared with information related to known multimedia streams and multimedia search results may be determined based on the comparison. A popularity of the multimedia streams corresponding to the multimedia stream search results may be determined based on a number of canonical URLs associated with the multimedia stream. A presentation of the multimedia stream search results to the user may be configured based on the popularity of the corresponding multimedia streams.
US09256674B2 Action clustering for news feeds
One embodiment selects from a plurality of actions performed by one or more users of a social networking system a first action and one or more second actions, wherein each action has one or more attributes; computes a score for each second action by comparing the one or more attributes of each second action with the one or more attributes of the first action; ranks the one or more second actions according to the score computed for each second action; and selects from the one or more second actions one or more highest-ranking second actions as being related to the first action.
US09256672B2 Relevance content searching for knowledge bases
Embodiments of the present invention provide a novel and non-obvious method, server and computer program product for finding relevant content in a knowledge base. A method for finding items that are related to a user selected item in a knowledge base is provided. The method can include generating a first list of knowledge base items with a defined relationship to the user selected item and generating a second list of knowledge base items that belong to the same category as a category of the user selected item. The method can further include generating a third list of knowledge base items having one or more tags identical to one or more tags of the user selected item and selecting a first set of knowledge base items that are present in the first, second or third lists. The method can further include displaying the first set of knowledge base items as most relevant.
US09256671B2 Establishing of a semantic multilayer network
A semantic multilayer network is established, wherein a first layer in said semantic multilayer network including tag annotations, and a second layer in said semantic multilayer network including data structured by an ontology, are established and wherein the first layer and the second layer are connected. Thus, connecting of two entirely different worlds of the dynamic, emergent “social tagging” (e.g., web applications like Web 2.0) and of the regular “ontology engineering” (e.g. Semantic Web) data, dynamic data tag annotations and ontology, seen as too opposed or conflictive, therefore being treated separately and independently so far, becomes possible. Here, by utilizing advantages of both worlds, computer aided handling of large amounts of data, including e.g. processing, management, or querying of data, becomes considerably efficient and effective, wherein said data may be distributed in different areas, locations, or systems.
US09256670B2 Visualizing conflicts in online messages
Visualizing social media conflict is provided. Textual messages by a set of human users connected via a network regarding a particular topic are collected. Active users in the set of human users authoring a number of textual messages regarding the particular topic more than a threshold number of textual messages are selected. Keywords are selected that occur more than a threshold number of times within the textual messages regarding the particular topic. A sentiment score is computed for each of the keywords occurring more than the threshold number of times within the textual messages using a keyword co-occurrence graph. A sentiment of each of the active users is determined based on the computed sentiment score of each of the selected keywords that are authored by a particular active user.
US09256656B2 Determining reliability of data reports
A computer implemented system for automatically determining a reliability score of a data report. The system includes a data structure indicative of data lineage that includes data assets flowing into a data report. The system further includes a processor configured to calculate trust scores for data assets based on characteristics of the data assets as well as a data report trust density score indicative of the reliability score of the report based on the calculated trust scores. The system further includes an output device configured to output the calculated data report trust density score.
US09256654B2 Dynamic schema content server
A method to develop a game using a networked content server includes an efficient method to add or modify a new object into the game environment. The method includes the generation of an XML input file describing the new object. The XML new object definition file is uploaded from a game developer client device to a content server. The content server automatically examines the XML input file and converts the definition file to an object type graph and then into a set of SQL instructions as well as a set of web methods. The content server automatically executes the SQL instructions to enter the new object into a database. Web methods corresponding to the new object and are provided to the client device for access to the new object. The game developer thus has nearly immediate access to the new object.
US09256644B1 System for identifying and investigating shared and derived content
A computer readable storage medium with computer readable program code. The computer readable program code may be configured to index a plurality of documents into a document library stored in a database. The computer readable program code may be configured to receive a query document and to compare the query document with each indexed document to generate a score for each indexed document. The score represents a measure of similarity between the query document and each indexed document. The computer readable program code may be configured to display a query result based on the score for each indexed document.
US09256633B2 Partitioning data for parallel processing
According to one embodiment of the present invention, a system partitions data for parallel processing and comprises one or more computer systems with at least one processor. The system partitions data of a data object into a plurality of data partitions within a data structure based on a plurality of keys. The data structure includes a plurality of dimensions and each key is associated with a corresponding different dimension of the data structure. Portions of the data structure representing different data partitions are assigned to the computer systems for parallel processing, and the assigned data structure portions are processed in parallel to perform an operation. Embodiments of the present invention further include a method and computer program product for partitioning data for parallel processing in substantially the same manner described above.
US09256628B2 Efficient logging of processing peaks in control systems
A method for efficient logging in a control system is provided. A temporary history record corresponding to a message transaction placed onto a message queue data structure is generated. A total processing time for the received message transaction is determined. The total processing time is compared with a previously determined peak processing time value. In response to determining that the total processing time exceeds the previously determined peak processing time value, the temporary history record corresponding to the received message transaction is stored in an event log.
US09256627B2 System and method for configurable trading system
A system dynamically integrates, into an application program that implements rules for controlling business operations, changes in parameters and parameter groupings that are used by or in conjunction with the rules. A dynamic business logic rule integrator provides the rules to the application software as executable routines, and a dynamic parameter manager organizes and manages the parameters. The manager integrates changes to the parameters, groups and/or links the parameters, and makes the parameters available to the rules through a dynamically configurable system database—using a set of static tables and related dynamically configurable tables, in which certain database fields or sub-fields correspond to the parameters and the tables, fields and sub-fields are established and linked together in accordance with user-defined “instances.” When parameters and their groupings are changed the manager updates, creates and/or removes database tables, and the revised tables are made available to the rules.
US09256624B2 System, method and software for providing persistent entity identification and linking entity information in a data repository
The present invention provides a system, method and software for linking persistent and unique business identifiers, associated with business entities, for associating corresponding business records without a loss of historical records, regardless of subsequent changes, updates, and mergers. In the various embodiments, a first business record, of the plurality of business records, is associated with a first business identifier; and a second business record, which does not match the first record, is associated with a second business identifier. Subsequently, when the first business identifier and the second business identifier are determined to correspond to a singular business entity, the first business identifier and the second business identifier are linked, and respective associations of the first business record and the second business record with the linked first business identifier and second business identifier are maintained, with corresponding source references, and collectively utilized in subsequent search and match determinations.
US09256622B2 Systems and methods to confirm replication data accuracy for data backup in data storage systems
A data storage system, according to certain aspects, automatically determines the accuracy of replication data when performing data backup operations. For instance, the system performs data backup using replication data rather than source data to reduce the processing load on the source system. The backup data is then associated with the source data as if the backup had been performed on the source data. If the replication system fails, then backing up replication data results in backup data that does not accurately reflect the source data. The system automatically determines the accuracy of replication data during data backup.
US09256618B2 Identifying prohibited information within and item image
Techniques for identifying prohibited information within an image are described. For example, a machine accesses an image that depicts an item. The image may include prohibited information that is disallowed in accordance with a policy. The machine identifies the prohibited information within the image based on an analysis of the image. The machine initiates a response to the prohibited information based on the identifying of the prohibited information within the image.
US09256617B2 Apparatus and method for performing visual search
A method comprises computing a color factor value indicating an amount of color gradients in at least one color channel from the query image. The method comprises combining the color-keypoints with the gray-keypoints when the color factor value is greater than a threshold. A method for performing a visual search comprises extracting a plurality of local descriptors from a query image and then selecting a subset of them based on various criteria's such as visual meaning score. A method comprises aggregating each mean vector for each visual codeword from distances between each visual codeword and local descriptors. The method comprises aggregating variance vector for each visual codeword from the distance between each visual codeword, and local descriptors. The method comprises transmitting aggregated mean vector information and aggregated variance vector information to a search server for efficient image retrieval.
US09256605B1 Reading and writing to an unexposed device
In one aspect, a method includes replicating a storage entity which is not accessible though a storage area network by using a data protection appliance (DPA) coupled to a storage area network and a data protection agent installed on a host which can access the storage entity.In another aspect, a non-transitory machine-readable medium stores executable instructions. The instructions cause a machine to replicate a storage entity which is not accessible though a storage area network by using a data protection appliance (DPA) coupled to a storage area network and a data protection agent installed on a host which can access the storage entity.
US09256604B2 Method and system for transformation of logical data objects for storage
There are provided a method of transforming a non-transformed stored logical data object (LO) device into a transformed LO and system thereof. The method comprises: a) in response to a respective transformation request, logically dividing the non-transformed LO in a first segment and one or more non-transformed subsequent segments, the segments having predefined size; b) generating a header for the respective transformed LO; c) processing said first segment; d) overwriting said first segment by said generated header and said transformed first segment; e) indexing said first transformed segment and said one or more non-transformed subsequent segments as constituting a part of said transformed LO; f) generating at least one index section; and g) updating the indication in the header to point that the non-transformed LO has been transformed in the transformed LO comprising said generated header, said first transformed segment, said one or more subsequent segments comprising data in non-transformed form and said at least one index section.
US09256601B2 Media fingerprinting for social networking
Audio fingerprinting and other media matching technologies can be used to identify media, such as movies, television shows, and radio broadcasts. A user device can record image, audio, and/or video information and upload information to a matching service that is able to use matching technology to identify the media and provide supplemental content or information to the user. The user then can share this information with other users, such as by uploading to a social networking site or passing the information to peers on a peer network as part of a container. Users can have the ability to add tagged content, provide comments and ratings, and otherwise interact based at least in part upon the tagged media content.
US09256593B2 Identifying product references in user-generated content
Systems and methods are disclosed herein for extracting products referenced in a document. A document is analyzed to identify a product type that is referenced in the document. Attributes are extracted from the document. A set of candidate products are identified corresponding to the extracted attributes. A score is calculated for the candidate products and the products are further selected or filtered based on the score, whitelist rules, and blacklist rules in order to identify one or more inferred products referenced by the document. The whitelist and blacklist rules may take as inputs a domain, a user identifier, and keywords included in the document. A set of sufficient attributes may be identified for each product type. Selection of a candidate product may be based at least in part on the document including all of the attributes in the set of sufficient attributes.
US09256589B2 Web-based spreadsheet interaction with large data set
A computer-implemented method for presenting data is disclosed. The method includes receiving at a data server sub-system, from a browser on a remote client computing system, a request for data stored in a central data store; retrieving the requested data from the central data store and providing data corresponding to the requested data to a spreadsheet presentation sub-system that is in communication with the data server sub-system and with the browser on the remote client computing system; and providing a document key to the browser on the remote client computing system so that the browser can request from the presentation sub-system a spreadsheet document that displays the data corresponding to the requested data.
US09256587B2 Editor for website and website menu
Methods, systems, and devices for editing websites are disclosed herein. A website editor for editing a website includes an editor display component, a website modification component, and a website display component. The editor display component is configured to display an editor interface for receiving user input for editing a website. The editor interface is displayed within a browser substantially simultaneously with the website. The website modification component is configured to update website data corresponding to the website based on the user input received through the editor interface. The website display component is configured to automatically update display of the website based on the updated website data. The display of the website is updated in real-time in response to receiving the user input.
US09256581B2 Information processing apparatus, information processing method, and storage medium for storing program
The number of pages in which data of a structured document is laid out is determined in response to an instruction from the user, and whether the content of the data of the structured document is editable when the data is laid out is judged. The data of the structured document is then laid out in accordance with the judgment result and the determined number of pages.
US09256560B2 Controller integration
Roughly described, a data processing system comprises a central processing unit and a split network interface functionality, the split network interface functionality comprising: a first sub-unit collocated with the central processing unit and configured to at least partially form a series of network data packets for transmission to a network endpoint by generating data link layer information for each of those packets; and a second sub-unit external to the central processing unit and coupled to the central processing unit via an interconnect, the second sub-unit being configured to physically signal the series of network data packets over a network.
US09256555B2 Method and system for queue descriptor cache management for a host channel adapter
A method for managing a queue descriptor cache of a host channel adaptor (HCA) includes obtaining a queue descriptor from memory. The queue descriptor includes data describing a queue and the memory is located in a host system. The method further includes storing a copy of the queue descriptor in the queue descriptor cache of the HCA. The HCA accesses the copy of the queue descriptor to obtain the plurality of data, accesses the queue using the data, and updates the data to reflect the access to the queue. The method further includes calculating, using the data, a value corresponding to utilization of the queue, comparing the value against a threshold, fetching, if the value exceeds the threshold, a new copy of the queue descriptor from memory, and replacing the copy of the queue descriptor in the queue descriptor cache with the new copy obtained from the memory.
US09256549B2 Set-associative hash table organization for efficient storage and retrieval of data in a storage system
In one embodiment, an extent key reconstruction technique is provided for use with a set of hash tables embodying metadata. The metadata includes an extent key associated with a storage location on storage devices for write data of one or more write requests organized into an extent. Each hash table has a plurality of entries, and each entry includes a plurality of slots. A first field of the extent key is recreated implicitly from an entry in a first address space portion of a hash table. A second field of the extent key is stored in the slot. A third field of the extent key is stored in the slot. A fourth field of the extent key is recreated implicitly from the hash table of the set of hash tables.
US09256547B2 Memory switching protocol when switching optically-connected memory
Data is collected by an active node from passive nodes and arranges and stores the collected data on receiving nodes. A source node extracts the data format, and a remote memory blade identification (ID), a remote memory blade address, and ranges of the RMMA space, and composes and sends metadata to the receiving nodes and receiving racks.
US09256540B2 Techniques for cache injection in a processor system using a cache injection instruction
A technique for performing cache injection includes monitoring addresses on a bus in response to a cache injection instruction. Ownership of input/output data on the bus is acquired by a cache when an address on the bus (that is associated with the input/output data) corresponds to an address of a data block associated with the cache injection instruction.
US09256537B2 Coherent attached processor proxy supporting coherence state update in presence of dispatched master
A coherent attached processor proxy (CAPP) of a primary coherent system receives a memory access request specifying a target address in the primary coherent system from an attached processor (AP) external to the primary coherent system. The CAPP includes a CAPP directory of contents of a cache memory in the AP that holds copies of memory blocks belonging to a coherent address space of the primary coherent system. In response to the memory access request, the CAPP performs a first determination of a coherence state for the target address and allocates a master machine to service the memory access request in accordance with the first determination. Thereafter, during allocation of the master machine, the CAPP updates the coherence state and performs a second determination of the coherence state. The master machine services the memory access request in accordance with the second determination.
US09256536B2 Method and apparatus for providing shared caches
A method and apparatus for providing shared caches. A cache memory system may be operated in a first mode or a second mode. When the cache memory system is operated in the first mode, a first cache and a second cache of the cache memory system may be operated independently. When the cache memory system is operated in the second mode, the first cache and the second cache may be shared. In the second mode, at least one bit may overlap tag bits and set index bits among bits of a memory address.
US09256534B2 Data shuffling in a non-uniform memory access device
Embodiments relate to the orchestration of data shuffling among memory devices of a non-uniform memory access device. An aspect includes a method of orchestrated shuffling of data in a non-uniform memory access device includes running an application on a plurality of threads executing on a plurality of processing nodes and identifying data to be shuffled among the plurality of processing nodes. The method includes registering the data to be shuffled and generating a plan for orchestrating the shuffling of the data. The method further includes disabling cache coherency of cache memory associated with the processing nodes and shuffling the data among all of the memory devices upon disabling the cache coherency, the shuffling performed based on the plan for orchestrating the shuffling. The method further includes restoring the cache coherency of the cache memory based on completing the shuffling of the data among all of the memory devices.
US09256528B2 Method for operating a memory controller and a system having the memory controller
A method for operating a memory controller includes determining a number of free blocks to be created during an idle time by using a block consumption history, and controlling a non-volatile memory device to perform a garbage collection operation during the idle time to create the determined number of free blocks.
US09256527B2 Logical to physical address mapping in storage systems comprising solid state memory devices
The present idea provides a high read and write performance from/to a solid state memory device. The main memory of the controller is not blocked by a complete address mapping table covering the entire memory device. Instead such table is stored in the memory device itself, and only selected portions of address mapping information are buffered in the main memory in a read cache and a write cache. A separation of the read cache from the write cache enables an address mapping entry being evictable from the read cache without the need to update the related flash memory page storing such entry in the flash memory device. By this design, the read cache may advantageously be stored on a DRAM even without power down protection, while the write cache may preferably be implemented in nonvolatile or other fail-safe memory. This leads to a reduction of the overall provisioning of nonvolatile or fail-safe memory and to an improved scalability and performance.
US09256522B1 Method and system for generating soft-information after a single read in NAND flash using expected and measured values
A system and method for determining soft read data for a group of cells in a nonvolatile flash memory are disclosed. An expected value representative of a plurality of stored values in a group of cells is obtained. A measured value representative of the plurality of stored values in the group of cells is obtained, based on a single read to the group of cells. A soft read data for the group of cells is determined based at least in part on the expected value and the measured value. The expected and measured values may include at least one of a number of 0s, a number of 1s, a ratio of 0s to 1s or a ratio of 1s to 0s. A reliability for a bit i may be obtained using a one-step majority logic decoder, and a threshold reliability may be used when determining the soft read data.
US09256520B2 Using linked data to determine package quality
Arrangements described herein relate to determining a quality of a software package. Via linked data, the software package can be linked to at least one test plan and a requirement collection. The software package can be executed in accordance with the test plan using at least one test case. At least one test result of the execution of the software package can be generated. A score can be assigned to the test result and a score can be assigned to the test based at least on the test result. Based at least on the scores assigned to the test result and the test case, a package quality score can be assigned to the software package.
US09256518B2 Automated data collection, computation and reporting of content space coverage metrics for software products
One or more test results and one or more user stories are received. For each test result in the one or more test results a set of content space coordinates of the one or more test results is compared to a set of content space coordinates of the one or more user stories. Based on the comparison it is determined if one or more user stories have been tested. One or more results of the comparison are then stored.
US09256513B2 Method, apparatus and computer readable medium for automatic debugging and error prevention
A method, an apparatus and a computer readable medium for debugging and error prevention are provided. In the method, a plurality of debug messages produced by the electronic apparatus in executing debugging is obtained. The debug messages are analyzed to find a plurality of operation procedures associated with each other and having a number of repeated occurrences reaching a threshold according to data of each debug message when at least one error message appears in the debug messages and accordingly conclude at least one error procedure rule. Then, each debug message obtained afterwards is compared with the operation procedures in each error procedure rule sequentially, so as to determine whether a completion percentage of the operation procedures in each error procedure rule reaches a preset percentage. When the completion percentage reaches the preset percentage, a preventive operation of the operation procedure corresponding to the current debug message is executed.
US09256509B1 Computing environment analyzer
A method, system and computer-readable media for analyzing application environments is provided. Embodiments of the invention includes generating a first representation of a first environment for an application and a second representation of a second environment for the application. Determining differences between the first representation and the second representation and determining relevance to the application of each of the differences as to a likelihood of failure of operation of the application in the second environment where at least one method operation is executed through a processor.
US09256507B2 Computer system and its event notification method
If a failure occurs in physical resources constituting a virtual volume, a management server device is notified of information required by a user. A computer system includes a server device for managing a plurality of virtual volumes, a storage apparatus having a storage unit equipped with a plurality of storage devices, and a controller for controlling data input to, or output from, the storage unit, a management server device which is an access target of a user terminal, and an event management device for managing an event(s) generated by the server device or the storage apparatus, wherein when the event management device receives the event, it judges the content of the event and identifies a virtual volume to be affected by the event; and if a service level that should be satisfied by the identified virtual volume is defined for the identified virtual volume, the event management device identifies, based on the content of the received event, whether an incident in violation of the service level has occurred or not, and then notifies the management server device of the identified content as an event based on an event filter.
US09256503B2 Data verification
A data verification application receives a test configuration data, the test configuration data comprising a seed value and a parameter. The data verification application generates a pseudo-random test data stream comprising a plurality of words, wherein a value of each of the plurality of words is based on the seed value, the parameter and an offset of each word within the pseudo-random test data stream.
US09256497B2 Checkpoints associated with an out of order architecture
A checkpoint technique associated with an out of order based architecture of a processing device is described. An instruction may be received by its retirement unit and an identification as to whether the instruction is associated with a speculative error is performed. If the instruction is associated with the speculative error, then a first operation may be performed to replace state values of a first checkpoint of the processing device with state values of a second checkpoint. If the instruction is not associated with the speculative error, then the second checkpoint state may be updated based on the instruction.
US09256492B1 Iterative decoding systems using noise-biasing
Systems, methods, and apparatus are provided for improving the iterative decoding performance of a decoder, for example, as used in a wireless communications receiver or in a data retrieval unit. A decoding technique may receive and process a set of channel samples using an iterative decoder. If the iterative decoder output indicates a decoding failure, noise samples may foe combined with the received channel samples to create biased channel samples. Noise sample may be generated using a pseudo-random noise generator and/or by using signals already present in the communications receiver or data retrieval unit. The biased channel samples may be provided to the iterative decoder and the iterative decoder may re-run using the biased channel samples.
US09256488B2 Verification of template integrity of monitoring templates used for customized monitoring of system activities
A mechanism for performing verification of template integrity of monitoring templates used for customized monitoring of system activities. A method of embodiments of the invention includes calculating a first hash code for a monitoring template, the monitoring template to customize a performance monitor to serve as a universal monitor to facilitate a plurality of monitoring tools to perform monitoring of activities of a plurality of system components of the computer system, extracting the first hash code from the monitoring template, and calculating a second hash code for the monitoring template. The method further includes verifying integrity of the monitoring template by comparing the first hash code with the second hash code, and the integrity of the monitoring template is determined to be satisfactory if the first hash code matches the second hash code.
US09256479B2 App icon processing method and communication terminal
The present invention relates to the technical field of communications, and provides an app icon processing method and a communication terminal. The processing method comprises the steps of: determining whether or not an existing application is supported by the current operating environment, the current operating environment comprising the current network environment and/or the current terminal environment, etc.; then, inactivating the app icon corresponding to the existing application not supported by the current operating environment, or, downloading and displaying an application supported by the current operating environment. Preferably, the inactivated app icon is removed or displayed in an inactive state. In this way, in the present invention, the app icons of a plurality of inactive applications can be hidden on the communication terminal so that app icons are cleared automatically, thus aiding the user to find quickly the needed and active app icons.
US09256466B2 Data processing systems
When an atomic operation is to be executed for a thread group by an execution stage of a data processing system, it is determined whether there is a set of threads for which the atomic operation for the threads accesses the same memory location. If so, the arithmetic operation for the atomic operation is performed for the first thread in the set of threads using an identity value for the arithmetic operation for the atomic operation and the first thread's register value for the atomic operation, and is performed for each other thread in the set of threads using the thread's register value for the atomic operation and the result of the arithmetic operation for the preceding thread in the set of threads, to thereby generate for the final thread in the identified set of threads a combined result of the arithmetic operation for the set of threads.
US09256461B2 Handling interrupt actions for inter-thread communication
A mechanism is provided for handling interrupt actions for inter-thread communication. In association with a first processor thread, a thread action data structure is provided that comprises a non-blocking synchronization data structure and an internal list data structure of pending interrupts having no form of synchronization. A post of an interrupt action is received from a second processor thread to the thread action data structure associated with the first processor thread, where the interrupt action is added to the non-blocking synchronization data structure of the thread action data structure. The interrupt action is moved from the non-blocking synchronization data structure to the internal list data structure of pending interrupts for handling by the first processor thread. The internal list data structure of pending interrupts is processed to thereby handle interrupt actions moved to the internal list data structure.
US09256459B2 Information processing apparatus, workflow generating system, and workflow generating method
An information processing apparatus for generating a workflow including one or more steps each indicating a process to be executed, includes a workflow display unit configured to display, on a display, one or more graphical representations corresponding to one or more steps of the workflow; a step management unit configured to obtain attribute data associated with a step to be added in response to an instruction for adding the step to the workflow; and an auxiliary indication control unit configured to cause the display to display a graphical representation corresponding to the step to be added and a graphical representation that reflects the attribute data.
US09256456B1 Architecture for managing I/O and storage for a virtualization environment
Disclosed is an improved approach to implement I/O and storage device management in a virtualization environment. According to some approaches, a Service VM is employed to control and manage any type of storage device, including directly attached storage in addition to networked and cloud storage. The Service VM implements the Storage Controller logic in the user space, and can be migrated as needed from one node to another. IP-based requests are used to send I/O request to the Service VMs. The Service VM can directly implement storage and I/O optimizations within the direct data access path, without the need for add-on products.
US09256454B2 Determining optimal methods for creating virtual machines
A computer receives at least one requirement for a new VM. The computer identifies an existing VM to be modified during the generation of the new VM. The computer determines at least one step necessary to create the new VM configuration from the existing VM. The computer presents at least one pathway to the new VM from the existing VM. The computer receives a selection of a presented pathway to create the new VM.
US09256451B2 Emulation time correction
A method for time correction during an emulation of a native computing environment (NCE), including: obtaining, by an emulator, a code segment for execution within the NCE; identifying, during an execution of the code segment within the emulation, a first instance of a time sensitive (TS) instruction; initiating a first instruction sequence window (ISW) in response to identifying the first instance of the TS instruction; identifying, during the execution of the code segment within the emulation, a second instance of the TS instruction after initiating the first ISW; obtaining, in response to identifying the second instance during the first ISW, an expected time between execution of the first instance and the second instance of the TS instruction in the NCE; and inserting an aggregated delay based on the expected time during the execution of the code segment within the emulation.
US09256439B2 Parallel processing of two-dimensional data, storage of plural data of the processing results in a cache line and transfer of the data to a memory as in the cache line
A data processing apparatus causes multiple processors to process in parallel input data that is arrayed two-dimensionally, and stores the data of the processing results in a cache line of a cache memory, where the data of the processing results includes a plurality of pieces of data of a predetermined width that is smaller than a cache line width of the cache memory. The data stored in the cache memory is then transferred together to a main memory as in the cache line.
US09256432B2 Method of compressing and decompressing an executable or interpretable program
The method of compressing and decompressing an executable program, can be executed by a microprocessor or interpreted by an interpreter of an integrated circuit device: instructions are reformatted into the format of an initial set of instructions of said program for obtaining instructions in the format of an intermediate set of instructions; repetition templates in the program are determined and, for each repetition template, a pair is defined, formed of said repetition template and of an instruction in the format of a set of instructions; intermediate instructions are replaced by compressed instructions and the links of the compressed program are modified; the compressed program is stored in a memory of the device; and the compressed program is decompressed and the initial instructions are executed by said microprocessor or interpreted by said interpreter. The invention applies, in particular, to the integrated circuits of embedded devices.
US09256430B2 Instruction scheduling approach to improve processor performance
A processor instruction scheduler comprising an optimization engine which uses an optimization model for a processor architecture with: means to generate an optimization model for the optimization engine from a design of a processor and data representing optimization goals and constraints and a code stream, wherein the processor has at least two execution pipes and at least two registers, and wherein the code stream comprises processor instructions with corresponding register selections; and reordering means to generate an optimized code stream from the code stream with the optimal solution provided by the optimization engine for the optimization model by reordering the code stream, such that optimum values for the optimization goals under the given constraints are achieved without affecting the operation results of the code stream.
US09256429B2 Selectively activating a resume check operation in a multi-threaded processing system
This disclosure describes techniques for selectively activating a resume check operation in a single instruction, multiple data (SIMD) processing system. A processor is described that is configured to selectively enable or disable a resume check operation for a particular instruction based on information included in the instruction that indicates whether a resume check operation is to be performed for the instruction. A compiler is also described that is configured to generate compiled code which, when executed, causes a resume check operation to be selectively enabled or disabled for particular instructions. The compiled code may include one or more instructions that each specify whether a resume check operation is to be performed for the respective instruction. The techniques of this disclosure may be used to reduce the power consumption of and/or improve the performance of a SIMD system that utilizes a resume check operation to manage the reactivation of deactivated threads.
US09256416B1 Methods and apparatus for automatic session validation for distributed access points
In some embodiments, a method includes installing at an access point that (1) includes a first software image and (2) is operatively coupled to a network controller via network, a second software image different from the first software image. The method includes defining in response to the installation, a virtual client disposed in the access point. The virtual client is configured to send to the network controller via the network a first validation data unit that causes the network controller to send a second validation data unit to the access point if the first validation data unit is received by the network controller. The method also includes installing at the access point that includes the second software image, the first software image and uninstalling the second software image if the access point does not receive the second validation data unit in response to the first validation data unit.
US09256410B2 Failure profiling for continued code optimization
A method and an apparatus to continuously re-compile a code are described. The code can be compiled in a speculatively optimized manner from a source code to access an untyped variable according to a type prediction of runtime values for the untyped variable. Failures of the type prediction during the execution can be dynamically tracked. Each failure may be associated a runtime value with a type outside of the type prediction. The type prediction may be adjusted according to the failures tracked for future runtime values of the untyped variable. The source code can be recompiled for execution to optimize the access to the untyped variable for the future runtime values according to the adjusted type prediction.
US09256401B2 Editor visualization of symbolic relationships
Enhancing dynamic code. A method includes obtaining one or more first data structures defining constructs in a body of dynamic language source code. From the one or more first data structures, identifier information is extracted for one or more of the defined constructs. Knowledge about the constructs is augmented. Using the identifier information and augmented knowledge, metadata about the body of the dynamic language source code is generated. The generated metadata is represented as a symbol table. The body of dynamic language source code is visually enhanced based on the symbol table structure.