Document Document Title
US09603291B2 Semiconductor device
A semiconductor device includes a semiconductor element accommodated in an outer case; a control circuit board fixed to the outer case at a position away from the semiconductor element; and a shield plate provided between the semiconductor element and the control circuit board. The outer case is provided with a support having a convex portion longer than a thickness of the shield plate at a distal end thereof. The shield plate is formed with a through-hole in which the convex portion of the support passes through. The shield plate is fixed to the support with a fixing device engaging with the convex portion.
US09603288B2 Electronic/electrical component housing with strips of metal plate and shape memory material forming a heat transfer path
A housing for electronic/electrical components includes an inner panel and an outer panel, a strip of metal plate, and a strip of shape memory material. The inner panel and the outer panel are disposed parallel to each other to define an internal space. The strip of metal plate extends from an inner surface of the outer panel. The strip of shape memory material extends from an inner surface of the inner panel and is attached to or detached from the metal plate on the outer panel while changing into an original straight shape or a bent shape according to a temperature variation. When the temperature increases beyond a first transition temperature, the shape memory material straightens to form a heat transfer path. When the temperature falls below a second transition temperature, the shape memory material bends and is separated from the metal plate to interrupt the heat transfer path.
US09603274B2 Container for housing electronic component and electronic device
A container for housing an electronic component includes: a container body including a bottom plate and a polygonal side wall surrounding a central region of the bottom plate, the container body housing an electronic component inside a cavity defined by the bottom plate and the polygonal side wall; and an input-output terminal that penetrates through the polygonal side wall and is attached to two sides of the polygonal side wall, wherein a first side of the polygonal side wall is adjacent to a second side of the polygonal side wall, wherein the input-output terminal includes an insulator and a conductor, and wherein the conductor penetrates through the insulator and provides electrical continuity between an interior portion of the polygonal side wall and an exterior portion of the polygonal side wall.
US09603271B2 Foldable display apparatus
A foldable display apparatus including a display panel configured to include a display area including a first display area, a second display area, and a bending area, a first panel supporting member configured to support a first area of the display panel corresponding to the first display area, a second panel supporting member configured to support a second area of the display panel corresponding to the second display area, and a folding part connected between the first and second panel supporting members to overlap the bending area and configured to guide the display panel for the display panel to be folded or unfolded to a plane state with respect to the bending area. The folding part adjusts a distance between the first and second panel supporting members for the display panel to be folded or unfolded.
US09603264B2 Method and apparatus for welding printed circuits
The invention relates to a method for bonding stacked layers (19, 20) for making printed circuits, by electromagnetic induction.In particular, a magnetic flux is locally induced at a plurality of conducting spacers (25) provided along a peripheral area (22) of the multilayer stack (18).By this method, it is possible to induce magnetic fluxes with opposite sign in individual areas of the peripheral area, thus achieving the maximum energy efficiency during the bonding process.The invention further comprises an induction head and a bonding apparatus for performing the method.
US09603262B2 Electronic component mounting apparatus and method
An electronic component mounting apparatus includes a bonding tool for thermally bonding an electronic component onto a substrate, the bonding tool to be driven in a direction getting close to and from the substrate, a linear scale and a linear scale head detecting the position of the bonding tool in the direction getting close to and from the substrate, and a control unit configured to hold the position of the bonding tool in the direction getting close to and from the substrate when a solder film between an electrode of the electronic component and an electrode of the substrate is thermally fused when the bonding tool gets close to the substrate by a predetermined distance from a reference position while heating the electronic component. The electronic component mounting apparatus for bonding the electronic component and the substrate with thermally fusible bond metal offers an improvement in the bonding quality.
US09603260B2 Method and products related to deposited particles
The invention concerns a method of removing encapsulating material from encapsulated particles deposited onto a substrate. According to the method, a substrate is used which is capable of facilitating said removal of encapsulating material. The particles may be nanoparticles. In particular, the substrate-facilitated removal may result in sintering of the particles. The invention provides a novel way of functionalizing electronic structures using particulate matter and for conveniently producing e.g. printed electronics devices.
US09603256B2 Process for producing articles having an electrically conductive coating
The present invention relates to a process for producing articles having on at least part of their surface an electrically conductive coating by at least partly coating a substrate with a composition comprising finely divided electrically conductive metal particles and a binder and subjecting the coated substrate to at least one treatment with water in the presence of a halide ion source at a temperature in the range from ambient temperature to 200° C. The process of the invention allows articles having an electrically conductive coating to be produced in a simple, rapid and mild way.
US09603249B2 Direct metalization of electrical circuit structures
An electrical interconnect including a first circuitry layer with a first surface and a second surface. At least a first dielectric layer is printed on the first surface of the first circuitry layer to include a plurality of first recesses. A conductive material is plated on surfaces of a plurality of the first recesses to form a plurality of first conductive structures electrically coupled to, and extending generally perpendicular to, the first circuitry layer. A filler material is deposited in the first conductive structures. At least a second dielectric layer is printed on the first dielectric layer to include a plurality of second recesses generally aligned with a plurality of the first conductive structures. A conductive material is plated on surfaces of a plurality of the second recesses to form a plurality of second conductive structures electrically coupled to, and extending parallel to the first conductive structures.
US09603239B2 Touch screen, touch panel, display device and electronic device
Detection column wires and detection row wires are configured of thin wires made of a conductive material having light reflectivity, such as a metal or alloy including silver and aluminum. A predetermined plural number of detection column wires are electrically connected to form a plurality of column-direction bundle wires. A predetermined plural number of detection row wires are electrically connected to form a plurality of row-direction bundle wires. A reflected-light distribution pattern is further provided. When viewed in a direction vertical to the surface of the touch screen, the reflected-light distribution pattern includes a curved portion, and the normal lines of the curved portion head for all directions.
US09603236B2 Heat dissipating substrate
There is provided a heat dissipating substrate including: a base substrate having a first through hole formed therein; a first substrate disposed on an upper end portion of the base substrate and including a second through hole having a diameter smaller than that of the first through hole; and a heat dissipating pad disposed on an upper end portion of the second through hole. In addition, a flow phenomenon of a thermal conduction member (lead) may be reduced using the thermal conduction member by forming a second through hole smaller than a first through hole.
US09603231B2 Processing apparatus
A processing apparatus includes a substrate supporting unit that supports a substrate in a processing space in which the substrate is processed, a first partitioning member that includes a ceiling portion having an opening and partitions the processing space from an outer space, and a second partitioning member that is attached to the first partitioning member so as to close the opening and partition the processing space from the outer space together with the first partitioning member. The second partitioning member is attached to the first partitioning member so that the second partitioning member is removable from the first partitioning member by moving the second partitioning member toward a space which a lower surface of the ceiling portion faces.
US09603230B2 Systems and methods for measuring current with shielded conductors
Systems and methods for measuring current with shielded conductors are provided. One system includes a first wire within shielding, wherein the first wire is connected between a high voltage source and a filament of an x-ray system. The system also includes a second wire within shielding, wherein the second wire is connected between the high voltage source and the x-ray system and the shielding of the first and second wires is at a high voltage potential of the x-ray system. The system further includes a measurement resistor at a high voltage potential, wherein the measurement resistor is connected between the shielding and one of the first or second wires.
US09603229B2 Composite materials
A composite material, the composite material comprising at least one prepreg, said prepreg comprising at least one polymeric resin and at least one fibrous reinforcement; and conducting particles dispersed in the polymeric resin.
US09603221B2 System and method for illumination of a rain gutter
A rain gutter illumination system having a cover for attaching to a rain gutter with an aperture along the substantial length of the cover, and opposing recesses for retaining a decorative insert. When the decorative insert is inserted in the cover, it is held in place by the recesses, and a light source and optional diffusing panel may be arranged in the cover so that the light source projects light through the aperture of the illuminable surface. The light source may be remotely controllable using a wireless remote control device, such as a smart phone over a network connection.
US09603219B2 Driving power supply apparatus for OLED
The present invention discloses a driving power supply apparatus for OLED. Wherein it comprises a power board connecting to a motherboard and a OLED screen, the motherboard comprises a standby circuit, a timing control module, a first and second transformer modules and a PFC circuit, the standby circuit connects to the timing control module and the motherboard, the timing control module connects to the PFC circuit, the motherboard and the first and second transformer modules, which connect to the motherboard and the PFC circuit. The isolation of two voltages, fulfills stability requirements of the power supplied to OLED, improves its picture quality; the timing control module will not light up the OLED screen until both switch and enable signals are stable simultaneously. This has changed the traditional power switch sequence, and made the power supply adapt to OLED's fast response characters.
US09603213B1 Controlling multiple groups of LEDs
The described invention provides a method of and circuitry for driving three or more groups of light emitting diodes (LEDs) using time division multiplexing, whereby a periodic signal is divided among groups of LEDs, each with a different color or color temperature. The LEDs may be driven to produce colors along a desired path of values. Other qualities of light besides color or color temperature may be similarly controlled along a path of values. In some implementations, the system may receive an oscillating signal, which may be used as a periodic signal for comparison with the control signal, and one or more offset voltages, each of which may be combined with the oscillating signal to provide a second oscillating signal. The control signal may be compared to both of the oscillating signals to determine if a particular LED group may be powered.
US09603208B2 LED driver with auxiliary power output
An LED driver has a primary side regulation with at least one input connected to the AC power line, and at least two outputs. At least one output is for driving LEDs and at least one output is for providing auxiliary power for associated circuits. The driver is constructed using the flyback principle, having at least one flyback transformer which has at least one primary winding connected to a flyback switching transistor. At least one principal output winding is connected to the LED load, and at least one feedback winding is connected to a control chip. At least one auxiliary winding drives the auxiliary power output. The auxiliary winding has a coupling coefficient to said feedback winding which is greater than the coupling coefficient between the principal output winding and the feedback winding.
US09603206B2 Detection and control mechanism for tail current in a bipolar junction transistor (BJT)-based power stage
A bipolar junction transistor (BJT) may be used in a power stage DC-to-DC converter, such as a converter in LED-based light bulbs. A closed-loop control system may be implemented with the power stage to monitor a tail current of the BJT. The closed-loop control system may include a first comparator for monitoring a base voltage while a pull-down current source is coupled to the base of the BJT. Additionally, a second comparator may be included for monitoring the base voltage after the pull-down current source is decoupled from the base of the BJT. The delay time for turning off the BJT may be determined by monitoring output from the first and second comparators. The forward base current applied to the base of the BJT may be adjusted based on the determined delay time to reduce the delay time and thus reduce excess power dissipation by the BJT.
US09603199B2 Radiant heating arrangement with distortion compensation
A radiant heat tube (5) comprises a tube body having a center section (6) and at least one recirculating section (7, 8) arranged next to the center section, said recirculating section forming a loop (9, 10) with said center section. A pivot joint bearing (23) is arranged on one end (12) of the radiant heat tube, while a sliding bearing (15) is arranged on the other end (11) of the radiant heat tube, said sliding bearing (15) being arranged opposite said pivot joint bearing (23). A burner (14) is disposed to heat the radiant heat tube (5).
US09603194B2 Temperature controlling heating device
A temperature controlling heating device, comprising a heating piece, a temperature controlling means, which is electrically connected to the heating piece, including a temperature adjusting element, a temperature displaying element and a microprocessor, wherein the temperature adjusting element and the temperature displaying element are disposed on a surface of the temperature controlling means, the microprocessor is disposed within the temperature controlling means and is electrically connected to the temperature adjusting element, the temperature displaying element and the heating piece, the temperature adjusting element is provided to adjust temperature of the heating piece with the microprocessor in respond to a user's input, and a battery electrically connected to the temperature controlling means and the heating piece to provide electrical power for the temperature controlling means and the heating piece.
US09603193B2 Electrically heated thermostatic working element
There is provided a thermostatic working element comprising: a housing for receiving an expansion medium; an electric heating element arranged in the housing and provided with connecting lines, wherein a base of a bottom side of the housing comprises an opening for passage therethrough of the connecting lines; and a gasket disposed between the electric heating element and the base of the bottom side of the housing, essentially surrounding the opening, wherein the housing further comprises a recess located in proximity to the electric heating element, configured to press the electric heating element and the gasket against the base of the bottom side of the housing and thereby sealing of the housing is facilitated.
US09603189B2 Method and apparatus for multisim devices with embedded SIM functionality
A method, corresponding apparatuses, and a computer program product for multiSIM devices with embedded SIM functionality are provided. The method comprises downloading at least one subscription from a secure application manager to a secure element with remote provisioning functionality within a user equipment. The method also comprises determining whether or not to assign an identity related to the at least one subscription. The method further comprises informing the user equipment of the at least one subscription being present upon assignment of the identity. With the claimed inventions, subscriptions and a pool of identities can be efficiently and flexibly managed and maintained remotely.
US09603184B2 Tune back coordination with connected mode discontinuous receive
A method is disclosed for coordinating a user equipment's communication with a network during tune back with C-DRX (connected mode discontinuous receive). When a user equipment tunes back to a network after a tune away or a signal fade, a scheduling request is sent to the network to indicate the tune back as quickly as possible. The user equipment waits for a downlink transmission from the network. When the user equipment does not receive the downlink transmission, the method determines if the connection between the user equipment and the network has been released. The sending of the first scheduling request and any additional scheduling requests is coordinated with the C-DRX configuration so as to maximize the battery savings of C-DRX and minimize the latency of the tune back process in case the user equipment has uplink data to send.
US09603178B2 Secure pairing of personal device with host device
Pairing one or more personal devices to a host device is provided. An example method includes detecting one or more personal devices in wireless proximity communication range of a host device; allocating and storing a respective unique input instruction for each personal device in range, wherein a unique input instruction is convertible to an augmented reality display input at a personal device; transmitting the unique input instruction to the personal device; providing an input interface of the host device; receiving, from a user of the personal device, user input at the input interface of the host device; and activating an exclusive pairing between the host device and the personal device for which the user input has been received.
US09603177B2 Methods and apparatuses for enabling direct mode communication between user equipments
A method and apparatus related to a first radio network node serving a first UE in a first mobile radio network for enabling a D2D communication with a second UE served by a second radio network node in a second radio network. The first radio network node establishes a connection with the second radio network node. The first UE (230) requests to the first radio network node to enable a communication with the second user equipment (290). The first radio network sends a first message comprising information related to the first UE (230) to the second radio network node (280) for configuration of the second UE (290). The first radio network node receives a second message for configuration of the first UE (230) and sends to the first UE (230) a third message related to the second UE.
US09603176B2 Enhanced proximity services discovery with radio access status indicator
The present invention relates to enhanced proximity services discovery with radio access status indicator. Embodiments of the invention are directed to the first apparatus and methods for enhancing proximity services (ProSe) discovery between user devices. In one embodiment, the method includes sending, using a first computing device processor of a first user device, a discovery signal; receiving, using the first computing device processor of the first user device, a response signal sent from a second computing device processor of a second user device, the response signal being sent in response to the discovery signal and comprising a radio access network status indicator corresponding to the second user device; and assistantly establishing using the received radio access network status indicator, a link between the first user device and the second user device.
US09603172B2 Low latency call transfer
A system is configured to receive, from a user device, voice traffic to be sent to another user device; determine whether the voice traffic is local traffic based on whether an eNodeB, associated with the user device, and another eNodeB, associated with the other user device, are served by a particular network device; forward the voice traffic, as non-local traffic, to another network device, associated with a packet data network, for processing when the eNodeB or the other eNodeB are not served by the particular network device; process the voice traffic as local traffic when the eNodeB and the other eNodeB are served by the particular network device; and forward, to the other user device via the other eNodeB, the voice traffic, as local traffic, where the forwarding is performed in a manner that does not include routing the voice traffic via the other network device.
US09603171B2 Contact information management methods and apparatus
Methods and apparatus for controlled and/or secure distribution of contact information. In one embodiment, transfers of contact information must be authorized by the affected party. The party distributing the contact data, the party receiving the contact data, and the party described by the contact data initiate a secure dialog to exchange contact data. Various embodiments also enable piecemeal authorization and transfer of contact information, allowing the affected party to control the portion of contact data transferred, as well as apply specific rule sets or templates. In one variant, the authorization and transfer process is optimized to reduce the number of transaction steps. Additionally, solutions for distributing contact information among larger groups of participants are also disclosed.
US09603168B2 Method and apparatus for transmitting/receiving data on multiple carriers in mobile communication system
A data transmission method and an apparatus to communicate data on multiple carriers in the mobile communication system are provided. A random access method of a terminal in a mobile communication system including primary and secondary cells operating on multiple carriers according to the present invention includes communicating data after random access in the primary cell, receiving, when the random access is triggered in the secondary cell, information for use in the secondary cell random access from the primary cell, transmitting a preamble in the secondary cell based on the received information, monitoring the primary cell to receive a Random Access Response for the secondary cell, and applying, when the Random Access Response for the secondary cell is received, the information carried in the Random Access Response to the secondary cell in which the preamble has been transmitted.
US09603154B2 Method for transmitting data signal and user equipment
Embodiments of the present invention provide a method for transmitting a data signal and a user equipment, where the method includes: acquiring, by a first user equipment, a scheduling assignment signal sent by a second user equipment and a scheduling assignment signal sent by at least one third user equipment, where the second user equipment is a user equipment that performs D2D communication with the first user equipment; determining, by the first user equipment, a first time adjustment amount according to a time adjustment amount included in the acquired scheduling assignment signal; and receiving, by the first user equipment according to the first time adjustment amount and subframe information that is included in the scheduling assignment signal sent by the second user equipment, a data signal sent by the second user equipment.
US09603138B2 Method and device for sending and detecting enhanced physical downlink control channel
Disclosed are a method and a device for sending and detecting an enhanced physical downlink control channel (E-PDCCH), relating to the field of wireless communications, and used for solving the problem of how to send downlink control information through the E-PDCCH. In the method, when a current subframe needs to send downlink control information to a terminal by adopting a frequency domain distributed transmission mode, a base station selects, according to the current aggregation level, at least one available distributed E-CCE in a distributed E-PDCCH time frequency resource area of the current subframe, and uses the selected distributed E-CCE to send the downlink control information to the terminal. The present application solves the problem of how to transmit downlink control information through the E-PDCCH.
US09603132B2 Dynamic hybrid automatic repeat request-acknowledgement (HARQ-ACK) transmission with enhanced physical downlink control channels
Embodiments of a system and method for providing dynamic hybrid automatic repeat request-acknowledgement (HARQ-ACK) transmission with enhanced physical downlink control channels are generally described herein. In some embodiments, a receiver is arranged to receive, on an enhanced physical downlink control channel (ePDCCH), one of a lowest control channel element index (nCCE) and a lowest enhanced control channel element index (neCCE), a user equipment specific starting offset (NPUCCH(1)) and at least one additional offset-related parameter. A processor determines allocation of an uplink resource of a physical uplink control channel (PUCCH) for HARQ-ACK transmission based the one of a lowest control channel element index (nCCE) and a lowest enhanced control channel element index (neCCE), the user equipment specific starting offset (NPUCCH(1)) and at least one selected from the at least one additional offset-related parameter. A transmitter transmits a signal on the PUCCH using the allocated uplink resource.
US09603120B2 Paging cancel procedure in a telecommunications system
Disclosed is a paging control method in a telecommunications system where devices are paged by paging requests from base stations, the base stations being controlled by paging control messages from a network node. The method involves detecting (310), in the network node, a need to initiate paging of a device. Then, a set of candidate base stations in an area of the telecommunications system is determined (320) by the network node. The candidate base stations are potentially capable of reaching the device in the area by sending paging requests at respective paging occasions. The network node selectively controls (330) paging control messages intended for the set of candidate base stations depending on detection of a paging response made by the device via one of the base stations in the set of candidate base stations, so as to prevent paging requests from base stations, in the set of candidate base stations, which have not yet sent any paging requests to the device.
US09603117B2 Network infrastructure identification
This disclosure relates to network infrastructure identification by a wireless user equipment (UE) device. According to one embodiment, one or more requests for infrastructure identification information may be transmitted. Each request may indicate a current location of the UE. A respective response may be received to each corresponding respective request. Each respective response may include infrastructure identification information for the current location indicated in the corresponding respective request. Features such as vendor, type, model, or version of cellular network infrastructure equipment with which the UE performs cellular communication may be identified based on the response(s), and features specific to the identified equipment may accordingly be implemented during such cellular communication.
US09603115B2 Method and apparatus for cellular roaming charge bypass call completion
Systems and methods for avoiding roaming or communications charges when a mobile communications device such as a cellular telephone receives an incoming telephone call use a non-native communications provider, such as a VOIP service provider to redirect the call. A subscriber's mobile communications device establishes a data connection to the VOIP service provider through a data network, and call forwarding instructions are issued to the subscriber's telephony service provider to cause calls directed to the subscriber's mobile communications device to be redirected to a forwarding telephone number associated with the VOIP service provider. When a call is placed to the subscriber's normal telephone number, the call is forwarded to the VOIP service provider. The VOIP service provider establishes a VOIP communications channel with the subscriber's mobile communications device via a data network, and the incoming call is connected to the subscriber's mobile communications device via the VOIP communications channel.
US09603114B2 Communication apparatus
A first communication apparatus may receive first identification information for identifying a first wireless network and second identification information for identifying a second wireless network via a first type of interface from a second communication apparatus, in a case where the second communication apparatus currently belongs to both the first wireless network and the second wireless network. The first communication apparatus may select, from among the first and second wireless networks, by using the first and the second identification information, at least one wireless network to which the first communication apparatus currently belongs, and execute a wireless communication for target data with the second communication apparatus via a second type of interface by using a target wireless network included in the selected at least one wireless network.
US09603111B2 Radio communication system and communication control method
A radio communication system includes a first base station that is identified by a first cell identity, a second base station that is identified by a second cell identity, and a user device that can perform radio communication with each of the base stations. The user device detects a first transmission timing based on a first synchronization signal from the first base station and establishes synchronization with the first base station. The first base station notifies the user device of synchronization state information related to a synchronization state with the second base station and of frequency information related to an identification signal frequency that is used by the second base station to transmit an identification signal. The user device, based on the synchronization state information, performs identifying processing, on the identification signal frequency indicated by the frequency information, to identify the second cell identity indicated by the identification signal.
US09603107B2 Method and apparatus for controlling transmit power of user equipment
The present invention provides a method and an apparatus for controlling transmit power of a user equipment, the method includes reducing a gain factor of a first-type channel of the UE when total uplink transmit power of the UE exceeds maximum allowed transmit power. The method further includes determining total uplink transmit power of the UE and if the total uplink transmit power of the UE exceeds the maximum allowed transmit power and the gain factor of the first-type channel is reduced to a preset gain factor threshold, reducing a gain factor of a second-type channel of the UE so that total uplink transmit power of the UE does not exceed the maximum allowed transmit power.
US09603086B2 Smart management of background network connections based on historical data
In some implementations, a network daemon can manage access to a mobile device's network interface. The network daemon (e.g., network connection managing process) can monitor the condition of the mobile device's network connection on one or more interfaces. The network daemon can monitor many conditions on the mobile device. The network daemon can receive background networking requests from network clients (e.g., processes, applications) that specify criteria for initiating a network connection. The network daemon can then smartly manage network connections taking into account network conditions, mobile device conditions and/or client criteria received in the client request. This can help reduce battery life impact, memory usage, likelihood of call drops, data usage cost, and load on network operators.
US09603082B2 Feedback method for active scanning of user terminal, and access point
Embodiments of the present invention provide a feedback method for active scanning of a user terminal and an access point, and relate to the field of communications, where a timer is set in the access point, and after the timer reaches preset time, buffered probe response message can be cleared, thereby further reducing an overhead of channel resources. The feedback method includes: receiving a probe request message from a user terminal, where the probe request message includes scanning time preset by the user terminal; generating and buffering a probe response message of the probe request message; setting and starting a timer corresponding to the user terminal according to the received scanning time preset by the user terminal; and clearing the buffered probe response message after determining that the timer reaches the preset scanning time and the probe response message is not sent to the user terminal.
US09603080B2 Network assisted ANDSF policy updating
Various methods and apparatuses are provided to address the need for reduced UE location reporting. In one method, an access network discovery and selection function (ANDSF) server receives (401) location information for a UE from a Long Term Evolution (LTE) Evolved Packet Core (EPC) function. The location information is received from the LTE EPC function instead of being received from the UE. The ANDSF server then generates (402) a policy based on the location information received for the UE and sends (403) the policy to the UE via a first access network. The policy includes an identification of an access point for use by the UE to access an access network different than the first access network.
US09603078B2 Method and apparatus for managing handovers in a wireless network based on speed group assignments
A system that incorporates the subject disclosure may include, for example, determining a mobility speed group assignment for a mobile communication device having a radio resource control connection with a wireless network where the mobility speed group assignment is selected from among a plurality of mobility speed groups according to a speed of the mobile communication device, determining a cell size for a serving cell of the wireless network that is providing the radio resource control connection, and selecting a handover policy based on the mobility speed group assignment and the cell size. Other embodiments are disclosed.
US09603072B2 Method and apparatus for changing proximity service-based radio access technology
The present invention relates to a method and an apparatus for changing a radio access technology (RAT) of a terminal in a wireless communication system. More specifically, the method according to the present invention comprises the steps of: transmitting user traffic session related information when a terminal perceives that a packet switched service will be discontinued while carrying out proximity service (ProSe); and changing, by a first terminal, to a target RAT, in which PS service is not supported.
US09603068B2 Methods and devices for adjusting resource management procedures in heterogeneous communication networks
Devices and methods for adjusting resource management procedures in heterogeneous communication networks are disclosed. In one aspect, a method for adjusting radio resource management procedures in a mobile device communicating with a node operating in a cell in a heterogeneous communication network includes receiving a message that includes cell information transmitted from the node, measuring signal reception information, processing the received cell information and measured signal reception information to determine an adjustment to a resource management procedure, and adjusting the resource management procedure based on the determined adjustment. The first and second messages may be radio resource control (RRC) measurement control messages.
US09603059B2 Techniques and systems for on-demand customized mobile data services
Techniques for generating and providing on-demand customized mobile data services are described. A technique may include receiving application usage data at a data package service; analyzing the application usage data to obtain analyzed data; designing one or more data service packages according to the analyzed data, each data service package to define a set of parameters to manage access to a cellular data network; presenting one or more data service packages to a client device; receiving a selection of a data service package from the client device; and uploading a policy associated with the selected data service package to a data access server. Other embodiments are described and claimed.
US09603053B2 Segmented data transfer with resume capability
A large volume of location related information, e.g., assistance data or location information, is transferred in separate messages between a server and a target by segmenting the location related information into a plurality of messages. If the connection between the server and target is released prior to completion of the transfer of the location related information, the transfer is resumed by sending the remaining messages after connection is reestablished. Each message is sent after receiving an acknowledgement of receipt. Thus, both the server and target can control the flow of the transfer by delaying the sending of one or more messages or delaying the sending of the acknowledgements of receipt.
US09603047B2 Load balancing based on an aggregate quality of service for applications using a carrier for wireless communication
A load threshold for a first carrier of a base station is set based on quality of service (QoS) classes for applications using the first carrier. Load balancing between the first carrier and one or more second carriers is performed based on the load threshold.
US09603043B2 Systems and methods for performing measurements in transmission gaps
A method for performing a measurement by a communication device including selecting at least one measurement type of a plurality of measurement types, wherein each measurement type is assigned to a time slot, wherein the at least one measurement type is selected for a time interval which is pre-defined as a transmission gap of a receiver of the communication device for carrying out measurements by the receiver corresponding to the time slot; and performing a measurement of the at least one measurement type during the time interval.
US09603041B2 Method and device for sending traffic indication information
Provided are a method and a device for sending traffic indication information. In the method, an AP sends a radio frame to multiple STAs associated with the AP, wherein the radio frame carries an indication field, and the indication field is used to indicate whether the radio frame carries traffic indication virtual bitmap information. According to the technical solution provided, in the case where the AP has no unicast cache data for any station, multiple STAs associated with the AP can know whether the AP has their respective unicast cache data to be sent.
US09603040B2 CSI measurement and reporting
This invention sets conditions for user equipment responses to channel state indicator request in channel state information that may conflict.
US09603029B2 Mobile communications network, mobile communications device, relay node and method
A mobile communications network includes plural base stations in a network and configured to transmit to mobile communications devices a broadcast signal providing a sequence of data blocks in a sequence of transmission frames, each data block of the sequence being transmitted by each of the base stations contemporaneously for each of the sequence of transmission frames. One or more relay nodes are configured to receive the broadcast signal transmitted by one of the base stations and retransmit the broadcast signal, as the sequence of data blocks in the sequence of transmission frames on the same frequency as the broadcast signal transmitted by the base station, so that one or more of the mobile communications devices can receive the broadcast signal and recover the sequence of data blocks from one or both of the broadcast signal transmitted by the base station or the broadcast signal transmitted by the relay node.
US09603026B2 Dynamic transmission antenna reconfiguration in wireless networks
A wireless communication technique includes configuring a first antenna group to transmit common system information, a common reference signal, and data according to a first format and a second format to wireless devices in a cell, configuring a second antenna group to transmit data according to the second format, but no common system information or common reference signals, to wireless devices in the cell and dynamically assigning, based on a network operational status, antennas from a plurality of antennas to either the first antenna group or the second antenna group.
US09603025B2 Method and apparatus for synchronization mechanisms on un-licensed band
A method for synchronizing channels on unlicensed bands is described. The method includes determining whether a SCC channel has started to be used by a first network. The SCC channel is a CA channel shared with at least one other network. In response to determining that the SCC channel has been started to be used by the first network, the UE determines an off duration describing a period since a previous SCC channel ON period. A given channel ON period is a continuous period of use of the given channel by the first network, The method also includes, in response to determining that the off duration is less than a minimum threshold duration, performing fine synchronization based on CRS tracking on the SCC channel using course synchronization parameters of the previous SCC channel ON period. Apparatus and computer readable media are also described.
US09603024B2 Medical body area network (MBAN) with key-based control of spectrum usage
A medical body area network (MBAN) system (10) comprises network nodes (12, 14) intercommunicating via short range wireless communication. A primary user database (46) contains information pertaining to usage of a restricted spectrum by primary users wherein the MBAN systems are secondary users of the restricted spectrum. An electronic key generation engine (44) comprises a digital processing device configured to generate an electronic key (E-key) (50) indicative of whether the MBAN system is allowed to use the restricted spectrum based on content of the primary users database. An MBAN application server (40) is configured to distribute the E-key to the MBAN system. The MBAN system includes a spectrum control sub-module (52) comprising a digital processor configured to select an operating channel or frequency for the short range wireless communication based at least in part on whether the E-key authorizes the MBAN system to use the restricted spectrum.
US09603022B2 Managing undesired service requests in a network
A Method and a system for managing undesired service requests sent from at least one terminal to a network are described, wherein the network comprises a network node for storing trusted service-information. The method comprises the steps of: the network receiving a service request from a terminal, the request comprising service request information; and, sending, preferably via a secure communication channel, a user verification request for requesting the user to verify the service requested by the terminal if at least part of the service request information is not listed in the trusted service-information.
US09603012B2 Secure wireless device connection using power line messages
Technologies are generally provided to establish a secure connection between a wireless network access point and a wireless enabled device by sharing a secret key synthesized from one or more messages exchanged over power lines. Messages exchanged between devices within a location such as a household over power lines and/or with a power utility control center may be collected, for example, communication messages between a wireless enabled device and a smart meter or any other device. The wireless enabled device and a wireless network access point may synthesize a secret key from the collected messages and share the secret key to establish a secure wireless connection over a channel that is not secure.
US09603005B2 Method of SIM control and electronic device thereof
An apparatus and method for controlling a Subscriber Identity Module (SIM) card usage in an electronic device are provided. The method of controlling the SIM card usage in the electronic device may include, if a network usage request is generated, determining whether to change a SIM card in use based on a SIM card usage condition, and if the SIM card in use is changed, performing the network usage request by using the changed SIM card. In addition, the apparatus and method for controlling the SIM card usage in the electronic device can be implemented according to the various exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure.
US09603004B2 Network elements, wireless communication system and methods therefor
A TAI (Tracking Area Identifier) assigned to a small, ‘presence’ cell (106), which is different from that assigned to a neighbouring cell (101), forces a User Equipment (105) entering the presence cell's coverage area to attempt to register with the presence cell. The presence cell forwards the registration request (which includes the UE's temporary subscriber identity and the identity of the most recently serving Mobility Management Entity) to an additional network node (107) that appears as a Mobility Management Entity to other MMEs in the network. The network node then generates a request for the permanent subscriber identity of the UE and sends it to the most recently serving MME (103). The received permanent identity can be forwarded to a presence analytics server (108) for presence purposes. In some examples, use is made of the relevant ‘Context Request’ or ‘Identification Request’ message and ‘Tracking Area Update’ message or ‘Attach Request’ message to obtain details of the UE despite the fact that it has not completed authentication with the presence cell.
US09602998B2 Apparatus, system and method of communicating in a data link group
Some demonstrative embodiments include apparatuses, systems and/or methods of communicating traffic to a plurality of wireless devices. For example, an apparatus may include logic and circuitry configured to cause a Neighbor Awareness Networking (NAN) device to communicate one or more discovery messages during at least one Discovery Window (DW) of a NAN cluster including the NAN device; and communicate data within a data link group after the DW, the data link group including the NAN device and one or more NAN devices of the NAN cluster.
US09602997B2 Operating states for D2D discovery
A device is configured to perform a method of device-to-device (D2D) communication in a wireless communication network in accordance with a Long Term Evolution (LTE) standard. The method includes entering an RRC-Idle state or an RRC-Connected state. The method also includes transmitting, in the RRC-Idle state or RRC-Connected state, a D2D discovery signal for receipt by at least one second device in the network. The method further includes receiving, in the RRC-Idle state or RRC-Connected state, at least one D2D discovery signal from the at least one second device in the network.
US09602984B2 Communicating normative output settings of computing devices of users within a social locale
Systems and methods are provided for user notification of normative device output settings of a plurality of mobile computing devices operating in locale. For example, a system includes a service provider, and a computing device. The computing device transmits its current locale and device output settings information to the service provider. The service provider utilizes such information to determine a normative of device output settings of registered computing devices operating in the locale, and generates a notification message that is sent to the computing device, which comprises the normative of device output settings in the locale. The computing device presents the notification message to a user of the computing device so that the user can determine whether or not a device output setting of the computing device complies with the normative of device output settings in the locale.
US09602980B2 Techniques for hierarchical encoding for multicast broadcast services in wireless communication systems
An embodiment of the present invention provides an apparatus, comprising a transceiver adapted for hierarchical encoding for a Multicast Broadcast Service (MBS) in wireless networks, wherein the hierarchical encoding is provided by superposition coding to provide different levels of protection for data streams.
US09602979B2 Apparatus and method for transmitting and receiving a frame including control information in a broadcasting system
Apparatus and method for receiving a frame including control information in a broadcasting system are provided. A frame for a broadcast service is received and includes at least one Physical Layer Pipe (PLP) and indication information for indicating a change/no-change of control information for the broadcast service in the next frame. Indication information, which includes information on a position in which the control information will change, is extracted from the frame and used to determine the position in which the control information will change.
US09602977B2 GPS generated traffic information
Disclosed herein is a traveler information monitoring and dissemination system. The system disclosed herein provides real time information to a traveler, wherein the real time information may be pre-selected by the traveler. The system ensures consistent and quality data are produced and issued to the traveler.
US09602973B2 Applying error resiliency based on speed
A method for applying error resiliency based on speed is disclosed. A speed of the wireless communication device is detected. Source-based error resiliency is dynamically applied to a signal based on the speed. The signal is sent on an uplink. In addition to the speed, the source-based error resiliency may be dynamically applied to the signal based on a characteristic of the signal.
US09602971B2 Controlling dynamically-changing traffic load of whitespace devices for database access
A central node/database receives from each mth one of a plurality of M user devices at least one of geographic location information of the mth user device and type information of the mth user device. The node/database registers the M user devices to different groups according to at least one of location criteria based on the received geographic location information and type criteria based on the received type information. Then the node/database sends to each mth one of the plurality of M user devices a set of parameters that define a periodic time window that is specific to the group to which the mth user device is registered. The time window restricts times at which the mth user device can access a data source of spectrum use information. Balancing the number of user devices among the groups, spreads database accesses in time and overloads are less frequent and less severe.
US09602962B2 Methods and systems for providing location based services in a venue using femtocells
Disclosed are systems, methods and devices for application of location based services in a venue or other local area using mobile centric and network centric positioning techniques. In particular, a venue may deploy an architecture comprising a location server, a location based services application server and an access/location network comprising femtocell transceivers and optionally WiFi access points to provide location services and possibly communications services to local mobile devices. Mobile devices may be identified to femtocell transceivers using a global provider identifier and femtocell transceivers may communicate with the location server in support of positioning operations using a Positioning Calculation Application Part (PCAP) protocol or LTE Positioning Protocol A (LPPa).
US09602951B2 Method of handling resource exchange and related communication device
A method of handling a resource exchange for a network comprises the steps of receiving at least one channel information report transmitted by at least one communication device pair, respectively; determining at least one resource exchange according to the at least one channel information report; and performing the at least one resource exchange on at least one first resource allocated to the at least one communication device pair and on at least one available resource at the network, to allocate at least one second resource to the at least one communication device pair.
US09602948B2 Motor vehicle audio system
A motor vehicle audio system, and a method of operating such a system. There is at least one rear far-field speaker that is located behind a front seat of the motor vehicle, and at least one near-field speaker located in front of the far-field speaker and close to an intended position of a listener's head. There is an audio signal processor configured to detect when the rear far-field speaker is shut off while the near-field speaker remains on, and in response automatically increase the output energy of the near-field speaker.
US09602946B2 Method and apparatus for providing virtual audio reproduction
A method, apparatus and computer program product are provided to permit audio signals to provide additional information to a user regarding the distance to the source of the audio signals, thereby increasing a user's situational awareness. In the context of a method, a distance and a direction from a user to an object are determined. The method also scales the distance to the object to create a modified distance within a predefined sound field region about the user. The method also causes an audio cue relating to the object to be audibly provided to the user. The audio cue is such that the object appears to be located within the predefined sound field region in the direction and at the modified distance from the user from the user.
US09602938B2 Sound library and method
At least one exemplary embodiment is directed to an electronic device configured to collect acoustic information or a method including the steps of collecting acoustic data by a microphone communicatively coupled to a mobile device, analyzing the acoustic data for a sound signature, tagging the sound signature with metadata, sending the sound signature with metadata to an acoustic database, associating sounds within the acoustic data with information, presenting the information on a map on the mobile device, and accessing at least audio from the acoustic database when a cursor is placed over a specific location on the map corresponding to captured ambient sounds from a geographic location and wherein acoustic information can be retrieved corresponding to the geographic location and for different selected periods of time.
US09602934B2 Antennas for standard fit hearing assistance devices
An embodiment of a hearing assistance device comprises a housing, a power source, a radio circuit, an antenna and a transmission line. The radio circuit is within the housing and electrically connected to the power source. The antenna has an aperture, and the radio circuit is at least substantially within the aperture. The transmission line electrically connects to the antenna to the radio circuit. Various antenna embodiments include a flex circuit antenna.
US09602928B2 Speaker system having a sound collection unit for combining sound waves
According to an embodiment, a speaker system includes filters, speakers, and a sound collection unit. Each of the filters filters a first signal to generate a second signal. The speakers are arranged so that transfer characteristics from the speakers to an evaluation point are different from each other. Each of the speakers converts the second signal generated by a corresponding one of the filters into a sound wave. The sound collection unit combines sound waves output from the speakers to generate a combined sound wave. The filters are formed so that a transfer characteristic from the first signal to an output signal matches a target transfer characteristic, the output signal indicating a sound pressure of the combined sound wave at the evaluation point.
US09602926B1 Spatial placement of audio and video streams in a dynamic audio video display device
A system includes a video display screen configured to display selected portions of video content on a main portion of the video display screen and on one or more extended portions of the video display screen. The system also includes an audio portion configured to dynamically create one or more sound radiating speaker elements at one or more spatially selected locations with respect to the displayed selected portions of the video content. A method is also provided that provides the video display screen and the audio portion of the system.
US09602925B2 Multi-stream-multipoint-jack audio streaming
A method and device for streaming the output of one or more audio sources to one or more smart headsets includes establishing a secure connection with a smart headset, associating an audio channel of the one or more audio sources with the smart headset, and streaming the associated audio channel to the smart headset. The audio streaming device may selectively stream one or more audio channels from one or more audio sources to one or more of the smart headsets as a function of a streaming policy.
US09602915B1 Magnetically controllable transducer backing component
A transducer is provided that converts energy between two forms using active components. The transducer also includes passive components in contact with the active components that perform passive component functions separate from the energy conversion function. The passive components include ferrofluids and have elastic properties that are modifiable by exposure of the passive component to a magnetic field to selectively control the energy conversion function.
US09602908B2 Set of headphones and headphone cable
This invention relates to a set (or pair) of headphones, and in particular to a set of in-ear headphones as may be used with a personal media device. According to the invention there is provided a set of headphones having a jack plug and at least one earpiece, the jack plug being connected to the at least one earpiece by a flexible cable, the jack plug being connected to a jack plug end of the flexible cable, the set of headphones having a receiver adapted to temporarily secure the jack plug, the receiver being spaced away from the jack-plug end. There is also provided a cable for a set of headphones.
US09602907B2 Earbud charging case
An electronic device housing includes one or more sidewalls configured to at least partially cover a face of a mobile electronic device, an aperture configured to receive an earbud, and an electrical connection such as a coil configured to engage with a power source and the earbud. When the earbud is positioned within the aperture and the power source is engaged with the electrical coil, the electrical connection will charge the earbud. An additional electrical connection may simultaneously charge the mobile electronic device.
US09602906B1 Ear plugs for use while sleeping
The earplugs for use while sleeping are a set of earplugs adapted to suppress noise from reaching the eardrum of the user while remaining securely in place while sleeping. The earplugs for use while sleeping incorporate a timing device and a tone generating device that generates an alarm adapted to wake the wearer at a predetermined time. The earplugs for use while sleeping comprises a plurality of individual earplugs.
US09602904B2 Portable beverage cooler support
A portable beverage cooler support has a support base and a least one support leg coupled thereto. The support base is sized to be receptive to at least one beverage cooler. A removable partition may be used to adjust the support base to multiple sized beverage coolers or provide a reinforced space between multiple beverage coolers. A lip or extension surrounds the support base wholly or in part to help retain any number of beverage coolers upon the support base. The beverage cooler(s) may further be secured in place by adjustable support straps that attach to the beverage cooler and the portable beverage cooler support. The portable beverage cooler support may bear the logo and colors of a sports team or other branding, patterns, textures, and the like. In some instances, the portable beverage cooler has at least one wireless speaker that may function with any number of wireless devices.
US09602903B2 Light and sound bar system
A system is disclosed for providing enhanced sound and additional functionality to auxiliary devices. In one embodiment, a light and sound bar system comprising an omnidirectional high fidelity speaker; an adjustable lighting device; and attachment hardware for attaching to an auxiliary device is provided to add enhanced sound capabilities and lighting functionality to auxiliary devices.
US09602894B2 Protected transmission of independent sensor signals
The present disclosure relates to a sensor system having a shared communication interface that transmits sensor signals having independent channel protection data from a plurality of sensors. In some embodiments, the sensor signal has a plurality of sensors that independently generate sensor signals corresponding to a sensed quantity. A plurality of channel protection elements respectively receive one of the sensor signals and to introduce channel protection data into the received sensor signal to generate a channel protected sensor (CPS) signal. A shared communication interface receives CPS signals from one or more of the channel protection elements and to selectively provide the CPS signals onto a transmission line according to one or more communication protocols. By introducing channel protection data to the sensor signals upstream of the shared communication interface, a same communication interface can be used to transmit channel protected sensor signals from a plurality of independent sensors.
US09602890B2 Method and device to embed watermark in uncompressed video data
A system and method to watermark an uncompressed content received at a client device in a compressed form and encrypted by at least one content key, said content key as well as watermark instruction forming Conditional Access Module (CAS) data, said CAS data being encrypted by a transmission key and comprising at least one signature to authenticate the CAS data, said client device comprising a CAS configured to process the CAS data, a descrambler having an input to receive the encrypted compressed content and an output to produce an compressed content, a decoder to convert the compressed content into uncompressed content, a watermark inserter connected to the output of the decoder, a secure activation module connected with the watermark inserter, a secure element connected with the watermark inserter and the secure activation module.
US09602889B2 Method and a device for selecting a participating device
A main screen renders watermarked content. A remote device captures a watermark and extracts a payload comprising a layout type, displays possible answers according to the layout type and receives a response from a user. The remote device captures a further watermark and extracts a payload comprising a correct answer, a ratio value and a token value. If the correct answer is equal to the answer received from the user, the remote device generates a comparison value, compares the comparison value and a ratio value extracted from the payload and, if the comparison between the comparison value and the ratio value indicates that remote device has been selected, displays a message intended to a user. The remote device can further generate a value from at least the token value and display this value as proof of being selected.
US09602888B2 Broadcast signal transmitting apparatus, broadcast signal receiving method, broadcast signal transmitting method, and broadcast signal receiving apparatus
The present invention relates to a broadcast signal transmitting apparatus for transmitting a broadcast signal, a broadcast signal receiving apparatus for receiving a broadcast signal, and a method for transmitting and receiving a broadcast signal. A broadcast signal transmitting method according to the present invention may comprise the steps of: encoding data pipe (DP) data corresponding to each of a plurality of DPs that transmit one or more service components; mapping the encoded DP data to data symbols to generate one or more signal frames; modulating data existing in the one or more signal frames through an OFDM scheme; and transmitting a broadcast signal having the modulated data.
US09602881B1 Apparatus, systems and methods for configuring a mosaic of video tiles
Media device systems and methods are operable to generate mosaic video formats that are each configured to generate corresponding mosaic videos that present video content in video tiles. An exemplary embodiment receives a selection of one of a plurality of mosaic video templates, receives a specification of a video mosaic name, and generates a mosaic video format. The generated mosaic video format is identified by the specified video mosaic name, and comprises the video tile location information and video size information for each of the video tiles defined by the selected mosaic video template.
US09602880B2 Display inserts, overlays, and graphical user interfaces for multimedia systems
A disclosed digital media device operational at user premises to receive media signals from a media source for presentation via endpoint devices such as a television display. The digital media device can include gateway and digital media management functionality and can be referred to as a gateway and digital media device. The device offers application services obtained over a wide area network and a user premises network. The digital media device may form a composite signal from the media signal and application service information, for example, for a composite audio and/or video signal for television type presentation to the user. The digital media device may receive a selection signal based on the presentation, for transmission to the application service provider device or to the media source. The media device also offers a GUI presenting a moveable arrangement of icons for selectively accessing application services.
US09602875B2 Broadcast content resume reminder
A service configured to or for reminding a television viewer what or which particular programming they were watching prior to surfing other programming when a commercial break occurs during the particular programming. An option may be made available to the television viewer prior to the end of the commercial break that allows the television viewer to return to watching the particular programming, so that the television viewer does not unintentionally miss any content associated with the particular programming.
US09602871B1 Systems and methods for providing different versions of a media asset to multiple devices
Systems and methods are presented for presenting segments of an uncensored version of a media asset on a second device while a censored version of the media asset is displayed on a first device. These systems and methods allow a user to view only the segments of the uncensored version of the media asset that do not overlap with the censored version, i.e., the inappropriate content that is censored. During a defined timeframe, the system presents the audio portion or the audio and video portion of the uncensored media asset on the second device, but does not present them otherwise. In some instances, the system enables both the audio and video of the uncensored version on the second device throughout the entirety of the media asset, but selectively mutes and unmutes the audio based on determining non-overlapping segments.
US09602868B2 Method and apparatus for controlling a media device
A system that incorporates the subject disclosure may include, for example, a method for detecting a communication network, broadcasting a query message by way of the communication network, receiving a response message from the communication network, detecting from the response message that a media device is communicatively coupled to the communication network, receiving a key from a remote server to enable communications with the media device, detecting an event requiring use of the media device, generating a command responsive to the event, transmitting to the media device the command to direct the media device to request information from a web server executed by the processor, receiving from the media device a request for information to be provided by the web server, and transmitting to the media device by way of the web server the information requested. Other embodiments are disclosed.
US09602863B2 Ad replacement
Devices, methods, and storage media provide for receiving an airing of a program and a national ad; recording the program and the national ad; identifying an age of the national ad; comparing the age of the national ad to a threshold time period; and obtaining a replacement national ad in response to a comparison indicating that the age of the national ad exceeds the threshold time period.
US09602861B2 Control method and display apparatus providing various types of content
A control method and display apparatus for providing various types of content is provided. The display apparatus includes a display unit which displays an image of contents; a storage unit which stores information regarding the contents; a UI generation unit which generates UIs regarding the contents; and a controller which shuts down a first content being executed, storing information regarding the shut down first content and controls generation and display of a UI regarding the first content on the display unit, when running a second content different from the first content, while the first content is running. The control method includes running contents and displaying the contents; running a second content that is different from a first content being run, according to a user input; shutting off the first content before running the second content; storing the first content; and generating and displaying a UI regarding the first content.
US09602858B1 Method and system for synchronizing multiple data feeds associated with a sporting event
A method for synchronizing multiple data feeds includes receiving a first data feed including user-entered textual data and audio segments acquired concurrently with the user-entered textual data from a first device, receiving an additional data feed including audio segments acquired with the additional device, the first data feed and the additional data feed acquired from a common sporting event, identifying one or more distinctive audio events in the one or more audio segments received from the first device and the additional device, determining a timing offset between the first data feed and the additional data feed by comparing the one or more distinctive audio events of the one or more audio segments received from the first device and the additional device and generating a synchronized output feed by establishing a common absolute time for the first data feed and the additional data feed based on the determined timing offset.
US09602848B2 Optimized content delivery
Data (e.g., images, video, data fields, character strings, logos, etc.) may be analyzed to identify common elements and differentiating elements, and the elements may be respectively transmitted using different streams. For example, if two devices are receiving two video images that are nearly the same, a first data stream comprising the one or more identified common elements may be sent to them both, a second data stream comprising a portion of the one or more identified differentiating elements may be transmitted to the first device, and a third data stream comprising a different portion of the one or more identified differentiating elements may be transmitted to the second device.
US09602846B1 System and method for asynchronous uploading of live digital multimedia with guaranteed delivery
A system for asynchronous uploading of live digital multimedia with guaranteed delivery is provided. The system comprises a video encoder and a remote server, wherein the video encoder includes instructions for acquiring video and audio, encoding the video and audio, creating a manifest file, storing the manifest file, adding the manifest file to an upload queue, creating a segment file, storing the segment file, adding the segment file to the upload queue, initiating at least one upload worker thread, taking a first file from the upload queue, attempting to transmit the first file to the remote server, determining if an instability with the connection to the remote server exists, and, if so, repeating the attempting and determining steps, executing a data integrity test on the first file upon a successful upload of the first file, and repeating, if the data integrity test fails, the attempting, determining, and executing steps.
US09602842B2 Encoding apparatus and method of controlling the same
The invention provide an apparatus that enables encoding while suppressing a maximum distortion due to a compression of pixel values to an allowable error. The apparatus comprises a setting unit that sets transformation information for transforming a pixel value of a target image into a second pixel value in accordance with the allowable error information; a transformation unit that transforms each pixel value of the image based on the transformation information to generate a second image; a first unit that encodes the second image using an encoding unit for encoding such that a difference in a pixel value before and after encoding is within a constant δ; and a second unit that generates inverse transformation information for transforming a pixel value of the second image into a value related to a pixel value of the target image, and lossless-encodes the generated information.
US09602838B2 Method and apparatus for automatic visual artifact analysis and artifact reduction
A system and method for correcting artifacts present in video frames is disclosed. The system includes a decision module (110) and an artifact correction unit (120). The system receives artifact metrics (112) and artifact maps (122) corresponding to artifacts present in video frames and prioritizes the video frames to be corrected by considering the type and severity of the artifacts and the content of the video frames (113). Subsequent to prioritizing the video frames, the system corrects artifacts of selected frames by adjusting compressed domain parameters (126), such as quantization parameters and mode decisions. An encoder (130) compresses the video frames according to the adjusted compressed domain parameter to automatically provide a video stream with a lower incidence and severity of artifacts.
US09602830B2 Video decoder with constrained dynamic range
A technique for decoding video including receiving quantized coefficient level values representative of a block of video representative of a plurality of pixels and a quantization parameter related to the block of video. The technique includes dequantizing the quantized coefficient level values based upon the quantized coefficient level values and the quantization parameter only if the quantized coefficient level values and the quantization parameter are jointly within a predefined range of acceptable values. The technique also includes inverse transforming the dequantized coefficients to determine a decoded residue.
US09602825B2 Image decoding method, image coding method, image decoding apparatus, image coding apparatus, and image coding and decoding apparatus
An image decoding method for decoding a bitstream including a coded signal resulting from coding tiles and slices into which an image is partitioned, the method including decoding the coded signal, wherein each of the slices is either a normal slice having, in a header, information used for an other slice or a dependent slice which is decoded using information included in a slice header of another slice, and when the normal slice starts from a position other than a beginning of a first tile, a second tile coded next to the first tile does not start from the dependent slice.
US09602823B2 Decoding method and decoding apparatus for decoding flags indicating removal time
A decoding method of decoding encoded data per unit from among units included in a picture is provided. The decoding method decodes a first flag which indicates whether a removal time of the encoded data from a buffer is set per unit. The buffer is for storing the encoded data. The image decoding method further decodes a second flag indicating whether an interval between removal times of the units is constant when the removal time is set per unit. The image decoding method removes the encoded data from the buffer per unit and at an interval according to the second flag, and decodes the removed encoded data.
US09602814B2 Methods and apparatus for sampling-based super resolution video encoding and decoding
Methods and apparatus are provided for sampling-based super resolution video encoding and decoding. The encoding method receives high resolution pictures and generates low resolution pictures and metadata there from, the metadata for guiding post-decoding post-processing of the low resolution pictures and the metadata; and then encodes the low resolution pictures and the metadata using at least one encoder. The corresponding decoding method receives a bitstream and decodes low resolution pictures and metadata there from using a decoder; and then reconstructs high resolution pictures respectively corresponding to the low resolution pictures using the low resolution pictures and the metadata.
US09602809B2 Storage medium storing display control program for providing stereoscopic display desired by user with simpler operation, display control device, display control method, and display control system
A storage medium encoded with a display control program and executable by a computer of a display control device capable of interacting with an input device, for controlling a display capable of providing stereoscopic display, is provided. The present display control program stored in the storage medium includes zoom control instructions for performing zoom processing of a stereoscopic image based on an operation input accepted by operation input acceptance instructions, parallax control instructions for adjusting parallax of the stereoscopic image based on the operation input accepted by the operation input acceptance instructions, and display control instructions for causing the display to display the stereoscopic image subjected to zoom processing in accordance with the zoom control instructions, with parallax adjusted in accordance with the parallax control instructions.
US09602806B1 Stereo camera calibration using proximity data
Approaches discussed herein enable a computing device, such as a phone or tablet computer, to automatically recalibrate cameras used to capture three-dimensional images. A proximity sensor can be used to determine the distance to an object at approximately the time that three-dimensional image data is captured that includes a representation of the object. The apparent distance to the object, from the disparity of the three-dimensional image data, can be compared against the detected distance as measured by the proximity sensor. The difference between the detected and apparent distance, or the corresponding disparity values, can be used to determine a relative misalignment among the cameras, when then can be used to update the appropriate calibration parameters.
US09602800B2 Image processing method
An image processing method for increasing the stereoscopic effect of an image is provided. Difference mask data including an object area and a background area is created from image data, and the center coordinate of the object area is calculated. Then, a gradation pattern is selected in accordance with the average brightness value of the object area and applied to the background area, whereby a gradation mask data is created. After that, the image data of the background area is converted into image data based on the gradation mask data, so that the stereoscopic effect of the image is increased.
US09602799B2 Device, method, and computer program for three-dimensional video processing
A 3D video processing device includes a disparity map generator which compares a first-perspective image from a first perspective with a second-perspective image from a second perspective, which are two images forming stereoscopic video, thereby generates a disparity map which represents disparity of the second-perspective image with respect to the first-perspective image, a first new image generator which rotates the first-perspective image based on rotation angle information which represents rotation statuses of the first- and the second-perspective images, thereby generates a new first-perspective image, and a second new image generator which generates a new second-perspective image, which is paired with the new first-perspective image to form stereoscopic video, based on the first-perspective image and on the disparity map.
US09602798B2 Method and apparatus for processing a 3D service
The present description discloses a method and apparatus for processing a 3D service. Here, a 3D service apparatus according to one example of the present invention comprises: a receiving unit which receives a broadcast signal including the 3D service; an SI processing unit which extracts SI information on the 3D service from the broadcast signal and decodes the extracted information; a first processing unit which decodes 3D view data and depth data; a second processing unit which uses, as an input, the decoded signal outputted from the first processing unit and generates a virtual view of a certain time point on the basis of the decoded SI information; and an output formatter which generates 3D service data on the basis of the virtual view of the certain time point generated by the second processing unit, and outputs the generated 3D service data.
US09602788B2 Projection device management system
A projection device management system includes two or more projection devices which project images on a projection surface; and a management device which corrects the image projected by each projection device based on information on each projection device and manages information for maintenance of each projection device, the two or more projection devices being installed in the same theater.
US09602786B2 Delivery device and method of delivery
A delivery device can include a number of different features including, one or more of, but not limited to, the following. Shuttle and trigger retraction of an outer sheath. Arcuate movement of a trigger. An interlock device to prevent actuation of the trigger. An interlock device that can adjust the position of the outer sheath and the inner shaft. A retraction override switch and lock.
US09602774B2 Method and apparatus for providing virtual channels
An approach is provided for presenting, via a set-top box, audio and/or video transmission to a user. An input is received from the user specifying media content that is accessible over a data network. The media content is retrieved over the data network, and presented via the set-top box.
US09602767B2 Telepresence experience
The description relates to creating a window-like experience during video communication scenarios. One example can include a spatial light deflector including a steerable array of light deflecting elements. The example can also include a wedge device positioned relative to the spatial light deflector. The example can also include a camera positioned at an end of the wedge device to receive the captured light.
US09602760B2 Modular display monitor
A modular display monitor system includes an interchangeable display panel with a panel interface and an interchangeable connector module that has a connecting dock and a connector for interfacing with the panel interface. The system further includes an interchangeable monitor riser with a mounting mechanism attached to the interchangeable connector module. The system processes electronics to video input data for display by the display panel.
US09602757B2 Display of video subtitles
Methods, systems, and apparatus, including computer program products, for presenting subtitles. A video is played on a display of a device. A display mode for the video is detected. A subtitle is presented in one of a plurality of presentation formats based on the detected display mode.
US09602752B2 Solid-state imaging apparatus and imaging system
A solid-state imaging apparatus includes: a pixels in a matrix for generating a pixel signal; and A/D converting units, corresponding to columns of the matrix, to convert the pixel signal into a n-bit digital value. The A/D converting units includes first storage units for storing the n-bit digital value one bit by one bit, and second storage units corresponding to the first storage units, to hold the digital value transferred from the first storage unit. In each of the columns of the plurality of pixels, arranged corresponding thereto are the first storage units and the second storage units form n-pairs. Each pair including the first storage unit and the second storage unit hold the digital value of the same bit. The n-pairs are arrayed in a matrix.
US09602747B2 Photosensor arrangements
A photosensor arrangement may include an amplifier configured to receive charge from a photosensor device at a first input, and a second input configured to receive a first reference voltage. The amplifier may provide an output voltage on an output. A comparator has a first input at the output voltage, a second input at the first reference voltage and is configured to provide a compare output. A capacitor is configured to have a first plate coupled to the output of the amplifier and a second plate coupled to the first input of the comparator.
US09602734B2 Methods, computer-accessible medium and systems for facilitating dark flash photography
Exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure relate generally to methods, computer-accessible medium and systems for dark flash photography. For example, described herein is an exemplary embodiment of an apparatus for providing illumination and obtaining an image, which can include, e.g., a first arrangement configured to emit a flash of light including ultra-violet light and/or infra-red light to illuminate a scene and/or one or more subjects, and a second arrangement configured to obtain an image of the illuminated scene and/or one or more subject. A duration of time and/or an intensity level of the flash can be selected, e.g., so that wavelengths of the flash can be substantially invisible to a human eye. For example, the visibility of the flash perceived by the human eye can be, e.g., approximately 200 times less than the visibility of a standard flash of light having substantially the same amount of energy as the flash.
US09602730B2 Mountable, thermal situational-awareness accessory for use with optical devices
A situational-awareness accessory comprises a housing including a control board, a user display, and a visual sensor for receiving electromagnetic radiation that is invisible to the human eye from a wide-angle, optical field-of-view in front of the visual sensor. The control board converts the received electromagnetic radiation into visual display data and initiates display of the visual display data on the user display. A quick-detach accessory base mount coupled with the housing permits attachment of the housing to an accessory rail.
US09602727B2 Imaging apparatus and imaging method
A digital camera includes an optical system composed of multiple lenses including an OIS lens for correcting image blur; and a CCD imaging an object image formed by the optical system. The digital camera includes an OIS actuator moving OIS lens in a plane vertical to the optical axis to correct image blur; and a CCD actuator moving the CCD in a plane vertical to the optical axis to correct image blur; and a camera controller. The camera controller corrects the image captured by the CCD and changes a correction level of peripheral brightness of the image captured by the CCD when correcting image blur is switched between by the OIS actuator and by the CCD actuator.
US09602725B2 Correcting rolling shutter using image stabilization
Several methods, devices and systems for correcting rolling shutter artifacts are described. In one embodiment, an image capturing system includes a rolling shutter image sensor that may cause a rolling shutter artifact (e.g., warping). The system includes a processing system that is configured to perform an automatic rolling shutter correction mechanism that utilizes calibration data based on a relationship between pixel locations in an image plane of the image sensor and their corresponding rays of light in a coordinate space. The rolling shutter mechanism determines pixel velocity components based on the calibration data and estimates for each image an aggregate pixel velocity based on an aggregation of the pixel velocity components.
US09602719B2 Forensic signature
A series of images of an object are captured using illumination sources. The series of images correspond to different relative orientations of the object and the illumination sources. A forensic signature for the object is generated using one or more of the series of images. The forensic signature is unique to the object.
US09602718B2 System and method for providing orientation of a camera
A system and a method provide an orientation of a camera on a mobile device. This information can be used in an augmented reality application. The method comprises obtaining an orientation measurement from a sensor relative to the orientation of the sensor. The sensor may have different orientation compared to the camera and, thus, the orientation measurement needs to be adjusted. An appropriate transformation matrix is obtained, which maps the orientation measurement to the camera's perspective. A processor of the mobile device computes the orientation of the camera using the orientation measurement and the transformation matrix.
US09602708B2 Rectified stereoscopic 3D panoramic picture
A method of generating first and second panoramic pictures based on a series of frames acquired by a frame acquisition device is provided. While the device is panned in a main direction, a global motion value reflecting a displacement in the main direction between consecutive frames and a perspective transform reflecting a perspective change between the frames are computed. For each frame, a first area of the frame is determined for the first panoramic picture and a second area of the frame, distinct from the first area, is determined for the second panoramic picture. An adapted first area is determined by applying an inverse of the global transform to the first area of the current frame, the adapted first area being included into the first panoramic picture and the second area of the current frame being included into the second panoramic picture.
US09602698B2 Method for creating a color conversion profile for a printer and computer readable recording medium stored with program for creating same
The profile creation method creates a color conversion profile for a printer by causing the printer to output a color chart including a plurality of patch images. The method acquires a colorimetric value of one patch image included in the color chart output by the printer and corrects the acquired colorimetric value of the one patch image according to the degree of variation in a color of the one patch image specified by data of the colorimetric value already accumulated regarding the one patch image.
US09602694B2 Image rotation to optimize rip and print performance time
A method for processing a print job includes: a) processing printer description language (PDL) image data for a select page of a print job to form raster image data for the select page, processing of the PDL image data and storing the raster image data in a RIP orientation; b) processing the raster image data for the select page to form bitmap image data for the select page, transforming the raster image data from the RIP orientation to a print orientation and storing the bitmap image data in the print orientation; and c) printing the bitmap image data arranged in the print orientation on a target substrate page to form a printed substrate page for the select page of the print job. A printing platform associated with the method includes a storage device, a RIP module, a rotator module, and a print engine.
US09602685B2 Information processing apparatus, control method, and storage medium that generate learning data used in learning a classification rule for classifying an input image
An information processing apparatus that generates learning data used in learning a classification rule for classifying an image that is input from an image input device. A reception unit receives an initial image that is input from the image input device. A first generation unit generates an image that is different from the initial image, by correcting the initial image using a coefficient determined based on information about a type of the input device. A second generation unit generates the learning data using the image generated by the first generation unit and the input image. A learning unit generates the classification rule using the learning data generated by the second generation unit.
US09602681B2 Scanning technology
Scanning technology, in which a lift-off signal is generated when an input apparatus is detected as being oriented in a position that is spaced apart from a scan target object. A predetermined threshold time is compared with a continuation time of the received lift-off signal and, when the continuation time of the lift-off signal does not meet the predetermined threshold time, a scanning operation being performed is continued. When the continuation time of the lift-off signal meets the predetermined threshold time, a scanning operation being performed is discontinued.
US09602672B2 Audio-based text messaging
A device that enable users to send and receive a message in different formats may include a text message gateway, an audio message gateway, and a processor. The text message gateway may include a Short Message Service (SMS) gateway. The audio message gateway may include an Interactive Voice Response (IVR) unit and/or a client application interface that receives audio from a client application of a mobile communications device. The processor may be configured to convert text messages received at the text-message gateway into audio messages and then to send the audio messages via the audio message gateway. The processor may also be configured to convert audio messages received at the audio message gateway into text messages and then to send the text messages via the text message gateway.
US09602671B2 Method and terminal device for telephone call transfer
A method and terminal device for transferring a telephone call, are provided. The method comprises: detecting if an incoming call is received; displaying an incoming call interactive interface containing an incoming call transferring option, if the incoming call is detected; transferring the incoming call to a terminal device corresponding to a designated number when the incoming call transferring option is chosen. As the user is allowable to choose whether the incoming call should be transferred according to actual needs, the problem of automatically transferring incoming calls under some circumstances not suitable for transferring a telephone call may be avoided, thereby achieving more intelligent call transfer manner with more flexibility and better effect for transferring a telephone call.
US09602669B1 Call center anxiety feedback processor (CAFP) for biomarker based case assignment
One embodiment provides a method for allocating assignments based on workload and physiological stress. The method comprises maintaining a queue of logged-in service representatives, and, in response to receiving a service request for a new assignment, scanning the queue to determine a subset of potential service representatives to assign the new assignment to. A corresponding workload level of each service representative of the subset is the smallest among all service representatives of the queue. For each service representative of the subset, a corresponding anxiety level is determined based on physiological sensor data captured by a wearable tracking device attached to the service representative. The new assignment is assigned to a service representative of the subset, the service representative having a corresponding anxiety level that is the smallest among all service representatives of the subset.
US09602667B1 Streamlined call management and routing system
A method for managing and routing calls in a telephone system involves receiving an incoming call identified by a specific ANI; providing an option to input a routing key associated with one of multiple function endpoint stations; if the routing key is provided, accessing storage associating individual unique keys with both ANI information and one function endpoint station, locating the routing key, verifying a stored ANI associated with the routing key against the ANI, and if the ANI verifies, automatically routing the call to the associated function endpoint station; and if the routing key is not provided, following interaction with the IVR to connect to one function endpoint station, and upon connection, generating a unique key, storing the unique key along with the specific ANI information and an identifier of the function endpoint station, and making the unique key available for subsequent provision as the routing key.
US09602666B2 Silence density models
An event associated with a communication session between a first party and a second party is detected. The event is related to the communication session. For example, the event may be a phrase spoken in the communication session or a presentation of a call progression screen to a contact center agent. At this point, the communication session is analyzed for a period of non-communication that meets a defined threshold during a monitoring period associated with the event. If a period of non-communication is detected that is longer than the threshold during the monitoring period, the period of non-communication is flagged. The flagged period of non-communication can then be used to evaluate how a contact center agent is performing.
US09602663B1 Managing electronic consent for calling campaigns
A user may provide electronic consent to a contact center authorizing the origination of a subsequent call by transmitting a text call in the form of a short message service to the contact center. The contact center receives the electronic consent, stores the electronic consent in an electronic consent database, where the electronic consent is associated with the telephone number of a mobile device used by the user to provide the electronic consent. The contact center may then retrieve the electronic consent prior to originating another call to the individual, and may further update the electronic consent based on requests from the individual to withdraw consent. In some embodiments, the electronic consent may be generated by the mobile device in response to the user reading a two-dimensional code using the mobile device using an appropriate mobile application.
US09602662B2 Verifying telephone caller origin
An aspect includes verifying a telephone caller origin carried out at a security application. The verifying includes activating a security process during an active telephone call to a user received at a first call identifier, accessing registered user service providers to obtain contact details of a registered service provider purporting to be the origin of the active telephone call, and sending a query to the obtained contact details of the registered service provider. The query includes the first call identifier. The verifying also includes receiving a returned query result confirming or denying that the telephone call is from the registered service provider.
US09602659B2 Portable device with communication record recurring module
A portable device with communication record recurring module is proposed. It allows phone records of the portable device recurring by the communication record recurring module. The communication record recurring module is capable of recurring phone records of the portable device. The recurring number of the phone records can be set as a per-determined number, and sequential order of the phone records is arranged by chronological sequence.
US09602650B2 Customized hardware selection for a mobile phone
A method of customizing hardware by an end user for a mobile phone is provided. The method includes receiving from an end-user a selection of a mobile phone shell from a set of mobile phone shells, sending to the end-user a subset of interchangeable hardware components having different functions, and receiving from the end-user a selection of at least one hardware component from the subset of interchangeable hardware components. The subset of interchangeable hardware components is generated based on a compatibility between the selected mobile phone shell and the set of available interchangeable hardware components.
US09602649B2 Event disambiguation
A method of identifying at least two proximate devices (1, 2) comprises the steps of:—recording, in each device, an audio signal (AS) so as to produce respective audio samples, —detecting, in each device, a sensory identifier serving as a trigger (TR), —comparing the audio samples during a common interval (I) defined relative to the trigger (TR), and —deciding that the event is common to the devices only if the respective audio samples are sufficiently similar. The common interval (I) starts prior to the trigger (TR) and preferably also ends prior to the trigger.
US09602645B2 Smart covering for mobile communications device
NFC-enabled systems and devices 110, 120, 950, and related methods 1400, for determining the orientation of an NFC-enabled mobile device within a covering 10. The orientation determination may include determining which way each face of an NFC-enabled mobile device 110, 120 is facing in the covering 10, and which end of the NFC-enable device is oriented in which way in the covering, through the use of particular arrangements of at least one NFC device attached to the covering and at least one NFC antenna of the NFC-enabled mobile device. By determining the orientation of the NFC-enabled device within the covering, the NFC-enabled device may then be configured for executing a particular command, such as to optimize some aspect of the NFC-enabled device based on the device orientation.
US09602643B2 Composite module for mobile phone
A composite module includes a macro focus module comprising a second lens and at least one light source near the second lens, wherein the second lens is movable, after the time that the second lens moves to a predetermined location in front of the first lens, the light source illuminates, and after the time that the second lens leaves the predetermined location of the first lens, the light source extinguishes; a power supply module comprising a power supply and a connection interface; and a first circuit board coupled to the power supply, the light source and the connection interface, wherein the power supply is configured to provide power for the light source, and further provide power for the mobile phone through the connection interface which is connected to the mobile phone.
US09602633B2 Address translation
An apparatus, method, system and computer-readable medium are provided for converting traffic of a first communication type to traffic of one or more additional communication types. In some embodiments, the communication types may comprise IP communications, such as IPv4 and IPv6 communications. In some embodiments, multicast communications may be supported. For example, one or more tunnels or channels may be established to support transmitting data, such as content, to one or more destination addresses. In some embodiments, a destination address may be associated with a user device. One or more messages may comprise an address that may be extracted by a device, such as a router, to determine a destination. The one or more messages may comprise a request for service or a request to join a service group.
US09602632B2 Content encoding pre-synchronization method, device and system
Disclosed is a content encoding pre-synchronization method, comprising: a network device selecting a popular index with a high frequency of appearance from all indexes stored by the network device; determining, among base stations under management, another base station that is of the same type as a base station receiving the popular index, and when the link is idle, sending the popular index and data corresponding to the popular index to the base station. In the content encoding pre-synchronization method provided by an embodiment of the present invention, a popular index and a base station to which the index may be sent can be predetermined, and when the link is idle, the popular index is sent to the corresponding base station in advance, thereby reducing the sending delay in busy time, improving the compression ratio in busy time, and avoiding a loss of synchronization data caused by a busy link.
US09602618B2 Method and system for dynamic distributed data caching
A method and system for dynamic distributed data caching is presented. The system includes one or more peer members and a master member. The master member and the one or more peer members form cache community for data storage. The master member is operable to select one of the one or more peer members to become a new master member. The master member is operable to update a peer list for the cache community by removing itself from the peer list. The master member is operable to send a nominate master message and an updated peer list to a peer member selected by the master member to become the new master member.
US09602610B2 Online data management
Technologies are generally described for a data management scheme. In some examples, a method may include displaying, by a client device, a representation of a data item received from a server; transmitting, by the client device, to the server, a request to access the data item and information regarding the request to access, in response to a user input; updating, by the server, the representation of the data item to further include the information regarding the request to access; and displaying, by the client device, the updated representation of the data item received from the server.
US09602609B2 Incognito mode in a media application
Implementations of the disclosed subject matter provide techniques for operating a media application in an incognito mode. A method may include operating a media application in a first mode and providing a first indication of a first user action in the media application to a media application provider. Next, an instruction may be received to operate the media application in a second mode. A second indication of a second user action may be received in the media application and the second user action may be performed. Then, the second indication of the second user action may be discarded without providing the second indication of the second user action to the media application provider.
US09602604B2 Managing web services data and presence data
Interfacing a wireless device with web services, including social networking web services, is described. For example, a system for interfacing a wireless device with a plurality of web services comprises a web service proxy having an API to allow other modules to interface with the web service proxy; a plurality of web services adapters interfaced with the web services proxy through the API, each one of the web services adapters configured to communicate with a particular web service using the specific communication formats for the web service; where the web services adapters and the web services proxy convert between the communication formats employed to communicate with each of the web services and a wireless communication format, the wireless communication format being a different format than the communication formats for each of the web services, thereby enabling bi-directional communication between the wireless device and the plurality of web services.
US09602597B2 System and method for synchronizing data objects in a cloud based social networking environment
Methods and systems are provided for synchronizing and sharing data objects in a cloud based social networking environment of the type including a collaboration cloud. The method includes defining a sharing configuration based on at least one metadata key word, within the collaboration cloud, the sharing configuration including a second computing device; running a dedicated client synchronization application on a first computing device; updating a data object using the first computing device; automatically synchronizing the updated data object with the collaboration cloud; and propagating, using the collaboration cloud, the updated data object to the second computing device.
US09602595B2 Controlling registration floods in VoIP networks via DNS
A mechanism controls global synchronization, or registration floods, that may result when a large number of endpoints in a Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) network such as an Internet Protocol Multimedia Subsystem (IMS) come online simultaneously after a catastrophic failure. The mechanism allows the Domain Name System (DNS) infrastructure to efficiently control the overload condition by registering user end points with backup border elements, and by staggering and by randomizing the time-to-live (TTL) parameter in registrations with backup border elements.
US09602590B1 Shadowed throughput provisioning
Partitions of a hosted computing service may be maintained on a computing node. Processing of requests to access the partition may be limited to constrain capacity utilization to a provisioned amount of capacity reserved for the partition. A second, additional amount of capacity may be associated with the partition and may reflect potential future changes to the provisioned amount of capacity. A sum of provisioned and additional capacities associated with partitions on a computing node may be calculated. The computing node may be ranked, relative to other computing nodes, for maintaining new or relocated partitions based on the sum.
US09602578B2 Method and system for optimizing download and instantaneous viewing of media files
Methods and arrangements for replacing segments or portions of a media file that was received via adaptive streaming or other transfer mechanism, to obtain a media file for local storage and further playback as if it came from a download. This maximizes the experience of both instant viewing and delayed viewing, and additionally provides a capability to extend the viewing experience to in-home streaming and copying to other devices. Accordingly, there is provided herein a capability to take advantage of adaptive streaming to provide a highly reliable mechanism for consumers to view media in real-time transmission, and also to obtain a resultant, locally stored media file of high quality. There is further provided herein a capability to obtain complete copies of media at different quality levels. Moreover, embodiments of the present invention facilitate adaptive streaming and copying within the home environment.
US09602576B2 Control redistribution among multiple devices
Technologies are presented for distributing user interface elements and controls among devices. A user may select an element and/or control of a user interface (UI) of a first application displayed on a first device for shifting to one or more other devices. The additional display area at the first device freed up by the shift may be filled with additional application content or UI elements. The shifted element and/or control may remain usable on the one or more other devices the element and/or control shifted to. Overall, a user may be able to remove and redirect application control elements while viewing additional content on the first device in a fast and transparent process.
US09602572B2 Codec selection and usage for improved VoIP call quality
A method of implementing calls includes identifying a call scheduled for a time in the future from an electronic calendar associated with a user and prior to the call, ordering a plurality of codecs used by an Internet Protocol (IP) phone of the user for the scheduled call. The method further includes, during the call and using a processor, calculating a mean opinion score for the call and storing the mean opinion score as part of call data for the call within a data storage device comprising historical call data.
US09602568B2 Adaptive audio video (AV) stream processing
A system for adaptive audio video (AV) stream processing may include at least one processor and a switch device. The switch device may be configured to route AV traffic to the processor, and to receive AV traffic from the processor and provide the AV traffic to a client device via one or more channels. The processor may monitor a transcoder buffer depth and depths of buffers associated with channels over which the AV traffic is being transmitted. The processor may adaptively modify one or more attributes associated with the AV traffic based at least on the monitored buffer depths. For example, the processor may adaptively adjust a bit rate associated with transcoding the AV traffic based at least on the transcoder buffer depth. The processor may utilize the depths of the buffers associated with the channels to adaptively adjust the amount of AV traffic provided for transmission over the channels.
US09602567B2 Systems and methods for controlling the distribution and viewing of digital art and imaging via the internet
System and method for storing digital content for display on a display device, comprising at least one digital content item, configured to be displayed on the display device, and a service cloud comprising a secure storage system, configured to store digital content, a communication controller, configured to communicate with the display device, a provisioning engine, configured to control the provisioning of digital content on the display device, a service management system, configured to collect data reflecting operational status of the display device, a server, configured to interface with an application running on a computer with memory and processor for selection and control of digital content for display, an ingestion engine, configured to control importation of digital content, an external content gateway, configured to transfer digital content from outside the service cloud to the display device, and a live data feed gateway, configured to provide over-the-top content to the display devices.
US09602559B1 Collaborative communication system with real-time anticipatory computing
Contextual content is provided to a first conversation participant via a client device of the first conversation participant. Communication information associated with a conversation is received via the first client device interface. Context information associated with the conversation is retrieved from the received communication information. One or more concepts associated with the conversation are identified based on the context information. Content is selected for presenting on the client device based on the identified concepts. The selected content is then presented to the first conversation participant in a second client device interface.
US09602557B2 Systems and methods of communication using a message header that includes header flags
A method includes determining, at a first computing device, whether data to be communicated to a second computing device includes media data or protocol data. The method also includes, in response to determining that the data includes media data, generating a message header and a message body based on the media data. The message header includes a header flags portion and a header fields portion, and the header flags portion includes at least one flag having a value that indicates a length of a corresponding field of a plurality of fields of the header fields portion. The method further includes encapsulating the message header and the message body into a message and inserting the message into a media stream to be transmitted from the first computing device to the second computing device in accordance with a media communication protocol.
US09602548B2 System and method for intelligent state management
A method is provided in one example embodiment and it includes receiving a state request and determining whether a state exists in a translation dictionary for the state request. The method further includes reproducing the state if it is not in the dictionary and adding a new state to the dictionary. In more specific embodiments, the method includes compiling a rule, based on the state, into a given state table. The rule affects data management for one or more documents that satisfy the rule. In yet other embodiments, the method includes determining that the state represents a final state such that a descriptor is added to the state. In one example, if the state is not referenced in the algorithm, then the state is released. If the state is referenced in the algorithm, then the state is replaced with the new state.
US09602543B2 Client/server polymorphism using polymorphic hooks
Computer systems and methods in various embodiments are configured for improving the security and efficiency of client computers interacting with server computers through an intermediary computer using one or more polymorphic protocols. In an embodiment, a computer system comprises a memory; a processor coupled to the memory; a processor logic coupled to the processor and the memory, and configured to: intercept, from a server computer, a first file and a second file, wherein the first file defines a first object with a first identifier and the second file comprises a reference to the first object by the first identifier; generate a second identifier; replace the first identifier with the second identifier in the first file; add one or more first instructions to the first file; remove the reference to the first identifier from the second file; add, to the second file, one or more second instructions, which when executed cause the one or more first instructions to be executed and produce the second identifier.
US09602542B2 Security-function-design support device, security-function-design support method, and program storage medium
A security-function-design support device is provided. The security-function-design support device includes a system-configuration data storage unit that stores information indicating a configuration of a system; an implementation-method storage unit that stores data indicating a security implementation method set for a configuring element of the system in order to implement a security function; an ancillary-function-element storage unit that stores data indicating an ancillary-function element set for the configuring element of the system in order to ensure a function of the security implementation method; an ancillary-function-element definition storage unit that stores a condition for determining a suitability of a setting of a given ancillary-function element; an ancillary-function-element evaluation unit that determines whether the ancillary-function element set for the configuring element of the system is suitable, on the basis of the condition for determining the suitability; and an evaluation-result output unit that outputs a result of the determination by the ancillary-function-element evaluation unit.
US09602539B1 Externally defined objects in security policy
Using one or more externally defined objects to at least in part define a security policy is disclosed. In some embodiments, an external object list is obtained from an external list server, and a security policy comprising one or more rules based at least in part on one or more externally defined objects comprising the external object list and based at least in part on one or more locally defined objects is defined. The security policy is enforced with respect to one or more devices and periodically updated as the external object list is updated.
US09602537B2 Systems and methods for providing secure communication
A client includes a security agent configured to create a client certificate that corresponds to one or more client identifiers. A server includes a server certificate and is in communication with the security agent. The server is configured to facilitate establishing an initial mutually authenticated transport layer security (TLS) session with the client based on the client certificate and the server certificate. The server is also configured to extract the client certificate from the security agent once the TLS session is established. The server is configured to store the certificate as being associated with only the corresponding client identifier(s) and to categorize the association between the client certificate and the corresponding client identifier(s) as being secure but not trusted for the client until the identity of the client has been verified. Moreover, the server is configured to receive an indication that the identity of the client has been verified.
US09602534B2 Monitoring and mitigating client-side exploitation of application flaws
A system for monitoring and mitigating client-side exploitation of application flaws includes a server to operate a first application. The first application communicates with a client device operating a second application to execute an application flaw script. The application flaw script causes the client device to produce a first request associated with vulnerability of the first application. An application flaw service module, communicatively coupled to the server, receives the first request from the client device comprising transactional metadata based on the application flaw script and inspects the transactional metadata for malicious content within the first request.
US09602527B2 Security threat detection
Systems and methods for retrospective scanning of network traffic logs for missed threats using updated scan engines are provided. According to an embodiment, a network security device maintains a network traffic log that includes information associated with network activities observed within a private network. Responsive to an event, the network traffic log is retrospectively scanned in an attempt to identify a threat that was missed by a previous signature-based scan or a previous reputation-based scan of the observed network activities. When the threat is identified as a result of the retrospective scan, then remedial and/or preventive action is taken with respect to the threat.
US09602524B2 Methods and apparatus for application isolation
Processor(s) for detecting malicious software. A hardware virtual machine monitor (HVMM) operates under a host OS. Container(s) initialized with network application template(s) operate under a guest OS VM. A detection module operates under the guest OS VM includes a trigger detection module, a logging module and a container command module. The trigger detection module monitors activity on container(s) for a trigger event. The logging module writes activity report(s) in response to trigger event(s). The container command module issues command(s) in response to trigger event(s). The command(s) include a container start, stop and revert commands. A virtual machine control console operates under the host OS and starts/stops the HVMM. A container control module operates under the guest OSVM and controls container(s) in response to the command(s). The server communication module sends activity report(s) to a central collection network appliance that maintains a repository of activities for infected devices.
US09602523B2 Dashboards for displaying threat insight information
Dashboards for displaying threat insight information are provided herein, as well as systems and methods for generating the same. According to some embodiments, methods for providing a threat dashboard may include locating metrics regarding a malicious attack against a targeted resource, where the metrics indicate instances where users were exposed to the malicious attack or instances where a cloud-based threat detection system prevented the user from being exposed to the malicious attack. The method may also include rendering a threat dashboard for a web browser application of a client device, where the threat dashboard includes the located metrics.
US09602519B2 Methods and systems for data validation in a client-server environment
Methods and systems are provided for dynamically generating validation rules. In certain implementations, state information related to one or more operations is stored. A request for validation rules is received from a client. The request may include one or more parameters and an identification of an operation to be performed. In response to the request, the state information is accessed for the operation to be performed. The validation rules are then dynamically generated based on the accessed state information and at least one of the parameters or the identification in the request. The validation rules can then be transmitted to the client.
US09602517B2 Resource-centric authorization schemes
A method includes receiving a request of a user to perform an operation with respect to a first resource, in response to the request, determining, in view of a resource-based master data structure, a first resource-based permission data structure associated with the first resource, and accessing the first resource-based permission data structure to identify a first resource entry associated with the user. The method further includes upon determining that the first resource entry does not indicate that the user has a permission to perform the requested operation with respect to the first resource, determining a second resource-based permission data structure associated with a second resource that is a parent of the first resource, accessing the second resource-based permission data structure to identify a second resource entry associated with the user, and upon determining that the second resource entry indicates that the user has a permission to perform the requested operation with respect to the second resource, allowing the user to perform the requested operation with respect to the first resource.
US09602514B2 Enterprise mobility management and verification of a managed application by a content provider
A non-SDK based scalable technology for integrating multiple mobile device management (MDM) service providers into a content provider platform (or server) is described herein. More specifically, the technology described herein facilitates enterprise mobility management through verification of a managed application associated with an enterprise via the content provider platform. In some embodiments, the content provider platform comprises a cloud-based collaboration and/or storage environment (“cloud-based platform server”) that prevents an unmanaged application from gaining access to the cloud-based collaboration and/or storage server.
US09602513B2 Access control of edges in graph index applications
A computer-implemented method that monitors the activity of different nodes within a system as well as crowd sourcing activity. The computer-implemented method determines that a first node formed a relationship with a second node, generates an edge based on the relationship between the first node and the second node, stores the edge in a graph index and assigns a privacy setting to the edge based on the relationship between the first and second nodes.
US09602511B2 User authentication
Providing a user apparatus access to a computer system including services and authentication levels. A service request is determined for at least one of the services from a user apparatus. A distributed authentication provider is negotiated with to provide an authentication level based access control for the plurality of authentication levels associated with the plurality of services. The user apparatus to is redirected to access the distributed authentication provider such that the user apparatus authenticates itself at the distributed authentication provider for the authentication level associated with the at least one of the services within the service request. The user apparatus is provided access to the at least one of the services within the service request based on a successful authentication at the distributed authentication provider for the authentication level associated with the at least one of the services within the service request.
US09602508B1 System and method for performing an action based upon two-party authorization
An action is permitted to be performed on a computing device only after the action has been confirmed by two or more authorized and/or authenticated parties. A security component receives a request from to initiate an action on a computing device. Before the action is allowed to be initiated on the computing device the security component requires the authentication of first and second parties or authorizations from first and second parties, or both the authentications of and authorizations from first and second parties. After receiving the required authorizations and/or successfully performing the required authentications, the security component allows the requested action to be initiated on the computing device.
US09602507B1 Virtual smart card to perform security-critical operations
A portable data or information carrier in the form of a smart card with partially or fully virtualized components. To maximize the confidentiality of information stored in the carrier, and more specifically to limit the amount of information available to a potential defrauder, electronic components such as circuits, I/O, cryptographic, memory and dummy objects are built, modified or influenced on demand from physical characteristics of an eligible person or device. Digitized unique biometric or hardware identifiers are read upon start-up and runtime of the device and, in case of an eligible person or device, subsequently supply all values necessary for determination of the characteristics of the user specific virtual smart cards objects, their placement and connections. By multi-factor authentication, the end-user or device will retain sole control of its keys and use them for authentication, signature or encryption purposes as if he had a physical smart card in his hand.
US09602500B2 Secure import and export of keying material
An embodiment includes a method executed by at least one processor of a first computing node comprising: generating a key pair including a first public key and a corresponding first private key; receiving an instance of a certificate, including a second public key, from a second computing node located remotely from the first computing node; associating the instance of the certificate with the key pair; receiving an additional instance of the certificate; verifying the additional instance of the certificate is associated with the key pair; and encrypting and exporting the first private key in response to verifying the additional instance of the certificate is associated with the key pair. Other embodiments are described herein.
US09602483B2 Adaptive method for biometrically certified communication
A recipient communication device and method wherein a user authenticates a message that is being received. The method includes receiving, by a messaging utility of the recipient communication device, a message transmitted from a sender communication device. The messaging utility determines that one of (a) sender authentication of the message and (b) recipient authentication to open the message is required. In response to sender authentication being required, the recipient communication device transmits a request to the sender communication device for sender authentication of the message, and receives a certification of the message based on an authentication of a user input via the sender communication device. When recipient authentication is required, the recipient is prompted to enter biometric input at the recipient device. In one embodiment, a clearinghouse service authenticates a user of a communication device in order for the recipient communication device to receive certification of the user and/or the message.
US09602482B1 Authentication for an API request
Technology for managing an API request is described. In an example implementation, an authentication service may receive a request to access a service. The authentication service may be configured to determine a proximity of a client device from which the request originated to the service. The authentication service may be further configured to grant the request based in part on the determined proximity of the client device to the service with respect to a policy.
US09602481B2 Generation of short key for communications
Systems and methods for generation and use of short keys are disclosed. The systems and methods include the generation of a short key based on the location of a first device that requests the generation of the key. The short key is sent to the first device, which in turn communicates the short key to a second device, through a display, print receipt, direct communication, or other means. The short key is entered into the second device, which in turn communicates the entered short key to a server along with location information corresponding to the second device. The server authorizes communication between the first and second devices after it determines that the short key sent by the second device matches one of the keys active in a region corresponding to the location of the second device.
US09602476B2 Method of selectively applying data encryption function
In a method of selectively applying a data encryption function, a CoAP client and a CoAP server perform a DTLS handshake process. The CoAP client generates a CoAP message when the DTLS handshake process has been completed, and then indicates that encryption does not need to be applied to the CoAP message. The CoAP client generates only the authentication value of the CoAP message via a DTLS record layer protocol. The CoAP client sets the value of the specific field of a DTLS record layer protocol header to a specific value via the DTLS record layer protocol. The CoAP client sends the CoAP message and the authentication value to the CoAP server.
US09602469B2 Method and apparatus for optimizing hypertext transfer protocol (“HTTP”) uniform resource locator (“URL”) filtering service
A method for handling hyper-text transfer protocol (“HTTP”) requests from client devices is disclosed. The method comprises receiving an HTTP request from a client device to connect to a destination server. It further comprises extracting a plurality of HTTP headers from the HTTP request using a gateway device in accordance with a user defined configuration to create a subset of the request. Next, it comprises forwarding the subset to an external security device from the gateway device to perform URL policy processing using the request. Finally, it comprises based on a received result of the URL policy processing, transmitting the client request to the destination server.
US09602468B2 Techniques to authenticate a client to a proxy through a domain name server intermediary
Techniques to authenticate a client to a proxy through a domain name server intermediary are described. In one embodiment, for example, a client apparatus may comprise a data store and a network access component. The data store may be operative to store a network configuration file, the network configuration file containing a client-specific secret. The network access component may be operative to transmit a communication request from the client device to a proxy server, the communication request directed to a destination server distinct from the proxy server, and to receive a response to the communication request from the destination server based on a determination by the proxy server that the client is authorized to use the proxy server, the determination based on the client having previously sent an encoding of a client-specific secret to a domain name server embedded within a lookup domain of a domain name request. Other embodiments are described and claimed.
US09602461B2 Service forwarding method and device
Embodiments of the present invention provide a service forwarding method and device. The method includes receiving an uplink packet of a base station that is sent by a user-end provider edge (UPE) device over a transport tunnel. The uplink packet carries an Internet Protocol (IP) address of the base station and an identifier of the transport tunnel. The method further includes establishing a mapping relationship between the IP address of the base station and the identifier of the transport tunnel according to the uplink packet, and sending a downlink service packet to the UPE device over the transport tunnel according to the mapping relationship. A destination IP address of the downlink service packet is the IP address of the base station.
US09602456B2 Systems and methods for applying user actions to conversation messages
Systems and methods for handling messages in which a list comprising a plurality of conversations is provided. A first conversation in the plurality of conversations is identified. The first conversation is configurable to occupy a single line in the list and comprises a plurality of messages. This plurality of messages shares a common set of characteristics that meets a predefined criterion. Responsive to receiving a designation of a predefined user action, the predefined user action is applied, without human intervention, to each message in the plurality of messages.
US09602443B2 Header replication in accelerated TCP (transport control protocol) stack processing
In one embodiment, a method is provided. The method of this embodiment provides storing a packet header at a set of at least one page of memory allocated to storing packet headers, and storing the packet header and a packet payload at a location not in the set of at least one page of memory allocated to storing packet headers.
US09602441B2 Virtual stacking of switches
A first processor assigns switches and/or switch ports to a virtual stack according to configuration information and stores the virtual topography of the virtual stack in a mapping table. The mapping table correlates switches, switch ports, computer processors, and virtual stacks. The first processor receives a data unit from a first switch that includes a source address and a destination address. The destination address identifies a switch and switch port. The first processor compares the destination address to the mapping table to determine a second computer processor and sends the data unit to the second computer processor, the second computer processor corresponding to a switch and/or switch port identified in the destination address of the data unit.
US09602440B2 Re-establishing a direct tunnel between an access node and a gateway router
To re-establish a direct tunnel between an access node and a gateway router in a wireless network, a control node that provides mobility management on behalf of mobile stations detects restart of the gateway router. In response to detecting restart of the gateway router, the control node sends context information regarding a previously established direct tunnel to the gateway router to enable the gateway router to re-establish the direct tunnel.
US09602439B2 Methods and apparatus for flow control associated with a switch fabric
In some embodiments, an apparatus includes a switch fabric having at least a first switch stage and a second switch stage, an edge device operatively coupled to the switch fabric and a management module. The edge device is configured to send a first portion of a data stream to the switch fabric such that the first portion of the data stream is received at a queue of the second switch stage of the switch fabric via the first switch stage of the switch fabric. The management module is configured to send a flow control signal configured to trigger the edge device to suspend transmission of a second portion of the data stream when a congestion level of the queue of the second switch stage of the switch fabric satisfies a condition in response to the first portion of the data stream being received at the queue.
US09602423B2 Systems, methods, and devices for dynamic resource monitoring and allocation in a cluster system
In an embodiment, the systems, methods, and devices disclosed herein comprise a computer resource monitoring and allocation system. In an embodiment, the resource monitoring and allocation system can be configured to allocate computer resources that are available on various nodes of a cluster to specific jobs and/or sub-jobs and/or tasks and/or processes.
US09602417B2 Multiple bearer support upon congestion situations
The embodiments herein relates to a method for enabling multiple bearer support upon congestion situations in a communication network. The PCC architecture is enabled to determine whether separate bearers need to be established for service(s) that demand MBR>GBR when no ECN support is provided. This is provided in nodes and methods receiving, using a receiving unit (301), an indication of session establishment for a bearer from a bearer binding function unit (113, 115), obtaining profile information with Quality of Service, QoS, information about maximum bit rate, MBR, and guaranteed bit rate, GBR, related to the bearer; determining that the MBR is larger than the GBR, making a policy decision, and transmitting, using the transmitting unit (305), an acknowledgement of session establishment to the bearer binding function unit with an indicator that a separate bearer is to be established.
US09602416B2 Overlay capabilities exchange using DCBX
In an approach to an overlay network capabilities exchange for reserving high priority handling of packets, a computing device creates a transport protocol port map that correlates one or more inner protocols with one or more outer transport protocol port numbers. The computing device creates a priority bit re-map table that correlates one or more outer transport protocol port numbers with one or more levels of priority. The computing device then receives a packet having an associated protocol and an associated port number, and determines, based on the associated protocol and the associated port number, that the packet requires a level of priority of the one or more levels of priority that guarantees loss-less delivery of the packet.
US09602414B2 Apparatus and methods for controlled bandwidth reclamation
Apparatus and methods for control of bandwidth reclamation in a content distribution network. In one embodiment, the invention provides a network operator or subscriber with the ability to disable or otherwise control reclamation in a switched digital video (SDV) network. A controller uses rules in determining whether to reclaim bandwidth. These rules designate certain carriers, content, devices and/or subscribers as high priority (or protected from reclamation). In one variant, the rules determine which subscribers are queried (“pinged”) in order to evaluate whether delivered content is actually being utilized by these subscribers. Alternatively, selected ones of the devices are configured so as to generate an automatic response to any ping messages. In another variant, the rules for disabling bandwidth reclamation are entered via user interaction with an application running on a client device and in communication with the controller via a network proxy, or with the SDV server directly.
US09602413B2 Bandwidth control device and method to reduce difference in pass bandwidth
A bandwidth control device includes: a management unit to subtract, when a first bandwidth control device (first device) or one or more second bandwidth control devices (second devices) allow a packet to pass, an amount of the passed packet from a permissible passage amount to be passed the first device; and a correction unit to correct the permissible passage amount of the first device or a threshold value of the first device based on a result of a comparison between a passage amount of packets passed the first device and passage amounts of packets passed the second devices, wherein the first device determines whether a packet is to be allowed to pass through or not based on a result of a comparison between the permissible passage amount and the threshold value and allows the packet to pass or discard the packet according to the determination result.
US09602407B2 Trie stage balancing for network address lookup
A trie comprising a plurality of subtries may be balanced by storing, in a first memory stage, a first root that identifies a first subtrie of a trie and a second root that identifies a second subtrie, which is a direct or indirect child of the first subtrie. A plurality of network address prefixes representing vertexes in the plurality of subtries may be stored in at least one additional memory stage. As the first subtrie is located on a top subtrie level which may contain relatively fewer network address prefixes, promoting the second subtrie to the top subtrie level may help improve memory utilization. Further, looking up any received network address may have less memory access latency.
US09602405B1 Systems, methods, and apparatus for implementing agents in service appliances
A method, service appliance, and non-transitory media for establishing connections to virtual device contexts (VDCs) whereby a communication channel for each of the VDCs is identified based on connection data corresponding to each of the VDCs. A service appliance receives, from each of one or more VDCs located on a switch, a message containing connection data that identifies at least one communication channel between the service appliance and a corresponding one of the one or more VDCs from which the message was received. The connection data is stored in a memory accessible to the service appliance. The service appliance identifies a communication channel for each of a plurality of VDCs based on the connection data and an identifier corresponding to each of the plurality of VDCs. The service appliance establishes a connection to each of the plurality of VDCs using the communication channel for each of the plurality of VDCs.
US09602403B2 Method and apparatus for transmitting and receiving packet in broadcasting system
A method and an apparatus for transmitting and receiving packets in a broadcasting system are provided. The present disclosure allocates a padding size field by using padding octets, and thus can increase transmission efficiency. Also, the present disclosure does not restrict the number of padding octets while maintaining compatibility with existing disclosures, and thus can carry out as much padding as desired and as necessary. In addition, the present disclosure variably allocates the padding size field depending on the number P of padding octets, and thus can increase header efficiency. Furthermore, since the number of padded octets in a header is immediately known, the size of an actual payload is known in advance, and thus rapid transmission is possible.
US09602395B2 Apparatus and method for switching communication channels having redundant configuration
An apparatus for switching multiple communication channels having a redundant configuration, includes a fault determining section configured to determine an occurrence of a fault of data received from a transmitting apparatus via one of the multiple communication channels having the redundant configuration, the data being set with one of multiple classes; a class control section configured to switch the data in one of the multiple classes being determined as having the fault, to one of the multiple communication channels having the redundant configuration being unused for transmission of the data in the class; a switching control section configured to generate switching information including information about the class determined to have the fault and a destination communication channel for the data in the class to be switched to; and a transmission section configured to transmit the switching information to the transmitting apparatus.
US09602391B2 Network apparatus and method for communication between different components
The present invention discloses a method for communication among different components, including integrating a Network Forwarding Component (NFC) for forwarding messages and at least one Independent Application Component (IAC) for performing other service processing into one network device; setting at least one cooperation mode in the NFC and each of the at least one IAC; and communicating with each other, by the NFC and the at least one IAC, according to the at least one cooperation mode. The cooperation mode may be any or any combination of a host mode, a mirror mode, a redirection mode and a pass-through mode. According to the present invention, the NFC and the IAC may communicate according to the cooperation mode so as to ensure that the NFC and the IAC can cooperate to provide various service capabilities including message forwarding and other additional service capabilities.
US09602388B2 Session terminal apparatus and network session system
A session terminal apparatus constitutes a network session system together with another session terminal apparatus. In the session terminal apparatus, a back performance instruction part instructs reproduction of back performance information. A back performance control part transmits the back performance information, when the reproduction thereof is instructed by the back performance instruction part, to another session terminal apparatus, and controls a performance reproduction part to start reproducing the back performance information when a monitor delay time corresponding to a communication delay time between the session terminal apparatus and another session terminal apparatus has elapsed after the reproduction of the back performance information was instructed.
US09602385B2 Connectivity segment selection
A novel method for fully utilizing the multicast or broadcast capability of a physical network is provided. The method identifies segments of the network within which broadcast traffic, multicast traffic, or traffic to unknown recipients (BUM traffic) is allowed or enabled. The identified segment encompasses parts of the network that the BUM traffic is able reach while excluding parts of the network nodes that the BUM traffic is unable to reach. Each identified segment includes network nodes that are interconnected by physical network hardware that supports BUM traffic. The method identifies multiple BUM traffic segments in a given network that each supports its own BUM traffic. The different BUM traffic segments are interconnected by physical network hardware that does not support BUM network traffic. Each identified segment is assigned an identifier that uniquely distinguishes the identified segment from other identified segments.
US09602382B2 Dynamic reaction to diameter routing failures
A method for dynamic reaction to DIAMETER routing failures is disclosed. The method for dynamic reaction to DIAMETER routing failures includes receiving a DIAMETER message, calculating a statistic associated with the route of the message, testing if the message is an unable_to_deliver message type, and if it is, testing the calculated statistic against a criterion. In the event the statistic exceeds the criterion, an action pertinent to the route which had a delivery failure is taken. The method for dynamic reaction to DIAMETER routing failures provides for dynamic management of routes at the node level in response to delivery failures. The method for dynamic reaction to DIAMETER routing failures is particularly useful for overcoming bandwidth usage in terms of delivery failures known in the art.
US09602366B1 System and method for correcting clock discrepancy in simultaneous network traffic captures
A system and method for correcting clock discrepancy in simultaneous network traffic data captures in a multi-tiered, multi-session environment. The invention uses intrinsic constraints imposed by the nature of the traffic onto the possible temporal sequence of the packets, The invention uses the intrinsic restraints of the network architecture and the protocols used at each segment along with the time stamps in the various segments to determine both an offset and scale correction to the clock readings (timestamps) in the traces in order to obtain a correct temporal sequence of packets when using multiple capture agents/engines/network monitors.
US09602356B1 Groups based performance data collection
A system for controlled-tuning path performance data collection is provided according to group membership controlled using a tool or application. In an embodiment, criteria may be established for groups that are populated by member objects that satisfy the criteria, and performance data collection is performed for such criteria groups may be turned on or off from an interface of the tool. The tool may automatically update group membership and performance data collection characteristics according to user controlled settings but without requiring further user intervention during the updating. The described system may thereby be advantageously used in connection with management of performance data collection based on a defined groups framework in which selected groups are created, based on specified criteria, that contain objects (e.g., hosts, arrays, switches etc.) for which performance data should be collected.
US09602347B2 Method, system and program for browser to switch IE kernel
The present invention discloses a method, a system and a program for a browser to switch an IE Kernel which may be able to solve the problems of compatibility and adaptability of the browser kernel. The method comprises: generating a first IE kernel file and a second IE kernel file, and import them into a browser client; the browser process determining a currently adapted IE kernel version according to Uniform Resource Locator (URL) information submitted by a user; if the currently adapted IE kernel version is the first IE kernel, the browser process being redirected to a corresponding location to load the first IE kernel file; if the currently adapted IE kernel version is the second IE kernel, the browser process being redirected to a corresponding location to load the second IE kernel file.
US09602344B1 Automated establishment of access to remote services
A software application designed to operate within an enterprise system is modified to operate properly within a system of a third-party provider. In one embodiment, a site manager obtains pertinent information about the software application from the source systems that make up the enterprise system and provides it to a cloud manager, and the cloud manager uses the information to generate a modified version of the software application for use on the cloud provider. The modification may include operations such as driver injection, file system mounting customization, customization of hostname-to-network address mappings, and boot image creation. Secure connections may also be established between the enterprise system and third-party provider to allow the application running on the third-party provider to access the services of the enterprise system.
US09602335B2 Independent network interfaces for virtual network environments
Embodiments of the invention relate to providing network independent network interfaces. One embodiment includes creating a root interface in a first device in a network system. Virtual network interface cards (vNICs) are added to the root interface. The first device executes network services on the root interface. The root interface is a single access point for accessing a plurality of underlying networks.
US09602332B2 Method and apparatus for DNS update triggered IPv6 neighbor advertisement
In a 3GPP2 Converged Access Network (CAN), IPv6 stateless auto configuration can be used to configure an IPv6 address of an access terminal (AT) for Simple IPv6 operation. A domain name system (DNS) update is triggered by IPv6 Neighbor Advertisement addresses a need for a DNS update when the full IPv6 address (128 bits) has not yet been sent in IPv6 packets from the AT. Upon receipt of the full address in response to the IPv6 Neighbor Advertisement, provision is made for prompting this DNS update even when the requesting network entity (e.g., access gateway (AGW) or home agent (HA)) does not have security authentication with a responsible home DNS server by utilizing access to an authentication, authorization, and accounting (AAA) function, perhaps via a local visited AAA, to submit an Accounting Request (Start) message that prompts the home DNS server to perform the DNS update.
US09602327B2 Method and apparatus for asynchronous information transactions
A method of responding to an information request involved in an asynchronous data transaction is described. An information request is produced in a client device and then wrapped in one or more layers to produce a request package. The request package is transmitted over a distributed network comprising a plurality of processing nodes. Layers are added to and/or removed from the package at one or more of the nodes. The package is processed at its final destination, and a response package is generated for transmission back to the client device via the distributed network.
US09602321B2 Broadcast signal transmitting apparatus, broadcast signal receiving apparatus, broadcast signal transmitting method, and broadcast signal receiving method
Disclosed herein is a method of receiving a broadcast signal. The method comprises receiving the broadcast signal; an Orthogonal Frequency Division Multiplexing (OFDM) demodulating on the received broadcast signal; parsing at least one signal frame from the demodulated broadcast signal to extract service data or service component data; converting the service data or service component data into bits; decoding the converted bits; and outputting a data stream comprising the decoded bits.
US09602317B1 Apparatus and method for combining currents from passive equalizer in sense amplifier
An apparatus configured to apply equalization to an input data signal and detect data based on the equalized data signal. The apparatus includes a passive equalizer comprising a first signal path configured to generate a first signal based on an input signal, and a second signal path configured to generate a second signal by filtering the input signal. The apparatus further includes a sense amplifier having an input circuit configured to generate a third signal related to a combination of the first and second signals, and a data detection circuit configured to generate data based on the third signal. The data detection circuit may be configured as a strong-arm latch. The third signal may be a differential current signal including positive and negative current components. The strong-arm latch generating data based on whether the positive current component is greater than the negative current component.
US09602315B2 Method and apparatus for passive continuous-time linear equalization with continuous-time baseline wander correction
Described is an apparatus which comprises: an amplifier; and a passive continuous-time linear equalizer integrated with a baseline wander (BLW) corrector, wherein the integrated equalizer and BLW corrector is coupled to the amplifier.
US09602312B2 Storing network state at a network controller
Some embodiments provide a network controller for managing a logical network that spans several physical domains. The network controller is located at a particular one of the several physical domains. The network controller includes a first storage for storing network state information that is local to the particular physical domain. The network controller includes a second storage for storing a first type of global network state information for the logical network. The network controller includes a third storage for storing a second type of global network state information for the logical network. The network controller includes an interface for communicating with other network controllers located at the other physical domains in the several physical domains spanned by the logical network. The interface is for sharing the first and second types of global network state information.
US09602311B2 Dual-mode network
Aspects of the present disclosure are directed toward apparatuses, systems, and methods that include a first gateway circuit in an optical access network connecting a plurality of end-of-network users to a central node, the first gateway circuit connecting one of the plurality of end-of-network users to the central node via fiber optic data lines. Further, the first gateway circuit is configured and arranged to: relay a first set of data between the end-of-network user and the central node using a packet-switching communication protocol, and relay a second set of data between the end-of-network user and the central node using an optical flow switching communication protocol.
US09602309B2 Alert message portal to securely notify subscribers of events
The present invention provides a method of operating a communication portal. One embodiment of the method includes accessing, at the communication portal, an alert message addressed to a group registered to receive an alert service. The method also includes generating user identifiers corresponding to users that are registered to the group. The user identifiers are assigned to the users for use within the communication portal. The method further includes transmitting the alert message from the communication portal to the users indicated by the user identifiers.
US09602305B2 Method and system for virtual and physical network integration
The disclosure herein describes a virtual extensible local area network (VXLAN) gateway. During operation, the VXLAN gateway receives, from a physical host, an Ethernet packet destined for a virtual machine residing in a remote layer-2 network broadcast domain that is different from a local layer-2 network broadcast domain where the physical host resides. The VXLAN gateway then determines a VXLAN identifier for the received Ethernet packet. The VXLAN gateway further encapsulates the Ethernet packet with the virtual extensible local area network identifier and an Internet Protocol (IP) header, and forwards the encapsulated packet to an IP network, thereby allowing the packet to be transported to the virtual machine via the IP network and allowing the remote layer-2 network broadcast domain and the local layer-2 network broadcast domain to be part of a common layer-2 broadcast domain.
US09602290B2 System and method for vehicle messaging using a public key infrastructure
An embodiment method for vehicle messaging includes obtaining initial trust information that includes a root public key (RPK), and obtaining a first pool of group certificate (GC) sets and a first vehicle authentication certificate that includes a first encrypted serial number. The method also includes: selecting from the first pool a first GC and a first group private key (Gpk); determining a first signature in accordance with a first message and a digest function; sending a first datagram that includes the first message and the first signature; receiving a second datagram that includes a second GC and a second signature, the second GC duplicating a GC in the first pool; receiving a third datagram that includes a third GC and a third signature, the third GC not duplicating any GC in the first pool; and verifying the second and third datagrams in accordance with the digest function and RPK.
US09602289B2 Steganographic embedding of executable code
A method for digital immunity includes identifying a call graph of an executable entity, and mapping nodes of the call graph to a cipher table of obscured information, such that each node based on invariants in the executable entity. A cipher table maintains associations between the invariants and the obscured information. Construction of an obscured information item, such as a executable set of instructions or a program, involves extracting, from the cipher table, ordered portions of the obscured information, in which the ordered portions have a sequence based on the ordering of the invariants, and ensuring that the obscured information matches a predetermined ordering corresponding to acceptable operation, such as by execution of the instructions represented by the obscured information, or steganographic target program (to distinguish from the executable entity being evaluated). The unmodified nature of the executable entity is assured by successful execution of the steganographic target program.
US09602277B2 User interface systems and methods for secure message oriented communications
A convenient, easy to use ubiquitous secure communications capability can automatically encrypt and decrypt messages without requiring any special intermediating security component such as gateways, proxy servers or the like. Trusted/secure applications for the mobile workforce can significantly improve productivity and effectiveness while enhancing personal and organizational security and safety.
US09602270B2 Clock drift compensation in a time synchronous channel hopping network
Disclosed are various embodiments for compensating for clock drift between nodes in a time synchronous network. A node receives time synchronization information from a parent node in the network. A drift between a clock of the node and a clock of the parent node is determined based upon the time synchronization information. The node identifies a number of time slots of the network since making a last time synchronization based on previous time synchronization information transmitted from the parent node. A compensation interval is calculated that represents a number of the time slots over which the clock of the node deviated, with respect to the parent node, by a predefined compensation value. The node compensates, by the compensation value, one of the time slots according to the compensation interval.
US09602240B1 Method and system for symbol level interference cancellation at a receiver for multiuser detection
Methods and systems of symbol level interference cancellation at a receiver for multiuser detection is provided. In an embodiment, the method includes performing an interference cancellation based decoding for a plurality of users through a plurality of iterations for generating a plurality of soft bit estimates for each of the users during each of the iterations. Each of the iterations involves sequential cancellation of each of the user signals for performing interference cancellation based decoding for each subsequent user other than a first user. The method also includes re-using the generated plurality of soft bit estimates for performing each subsequent iteration of the interference cancellation based decoding of the plurality of users. A plurality of soft bit estimates associated with each user generated during an (N−1)th iteration is re-used during an Nth iteration for the user, N being a whole number with a minimum value of 2.
US09602235B2 Code block segmentation and configuration for concatenated turbo and RS coding
A method for performing code block segmentation for wireless transmission using concatenated forward error correction encoding includes receiving a transport block of data for transmission having a transport block size, along with one or more parameters that define a target code rate. A number N of inner code blocks needed to transmit the transport block is determined. A number M—outer code blocks may be calculated based on the number of inner code blocks and on encoding parameters for the outer code blocks. The transport block may then be segmented and encoded according to the calculated encoding parameters.
US09602231B2 OFDM signal processing method and apparatus
The invention provides a reception method and apparatus which provides a series of frequency shifts and filtering operations to sideband signals (lower, upper, and middle), to enable detection if the central part of a signal is analog or digital, and to enable effective co-channel interference compensation. The invention enables (H)IBOC signals for example to be processed with a narrower bandwidth and therefore a lower processing clock speed and complexity is made possible compared to the conventional (H)IBOC-signal processing approach.
US09602227B2 Distribution of broadcast traffic through a mesh network
Systems, methods and apparatuses for supporting broadcast traffic through a wireless mesh network are disclosed. One method includes obtaining broadcast listening information of a broadcast listening access node, wherein the broadcast listening information includes an identifier of the broadcast listening access node, and a broadcast identifier of the broadcast listening device. The method further includes obtaining broadcast sourcing information of a broadcast sourcing access node, wherein the broadcast sourcing information includes an identifier of the broadcast sourcing access node, and a broadcast identifier of the broadcast sourcing device. The method further includes providing broadcast listening information of the broadcast listening access node to the broadcast sourcing access node upon determining the broadcast identifier of the broadcast sourcing device matches the broadcast identifier of the broadcast listening device.
US09602225B2 Impairment compensation
A method is provided for compensating for impairment of an electrical signal output from a device under test (DUT), the impairment resulting from an impairment network. The method includes measuring an impaired electrical signal received at an electronic analyzer via the impairment network; applying a stimulus signal to the impairment network; estimating an impairment transfer function corresponding to the impairment based on the applied stimulus signal; and correcting the measured electrical signal using the impairment transfer function to determine the electrical signal output from the DUT.
US09602224B1 Antenna placement based on LIDAR data analysis
In an embodiment, a computer-implemented method for optimizing service quality for a line of sight (LOS) radio service is provided. The method includes identifying an antenna on a rooftop and determining a transmitter to provide LOS radio service to the antenna. A residential units data set for the service area is created. In an embodiment, the residential units data set is based on a light detection and ranging (LIDAR) data set. The residential units data set is accessed and a cross section analysis of a line of sight from the transmitter with the rooftop data is conducted to identify regions that have line of sight. A service quality ranking is generated based on the level of visibility between the residential unit and the transmitter for each of the identified regions on the rooftop. A region is selected for antenna placement that has the highest service quality ranking.
US09602220B2 Quantum repeater network system
The disclosure concerns quantum repeater network system that does not need any matter qubit. According to the quantum repeater network system for performing quantum communication between one transmitter/receiver and the other transmitter/receiver via transmission repeaters and reception repeaters, each of the transmission repeaters prepares quantum systems in an irreducibly entangled state, each of the quantum systems being associated with a reception repeater as a transmission destination, and transmits, to the associated reception repeater, each of the quantum systems in the irreducibly entangled state together with a quantum system entangled with the quantum system.
US09602215B2 Dynamic fare collection data probe
The invention provides a device, system, and method for receiving and transmitting fare collection data with a dynamic fare collection data probe. Specifically, the dynamic fare collection data probe automatically adjusts gain to allow for faster data rates and compensate for variances within emitter and detector parameters associated with a fare collection system.
US09602213B2 System and method of extending time division passive optical network services to plastic optical fiber in the home
A system (87; FIG. 2) is disclosed to provide a Time Division Multiple Access Passive Optical Network to a Plastic Optical Fiber to be used in both single-family home networks and in multiple dwelling units. The system (87) extends the fiber to the home fiber network infrastructure from existing fiber access networks to fiber in the home for home networking. A plastic optical fiber converter (48; FIG. 4) associated with an optical network terminal (56; FIG. 6) receives a downstream optical signal (15; FIG. 3) that is converted into an electrical signal (61; FIG. 6). The converter (48) within the optical network terminal (56) modulates Ethernet frames contained within the electrical signal and converts the frames into optical signals (71,72; FIG. 6) with advanced modulations that are then transmitted via the plastic optical fiber within the home network (124; FIG. 2).
US09602194B2 Transmission device, network designing device, activation method, and network designing method
A transmission device is used for a network that includes a plurality of working paths and a plurality of protection paths bypassing a relevant working path for each working paths. The transmission device includes a data plane unit that transmits and receives data to and from other transmission devices; and a signaling processing unit that performs switching, when a signaling message requesting activation to switch to a first protection path corresponding to a first working path is received, from the first working path to the first protection path, wherein, when the first working path is configured as a subset of a second working path and a second protection path corresponding to the second working path is provided, the signaling processing unit performs switching from the first working path to the first protection path and performs switching from the second working path to the second protection path.
US09602185B2 Communication terminal, communication control apparatus, communication system, communication control method, and program
Provided a communication terminal configured to provide a tethering function controls permission of communication of a different apparatus using the tethering function provided by the communication terminal, based on at least one of attribute information of the different apparatus, a communication destination of the different apparatus, and information on an interface of a network to which the communication terminal is connected, in accordance with a control policy stored in a storage unit in advance.
US09602182B2 Baseband processing apparatus in radio communication system and radio communication
A baseband processing apparatus in a radio communication system, a radio communication system, and a baseband processing method. The apparatus includes a first unit and a second unit that implement different baseband processing functions, where the second unit is configured to generate a precoding matrix of a downlink coordinated multipoint transmission and reception (CoMP) user, generate precoding control information according to the precoding matrix, and send the precoding control information to the first unit; and the first unit is configured to receive the precoding control information sent by the second unit, and perform downlink joint baseband processing on downlink CoMP user data in downlink user data according to the precoding control information, so as to generate jointly sent baseband data for radio sending. The technical solutions can reduce transmission bandwidth between baseband processing units and obtain a system capacity gain at the same time.
US09602163B2 Wireless device detection and communication apparatus and system
A method for effecting a near field communication, including the steps of positioning a first device at a close proximity to a second device, wherein the close proximity is suitable for the near field communication; and sending a first effectively carrierless signal from the first device to the second device.
US09602158B2 Methods for estimation and interference suppression for signal processing
A receiver in a CDMA system comprises a front end processor that generates a combined signal per source. A symbol estimator processes the combined signal to produce symbol estimates. An S-Matrix Generation module refines these symbol estimates based on the sub channel symbol estimates. An interference canceller is configured for cancelling interference from at least one of the plurality of received signals for producing at least one interference-cancelled signal.
US09602148B2 Compensation for a signal damping while transmitting transmission signals of a wireless mobile device
A circuit arrangement compensates for signal damping while transmitting transmission signals of a wireless mobile device. The circuit arrangement contains an adjustable signal level amplifying device which has a signal amplifier for amplifying the transmission signals with a signal amplification generated by the signal amplifier. The circuit further has an adjusting device for adjusting a resulting signal amplification, and a detector arrangement which detects whether a signal level of the transmission signal of the mobile device has exceeded an upper threshold and whether the signal level has reached a lower threshold. The detector arrangement causes the adjusting device to reduce the resulting signal amplification generated by the signal level amplifying device if the signal level has reached the upper threshold. The detector arrangement causes the adjusting device to reduce the resulting signal amplification generated by the signal level amplifying device if the signal level has fallen below the lower threshold.
US09602141B2 High-speed multi-block-row layered decoder for low density parity check (LDPC) codes
High-speed multi-block-row layered decoding for low density parity check (LDPC) codes is disclosed. In a particular embodiment, a method, in a device that includes a decoder configured to perform an iterative decoding operation, includes processing, at the decoder, first and second block rows of a layer of a parity check matrix simultaneously to generate a first output and a second output. The method includes performing processing of the first output and the second output to generate a first result of a first computation and a second result of a second computation. A length of a “critical path” of the decoder is reduced as compared to a critical path length in which a common feedback message is computed.
US09602139B2 Bit interleaver for low-density parity check codeword having length of 16200 and code rate of 3/15 and 16-symbol mapping, and bit interleaving method using same
A bit interleaver, a bit-interleaved coded modulation (BICM) device and a bit interleaving method are disclosed herein. The bit interleaver includes a first memory, a processor, and a second memory. The first memory stores a low-density parity check (LDPC) codeword having a length of 16200 and a code rate of 3/15. The processor generates an interleaved codeword by interleaving the LDPC codeword on a bit group basis. The size of the bit group corresponds to a parallel factor of the LDPC codeword. The second memory provides the interleaved codeword to a modulator for 16-symbol mapping.
US09602126B2 Sigma-delta analog-to-digital converter
The present invention is related to a sigma-delta analog-to-digital converter (ADC). It further relates to a method for designing and manufacturing a sigma-delta ADC, and to a digital control loop comprising the same. According to the present invention, part of the filtering function required for noise-shaping is implemented in the feedback path. By suitably distributing the poles over the forward and feedback paths, stable operation can be achieved while offering low latency.
US09602120B1 Analog to digital converter with digital reference voltage signal
An analog to digital converter contain a plurality of comparators, each having a plurality of positive input voltage transistors and a plurality of negative input voltage transistors. Each positive input transistor is in communication with a positive input voltage, and each negative input transistor is in communication with a negative input voltage. Each comparator is configured to adjust a positive reference voltage and a negative reference voltage used to generate a binary comparator output for each comparator indicating a result of a comparison between a voltage differential defined by the positive input voltage and the negative input voltage and a unique voltage range indicated by a unique digital reference signal communicated to each comparator.
US09602112B2 Clock delay detecting circuit and semiconductor apparatus using the same
Provided is a clock delay detecting circuit and semiconductor apparatus using the same that is capable of generating a period signal whose period is a delay time of a clock, dividing the period signal, and counting the divided period signal. The clock delay detection circuit comprises a period signal generating unit configured to generate a counting control signal, a period signal dividing unit configured to generate a counting enable signal by dividing the counting control signal, and a counting unit configured to generate a delay information signal by counting the counting enable signal with a clock, wherein the counting control signal has a period with a predetermined time.
US09602111B1 Delay locked loop (DLL) locked to a programmable phase
An asynchronous digital logic is used to provide a pulse. A pulse train is filtered to determine an analog measurement based at least in part on the duty cycle of the pulse. The analog measurement is compared with a tunable reference associated with a programmable locked delay for the DLL. A digital code is sequenced based at least in part on the comparison. A digitally controlled delay line is programmed based at least in part on the digital code.
US09602105B1 Performance-on-demand IC chip design in integrated-injection logic
A circuit comprising a first injection BJT in a common-base configuration and configured to output a first injection current at its collector. A first multiple-collector BJT is in an open collector configuration, is electrically coupled to the first injection BJT, and is arranged to receive the first injection current at its base. The first multiple-collector BJT has a capacitance load at one of its collectors. A first supply voltage is electrically coupled to the first injection BJT. The first supply voltage is configured to dynamically adjust during operation of the circuit in response to a change in the capacitance load of the first multiple-collector BJT.
US09602104B2 Output buffer with offset cancellation structure and offset cancellation method using the same
An output buffer with an offset cancellation structure for an LCD source driver includes an operational amplifier, for driving an output signal of the output buffer according to a data signal from a data input terminal of the output buffer; a reference voltage generator, for generating a reference voltage and inputting the reference voltage to the operational amplifier; and a sampling capacitor, coupled between a second input terminal of the operational amplifier and the data input terminal of the output buffer in a first phase, and coupled between the second input terminal of the operational amplifier and an output terminal of the operational amplifier in a second phase, wherein the second input terminal of the operational amplifier is further coupled to the output terminal of the operational amplifier in the first phase. The output signal outputs the data signal where the offset voltage is cancelled in the second phase.
US09602099B2 Adaptive duo-gate MOSFET
An adaptive duo-gate MOSFET includes a trench MOSFET and an adaptive element. The trench MOSFET includes a source, a drain, a first gate, a second gate, and a dielectric layer between the first and second gates. Herein, the first gate may generate charge-coupling in blocking operation, and the second gate may form channel in the trench MOSFET when in conduction operation. The adaptive element is electrically coupled to the first gate, the second gate, and the source respectively. When a potential difference between the second gate and the source is larger than a predetermined value, the first gate and the source are electrically disconnected and then the first gate and the second gate are electrically connected. After a predetermined time, the first gate and the second gate are electrically disconnected and then the first gate and the source are electrically connected.
US09602092B2 Dynamic margin tuning for controlling custom circuits and memories
Embodiments of a method that may allow for selectively tuning a delay of individual logic paths within a custom circuit or memory are disclosed. Circuitry may be configured to monitor a voltage level of a power supply coupled to the custom circuit or memory. A delay amount of a delay unit within the custom circuit or memory may be changed in response to a determination that the voltage level of the power supply has changed.
US09602090B2 Skew adjustment apparatus
First to N-th selection signals each instantaneously having a first logic level when representing selection and a second logic level when representing deselection are generated based on selection designation data. The first to N-th selection signals are individually latched, and first to N-th delayed selection signals are generated by individually delaying the first to N-th selection signals by a greater amount of delay when the latched selection signals transition from the first logic level to the second logic level than when the latched selection signals transition from the second logic level to the first logic level. A delayed data signal is selected corresponding to a delayed selection signal having the first logic level among the first to N-th delayed selection signals. The selected delayed data signal is output.
US09602089B2 Amplifying device and offset voltage correction method
A state wherein offset voltage is reduced can be maintained regardless of environmental fluctuation. A differential amplification unit has differential pair transistors, and amplifies a difference between input voltages. An offset voltage measurement unit samples offset voltage generated due to an imbalance in the current drive capacities of the differential pair transistors in a first mode, and determines the polarity of the sampled offset voltage in a second mode. A control unit switches the operating mode between the first mode and second mode, and outputs a control signal for correcting the offset voltage in accordance with the polarity determination result when in the second mode. An offset voltage correction unit corrects the offset voltage based on the control signal.
US09602074B2 Mechanical resonating structures including a temperature compensation structure
Mechanical resonating structures are described, as well as related devices and methods. The mechanical resonating structures may have a compensating structure for compensating temperature variations.
US09602069B2 Programmable impedance network in an amplifier
The disclosure provides an amplifier. The amplifier includes a first transistor that receives a first input. A second transistor receives a second input. A plurality of impedance networks is coupled between the first transistor and the second transistor. At least one impedance network of the plurality of impedance networks includes a first impedance path and a second impedance path. The first impedance path is activated during single ended operation, and the second impedance path is activated during differential operation.
US09602067B2 Switching amplifier with pulsed current supply
A switching amplifying method or a switching amplifier for obtaining one or more than one linearly amplified replicas of an input signal, is highly efficient, and does not have the disadvantage of “dead time” problem related to the class D amplifiers. Said switching amplifying method comprises the steps of: receiving the input signal; pulse modulating the input signal for generating a pulse modulated signal; switching a pulsed current from a direct current (DC) voltage according to the pulse modulated signal; conducting said pulsed current positively or negatively to a filter according to the polarity of the input signal; filtering said pulsed current positively or negatively conducted to the filter for outputting an output signal by the filter.
US09602065B2 Semiconductor device
In a semiconductor device, received signals of different frequency bands are input selectively to low noise amplifiers. A plurality of primary inductors are coupled between differential output nodes of the respective low noise amplifiers. A secondary inductor is provided commonly for the primary inductors, and magnetically coupled to the primary inductors. A demodulator converts a received signal transmitted from one of the primary inductors to the secondary inductor by electromagnetic induction, into a signal of a low frequency.
US09602064B2 Switchable feedback circuit for radio-frequency power amplifiers
Switchable feedback circuit for radio-frequency (RF) power amplifiers. In some embodiments, an RF power amplifier (PA) circuit can include a transistor having a base, a collector, and an emitter. The transistor can be configured to amplify an RF signal. The RF PA circuit can further include a switchable feedback circuit implemented between the collector and the base. The switchable feedback circuit can be configured to provide a plurality of resistance values between the collector and the base. Such a PA circuit can be implemented in products such as a die, a module, and a wireless device.
US09602057B1 Apparatus for and method of a supply modulator for a power amplifier
An apparatus for and method of a supply modulator (SM) for a power amplifier (PA) is provided. The apparatus includes a buck-boost converter, including a supply input connected to a battery voltage (Vbat), and an output; a switch and capacitors module, including a first input connected to the output of the buck-boost converter, and a second input; a buck (dual) converter, including a supply input connected to Vbat, an input connected to the output of the buck-boost converter, and an output connected to the second input of the switch and capacitors module; a linear amplifier (LA), including a supply input connected to the output of the buck-boost converter, an input, and an output connected to the second input of the switch and capacitors module; and the PA, including a supply input connected to the output of the buck (dual converter, an input for receiving a radio frequency (RF) signal, and an output for outputting an RF signal.
US09602046B2 Photovoltaic device
The present invention is premised upon an improved photovoltaic device (“PV device”), more particularly to an improved photovoltaic device with a multilayered photovoltaic cell assembly and a body portion joined at an interface region and including an intermediate layer, at least one interconnecting structural member, relieving feature, unique component geometry, or any combination thereof.
US09602038B2 Method and device for controlling an inverter
The invention relates to a method (40) for controlling an inverter (10) using space-vector pulse width modulation, in particular to control an electric machine (14), said inverter (10) being equipped with a plurality of controllable switches (S) and a corresponding plurality of freewheeling diodes (D) and being designed to provide a polyphase electric current (IU, IV, IW) and a polyphase voltage in the form of current space vectors (I*, U*), in particular to supply polyphase electric current (IU, IV, IW) to the electric machine (14). In said method, the inverter (10) is controlled to establish a plurality of different successive switching states (V0-V7) for the switches (S), and the inverter (10) is switched to an off-load switching state (V0, V7) by means of two switching states (V0, V7), a switch-on time (t0-t7) of the switching states (V0-V7) being varied according to a desired load value (m) for the switches (S) and/or for the freewheeling diodes (D), the desired load value (m) being set according to a temperature (Ts, TD) of at least one of the switches (S) and/or one of the freewheeling diodes (D).
US09602037B2 Motor drive device and motor drive system
A motor drive device and motor drive system according to the present invention comprise: a power source terminal; a charging and discharging unit connected in series with the power source terminal; connection terminals to be connected to each of primary and secondary excitation coils for an anti-symmetric two phase motor; and a drive control unit which has a plurality of switching elements and respectively forms first and second paths by turning these switching elements on and off. The first path is used for independently supplying power to the respective primary and secondary excitation coils from the power source terminal via the connection terminals, and the second path is used for independent regeneration of each residual energy remaining in the primary and secondary excitation coils from the respective primary and secondary excitation coils into the charging and discharging unit via the connection terminals.
US09602035B2 Driving apparatus for electric motor
The present invention relates to a driving apparatus which performs vector control based on an output current of an inverter. The driving apparatus of the present invention includes a vector controller (11) for transforming three-phase output currents of an inverter (10) into a torque current and a magnetization current, and controlling the torque current and the magnetization current. The vector controller (11) includes a torque-voltage control section (21) for determining a torque-voltage command value based on a deviation between a torque-current command value and the torque current, a magnetization-voltage output section (23) for outputting 0 as a magnetization-voltage command value, a target-magnetization-current determination section (26) for determining a magnetization-current command value based on a deviation between a torque-voltage command value and a target-output-voltage value, and a target-output-voltage determination section (27) for determining the target-output-voltage value.
US09602029B2 Method for operating and apparatus for activating a rotating, brushless electrical machine
A method for operating a brushless, rotating electrical machine, including at least three phase windings, each of which has a first phase winding terminal and a second phase winding terminal. The phase windings are connected to each other, in particular the particular second phase winding terminals are connected to a shared star point, and phase-width-modulated voltage signals being applied separately to each individual phase winding, and at least one selected phase winding being at least temporarily connected to a constant electrical potential. To minimize switching operations and to reduce the alternating current component of the current source, the pulses of the pulse-width-modulated signals applied to the remaining phase windings are at least temporarily phase-shifted with respect to each other during the period in which the selected phase winding is connected to a constant electrical potential.
US09602027B2 Systems, methods, and assemblies for detecting stoppage of electric motors
A motor controller for an electric motor having a stator and a rotor. The motor controller includes a power input for receiving AC power from a power source; a control input for receiving a control signal from a control; and circuitry for switching power from the power source to the electric motor in response to the control signal. The circuitry is operable to: apply a driving waveform to the stator to cause rotation of the rotor; remove the driving waveform from the stator to cause the rotor to coast and eventually stop; apply a stop detection waveform to the stator while the rotor is coasting, wherein the stop detection waveform induces a waveform on the rotor which in turn induces a waveform back to the stator while the rotor is rotating; and monitor the stator to detect a characteristic of the waveform induced back to the stator to detect when the rotor has substantially stopped rotating.
US09602023B2 Single chip grid connected solar micro inverter
The present invention provides an improved grid connected solar micro-inverter. The solar micro-inverter is provided with a single processor that performs both the functions for the control of the micro-inverter and runs the application program associated with it and implements a communication modem for connectivity to the grid or to the Internet cloud. The solar micro-inverter therefore needs only a single processor to perform both the micro-inverter control and modem communication functions, resulting in cheaper and smaller system implementation.
US09602012B2 Apparatus and method for controlling switching power supply
An output voltage error detection unit outputs an auxiliary winding voltage generated across an auxiliary winding having the same number of turns as a secondary winding a certain period after a secondary conduction period starts. A correction amount calculation unit calculates a secondary voltage drop caused by a secondary current flowing in the conduction period based on a primary current flowing when the conduction period starts and outputs a calculation result as a correction amount. A reference voltage generation unit generates a reference voltage by adding the correction amount to the output voltage. A control unit generates a feedback signal to minimize the error between the auxiliary winding voltage obtained after a certain delay period and the reference voltage. A PWM signal generation unit controls a PWM signal based on the feedback signal, adjusts switching of the switching element, and maintains the output voltage at a constant level.
US09602009B1 Low voltage, closed loop controlled energy storage circuit
An energy storage circuit for use with a power converter includes a base capacitor coupled between an input bus and a ground potential, and an adjust capacitor. A switching device is coupled in series with the adjust capacitor between the input bus and the ground potential. A voltage regulator coupled between a control terminal of the switching device and ground. The voltage regulator has an input coupled to the second internal node, wherein when the power switch is turned on a signal at the second internal node is representative of a fluctuating input voltage. The voltage regulator is activated when the fluctuating input voltage is in a crest region, thereby turning the switching device off and disengaging the adjust capacitor. The voltage regulator is deactivated when the fluctuating input voltage is in a valley region, thereby turning the switching device on and engaging the adjust capacitor.
US09602003B2 Voltage regulator, semiconductor device, and voltage generation method for voltage regulator
A voltage regulator includes: a drive voltage generating part for generating a drive voltage and then apply the drive voltage to a drive line; an output transistor for outputting a voltage corresponding to a voltage value of the drive line as the internal source voltage; and a compulsory drive circuit including a capacitor element configured to receive the source voltage at one end, a first switching element for receiving a ground voltage and applying the ground voltage to the other end of the capacitor element by being set in an ON state over a period in which the selected operational mode is the standby mode, and a second switching element that connects the other end of the capacitor element to the drive line only for a predetermined period in an ON state when the operational mode transitions from the standby mode to the active mode.
US09602000B2 Power supply circuit and control method thereof
According to one embodiment, a power supply circuit includes a switching element to which a drive signal is supplied, a control value generating circuit that compares an output voltage and a reference voltage to generate a control value, and a comparison circuit that compares a feedback current and the control value. The power supply circuit has a generating circuit that generates a clock signal having a constant period in a PWM control mode and a clock signal according to the output voltage in a PFM control mode. The control value of the control value generating circuit is changed so that averages of the feedback current before and after the control mode switching become equal.
US09601994B2 Internal voltage generation circuit
Disclosed herein is an internal voltage generation circuit for generating a pumping voltage. The internal voltage generation circuit may include a pumping unit suitable for generating a pumping voltage by pumping an input voltage and a control unit suitable for stepwise controlling a voltage level of the input voltage based on the breakdown voltage information of the pumping unit.
US09601991B2 Switching regulator control circuit
In a switching regulator control circuit according to aspects of the invention, a drain current is converted to a voltage Vis with a resistance. The voltage is delivered to a multiplication circuit. The multiplication circuit generates and outputs a voltage that is a product signal of the voltage and a voltage that is proportional to a duty factor. A comparator circuit compares the voltage with an error signal delivered to the other comparison input terminal of the comparator. When the voltage has reached the error voltage, the comparator delivers a turn-off instruction through an OR circuit to a terminal of a flip-flop.
US09601990B2 High efficiency PFC power converter
A power factor correction (PFC) power converter is disclosed that converts AC input power to DC output power. A single stage of the PFC power converter performs both the DC-DC power conversion and the power factor correction for the power converter. The disclosed PFC power converters are efficient in energy conversion and have a power factor of 0.9-1.0. Further, the disclosed PFC power converters can be implemented in both low and high power applications above 75 W.
US09601985B2 Segmented driver for a transistor device
A segmented driver including at least one drive pin and a sense pin, a driver circuit, a comparator, and a controller. The driver circuit activates a selected drive level between the drive pins and a reference node. The comparator compares a voltage of the sense pin with a threshold voltage and provides a threshold indication when the voltage of the sense pin reaches the threshold voltage. The controller commands the driver circuit to activate a first drive level in response to an off indication, and commands the driver circuit to switch to a second, lower drive level in response to the threshold indication. The driver circuit may be implemented using low resistive current devices. Multiple drive pins may be included, each for selectively activating a corresponding drive path to adjust drive level. The threshold voltage may be set using a current source and resistor, and may be adjusted for temperature.
US09601983B2 Flyback power converter with weighted frequency and quasi-resonance
The present invention provides a flyback power converter and a control circuit and a control method thereof. The flyback power converter includes: a power stage circuit, a voltage sense circuit, a current sense circuit, and a control circuit. When the flyback power converter operates in a quasi-resonant mode, the control circuit determines a time point of turning OFF a power switch in the power stage circuit according to a current sense signal, a pulse width modulation (PWM) frequency of a PWM signal, and a predetermined threshold, wherein the control circuit adaptively adjusts an ON period of the power switch, or adaptively adjusts an operation bandwidth or an amplifier gain of an error amplifier circuit in a feedback control loop according to the PWM frequency to mitigate an output voltage ripple.
US09601981B2 Linear actuator
A linear actuator that is configured to be extended/contracted by relatively displacing a first tube and a second tube in an axial direction, includes a rod that is provided inside the first tube, a plurality of permanent magnets that are held in the rod so as to be arranged in the axial direction; a stopper that is provided on a tip-end portion of the rod, a coil that is provided inside the second tube so as to face the permanent magnets, and a stopper receiving portion that is provided on the second tube so as to face the stopper, wherein the relative displacement between the first tube and the second tube in the extension direction is restricted by bringing an extension-direction-side end surface of the stopper into contact with the stopper receiving portion at a fully extended position.
US09601978B2 Aluminum alloy rotor for an electromagnetic device
A rotor includes a shorting ring defining a plurality of cavities therein, and a plurality of conductor bars each integral with the shorting ring and having an end disposed within a respective one of the plurality of cavities. The shorting ring and each of the conductor bars are formed from an aluminum alloy including a lanthanoid present in an amount of from about 0.1 part by weight to about 0.5 parts by weight based on 100 parts by weight of the aluminum alloy. An aluminum alloy, and a method of forming a rotor are also disclosed.
US09601971B2 Cooling device for cooling a winding braid of an electrical machine and method for retrofitting the electrical machine with the cooling device
A cooling device for cooling an air-permeable winding braid of an electrical machine is provided. The cooling device includes a baffle and a fan, which is arranged for blowing a stream of cooling air substantially perpendicularly onto a first surface portion of one side of the wind braid, wherein, in the region of a second surface portion of the side of the winding braid, arranged alongside the first surface portion, the baffle is arranged substantially parallel to and that a distance from the surface of the second surface portion such that a partial stream of the stream of cooling air is formed in the channel that is formed by the baffle and the second surface portion, and so, on the side of the winding braid that is opposite from the first-mentioned side, the other partial stream of the stream of cooling air, penetrating the winding braid, flows away from the winding braid without any return flow.
US09601964B2 In-line flow mixer
A flow-conditioning system includes a pump, process tubing coupling the pump to a source of multiple component process fluid, and an in-line flow-mixing device positioned in the process tubing upstream of the pump. A system includes a well disposed below a body of water and providing a source of multiple component fluid, a pump disposed in and exposed to the water, process tubing coupling the pump to the well, and an in-line flow-mixing device positioned in the process tubing upstream of the pump.
US09601958B2 Stator portion and motor
A stator portion includes a stator and a bus bar member. The stator includes three coil groups, each coil group includes two or more coils defined by a single conducting wire including a jumper wire. The bus bar member includes three first bus bars to which end portions on one side of the conducting wires of the three coil groups are connected, each of which includes an external connection terminal, a second bus bar defining a neutral point to which end portions on the other side of the conducting wires are connected, and a resin holder which retains the three first bus bars and the second bus bar. The three first bus bars and the second bus bar overlap only in a radial direction centered on the central axis or an axial direction, and the maximum number of bus bars which overlap is 2.
US09601955B2 Rotor comprising pole shoes with cooling channels
The present invention relates to a rotor for a rotary electric machine, extending along a longitudinal axis, including: projecting poles having pole shoes, and at least one internal cooling channel extending axially along at least one pole shoe.
US09601950B2 Permanent magnet motor
A permanent magnet motor (1) is configured such that mN≠K is satisfied to an integer m, where the pole number of a rotor (3) is K and the number of divided iron cores (10-12) of a stator (2) is N, and N values of r(θ), r(θ+360°/N), . . . , r(θ+(i−1)×360°/N), . . . , r(θ+(N−1)×360°/N) are equal so that the absolute value of the difference between any two of the N values becomes up to a predetermined value, where r(θ) is an inner radius defined as, on a plane perpendicular to a rotary shaft (7) of the rotor (3), a distance from the rotary shaft (7) center to a surface of the stator iron core (4) facing the rotor (3) where an angle from a fitting portion (15) of the partial iron core (10) is θ on the perpendicular plane, θ taking 0 to 360°/N.
US09601945B2 Emergency back-up power system for traction elevators
An emergency power supply for a traction elevator system utilizes a microprocessor-based control arrangement with pulse-width modulator technology to create an efficient, cost-effective back-up power system for a traction elevator. The microprocessor-based control arrangement is used to sense a power loss, or any type of irregularity in the power supply. Upon sensing some type of power malfunction, the microprocessor-based control arrangement disconnects the elevator system from the main power source and then generates a control signal to initiate the supply of back-up power. Once the elevator electrical system has been recharged and stabilized, the elevator control system will sense that recovery has occurred and will then provide an appropriate speed and direction command to the traction motor drive system.
US09601938B2 Battery charger for different power sources
A charger may determine a type of power source to couple to the charger, and to adjust power from the power source based on the determined type of the power source.
US09601930B2 Power transmitting device having device discovery and power transfer capabilities
A wireless power transfer system is described that includes a power station and a chargeable device. The power station transmits discovery beacons in order to detect a chargeable device within its vicinity using any available communication protocols and/or standards. Once a device is discovered, the power station can perform coil selection with the device in order to select preferred coils for power transfer. In addition, the chargeable device is capable of detecting the beacon signal and providing a response to notify the power station of its presence. The chargeable device is capable of performing its own coil selection for further optimization and includes various assistance functionality to aid a user in optimizing a connection with the power station.
US09601928B2 Device for collecting energy wirelessly
A device for collecting energy has first, second and third capacitive plates, each spaced from, substantially parallel to, and electromagnetically coupled to each other. An inductor is coupled between two of the plates, and a load resistance is inductively coupled to the inductor for drawing energy from electromagnetic field excitation between the plates. In a further embodiment, the inductor includes a first inductor coupled in series with a second inductor, and the load resistance is inductively coupled to the second inductor for drawing energy from electromagnetic field excitation between the plates, and the device further includes a first capacitor coupled in parallel with and spaced apart from the first inductor, and a second capacitor coupled between the first and second capacitive plates. In a still further embodiment, energy is collected by a coaxial transmission feed line.
US09601920B2 Transient voltage protection circuits and devices
According to an embodiment, a transient voltage protection circuit includes a first integrated circuit including an input node, an output node, a first transient voltage protection component coupled between the input node and a reference voltage node, and an impedance element coupled between the input node and the output node. The first transient voltage protection component has a first dynamic resistance and the output node is configured to be coupled to an electrostatic discharge (ESD) protection component having a second dynamic resistance that is greater than the first dynamic resistance.
US09601916B2 Back power protection circuit
Described is an apparatus which comprises: one or more signal lines; a transceiver coupled to the one or more signal lines; and a bias generation circuit to provide one or more bias voltages for the transceiver to tri-state the transceiver according to signal attributes of the one or more signal lines.
US09601896B2 Method and system for adjusting the alignment of a photonic beam
The method comprises: detecting the positions (uo, vo) and (u1, v1) of said photonic beam (L) according to the coordinate axes X, Y on a first and second plane XY, which cut an optical axis X at a first and second point, respectively; comparing the results of said positional detections (uo, vo) and (u1, v1), and: if there are discrepancies which lie outside the margin of error (p), adjusting the angle of the photonic beam (L) according to the angle α and/or the angle β in order to overcome said discrepancies; or if there are no discrepancies which lie outside said margin of error (p), considering the angle of said photonic beam (L) as being properly adjusted. The system is adapted to implement the method set out by the invention.
US09601892B2 Method and system for managing thermally sensitive optical devices
Two or more lasers or other temperature sensitive optical devices can be disposed in an operating environment, for example in a common enclosure exposed to the environment. The environment can have a temperature that fluctuates, for example in connection with random events, weather, seasons, etc. Each laser's temperature can track the temperature of the environment in steps, with each laser following a distinct temperature track. The lasers can alternate outputting light into a wavelength division multiplexing channel. For example, during one timeframe, one laser can provide an optical communication signal having a wavelength complying with a wavelength division multiplexing criterion. During another timeframe, the other laser can provide an optical signal having substantially the same wavelength. Operating a laser at an elevated temperature can shorten laser lifetime. To mitigate temperature induced failure, a replacement laser can be engaged when a failure predictor, precursor, or indicator meets a threshold.
US09601889B2 Connection method of terminal
A connection method of a terminal includes an inserting-arranging process for inserting and arranging conductors of a plurality of wires into a connection section. The wires have the conductor sections exposed from the sheaths thereof at the end portions. The connection section has cylindrical shape with a bottom portion and an opening section. The method further includes a heating-melting process for heating the connection section in a state that the opening section of the connection section faced upwards in the vertical direction to melt the conductors within the connection section, and a molten-metal raising process for conducting an insertion of the conductors into the connection section and/or a pressurization of the connection section from outside to raise the molten metal within the connection section to a level upper.
US09601883B1 USB connector
A USB Type-C connector includes a transmission conductor group arranged according to functions and positions associated with electric characteristics. The transmission conductor group includes a first signal transmission conductor group, a second signal transmission conductor group, and a power transmission conductor group. Considering the way of arrangement, the second signal transmission conductor group is located at one side of the first signal transmission conductor group and the power transmission conductor group is similarly located at one side of the first signal transmission conductor group. As such, with such an arrangement, advantages of improved interference resistance, bettered performance of high frequency, and large electric current can be achieved.
US09601881B2 Refrigerator
The present invention discloses a refrigerator including a refrigerator main body having an opening, a door connected to the refrigerator main body and configured to open and close the opening, a storage unit configured to be moved toward a rear wall within the refrigerator main body so as to be installed in the refrigerator main body, the rear wall facing the opening, a power supply unit mounted at the rear wall and having an accommodating portion formed to face the opening, and a connection unit mounted at the storage unit, wherein when the storage unit is moved to the rear wall and installed in the refrigerator main body, at least part of the connection unit is inserted into the accommodating portion so as to be electrically connected to the power supply unit.
US09601878B2 Communication module and communication module connector
A communication module is further miniaturized to achieve an improvement in the mounting density of the communication module. A communication module includes a plug connector connected to a receptacle connector, and the plug connector has an insertion projection inserted into an insertion recess provided on the receptacle connector. The insertion projection has a board insertion portion into which an insertion end portion of a module board incorporated in the communication module is inserted formed therein, the insertion end portion is inserted into the board insertion portion, and first electrodes formed on the plug connector are electrically connected to the module board.
US09601875B2 Multi-wire shielded cable and method for manufacturing such a cable
A cable includes a connector and a lead. The lead has wires and a shield. The shield is folded over at one end of the lead so that, in a section, a first layer of the shield and a second layer of the shield are disposed at a radial offset to each other. A first crimped sleeve disposed in the section between the first layer and second layers of the shield. A second crimped sleeve disposed in the section radially outwardly with respect to the first and second layers of the shield.
US09601873B2 Communications jack with jackwire contacts mounted on a flexible printed circuit board
Communications jacks include at least first through third jackwire contacts and a flexible substrate that has a first finger and a second finger. The first jackwire contact and the third jackwire contact are each mounted on the first finger and the second jackwire contact is mounted on the second finger.
US09601872B2 Anti-interference high-definition multimedia interface
The present application relates to high-definition multimedia interface, particularly to a new anti-interference high-definition multimedia interface. The interface comprises a male connector and a female connector. The male connector includes a male outer plastic housing, a shield stretch rear housing and a male plastic cable clamp. The female connector includes a female outer plastic housing, an outer shield grounding housing, an inner shield grounding iron housing, a female insulator, a female signal terminal and a female plastic rear plug. The male outer plastic housing and the shield stretch rear housing together form an inner cavity after connecting to each other, in which the male terminal assembly will be received. The female outer plastic housing and the outer shield grounding housing together form an inner cavity after connecting to each other, in which the female terminal assembly is received.
US09601860B2 Rotatable power center for a work surface
A rotatable power center is configured for installation along a work surface or the like, and includes an outer housing and a pivotable inner housing having one or more electrical or data outlets. The inner housing is positionable between a use position in which the outlets are accessible along the work surface, and a non-use position in which the outlets are generally not accessible. The outer housing defines an upper opening through which different surfaces of the inner housing are exposed or accessible, depending on the inner housing position. Spindles or spindle caps are used to pivotable mount the inner housing to the outer housing, and may also serve to secure two inner housing pieces together. A separate latch may be provided to secure the inner housing at the use or non-use position. Optionally, a detent arrangement holds the inner housing at the use or non-use position.
US09601855B2 Female terminal
A female terminal (40) to be connected to a male terminal (80) includes a tubular portion (41) configured by a plurality of peripheral walls. Resilient pieces (46, 47) extend in a front-back direction while facing the peripheral walls in the tubular portion (41). Excessive deflection preventing portions (90, 91) are provided on the peripheral walls, including a front abutting portion (92) and a rear abutting portion (93) arranged behind the front abutting portion (92), and configured to prevent the resilient pieces (46, 47) from being deflected excessively by contacting the resilient pieces (46, 47) at both the front and rear abutting portions (92, 93).
US09601843B2 Actuating element and connecting terminal
The invention relates to an actuating element (1) for actuating a clamping spring (8) of a connecting terminal, comprising: an actuating finger (2) which has an actuating surface (7) with which the actuating finger (2) presses onto a clamping limb (9) of the clamping spring (8) during actuation of the clamping spring (8); and a cover element (3) which forms an extension of the actuating finger (2) in the longitudinal direction of the actuating finger (2), the cover element (3) being laterally molded on the actuating finger (2).
US09601841B2 Wire terminal assembly and adapter kit
An assembly is provided for a connector of an electrical wiring device having a base with a plurality of electrical terminals having a connecting screw. The assembly includes a plurality of terminal connector with a base extending from the first end and having a screw hole for coupling to one of the electrical terminals by a connecting screw. The leg has a screw hole receiving a coupling screw for electrically connecting a wire to the terminal connector and the terminal of the electrical wiring device. A clamping member receives the coupling screw for clamping the wire between the leg and clamping member. A cover encloses the terminal connectors and includes one or more apertures directing a wire through the cover to the terminal connector assembly to clamp the wire in place Access openings are provided in a wall of the cover to access the coupling screws for clamping wires to the terminal connector assembly.
US09601828B2 Systems, apparatus, and methods for antenna switching approach for initial acquisition procedure
This disclosure provides systems, methods, and apparatus for an initial network acquisition process via multiple antennas. In one aspect a method of establishing communications via a wireless network at a wireless communications apparatus is provided. The method includes attempting an initial acquisition process, over one or more frequencies, for establishing communications over the wireless network via a transmit circuit and a receive circuit transmitting and receiving via a first antenna. The method further includes switching the transmit circuit and the receive circuit from transmitting and receiving via the first antenna to a second antenna in response to detecting failure of the initial acquisition process. The switching is independent of a performance metric of the first or the second antenna. The method further includes re-attempting the initial acquisition process based on the switching to the second antenna over the one or more frequencies.
US09601825B1 Mobile device
A mobile device includes a ground element, a first antenna, a second antenna, and a filter. The filter is disposed between the first antenna and the second antenna. The filter includes a main branch and a tuning branch. The tuning branch is coupled through the main branch to the ground element. The first antenna and the second antenna cover the same operation frequency band. The filter is configured to enhance the isolation between the first antenna and the second antenna in the operation frequency band.
US09601822B2 Antenna for satellite communication
An antenna for satellite communication includes; a signal transmitting and receiving unit for receiving or transmitting a signal from/to the satellite; a driving unit for rotating the signal transmitting and receiving unit so as to enable the signal transmitting and receiving unit to track the satellite; an anti-vibration unit provided inside the posts for elastically supporting the signal transmitting and receiving unit or the driving unit. Therefore, by providing the anti-vibration unit inside the posts, it is possible to increase availability for a circumferential space of the posts and to simplify the structure of the anti-vibration unit.
US09601810B2 Method for manufacturing lithium ion cells
A method for manufacturing lithium ion cells includes the steps of: 1) coating a collector roll along an unreeling direction thereof to form one or more strip coated areas, two side edges of the coated area each being provided with an uncoated area to form tabs thereon; 2) compacting the coated collector roll and obtaining a compacted collector roll; 3) cutting the compacted collector roll into anode plates/cathode plates having different sizes each having a tab and rounded corners; 4) recombining an anode plate/a cathode plate with a separator; cutting the separator after recombination to form rounded corners at a position corresponding to the rounded corners of the anode plate/cathode plate and further obtain a mono-cell or a half-cell having different sizes; 5) stacking the mono-cells and half-cells into a step preliminary cell; and 6) hot pressing the stacked preliminary cell to form a whole lithium ion cell via bonding of the anode plates/cathode plates with the separator.
US09601804B2 Gel polymer electrolyte, lithium battery including gel polymer electrolyte, and method of preparing gel polymer electrolyte
A gel polymer electrolyte including: an organic solvent; a lithium salt that reacts with residual water contained in the organic solvent to produce at least one material selected from the group consisting of a protonic acid and a Lewis acid; and a polymer that is generated by polymerizing at least one monomer selected from the group consisting of monomers represented by Formulae 1 to 3 below: wherein in Formulae 1 to 3, R1 to R31 are the same as defined in the detailed description section of the specification.
US09601803B2 Non-flammable quasi-solid electrolyte-separator layer product for lithium battery applications
A separator-electrolyte layer product for use in a lithium battery, comprising: (a) a porous thin-film separator selected from a porous polymer film, a porous mat, fabric, or paper made of polymer or glass fibers, or a combination thereof, wherein the separator has a thickness less than 500 μm; and (b) a non-flammable quasi-solid electrolyte containing a lithium salt dissolved in a liquid solvent up to a concentration no less than 3 M; wherein the porous thin-film separator is coated with the quasi-solid electrolyte so that the layer product exhibits a vapor pressure less than 0.01 kPa when measured at 20° C., a vapor pressure less than 60% of the vapor pressure of the liquid solvent alone, a flash point at least 20 degrees Celsius higher than a flash point of the first liquid solvent alone, a flash point higher than 150° C., or no detectable flash point.
US09601799B2 Method for producing positive electrode of thin-film battery and method for producing thin-film battery
A method for producing a thin-film battery includes a film-formation step of forming a film of a positive-electrode material to form a positive-electrode active material film and an annealing step of annealing the positive-electrode active material film. After the annealing step, a lithium-ion introduction step of introducing lithium ions into the positive-electrode active material film. After the introduction of the lithium ions, a reverse-sputtering step of edging the positive-electrode active material film by reverse sputtering.
US09601786B2 Leakproofing device for fuel cell, unit and fuel cell comprising such a device
Leakproofing device for a fuel cell intended to be interposed between an Electrodes Membrane Assembly and a polar or bipolar plate of a fuel cell unit, the device consisting of a rigid frame and of a leakproofing seal integral with the frame, the frame furnished with the leakproofing seal defining a plurality of apertures through the device, the apertures being delimited by the leakproofing seal.
US09601784B1 Supported Ni—M materials for electrooxidation of hydrazine
A supported bi-metallic non-platinum catalyst that is capable of oxidizing hydrazine to produce, as by-products of energy production, nitrogen, water, and zero or near-zero levels of ammonia is described. The catalyst is suitable for use in fuel cells, particularly those that utilizes an anion-exchange membrane and a liquid fuel such as hydrazine.
US09601783B2 Electroconductive tungsten oxide nanowire carrying a platinum nanodendrite and method for manufacturing same
The present invention relates to an electroconductive tungsten oxide catalyst carrying a platinum dendrite and to a method for manufacturing same, and more particularly, to a method for manufacturing an electroconductive tungsten oxide carrying a platinum nanodendrite applicable as an anode catalyst having a strong resistance to carbon monoxide poisoning in a direct methanol fuel cell. The platinum nanodendrite-electroconductive tungsten oxide nanowire catalyst according to the present invention illustrates remarkably improved resistance to carbon monoxide poisoning when compared with a common platinum nanoparticle carbon catalyst, and so, may be used as a highly efficient DMFC anode catalyst.
US09601782B2 Method of producing displacement plating precursor
A method of producing a displacement plating precursor, including a deposition step of depositing a Cu layer on a surface of a core particle formed of Pt or a Pt alloy by contacting a Cu ion-containing acidic aqueous solution with at least a portion of a Cu electrode, and contacting the Cu electrode with the core particle or with a composite, in which the core particle is supported on an electroconductive support, within the acidic aqueous solution or outside the acidic aqueous solution, and moreover contacting the core particle with the acidic aqueous solution under an inert gas atmosphere.
US09601781B2 Secondary battery and method for manufacturing secondary battery
A secondary battery has an electrode laminated body and a collector member. The laminated body is formed of a laminated electrode sheet. The collector member is bonded to a collector foil laminated portion of the electrode sheet not formed with an active material layer. The collector foil laminated portion and the collector member are bonded at overlapped portions by resistance welding using electrodes. When a pressure welding direction is a projection direction, an area ratio (Yd)/(Xd) is 1.2-4, in which Xd is a projection area of a surface of the electrode made contact with the collector foil laminated portion and Yd is a projection area of a surface of the electrode made contact with the collector member.
US09601780B2 Multilayer conductive film, current collector using same, battery and bipolar battery
A multilayer conductive film includes a layer 1 including a conductive material containing a polymer material 1 having an alicyclic structure and conductive particles 1 and a layer 2 including a material having durability against positive electrode potential. The multilayer conductive film has stability in an equilibrium potential environment in a negative electrode and stability in an equilibrium potential environment in a positive electrode, has low electric resistance per unit area in the thickness direction, and has excellent barrier properties for a solvent of an electrolytic solution. A battery including a current collector employing the multilayer conductive film can achieve both weight reduction and durability.
US09601778B2 Electrode active material , electrode and secondary battery
An electrode active material has, as a main component, a mixture of an organic compound containing a rubeanic acid and cyanomethanesulfonylamide. The rubeanic acid is represented by the following general formula: In the formula, n indicates an integer between 1 and 20, and R1-R4 indicate hydrogen atoms, halogen atoms, or a prescribed substituent group such as a hydroxide group, a 1-3C alkyl group, an amino group, a phenyl group, a cyclohexyl group, or a sulfo group.
US09601777B2 Anode for lithium secondary battery, method for manufacturing same, and lithium secondary battery including same
Disclosed is an anode for a lithium secondary battery, including a carbon-based anode active material, a binder and a conductive polymer, wherein the conductive polymer is in fiber form. A lithium secondary battery including the anode is also provided. As the anode for a lithium secondary battery includes a conductive polymer in fiber form, poor conductivity, which is a problem with a carbon-based anode active material, can be overcome, and the anode can be easily manufactured.
US09601775B2 Binder composition for secondary battery positive electrode, slurry composition for secondary battery positive electrode, secondary battery positive electrode, and secondary battery
Provided are a binder composition which has high electrolyte resistance characteristics, and a secondary battery which uses a positive electrode using the binder composition for high-temperature cycle characteristics. [Solution] The binder composition for the secondary battery positive electrode according to the present invention contains a polymerized unit which contains a nitrile group; a polymerized unit of (meth) acrylic acid ester; a polymerized unit which contains a hydrophilic group; and a polymerized unit of linear alkylene having a carbon number of at least four. In a mixed solvent in which a volume ratio EC:DEC between ethylene carbonate (EC) and diethyl carbonate (DEC) at 20° C. is 1:2, a degree of swelling with respect to an electrolyte in which LiPF6 is dissolved to have a concentration of 1.0 mol/L is between 100% and 500%.
US09601774B2 Use of xanthan gum as an anode binder
Xanthan gum has been found to be a superior binder for binding an electrode, especially an anode, in a lithium-ion or lithium-sulfur battery, being able to accommodate large volume changes and providing stable capacities in batteries tested with different types of anode materials.
US09601767B2 Alkaline collector anode
An alkaline battery includes a cathode, an alkaline electrolyte, and a copper-based anode which reduces hydrogen gassing without a protective coating or plating to less than 50% of the gas production observed using tin-plated 260 brass. An alloy for an anode which reduces hydrogen gassing without a protective coating or plating to less than 50% of the gas production observed using tin-plated 260 brass includes 0.01% to 9.0% tin, no more than 1% of phosphorus, no more than 1% of incidental elements and impurities, and the balance copper, in wt %. Another alloy for an anode which reduces hydrogen gassing without a protective coating or plating to less than 50% of the gas production observed using tin-plated 260 brass includes 1.0% to 40% zinc, about 0.01% to 5.0% tin, no more than 1% of phosphorus, no more than 1% of incidental elements and impurities, and the balance copper, in wt %.
US09601765B2 Positive active material, preparing method thereof, positive electrode for lithium secondary battery including the same, and lithium secondary battery employing the same
Provided are a positive active material that has a decreased amount of Li-containing impurities that remain on a lithium transition metal composite oxide surface to decrease an amount of gas generation and has improved lifespan properties, a method of preparing the same, a positive electrode for a lithium secondary battery including the positive active material, and a lithium secondary battery including the same.
US09601763B2 Process for mass-producing silicon nanowires and silicon nanowire-graphene hybrid particulates
Disclosed is a process for producing graphene-silicon nanowire hybrid material, comprising: (A) preparing a catalyst metal-coated mixture mass, which includes mixing graphene sheets with micron or sub-micron scaled silicon particles to form a mixture and depositing a nano-scaled catalytic metal onto surfaces of the graphene sheets and/or silicon particles; and (B) exposing the catalyst metal-coated mixture mass to a high temperature environment (preferably from 300° C. to 2,000° C., more preferably from 400° C. to 1,500° C., and most preferably from 500° C. to 1,200° C.) for a period of time sufficient to enable a catalytic metal-catalyzed growth of multiple silicon nanowires using the silicon particles as a feed material to form the graphene-silicon nanowire hybrid material composition. An optional etching or separating procedure may be conducted to remove catalytic metal or graphene from the Si nanowires.
US09601740B2 Composite porous separation membrane having shut-down function, method of manufacturing same, and secondary batteries using same
A composite porous separator includes: a porous substrate acting as a support and having a first melting point and a first porosity; a first porous polymer web layer that is laminated on one side of the porous substrate, and acts as an adhesive layer when being in close contact with an opposing electrode; and a second porous polymer web layer that is laminated on the other surface of the porous substrate, and is formed of nanofibers of a heat-resistant polymer, in which the first porous polymer web layer and the second porous polymer web layer have a melting point higher than the first melting point of the porous substrate and a porosity that is the same as or similar to the first porosity of the porous substrate, respectively.
US09601739B2 Method for producing porous polyimide film, porous polyimide film and separator using same
A method for producing a porous polyimide film comprises: forming a first un-burned composite film wherein the first film is formed on a substrate using a first varnish that contains (A1) a polyamide acid or a polyimide and (B1) fine particles at a volume ratio (A1):(B1) of from 19:81 to 45:65; forming a second un-burned composite film wherein the second film is formed on the first film using a second varnish that contains (A2) a polyamide acid or a polyimide and (B2) fine particles at a volume ratio (A2):(B2) of from 20:80 to 50:50 and has a lower fine particle content ratio than the first varnish; burning wherein an un-burned composite film composed of the first film and the second film is burned, thereby obtaining a polyimide-fine particle composite film; and a fine particle removal step wherein the fine particles are removed from the polyimide-fine particle composite film.
US09601738B2 Polyethylene powder, microporous membrane, and fiber
It is intended to provide a polyethylene powder which can offer a fiber excellent in resistance to end breakage, dimensional stability, and acid resistance and/or a microporous membrane excellent in dimensional stability and acid resistance, and a microporous membrane and a fiber which are obtained by forming the polyethylene powder. The present invention provides a polyethylene powder comprising: 0.5 ppm or higher and 3,000 ppm or lower of aluminum hydroxide having an average particle size smaller than 50 μm; and 0.5 ppm or higher and 12 ppm or lower of a magnesium element, wherein the polyethylene has a viscosity-average molecular weight of 100,000 or larger.
US09601736B2 Rechargeable battery having insulation layer
A rechargeable battery includes an electrode assembly including a positive electrode and a negative electrode, a case receiving the electrode assembly, a cap plate coupled to the case, a vent plate under the cap plate, the vent plate including a notch, a middle plate under the vent plate, and a laminating insulating layer between the vent plate and the middle plate, the laminating insulating layer being laminated to the vent plate or the middle plate.
US09601735B2 Cylindrical battery
The opening of a cylindrical battery case 1 with a bottom is sealed by a seal assembly 5. The seal assembly 5 has an upper valve plate 13, a lower valve plate 15, and a bottom plate 16. The bottom plate 16 has inner gas vent holes 21. When the inner gas vent holes 21 are viewed from the axial direction of the battery case 1, at least a part of each inner gas vent hole 21 overlaps a valve-hole forming portion 15b of the lower valve plate 15. With this configuration, for example, even when an electrode assembly 20 is pushed up by increased internal pressure of the battery to push up the bottom plate 16, the valve hole is not closed.
US09601730B2 Secondary battery frame and battery pack including the same
Disclosed is a secondary battery frame with improved dimension management capability and a battery pack including the same.The secondary battery frame according to the present disclosure is used to package a pouch-type secondary battery, the secondary battery frame comprising a frame body comprising a top plate surrounding a circumferential area through which an electrode lead is exposed among a circumferential area of the pouch-type secondary battery, a left plate connected to a left edge of the top plate, a right plate connected to a right edge of the top plate, and a bottom plate connected to a bottom edge of the left plate and a bottom edge of the right plate; and a protrusion protrusively formed from at least one of the top plate, the bottom plate, the left plate, and the right plate in an outward direction of the frame body.
US09601721B2 Encapsulation for an organic electronic device
An organic electronic device and a method of making an organic electronic device are provided. An embodiment of an electronic device includes a substrate, an active layer disposed on the substrate and a thin-layer encapsulation disposed on the active layer. The device further includes a first adhesive layer disposed on the thin-layer encapsulation, wherein the first adhesive layer comprises a getter material and a covering layer disposed on the first adhesive layer.
US09601714B2 Display device
A display device is disclosed. In one aspect, the display device comprises a display panel, a window cover, at least one align key and a sealing portion. The display panel includes a substrate, a display unit formed over the substrate, and an encapsulation portion formed over the display unit. The window cover is formed over the display panel. The at least one align key is formed on the encapsulation portion and configured to align the display panel with the window cover. The sealing portion is formed between the substrate and the encapsulation portion, wherein the align key has at least one laser beam through portion passing through the encapsulation portion and is connected to the sealing portion.
US09601701B2 Organic compound and organic light-emitting device
The present invention relates to a novel stable benzo[h]hexaphene compound and an organic light-emitting device including the compound. The present invention provides a benzo[h]hexaphene shown in claim 1.
US09601700B2 Condensed cyclic compound and organic light-emitting device including the same
A condensed cyclic compound and an organic light-emitting device including the same, the compound being represented by Formula 1, below: Ar1-(L11)b1-(L1)a1-(L12)b2-Ar2  
US09601697B2 Systems and process for forming carbon nanotube sensors
A system for forming a functionalized sensor for sensing a molecule of interest includes at least one single or multi-wall carbon nanotube having a first and a second electrode in contact therewith on a substrate; a third electrode including a decorating material on the substrate a predetermined distance from the at least one single or multi-wall carbon nanotube having a first and a second electrode in contact therewith, wherein the decorating material has a bonding affinity for bioreceptors that react with the molecule of interest; and wherein applying a voltage to the third electrode causes the decorating material to form nanoparticles of the decorating material on the at least one single or multi-wall carbon nanotube.
US09601695B2 Polymer compound
A photoelectric conversion device that contains a polymer compound having a structural unit represented by formula (1) having high photoelectric conversion efficiency: wherein, X1 and X2 are the same or different and represent a nitrogen atom or ═CH—; Y1 represents a sulfur atom, an oxygen atom, a selenium atom, —N(R1)— or —CR2═CR3—; R1, R2 and R3 are the same or different and represent a hydrogen atom or a substituent; W1 represents a cyano group, a monovalent organic group having a fluorine atom or a halogen atom; W2 represents a cyano group, a monovalent organic group having a fluorine atom, a halogen atom or a hydrogen atom.
US09601694B2 Donor substrate and method for manufacturing organic light emitting diode display
A donor substrate for a laser transfer includes a base layer, a primer layer disposed on the base layer, a light-to-heat conversion layer disposed on the primer layer, and an intermediate layer disposed on the light-to-heat conversion layer, where the light-to-heat conversion layer includes graphene.
US09601688B2 Method of manufacturing magnetoresistive element and method of processing magnetoresistive film
In a case where reactive ion etching using a gas containing an oxygen atom is used for etching or a magnetoresistive element, a magnetic film becomes damaged due to oxidation. Such damage to the element by the oxidation becomes a factor which causes deterioration in element properties. In the etching of the magnetoresistive element according to one embodiment of the present invention, a magnetoresistive film is subjected to ion beam etching and thereafter to reactive ion etching. A side deposition formed by the ion beam etching coats a sidewall of the magnetoresistive film and reduces damage by the oxygen atom during the later reactive ion etching. Also, a time during which the element is exposed to plasma of the gas containing the oxygen atom can be reduced.
US09601685B1 Fabricating two-dimensional array of four-terminal thin film devices with surface-sensitive conductor layer
A technique relates to a semiconductor device. First metal contacts are formed on top of a substrate. The first metal contacts are arranged in a first direction, and the first metal contacts are arranged such that areas of the substrate remain exposed. Insulator pads are positioned at predefined locations on top of the first metal contacts, such that the insulator pads are spaced from one another. Second metal contacts are formed on top of the insulator pads, such that the second metal contacts are arranged in a second direction different from the first direction. The first and second metal contacts sandwich the insulator pads at the predefined locations. Surface-sensitive conductive channels are formed to contact the first metal contacts and the second metal contacts. Four-terminal devices are defined by the surface-sensitive conductive channels contacting a pair of the first metal contacts and contacting a pair of the metal contacts.
US09601683B2 Unit of piezoelectric element
In object to provide a unit of piezoelectric element having a preferable bending strength and preferably used as a part of a driving unit, a unit of piezoelectric element comprising: a multilayer piezoelectric element, having internal electrodes laminated having a piezoelectric body layer in-between and a pair of external electrodes formed on side surfaces extending along laminating direction and electrically connected to the internal electrodes, a wiring part connected to the external electrodes via a solder part, wherein a solder is solidified, a resin part, joining one end surface in the laminating direction of the multilayer piezoelectric element and a mounting surface of a connection member placed to face the one end surface, wherein the resin part is continuous from the one end surface and the mounting surface to the solder part; and the resin part covers the solder part, is provided.
US09601675B2 Vertical solid-state transducers having backside terminals and associated systems and methods
Vertical solid-state transducers (“SSTs”) having backside contacts are disclosed herein. An SST in accordance with a particular embodiment can include a transducer structure having a first semiconductor material at a first side of the SST, a second semiconductor material at a second side of the SST opposite the first side, and an active region between the first and second semiconductor materials. The SST can further include first and second contacts electrically coupled to the first and second semiconductor materials, respectively. A portion of the first contact can be covered by a dielectric material, and a portion can remain exposed through the dielectric material. A conductive carrier substrate can be disposed on the dielectric material. An isolating via can extend through the conductive carrier substrate to the dielectric material and surround the exposed portion of the first contact to define first and second terminals electrically accessible from the first side.
US09601663B2 Light-emitting diode chip
A light-emitting diode chip includes a semiconductor body including a radiation-generating active region, at least two contact locations electrically contacting the active region, a carrier and a connecting medium arranged between the carrier and the semiconductor body, wherein the semiconductor body includes roughening on outer surfaces facing the carrier, the semiconductor body mechanically connects to the carrier by the connecting medium, the connecting medium locally directly contacts the semiconductor body and the carrier, and the at least two contact locations are arranged on the upper side of the semiconductor body facing away from the carrier.
US09601659B2 LED structures for reduced non-radiative sidewall recombination
LED structures are disclosed to reduce non-radiative sidewall recombination along sidewalls of vertical LEDs including p-n diode sidewalls that span a top current spreading layer, bottom current spreading layer, and active layer between the top current spreading layer and bottom current spreading layer.
US09601655B2 Optoelectronic device and method for manufacturing the same
An optoelectronic device comprises a semiconductor stack, wherein the semiconductor stack comprises a first semiconductor layer, an active layer formed on the first semiconductor layer, and a second semiconductor layer formed on the active layer; an electrode formed on the second semiconductor layer, wherein the first electrode further comprises a reflective layer; and an insulative layer formed on the second semiconductor layer, and a space formed between the first electrode and the insulative layer.
US09601645B2 Solar array mounting system with universal clamp
A mounting system for photovoltaic solar panels providing support for different sized panels, and/or panels having mounting holes located in different locations. A universal panel clamp includes at least one elongated hole or slot to attach to a mounting hole on a solar panel frame. A clamp is attached to an upper hole, and a second clamp is attached to a lower mounting hole. The upper clamps are attached to an upper lateral support member, and the lower clamps are attached to a lower lateral support member. This assembly may be supported by A-shaped support members having adjustable tilt arms, or posts with specially configured brackets.
US09601642B1 CZTSe-based thin film and method for preparing the same, and solar cell using the same
The present invention relates to a CZTSe-based composite thin film, a method for preparing the CZTSe-based composite thin film, a solar cell using the CZTSe-based composite thin film, and a method for preparing the solar cell using the CZTSe-based composite thin film.
US09601629B2 Faceted finFET
Among other things, a semiconductor device comprising one or more faceted surfaces and techniques for forming the semiconductor device are provided. A semiconductor device, such as a finFET, comprises a fin formed on a semiconductor substrate. The fin comprises a source region, a channel, and a drain region. A gate is formed around the channel. A top fin portion of the fin is annealed, such as by a hydrogen annealing process, to create one or more faceted surfaces. For example the top fin portion comprises a first faceted surface formed adjacent to a second faceted surface at an angle greater than 90 degrees relative to the second faceted surface, which results in a reduced sharpness of a corner between the first faceted surface and the second faceted surface. In this way, an electrical field near the corner is substantially uniform to electrical fields induced elsewhere within the fin.
US09601613B2 Gate pullback at ends of high-voltage vertical transistor structure
In one embodiment, a transistor includes a pillar of semiconductor material arranged in a racetrack-shaped layout having a substantially linear section that extends in a first lateral direction and rounded sections at each end of the substantially linear section. First and second dielectric regions are disposed on opposite sides of the pillar. First and second field plates are respectively disposed in the first and second dielectric regions. First and second gate members respectively disposed in the first and second dielectric regions are separated from the pillar by a gate oxide having a first thickness in the substantially linear section. The gate oxide being substantially thicker at the rounded sections. It is emphasized that this abstract is provided to comply with the rules requiring an abstract that will allow a searcher or other reader to quickly ascertain the subject matter of the technical disclosure.
US09601610B1 Vertical super junction III/nitride HEMT with vertically formed two dimensional electron gas
A HEMT device comprising a M-plane III-Nitride material substrate, a p-doped epitaxial layer of III-Nitride material grown on said substrate; a recess etched in said p-doped epitaxial layer, the recess having a plane wall parallel to a polar plane of the III-Nitride material; a carrier carrying layer formed on said plane wall of the recess; a carrier supply layer formed on said at least one carrier carrying layer, such that a 2DEG region is formed in the carrier carrying layer at the interface with the carrier supply layer along said plane wall of the recess; a doped source region formed at the surface of said p-doped epitaxial layer such that the doped source region is separated from said 2DEG region by a channel region; a gate insulating layer formed on the channel region; and a gate contact layer formed on the gate insulating layer.
US09601609B2 Semiconductor device
Characteristics of a semiconductor device are improved.A semiconductor device includes a potential fixing layer, a channel underlayer, a channel layer, and a barrier layer formed above a substrate, a trench that penetrates the barrier layer and reaches as far as a middle of the channel layer, a gate electrode disposed by way of an insulation film in the trench, and a source electrode and a drain electrode formed respectively over the barrier layer on both sides of the gate electrode. A coupling portion inside the through hole that reaches as far as the potential fixing layer electrically couples the potential fixing layer and the source electrode. This can reduce fluctuation of the characteristics such as a threshold voltage and an on-resistance.
US09601607B2 Dual mode transistor
A method includes biasing a first gate voltage to enable unipolar current to flow from a first region of a transistor to a second region of the transistor according to a field-effect transistor (FET)-type operation. The method also includes biasing a body terminal to enable bipolar current to flow from the first region to the second region according to a bipolar junction transistor (BJT)-type operation. The unipolar current flows concurrently with the bipolar current to provide dual mode digital and analog device in complementary metal oxide semiconductor (CMOS) technology.
US09601605B2 Bipolar junction transistor with improved avalanche capability
A bipolar junction transistor (BJT), which includes a collector layer, a base layer on the collector layer, an emitter layer on the base layer, and a recess region embedded in the collector layer, is disclosed. A base-collector plane is between the base layer and the collector layer. The recess region is may be below the base-collector plane. Further, the recess region and the base layer are a first type of semiconductor material. By embedding the recess region in the collector layer, the recess region and the collector layer form a first P-N junction, which may provide a point of avalanche for the BJT. Further, the collector layer and the base layer form a second P-N junction. By separating the point of avalanche from the second P-N junction, the BJT may avalanche robustly, thereby reducing the likelihood of avalanche induced failures, particularly in silicon carbide (SiC) BJTs.
US09601604B2 Current switching transistor
An electronic device and a method of fabricating an electronic device are disclosed. The device includes a body of semiconductor material, and a conductive material defining at least three conducting contacts to form respective terminals. The semiconductor material and the conducting contacts overlap at least partially to define the device, so that the electrical characteristics of the device between any pair of terminals correspond to those of a varistor. The body of semiconductor material may be a layer deposited by printing or coating. The varistor characteristics between each pair of terminals enable switching of an electrical current between one terminal and any two other terminals in such a manner that when there is a positive current into a first terminal, there is a negligible current through a second terminal at which a positive potential is applied and a positive current out of a third terminal which is held at a negative potential with respect to the second terminal. When there is a negative current outwards of the first terminal, there is a positive current into the second terminal and a negligible current through the third terminal.
US09601598B2 Method of manufacturing a fin-like field effect transistor (FinFET) device
A FinFET device and method for fabricating a FinFET device is disclosed. An exemplary FinFET device includes a semiconductor substrate; a fin structure disposed over the semiconductor substrate; and a gate structure disposed over a portion of the fin structure. The gate structure traverses the fin structure and separates a source region and a drain region of the fin structure, the source and drain region defining a channel therebetween. The source and drain region of the fin structure include a strained source and drain feature. The strained source feature and the strained drain feature each include: a first portion having a first width and a first depth; and a second portion disposed below the first portion, the second portion having a second width and a second depth. The first width is greater than the second width, and the first depth is less than the second depth.
US09601591B2 Method for manufacturing semiconductor device
To provide a transistor in which a channel is formed in an oxide semiconductor and which has stable electrical characteristics. To suppress shift in threshold voltage of a transistor in which a channel is formed in an oxide semiconductor. To provide a normally-off switching element having a positive threshold voltage as an n-channel transistor in which a channel is formed in an oxide semiconductor. A base insulating layer is formed over a substrate, an oxide semiconductor layer is formed over the base insulating layer, a first gate insulating layer is formed over the oxide semiconductor layer, a second gate insulating layer is formed over the first gate insulating layer by a sputtering method or an atomic layer deposition method at a substrate temperature of higher than or equal to 100° C., and a gate electrode layer is formed over the second gate insulating layer.
US09601586B1 Methods of forming semiconductor devices, including forming a metal layer on source/drain regions
Methods of forming a semiconductor device are provided. A method of forming a semiconductor device includes forming a metal layer on source/drain regions of respective semiconductor structures, after replacing a dummy gate structure of the semiconductor device with a metal gate structure. The method includes forming a contact structure that overlaps the metal layer on one or more, but not all, of the semiconductor structures. Moreover, an insulating material is between the source/drain regions.
US09601583B2 Hetero-integration of III-N material on silicon
A hetero-integrated device includes a monocrystalline Si substrate and a trench formed in the substrate to expose a crystal surface at a bottom of the trench. Sidewall dielectric spacers are formed on sidewalls of the trench, and a III-V material layer is formed on the crystal surface at the bottom of the trench and is isolated from the sidewalls of the trench by the sidewall dielectric spacers.
US09601578B2 Non-planar vertical dual source drift metal-oxide semiconductor (VDSMOS)
A non-planar lateral drift MOS device eliminates the need for a field plate extension, which reduces gate width. In one example, two sources and two comparatively small gates in a raised structure allow for two channels and a dual current with mirrored flows, each traveling into and downward through a center region of a connecting well that connects the substrate with the drain areas and shallow wells containing the source areas, the current then traveling in opposite directions within the substrate region of the connecting well toward the two drains. The source and drain areas may be separate raised structures or isolated areas of a continuous raised structure.
US09601571B2 Nanowire fabrication method and structure thereof
A method of providing an out-of-plane semiconductor structure and a structure fabricated thereby is disclosed. The method comprises acts of: providing a substrate defining a major surface; providing a template layer having a predetermined template thickness on the major surface of the substrate; forming a recess in the template layer having a recess pattern and a recess depth smaller than the template thickness; and epitaxially growing a semiconductor structure from the recess. A planar shape of the recess pattern formed in the template layer substantially dictates an extending direction of the semiconductor structure.
US09601568B2 Semiconductor device including STI structure
Semiconductor devices including STI structures and their fabrication methods are provided. A mask layer is provided on a semiconductor substrate and patterned to form an opening in the mask layer to expose a surface portion of the semiconductor substrate. A trench is then formed in the semiconductor substrate by etching along the opening. A first dielectric layer is formed in the trench and has a top surface lower than a top surface of the semiconductor substrate to provide an uncovered sidewall surface of the trench in the semiconductor substrate. An epitaxial layer is formed on the uncovered sidewall surface of the trench in the semiconductor substrate. The epitaxial layer includes a spacing to expose a surface portion of the first dielectric layer. A second dielectric layer is formed on the exposed surface portion of the first dielectric layer to fill the spacing formed in the epitaxial layer.
US09601554B2 Transparent display device and method of manufacturing the same
A transparent display device includes a first substrate including a pixel region and a light amount controlling region. An organic light emitting display is positioned in the pixel region and includes an anode electrode, a pixel defined layer, an organic light emitting layer positioned on the anode electrode and in an opening part of the pixel defined layer, and a cathode electrode positioned on the organic light emitting layer. A liquid crystal display is positioned in the light amount controlling region and includes a pixel electrode, a roof layer facing the pixel electrode, and a liquid crystal layer having a plurality of microcavities between the pixel electrode and the roof layer. The microcavities include liquid crystal molecules. A second substrate seals the organic light emitting display and the liquid crystal display.
US09601543B2 Optoelectronic device comprising light-emitting diodes with improved light extraction
An optoelectronic device including a semiconductor substrate having a face, light-emitting diodes arranged on the face and including wired conical or frustoconical semiconductor elements, and an at least partially transparent dielectric layer covering the light-emitting diodes, the refractive index of the dielectric layer being between 1.6 et 1.8.
US09601538B2 Image sensors with photoelectric films
An image sensor with an organic photoelectric film for converting light into charge may be provided. The image sensor may include an array of image sensor pixels. Each image sensor pixel may include a charge-integrating pinned diode that collects photo-generated charge from the photoelectric film during an integration period. An anode electrode may be coupled to an n+ doped charge injection region in the charge-integrating pinned diode and may be used to convey the photo-generated charge from the photoelectric film to the charge-integrating pinned diode. Upon completion of a charge integration cycle, a first transfer transistor gate may be pulsed to move the charge from the charge-integrating pinned diode to a charge-storage pinned diode. The charge may be transferred from the charge-storage pinned diode to a floating diffusion node for readout by pulsing a gate of a second charge transfer transistor.
US09601535B2 Semiconducator image sensor having color filters formed over a high-K dielectric grid
The present disclosure provides an image sensor device and a method for manufacturing the image sensor device. An exemplary image sensor device includes a substrate having a front surface and a back surface, a plurality of sensor elements disposed at the front surface of the substrate. Each of the plurality of sensor elements is operable to sense radiation projected towards the back surface of the substrate. The image sensor also includes a high-k dielectric grid disposed over the back surface of the substrate. The high-k dielectric grid has a high-k dielectric trench and sidewalls. The image sensor also includes a color filter and a microlens disposed over the high-k dielectric grid.
US09601531B2 Wafer-level packaging structure for image sensors with packaging cover dike structures corresponding to scribe line regions
A wafer level packaging structure for image sensors and a wafer level packaging method for image sensors are provided. The wafer level packaging structure includes: a wafer to be packaged including multiple chip regions and scribe line regions between the chip regions; pads and image sensing regions located on a first surface of the wafer and located in the chip regions; first dike structures covering surfaces of the pads and the scribe line regions; a packaging cover arranged facing the first surface of the wafer; and second dike structures located on a surface of the packaging cover. The second dike structures are arranged corresponding to the scribe line regions. The packaging cover and the wafer are jointed fixedly via the second dike structures and the first dike structures.
US09601528B2 Manufacturing method of array substrate
The present invention provides a manufacturing method of an array substrate, comprising steps of: forming a gate and a gate line on a substrate; forming a gate insulating layer on the gate and the gate line; forming a pixel electrode on the gate insulating layer; and forming a first connecting via in a portion of the gate insulating layer in a non-display region and corresponding to the gate line, wherein the first connecting via is configured to connect a scanning signal trace to the gate line.
US09601520B2 Thin film transistor array panel and display device including the same
Exemplary embodiments of the present invention relate to a panel and a display device including the same, the panel including a substrate, a signal line arranged on the substrate, the signal line configured to transmit a driving signal, an insulating layer arranged on the signal line, and a pixel electrode and a contact assistant arranged on the insulating layer. The contact assistant is electrically connected to a portion of the signal line, the contact assistant includes indium zinc oxide doped with a metal oxide not including indium or zinc, and the metal oxide has a smaller Gibbs free energy than zinc oxide.
US09601518B2 Thin film transistor display panel and method for manufacturing the same
A thin film transistor display panel including: a first insulating substrate; a first semiconductor disposed between the first insulating substrate and a first gate insulating layer; a gate electrode disposed on the first gate insulating layer, the gate electrode overlapping the first semiconductor; a second gate insulating layer disposed on the gate electrode; a second semiconductor disposed on the second gate insulating layer, the second semiconductor overlapping the gate electrode; an interlayer insulating layer disposed on the second semiconductor; and a source electrode and a drain electrode disposed on the interlayer insulating layer spaced apart from each other, the source electrode and the drain electrode connected to the first semiconductor and the second semiconductor.
US09601500B2 Array of non-volatile memory cells with ROM cells
A memory device that includes a plurality of ROM cells each having spaced apart source and drain regions formed in a substrate with a channel region therebetween, a first gate disposed over and insulated from a first portion of the channel region, a second gate disposed over and insulated from a second portion of the channel region, and a conductive line extending over the plurality of ROM cells. The conductive line is electrically coupled to the drain regions of a first subgroup of the ROM cells, and is not electrically coupled to the drain regions of a second subgroup of the ROM cells. Alternately, a first subgroup of the ROM cells each includes a higher voltage threshold implant region in the channel region, whereas a second subgroup of the ROM cells each lack any higher voltage threshold implant region in the channel region.
US09601499B2 One-time programmable memory cell capable of reducing leakage current and preventing slow bit response, and method for programming a memory array comprising the same
A one time programmable (OTP) memory cell includes a select gate transistor, a following gate transistor, and an antifuse varactor. The select gate transistor has a first gate terminal, a first drain terminal and a first source terminal. The following gate transistor has a second gate terminal, a second drain terminal and a second source terminal coupled to the first drain terminal. The antifuse varactor has a third gate terminal, a third drain terminal, and a third source terminal coupled to the second drain terminal. The select gate transistor, the following gate transistor, and the antifuse varactor are formed on a substrate structure.
US09601498B2 Two-terminal nanotube devices and systems and methods of making same
A two terminal memory device includes first and second conductive terminals and a nanotube article. The article has at least one nanotube, and overlaps at least a portion of each of the first and second terminals. The device also includes stimulus circuitry in electrical communication with at least one of the first and second terminals. The circuit is capable of applying first and second electrical stimuli to at least one of the first and second terminal(s) to change the relative resistance of the device between the first and second terminals between a relatively high resistance and a relatively low resistance. The relatively high resistance between the first and second terminals corresponds to a first state of the device, and the relatively low resistance between the first and second terminals corresponds to a second state of the device.
US09601489B2 Dummy metal gate structures to reduce dishing during chemical-mechanical polishing
The described embodiments of mechanisms for placing dummy gate structures next to and/or near a number of wide gate structures reduce dishing effect for gate structures during chemical-mechanical polishing of gate layers. The arrangements of dummy gate structures and the ranges of metal pattern density have been described. Wide gate structures, such as analog devices, can greatly benefit from the reduction of dishing effect.
US09601484B2 Magnetic multilayer structure
A mechanism is provided for an integrated laminated magnetic device. A substrate and a multilayer stack structure form the device. The multilayer stack structure includes alternating magnetic layers and diode structures formed on the substrate. Each magnetic layer in the multilayer stack structure is separated from another magnetic layer in the multilayer stack structure by a diode structure.
US09601469B2 Package-on-package modules, electronic systems including the same, and memory cards including the same
Package-on-package (PoP) modules are provided. The PoP module includes a lower package and an upper package disposed over the lower package. The lower package includes a lower substrate and a lower chip disposed over a top surface of the lower substrate. The upper package includes an upper substrate, a plurality of upper chips disposed over a top surface of the upper substrate, and an upper molding member disposed over the plurality of upper chips. The upper molding member is divided into at least two parts which are separated from each other by a trench. Related memory cards and related electronic systems are also provided.
US09601467B1 Microelectronic package with horizontal and vertical interconnections
In a microelectronic package, a first wire bond wire is coupled to an upper surface of a substrate. A first bond mass is coupled to another end of the first wire bond wire. A second wire bond wire is coupled to the upper surface. A second bond mass is coupled to another end of the second wire bond wire. The first and second wire bond wires laterally jut out horizontally away from the upper surface of the substrate for at least a distance of approximately 2 to 3 times a diameter of both the first wire bond wire and the second wire bond wire. The first wire bond wire and the second wire bond wire are horizontal for the distance with respect to being co-planar with the upper surface within +/−10 degrees.
US09601463B2 Fan-out stacked system in package (SIP) and the methods of making the same
An embodiment package includes a first fan-out tier having a first device die, a molding compound extending along sidewalls of the first device die, and a through intervia (TIV) extending through the molding compound. One or more first fan-out redistribution layers (RDLs) are disposed over the first fan-out tier and bonded to the first device die. A second fan-out tier having a second device die is disposed over the one or more first fan-out RDLs. The one or more first fan-out RDLs electrically connects the first and second device dies. The TIV electrically connects the one or more first fan-out RDLs to one or more second fan-out RDLs. The package further includes a plurality of external connectors at least partially disposed in the one or more second fan-out RDLs. The plurality of external connectors are further disposed on conductive features in the one or more second fan-out RDLs.
US09601457B2 Method for making an electrical connection in a blind via and electrical connection obtained
Method comprising steps as follows: a) depositing a meltable ball on a first conducting zone located in a blind hole formed on a first face of a first support, b) assembling the first support with a second support by transfer of the meltable ball on a second conducting zone, the transfer also being made by thermo-compression so as to compress the ball, the compressed ball being held at a distance from the side walls of the blind hole.
US09601456B2 System-in-package module and manufacture method for a system-in-package module
A system-in-package module includes a non-memory chip, a bundled memory, and an encapsulation package material. The non-memory chip has a plurality of pads. The bundled memory includes a first memory die and a second memory die side-by-side formed over a substrate, wherein the first memory die includes a first group of pads and the second memory die includes a second group of pads. The encapsulation package material encloses the non-memory chip and the bundled memory, and the non-memory chip is electronically coupling with the bundled memory through the plurality of pads, the first and the second group of pads. The first group of pads corresponds to the second group of pads by rotating a predetermined degree or by mirror mapping.
US09601452B2 High-conductivity bonding of metal nanowire arrays
A thermally-conductive and mechanically-robust bonding method for attaching a metal nanowire (MNW) array to an adjacent surface includes the steps of: removing a template membrane from the MNW; infiltrating the MNW with a bonding material; placing the bonding material on the adjacent surface; bringing an adjacent surface into contact with a top surface of the MNW while the bonding material is bondable; and allowing the bonding material to cool and form a solid bond between the MNW and the adjacent surface. A thermally-conductive and mechanically-robust bonding method for attaching a metal nanowire (MNW) array to an adjacent surface includes the steps of: choosing a bonding material based on a desired bonding process; and without removing the MNW from a template membrane that fills an interstitial volume of the MNW, depositing the bonding material onto a tip of the MNW.
US09601449B2 Thin layer deposition apparatus utilizing a mask unit in the manufacture of a display device
A mask unit for depositing a thin layer in a display device. The mask unit includes: a bead mask support which includes a plate; and a bead mask which is placed on the bead mask support.
US09601434B2 Semiconductor device and method of forming openings through insulating layer over encapsulant for enhanced adhesion of interconnect structure
A semiconductor device has a semiconductor die mounted to a carrier. An encapsulant is deposited over the semiconductor die and carrier. The carrier is removed. A first insulating layer is formed over a portion of the encapsulant within an interconnect site outside a footprint of the semiconductor die. An opening is formed through the first insulating layer within the interconnect site to expose the encapsulant. The opening can be ring-shaped or vias around the interconnect site and within a central region of the interconnect site to expose the encapsulant. A first conductive layer is formed over the first insulating layer to follow a contour of the first insulating layer. A second conductive layer is formed over the first conductive layer and exposed encapsulant. A second insulating layer is formed over the second conductive layer. A bump is formed over the second conductive layer in the interconnect site.
US09601429B2 Semiconductor device, electronic component, and electronic device including memory cell comprising first transistor, second transistor and capacitor
A highly reliable semiconductor device. In a configuration where a precharged source line is discharged to a bit line by establishing electrical continuity between the source line and the bit line through a transistor to read a potential retained at a gate of the transistor, the potential of the bit line is switched in accordance with a change in potential of the source line due to the discharge. With this configuration, the voltage between the source and drain of the transistor can be kept lower than a predetermined voltage by discharge. Accordingly, the source-drain voltage of the transistor can be kept lower than its breakdown voltage, so that the semiconductor device can have high reliability.
US09601420B2 Semiconductor device and method of manufacturing the same
A semiconductor device includes a stack structure of a conductive line and an insulating capping line extending in a first direction on a substrate, a plurality of contact plugs arranged in a row along the first direction and having sidewall surfaces facing the conductive line with air spaces between the sidewall surfaces and the conductive line, and a support interposed between the insulating capping line and the contact plugs to limit the height of the air spaces. The width of the support varies or the support is present only intermittently in the first direction. In a method of manufacturing the semiconductor devices, a sacrificial spacer is formed on the side of the stack structure, the spacer is recessed, a support layer is formed in the recess, the support layer is etched to form the support, and then the remainder of the spacer is removed to provide the air spaces.
US09601417B2 “L” shaped lead integrated circuit package
Various aspects provide for bending a bending a lead frame of a semiconductor device package into a shape of an “L” and mounting the package on a substrate. A horizontal portion of the bent lead-frame is about parallel with a surface of the package. A vertical portion of the bent lead frame is configured to extend the horizontal portion beyond the surface of the package. A device may be mounted between the substrate and the package.
US09601413B2 Cavity package with die attach pad
A cavity package is provided. The package can include a metal leadframe and a substrate attached to an interposer formed as part of the leadframe. The substrate typically has a coefficient of thermal expansion matched to the coefficient of thermal expansion of a semiconductor device to be affixed to the substrate. The semiconductor device is typically attached to an exposed top surface of the substrate. The cavity package also includes a plastic portion molded to the leadframe forming a substrate cavity. The substrate cavity allows access to the exposed top surface of the substrate for affixing the semiconductor device. The cavity package also include a connective element for grounding a lid through an electrical path from the lid to the interposer.
US09601411B2 Semiconductor structure
A semiconductor structure and a method for fabricating the same are provided. The semiconductor structure includes a wafer substrate having a top surface and a bottom surface, and a conductive pillar in the wafer substrate defined by a deep trench insulator through the top surface and the bottom surface of the wafer substrate. The method for fabricating the semiconductor structure includes following steps. A deep trench is formed from a top surface of a wafer substrate to define a conductive region in the wafer substrate. The conductive region is doped with a dopant. The deep trench is filled with an insulation material to form a deep trench insulator. And the wafer substrate is thinned from a bottom surface of the wafer substrate to expose the deep trench insulator and isolate the conductive region to form a conductive pillar.
US09601409B2 Protruding contact for integrated chip
The present disclosure relates to a method of forming a back-end-of-the-line metal contact that eliminates RC opens caused by metal dishing during chemical mechanical polishing. The method is performed by depositing a sacrificial UV/thermal decomposition layer (UTDL) above an inter-level dielectric (ILD) layer. A metal contact is formed that extend through the ILD layer and the sacrificial UTDL. A chemical mechanical polishing (CMP) process is performed to generate a planar surface comprising the sacrificial UTDL. The sacrificial UTDL is then removed through an ultraviolet exposure or a thermal anneal, so that the metal contact protrudes from the ILD layer.
US09601408B2 Semiconductor device
A semiconductor device of the present invention includes a semiconductor element having an upper surface and a lower surface, a metal plate thermally connected to the lower surface, an upper surface electrode soldered to the upper surface, an insulating sheet formed on the upper surface electrode so as to be in surface contact with the upper surface electrode, a shielding plate formed on the insulating sheet so as to be in surface contact with the insulating sheet, the shielding plate shielding against radiation noise, and a resin with which the semiconductor element is covered, while a portion of the upper surface electrode, a portion of the shielding plate and a lower surface of the metal plate are exposed to the outside, wherein the heat conductivity of the insulating sheet is higher than the heat conductivity of the resin.
US09601406B2 Copper nanorod-based thermal interface material (TIM)
A copper nanorod thermal interface material (TIM) is described. The copper nanorod TIM includes a plurality of copper nanorods having a first end thermally coupled with a first surface, and a second end extending toward a second surface. A plurality of copper nanorod branches are formed on the second end. The copper nanorod branches are metallurgically bonded to a second surface. The first surface may be the back side of a die. The second surface may be a heat spread or a second die. The TIM may include a matrix material surrounding the copper nanorods. In an embodiment, the copper nanorods are formed in clusters.
US09601405B2 Semiconductor package with an enhanced thermal pad
A semiconductor package having a substrate, a thermal pad, and a semiconductor die is disclosed. The thermal pad may have a heat conductive body extending through the substrate. The semiconductor die may be disposed on the thermal pad and in thermal communication with the thermal pad. The thermal pad of the semiconductor package may also have an interlock structure. The interlock structure may provide a mechanical interlock between the thermal pad and the substrate. In addition, a wireless communication device is also disclosed.
US09601401B2 Solventless one liquid type cyanate ester-epoxy composite resin composition
The present invention is a solventless one liquid type cyanate ester-epoxy resin composition having high thermal resistance as well as excellent storage stability and curing properties, which contains (A) cyanate ester, (B) epoxy resin, (C) guanidine compounds and (D) at least one kind of phenol compounds selected from a group consisting of phenol compounds represented by the following general formulae. In the general formulae, 1 is an integer selected from 0 to 4, R1 represents an unsubstituted or fluorine-substituted monovalent hydrocarbon group.General formula:
US09601395B2 Methods for post-epitaxial warp prediction and control
In one aspect, a method of predicting warp in a plurality of wafers after an epitaxial layer deposition process is provided. The method includes receiving, by a processor, a measured resistivity of a first wafer of the plurality of wafers, receiving, by the processor, a measured shape of the first wafer after at least one of a grinding process and an etching process, and calculating, using the processor, a change in wafer shape during the epitaxial layer deposition process. The method further includes superposing, using the processor, the calculated shape change onto the measured shape of the first wafer to determine a post-epitaxial wafer shape and calculating, using the processor, a post-epitaxial warp value based on the determined post-epitaxial wafer shape.
US09601393B2 Selecting one or more parameters for inspection of a wafer
Computer-implemented methods, computer-readable media, and systems for selecting one or more parameters for inspection of a wafer are provided.
US09601390B2 Silicon germanium fin formation via condensation
A method of forming a finFET device comprises forming a fin in a silicon layer of a substrate, forming a hardmask layer on a top surface of the fin, forming an insulating layer over the fin and the hardmask layer, removing a portion of the insulating layer to expose a portion of the hardmask layer, removing the exposed portion of the hardmask layer to form a cavity that exposes a portion of the silicon layer of the fin, epitaxially growing a silicon germanium (SiGe) material on exposed portions of the silicon layer of the fin in the cavity, and annealing the grown SiGe to drive germanium atoms into the silicon layer of the fin.
US09601381B2 Method for the formation of a finFET device with epitaxially grown source-drain regions having a reduced leakage path
Elongated fins of a first semiconductor material are insulated from and formed over an underlying substrate layer. Elongated gates of a second semiconductor material are then formed to cross over the elongated fins at channel regions, and the gate side walls are covered by sidewall spacers. A protective material is provided to cover the underlying substrate layer and define sidewall spacers on side walls of the elongated fins between the elongated gates. The first semiconductor material and insulating material of the elongated fins located between the protective material sidewall spacers (but not under the elongated gates) is removed to form trenches aligned with the channel regions. Additional semiconductor material is then epitaxially grown inside each trench between the elongated gates to form source-drain regions adjacent the channel regions formed by the elongated fins of the first semiconductor material located under the elongated gates.
US09601380B2 Fin end spacer for preventing merger of raised active regions
After formation of gate structures over semiconductor fins and prior to formation of raised active regions, a directional ion beam is employed to form a dielectric material portion on end walls of semiconductor fins that are perpendicular to the lengthwise direction of the semiconductor fins. The angle of the directional ion beam is selected to be with a vertical plane including the lengthwise direction of the semiconductor fins, thereby avoiding formation of the dielectric material portion on lengthwise sidewalls of the semiconductor fins. Selective epitaxy of semiconductor material is performed to grow raised active regions from sidewall surfaces of the semiconductor fins. Optionally, horizontal portions of the dielectric material portion may be removed prior to the selective epitaxy process. Further, the dielectric material portion may optionally be removed after the selective epitaxy process.
US09601371B2 Interconnect structure with barrier layer
Low capacitance and high reliability interconnect structures and methods of manufacture are disclosed. The method includes forming a copper based interconnect structure in an opening of a dielectric material. The method further includes forming a capping layer on the copper based interconnect structure. The method further includes oxidizing the capping layer and any residual material formed on a surface of the dielectric material. The method further includes forming a barrier layer on the capping layer by outdiffusing a material from the copper based interconnect structure to a surface of the capping layer. The method further includes removing the residual material, while the barrier layer on the surface of the capping layer protects the capping layer.
US09601361B2 Fixture for conveying a mask plate for the production of thin film transistor liquid crystal display
A fixture for conveying a mask plate comprising: a conveying bracket; and a fixation structure that is arranged on the conveying bracket and configured to fix the mask plate to be conveyed. The fixture has the following advantageous effects: it is able to prevent the hands from being in direct contact with the mask plate, thereby reducing the risk of conveyance damage of the mask plate which improves the operation efficiency.
US09601354B2 Semiconductor manufacturing for forming bond pads and seal rings
An integrated circuit die includes a first bond pad having a bond contact area at a first depth into a plurality of build-up layers over a semiconductor substrate of the integrated circuit die, having sidewalls that surround the bond contact area, the sidewalls extending from the first depth to a top surface of the plurality of build-up layers, and having a top portion that extends over a portion of a top surface of the plurality of build-up layers.
US09601339B2 Methods for depositing fluorine/carbon-free conformal tungsten
Provided are atomic layer deposition methods to deposit a tungsten film or tungsten-containing film using a tungsten-containing reactive gas comprising one or more of tungsten pentachloride, a compound with the empirical formula WCl5 or WCl6.
US09601333B2 Etching process
A method includes providing a semiconductor substrate; forming a doping oxide layer on the semiconductor substrate; forming a patterning layer on the doping oxide layer, the patterning layer leaving exposed regions of the doping oxide layer; performing a sputtering process to the substrate; and after the sputtering process, performing a wet etching process to the semiconductor substrate to remove the doping oxide layer from the exposed regions.
US09601329B2 Method of fabricating crystalline island on substrate
Certain electronic applications, such as OLED display back panels, require small islands of high-quality semiconductor material distributed over a large area. This area can exceed the areas of crystalline semiconductor wafers that can be fabricated using the traditional boule-based techniques. This specification provides a method of fabricating a crystalline island of an island material, the method comprising depositing particles of the island material abutting a substrate, heating the substrate and the particles of the island material to melt and fuse the particles to form a molten globule, and cooling the substrate and the molten globule to crystallize the molten globule, thereby securing the crystalline island of the island material to the substrate. The method can also be used to fabricate arrays of crystalline islands, distributed over a large area, potentially exceeding the areas of crystalline semiconductor wafers that can be fabricated using boule-based techniques.
US09601323B2 Ion transport apparatus and mass spectrometer using the same
Within an intermediate vacuum chamber next to an ionization chamber maintained at atmospheric pressure, an electrode group of a radio-frequency carpet composed of a plurality of concentrically arranged ring electrodes is placed before a skimmer, with its central axis coinciding with that of an ion-passing hole. Each ring electrode has a circular radial sectional shape. Radio-frequency voltages with mutually inverted phases are applied to the ring electrodes neighboring each other in the radial direction. Additionally, a different level of direct-current voltage is applied to each ring electrode to create a potential which is sloped downward from the outer ring electrode to the inner ring electrode. The circular cross section of the electrode produces a steep pseudo-potential near the electrode and thereby increases the repulsive force which acts on the ions to repel them from the electrode.
US09601321B2 Mass spectrometer and method
A measurement state in a mass spectrometer device is determined so that the measurement method for the next round of measurement can be automatically determined. The mass spectrometer device (1) is provided with: a first calculation unit (6) that calculates the total amount of ion in a mass spectrum; a second calculation unit (6) that calculates the half-value width of a representative peak selected from peaks appearing in the mass spectrum; and a control unit (7) that determines the measurement method for use in the next round of measurement on the basis of the total amount of ion and the half-value width of the representative peak.
US09601319B1 Systems and methods for eliminating flourine residue in a substrate processing chamber using a plasma-based process
A method for operating a substrate processing chamber includes after performing a process using a fluorine-based gas in the substrate processing chamber: a) during a first predetermined period, supplying a gas mixture to the substrate processing chamber including one or more gases selected from a group consisting of molecular oxygen, molecular nitrogen, nitric oxide and nitrous oxide and supplying RF power to strike plasma in the substrate processing chamber; b) during a second predetermined period after the first predetermined period, supplying molecular hydrogen gas and RF power to the substrate processing chamber; c) repeating a) and b) one or more times; d) purging the substrate processing chamber with molecular nitrogen gas; e) increasing chamber pressure; f) evacuating the substrate processing chamber; and g) repeating d), e) and f) one or more times.
US09601316B2 Ignition apparatus for arc sources
The present invention relates to an ignition device for igniting a high-current discharge of an electrical arc evaporator in a vacuum coating system. Ignition is performed by means of mechanically closing and opening a contact between the cathode and the anode. Contact is established by means of an ignition finger that can move on a forced path. On account of the forced path, the ignition finger can be moved by means of a simple mechanical drive to a park position, which is protected against coating, and said ignition finger can also be used to ignite a second target.
US09601314B2 Ion implantation apparatus and ion implantation method
An ion implantation method in which an ion beam is scanned in a beam scanning direction and a wafer is mechanically scanned in a direction perpendicular to the beam scanning direction, includes setting a wafer rotation angle with respect to the ion beam so as to be varied, wherein a set angle of the wafer rotation angle is changed in a stepwise manner so as to implant ions into the wafer at each set angle, and wherein a wafer scanning region length is set to be varied, and, at the same time, a beam scanning speed of the ion beam is changed, in ion implantation at each set angle in a plurality of ion implantation operations during one rotation of the wafer, such that the ions are implanted into the wafer and dose amount non-uniformity in a wafer surface in other semiconductor manufacturing processes is corrected.
US09601310B2 Charged particle microscope with barometric pressure correction
A method of mitigating the effects of environmental pressure variation while using a charged particle microscope is described. The charged particle microscope equipped with a barometric pressure sensor and an automatic controller configured to use the signal from the barometric sensor as an input to a control procedure to compensate for a relative positional error between the charged particle beam and the specimen holder.
US09601305B2 Specimen sample holder for workpiece transport apparatus
An electron microscope specimen sample holder including a thin sheet base member with a first surface and an opposing second surface, the first surface defining a seat and support surface for a specimen holding film held by the sample holder, the base member including an aperture through the second surface exposing the holding film held by the sample holder, and including a grip engagement zone defined at least on part of the first surface arranged to engage a gripping device, and wherein at least one of the first or second surface has machine readable structures formed thereon arranged in patterns embodying data that defines at least one predetermined characteristic of the sample holder.
US09601297B2 High voltage compact fuse assembly with magnetic arc deflection
Fuse assemblies in the form of fuse blocks and fuse holders include embedded permanent magnet arc suppression features that facilitate higher voltage operation of fusible circuit protection without increasing the size of the fuse assemblies. The embedded magnets apply an external magnetic field upon an overcurrent protection fuse and produce an arc deflection force to enhance arc quenching capability of the fuse without increasing its form factor.
US09601296B2 Low tripping level circuit breakers, tripping units, and methods
Embodiments provide a circuit breaker having a relatively low instantaneous current level at tripping. The circuit breaker includes a tripping mechanism coupled to a moveable electrical contact, the tripping mechanism including a tripping unit having a magnet, a bimetal member extending alongside of the magnet and having a moveable end, and an armature including an engagement portion being moveable as a result of motion the moveable end to trip the circuit breaker upon exceeding an instantaneous current level, and either the armature or the bimetal member includes a non-magnetic separating piece preventing a magnetic short circuit. System and method aspects are provided, as are other aspects.
US09601295B2 Breaker tripping mechanisms, circuit breakers, systems, and methods of using same
Embodiments provide tripping unit of a circuit breaker. The tripping unit includes a magnet, a bimetal member extending alongside of the magnet, and an armature pivotable on the magnet, wherein the armature having an engagement portion engageable with the bimetal member at a moveable end of the bimetal member. Circuit breakers including triggering mechanisms and tripping units are also disclosed, as are low-profile, electronic circuit breakers including a maximum transverse width (Wt) limited to occupy only a single standard breaker panelboard location. System and methods are provided, as are other aspects.
US09601292B2 Dual stroke mechanically latched mechanism
A switch for an electrical circuit includes a base, a rotatable cam having a first profile and a second profile, a solenoid, a link, and a member comprising a cam follower configured to follow the second profile. A first cycle of the solenoid includes a first energized state and a first de-energized state and the second cycle of the solenoid includes a second energized state and a second de-energized state. A first portion of the link couples to the solenoid, and a second portion of the link movably couples to the first profile of the cam. When the solenoid is in a first cycle, the member moves from a retracted position to an extended position, and when the solenoid is in a second cycle, the member moves from the extended position to the retracted position.
US09601290B2 Switching device with several regions of connection
An electromagnetic switching device, with several distinct regions (10, 20, 30, 40), where each region separates and places the terminals and the connection means in an improved form which make easy the identification of the terminals for the user when the contactor is fixed inside the panel; where the first region (10), have function of fixing the contactor on the panel and also houses the electromagnet; a second region (20) comprising the power terminals (21); a third region (30) that houses the auxiliary terminals (31, 32) and the command terminals (33); a fourth region (40)>> that is used for the connection of accessories; the third region presents a clear distinction between auxiliary terminals (31, 32) and command terminals (33), given by the asymmetry created viewed from the top; combined with a proposed uneven disposition X1 and X2 of the command terminals (31, 32) and auxiliary terminals (33) viewed from the front in the same third region.
US09601283B2 Efficient IGBT switching
Embodiments of the invention provide IGBT circuit modules with increased efficiencies. These efficiencies can be realized in a number of ways. In some embodiments, the gate resistance and/or voltage can be minimized. In some embodiments, the IGBT circuit module can be switched using an isolated receiver such as a fiber optic receiver. In some embodiments, a single driver can drive a single IGBT. And in some embodiments, a current bypass circuit can be included. Various other embodiments of the invention are disclosed.
US09601281B2 Multiphase circuit breaker system having a short-circuit link
The circuit breaker system contains a plurality of phase conductors, a circuit breaker having a plurality of breaker poles, and a short-circuit link having a star point and a plurality of link conductors combined at the star point. Each of the phase conductors is electrically conductively connected to in each case one of the breaker poles and each link conductor is electrically conductively connected to in each case one of the phase conductors in each case one of several first disconnectors to which short-circuit current can be applied. In order to avoid expenditure on assembly and downtimes of the circuit breaker system when carrying out simulation experiments with the aid of the short-circuit link, the circuit breaker system contains a second disconnector which, when closed, electrically conductively connects the star point to ground and which is opened when a short-circuit current is applied to the short-circuit current link.
US09601278B2 Super-capacitor with separator and method of producing the same
A method of producing a super-capacitor provides a first substrate having a first base, forms a first electrode on the first substrate, and forms a separator so that the electrode is between the first base and the first separator. The method also micromachines holes through the separator, forms a chamber, and adds electrolyte, having ions, to the chamber. The electrolyte is in contact with the first electrode within the chamber. In addition, the holes are sized to permit transmission of the ions of the electrolyte through the holes.
US09601274B2 Capacitor module with temperature sensor
In a capacitor module, a capacitor, a seal member that seals the capacitor, an electronic element electrically connected to the capacitor, a temperature sensor that measures a temperature around the capacitor, and a wire member electrically connected to the temperature sensor are provided. A holder holds at least the electronic element, the temperature sensor, and the wire member. The holder is fixed to the seal member while the temperature sensor is located between the electronic element and at least part of the capacitor via the seal member.
US09601269B2 Resonant coil, wireless power transmitter using the same, wireless power receiver using the same
Disclosed is a coil for wirelessly transmitting or receiving power. The coil includes a coil unit formed by winding a plurality of wires insulated from each other; and a capacitor connected to the coil unit. The wires of the coil unit are shorted at a predetermined interval.
US09601251B2 Correction of angle errors in permanent magnets
At least two partial magnets mechanically connected to each other. The length of each partial magnet runs in the main magnetisation direction of each partial magnet and/or in the main direction in which a partial magnet can be magnetised or in which its magnetisation is intended, and defines a first side and a second side as opposed regions at the ends of the partial magnet in respect of its length The at least two partial magnets are arranged in sequence in respect of their lengths and connected to each other. Deviations in the direction of the magnetisation and/or magnetisability of the first partial magnet deviating from the main magnetisation direction and/or main direction of magnetisability reduce and/or substantially compensate for the deviations in the direction of the magnetisation and/or magnetisability of the other or of the adjacent partial magnet deviating from the main magnetisation direction and/or main direction of magnetisability.
US09601250B2 Magnetic chuck and method for producing a magnetic chuck
The invention is directed to a magnetic chuck and a method for producing a magnetic chuck. The magnetic chuck comprises an upper base made of a single piece of magnetic-conductive material and having a top surface, sidewalls extending orthogonally from the top surface, a cavity formed within the upper base with an open end opposite to the top surface and an opposite closed end directed toward the top surface. A plurality of cores extends orthogonally from the top surface and into the cavity, wherein a plurality of permanent magnets is arranged in the cavity. A reversible magnet is arranged between each of the cores and a lower base; and an excitation coil is arranged around the circumference of each reversible magnet. A portion of the cavity between the permanent magnets and the closed end of the cavity is filled with non-magnetic-conductive material.
US09601249B2 Soft magnetic metal powder-compact magnetic core and reactor
The objective is to provide a soft magnetic metal powder-compact magnetic core and a reactor with an excellent DC superposition characteristic. The soft magnetic metal powder-compact magnetic core contains a soft magnetic metal powder, boron nitride and a silicon compound, when its section is ground and then observed, the ratio of the area occupied by the soft magnetic metal powder to that of the section of the soft magnetic metal powder-compact magnetic core is 90% or more and 95% or less, and a roundness of the section of 80% or more of the particles constituting the soft magnetic metal powder is 0.75 or more and 1.0 or less, and boron nitride exists in 70% or more of the voids-among-multiple-particles among the voids-among-multiple-particles in the section of the soft magnetic metal powder-compact magnetic core. Thus, the soft magnetic metal powder-compact magnetic core with an excellent DC superposition characteristic can be obtained.
US09601244B2 Zinc oxide based varistor and fabrication method
A varistor may include a varistor ceramic that includes zinc oxide having a molar percent greater than 90 percent and a set of metal oxides, where the set of metal oxides includes Bi2O3 having a molar fraction between 0.2 and 2.5 percent; Co3O4 having a molar fraction between 0.2 and 1.2 percent; Mn3O4 having a molar fraction between 0.05 and 0.5 percent; Cr2O3 having a molar fraction between 0.05 and 0.5 percent; NiO having a molar fraction between 0.5 and 1.5 percent; Sb2O3 oxide having a molar fraction between 0.05 and 1.5 percent; B2O3 having a molar fraction between 0.001 to 0.03 percent; and aluminum in the form of an oxide having a molar fraction between 0.001 and 0.05 percent.
US09601240B2 High-voltage insulator
A high-voltage insulator has at least two separate insulators that can be joined to create a post and that each have an essentially rotation-symmetrical support tube made of glass-fiber-reinforced epoxy resin and having an empty internal space, respective top and bottom metallic flanges that surround top and bottom ends of the respective support tube and close the respective tube's empty internal space with an air-tight seal relative to the outer atmosphere, and a shielding of silicone that fits around each support tube. A tubular coupling piece connects the at least two insulators in such a way that the respective empty internal spaces of the at least two insulators form a common gas space and pressure between the spaces is equalized through the coupling piece.
US09601235B2 Hybrid cable with flat power conductors
A cable reduces loop inductance by changing the cross-sectional shape of the conductive elements of power supply and return conductors to something other than the traditional circular cross sectional shape, e.g., to a thin generally rectangular shape. The power supply and return conductors are also controlled in placement along the length of the cable, so that mutual inductance is maximized within a given power supply circuit, and minimized between the given power supply circuit and other power supply circuits within the cable. The return power supply conductor may optionally be sized for multiple power supply circuits, which may further reduce loop inductance and reduce crosstalk noise between different power supply circuits within a common cable. The power supply and return conductors may be part of a hybrid cable used to power and communicate with plural remote radio units proximate a top of a tower.
US09601230B2 Oleic and medium chain length triglyceride based, low viscosity, high flash point dielectric fluids
A dielectric fluid comprising in weight percent based on the weight of the composition: A. 30 to 70% C18:1 fatty acids; B. 10 to 55% of a mixture of C8 and C10 fatty acids in which the mixture comprises 50 to 70 wt %, based on the weight of the mixture, of C8 fatty acids; C. No more than 13% polyunsaturated fatty acids; and D. No more than 7% of saturated fatty acids of which each contains at least 12 carbon atoms.
US09601227B2 Microbial nanowires and methods of making and using
Electrically conductive nanowires, and genetically or chemically modified production and use of such nanowires with altered conductive, adhesive, coupling or other properties are described. The disclosed nanowires are used as device or device components or may be adapted for soluble metal remediation.
US09601218B2 Memory device and computing system including the same
A memory system includes a read-only memory (ROM), a main memory and a processor. The ROM stores a basic input/output system (BIOS). The main memory includes a fail address table which stores at least one fail address designating a memory cell row having at least one defective cell. The processor receives fail information of the at least one fail address from the main memory and loads data associated with a booting operation of the memory system in a safe area of the main memory by avoiding a fail area corresponding to the at least one fail address during power-on operation while a power is applied to the memory system. The data associated with the booting operation is stored in a storage device.
US09601214B2 Method and system for improving the radiation tolerance of floating gate memories
A method of improving radiation tolerance of floating gate memories is provided herein. Floating gate memories can include a floating gate transistor or a block of floating gate transistors. A floating gate transistor can include a semiconductor region, a source region, a drain region, a floating gate region, a tunnel oxide region, an oxide-nitride-oxide region, and a control gate region. A floating gate transistor or block of floating gate transistors can be written to multiple times in order to accumulate charge on one or more floating gate regions in accordance with an embodiment of the invention. When exposed to radiation, a floating gate region can retain its charge above a certain voltage threshold. A block of floating gate transistors can communicate with an external device where the external device can read a state of the block of floating gate transistors in accordance with an embodiment of the invention.
US09601200B2 TCAM structures with reduced power supply noise
A ternary content addressable memory (TCAM) structure may activate individual groups of subarrays in the TCAM structure, during a non-search mode, at configurable intervals of time. The activating causes the TCAM structure to select locations and sequences in which subarrays of the TCAM structure are activated or deactivated. When activating, the TCAM structure is configured to perform a dummy search within the particular subarray. The activating reduces a change in current during transition between a search mode and the non-search mode.
US09601197B2 Memory system and control method
According to one embodiment, there is provided a memory system including a volatile memory and a controller. The volatile memory has 1st to Kth memory banks (K is a natural number equal to or larger than 2) that are kept in a power-on state and (K+1)th to Nthmemory banks (N is a natural number larger than K) whose power state is changed. The power state is the power-on state or a power-down state. The controller performs wake-up operation for the (K+1)th to Nth memory banks in parallel with access operation to the 1st to Kth memory banks. The wake-up operation changes the power state from the power-down state to the power-on state.
US09601195B2 Voltage control for crosspoint memory structures
The present disclosure provides a memory cell that includes a resistive memory element disposed between a first conductor and a second conductor, the first conductor and the second conductor configured to activate the resistive memory element. The memory cell also includes a diode disposed in parallel with the memory element between the first conductor and the second conductor.
US09601191B2 Exploiting phase-change memory write asymmetries to accelerate write
To improve the write performance of PCM, the disclosed technology, in certain embodiments, provides a new write scheme, referred to herein as two-stage-write, which leverages the speed and power asymmetries of writing a zero bit and a one bit. Writing a data block to PCM is divided into two separated stages, i.e., write-0 stage and write-1 stage. Without violating power constraints, during the write-0 stage, all zero bits in this data block are written to PCM at an accelerated speed; during the write-1 stage, all one bits are written to PCM, with more bits being written concurrently. In certain embodiments, the disclosed technology provides a new coding scheme to improve the speed of the write-1 stage by further increasing the number of bits that can be written to PCM in parallel.
US09601189B2 Representing data using a group of multilevel memory cells
A memory device includes a group or block of k-level memory cells, where k>2, and where each of the k-level memory cells has k programmable states represented by respective resistance levels.
US09601187B1 Method, apparatus, and system for global healing of stability-limited die through bias temperature instability
We disclose methods, apparatus, and systems for improving semiconductor device yield and/or reliability through bias temperature instability (BTI). One device may comprise a plurality of cells of an array, wherein each of the cells comprises a pass gate and a latch; a plurality of word lines, wherein each word line controls access to each pass gate of a first number of cells; a word line driver electrically connected to each word line; and a control line configured to provide an operational write voltage or a first write voltage to each word line through the word line driver. By virtue of BTI, application of the first write voltage may lead to improved stability of data desired to be read from one or more cells of the device.
US09601186B2 Bit line precharging circuit, static RAM, electronic device, and static ram bit line precharging method
A bit line precharging circuit includes a first switch that connects a bit line to a first power source, a second switch that connects the bit line to a second power source whose voltage value is higher than voltage value of the first power source, and a control circuit including a delay element and configured to bring the second switch into conduction after a delay time by the delay element after bringing the first switch into conduction at the time of precharge of the bit line.
US09601185B2 Integrated CMOS circuit having first and second circuit parts
An integrated circuit includes first and second circuit parts that may be arranged close to one another in a single semiconducting substrate. The circuit may use a deep doping well for reducing digital noise, and may implement a sleep mode for reducing power consumption. This circuit may have a random access memory, and may be a radio communication system-on-chip device. The integrated circuit may advantageously be used within a mobile communication apparatus.
US09601183B1 Apparatuses and methods for controlling wordlines and sense amplifiers
Apparatuses and methods for controlling word lines and sense amplifiers in a semiconductor device are described. An example apparatus includes: a sub word line selection signal decoder which activates at least one of a plurality of sub word selection signals responsive to row address signals; a column segment selection signal decoder which activates at least one of a plurality of column segment signals responsive to a portion of column address signals and a portion of the row address signals; a column segment selection circuit which activates at least one of a plurality of column-subword selection signals responsive to the activated column segment signal and the activated sub word selection signal; and a sub word line driver which activates at least one of a plurality of sub word lines responsive to an activated main word line and the activated sub word selection signal.
US09601182B2 Frequency synthesis for memory input-output operations
A memory channel including an internal clock circuit is disclosed. The clock circuit may synthesize an internal clock signal for use by one or more components of the memory channel. The internal clock signal may have a different frequency than an external clock frequency. The memory channel may include multiple clock circuits that generate multiple internal clock signals. Each portion of the memory channel associated with a different clock circuit may be phase and/or frequency independent of the other portions of the memory channel. The clock circuit may synthesize an internal clock signal based on an external clock signal. The clock circuit may use encoded timing data from an encoded I/O scheme to align the phase of the internal clock signal to a data signal.
US09601177B2 Data retention control circuit, data writing method, data reading method, method of testing characteristics of ferroelectric storage device, and semiconductor chip
A data retention control circuit includes a data retention part having first and second logic circuits, a ferroelectric storage part having first and second ferroelectric device parts, first and second transmission control parts, and a test voltage supply control part. The first transmission control part has first and second transmission control circuits controlling first and second logic signals to the first and second ferroelectric device parts, respectively. The second transmission control part has third and fourth transmission control circuits controlling transmission of first and second storage data from the first and second ferroelectric device part to the second and first logic circuits, respectively. The test voltage supply control part has first and second test voltage supply control circuits controlling supplies of first and second test voltages to the second and first logic circuit, respectively.
US09601167B1 Semiconductor device having dual-gate transistors and calibration circuitry
Disclosed are various embodiments related to dual-gate transistors and associated calibration circuitry. In one embodiment, dual-gate transistors may be configured in a sense amplifier arrangement, and calibration circuitry can be used to adjust an input offset of the sense amplifier. In another embodiment, a reference level voltage utilized in an amplifier with dual-gate transistors can be adjusted during a calibration sequence, and may be substantially unchanged from its nominal value outside of the calibration sequence. In another embodiment, a calibration sequence can be utilized to determine circuit results from a circuit including dual-gate transistors, and to adjust control gates to more closely coincide with expected or desired results. In yet another embodiment, a semiconductor memory device can include a memory array with amplifiers that include dual-gate transistors, as well as associated calibration circuitry.
US09601162B1 Memory devices with strap cells
A device includes a memory array, a first data line, and a second data line. The memory array includes a first strap cell, a first sub-bank, and a second sub-bank, in which the first strap cell is disposed between the first sub-bank and the second sub-bank. The first data line has a first portion and a second portion, in which the first portion of the first data line is disconnected from the second portion of the first data line, and the second portion of the first data line is configured to couple the first sub-bank to a first input/output (I/O) circuit. The second data line and the first portion of the first data line are configured to couple the second sub-bank to the first I/O circuit.
US09601157B2 Methods and apparatus for remote motion graphics authoring
Network-accessible services that provide post-production digital compositing and motion graphics authoring to users who provide their own core content, which the services supplement via a user-driven interface through the inclusion of digital still images, artwork, video, sound, and/or other supplemental content selected by the user. In one embodiment, following selection and sequencing of the various core and supplemental content components, the services automatically generate and make available to a user a finished product that integrates core and supplemental content. To simplify the compositing task, a series of pre-formatted motion graphics video templates may be made available. The end product provided by aspects of the present invention may be a professional-quality ensemble motion graphics video production that may be delivered in any popular format, such as AVI, JPEG, MPEG4 and the like to the customer and or to selected recipients via download or common carrier.
US09601155B1 Prediction of component maintenance
One or more processors determine wear for a robotic device. The one or more processors divide a direction of travel of a robotic device into zones. Each zone has an associated counter that counts how many times the robotic device has entered a given zone. The one or more processors update a count for a zone in response to the robotic device entering that zone. The one or more processors determine a level of wear for a component associated with the robotic device. The level of wear is based, at least in part, on a total of counts for the zones.
US09601152B2 Additional overshoot current HDD write driver circuit
A hard disk drive write drive method and integrated circuit that provide a configurable overshoot current based on the length of the pattern in the write current signal that is being written to the hard disk by the write driver. The hard disk write driver adds a first overshoot current to all patterns in the write current signal and adds an additional second overshoot current to patterns in the write current signal shorter than a first duration. The hard disk drive write driver utilizes an H-bridge circuit configured to add the first overshoot current and the additional second overshoot current to the write current signal. The H-bridge circuit is comprised of four switching elements that are configured to generate a first overshoot current for all pattern transitions of the write current signal and generate a second overshoot current for pattern transitions shorter than the first duration.
US09601144B1 Heat-assisted magnetic recording (HAMR) disk drive with disk having multiple continuous magnetic recording layers
A heat-assisted magnetic recording (HAMR) disk drive has a disk with at least two independent data layers (RL1 and RL2), each data layer storing an independent data stream. At a high laser power both RL1 and RL2 are heated to above their respective Curie temperatures and a first data stream is recorded in both RL1 and RL2. At a lower laser power only upper RL2 is heated to above its Curie temperature and a second data stream is recorded only in RL2. The data layers are separated by a nonmagnetic spacer layer (SL) that prevents lower RL1 from being heated to above its Curie temperature at low laser power. The first and second data streams are typically asynchronous. Recorded data is read back from both data streams simultaneously as a composite readback signal. A joint Viterbi detector detects the asynchronous data streams simultaneously from the composite readback signal.
US09601143B1 Disturbance observer with energy reducing filter
Disturbance rejection in a closed loop multi-actuator system. In some embodiments, a first disturbance observer (DOB) circuit is configured to inject a first disturbance rejection signal into an input control signal of a first stage of a multi-stage actuator. A second DOB circuit is configured to concurrently inject a second disturbance rejection signal into an input control signal of a second stage of the multi-stage actuator. Each of the first and second DOB circuits includes a band pass filter and an energy reducing filter. In some embodiments, the energy reducing filter has at least one notch filter and at least one anti-notch filter. In other embodiments, the energy reducing filter is a low-pass filter (LPF).
US09601141B2 Linear recording device for executing optimum writing upon receipt of series of commands including mixed read and write commands and a method for executing the same
A tape recording device, method, and computer program product are provided for performing operations of position movement, reading, and writing on a tape medium, and receiving a series of commands from an upper-layer device. The tape recording device includes a buffer for temporarily storing data related to the reading and an append write, a tape for recording the data stored in the buffer, a reading and writing head for reading data from the tape into the buffer and writing the data onto the tape, control means for reading data from a designated position of the tape and storing the data in the buffer, and for writing the data stored in the buffer onto the tape from a written data end position in response to an append write command, and a non-volatile memory for storing data stored in the buffer in response to an append write command.
US09601140B1 In-situ smear detection and mitigation in heat-assisted magnetic recording head-disk interface
A procedure for detecting the presence of contamination at a head-disk interface in a heat- assisted magnetic recording (HAMR) hard disk drive involves flying a head slider over a magnetic-recording disk at a particular fly height, applying an oscillating signal to a heat source associated with a HAMR near-field transducer (NFT) that is located in the slider to dither the spacing between the NFT and the disk, and determining, based on change to a contact detection signal, that contamination has accumulated on the slider, generally, or on the NFT, specifically. Burnishing the contamination from the slider may then be performed, by bringing the slider into contact with the disk.
US09601137B2 Magnetic read head with magnetoresistive (MR) enhancements toward low resistance X area (RA) product
A method of forming a magnetoresistive (MR) sensor with a composite tunnel barrier comprised primarily of magnesium oxynitride and having a MR ratio of at least 70%, resistance x area (RA) product <1 ohm-μm2, and fewer pinholes than a conventional MgO layer is disclosed. The method involves forming a Mg/MgON/Mg, Mg/MgON/MgN, MgN/MgON/MgN, or MgN/MgON/Mg intermediate tunnel barrier stack and then annealing to drive loosely bound oxygen into adjacent layers thereby forming MgO/MgON/Mg, MgO/MgON/MgON, MgON/MgON/MgON, and MgON/MgON/MgO composite tunnel barriers, respectively, wherein oxygen content in the middle MgON layer is greater than in upper and lower MgON layers. The MgON layer in the intermediate tunnel barrier may be formed by a sputtering process followed by a natural oxidation step and has a thickness greater than the Mg and MgN layers.
US09601125B2 Systems and methods of performing noise modulation and gain adjustment
A method includes receiving a first value of a mixing factor. The first value corresponds to a first portion of an audio signal received at an audio encoder. The method includes receiving a second value of the mixing factor. The second value corresponds to a second portion of the audio signal. The method also includes generating a third value of the mixing factor at least partially based on the first value and the second value and mixing an excitation signal with modulated noise based on the third value. Another method includes determining a first set of spectral frequency values corresponding to an audio signal and determining a second set of spectral frequency values that approximates the first set of spectral frequency values. A gain value corresponding to at least a portion of the audio signal is adjusted based on a difference between the first set and the second set.
US09601121B1 Override vocoder capacity operating point allocation
Embodiments disclosed herein provide systems and methods for override vocoder capacity operating point (COP) allocation. In a particular embodiment, a method provides determining a communication load on a wireless access node. Based on the communication load, the method provides allocating a first COP for a vocoder, wherein the vocoder is used on voice communications exchanged with the wireless access node. The method further provides determining a frame error rate of a wireless communication link between a wireless communication device and the wireless access node. If the frame error rate indicates that a COP of the wireless communication link should be lower than the first COP, the method provides allocating an override COP to the COP of the wireless communication link based on the frame error rate.
US09601120B2 Working method of sound transmission-based dynamic token
A working method of a sound transmission-based dynamic token comprises: a dynamic token waiting for disconnection of a key; and when the disconnection of the key is detected, judging the type of a pressed key, and performing a corresponding operation according to different types of keys.
US09601114B2 Method for embedding voice mail in a spoken utterance using a natural language processing computer system
A method for processing a voice message in a computerized system. The method receives and records a speech utterance including a message portion and a communication portion. The method proceeds to parse the input to identify and separate the message portion and the communication portion. It then identifies communication parameters, including one or more destination mailboxes, from the communication portion, and it transmits the message portion to the destination mailbox as a voice message.
US09601110B2 Unsupervised training method for an N-gram language model based upon recognition reliability
A computer-based, unsupervised training method for an N-gram language model includes reading, by a computer, recognition results obtained as a result of speech recognition of speech data; acquiring, by the computer, a reliability for each of the read recognition results; referring, by the computer, to the recognition result and the acquired reliability to select an N-gram entry; and training, by the computer, the N-gram language model about selected one of more of the N-gram entries using all recognition results.
US09601099B2 Electronic bass drum
An Electronic Bass Drum includes one or more loudspeakers, an internal amplifier system, a removable electronic drum module and control panel, at least one impact sensitive electronic kick pad, an attachment for mounting a bass drum pedal, mounting hardware for tom toms or other acoustic or electronic instruments, legs for stabilization, one or more headphone jacks for silent play, input jacks for other instruments and/or microphones, and an MP3 player cradle for playing along with or recording music.
US09601094B2 Drum stick holder
A repositionable support system for drum-related objects comprises an upper assembly including a base plate adapted to removably receive drum related objects; a lower assembly including an attachment member adapted to removably couple the lower assembly to a recipient object; and an intermediate assembly separably coupling the upper and lower assemblies.
US09601086B1 Defining a projector display region
Defining a display region for a projector display. An image of a camera's view of a display region is accessed. The image is displayed on a graphical user interface. The image has a first set of coordinates. The image and a reference canvas that is displayed on said graphical user interface is integrated. The integration comprises overlaying a portion of the reference canvas on the image. The reference canvas has a second set of coordinates. One of the first set of coordinates and the second set of coordinates represents a mesh of movable control points being movable from a first location to a second location on the graphical user interface. The first set of coordinates are mapped to the second set of coordinates, thereby generating a pointwise correspondence mapping between coordinate points of the reference canvas and coordinate points of the image.
US09601085B2 Device and method for synchronizing display and touch controller with host polling
Devices, systems, and methods are provided for coordinating the interaction between a touch screen controller and a display controller in an electronic device of the type including a host processor, a touch screen controller configured to acquire capacitive measurements from a touch screen, and a display controller configured to update a display at a refresh frequency and phase. The method includes: sharing a synchronization signal between the display controller and the host processor, the synchronization signal indicative of the refresh frequency and phase; polling the touch screen controller, by the host processor, based on the synchronization signal; and in response to the polling, acquiring the capacitive measurements by the touch screen controller at a sampling rate and phase determined by the refresh frequency and phase.
US09601083B2 Glare reduction system
A glare reduction system is provided for glare reduction. The glare reduction system includes an imaging source configured to receive light from an object, and a display driver configured to process the received light to generate an input signal. The glare reduction system further includes a display device configured to receive the input signal. A glare reduction panel is positioned anteriorly to the display device. The glare reduction panel including a liquid crystal layer configured to receive the input signal and an end polarizer with an axis of transmission relative to an angle of transmission of a second polarizer of the display device.
US09601082B2 Display substrate and driving method thereof and display device
The invention discloses a display substrate and a driving method thereof, and a display device. The display substrate includes a plurality of rows or columns of pixel units, wherein each row or column of pixel units include first pixel units and second pixel units which are arranged alternately, one first pixel unit and one second pixel unit are composed of three sub-pixels, and wherein the first pixel unit includes a first sub-pixel and a second sub-pixel, the second pixel unit includes the second sub-pixel and a third sub-pixel, and the first, second and third sub-pixels are arranged in turn. In the invention, three sub-pixels form two pixel units, thus the number of the sub-pixels needed to form a certain number of pixel units is decreased, and the manufacturing process is simplified and the defective rate of product is decreased.
US09601080B1 Systems and methods for virtually weighted user input elements for performing critical actions
In an example implementation of the disclosed technology, a method includes receiving an indication of a gesture of an input object moving, at a rate of movement, from a first location of a presence-sensitive input device toward a second location of the presence-sensitive input device. The method also includes, responsive to determining that the rate of movement does not exceed a predetermined rate of movement, outputting, for display, a visual indicator moving from a first location of a display toward a second location of the display. The method also includes, responsive to determining that the rate of movement exceeds the predetermined rate of movement, outputting, for display, the visual indicator moving at a rate of movement that does not exceed the predetermined rate of movement.
US09601078B2 Electronic device and image data output processing method
An electronic device includes an image data acquisition part configured to acquire image data, and an image output processor configured to output image data to an external display device, wherein, when an interrupt event occurs while the image output processor outputs image data to the external display device, the image output processor selects or refuses a plurality of information relating to an interrupt event based on at least one of the attribute of an interrupt event and the attribute of the external display device, thus outputting the selected information to the external display device.
US09601075B2 Display panel, method of manufacturing the display panel and display apparatus
A display panel includes a plurality of pixels disposed in an active area and arranged substantially in a matrix form including a pixel row and a pixel column, a first gate line disposed adjacent to a first side n of the pixel row and connected to a first pixel in the pixel row, a second gate line disposed adjacent to a second side of the pixel row and connected to a second pixel in the pixel row, a plurality of data lines crossing the first and second gate lines, where the pixels in a pair of adjacent pixel columns are connected to a same data line, and a blocking pattern which overlaps a pixel column disposed in an end portion of the active area.
US09601071B2 Liquid crystal display device
According to one embodiment, a lateral electric-field type of liquid crystal display device includes a display panel and a controller, wherein a frame frequency falls within a range of 1 Hz to 10 Hz, an off-leak current of each of the TFTs has a value of 1×10−15 A or less, a resistivity of a liquid crystal and a resistivity of an alignment film both fall within one of a first range and a second range, the first range being 1×1013 to 5×1013 Ω·cm, the second range being 5×1013 to 5×1014 Ω·cm, and a relationship of “R1×C1≈R2×C2” is satisfied, where R1 is a resistance and C1 is a capacity with respect to each pixel, R2 is a resistance and C2 is a capacity with respect to each pixel.
US09601057B2 Pixel circuit, organic electroluminesce display panel and display device
A pixel circuit, an organic electroluminescent display panel and a display device are provided. The pixel circuit includes a light emitting element, a first capacitor, a reset control module, a drive control module, a compensation control module, and a light emission control module. In a reset phase, the reset control module writes a reset signal at a reset signal end into a second end of the first capacitor. In a compensation phase, the reset control module writes a data signal at a data signal end into a first end of the first capacitor, and the drive control module charges the first capacitor through the compensation control module. In a light emission phase, both the light emission control module and the first capacitor enable the drive control module to drive the light emitting element with a stable current for emission of light.
US09601050B2 External compensation sensing circuit and sensing method thereof, display device
An external-compensation sensing circuit, sensing method, and display device. The circuit includes fully-differential operational amplifier, first capacitor, second capacitor and outputting circuit for amplifying induced current; negative input of the amplifier is connected to display screen, positive input thereof is connected to reference voltage, negative output thereof is connected to first control terminal of the outputting circuit, positive output thereof is connected to second control terminal of the outputting circuit; two terminals of the first capacitor are connected to the negative input of the amplifier and an input of the outputting circuit respectively; one terminal of the second capacitor is connected to the output of the outputting circuit and the other terminal is grounded. The invention enables the output voltage to respond rapidly by amplifying induced current with dual outputting stages in the sensing circuit to raise the speed of the external-compensation.
US09601047B2 Method for dimming electroluminescent display
A method for controlling an electroluminescent display to produce first and second images for display wherein the second image has reduced luminance to reduce burn-in on the display, includes providing the electroluminescent (EL) display having a plurality of EL emitters, the luminance of the light produced by each EL emitter being responsive to a respective drive signal; receiving a respective input image signal for each EL emitter for each of a plurality of frames; transforming the input image signals for a first frame to provide a plurality of first drive signals to produce an image on the display; and transforming the input image signals for a second frame to a plurality of second drive signals using a dimming transform that operates on the input image signals for each frame to provide a peak frame luminance value for the second frame wherein the dimming transform includes an exponential function.
US09601023B2 Flight control for flight-restricted regions
Systems, methods, and devices are provided for providing flight response to flight-restricted regions. The location of an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) may be compared with a location of a flight-restricted region. If needed a flight-response measure may be taken by the UAV to prevent the UAV from flying in a no-fly zone. Different flight-response measures may be taken based on the distance between the UAV and the flight-restricted region and the rules of a jurisdiction within which the UAV falls.
US09601022B2 Systems and methods for restricting drone airspace access
Methods, systems, and devices are disclosed for providing conditional access for a drone for accessing a restricted area. Conditional access information associated with conditional access restrictions for the restricted area may be received by the drone. The drone may compare the received conditional access information to one or more access parameters for the drone. The drone may access the restricted area based on the comparison of the received conditional access information and the access parameter. A drone may take corrective action when the received conditional access information does not permit access to the restricted area based on the access parameter for the drone.
US09601019B2 Cleaning robot and method for controlling the same
A cleaning robot includes a non-circular main body, a moving assembly mounted on a bottom surface of the main body to perform forward movement, backward movement and rotation of the main body, a cleaning tool assembly mounted on the bottom surface of the main body to clean a floor, a detector to detect an obstacle around the main body, and a controller to determine whether an obstacle is present in a forward direction of the main body based on a detection signal of the detector, control the rotation of the main body to determine whether the main body rotates by a predetermined angle or more upon determining that the obstacle is present in the forward direction, and determine that the main body is in a stuck state to control the backward movement of the main body if the main body rotates by the predetermined angle or less.
US09601017B2 Reckless-vehicle reporting apparatus, reckless-vehicle reporting program product, and reckless-vehicle reporting method
A reckless-vehicle determination section of a vehicle determines whether a reckless driving operation takes place in each of different vehicles based on determination information from each of the different vehicles. A target different vehicle in which a reckless driving operation is determined to take place is displayed on a display in a display mode that is different from that for any different vehicle in which a reckless driving operation is not determined to take place.
US09601012B2 Remote operated safety attendant
A remote operated safety attendant having a substantially pyramidic housing made of high impact material such as manufactured dense fiber. A two sided sign is mounted to a shaft positioned within the housing and connected to a drive motor and a remote signal receiver. A remote signal sender is used to send signals to the receiver to selectively actuate the drive mechanism which rotates to alternately display the opposed sides of the sign. The device meets requisite traffic safety requirements and allows an operator to remotely control the device to remain out of the pathway of vehicles that they are controlling through the signaling device.
US09601009B2 Traffic causality
One or more techniques and/or systems for providing congestion information for a road segment presently experiencing traffic congestion and/or likely to experience traffic congestion in the future are provided. In some embodiments, traffic models are configured to determine road segments where traffic congestion is likely to occur, to determine a cause of traffic congestion, and/or to determine the effect of such traffic congestion (e.g., the duration of such traffic congestion, the expected time delays due to such traffic congestion, etc.). Congestion information indicative of the cause of congestion and/or the effect(s) of such traffic congestion, for example, may be provided to a user to explain to the user why the congestion is occurring, to describe one or more road segments to avoid, and/or to explain why a particular route was selected as a preferred route to a destination, for example.
US09601008B2 Detection using transmission notification
A remote controller is arranged for selecting a light source among a plurality of light sources. The remote controller has an omnidirectional transmitter and is arranged to instruct, by means of the omnidirectional transmitter, the light sources to transmit a directional signal comprising a code, which is unique for each light source. Further, the remote controller has a directional signal receiver, and is arranged to receive the directional signals from the light sources, and signal comparison circuitry connected with the directional signal receiver. The remote controller is arranged to select one of the light sources on basis of the received directional signals. Furthermore, the remote controller comprises a transmission indicator, which is arranged to generate an indication signal, indicative of a successful omnidirectional transmission, and it is arranged to initiate the selection of one of the light sources by means of the indication signal.
US09601007B2 Self-propelled floor apparatus and system having a bactericidal function
A self-propelled apparatus includes: a self-propelled platform having a recessed chamber located in the bottom side, a control unit mounted in the self-propelled platform for controlling the moving path of the self-propelled platform in a predominantly grid-pattern that causes the self-propelled platform to mainly move in predominantly straight lines, a battery, one or multiple germicidal ultraviolet lights exhibiting an elongated shape and mounted in the self-propelled platform within the recessed chamber in such a manner that the longitudinal axis of the germicidal ultraviolet lights is kept in parallel to the linear moving direction of the self-propelled platform, and obstacle sensors. The self-propelled apparatus utilizes a wireless module for wireless communication with an external smart device that has built therein an application software for controlling and displaying the operating status of the self-propelled apparatus.
US09601004B2 System and method for estimating energy consumption based on readings from an AMI network
A method and system for estimating energy consumption of a utility population includes organizing the utility population comprising energy consumers into a plurality of groups. Next, a distribution of energy consumption against the plurality of groups may be calculated. Subsequently, statistically representative groups based on the energy distribution and the plurality of groups may be determined. Data is then collected from the statistically representative groups at predefined intervals from a communications network. Energy consumption of the utility population may then be estimated based on the data collected from the statistically representative groups. The communications network comprises an advanced metering infrastructure (AMI) network.
US09601002B2 System and method for protecting a security system
A regional security system includes a control panel that can receive one or more delay parameters associated with a type of sensor or detector or a portion of a region being monitored. The delay parameters can be stored in a programmable storage unit. When an alarm indicator has been received from one of the sensors or detectors, an alarm indicating message and an associated programmed and pre-stored delay can be forwarded to a central station. If the system is disarmed before the delay interval has terminated, then a cancel message can be sent to the central station.
US09601001B2 Systems and methods for handling trigger events
Systems and methods for using multi-criteria state machines to manage alarming states and pre-alarming states of a hazard detection system are described herein. The multi-criteria state machines can include one or more sensor state machines that can control the alarming states and one or more system state machines that can control the pre-alarming states. Each state machine can transition among any one of its states based on sensor data values, hush events, and transition conditions. The transition conditions can define how a state machine transitions from one state to another. The hazard detection system can use a dual processor arrangement to execute the multi-criteria state machines according to various embodiments. The dual processor arrangement can enable the hazard detection system to manage the alarming and pre-alarming states in a manner that promotes minimal power usage while simultaneously promoting reliability in hazard detection and alarming functionality.
US09600999B2 Amusement park element tracking system
A system includes one or more retro-reflective markers positioned within a ride system and a tracking system that may detect the one or more retro-reflective markers to track a position of a rider. The tracking system includes an emitter that may emit light toward the one or more retro-reflective markers, a detector that may detect reflected light from the one or more retro-reflective markers, and a controller that may determine the position of the rider relative to the one or more retro-reflective markers based on detection of the reflected light and that may provide an indication of the position of the rider.
US09600998B2 System, apparatus, and method for sensing gas
According to another exemplary embodiment, a method of cutting power from a source when sensing gas may be provided. The method of cutting a power from a source when sensing gas may include obtaining a gas sensing apparatus, which may a housing, at least one power relay rigidly connected to the inside of the housing, at least one sensor connected to the power relay, at least one alarm connected to the at least one sensor, at least one port power wire outlet connected to the power relay, at least one power socket connected to the power relay, a power transformer connected to the power relay, and a power inlet connected to the power transformer, connecting the gas sensing apparatus to a power supply, connecting an electrical device to the gas sensing apparatus, sensing gas by the sensor, creating a voltage that stops power flow to the at least one outlet, and applying a voltage to the at least one port power wire outlet.
US09600987B2 Automated, remotely-verified alarm system with intrusion and video surveillance and digitial video recording
An automated self-monitored alarm verification solution including at least a premises portion, a server portion, and an end user device portion. Alarm verification includes capturing by an image capture device at least one image in response to a detection event, and transmitting a first data signal including the image to a local signal processing device. The signal processing device transmits a second signal including at least a portion of the image to a remote hosted server according to at least a first set of predetermined parameters. After receiving the second signal, the server transmits a third signal including at least a portion of the image from the hosted server to a user device. Using the user device, a user views the image and indicates a validity status of the alarm based at least in part on the content of the image.
US09600986B2 Signalling system
A signalling system comprises a first data signal source (10, 14), a first data signal receiver (12, 16) and a cable 18 comprising two or more wire pairs ({1,2}, {3,6}, {4,5}, {7,8}) coupling the first data signal source to the first data signal receiver. A portion of each wire pair is wound around a magnetic core (28). A further winding (30) is wound around the core (28). A further signal source (24) is coupled to the further winding (30) and a further receiver (36, 26) is coupled to the wires to receive the further signal. The windings around the core apply the further signal to the wire pairs as a common-mode signal. This allows the further signal to be transmitted to the further receiver without affecting the signal transmitted between the source (10, 14) and the receiver (12, 16) and with only minor modification of the cable (18).
US09600979B2 Wagering games employing a mega symbol
A method in a gaming system comprises receiving a wager and displaying an array having a plurality of array positions. Each of the plurality of array positions is populated by at least one of a plurality of symbols, which include a mega symbol configured to occupy at least two array positions on each of at least two adjacent columns of the array. In response to at least a portion of the mega symbol displayed in the array, the method includes determining a functionality for the mega symbol based on a number of array positions on which the mega symbol is displayed, the portion of the mega symbol displayed, the size of the mega symbol displayed, a random determination, the received wager, or a turnover amount over a plurality of plays. A payout is awarded based on the symbols displayed in the array and the determined functionality of the mega symbol.
US09600978B2 Entertainment game-based gaming device
Embodiments of this concept are direct to a game that includes a combination of an entertainment game and a gambling game. This game combination provides an entertainment game that retains the playability and fun of a skill game or other non-traditional gambling game while allowing for wagers to still be placed and awards won. In some embodiments, the wager-based gambling game is tied directly into the entertainment game, which provides additional entertainment and excitement. Other embodiments separate some of the aspects of the gambling game from the entertainment game to retain the feel of well known gaming devices while still providing an entertainment game to the player.
US09600975B2 Chain reaction keno
Gaming systems and methods for providing a keno game during which matches from a previous keno game are carried over to the keno game are described herein. A keno board is displayed having a set of available numbers and a first set of one or more matches identified between player selected numbers and drawn numbers from a previous keno game. A first set of drawn numbers from the set of available numbers is selected. The number of the first set of drawn numbers is modified by number of matches in the first set of matches. The payout to the player is calculated based on the first set of matches and a second set of matches between the first set of drawn numbers and the player selected numbers.
US09600974B2 Methods of administering roulette bonus wagers and related apparatuses and systems
Methods of administering games of roulette may involve accepting a wager may from a player. A multiplier may be randomly selected from a group of fixed multipliers for a payout on the wager. A number and associated color may be randomly generated from within a range of numbers and associated colors. The wager may be resolved by determining whether the randomly generated number is identical to a randomly generated number from an immediately preceding round. A payout may be paid to the player when the randomly generated number is identical to the randomly generated number from the immediately preceding round, an amount of the payout being equal to an amount of the wager multiplied by the randomly selected multiplier. The amount of the wager may be collected for the house when the randomly generated number is different from the randomly generated number from the immediately preceding round.
US09600968B2 Gaming system having multiple gaming machines which provide bonus awards
A gaming system including a central server linked to a plurality of gaming machines, gaming tables, hand held gaming devices and/or community gaming displays. The central server monitors wagers placed on any games played. Based at least in part on the wagers placed, the central server determines when one or more bonus events will occur and which players to provide any bonus awards.
US09600967B2 Gaming system, gaming device and method for providing a progressive award including a quantity of free spins
A slot machine issues a percentage of one or more progressive awards based upon any wager level (“Percentage Progressive”). In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the Percentage Progressive concept operates as follows: The game displays the total progressive award amount; The player sets the wager; The game displays a Percentage Progressive value based upon the wager level; The player presses the spin button; The reels to spin and stop; The player collects credits for any winning combinations appearing on the reels, including pay table and progressive awards. In the event of a progressive award, the player receives the Percentage Progressive value*total progressive award amount. The preferred embodiment of the present invention, therefore, allows players to participate in progressive awards at any wager level.
US09600966B2 Systems and methods for tracking of non-wagering account associated with gaming environment
Systems and methods are disclosed for associating a player identifier with a stored value account. The stored value account can holds funds that are accessible through the player's use of a stored value payment vehicle. Information associated with transactions using the stored value payment vehicle can be used for player relationship purposes.
US09600964B2 Gaming machine capable of moving at least one visual recognition target in a top box
A gaming machine includes a symbol display device, a top box, and a controller. The symbol display device is capable of variably displaying and then rearranging a plurality of symbols. The top box is disposed at an upper part of the symbol display device and has an illumination target disposed on a front face and a plurality of visual recognition targets disposed therein. The controller is programmed to: variably display and then rearrange symbols on the symbol display device to thereby execute a normal game; execute an animation character acquisition game for acquiring a specific animation character from among a plurality of animation characters in accordance with specific symbols being rearranged in the normal game; and move at least one visual recognition target from among the plurality of visual recognition targets, based on a result of the animation character acquisition game. This configuration enables a player to be given notice in a mode of moving a visual recognition target in the top box. Thus, it is possible to impart a sense of expectation or a sense of tension to a player and to pay the player's attention exclusively to a game.
US09600963B2 Gaming machine, gaming system, and gaming method presenting games with artificially intelligent players
A gaming machine, system, and method for conducting a wagering game utilizing artificially intelligent players. A game is initiated by accepting a wager from a bettor at a gaming machine, displaying a plurality of artificially intelligent player profiles as potential players of a game at the gaming machine, and designating a matchup of at least two of the players for playing the game at the gaming machine. The bettor designates a selected player from the at least two players playing the game. The game is presented at the gaming machine. The RNG is utilized just for randomizing game pieces for playing the game. The artificially intelligent players determine the game play decisions. The game outcome between the artificially intelligent players is determined and wagers are paid out or collected according to the game outcome.
US09600960B2 Sudoku style hybrid game
Systems and methods for operating a Sudoku style hybrid game on a mobile device are disclosed. Sudoku style hybrid games can include a themed entertainment game in which a player places symbols into a Sudoku puzzle and events within the entertainment portion of the Sudoku style entertainment game can trigger wagers in a real world game of chance. The outcome of the wagers can result in payouts of real world credit and can also affect gameplay within the Sudoku style entertainment game.
US09600957B2 Gaming system, gaming device and method for displaying multiple concurrent games using dynamic focal points
The gaming system disclosed herein changes the focal point of a display device at different points in time to assist the player in focusing on different simultaneously or concurrently played games at different points in time. Specifically, the gaming system displays a plurality of simultaneously or concurrently played games on a display device. In response to a designated event occurring in association with a specific one of the plurality of simultaneously or concurrently played games, the gaming system changes the focal point of the display device to draw the player's focus or attention to that specific one of the simultaneously or concurrently played games. Put differently, the gaming system dynamically allocates and/or indicates different portions of a display device to different simultaneously or concurrently played games at different points in time to account for different events occurring in such simultaneously or concurrently played games.
US09600944B1 Aircraft aerodynamic audit system for enhanced fuel efficiency
An aerodynamic audit system is provided for performing an audit process of an aircraft using a computing device via a network. An inspection module inspects at least a portion of the aircraft for locating and measuring any aerodynamic defects present by generating an inspection list having a predetermined inspection path. A display device displays the inspection path and accepts a measurement of any located aerodynamic defect. A fuel penalty estimation module calculates an estimated fuel penalty of the aerodynamic defect based on the measurement of the corresponding aerodynamic defect. A defect correction analysis module analyzes the aerodynamic defect based on a cost and benefit assessment. A findings collection module generates an audit report based on the inspection and analysis of the aerodynamic defect. A database stores data associated with the aerodynamic defect and the corresponding fuel penalty based on the cost and benefit assessment.
US09600928B2 Method and device for automatically identifying a point of interest on the surface of an anomaly
A method and device for automatically identifying a point of interest (e.g., the deepest or highest point) on the surface of an anomaly on a viewed object using a video inspection device is disclosed. The video inspection device obtains and displays an image of the surface of the viewed object. A reference surface is determined along with a region of interest that includes a plurality of points on the surface of the anomaly. The video inspection device determines a depth or height for each of the plurality of points on the surface of the anomaly in the region of interest. The point on the surface of the anomaly (e.g., having the greatest depth or height) is identified as the point of interest. A profile of the object surface at the point of interest is then determined.
US09600927B1 Systems and methods for capturing aspects of objects using images and shadowing
Methods and systems for determining the shape of an object based on shadows cast by the object are described. An example method may include receiving a plurality of images of an object casting a shadow. Each image may include a shadow cast by the object as the object is illuminated by a light source that moves over a plurality of positions. The method may further include determining, by a computing device, respectively for each image of the plurality of images a two-dimensional (2D) silhouette of the object and a respective position of the light source relative to the object. According to the method, a three-dimensional (3D) object data model of the object may be generated by the computing device based on the 2D silhouette of the object and the respective position of the light source relative to the object for each image of the plurality of images.
US09600925B2 Calibration of multiple rigid bodies in a virtual reality system
A virtual reality (VR) console receives slow calibration data from an imaging device and fast calibration data from an inertial measurement unit on a VR headset including a front and a rear rigid body. The slow calibration data includes an image where only the locators on the rear rigid body are visible. An observed position is determined from the slow calibration data and a predicted position is determined from the fast calibration data. If a difference between the observed position and the predicted position is greater than a threshold value, the predicted position is adjusted by a temporary offset until the difference is less than the threshold value. The temporary offset is removed by re-calibrating the rear rigid body to the front rigid body once locators on both the front and rear rigid body are visible in an image in the slow calibration data.
US09600923B2 Scale-independent maps
Various implementations provide a resolution-specific attribute for a resolution-invariant region. Several implementations provide an SCM-based disparity value for scale-invariant cells. Particular implementations provide a signal or structure that includes such an attribute. Yet further implementations access such an attribute, and process the attribute. One particular implementation accesses an attribute for a region of a picture. The region is coextensive with a first integer number of pixels in a particular resolution, and with a second integer number of pixels in a second resolution. The attribute is specific to the region and to a combination resolution determined as a combination of the particular resolution and the second resolution. The attribute is converted to provide an attribute specific to the particular resolution. The converted attribute is associated with the first integer number of pixels. Other implementations use the converted attribute in post-processing operations, such as, for example, subtitle placement using disparity information.
US09600921B2 Interactive design system for character crafting
There are provided an interactive design system and method for character crafting. An example system includes a memory storing a machine software application and a processor configured to execute the machine software application to receive a plurality of components for a character, the plurality of components including at least a first component and a second component, receive a movement for the character, the movement including a first pose for the character and a second pose for the character, calculate a linkage for the first component and the second component based on the movement, and generate an updated character by connecting the second component to the first component using the linkage. The linkage may include at least one of a connector, a trimmer, and a propagation mechanism.
US09600919B1 Systems and methods for assembling and/or displaying multimedia objects, modules or presentations
Aspects of the present innovations relate to systems and/or methods involving multimedia modules, objects or animations. According to an illustrative implementation, one method may include accepting at least one input keyword relating to a subject for the animation and performing processing associated with templates. Further, templates may generates different types of output, and each template may include components for display time, screen location, and animation parameters. Other aspects of the innovations may involve providing search results, retrieving data from a plurality of web sites or data collections, assembling information into multimedia modules or animations, and/or providing module or animation for playback.
US09600915B2 Cross-platform data visualizations using common descriptions
The present invention extends to methods, systems, and computer program products for cross-platform data visualizations using common descriptions. Embodiments of the invention provide mechanisms for simplifying software development and enhanced code reliability. A user interface, along with interactive and dynamic characteristics, can be described (programmatically and/or declaratively) independently of any specific device platform. User interface qualities can be described using a generic scene graph structure with attached behaviors. The generic scene graph can then be used to drive the user interface on any number of different computing platforms using platform specific (e.g., rendering, gesture recognition, etc.) sub-systems. Platform specific sub-systems can vary based on technologies that are used by the platform specific sub-systems. For example, rendering sub-systems can vary based on the technology used to render graphical data, such as, for example, Open GL, XAML, Direct X, Quartz, etc.
US09600907B2 Paintbrush and liquid simulation
Paintbrush and liquid simulation techniques are described. In one or more implementations, input is received to perform brush strokes with a virtual paintbrush on a virtual canvas. For virtual paint on the virtual canvas, lifelike paint qualities are simulated. However, the lifelike paint qualities are simulated solely for the virtual paint that is within a region of the canvas. The lifelike paint qualities are not simulated for virtual paint located outside the region. As part of simulating the interaction between the virtual paint, the virtual paintbrush, and the virtual canvas, various parts of the simulation may be performed by different processing units. For example, bristles of the virtual paintbrush may be simulated utilizing a first processing device such as a central processing unit (CPU). A second processing unit, such as a graphics processing unit (GPU), may be employed to simulate the lifelike effects of the virtual paint.
US09600906B2 Information processing apparatus, information processing method, program, and image display apparatus
An information processing apparatus includes an acquisition unit, a first calculation unit, and a conversion unit. The acquisition unit is configured to acquire image information including first color information that is represented by a first color gamut. The first calculation unit is configured to use information on a color gamut of an image display system that is capable of displaying an image based on the image information to calculate conversion information used for converting the first color information into second color information that is expressed by a second color gamut based on a user's instruction. The conversion unit is configured to use the conversion information to convert the first color information into the second color information.
US09600892B2 Non-parametric method of and system for estimating dimensions of objects of arbitrary shape
A non-parametric method of, and system for, dimensioning an object of arbitrary shape, captures a three-dimensional (3D) point cloud of data points over a field of view containing the object and a base surface on which the object is positioned, detects a base plane indicative of the base surface from the point cloud, extracts the data points of the object from the point cloud, processes the extracted data points of the object to obtain a convex hull, and fits a bounding box of minimum volume to enclose the convex hull. The bounding box has a pair of mutually orthogonal planar faces, and the fitting is performed by orienting one of the faces to be generally perpendicular to the base plane, and by simultaneously orienting the other of the faces to be generally parallel to the base plane.
US09600891B2 Web based fast query visualization of time-varying multi-variate vessel flow field by using uniform partition strategy
A method for visualizing flow data from computation fluid dynamics (CFD) applications in 2-dimensions (2D) includes receiving a 3-dimensional (3D) image volume from a CFD simulation of fluids flowing through vessels in a patient that is a snapshot of a fluid flow in the vessels at a certain time, subdividing the 3D image volume into 3D data blocks, minimizing a sum over a matrix of energy interactions defined for each pair of data blocks in the 3D image volume, where the minimization preserves a local shape of the vessels, where minimizing the sum over the matrix of energy interactions is performed on a graphics processing unit (GPU), and using the minimized energy interaction matrix to display on a monitor a 2D sketch of the 3D image volume, where the 2D sketch is displayed in real-time with respect to the time scale of the CFD simulation.
US09600886B2 Optical image measuring apparatus
An optical image measuring apparatus including an optical system, image forming part, controller, and composite-cross-sectional-image forming part. The optical system includes a scanner changing an irradiation position of signal light on an object and a focus position changing part changing a focus position of the signal light. The optical system detects interference light of returned light of the respective signal light from the object and reference light. The image forming part forms a cross-sectional image based on detection results of plural interference light corresponding to plural irradiation positions of the signal light. The controller controls the optical system to irradiate the signal light onto the plural irradiation positions repeatedly while changing focus position. The composite-cross-sectional-image forming part forms one composite cross-sectional image based on two or more of the cross-sectional images based on results of repetitive irradiation of the signal light.
US09600883B2 Plausible reference curves for dynamic, contrast-enhanced imaging studies
A comprehensive strategy is used to determine valid reference time-concentration curves (TCCs) from image data. The image data corresponds to a series of image scans acquired over time for an area of interest of a patient to which a contrast agent was previously administered. The image scans are initially registered to a common coordinate system. Then, observed potential reference TCCs in the image scans are compared to modeled reference TCCs to determine if the potential reference TCCs are plausible reference TCCs. Thereafter, any plausible reference TCCs are evaluated to determine if they contain residual, isolated motion artifacts. If a plausible reference TCC does not include any motion artifacts, the plausible reference TCC is considered a valid reference TCC. If a plausible reference TCC is determined to include motion artifacts, the plausible reference TCC is modified to a valid reference TCC by removing the motion artifacts, or otherwise the plausible reference TCC is rejected. The valid reference TCCs can be used to improve the effectiveness of dynamic, contrast-enhanced imaging studies.
US09600877B2 Quantitative imaging
The following generally relates to scaling irregularity maps based at least on one of a histogram bin width, an image noise or a contrast agent concentration. A method includes obtaining a non-scaled irregularity map generated based on local weighted histograms of voxel distributions about voxels of interest from volumetric image data of a subject or object. The local weighted histograms include a plurality of bins having a predetermined bin width. The local weights are determined based on a predetermined cluster length. The method further includes scaling the non-scaled irregularity map, generating a scaled irregularity map. The non-scaled irregularity map is scaled based at least on the histogram bin width.
US09600858B1 Visually comfortable content-adaptive dithering for super-resolution
A method of producing a high resolution image includes generating high resolution image data for a high resolution image using a processor, wherein the high resolution image has a resolution higher than a resolution of an original image, determining image content of the high resolution image data, and selectively adding dither noise to the high resolution image data based upon the image content of the high resolution image data to produce final image data.
US09600847B2 Method and system for managing and monitoring fuel transactions
Fueling transactions (and other types of transactions) may be verified for legitimacy and validity by recording audio, video and/or images of the transaction as it occurs. The recordings may then be indexed according to one or more transaction parameters such as a driver identifier, a vehicle or transportation unit identifier, an invoice number, a fueling station and the like. A carrier associated with a driver and/or vehicle or other transportation unit may specify which transactions are to be recorded. Accordingly, the fueling station may automatically determine whether to record a transaction upon receiving a transaction initiation request. Transaction recordings may be made based on transaction recordation parameters defined by a carrier and stored and indexed based on transaction storing parameters.
US09600843B2 Methods and systems for showing perspective in market data
Methods and systems are disclosed for providing perspective to market data. In one embodiment, market data is displayed in a three-dimensional perspective that emphasizes important aspects of market data while minimizing less important aspects. In some embodiments, market data is mapped to an object that automatically moves to display the inside market. In another embodiment, orders can be entered, manipulated, and/or canceled in conjunction with, or separately from, the object. Single and combination gestures can be used to perform one or more commands for entering orders and viewing market data. In one embodiment, multiple displays from one or more different types of computing devices are used in conjunction with each other for operating and/or displaying a portion of the aspects of the disclosed technology. In another embodiment, a filter component is used to show select market data and to enter or trigger specific types of market orders.
US09600840B1 Proximity based recommendations
Disclosed are various embodiments for providing proximity-based product recommendations. A computing device detects an interaction between a product and a user. The computing device provides to the user a recommendation of another product, based at least in part on proximity between the another product and the location of the product in the detected product interaction.
US09600830B2 Social referrals of promotional content
Methods and arrangements allow merchants to set up advertising campaigns that distribute special offers or discounts and allows users to forward the special offers to friends. The forwarding of the offers could expose merchants to offering more discounts than budgeted and this is a concern. The invention addresses this by having the forwarded offer check with the merchant server or advertising server to see if there is enough budget in the campaign left to allow the issuance of the forwarded offer, and if so, the server issues a new identifier. If not, the user receiving the forwarded offer receives a message saying the campaign has expired. Since every offer has its own identifier, the forwarding of the offers can be tracked, as well as the redemption, which allows for social metric collection.
US09600829B2 System and method for identifying a marketplace status
A system for diagnosing an object that includes a preset of an object, a visual representation associated with one or more sub objects of at least part of the object, and a module to analyze the applicable visual representation. The visual representation is captured by a device and provides a specified status of the object. Further the analysis provides a measure of fit between the preset and the specified status of the object as captured and is carried out based on keypoint descriptors used to separate sub objects on the applicable visual representation. The device has a reproduction capturing device and data connectivity.