Document Document Title
US09655837B2 Oil-continuous liquid crystalline phase formulation and use of the same
The present invention is an oil-continuous liquid crystalline phase formulation composed of a cationic and anionic surfactant in combination with a fragrance oil as well as a consumer product base containing the same.
US09655830B2 Cosmetic composition
To provide a transparent to translucent cosmetic composition which is highly stable, and can impart excellent actual feelings of effectiveness in use, such as a feeling of skin penetration, a feeling of non-stickiness, and a skin-softening effect after application thereof to the skin. A transparent to translucent cosmetic composition comprising: (a) a hydrogenated phospholipid, (b) one or more selected from among branched higher fatty acids and higher alcohols, and (c) a polyalcohol that acts as a good solvent and/or a poor solvent for component (a). Preferably, component (b) is isostearic acid and/or isostearyl alcohol. Preferably, the ratio of component (a)/component (b) is from 1/0.01 to 1/0.4 (by mass).
US09655828B2 Glucuronolactone derivatives as self-tanning substances
The invention relates to the use of specific glucuronolactone derivatives as self-tanning substances, as tanning enhancers for dihydroxyacetone or for a mixture of self-tanning substances comprising dihydroxyacetone, for modulation of the hue achieved in the case of tanning with dihydroxyacetone or by the mixture or preparation comprising dihydroxyacetone, as contrast-reduction agents or for coloring keratin-containing fibers, and to preparations or compositions for coloring keratin-containing fibers comprising these specific glucuronolactone derivatives.
US09655819B2 Oral compositions containing gel networks
The present invention is directed to an oral composition containing a gel network phase comprising: (i) one or more fatty amphiphiles, (ii) one or more surfactants, and (iii) one or more solvents; and an oral carrier phase. In certain embodiments, the gel network is used to structure the oral composition. The present invention is also directed to a method of forming an oral composition containing a gel network.
US09655794B2 Adjustable wheelchair
An adjustable wheelchair is disclosed which adjusts to changes in a user's size and weight which includes a scissor-type foldable mechanism which connects two side frames. Wheels for the wheelchair are attached to each of the side frames. An adjustable seat and adjustable back support are a flexible material which span from one side frame to the other. These are designed to unroll and lengthen or roll up and shorten the width of the seat and the back support between the side frames. The scissor-type foldable mechanism includes a tube which slides within a tube, a threaded rod and a threaded stop which function to allow pre-adjustment of the width of the foldable mechanism such that it may be folded and opened to the pre-adjusted width. The frames may be supplemented with reinforcements to accommodate a change in the user's weight.
US09655786B2 Sealing system
An ultrasonic sealing system in a machine for making composite webs in the production of absorbent sanitary articles includes a contact roller having an axis of rotation and including a central portion and a peripheral portion which is supported by the central portion and includes an outer surface forming the outer surface of the contact roller itself. The contact roller includes a sealing pattern on the outer surface of the peripheral portion and also includes springs acting between the central portion and the peripheral portion, which is supported by the peripheral portion by means of the springs.
US09655784B2 Cold weather welding mask having heated forced air means
A cold climate welding mask is provided for combatting interior fogging, condensation, and frost development within the welding mask interior. The device comprises a welding mask structure, a forced air means, a heating means, and a power supply for injecting a heated air stream through the mask interior to remove the user's breath therefrom and to warm the mask interior for comfort purposes. Also provided is a welding mask lens having internal heating elements therein for direct fog prevention. The device may comprises an attachable, auxiliary unit that is attachable to a traditional welding mask, or preferably the device comprises a defined welding mask structure having the elements embedded therein for cold climate and cold environmental welding use. Ideally the device is provided for use by welding operators working in extremely cold or outdoor climates where a user's breath can create internal fogging, condensation, and frost within the mask interior.
US09655780B2 Enhancement of aqueous flow
Drainage of body fluid from an area of undesirably high pressure can be accomplished by interconnecting an artificial non-blood fluid conduit with the vascular system. For example, an artificial non-blood fluid conduit can be inserted into the eye to fluidly interconnect the anterior chamber with a location of lower pressure. The conduit can have a growth factor for stimulating growth of new blood vessels in the location of lower pressure to connect the new blood vessels with the non-blood fluid conduit.
US09655776B2 Infusion pressure control using blood pressure
Methods, systems, and software for controlling infusion pressure, such as during a medical procedure, using systemic blood pressure are described. Systemic blood pressure, such as brachial arm blood pressure or radial artery blood pressure, may be used to estimate central retinal artery blood pressure to estimate critical closing pressure. Further, the disclosure relates to controlling infusion pressure to prevent an increase in intraocular pressure above the estimated critical closing pressure when such is not desired, and, when such is desired, using systemic blood pressure and infusion pressure to control an intentional increase in intraocular pressure above the estimated critical closing pressure to stop intraocular bleeding.
US09655771B1 Stretchable heated wrap system
A wrapper has an inner edge and an outer edge separated by a length. The wrapper has a first side edge and a second side edge separated by a width. The wrapper has an interior sheet and an exterior sheet. The interior sheet and the exterior sheet are fabricated from yarn with stretchable and elastic characteristics. Hook and loop fasteners couple the interior sheet adjacent to the outer edge to the exterior sheet. A plurality of pockets are formed between the interior sheet and the exterior sheet by rows of stitching between the first side edge and the second side edge. A quantity of temperature retentive material is within the pockets. Optional components include an electrical wire to facilitate heating and a container to facilitate heating and/or cooling.
US09655757B2 Endolumenal esophageal restriction device
Generally described herein are apparatus, systems and methods related to a novel esophageal device implantable in the patient's body and designed to replicate the restrictive and satiety mechanism associated with gastric banding systems known in the art. The device can be a compliant and tubular-shaped and fixated within the gastro-esophageal lumen using tissue anchors.
US09655750B2 Attachment mechanism
An attachment mechanism, method of manufacture and method of use are described for releasably attaching a first component and a second component of an orthopaedic apparatus. The attachment mechanism comprises a boss extending from a surface of the first component, and having a free end and a side wall. A retaining mechanism is provided in the second component. The retaining mechanism comprises a plurality of walls defining an aperture in the second component to receive the boss therein. At least part of one of the plurality of walls is a resiliency flexible member engineered to apply sufficient force to a part of the side wall of the boss when inserted in the aperture to provide an interference fit between the boss and the plurality of walls of the aperture to releasably retain the boss within the aperture.
US09655747B2 Expandable fusion device and method of installation thereof
The present invention provides an expandable fusion device capable of being installed inside an intervertebral disc space to maintain normal disc spacing and restore spinal stability, thereby facilitating an intervertebral fusion. In one embodiment, the fusion device includes a body portion, a first endplate, and a second endplate, the first and second endplates capable of being moved in a direction away from the body portion into an expanded configuration or capable of being moved towards the body portion into an unexpanded configuration. The fusion device is capable of being deployed and installed in both configurations.
US09655745B2 Methods for manufacturing implants having integration surfaces
A method of producing an interbody spinal implant. The method includes the steps of obtaining a blank having a top surface, bottom surface, opposing lateral sides, and opposing anterior and posterior portions, and applying a subtractive process (e.g., masked acid etching) to the top surface, the bottom surface, or both surfaces of the blank to form a roughened surface topography. Subsequently, the blank is machined to form the interbody spinal implant, which includes a body having a top surface, a bottom surface, opposing lateral sides, opposing anterior and posterior portions, a substantially hollow center, and a single vertical aperture where the top surface, the bottom surface, or both surfaces of the interbody spinal implant have the roughened surface topography produced by the subtractive process. This simplified method produces more accurate and repeatable implants with fewer process steps and defects, reducing process time and costs.
US09655744B1 Expandable spinal fusion implants and related methods
A system and methods for promoting fusion across an intervertebral disc space, the system including an expandable system of spinal fusion implants wherein the system of implants is inserted into an intervertebral disc space in a smaller profile, collapsed insertion state, and then expanded anteriorly to an expanded state.
US09655735B2 Spinal disc prosthesis
A spinal implant for insertion between adjacent vertebrae to function as a disc prosthesis. The prosthesis is formed from two plates fastened to adjacent vertebrae facing each other. The facing sides of the plates have a donut shaped cushioning coupler to replicate the displaced disc material. Stabilizing links are positioned along the edge of the plates to prevent over compression of the shaped cushioning coupler in a bending moment. Adjustable mounting brackets are used to secure the implant to the spine.
US09655733B2 System and method for modifying talocalcaneal relationship in a foot
A system for modifying a talocalcaneal spatial relationship in a foot in a body, including a subtalar spacer having an articulating surface and implanted in the sinus tarsi of the foot and a fastener that fastens the subtalar spacer to a bone surface in the foot, in which the articulating surface of the subtalar spacer directs relative movement between the calcaneus and the talus of the foot.
US09655726B2 Radial-capitellar implant
A radial-capitellar implant for surgical replacement of the capitellum of the humerus and, optionally, the head of the radius. The radial-capitellar implant includes a capitellar implant or surface replacement arthroplasty of the capitellum and a radial prosthesis for replacement of the head of the radius. In one embodiment the radial prosthesis includes an articular head which moveable articulates with a stem implantable in the radius.
US09655721B2 Implantable device for use in the human and/or animal body to replace an organ valve
The invention relates to an implantable device for use in the human and/or animal body to replace an organ valve, comprising a main body having a first end and a second end, wherein the first end and the second each have an opening to provide a fluid connection through the main body between the first end and the second end; a first membrane element arranged inside or at one end of the main body, wherein the membrane element is formed in such a manner that it allows the fluid connection through the main body in a first flow direction and blocks the same in a second flow direction opposite the first flow direction; wherein the main body has a large ratio of length to transverse expansion along the longitudinal axis of the main body in a first operating state (primary form) and a smaller ratio of length to transverse expansion along the longitudinal axis of the main body in a second operating state (secondary form); and wherein the main body can be reversibly transferred from the secondary form to the primary form counter to elastic material forces by the application of a force; and wherein the main body is formed from a single wire-like element or from a plurality of wire-like elements connected to each other by means interlocking winding and/or twisting and/or weaving in the manner of a woven and/or layered fabric and/or net.
US09655719B2 Surgical heart valve flexible stent frame stiffener
A prosthetic heart valve includes an annular frame having annularly spaced commissure portions and an annulus portion disposed near an inflow edge, a fabric covering at least a portion of the frame and a valve assembly connected to the frame at the commissure portions, the valve assembly including a plurality of leaflets. A stiffening member is disposed about the frame to limit ovalization of the frame when a radial force is applied to the frame.
US09655707B2 Methods, compositions, devices and kits for attaching surgical slings to tissue
The present disclosure is directed to methods, compositions, devices and kits which pertain to the attachment of surgical slings to tissue by application of an energy source to the slings and tissue in the presence of a bonding material.
US09655706B2 Reinforced mesh for retropubic implants
Disclosed are reinforced meshes for retropubic implants for treatment of urinary incontinence and/or pelvic floor disorders and related uses, devices, and methods. In certain embodiments, implants have various resilient strengthening members added to a retropubic support mesh.
US09655704B2 Bite-activated dental hygiene device
New bite-activated dental hygiene devices are provided. In one aspect, a high-speed tooth-cleaning device is provided, which is configured to be bitten down on by a user and which, when properly positioned, scrubs and flosses all of the user's teeth at once, without user-driven brushing. In other aspects of the invention, a device comprises bite-actuated tooth- and gum-brushing channels and other features facilitating the variable bite-actuated release and application of a dentifrice and scrubbing.
US09655698B2 Blank material to be cut for dentistry, metal powder for powder metallurgy, metal frame for porcelain fusing for dentistry, and dental prosthesis
A blank material to be cut for dentistry includes: Co as a main component; Cr at a ratio equal to or higher than 26 mass % and equal to or less than 35 mass %; Mo at a ratio equal to or higher than 5 mass % and equal to or less than 12 mass %; Si at a ratio equal to or higher than 0.3 mass % and equal to or less than 2.0 mass %; and N at a ratio equal to or higher than 0.09 mass % and equal to or less than 0.5 mass %. The blank material is formed of a sintered body of a metal powder.
US09655678B2 Methods for the minimally invasive treatment of urinary stones
Methods for treating urinary (kidney) stones in patients using a small outer diameter ureteroscope may help overcome problems associated with conventional methods for removing kidney stones and may minimize patient discomfort, avoid hospitalization and reduce costs associated with more conventional surgical treatments of kidney stones. The methods can be carried out in an outpatient environment such as a urologists' office without requiring general anesthesia.
US09655670B2 Systems and methods for measuring tissue impedance through an electrosurgical cable
The electrosurgical systems and methods of the present disclosure include a tissue resistance measurement system that compensates for capacitive parasitics in a cable connecting an electrosurgical generator to and electrosurgical cable to estimate the real resistance of a tissue load. The electrosurgical generator includes an output stage coupled to an electrical energy source and generates electrosurgical energy. The electrosurgical generator includes a plurality of sensors sensing a voltage and current of the electrosurgical energy and a controller controlling the output stage. The controller includes a calculator that calculates a real part of an impedance based on the sensed voltage and current, an estimator that estimates a resistance of the tissue using a solution to a quadratic equation that is a function of the real part of the impedance, and a control signal generator configured to generate a control signal for the output stage based on the resistance of the tissue.
US09655667B2 Cryo-ablation refrigerant distribution catheter
Described herein are methods and devices for performing ablation via a cryoablation catheter. An ablation catheter having a cyroablation chamber at its distal end can be used to achieve a uniform ablation band in or around the pulmonary veins. The cyrochamber can house a dispersion member in fluid communication with a refrigerant supply and can function to evenly distribute received refrigerant over some portion of the inner wall of the cryochamber. As a result of this even distribution of refrigerant within the cyrochamber, uniform ablation of the targeted tissue of the patient can be achieved.
US09655665B2 Bone plate systems
Bone plate systems for surgical implants and bone repair are provided. The bone plate is multi-tiered for receiving bone anchors for securing a plurality of bones or bone fragments in a desired relationship. The plate members include throughbores for receiving a pivot base therein, with head ends of the bone anchors being secured within the pivot bases. The throughbores may permit and define a translation path for the pivot base and the bone anchor secured therein relative to the plate. The configuration of the pivot base and the throughbore facilitate pivoting and optional translation of the pivot base relative to the plate. With the bone anchor seated within the pivot base, an apparatus for inhibiting bone anchor back out is employed.
US09655648B2 Femoral and tibial base components
Various embodiments are directed to base components that are usable with implantable mechanical energy absorbing systems. According to one embodiment, the base component includes a low-profile body having a elongate, straight portion at a first end and a curved body portion at a second end. The second end is elevated as compared to the first end. An inner surface of the low-profile body has a raised portion extending along the elongate, straight portion of the low-profile body. The base component also includes a plurality of openings positioned along the low-profile body for alignment and purposes of affixation to body anatomy.
US09655644B2 Medical device: laparoscopic bag
A laparoscopic bag, wherein the laparoscopic bag comprises one opening which is in a top portion, and a body portion, wherein the laparoscopic bag comprises an inner layer which is waterproof, a middle layer which is resistant to morcellation, and an outer layer which is waterproof.
US09655641B2 Ultrasonic surgical instrument with cooling system
A method of treating tissue includes ultrasonically treating tissue by oscillating a blade of an ultrasonic surgical instrument in contact with tissue and activating a fluid control system to pump cooling fluid through a blade conduit of the blade to cool the blade.
US09655634B2 Endoscopic stone-extraction device
An endoscopic stone-extraction device is provided comprising a support filament comprising an end portion, a sheath comprising a lumen, wherein the support filament is disposed in the lumen such that the sheath is slideable with respect to the support filament, and a handle comprising an actuator. Movement of the actuator in a first direction retracts the sheath and causes a shape to expand outside the lumen. Movement of the actuator in a second direction advances the sheath and causes the shape to at least partially collapse inside the lumen. Other embodiments are provided, and any of these embodiments can be used alone or in combination.
US09655630B2 Methods and devices for forming holes in bone to stimulate bone growth
Methods and devices are provided for forming holes in bone to stimulate bone growth. In one exemplary embodiment, a surgical instrument set can include a driver having a first mating element, and a bone pick have a second mating element configured to releasably mate with the first mating element at any of a plurality of angular orientations. When releasably mated together, the driver and the bone pick can be configured to be adjustably positioned relative to one another with three degrees of freedom, e.g., pitch, yaw, and roll. The bone pick can include a piercing tip configured to form a hole in a bone, such as in microfracture. When the driver and the bone pick are releasably mated together, the driver can be configured to be struck, impacted, or otherwise manipulated to drive the piercing tip into the bone.
US09655629B2 Cutting instrument
Provided is a cutting instrument including: an elongated member including a tubular portion 105 and a shaft-like portion 101 inserted in the tubular portion 105; a blade 201 including two edges, the blade 201 being provided at an end of the elongated member and being pivotable between a housed position and a projected position; and a motion mechanism that converts a relative movement of the tubular portion 105 and the shaft-like portion 101 resulting from an operation of an operation portion 102 to 104 into pivoting of the blade between the housed position and the projected position, wherein the cutting instrument moves toward the operation portion while rotating in its entirety with the two edges of the blade 201 projected on opposite sides of the tubular portion 105, thereby drilling a hole with a diameter larger than an outer diameter of the tubular portion 105.
US09655628B2 Reduced invasivity fixation system for trackers in computer assisted surgery
The invention relates to a surgical navigation device, for the purpose of adjusting a cutting plane to a desired position with respect to a bone of a patient, the device comprising:a fixed part (7) rigidly attached to the bone (18, 19), the fixed part comprising fixation means to rigidly attach a tracker thereto;a mobile part (5) adjustable with respect to the fixed part (7), including fixation means to rigidly attach a tracker thereto, and including a cutting slot (6) in which a saw blade can be inserted to perform cut;a fixed tracker (9) rigidly attached to the fixed part (7);a mobile tracker (1) attached to the mobile part (5).The invention also concerns a method for adjusting a cutting plane of a surgical device to a desired position with respect to a bone of a patient.
US09655626B2 Anvil assembly delivery system
A sled for use with an anvil assembly delivery system is provided which includes a body defining a concavity dimensioned to receive an anvil head of an anvil assembly and a recess dimensioned to receive a center rod of the anvil assembly. The body has a smooth outer profile to facilitate atraumatic trans-oral insertion of the anvil assembly to a surgical site. The body further defines a first suture channel on each side of the recess to facilitate securement of the body to the anvil assembly.
US09655615B2 Active wedge and I-beam for surgical stapler
A surgical stapling device designed and constructed for cutting and stapling tissues in a surgical procedure. The surgical stapling device includes an actuated wedge to deploy staples. The actuated wedge is put into an active state by a first wedge actuation element. In the active state, the actuated wedge is ready to engage and deploy staples in a staple holder. The actuated wedge is put into a neutral state by a second wedge actuation element. In the neutral state, the actuated wedge disengages with the staples and does not deploy the staples. The surgical stapling device includes an I-beam that acts to maintain a clamp gap between the anvil and staple holder of the surgical stapling device to ensure proper stapling of tissue.
US09655608B2 System and method for retracting body tissue
Retractor systems and methods for retracting body tissue during surgery. The retractor system includes a rail having two opposed widened rail portions separated by a narrowed portion, each widened portion engageable by a separate clamp. The clamps are configured to support the rail to a fixed surface, or to support a surgical device. Each clamp may independently be positioned or slid along the rail to a desired location without interference with a clamp on an opposing widened rail portion. A device clamp is formed of spherical mating portions which enable alignment of a surgical device along six degrees of freedom, and tightenable by securing a single fastener. A retractor blade mount enables an angular and tilting disposition of a retractor blade, as well as remote manipulation of the retractor blade.
US09655601B2 Ergonomic handpiece for laparoscopic and open surgery
A surgical tool having an elongate shaft, with a directional operative element at its distal end, is provided with a mechanism to rotate the shaft and the operative element about a longitudinal axis shaft. This allows the operative element to be aligned with an element of tissue without excessive hand movement by the user. In a preferred version, the mechanism is electrically powered and is regulated to produce smooth, controlled, accurate motion between selected rotational positions. The mechanism may include a linear magnetic motor drive to move a drive element longitudinally along the tool. This drive element is engaged with a helical formation on a drive shaft, such that longitudinal motion of the drive element is converted to rotational motion of the drive shaft, and of the shaft and operative element, to which the shaft is mounted.
US09655594B2 Methods and compositions for tissue-equivalent opto-acoustic phantoms
Methods and compositions for gelatin based tissue mimicking opto-acoustic phantom that accurately replicates opto-acoustic properties of biological tissue and permits matching of each optical and each acoustic property of specific tissues independently so that by changing one property the other property is not altered. Such phantoms can match tissue properties in the specific range of system parameters required for evaluation of hardware and software performance, calibration, validation or personnel training of optical, optoacoustic, ultrasonic or combined system used for imaging, sensing or monitoring of tissue morphology and molecular composition.
US09655593B2 Medical diagnostic apparatus, method for operating medical diagnostic apparatus, and computer-readable recording medium
A medical diagnostic apparatus includes: a feature calculating unit configured to calculate a plurality of kinds of features that is based on luminance information or frequency spectrum information obtained from a received signal from a specimen, and that relates to attributes of a tissue of the specimen; a classification unit configured to: classify the attributes of the tissue of the specimen by using a feature determined among the plurality of kinds of features calculated by the feature calculating unit according to a classification item selected in advance from a plurality of classification items assigned for each classification purpose; and assign visual information according to a classification result to pixels of an image based on the received signal; and a feature image data generating unit configured to generate feature image data on which the visual information assigned to the pixels of the image based on the received signal is superimposed.
US09655591B2 Ultrasonic probe and aligned needle guide system
A side-fire ultrasonic probe includes an alignment feature that, when used to connect the probe with a needle guide for intra-cavity medical procedures, enables alignment of a needle in an imaging plane of an ultrasonic transducer. The alignment feature is configured such that alignment of the needle within the imaging plane is accomplished when a protective sheath is disposed between the alignment feature and the needle guide. This configuration can be used with high frequency ultrasonic arrays having frequency distributions centered at about 20 MHz, and for medical procedures, such as biopsying organs or other bodily intra-cavity structures, and delivering intra-cavity therapies.
US09655589B2 Subject information acquisition apparatus
Viscoelastic characteristics in a subject are imaged by a simple method.A viscoelasticity measurement reference layer whose elastic modulus and viscosity coefficient are known is included between an ultrasonic wave transmitting/receiving probe and the subject and distributions of elastic modulus and viscosity coefficient inside the subject are calculated from a change over time of strain generated in the viscoelasticity measurement reference layer and the subject according to a pressure applied to the subject which changes over time and known elastic modulus and viscosity coefficient of the viscoelasticity measurement reference layer.
US09655579B2 Image-based diagnosis assistance apparatus, method and program
A morphology image representing the morphology of a specific organ including a tubular structure in the inside thereof and a function image representing a function level at each position in the organ are obtained. A structure region representing a structure dominating the organ is extracted from the morphology image. A specific partial region in the extracted structure region and a dominated region in the organ are determined, and the dominated region being dominated by a structure in the partial region. In that case, at least one of the partial region determination step and the dominated region determination step is performed by using the function image.
US09655574B2 Methods and systems for controlling movement of detectors having multiple detector heads
Methods and systems for controlling movement of detectors having multiple detector heads are provided. One system includes a gantry, a patient support structure supporting a patient table thereon, and a plurality of detector units. At least some of the detector units are rotatable to position the detector units at different angles relative to the patient table. The imaging system further includes a detector position controller configured to control the position of the rotatable detector units, wherein at least some of the rotatable detector units positioned adjacent to each other have an angle of rotation to allow movement of the rotatable detector units a distance greater than a gap between adjacent rotatable detector units. The detector position controller is configured to calculate at least one of field of view avoidance information or collision avoidance information to determine an amount of movement for one or more of the rotatable detector units.
US09655572B2 Drive system for imaging device
A drive mechanism for a mobile imaging system comprises a main drive geared into a drive wheel for propelling the imaging system, including a base and one or more imaging components, across a surface. The drive mechanism can also include a scan drive that moves the drive mechanism and the one or more imaging components along an axis relative to the base to provide an imaging scan, and a suspension drive that extends the drive wheel relative to a bottom surface when the imaging system is in a transport mode and retracts the drive wheel relative to the bottom surface of the base when the imaging system is in an imaging mode. The drive wheel supports the weight of the imaging components, but does not directly support the base assembly, which can include pedestal and tabletop support. One or more casters located on the base can support the weight of the base assembly.
US09655571B2 X-ray shield
An X-ray shield for a horizontal X-ray procedure table, the X-ray shield comprising a horizontal support bar comprising at least one substantially vertically aligned slot, in combination with an X-ray opaque top shield comprising at least one downwardly projecting pin, the at least one pin being arranged so as to be disposable within the at least one slot from above in order to engage the top shield with the horizontal support bar, the X-ray shield further comprising a latch engagable to prevent the separation of the top shield from the support bar when the top shield is engaged with the support bar, and wherein the latch can be unengaged to permit the removal of the top shield from the support bar by withdrawing the as least one pin from the at least one slot.
US09655570B2 Radiological image processing apparatus and radiological image processing program
A radiological image processing apparatus of this invention includes a separating device, an adjusting device and a removing device. Since a corrected image is generated using the radiological image taken through an object under examination, each image can be acquired by one radiographic operation without acquiring data for grid correction beforehand. The radiological image taken through the object is separated into a grid image and a non-grid image, and a corrected image is generated by adjusting intensity of the grid image on real space based on the non-grid image. Thus a high-precision correcting process is realized by one radiographic operation.
US09655568B2 Method for recording a complete projection data set in the central layer for CT reconstruction using a C-arm X-ray apparatus with a limited rotation range
A method for recording a scan from a series of 2D X-ray projections using a C-arm X-ray apparatus allows an analytical volume reconstruction of a disk-shaped region of interest. The C-arm X-ray apparatus has a coherent, flat focus trajectory comprising three sections on which the focus of the X-ray source is moved with recording of X-ray projection views. The X-ray source emits a cone beam in the direction of an imaging X-ray detector, such as in particular a flat panel detector FPD. In some implementations, the cone beam is configured as a fan beam with a fan angle in the plane of the focus trajectory, which contains the ROI with the virtual scan center in its center, wherein the central ray of the fan beam is located on the bisector of the fan angle, and stands vertically on the ray inlet window. Before the beginning of the scan, the C-arm is positioned in the orbital movement axis in a first extreme position in which the holder engages at one end of the C-arm with the X-ray source, and the adjustable holder of the C-arm is positioned in such a manner that the ROI is located outside of the circle segment formed by the C-arm and the central ray, and a first limiting beam of the fan beam, which starts from the focus point and which is located on the side of the central ray facing away from the C-arm, is tangential to the ROI. During the recording of the scan, the plane of the C-arm remains fixed in space.
US09655565B2 Systems and methods for dynamically and intelligently monitoring a host's glycemic condition after an alert is triggered
Systems and methods for providing sensitive and specific alarms indicative of glycemic condition are provided herein. In an embodiment, a method of processing sensor data by a continuous analyte sensor includes: evaluating sensor data using a first function to determine whether a real time glucose value meets a first threshold; evaluating sensor data using a second function to determine whether a predicted glucose value meets a second threshold; activating a hypoglycemic indicator if either the first threshold is met or if the second threshold is predicted to be met; and providing an output based on the activated hypoglycemic indicator.
US09655563B2 Early therapy response assessment of lesions
For therapy response assessment, texture features are input for machine learning a classifier and for using a machine learnt classifier. Rather than or in addition to using formula-based texture features, data driven texture features are derived from training images. Such data driven texture features are independent analysis features, such as features from independent subspace analysis. The texture features may be used to predict the outcome of therapy based on a few number of or even one scan of the patient.
US09655562B2 System and method for patient-specific planar visualization of volumetric MRI data
A system and method for providing medical imaging data includes generating T2* maps based on T2* data, registering the T2* maps with 3-D anatomical data reconstructed from the medical imaging data, and segmenting the 3-D anatomical data in a region of interest (ROI). The method also includes generating a 3-D anatomic volume of at least the ROI, flattening the 3-D anatomic volume into a 2-D flattened image, and displaying the registered T2* maps on the 2-D flattened image.
US09655560B2 Catheter balloon having stretchable integrated circuitry and sensor array
A system, device and method are presented for utilizing stretchable active integrated circuits with inflatable bodies. The invention allows for such operative features to come into direct contact with body structures, such as the inner wall of a lumen. Such direct contact increases accuracy of measurement and delivery of therapy.
US09655556B2 Method of testing for allergies
An allergy testing kit contains a plurality of allergy testing applicators, an allergy testing tray and a plurality of allergen bottles each containing an allergen. Each of the applicators contains an elongated handle, a plurality of arms extending from the elongated handle and disposed in an asymmetrical configuration, and a plurality of legs with tines extending from each of the arms. The allergy testing tray contains a main body having an underside and a top surface, a cover for locking with the main body and a plurality of reservoirs extending from the underside of the main body. The reservoirs each have a chamber with an opening extending from the top surface. The reservoirs are disposed in different groups and each group has an asymmetrical configuration matching that of the applicator.
US09655554B2 Device and method for monitoring movement and orientation of the device
The present invention relates to a device and method for monitoring movement and orientation of the device, comprising an imaging unit (10) for obtaining images over time, a holding means (12, 13) for holding said imaging unit to obtain images from the surroundings of the device, and a processing unit (14) for detecting movement and orientation of the device by detecting changes in subsequently obtained images.
US09655552B2 Devices for detecting or filtering tumor cells
Among others, the present invention provides devices each including a micro-filter, a shutter, a cell counter, a selector, a micro-surgical kit, a timer, and a data processing circuitry, wherein the micro-filter is capable of detecting or filtering circulating tumor cells.
US09655551B2 Device for performing at least one medical function
A device for performing at least one medical function on a user is proposed. The device has at least one medical functional element that is designed to perform the medical function. The medical function is selected from a diagnostic, a therapeutic and a surgical function. The device has at least one evaluation and control part that comprises at least one actuation component for controlling the medical function. The evaluation and control part has at least one casing and at least one battery receptacle. The battery receptacle comprises at least one electrical energy reservoir, more particularly at least one battery. The battery receptacle is designed to be opened irreversibly by the user for removing the energy reservoir.
US09655550B2 Latent fingerprint detection method, heating evaporation device for detecting latent fingerprint, latent fingerprint detection apparatus, and composition for detecting latent fingerprint
The present invention provides a latent fingerprint detection method that is easy to handle and is capable of clearly detecting a latent fingerprint and a heating evaporation device for detecting a latent fingerprint and a latent fingerprint detection apparatus which are capable of detecting a clear latent fingerprint by a one-time operation by heating a chemical agent at high temperatures in a short time, as well as a composition for detecting a latent fingerprint. This latent fingerprint detection method includes a heating step of heating a chemical agent to be gasified by heating so as to attach to a latent fingerprint on a specimen, and an exposure step of exposing the specimen having the latent fingerprint attached thereto to the atmosphere of the gasified chemical agent. The chemical agent is a mixture of a 2-cyanoacrylic acid ester polymer and a dye.
US09655547B1 Microelectromechanical accelerometer based sensor system
This invention relates to apparatus and systems for providing home and building security and condition monitoring. More particularly, the invention relates to a plurality of devices, including intelligent, multi-sensing, network-connected devices, that communicate dynamically with each other and a remote server.
US09655544B2 System and method for determination of transpulmonary pressure in a patient connected to a breathing apparatus
A breathing apparatus (1) is disclosed that is adapted to determine a transpulmonary pressure in a patient (125) when connected to said breathing apparatus. A control unit (105) is operable to set a first mode of operation for ventilating said patient with a first Positive End Expiratory Pressure (PEEP) level; set a second mode of operation for ventilating said patient with a second PEEP level starting from said first PEEP level; and determine said transpulmonary pressure (Ptp) based on a change in end-expiratory lung volume (ΔEELV) and a difference between said first PEEP level and said second PEEP level (ΔPEEP). Furthermore, a method and computer program are disclosed.
US09655543B2 Respiratory waveform analyzer
A respiratory waveform analyzer, operable to analyze a respiratory waveform, which is generated based on a temporal change of a concentration of a component in respiratory gas of a subject, includes: a respiratory gas concentration generator which generates a concentration signal based on an output signal from a sensor that is placed to measure the concentration of the component; a flatness calculator which calculates a flatness indicative of flat degree of the respiratory waveform based on a temporal change of the concentration signal; and a reliability calculator which calculates a reliability of the respiratory waveform based on the flatness and the concentration signal.
US09655541B2 Biosignal measurement apparatus
A biosignal measurement apparatus according to the present technology includes a voltage supply, a measurement electrode, a resistor, a first amplifier, and a neutral electrode. The measurement electrode is connected to the voltage supply and brought into contact with a living body. The resistor is connected between the voltage supply and the measurement electrode. The first amplifier amplifies a potential between the resistor and the measurement electrode. The neutral electrode is brought into contact with the living body. The object of the invention is to provide a biosignal measurement apparatus capable of measuring a contact resistance with high accuracy.
US09655534B2 Neurological screening connector
A medical lead screening connector includes a housing, a plurality of electrical contacts disposed within the housing, where each lead receptor channel includes at least two lead receptor contacts, and a cover hingedly attached to the housing. The cover includes a protrusion that is arranged and configured to register with one of the lead receptor channels and contacts a lead body received in the lead receptor channel when the cover is in a closed position.
US09655526B2 Vital signs fiber optic sensor systems and methods
An intensity-based, micro-bending optical fiber sensor is disclosed herein, which is configured to acquire clean, stable, and reliable vital sign signals. Related systems and methods for vital sign monitoring are also provided herein. The sensor of various embodiments includes a multi-mode optical fiber, an LED light source, an LED driver, a receiver, and a single layer deformer structure. In various embodiments, the optical fiber and single layer deformer structure of the sensor are selected to meet specific parameters necessary to achieve a level of reliability and sensitivity needed to successfully monitor vital signs. In some embodiments, a specific sizing relationship exists between the optical fiber and the single layer deformer structure. In sonic embodiments, the sensor is configured to acquire ballistocardiograph waveforms.
US09655522B2 Method and system for “push-button” comprehensive cardiac MR examination using continuous self-gated 3D radial imaging
The present invention teaches systems and methods for a simple cardiac MRI approach that (1) continuously acquires data; (2) covers the entire heart with high isotropic resolution within a few minutes; and (3) requires no physiological gating and minimal user intervention. Applications of the inventive systems and methods include, but are in no way limited to cardiac cine, myocardial perfusion, coronary MRA, delayed enhancement imaging, myocardial T1-weighted imaging for fibrosis imaging, and myocardial T2-weighted imaging for edema imaging.
US09655520B2 Decongestive therapy titration for heart failure patients using implantable sensor
Assessing decongestive therapy delivered to a heart failure patient involves use of an implantable sensor configured to sense a physiologic parameter indicative of the patient's diuresis status and a processor coupled to the implantable sensor. The sensor may comprise a thoracic fluid sensor, a heart sounds sensor, a cardiac chamber or arterial pressure sensor, a respiration sensor, or a blood chemistry sensor, for example. The processor is configured to determine if a target level of patient diuresis has been achieved based on a relationship between the sensed physiologic parameter and a threshold developed for the patient, and to produce an output in response to determining that the target level of patient diuresis has been achieved. The processor may be disposed in an implantable housing, in a patient-external housing, or in a network server system.
US09655518B2 Ambulatory and centralized processing of a physiological signal
A machine-implemented method including obtaining physiological signal data for a living being and performing a first analysis of the physiological signal data at a processing device local to the living being and remote from a central processing device. The method further includes transmitting from the processing device data associated with the analysis to the central processing device and performing at the central processing device a second analysis of the data associated with the first analysis. The method further includes displaying the data associated with the second analysis. The method can also include interaction between the processing device local to the living being and the central processing device. The method can also include distributing monitoring and analysis between an ambulatory and a centralized subsystem.
US09655517B2 Portable eye imaging apparatus
A portable digital imaging device, which utilizes the advanced features of wireless data transmission and high computing power of mobile computing devices in junction with the use miniature cameras and solid state lighting technology, is proposed as the next generation of medical imaging devices, in particular in ophthalmic imaging applications.
US09655513B2 Wavefront measurement pre-smoothing systems and methods
Embodiments of the present invention encompass systems and methods for generating a vision treatment target for an eye of a patient. Exemplary techniques can involve obtaining a wavefront measurement for the eye of the patient, processing the wavefront measurement, using a low pass filter, to obtain an ocular wavefront, and generating the vision treatment target based on the ocular wavefront. In some cases, the wavefront is processed by applying a Fourier transform to the wavefront measurement to obtain a Fourier spectrum of the wavefront, convolving, in the Fourier domain, the Fourier spectrum of the wavefront and the low pass filter to obtain a Fourier spectrum convolution result, and applying an inverse transform to the convolution result to obtain the ocular wavefront. The ocular wavefront can represent a low pass filtered version of the wavefront measurement, such that high spatial frequency features present in the wavefront measurement are not present in the ocular wavefront.
US09655511B2 Apparatus and method to obtain clinical ophthalmic high order optical aberrations
An apparatus and method to improve the prescribing of customized ophthalmic corrections which contain higher order aberration. The apparatus enables the subjective measurement of higher order aberrations such as spherical aberration which can be used as part of the prescription for customized ophthalmic corrections.
US09655508B2 LED light Placido disc projector for a corneal topography system
The present invention generally refers to corneal topography systems. More specifically, it regards a Placido disc projector (or simply Placido disc) for a corneal topography system, having a novel arrangement of LED lighting.
US09655502B2 Removable tip endoscope
There is provided herein, an endoscope comprising an elongated shaft terminating with a tip section wherein said tip section comprises a permanent section connected to the elongated shaft and a removable section securely connectable to the permanent section, wherein the removable section comprises at least one capture device and at least one light source.
US09655499B2 Miniaturized scanning system
A miniaturized scanning system to generate movement of a flexible device positioned at a distal part of a medical tool. The miniaturized scanning system includes an inner shaft with a longitudinal axis, adapted to guide said flexible device along the longitudinal axis, an abutment comprising an external surface and adapted to maintain said device, and a pusher mechanism adapted to engage with said abutment. The miniaturized scanning system includes at least one end portion adapted to contact said external surface of the abutment at a contact point, wherein said end portion is configured to translate along said longitudinal axis of the inner shaft and wherein the translation of said end portion results in a bending of the device in a bending plane defined by the longitudinal axis of the inner shaft and said contact point.
US09655493B2 Dishwasher with permanent storage compartment
A dishwasher, including a chamber for washing dishes and a chamber for storing dishes is provided. A mechanism is also provided allowing the dish racks to move the dishes from the washing chamber to the storage chamber of the dishwasher once the wash is completed.
US09655489B2 Vacuum cleaner
Provided is a vacuum cleaner. The vacuum cleaner includes a cleaner body including a suction motor for generating a suction force, a suction part communicating with the cleaner body to suction air and dusts, a battery disposed in the cleaner body or suction part to supply a power to the suction motor, and a cleaner connector disposed on the cleaner body or the suction part, a charger including a charger connector separably connected to the cleaner connector to charge the battery, and a disconnection member disposed on the cleaner body or the suction part to selectively connect or disconnect the cleaner connector to or from the battery.
US09655487B2 Vacuum cleaner and nozzle for a vacuum cleaner
A nozzle for a vacuum cleaner, including a suction part having a suction port and a main brush; and at least one movable member movably installed in the suction port and having a subsidiary brush. The at least one movable member may include a first and a second movable member provided at either side of the suction part, allowing a suction area of the nozzle to be selectively expanded.
US09655479B2 Two-liquid dispensing systems, refills and two-liquid pumps
Exemplary embodiments of dispensing systems for dispensing mixtures of multiple liquids, refill units and pumps for such refill units and dispensers are disclosed herein. One refill unit includes a first container and a second container. The refill unit includes a first pump chamber that is associated with the first container and a second pump chamber that is associated with the second container. The first and second pump chambers include a liquid inlet valve and a liquid outlet valve. Expanding the first and second pump chambers draws liquid into the first and second pump chambers through the liquid inlet valves and compressing the first and second pump chambers forces liquid through the liquid outlet valves into a mixing chamber located downstream of the liquid outlet valves. The mixing chamber is formed at least in part by a flexible membrane. The refill unit also includes an outlet nozzle for dispensing the mixture.
US09655468B2 Apparatus and process for rapidly cooking food
An apparatus for rapidly cooking food includes a housing having a reservoir, a heating element, a binary distributor, and a container. In a method of using the apparatus for rapidly cooking food, food is placed into the container and water is poured into the reservoir. The heating element heats the water in the reservoir, and the resulting steam travels into the binary distributor. Pressurized steam then exits the binary distributor to uniformally cook the top of the food. Condensed steam gathers at the bottom of the container and is kept at a temperature capable of cooking the food. In such a way, food in the container is rapidly cooked. In one embodiment, the food to be cooked is a single serving of ramen brick style noodles.
US09655464B2 Ventilated tray with riser
A serving tray configured to hold fresh baked pizza and hot-served food items in a prolonged hot and crispy state. The tray comprises a circular ventilated platform made of a perforated inner region surrounded by a solid rim. Stand-off dividers form a plurality of segregated breathing chambers below the ventilated platform. The stand-off dividers guide moisture vapor from the hot baked food item through the ventilated platform and toward a cool remote surface where the water vapors condense. External air drafts are obstructed by the stand-off dividers. The stand-off dividers include one annular riser divider and two internal cross-brace dividers that together form four sector-shaped breathing chambers. A flat handle extends between the two cross-brace dividers inside the annular riser divider. As slices of pizza are removed, the remaining portions of pizza on the tray stay hot and crispy as radiated heat is reflected within the still breathing chambers.
US09655463B2 Insulated beverage-container holder
An insulating beverage-can holder including: a can-receiving cup; a primary lid that is secured to the upper edge of the cup and has (a) a main portion defining a drinking hole aligned with the can opening, (b) a disk of resiliently-deformable material on the underside of the main portion to form a seal about the can opening and having an aperture aligned with the drinking hole, and (c) a circumferential rim disposed to form a seal around the edge of the cup; and a secondary lid which is hinged to the primary lid at opposite sides of the main portion and is movable between a first position exposing the drinking hole and a second position closing the drinking hole and covering an area of the primary lid.
US09655449B2 Wall construction element, drawer having such a wall construction element, and item of furniture
A wall construction element of a drawer is proposed, wherein the wall construction element has a frame body, having a base part which provides a cavity for receiving a drawer guide system, and having a casing element for casing the base part, wherein in a covering portion of the frame body a material layer of the casing element covers a material layer of the base part. According to the invention, a support part which upwardly projects in the fashion of a column is present on the frame body, wherein for attaching the support part in an end-side end region of the frame body a tongue-like flat portion of the support part is secured between the base part and the casing element.
US09655442B2 Panels comprising a mechanical locking device and an assembled product comprising the panels
A set of panels includes a first panel having a first main plane and a second panel having a second main plane. The panels are provided with a mechanical locking device for locking a first edge of the first panel to a second edge of the second panel. The mechanical locking device includes an edge groove at the first edge, wherein an edge tongue of the second edge is insertable into the edge groove. A flexible tongue is arranged in an insertion groove provided in the edge section groove, and cooperates with a tongue groove provided at the edge section of the second panel. The first and the second panels are locked at a junction plane which is extending between the first main plane and the second main plane. The first edge comprises an edge tongue that extends from the junction plane.
US09655439B1 Supporting rack
A supporting rack includes two one-piece supporting foot members each including an upright base panel and a bearing panel perpendicularly extended from the top side of the upright base panel, a clamping panel outwardly extended from the bottom side of the upright base panel of one one-piece supporting foot member for holding a mobile electronic device, a tabletop mounted on the bearing panels of the two one-piece supporting foot members in a replaceable manner and defining with the two one-piece supporting foot members an accommodation chamber for accommodating computer peripheral apparatuses, and an electronic expansion box detachably mounted at the upright base panel of one one-piece supporting foot member within the accommodation chamber for connecting multiple computer peripheral apparatuses to a computer or server.
US09655435B2 Toothbrush bristle arrangement
A toothbrush head with bristles comprising tapered and non-tapered bristles, in which the non-tapered bristles extend to two different lengths from the face, being a first greater length LN1 and a second shorter length LN2. In a preferred embodiment non-tapered bristles are combined with tapered bristles in tufts which are inclined in opposite directions away from and towards the grip handle.
US09655434B2 Holder for mobile computing device
A holder for a mobile computing device, such as a tablet computer or the like, can include a handle that is positioned laterally from a device space in which the mobile computing device is held within the holder. The handle can be angled relative to the mobile computing device and can have a fixed angle or adjustable angles. The holder can include two or more portions that are connectable in two or more different positions to hold the mobile computing device in at least two orientations, such as landscape and portrait orientations, and/or to accommodate devices of different sizes. In some configurations, the holder can incorporate a peripheral device.
US09655433B2 Sling carrier for skis, snowboard and boots
Improvements in a sling carrier for skis, snowboard and boots to be able to carry the skies and or snowboard across the back of the wearer is disclosed. The ability to sling the equipment over the back of a user allows the user to have full mobility walk. A user can tighten the sling to adjust the location of the equipment in their back. Having the equipment supported on their back allows the user to walk in a more balanced stance and the user just needs to bend forward or backward to accommodate the load or the terrain. The carrier uses pockets for the equipment and for transportation of the carrier equipment. This also leave the hand of the user free while transporting equipment. The carrier uses Buckles that allow the user to just “squeeze” elements together to release the straps.
US09655424B2 Cut-proof anti-theft bag construction
In one form, a security handbag is provided that includes an interior security panel assembly with a matrix of wires secured between a pair of material layers. The interior security panel assembly can be positioned intermediate the bag outside wall and a lining of the bag. A strap with security cable and a carabiner attachment device can be attached to the handbag. Methods for forming such security panel assemblies are also provided.
US09655416B1 Crank handle positioning assembly for an umbrella
A crank handle positioning assembly structured to selectively position a mast mounted canopy of an umbrella into and between open and closed orientations. A gear housing is disposed within the interior of the mast in at least partially enclosing relation to a gear assembly and in driving relation to at least one elongated drive gear. A crank handle is disposed on an exterior of the mast and extends there-through into rotationally driving relation to the gear assembly. A rider member is interconnected in driving relation to the canopy assembly and is reciprocally movable along the length of the drive gear upon rotational, driving engagement of the crank handle with the gear assembly. Concurrent, cooperative directions of linear movement of the rider member and a rotational movement of the crank handle is determinative of the positioning of the canopy assembly in either the open or closed orientations.
US09655410B2 Combination hidden necktie restraint and buttoning-assist device
A device that serves both for retaining a necktie against free displacement and also for assisting buttoning of a garment comprises first and second loop elements and a flexible link element, attached at its opposite ends to the link elements. Each loop element defines a compound aperture having a larger end section, through which a button may pass, a smaller end section by which an element fastening the button may be engaged and secured by shifting of the loop element relative thereto, and a constricting neck section formed at the intersection of said larger and smaller end sections of said loop elements for maintaining the fastening element the button against unintentional release from the smaller end section of the loop element.
US09655407B2 Multilayered textile material in shoes
Described are shoe uppers in which at least a portion thereof is formed of a multilayered material. The multilayered material includes at least one nonwoven fiber layer with unidirectionally oriented fibers and a matrix material, wherein the multilayered material has elastic properties that allow the multilayered material to deform when stretched over a three dimensional mold.
US09655405B2 Insoles for tracking, data transfer systems and methods involving the insoles, and methods of manufacture
A multilayer insole for removable placement in an article of footwear, the multilayer insole including a bottom insole layer having a top side, a top insole layer having an underside, an intermediate layer that is (a) an insole material layer, (b) a flexible circuit layer or (c) a bonding region for joining the bottom insole layer with the top insole layer, a location data receiving means for receiving an input signal relating to a location of the insole, and a location data transmitting means for transmitting an output signal relating to the location of the insole, wherein the location data receiving means and the location data transmitting means are both integrally associated with the multilayer insole. Also provided are a unitary insole, data transfer systems and methods of using them involving the different insoles and methods of manufacturing the different insoles.
US09655401B2 Polymer shoe
An elastomeric shoe is provided that comprises a curved sole, an upper portion thereof having a vamp and curved top line. The upper portion and curved sole are molded from an elastomeric material, allowing the curved top line to stretch in tension, enabling the shoe's sole to achieve a substantially planar orientation when placed upon a wearer's foot to both enhance user comfort and provide better adherence to a wearer's foot without the need for an unsightly, elasticized, gathered topline.
US09655400B2 Adjustable forefoot posting for orthotic
An orthotic device has a readily adjustable variable forefoot posting system. In some embodiments, a generally planar plate is pivotally coupled to a foot-receiving shell. The plate is generally under the arch and not in contact with the supporting surface when in a neutral position. Along the plate's perimeter are raised regions that can be deployed into position as a forefoot post via pivoting the plate. In some versions, adjustability is via a sliding motion. Some areas have a greater height than others do and these raised areas or protrusions can be set at either an inner side or an outer side. Depending upon the shape of the ridges on the plate and the plate's pivoted position, a range of tilts can be variability provided. The plates can be part of an interchangeable system providing more options. Professional versions can have a greater range of settings than consumer versions. Folding versions and telescoping versions are also disclosed.
US09655399B1 Earplug connector for multi-signal and multi-power receiving helmets
An earplug connector for simultaneously providing an audio signal from a vehicle or an extra-vehicular source to a pilot while providing power to a noise reduction device while operating the vehicle. The earplug connector has a multi-pin connector for receiving audio signal and power from a pilot interface assembly connected to the vehicle. A ground, power, and audio signal connector transfers power to a noise reduction device worn by a pilot. An audio output continuously transfers audio signals from the multi-pin connector to earplugs and a multi-pin signal separator is in electrical and audio communication between the multi-pin connector and the ground, power, and audio signal connector. The audio output receives audio signals from the multi-pin connector and selectively passes the audio signals to the earplugs while transferring power to a noise reduction device while accepting a plurality of pin configurations.
US09655396B1 Wind and water hat
A wind and water hat includes a hat body, a hat brim carried by the hat body and at least one generally flexible brim wire provided in the hat brim. The hat brim ratchets with respect to the brim wire or wires responsive to force applied to the hat brim.
US09655394B2 Two piece butterfly bow tie
A hand tied, bow of novel two piece construction is disclosed. A first piece is an adjustable neck strap. A second piece is a folded (by hand or button) butterfly bow. Forming the finished bow tie, a user places the neck strap around the neck of the folded bow, then ties a knot which gives the bow tie an appearance of a tie-it-yourself bow tie. The finished article is then placed around the user's neck.
US09655390B2 Wearable pedestrian safety radar system
A wearable pedestrian safety radar system including a harness with a pocket and a portable radar speed detection and display device to be worn on the front and back of the harness by a pedestrian while on a roadway. The device includes a radar system, LED lights, a microcontroller, a proximity sensor, a camera, a strobe light, an audible alert unit and a vibration unit. The device detects a speed of an on-coming motor vehicle. If the vehicle is exceeding a predetermined speed limit, the speed is displayed on the device. If the vehicle does not slow down below the speed limit within a distance detected by the proximity sensor, the camera records the vehicle while the strobe light blinks to warn the driver of the recording. The audible alert unit and vibration unit alert the pedestrian. The system may be used to relay data to a law enforcement agency.
US09655384B2 Article of apparel with enhanced mobility portions
An article of apparel having enhanced mobility portions is provided herein for an upper torso of a wearer. The article of apparel may comprise a front panel affixed to a back panel. The back panel comprises a first portion having a first lateral stretch characteristic, where the first portion is located along an upper part of the back panel. The back panel may further comprise a second portion located adjacent to and below the first portion. The second portion has a second stretch characteristic that less than the first stretch characteristic.
US09655378B2 Apparatus for preparing popcorn
A heated air popcorn popper and related methods of popping popcorn in which unpopped kernels are retained in a heating zone and are prevented from being expelled before they have been exposed to a heated air stream for sufficient time to result in popping of the kernels. The popcorn popper can have a popping portion including a retention mechanism capable of moving in response to physical contact with popped kernels that experience a dramatic volumetric increase in size following popping. As the number of popped kernels within the popping portion increases, the level of the popped kernels rises until they physically contact the retention mechanism, whereby the retention mechanism is forced to transition from a covering disposition to an open disposition in which popped kernels are allowed to exit the heating zone.
US09655376B2 Process for preparing an oleogel
A continuous process for preparing an oleogel from ethylcellulose and an oily feed material, wherein the process comprises: (a) feeding ethylcellulose to the feed zone of an extruder, the extruder having a plurality of oil feed ports along its length; (b) feeding at least one oily feed material into at least one of the oil feed ports; (c) mixing the oily feed material with the ethylcellulose to form a substantially homogeneous mixture; (d) cooling the mixture to form an oleogel.
US09655375B2 Process for liquefying cereal proteins
The present invention relates to a process for liquefying cereal proteins. A process for making hydrolysed cereal protein is also disclosed. A composition comprising hydrolysed cereal proteins obtained by the process of the present invention and its uses in food and feed applications are also disclosed. Particularly, the use of a composition comprising hydrolysed wheat proteins as partial or total replacement of animal protein in calf milk is disclosed.
US09655364B2 Plant disease control composition and its use
A composition for controlling plant diseases comprising a tetrazolinone compound represented by a formula (1): wherein n is an integer of any one of 0 to 5; R1 represents a halogen atom and the like; R2 represents a C1-C3 alkyl group and the like; the R1 or R2 can have independently halogen atom(s) in the alkyl moiety; with the proviso that when n is an integer of 2 or more, two or more of the R1 may be different from each other, and an QoI compound, preferably the composition for controlling plant diseases wherein a weight ratio of the tetrazolinone compound to the QoI compound is that of the tetrazolinone compound/the QoI compound=0.1/1 to 10/1, shows an excellent controlling efficacy on plant diseases.
US09655357B2 Vacuum trap
A vacuum trap has a vacuum chamber and a conduit having at least one first opening open to atmosphere and a second opening connected to the vacuum chamber. A valve connects the conduit to the vacuum chamber and seals the vacuum chamber. A vacuum source maintains a vacuum inside the vacuum chamber immediately prior to the valve opening, the vacuum being sufficient to draw a vermin through an opening of the conduit. A detector detects the presence of vermin, the valve opening in response to a signal from the detector when vermin are detected.
US09655351B2 Production of fertile XY female animals from XY ES cells
Methods and compositions are described for making phenotypically female fertile animals from XY donor cells and suitable host embryos. Culture media and methods are provided for maintaining XY donor cells in culture that after introduction into a host embryo and gestation in a suitable host will result in fertile XY female animals. Methods and compositions are described for making fertile female animals in an F0 generation from a donor XY cell and a host embryo, as are methods for making F1 progeny that are homozygous for a modification from a heterozygous F0 fertile male and a heterozygous F0 fertile female sibling.
US09655350B2 Fish display and water circulation apparatus having individually removable live fish containers
A fish display apparatus continuously circulating water through a plurality of removable live fish containers, whereby a large number of individual containers containing one or more fish may be easily displayed to customers and whereby any single container may be removed by the customer for purchase of the fish contained therein without stopping or interfering with the flow of water passing through the remaining containers.
US09655347B2 Automated open ocean fish farm structures and systems for open ocean fish farming
An autonomous open-ocean fish-farming structure has a submersible cage enclosure tethered to a topside buoy. The topside buoy stores feed, is equipped with radio telemetry to communicate positioning signals transmitted from external sources, and generates electrical power using, for example, a hybrid solar OTEC heat engine. The structure is navigated and maintained in a geostationary position within the ocean environment by means of position-correction technology and is propelled by thrusters attached to the cage enclosure and, optionally, to the underside of the topside buoy. The self-positioning, self-powered fish-farming structure enables unmanned, extended marine deployment in deeper ocean waters without the need for tethering or anchoring to the ocean floor. Multiple structures can be maintained in a spaced apart configuration to comprise a flotilla of fish farming structures attended by a tender ship that is autonomous, easily serviced and conveniently relocated.
US09655346B2 Forced air pesticide vaporizer
Disclosed is a chemical vaporizer device for the purposes of vaporizing and controllably dispensing a pesticide material into a bee hive to kill varroa mites and other predatory pests that threaten honey bees. The device comprises an elongated cylinder having a proximal and distal end, a compressed air inlet, air pressure controller and heating element. The distal end of the device comprises a diffuser outlet and a coiled heating element, which is adapted to rapidly vaporize granular pesticide material in the cylinder while the compressed air discharges the vapor in a constant manner and in higher busts on demand. The user supports the body of the device while controlling the outgoing vapor pesticide by modulating the compressed air controller, which actuates an air valve in the controller. Material is fed into the device proximal end, vaporized and forcibly discharged through the distal end and into a bee hive.
US09655345B1 Tilting feeder
An animal feeder for use in dispensing a feeding solution to hummingbirds or other animals. This may be accomplished by providing an animal feeder having a reservoir containing a feeding solution. The reservoir is connected to a dispenser that dispenses the feeding solution through an opening. The reservoir rotates in response to changes in the weight distribution of the feeder relative to the pivot as the reservoir is emptied of the feeding solution. The rotation of the reservoir maintains the opening in the dispensing member above the level of the feed solution in the reservoir. The reservoir has venting holes to maintain equalize pressure within the reservoir with the outside environment.
US09655342B2 Game feeder
A game feeder having a recessed game feed spinner plate, which discharges game feed through a relatively narrow opening. The spinner plate is rotated by an electric motor, which is housed in a protective enclosure within the game feeder, along with the battery and timer, and protected from animals. The narrow discharge opening minimizes feed loss by animals accessing the spinner plate. The game feeder may sit on the ground, or may be mounted on a support such as a pole or tree with mounting hooks and a bracket, and when mounted is especially resistant to feed loss or feeder damage by bears, feral hogs and the like.
US09655341B2 Animal toilet sand
To provide animal toilet sand that can prevent an aggregate from growing depth-wise upon absorption of liquid such as urine, and can suppress scattering. An animal toilet sand composed of a plurality of particulates mainly composed of bentonite, wherein: the particulates include smaller diameter particulates of at least 0.8 mm and no greater than 2 mm in grain size, and larger diameter particulates of at least 2 mm and no greater than 10 mm in grain size; and the particulates include the smaller diameter particulates in a range of at least 20% and no greater than 100% of the larger diameter particulates in ratio by weight. In addition, it is preferable that the proportion of the smaller diameter particulates and the larger diameter particulates with respect to the animal toilet sand is at least 90% in ratio by weight.
US09655338B1 Maize inbred PHPKH
A novel maize variety designated PHPKH and seed, plants and plant parts thereof are provided. Methods for producing a maize plant comprise crossing maize variety PHPKH with another maize plant are provided. Methods for producing a maize plant containing in its genetic material one or more traits introgressed into PHPKH through backcross conversion and/or transformation, and to the maize seed, plant and plant part produced thereby are provided. Hybrid maize seed, plants or plant parts are produced by crossing the variety PHPKH or a locus conversion of PHPKH with another maize variety.
US09655329B1 Hybrid corn variety 373279
The invention provides seed and plants of the hybrid corn variety designated 373279. The invention thus relates to the plants, seeds and tissue cultures of the variety 373279, and to methods for producing a corn plant produced by crossing a corn plant of variety 373279 with itself or with another corn plant, such as a plant of another variety. The invention further relates to genetic complements of plants of variety 373279.
US09655325B2 Soybean variety 01050591
The invention relates to the soybean variety designated 01050591. Provided by the invention are the seeds, plants and derivatives of the soybean variety 01050591. Also provided by the invention are tissue cultures of the soybean variety 01050591 and the plants regenerated therefrom. Still further provided by the invention are methods for producing soybean plants by crossing the soybean variety 01050591 with itself or another soybean variety and plants produced by such methods.
US09655314B2 Cotton variety FM 2334GLT
The cotton variety FM 2334GLT is disclosed. The invention relates to seeds, plants, plant cells, plant tissue, harvested products and cotton lint as well as to hybrid cotton plants and seeds obtained by repeatedly crossing plants of variety FM 2334GLT with other plants. The invention also relates to plants and varieties produced by the method of essential derivation from plants of FM 2334GLT and to plants of FM 2334GLT reproduced by vegetative methods, including but not limited to tissue culture of regenerable cells or tissue from FM 2334GLT.
US09655309B1 Rooftop greenhouse inside roof infrastructure
A rooftop greenhouse built into a roof infrastructure is disclosed. The roof infrastructure is constructed from conjoining modular building segments. The conjoining modular building segments are prismatic box-like structures, each having at least three walls, and the prismatic box-like structures are arranged and attached horizontally to create the roof of a building infrastructure. Inside each prismatic box-like structure is a displaceable garden box and a mechanism for lifting the garden box out of the prismatic box-like structure. The prismatic box-like structures and garden boxes may also be equipped with glass ceilings, thin insulation, mirrors, a growing medium, a grid system, an automated water supply system, an automated gas supply system, an automated temperature control system, an automated shading and light control device, and artificial lighting.
US09655308B2 Wall planting system
A modular wall mounted agricultural system that includes a mounting structure having a first end, a second end, a fluid conduit extending longitudinally between the first end and the second end, and at least one longitudinally extending channel. The system further includes at least one planter box that is adapted to mount within the at least one channel of the mounting structure, and wherein the at least one planter box includes a plurality of sidewalls and a bottom wall that cooperate to form a compartment adapted to receive plant matter therein, the plurality of sidewalls cooperating to form an upwardly opening aperture adapted to receive a fluid from the conduit.
US09655301B2 Unloading apparatus controller for agricultural harvesting machines
A controller for a movable unloading apparatus of an agricultural harvesting machine, wherein the movable unloading apparatus directs crop material from the agricultural harvesting machine to a container driven in the vicinity of the agricultural harvesting machine, and wherein the controller receives image data representative of a stream of crop material as it passes from the unloading apparatus to the container; processes the image data in order to determine a shape of the stream of crop material in the image data; and sets an attribute of the unloading apparatus in accordance with the determined shape of the stream of crop material in order to direct the crop material from the unloading apparatus to the container.
US09661781B2 Remote units for distributed communication systems and related installation methods and apparatuses
Remote units are mounted in a support structure so that cooling air flow is not impeded by the support structure. The remote units may have RF communications circuitry and other components that generate heat in the provision of wireless services.
US09661772B2 Waterproof control unit and method of assembling the same
In a waterproof control unit in which a part of a connector housing mounted on a circuit board is exposed and the circuit board is hermetically housed in a casing including a base and a cover, a sealing gap between the cover and the connector housing is defined between fitting surfaces of a first concave thread and a first convex thread, and a waterproof sealing material is applied to the sealing gap. A waterproof sealing material is applied to the latter sealing gap. Each of the sealing gaps extends inward and outward across an inner boundary surface of a partition wall of the connector housing. Plane movement of each of the sealing gaps is restricted by side-surface convex threads and side-surface concave threads.
US09661768B2 Interchangeable electrically powered modules and receptacle therefor
A plurality of interchangeable, electrically powered, modules and receptacles for use therewith are provided. The interchangeable electrically powered modules are configured and capable of providing a variety of electrical and electronic devices. Each receptacle is configured to be secured to and supported by an otherwise conventional electric back box. The receptacles preferably utilize a bayonet mount receptacle which is standardized for the entire system and which accommodates each and every module in a twist-lock mounting system. Each module includes a cooperating bayonet mount attachment for use with the receptacle bayonet mounts. The use of a bayonet mount attachment for the modules to the receptacle provides a standardized power coupling for the module devices which may be connected by a simple insert and partial turn locking action.
US09661753B1 Coaxial to planar strain relief appliance and method
Microclip appliance formed from a single conductive planar metal sheet includes portions defined along an elongated length including a pin receiver, a solder paddle and a bridge. The pin receiver includes first and second planar rings, and a spring bar extending from a periphery of the first ring to a periphery of the second ring. The solder paddle is comprised of a portion of the conductive metal sheet distal from the pin receiver and the bridge extends from a peripheral portion of the solder paddle to the second ring. Lateral bends are disposed along a length of the conductive planar metal sheet to facilitate the various portions of the microclip.
US09661748B2 Printed circuit board and method of manufacturing the same
A printed circuit board includes, an insulating substrate, a metal conductor which is formed on the insulating substrate, a solder resist coating a part of the metal conductor, a scooped-out portion of the metal conductor formed in the vicinity of an end of the solder resist, and a metal layer coating the scooped-out portion.
US09661741B2 Printed wiring board
A printed wiring board includes conductive layers, resin insulation layers, a through-hole conductor penetrating through one or more insulation layers and having a first-surface-side and second-surface-side lands, a first-surface-side signal line formed on one of the insulation layers and connecting the first-surface-side land and a conductive layer on the insulation layer, and a second-surface-side signal line formed on one of the insulation layers and connecting the second-surface-side land and a conductive layer on the insulation layer. The conductive layers include a first-surface-side conductive layer formed over the first-surface-side land such that the first-surface-side conductive layer has a solid pattern having an opening corresponding to the first-surface-side land and formed concentric with the first-surface-side land, and a second-surface-side conductive layer formed over the second-surface-side land such that the second-surface-side conductive layer has a solid pattern having an opening corresponding to the second-surface-side land and formed concentric with the second-surface-side land.
US09661740B2 Arrangement with a power semiconductor module, having a DC-voltage busbar and a capacitor
An arrangement comprising a power semiconductor module, a capacitor, a DC-voltage busbar and a connection device. The module has two flat DC-voltage connection conductors each having a contact section. The DC-voltage connection conductors are arranged closely adjacent to one another on and close to the respective contact sections in the normal direction. The capacitor has two flat capacitor connection conductors each having a contact section. The DC-voltage busbar has two partial busbars each having a contact section. The connection device has a yoke with a die and a bearing. The respective contact sections of the DC-voltage connection conductors are clamped flat above one another between the die and the bearing. The contact sections, of the capacitor or the DC-voltage busbar, are arranged closely adjacent to one another on and close to the respective contact sections in the normal direction, and are thus force-fittingly and electrically conductively connected to one another.
US09661737B2 Non-scaling fixed field alternating gradient permanent magnet cancer therapy accelerator
A non-scaling fixed field alternating gradient accelerator includes a racetrack shape including a first straight section connected to a first arc section, the first arc section connected to a second straight section, the second straight section connected to a second arc section, and the second arc section connected to the first straight section; an matching cells configured to match particle orbits between the first straight section, the first arc section, the second straight section, and the second arc section. The accelerator includes the matching cells and an associated matching procedure enabling the particle orbits at varying energies between an arc section and a straight section in the racetrack shape.
US09661729B2 Radiation imaging system, method for controlling the system, and computer-readable medium storing program therefor
A radiation imaging system for applying radiation photography to a patient based on contents of an examination request includes: an image capturing method storage unit configured to prestore at least one image capturing method; a patient information input unit configured to input patient information of the patient subjected to an examination based on the examination request; an extraction unit configured to extract an applicable image capturing method from the image capturing method storage unit based on information accompanying the patient information and examination information; a list display unit configured to display an image capturing method extracted by the extraction unit in list form; and a registration unit configured to, by specifying an image capturing method displayed in the list display unit, register the specified image capturing method as imaging information.
US09661728B2 Radiographic image photographing system
The radiographic image photographing system includes an information acquisition member which acquires information on the radiographic image photographing device from an information presentation member of the radiographic image photographing device in a non-contact manner. When the information acquisition member makes the notification of the acquired information on the radiographic image photographing device, the management apparatus notifies the wireless communication member of the radiographic image photographing device of an identifier dedicated to an access point correlated with the information acquisition member. The wireless communication member of the radiographic image photographing device conducts wireless communication with the access point using a general-purpose identifier in a default state, and using the identifier dedicated to the access point after receiving the notification of the identifier dedicated to the access point from the management apparatus.
US09661724B2 Light-emitting device, method of controlling light-emitting device, and program
There is provided a light-emitting device including a wireless communication unit that performs wireless communication with another device, a light-emitting unit that emits light, and a control unit that performs control by switching between a mode in which the light emission of the light-emitting unit is controlled in accordance with a timing at which a signal is received by the wireless communication unit and a mode in which the light emission of the light-emitting unit is controlled in accordance with an internal timer based on a light emission timing included in a signal received from the other device by the wireless communication unit.
US09661722B2 System and method for managing lighting systems
This invention discloses a method and system for managing artificial lighting sources to provide acceptable quality of lighting while reducing cost of operation of the artificial lighting sources. In one aspect of the invention, at least one color characteristic of the artificial light source is adjusted based on an illuminance of a natural light source and the at least one color characteristic of the artificial light source.
US09661721B2 Light source apparatus, method for controlling light source apparatus, and display apparatus
A light source apparatus according to the present invention, includes: a light source substrate on which one or more emission units are located; an optical sheet configured to reflect light from the emission unit; and a detection unit configured to detect reflected light reflected by the optical sheet, wherein the detection unit is located in a position where an amount of change in a detected value due to deflection of the optical sheet when one emission unit is turned ON is a predetermined value or less.
US09661710B1 Dimmer holding current control circuit for phase cut dimming power supply
The Invention discloses and provides a kind of dimmer holding current control circuit for phase cut dimming power supply, which comprises phase cut dimming power supply circuit and LED lamp (1) and dimmer holding current control circuit (2). The dimmer holding current control circuit (2) is composed of rectifier diode I (D1), rectifier diode II (D2), field-effect transistor (Q1), triode (Q2), current-limiting resistance I (R1), current-limiting resistance II (R2), sampling resistance I (R4), sampling resistance II (R5), diode (D3), capacitance (C1) and resistance (R3). The anodes of the rectifier diode I (D1) and the rectifier diode II (D2) are respectively connected to L terminal and N terminal of main supply input. The Invention makes the current small and stable through current limitation. The Invention can be widely used in the field of phase cut dimming power supply.
US09661699B2 Systems and methods for converting alternating current to drive light-emitting diodes
A system and method for converting alternating current from at least two types of electronic ballasts for fluorescent bulbs into direct current for an array of LEDs. The device is assembled such that it can fit into existing fluorescent bulb fixtures. Alternating current from a contemplated electronic ballast can have one of two peak-to-peak voltages and the circuitry of the device will convert either alternating current into approximately the same direct current. In doing so, the array of LEDs is illuminated providing an LED alternative to fluorescent light bulbs.
US09661695B1 Low-headroom constant current source for high-current applications
A low-headroom current driver does not use an op amp or resistor. A sensing transistor having its source connected to a drain of an output transistor senses variations in an output current. The gate, source, and drain voltages of the sensing transistor are mirrored to a sense mirror transistor to control a sense current. The sense current is mirrored to a reference source transistor to generate a mirrored sense current. An error between the mirrored sense current and a fixed reference current is stored as charge on an error-storing capacitor. The stored error charge creates a negative-feedback compensation current that adjusts a gate voltage generated by a feedback-driving transistor. The adjusted gate voltage controls the gate of the output transistor to compensate for the sensed variation in output current. The sensing current is also compensated using a sense-mirror tail transistor connected to the sense mirror transistor.
US09661691B2 System and method for induction heating a helical rotor using a coil
Embodiments of the invention provide a system and method for induction heating a helical rotor of a progressing cavity pump in order to reduce the surface roughness of the rotor. In order to heat the rotor most evenly, it is desired to space the coil as closely around the rotor as possible. The invention provides a mechanism for threading the helical rotor through an induction coil having an interior diameter which is less than the major diameter of the rotor. The induction coil may include one loop and overlapping ends. The rotor to be heated is rotated about its longitudinal axis and advanced axially through the coil as it rotates. The axial speed and rotational speed are synchronized so that the rotor moves one pitch through the coil for each complete rotation.
US09661690B2 Forming insulated conductors using a final reduction step after heat treating
A method for forming an insulated conductor heater includes placing an insulation layer over at least part of an elongated, cylindrical inner electrical conductor, placing an elongated, cylindrical outer electrical conductor over at least part of the insulation layer to form the insulated conductor heater; and performing one or more cold working/heat treating steps on the insulated conductor heater, reducing the cross-sectional area of the insulated conductor heater by at most about 20% to a final cross-sectional area. The cold working/heat treating steps include cold working the insulated conductor heater to reduce a cross-sectional area of the insulated conductor heater; and heat treating the insulated conductor heater at a temperature of at least about 870° C. The insulation layer includes one or more blocks of insulation.
US09661682B2 Methods for multi-point carrier aggregation configuration and data forwarding
Methods of multi-point carrier aggregation configuration and data forwarding are disclosed. In one embodiment of the invention, a primary connection is established between a UE and a primary base station in a primary cell with a first UE-ID. A second connection is configured between the UE and a second base station in a secondary cell with a second UE-ID. Component carriers from the primary and the second connections are configured and aggregated. Mobility management functions are performed on the primary connection. In another embodiment of the current invention, a first UE data is received from a primary connection with a UE connecting to a first base station, a second UE data is received from a second base station. The first UE data and the second UE data are combined. A third UE data from a network entity is distributed to the first and the second base station.
US09661678B2 Method of enhanced connection recovery and cell selection
An enhanced connection recovery upon lost RRC connection due to radio link failure (RLF) or handover failure (HOF) is proposed. A UE first establishes an RRC connection in a source cell in a mobile communication network. Later on, the UE detects a failure event and starts an RRC reestablishment procedure in a target cell to restore the RRC connection. In a first novel aspect, a fast RLF process is applied to reduce the outage time in the serving cell. In a second novel aspect, an enhanced cell selection mechanism based on cell prioritization information is applied to reduce the outage time in the target cell. In one embodiment, multi-RAT registration is used to steer cell selection.
US09661674B2 Dual-SIM network selection techniques
Techniques are disclosed relating to operating multi-SIM mobile devices. In some embodiments, a UE comprises at least first and second SIMs where the first SIM is configured to communications via a home network or one or roaming networks and the second SIM is configurable for communications via local networks other than the home network. In these embodiments, the UE is configured to execute a first protocol stack for communications using the first SIM via a home network or a roaming network. In these embodiments, the UE is further configured to search for available networks for the second SIM using the first protocol stack and select an available local network for the second SIM using the first protocol stack. This may reduce power consumption and/or improve communication quality during the search, in some embodiments.
US09661663B1 Network access of a wireless device to a communications network
A communications network is being accessed by a wireless device associated with a coverage class selected from a set of coverage classes. The wireless device performs a method comprising initiating network access to the communications network by transmitting a preamble sequence for random access on a physical random access channel during a starting opportunity defined by the coverage class of the wireless device. Each coverage class may be associated with a unique number of repetitions of the preamble sequence transmission.
US09661656B2 Enhanced channel access mechanism for improving performance in dense WiFi environments
Disclosed in some examples are methods, devices (e.g., STAs and APs), and machine readable mediums which utilize a Simultaneous Channel Access (SCA) to allow transmissions of a first wireless network to take place while transmissions are already ongoing in a second wireless network (the Principal Channel Access (PCA)). The SCA allows devices which support SCA to transmit frames even when other nearby devices on other networks have already accessed the medium and are engaged in frame transmission.
US09661654B2 Apparatus and method for accessing random access channel in a wireless communication system
An apparatus and method for accessing a Random Access Channel (RACH) at a low-power terminal in a wireless communication system are provided, in which resource allocation information is acquired according to used resource identification information included in system information broadcast from a Base Station (BS), and a random access preamble is transmitted to the BS according to the acquired resource allocation information.
US09661649B2 Determining a transmit parameter for wireless communication
A wireless media access control supports asynchronous communication and overlapping transmissions. Here, a wireless node may determine whether to request or schedule a transmission based on control messages it receives from neighboring nodes. In some implementations a scheduled transmission may be divided up into several segments so that a transmitting node may receive and transmit control messages between segments. In some implementations a monitoring period is defined after a scheduled transmission period to enable the transmitting node to acquire control information that may otherwise have been transmitted during the scheduled transmission period. In some implementations data and control information are transmitted over different frequency division multiplexed channels to enable concurrent transmission of the data and control information.
US09661631B2 Communication device and communication method, computer program, and communication system for multiplexing and transmitting a variable-length frame
A communication operation is suitably performed with application of Space Division Multiple Access in which wireless resources on a space axis are shared by a plurality of users.If a frequency width is narrowed to 20 MHz when the communication quality is high, the amount of transmittable data can be about half, and the frame length can be doubled. If the frame length is rather excessively long, switching is performed to a modulation scheme with the greater number of states to shorten the frame length. On the other hand, when the communication quality is low, switching is performed to a modulation scheme with the smaller number of states to lengthen the frame length. When the frame length is still insufficient, switching is performed to a narrow frequency width to lengthen the frame length.
US09661628B2 Method and apparatus for receiving timing information from a cell or network in a less active mode
A method including receiving timing information associated with a transmission of reference information from a first cell or first network node when in a less active mode; and using the timing information to control when transmissions from the first cell or first network node are monitored for the reference information.
US09661616B2 Channel quality information reporting in protected subframes
The present invention relates to reporting the channel state information in a communication system. The channel state information is reported from the user terminal to a base station. Accordingly, the user terminal determines a first channel state information value from a first set of values (levels) and a second channel state information value from another set of values, preferably a larger set of values. Then a difference or other relative measure is calculated between the first and the second channel state information value and transmitted to the base station.
US09661606B2 Service implementation method, apparatus, and system
A service implementation method, apparatus, and system are disclosed. The service implementation method includes: receiving, by a serving gateway, a data packet of a terminal device sent by a packet data network gateway; if the data packet is a data packet with a serving priority and the serving gateway has sent a paging trigger message with a serving priority to a mobility management element, skipping, by the serving gateway, sending a paging trigger message to the mobility management element; or if the data packet is a data packet with a serving priority and the serving gateway has sent no paging trigger message with a serving priority to a mobility management element, sending, by the serving gateway, a paging trigger message to the mobility management element; wherein the paging trigger message is used to enable the mobility management element to page the terminal device.
US09661605B2 Posting-status notification system, information communication terminal, posting-status notification method, and program
A posting-status notification system includes: a determination unit that determines whether or not a posting status of posting information being associated with a content satisfies a predetermined notification condition, the posting information being posting information posted on a network; and an instruction unit that instructs an output unit to output the posting status in a case where the determination unit determines that the posting status satisfies the notification condition.
US09661601B2 Crowdsourcing information in a communication network using small cells
Methods, systems, computer-readable media, and apparatuses for using a small cell as a reliable crowd-sourcing agent are presented. In some embodiments, a small cell installed at a known location may observe one or more wireless signals at the known location, wherein the small cell comprises a built-in network listen receiver for observing cellular downlink signals. Subsequently, the small cell may provide, to at least one crowdsourcing server, information that identifies the location and describes one or more detected properties of the one or more observed wireless signals. In at least one arrangement, the information provided to at least one crowdsourcing server is a Positioning Reference Signal (PRS) configuration based on an observed LTE downlink signals. In at least one arrangement, the information provided to at least one crowdsourcing server is configured to be used by the at least one crowdsourcing server in providing position assistance information.
US09661599B2 Digitally signing access point measurements for robust location determination
In an example embodiment, a wireless client sends a probe request frame and waits for responses to the probe frame. The responses to the probe request from comprise encrypted data representative of the signal strength of the client as measured by the respondent that are digitally signed by the respondent's certificate. The client aggregates the responses and forwards them to a location based server.
US09661595B2 Communication network nodes and methods performed therein
A synchronization module is associated with a network node of a communication network which includes at least one Synchronization Master entity. The synchronization module has knowledge of a plurality of Synchronization Master references. Endpoints of paths of the plurality of Synchronization Master references are obtained. Each of the paths extends between one Synchronization Master entity and the first or the second access network node. The paths are obtained from a synchronization report module based on the obtained endpoints. For each of the Synchronization Master references, a first path and a second path of the obtained paths are selected. A time synchronization inaccuracy value between the first and the second access network node is calculated based on the selected paths. A Synchronization Master reference is selected based on the calculated time synchronization inaccuracy values, and the first and the second access network nodes are notified which Synchronization Master reference was selected.
US09661594B2 Method and apparatus for transmitting data between wireless devices in wireless communication system
A method for transmitting data between wireless devices in a wireless communication system is provided. A first wireless device acquires downlink reception timing with a base station. The first wireless device determines transmission timing for direct communication with a second wireless device based on the downlink reception timing with the base station. The first wireless device transmits data for the direct communication to the second wireless device at the transmission timing for the direct communication.
US09661592B2 Uplink power control method and apparatus in a beam-forming based wireless communication system
A method for operating a Mobile Station (MS) for uplink (UL) power control in a wireless communication system. The method includes: determining an UL Transmit (Tx) power value compensated for a gain difference value between a downlink (DL) Tx beam and an UL Receive (Rx) beam of a Base Station (BS); and transmitting an UL signal based on the determined UL Tx power value.
US09661588B2 Wireless communication terminal device and power allocation method
Provided are a wireless communication terminal device and a power allocation method, wherein transmission channel quality information, regarding a Pcell having a high probability that UCI is multiplied therein, can be accurately estimated by an SRS having high priority in power allocation, and an eNB can instruct appropriate transmission power to an UL channel which transmits the subsequent UCI. A power scaling detection unit (108) detects whether or not a total transmission power value of the UL channels transmitted by the plurality of CC exceeds the maximum transmission power specific to the UE. When a plurality of SRS are simultaneously transmitted using a Pcell and a Scell, and power scaling occurs, a power scaling control unit (109) performs power allocation so that transmission power of the SRS of the Pcell has the higher priority than that of the SRS of the Scell.
US09661584B2 Uplink power control method, base station and user equipment
A method includes: sending, by a user equipment (UE), uplink test signaling to transceivers for serving the UE, so that the transceivers calculate receive power of the uplink test signaling by testing the uplink test signaling; receiving, by the UE, the receive power of the uplink test signaling and transmit power of a common reference signal (CRS) from the transceivers; receiving and testing, by the UE, the CRS sent by the transceivers to obtain receive power of the CRS; calculating, by the UE, uplink path losses on paths between the UE and the transceivers according to the receive power of the uplink test signaling, the transmit power of the CRS, and the receive power of the CRS; calculating, by the UE, an aggregate path loss according to the uplink path losses on paths between the UE and the transceivers; and calculating, by the UE, uplink transmit power according to the aggregate path loss.
US09661581B2 Power control in a wireless communication system
The present invention relates to a method for power control in a wireless communication system comprising at least one mobile station and N number of coordinated reception points with indices n=1, . . . , N, with the coordinated reception points being spatially separated and adapted for receiving transmissions from the mobile station, the method comprising the steps of: estimating a propagation loss metric LUL for the mobile station, the propagation loss metric LUL being a weighted sum of individual propagation losses Ln from the mobile station to the coordinated reception points expressed in dB multiplied with associated weights wn; and using propagation loss metric LUL for power control of mobile station. Furthermore, the invention also relates to a method in a network control device, a method in a mobile station, a computer program, a computer program product, a network control device and a mobile station device.
US09661573B2 Multiple MAC addresses in a device
Multiple virtual MAC addresses may be added to WGA devices that may have different traffic streams to another device that requires different services, thus creating distinct MAC and device level implications. Beamforming training can be done at the device level for all virtual MAC addresses. Wakeup, doze, and ATIM power save can be done at the device level depending on the frames received. Authentication, deauthentication, association, and deassociation can be done variously at both levels. Further MSDUs can be aggregated for the multiple MAC addresses.
US09661564B2 Method and apparatus for selected internet protocol traffic offload
A method and apparatus of performing selective internet protocol (IP) selective offload (SIPTO) or local IP access (LIPA) is disclosed. A wireless transmit receive unit (WTRU) receives a broadcast message from a Node-B. Then the WTRU receives a message from the Node-B that SIPTO service, or LIPA service is available for that WTRU. The WTRU then communicates using the SIPTO or LIPA service. A method an apparatus for receiving a paging message for SIPTO or LIPA services is also disclosed. The paging message includes an indicator that indicates that the message is for SIPTO or LIPA communications. The indicator may be a temporary mobile subscriber identity (TMSI) assigned by the network specifically for SITPO or LIPA communications. The indicator may also be a single bit designated to indicate that a paging message is a for SIPTO or LIPA traffic.
US09661562B2 Access method and apparatus in heterogeneous network
Embodiments of the present invention provide an access method and apparatus in a heterogeneous network. The access method in a heterogeneous network include broadcasting a system message to a user equipment. The system message includes configuration information of a cell access port and configuration information of at least one group of hot spot access port, so that the user equipment accesses the cell access port or a hot spot access port according to the system information. The heterogeneous network includes at least one hot spot access port, the at least one hot spot access port is grouped into at least one group, and each group of hot spot access port includes at least one hot spot access port.
US09661556B2 Communication apparatus, method for controlling communication apparatus, and storage medium
A communication apparatus includes a recognition unit configured to recognize a transmission interval of a predetermined beacon transmitted by a base station configured to transmit data addressed to a plurality of apparatuses when the predetermined beacon is transmitted, and a control unit configured to perform control to change the transmission interval based on the recognized transmission interval.
US09661546B2 Dynamic offload selection in mobile communication systems
A method of offload selection for a UE to select between 3GPP RAT and WLAN cell is provided. The UE receives configuration information that applies to selecting WLAN or 3GPP radio access technology (RAT). The UE determines if the UE may perform WLAN offload by evaluating 3GPP radio access network (RAN) conditions where at least one RAN condition is related to a radio signal strength or a radio signal quality in 3GPP RAT. The UE then determines if there is at least one suitable WLAN cell by evaluating WLAN conditions. The UE also determines if there is candidate traffic for WLAN offload. Finally, the UE steers the determined traffic to WLAN if the UE may perform WLAN offload and if there is at least one suitable WLAN cell. Otherwise, the UE steers the determined traffic to 3GPP RAT.
US09661544B2 Method and system for offloading handover of wireless connections from a LTE network to a Wi-Fi network
The various embodiments herein provide a method and system for providing network offloading in a wireless communication. The method comprising includes obtaining an Access Technology Selection Policy (ATSP) from at least one of Access Network Discovery and Selection Function (ANDSF), pre-configuration and Mobile Management Entity (MME), wherein the ATSP comprises of a plurality of radio access network selection criteria assistance default threshold values; modifying the ANDSF ATSP threshold values based on at least one of the radio characteristics and load conditions of the Radio Access Network (RAN) node by the RAN node; sending the modified ATSP threshold values to the UE; updating the ANDSF policy with the modified ATSP threshold values by the UE and determining offloading of the UE from a first radio access network to a second radio access network by the UE.
US09661542B2 Optimized LTE MIB/SIB collection logic after LTE handover
A method, an apparatus, and a computer program product for wireless communication are provided. The apparatus performs a handover from a source cell to a target cell. The apparatus determines a decoding timer value based on network conditions. The apparatus attempts to decode a MIB or a SIB from the target cell within a time after the handover corresponding to the decoding timer value. The apparatus triggers a radio link failure (RLF) when the MIB or the SIB is not decoded within the time corresponding to the decoding timer value.
US09661540B2 Media gateway selection at inter-MSC handover
The invention relates to a method for handing over a mobile entity related call from a first call control node to a second call control node, wherein identification information of a switching point seized by the first call control node is contained in a handover request message, the second call control node selecting a switching point for the call to be handed over based on the identification information contained in the handover request message.
US09661535B2 Self configuration and optimization of cell neighbors in wireless telecommunications
The present invention aims to reduce the cost of planning and maintaining neighbor cell sets by requiring mobile terminals to make an additional effort to identify uniquely neighboring cells in the radio network.
US09661531B2 Method and apparatus for cell reselection
A method of reselecting a mobile wireless communication device to a network subsystem before initiating a connection with a wireless communication network. A connection request is received by the mobile wireless communication device in response to a user input. Attributes of signals received by the mobile wireless communication device from multiple network subsystems in the wireless communication network are measured over a period of time. The mobile wireless communication device is associated with one of the network subsystems and not associated with other network subsystems. The mobile wireless communication device reselects to one of the network subsystems based on quality metrics generated from the measured received signal attributes. After reselection, the mobile wireless communication device initiates a connection through the reselected network subsystem.
US09661516B2 Method and apparatus for performing measurement in wireless communication system
A method and apparatus for performing measurement are disclosed. The method for performing radio link monitoring by a user equipment (UE) in a wireless communication system includes: performing cancellation of a reference signal (RS) of a neighbor cell; and determining whether to declare a radio link failure (RLF) on the basis of a reference signal (RS) of a serving cell by using information of a predetermined power ratio related to the neighbor cell.
US09661505B2 Surface-wave communications and methods thereof
Aspects of the subject disclosure may include, for example, a system including a frequency mixer that combines a signal and a carrier wave to form a combined signal, and a transmitter that generates a transmission based on the combined signal. The system can also include a coupling device that emits the transmission as an electromagnetic wave guided by an outer surface of a transmission medium. The electromagnetic wave can propagate longitudinally along the surface of the transmission medium and at least partially around the surface of the transmission medium. Other embodiments are disclosed.
US09661476B2 Method and apparatus for facilitating multicast service
A method is provided for facilitating multicast service. The method may include receiving data multicast to members of a multicast group. The method may further include determining, based at least in part on an indication received during multicast of the data, that a late joining device has joined the multicast group subsequent to initiation of the multicast. The method may additionally include marking, based at least in part on the received indication, a point at which the late joining device began to participate in the multicast. A corresponding apparatus and computer program product are also provided.
US09661451B2 Method and apparatus for providing an interface for triggering device action
An approach is provided for causing, at least in part, an identification of one or more triggering devices. A processor may then cause, at least in part, an association of the one or more actions with the one or more triggering devices based, at least in part, on the identification wherein the one or more actions are initiated based, at least in part, on a detection of the one or more triggering devices.
US09661449B2 Information processing system and communication method
An information processing system includes a mobile terminal including an electric wave receiving unit configured to receive an electric wave that includes belonging information of an electronic apparatus sent by a short range wireless communication, and an electronic apparatus display unit configured to receive a selection of the belonging information from a user, and request the information processing apparatus to perform a use start of the at least one electronic apparatus, the information processing apparatus including an information administration unit configured to read the information from a memory unit, which stores the belonging information and the at least one electronic apparatus, in response to the request from the mobile terminal to send the information, and return the read information to the mobile terminal, and an apparatus connection administration unit configured to request the at least one electronic apparatus to start a preparation of the use start.
US09661448B2 Method for managing information communication between a NFC controller and a secure element within an apparatus, and corresponding apparatus and NFC controller
A method is for managing information communication between an NFC controller coupled to an antenna for a contactless communication with an object, a device host, and a secure element. The method may include routing the information through the NFC controller, and communicating first information to be communicated between the secure element and the device host through a first communication link between the NFC controller and the device host, and through a second communication link between the NFC controller and the secure element. The method may include communicating second information with the antenna through a third communication link between the NFC controller and the secure element, the first and second communication links having bandwidths greater than a bandwidth of the third communication link.
US09661447B2 Mobile terminal and controlling method thereof
A mobile terminal including a display configured to display information; a short range communication module configured to exchange a signal with an external control device; and a controller configured to receive the signal from the external control device, determine a context at a timing point of receiving the signal, and control an operation corresponding to the signal to be performed in the determined context. Further, the operation includes at least one of activation/deactivation of the display, an activation/deactivation of a lock mode of the mobile terminal, a volume operation and a camera operation.
US09661443B2 Method, apparatus, and computer program product for data distribution in wireless networks
Method, apparatus, and computer program product example embodiments enable wireless communication devices to advertise wireless communication connections in an improved manner. In example embodiments, a method is disclosed for creating, at an apparatus, operating parameters for a wireless data channel connection and descriptive information regarding content available on the wireless data channel connection; transmitting, by the apparatus, one or more non-connectable undirected wireless advertising channel messages indicating presence of the wireless data channel connection, the operating parameters associated with the wireless data channel connection, and the descriptive information regarding the content available on the wireless data channel connection; and transmitting, by the apparatus, information on the wireless data channel connection according to the operating parameters, including the content.
US09661438B1 Low latency limiter
A limiter for an audio system prevents loud audio signals that exceed a threshold from being output. Output of the audio signals are delayed. When a loud signal exceeds the threshold, the gain applied to the delayed signals is gradually reduced so that by the time the loud signal reaches the output, the gain is at a level that reduces the loud audio signal to be within the threshold. Thereafter the gain is gradually restored to normal over a longer period of time than the audio signals are delayed.
US09661436B2 Audio signal playback device, method, and recording medium
An audio signal playback device includes a conversion unit that performs discrete Fourier transform on each of 2 channel audio signals obtained from a multi-channel input audio signal, a correlation signal extraction unit that, disregarding a direct current component, extracts a correlation signal from the 2 channel audio signals that result from the discrete Fourier transform, and additionally pulls a correlation signal in a lower frequency than a predetermined frequency flow out of the correlation signal, and an output unit that allocates the pulled-out correlation signal to a virtual sound source in such a manner that a time difference in a sound output between adjacent speakers falls within a range of 2Δx/c (where, Δx is a distance between the adjacent speakers, and c is the speed of sound), and outputs a result of the allocation from one portion or all portions of the speaker group.
US09661430B2 Method of identifying passive radiator parameters
Methods for modeling a loudspeaker having a passive radiator include applying a stimulus signal to a speaker within the cabinet, wherein the stimulus is applied over a frequency range. The sound pressure level (SPL) in the cabinet is measured as a function of frequency during application of the stimulus signal. At least one coefficient based on the measured SPL is derived, wherein at least one passive radiator parameter is a function of the at least one coefficient.
US09661427B2 Hearing aid with inductively coupled electromagnetic resonator antenna
A hearing aid includes an antenna for wireless communication with another device. The antenna includes a primary element connected to the circuit of the hearing aid and one or more secondary elements parasitically coupled to the primary element. This antenna configuration substantially increases radiation efficiency when compared to an antenna with the primary element alone, without substantially increasing the size, power consumption, and complexity of the hearing aid.
US09661425B2 Method and apparatus for rendering audio in wireless hearing instruments
An audio system such as a hearing assistance system includes an audio source device wirelessly communicating with one or more audio sink (destination) devices. The audio source and sink devices each include a sample clock for processing audio signal that is digitized and wirelessly transmitted. The sample clock of each of the one or more audio sink devices is synchronized to the sample clock of the audio source device to prevent audio sample over-runs or under-runs causing undesirable audio artifacts. In one embodiment, because audio packets may be lost in transmission, packet loss concealment techniques are used to improve audio reproduction. In one embodiment, link layer information is used for audio phase lock loop jitter reduction in the audio system.
US09661410B1 Electronic device with washable waterproof film protecting audio component
An electronic device includes a first housing component including a first surface facing a first side and a second surface facing a second side, the first housing component including a first through-hole connecting the first surface and the second surface, a waterproof film located to cover the first through-hole, an audio component located on the first side of the waterproof film, and a second housing component attached removably to the second side of the first housing component. The first through-hole has such a shape that the waterproof film is directly visible when the first side is seen from the second side without the second housing component attached to the first housing component. The first housing component and the second housing component are combined together to form a passage leading from an end of the first through-hole on the second surface side to a first opening.
US09661391B2 Apparatus and method for transmitting media content
A system that incorporates teachings of the present disclosure may perform operations including, for example, receiving a plurality of user-generated comments associated with media content where the plurality of user-generated comments are temporally associated with a portion of the media content during a presentation of the media content at a group of communication devices, and identifying from the plurality of user-generated comments a cluster of comments associated with a segment of the media content based on a frequency of the user-generated comments. Other embodiments are disclosed.
US09661387B2 Receiving apparatus, reception method, transmitting apparatus, transmission method, and program
The present invention relates to a receiving apparatus, a reception method, a transmitting apparatus, a transmission method, and a program that enable data broadcasting content and an application program executed in linkage with the broadcasting content to be started according to priorities.An application adjusting unit acquires priority information showing priorities of starts between data broadcasting content transmitted by a broadcasting wave of digital broadcasting and one or more linked applications executed in linkage with the broadcasting content transmitted by the broadcasting wave and determines the priorities of the starts. A data broadcasting engine or an application engine starts the data broadcasting content or the linked application having the high priority, according to a determination result of the priorities by the application adjusting unit. The present invention can be applied to a television receiver that receives the broadcasting wave of the digital broadcasting.
US09661385B1 Overlay content and aggregation of viewing data
A method of enhancing a content feed is disclosed. The method can receiving first viewing data associated with a first automatic content recognition (ACR) event and second viewing data associated with a second ACR event, where the first ACR event is received from a first client device that employs a first ACR technology, and the second ACR event is received from a second client device that employs a second ACR technology that is different than the first ACR technology. The method can also include normalizing the first viewing data and the second viewing data into a common format. The method can further include aggregating the first viewing data and the second viewing data to obtain an aggregated viewing data report. The method can further include storing, in a viewing database, the aggregated viewing data report.
US09661381B2 Using an audio stream to identify metadata associated with a currently playing television program
Systems and methods for using an audio stream to identify metadata associated with a currently playing television program are disclosed. A video stream including audio description data is received. A set of information is determined from the audio description data. A request including the set of information is sent to a server remotely located from the client for additional processing. A set of instructions is received from the server. The set of instructions is determined based on the additional processing of the set of information. One or more applications are executed in accordance with the set of instructions in response to receiving the set of instructions.
US09661368B1 System and method for extending a breakout in a broadcasting environment
Disclosed herein is a system and method for extending a breakout in a broadcasting environment. In one example, a method involves: (i) receiving a traffic log including traffic log entries, each corresponding to a VC and a start time; (ii) operating in a traffic log mode comprising; (iii) receiving a breakout-mode request; (iv) responsive to receiving the breakout-mode request, (a) terminating operation of the traffic log mode, (b) generating a simulation log, and (c) operating in a first breakout mode; (v) receiving a breakout-extension request; (vi) responsive to receiving the breakout-extension request, terminating operation of the first breakout-mode, and operating in a custom log mode; and (vii) responsive to all the VCs indicated in the generated custom log being sent to the air-chain system, terminating operation of the custom log mode, and operating in a second breakout mode.
US09661358B2 System and method of providing video content
A system includes a processor and a memory. The memory stores instructions that, when executed by the processor, cause the processor to perform operations including sending a primary multicast video stream and a secondary multicast video stream to a media device. The secondary multicast video stream is limited to intra-coded frames (I-frames) extracted from the primary multicast video stream. Transmission of each intra-coded frame (I-frame) of the secondary multicast video stream is delayed with respect to transmission of a corresponding I-frame of the primary multicast video stream. The delay is based on an amount of writing time to satisfy a buffer threshold of a video content buffer at the media device to prevent a noticeable time shift of video displayed by the media device when the media device switches from outputting the secondary multicast video stream to outputting the primary multicast video stream.
US09661343B2 Moving picture coding device, moving picture coding method, moving picture coding program, transmitting device, transmission method and transmission program, and moving picture decoding device, moving picture decoding method, moving picture decoding program, receiving device, reception method and reception program
A motion vector predictor candidate constructing unit performs prediction based on a motion vector of one of coded blocks neighboring a coding target block in the same picture as the coding target block, constructs a plurality of motion vector predictor candidates, and adds the motion vector predictor candidates to a motion vector predictor candidate list. A motion vector predictor candidate number limiting unit limits the number of motion vector predictor candidates added to the motion vector predictor candidate list to a maximum candidate number according to a size of a prediction block. A motion vector predictor selecting unit selects a motion vector predictor from the motion vector predictor candidate list. A coding unit codes information representing an index of the selected motion vector predictor in the motion vector predictor candidate list.
US09661341B2 Syntax and semantics for buffering information to simplify video splicing
Innovations in syntax and semantics of coded picture buffer removal delay (“CPBRD”) values potentially simplify splicing operations. For example, a video encoder sets a CPBRD value for a current picture that indicates an increment value relative to a nominal coded picture buffer removal time of a preceding picture in decoding order, regardless of whether the preceding picture has a buffering period SEI message. The encoder can signal the CPBRD value according to a single-value approach in which a flag indicates how to interpret the CPBRD value, according to a two-value approach in which another CPBRD value (having a different interpretation) is also signaled, or according to a two-value approach that uses a flag and a delta value. A corresponding video decoder receives and parses the CPBRD value for the current picture. A splicing tool can perform simple concatenation operations to splice bitstreams using the CPBRD value for the current picture.
US09661340B2 Band separation filtering / inverse filtering for frame packing / unpacking higher resolution chroma sampling formats
When packing a video frame of a higher-resolution chroma sampling format such as YUV 4:4:4 into frames of a lower-resolution chroma sampling format such as YUV 4:2:0, a computing device performs wavelet decomposition (or other band separation filtering) on sample values of chroma components of the higher-resolution frame, producing sample values of multiple bands. The device assigns the sample values of the bands to parts of the lower-resolution frames. During corresponding unpacking operations, a computing device assigns parts of the frames of the lower-resolution chroma sampling format to sample values of multiple bands. The device performs wavelet reconstruction (or other inverse band separation filtering) on the sample values of the bands, producing sample values of chroma components of the frame of the higher-resolution chroma sampling format. Band separation filtering can help improve quality of reconstruction when distortion has been introduced during encoding of the chroma components packed into low-resolution frames.
US09661334B2 Method and apparatus for constructing an epitome from an image
A method for constructing an epitome from an image divided into non overlapping blocks is disclosed. The method comprises: determining, for each block, similar patches in the image, a similar patch being a patch with similar content; constructing at least one epitome chart for the picture from the similar patches; wherein determining, for each block, similar patches in the image comprises: a) determining, for each current block, similar blocks in the image, a similar block being a block with content similar to the content of the current block; b) determining, for one current block and for the similar blocks determined for the current block, similar patches in the image, a similar patch being a patch with content similar to the content of the current block; c) repeating step b) for a next current block for which no similar patch is determined until at least one similar patch is determined for each block in the image.
US09661333B2 Image processor for code amount control
An image processor includes an encoder that performs encoding including quantization on an image signal and a controller that controls a quantization parameter for quantization. The controller determines a quantization parameter of a currently target macroblock as an increase or decrease from a reference value, and determines the increase or decrease based on a difference between a target amount of code for a predetermined number of macroblocks fewer than a total number of macroblocks within one frame and a generated amount of code of the predetermined number of macroblocks processed immediately before. The controller can further determine the increase or decrease, based on pixel information of the currently target macroblock such as an activity evaluation value.
US09661332B2 Intra prediction in image processing
An intra prediction method and a device using the intra prediction method are provided. The intra prediction method includes the steps of: deriving a current prediction mode as a prediction mode of a current block; constructing neighboring samples of the current block with available reference samples; filtering the available reference samples; and generating predicted samples of the current block on the basis of the filtered available reference samples. The filtering step includes performing the filtering using the available reference sample located in the prediction direction of the current prediction mode and a predetermined number of available reference samples neighboring to the prediction direction of the current prediction mode.
US09661331B2 Method and apparatus for signal encoding realizing optimal fidelity
Methods of optimal encoding of signals to be compatible with characteristics of target receivers while meeting constraints pertinent to sizes of encoded signals or capacities of paths communicating signals to the target receivers are disclosed. The methods are based on analytical modeling of the encoding process guided by experimental data relating measured performance indicators of encoded signals of diverse classifications to respective encoding parameters. A computationally-efficient technique is devised to determine optimal encoding parameters based on pre-processed data derived from the analytical models. The methods may be implemented at an encoder of original signals or a transcoder of pre-encoded signals.
US09661322B2 Histogram segmentation based local adaptive filter for video encoding and decoding
Reconstructed picture quality for a video codec system may be improved by categorizing reconstructed pixels into different histogram bins with histogram segmentation and then applying different filters on different bins. Histogram segmentation may be performed by averagely dividing the histogram into M bins or adaptively dividing the histogram into N bins based on the histogram characteristics. Here M and N may be a predefined, fixed, non-negative integer value or an adaptively generated value at encoder side and may be sent to decoder through the coded bitstream.
US09661301B2 Image processing device and image processing method
The present technique relates to an image processing device and an image processing method for realizing accurate depth image warping operations on the receiving end when depth images with reduced resolutions are transmitted. A partial resolution converting unit reduces resolutions of parallax images of auxiliary images. A partial conversion information generating unit generates partial conversion information. The parallax images having the resolutions reduced by the partial resolution converting unit and the partial conversion information generated by the partial conversion information generating unit are transmitted to a decoding device. The present technique can be applied to encoding devices that encode glasses-free 3D images, for example.
US09661300B2 Dynamic stereo and holographic image display
A dynamic stereo and holographic image display includes: an image acquisition lattice, an encoder, a display panel, and a light shielding matrix. The image acquisition lattice acquires an image at each acquisition point. The encoder outputs the image acquired at each acquisition point to a corresponding block of the display panel for display. The display panel displays a corresponding image in each block. The light shielding matrix is disposed in front of the display panel, and restricts emission of light in a specified block on the display panel under the control of the encoder.
US09661291B2 Image capturing apparatus and image capturing method
In a high speed image capturing state, a camera signal processing circuit is not needed to perform a signal process at a high screen rate, but at a regular screen rate. In the high speed image capturing mode, raw data of 240 fps received from an image sensor 101 are recorded on a recording device 111 through a conversion processing section 201 and a recording device controlling circuit 210. Raw data that have been decimated and size-converted are supplied to a camera signal processing circuit 203 through a pre-processing circuit 202 and an image being captured is displayed on a display section 112 with a signal for which a camera process has been performed. In a reproducing state, raw data are read from the recording device 111 at a low screen rate according to a display performance of the display section 112 and the raw data that have been read are processed are processed by the pre-processing circuit 202 and the camera signal processing circuit 203 and a reproduced image is displayed by the display section 112.
US09661275B2 Dynamic multi-perspective interactive event visualization system and method
An event visualization system. The system uses a digital video capture array. The array is synchronized into a composited video feed file. The composited video feed file has a number of unit perspective video files. Each unit perspective video file has a coordinate location, a unit frame height, and a unit frame width. The unit perspective video files can be played simultaneously for individual display in a digital event player. The digital event player is operated on a client.
US09661272B1 Apparatus, system and method for holographic video conferencing
This specification relates to an apparatus, system and method of projecting holographic images for a video conference, wherein a user may use the apparatus for telecommunication transmissions. The apparatus also includes biometric verification means for verifying the identity of the user using his/her biometric authentication credentials. Upon verification of the user's biometric sample, a keypad door is opened to reveal a concealed keypad and a camera door is also opened to reveal and release a telescopic camera in the retracted position, enabled for capturing an image (video including picture and audio) of teleconferencing attendees that are within the apparatus' field of view, where the captured image may be transmitted to a receiving holographic video conferencing apparatus, where the captured video image is projected as a hologram, with audio output provided via the speaker/microphone system.
US09661267B2 Videoconferencing system discovery
System and method for discovering videoconferencing systems. A first videoconferencing system may contact a known second videoconferencing system. The first videoconferencing system may receive contact information of one or more other videoconferencing systems from the second videoconferencing system. The first videoconferencing system may send a request signal to a third videoconferencing system of the one or more other videoconferencing systems. The request signal may use the contact, wherein the first videoconferencing system sending the request signal uses the contact information of the third videoconferencing system. The first videoconferencing system may receive a response from the third videoconferencing system, and the response may include information regarding the third videoconferencing system.
US09661265B2 Method of conveying emotion in video telephone mode and wireless terminal implementing the same
Methods are provided for transmitting an emoticon to another party in video telephony communication. Another party's video data is displayed on a first area of a display unit, a user's video data is displayed on a second area of the display unit, and a plurality of emoticons is displayed on a third area of the display unit in a video telephony communication. One of the plurality of emoticons is selected during the video telephony communication from a user input. The selected emoticon is displayed on the first area or on the second area and transmitting the selected emoticon to another party.
US09661262B2 Content processing device and content processing method
The content processing device includes a first converter for performing first conversion processing of converting frame rates of the first content and the second content, which are moving images, so that the frame rates become equal to each other, a synthesizer for performing screen synthesis for displaying side by side the conversion results on the same screen, a second converter for performing a second conversion processing of converting the frame rate of the synthesis result to a frame rate higher than the frame rate before being converted, a storage unit for temporarily storing the frames required for the first conversion processing and the second conversion processing, and a controller for calculating a ratio of storage capacities of the storage unit to be assigned to the first conversion processing and the second conversion processing according to attributes related to motion amounts of moving images.
US09661261B2 Video pictures pattern detection
Some embodiments of the invention provide a media-editing application that performs frame rate conversion detection on a video. For a video that has been converted from one frame rate and format to another frame rate and format, the application detects the conversion method that has been used in the conversion of the video. Some embodiments perform this frame rate conversion detection by detecting patterns of repeating fields and/or frames in a video sequence created by the different conversion processes.Some embodiments compute (i) a frame difference value for each consecutive frames, (ii) a correlation score for the first and second fields of each frame, and (iii) a correlation score for the second field of each frame and the first field of a succeeding frame. Frame difference values are compared with each other to detect repeated frames and correlation scores are compared with each other to detect repeated fields.
US09661255B2 Display apparatus and control system and method for same
Disclosed is a display apparatus which performs wireless communication with a target control device and a peripheral display apparatus. The display apparatus may include communication circuitry which transmits to the peripheral display apparatus a request message requesting a determination of whether an operation command of the target control device is received when the target control device is operated; and a controller configured to perform a function corresponding to the operation command of the target control device based on a response message to the request message. In the display apparatus and a control system and method for the same, the display apparatus is able to be controlled through a control device paired with a different display apparatus, and since a re-pairing process is not performed, an additional operation in which a user performs the re-pairing process may be removed, and thus user convenience may be improved.
US09661254B2 Video viewing system with video fragment location
Systems and methods for personalized video display include providing a graphical user interface on a touch device, including a video display window as part of the graphical user interface, and sending information representing the graphical user interface to a television. Additionally, the touch device can communicate messages to a remote platform, and the messages can indicate specific fragment locations within a given selection of media being delivered to the touch device as an adaptive bitrate stream.
US09661251B1 Adaptive gain control using sample-and-hold circuit for analog CDS
An image processing circuit includes a first sample-and-hold circuit that samples a first data from a pixel, a second sample-and-hold circuit that samples a second data from the pixel, a voltage-to-current circuit that includes a resistor and a current source and receives the first and second data to output a difference data, an adaptive gain control determination circuit that determines whether a rate of change of a signal from the pixel exceeds a threshold based on an output of the second sample-and-hold circuit, and a current-mode ADC that converts the difference data from an analog form to a digital form.
US09661246B2 Solid state image pickup device having a capacitor structure made up of a plurality of capacitors
A solid state image pickup device is provided that includes a pixel array unit having a plurality of pixels and a signal processing circuit that has a capacitor operatively configured to process a respective signal output from each of the plurality of pixels. The capacitor is operatively configured as a stacked capacitor or a trench capacitor.
US09661244B2 Image sensing apparatus
An object of this invention is to obtain a high-quality image free from any variation between image sensing regions. To achieve this object, an image sensing apparatus according to this invention includes an image sensing element which is formed on a semiconductor substrate on which at least one of a semiconductor layer, a color filter layer, and a microlens layer is formed by a plurality of divisional exposure operations, and a correction device which corrects variations in a signal output from the image sensing element between a plurality of partial image sensing regions formed by the plurality of divisional exposure operations.
US09661241B2 Solid-state imaging device and electronic apparatus
A solid-state imaging device includes: an R pixel provided with an R filter for transmitting red-color light; a B pixel provided with a B filter for transmitting blue-color light; an S1 pixel which is provided with an S1 filter with a visible light transmittance independent of wavelengths in a visible light region and has a sensitivity higher than that of the R pixel; and an S2 pixel which is provided with an S2 filter with a visible light transmittance independent of wavelengths in the visible light region and lower than the visible light transmittance of the S1 filter and has a sensitivity lower than the sensitivity of the S1 pixel.
US09661235B2 Camera having a separate image capture module and a method of assembling the camera
A camera including an image capture module, and at least one other module. The image capture module is a sealed module and includes: a housing; at least one image sensor to convert light into electrical signals; an optical system associated with the image sensor and arranged to transmit light through the housing to the at least one image sensor; the image capture module and the at least one other module being directly or indirectly mounted to each other, and interoperable with each other to capture images. An image capture module and method of construction of a camera are also described.
US09661232B2 Apparatus and method providing auto zoom in response to relative movement of target subject matter
Methods and apparatus enable an image-viewing system to automatically zoom in and out as target subset matter is tracked. A hand-held body with a lens gathers an image including target subject matter. An image sensor having a resolution in pixels receives the image, and a viewfinder displays at least a portion of the image received by the image sensor. By virtue of the invention, apparatus for automatically zooming out the image displayed in the viewfinder if relative movement is detected between the target subject matter and the body and, and automatically zooming in the image displayed in the viewfinder if the relative movement of the target subject matter slows down or becomes stationary. A power zoom lens may effectuate the automatic zooming, or the zooming may be accomplished digitally without moving parts. The body may form part of a camera, video recorder, binoculars or telescope.
US09661230B2 Image display apparatus and method of operating the image display apparatus
Discussed is an image display apparatus including a main body; a display unit displaying at least one screen image; a capturing unit mounted on the main body and capturing an image using a single image sensor; a drive unit that receives a control signal for selectively activating any one of first and second modes that differ depending on whether or not to use an infrared light-cut filter, to drive the capturing unit; and a controller that outputs a first control signal for establishing a connection between the single image sensor and the infrared light-cut filter when one screen image for capturing an image corresponding to a first function is displayed and that outputs a second control signal for establishing a connection between the single image sensor and a visible light-cut filter when another screen image for capturing an image corresponding to a second function is displayed.
US09661227B2 Method, circuit and system for stabilizing digital image
A method of stabilizing a three-dimensional (3D) digital video image sequence includes generating a depth map for each stereoscopic pair of images using each of the image frames in a first-perspective (e.g., left) group and each of the image frames in a second-perspective group (e.g., right) and determining the background regions of each of the depth maps, defining the background regions in each of the image frames in one group among the first-perspective and second-perspective groups using the determined background regions, and calculating first global motion vectors between the consecutive image frames in the one group using only pixels of the defined second background regions.
US09661223B2 Method and device for photographing including camera shake
The present disclosure relates to a method for photographing by a photographing device and the photographing device thereof. The method includes: determining whether camera shake is present in response to an operation of pressing a shutter of the photographing device; determining a target configuration parameter according to a current processing mode of the photographing device if camera shake is present; and adjusting the target configuration parameter. During photographing, according to the methods and devices provided in the embodiments of the present disclosure, it is determined whether camera shake is present, a target configuration parameter is determined according to a current processing mode of a photographing device if camera shake is present, and the target configuration parameter is adjusted. This prevents image blurring of photos due to camera shake, thereby improves image quality, and increases photographing success rate of the photographing device.
US09661221B2 Always-on camera sampling strategies
Embodiments of the present invention are directed toward providing intelligent sampling strategies that make efficient use of an always-on camera. To do so, embodiments can utilize sensor information to determine contextual information regarding the mobile device and/or a user of the mobile device. A sampling rate of the always-on camera can then be modulated based on the contextual information.
US09661220B2 Portable terminal device and method for controlling power of portable terminal device
A portable terminal device comprising: a control section that controls power supplied to a display section; and an acceleration detection section including a comparator that outputs a signal when the power is supplied to the display section even in a power-off state and acceleration equal to or greater than a predetermined value is detected, wherein the control section starts supplying the power to the display section, if there is no vibration during a predetermined time, after detecting the acceleration equal to or greater than the predetermined value with the acceleration detection section.
US09661219B2 Imaging apparatus, imaging method, and program for performing imaging of a photographic subject
An image processing system includes circuitry that determine whether a focus operation is performed on an image, and processes the image in a high resolution mode when the focus operation is determined to be performed. The circuitry processes the image in a low resolution mode when the focus operation is determined not to be performed. The resolution of the image is lower in the low resolution mode than in the high resolution mode.
US09661217B2 Image capturing apparatus and control method therefor
There is provided an image capturing apparatus. An image capturing unit captures a moving image. A first generating unit generates a moving image for display by adding a first special effect to the moving image. A second generating unit generates a moving image for recording by adding the first special effect and a second special effect to the moving image. A display unit displays the moving image for display while the moving image is being captured. A recording unit records the moving image for recording.
US09661215B2 System and method for controlling a camera based on processing an image captured by other camera
A device comprises a first digital camera having a first center line of sight and a second digital camera having a second center line of sight that is parallel and opposing the first camera. A method for controlling the first camera based on estimating the angular deviation between a person gaze direction and the line of sight of the first digital camera. A human face is detected in an image captured as an image file by the second digital camera, using a face detection algorithm. An angular deviation α is estimated, defined between the second center line of sight and an imaginary line from the second camera to the detected human face based on the captured image, and an angular deviation β is estimated, defined between the imaginary line from the second camera to the detected face and the human face gaze direction based on the captured image.
US09661212B2 Image acquisition device and focusing method for image acquisition device
In an image acquisition device, an optical path difference generating member can form an optical path length difference of a second light image without splitting light in a second optical path. This can suppress the quantity of light required for the second optical path to obtain information of the focal position, whereby a quantity of light can be secured for a first imaging device to capture an image. The image acquisition device synchronizes the movement of a predetermined part of a sample within a field of an objective lens with rolling readout such that each pixel column of a second imaging device is exposed to a light image of the predetermined part in the sample.
US09661210B2 Image pickup device and image pickup apparatus
An image pickup device includes a pixel section in which image pixels and phase difference pixels are arranged in a matrix shape, an image-signal generating section that stores pixel signals outputted from the pixel section in a memory section for one or more rows of unit rows, which are rows of unit pixels configured by a plurality of pixels adjacent to each other, combines, for each of the unit rows, the pixel signals of the unit pixels as combined pixel signals, and extracts phase difference pixel signals from the unit row, and an image-signal readout section that reads out, as signals of one row, the combined pixel signals and the phase difference pixel signals of one unit row generated by the image-signal generating section.
US09661200B2 Auxiliary optical components for mobile devices
In some embodiments, an auxiliary optical device for a mobile electronic device has a mounting component that is configured to be selectively attachable and detachable from the mobile electronic device. The mounting component is configured to be coupled to and decoupled from a mobile electronic device using an anchor that is inserted into a port of the mobile electronic device. In some embodiments, the auxiliary optical device attaches to the mobile electronic device by clamping or otherwise contracting or squeezing upon a portion of the mobile electronic device. In further embodiments, the auxiliary optical device is configured to be attached to wearable devices, such as eyewear that includes an onboard camera lens.
US09661197B2 Quick-release ball-and-socket joint camera mount
A camera mounting system has an upper mount component, a lower mount component, and a base mount component. The upper mount component secures the camera and has a ball protrusion that reciprocally couples with a socket of the lower mount component. The upper mount component can rotate 360 degrees relative to the lower mount, and can pivot 90 degrees or more relative to the lower mount component. The lower mount component couples with the base mount component in a plurality of orientations. This camera mounting system allows for a large range of motion for the camera relative to the mounting system.
US09661191B2 Image capture apparatus having function of generating frame synchronization signal at constant cycle
An image capture apparatus including a timing generator that generates a frame synchronization signal with a constant cycle receives a reference signal generated at a predetermined interval based on a predetermined reference cycle, compares generation timing of the reference signal received with generation timing of the frame synchronization signal generated by the timing generator, and adjusts a generation cycle of the frame synchronization signal generated by the timing generator based on a result of the comparison.
US09661190B2 Low latency and low complexity phase shift network
A high performance, low complexity phase shift network may be created with one or more non-first-order all-pass recursive filters that are built on top of a plurality of first-order and/or second-order all-pass recursive filters and/or delay lines. A target time delay, whether large or small, may be specified as a constraint for a non-first-order all-pass recursive filter. A target phase response may be determined for the non-first-order all-pass recursive filter. Phase errors between the target phase response and a calculated phase response with filter coefficients of the non-first-order all-pass recursive filter may be minimized to yield a set of optimized values for the filter coefficients of the non-first-order all-pass recursive filter.
US09661174B2 Image reading apparatus that ensures condensation removal at low cost, condensation removal method, and recording medium
An image reading apparatus includes an image reading unit, a condensation determination circuit, a condensation removal unit, a time measurement circuit, and a shortest determination circuit. The condensation removal unit executes a condensation removal in accordance with a specific condensation removal pattern among a plurality of condensation removal patterns for heating the condensation occurrence target portion when an occurrence of condensation is determined. The time measurement circuit measures a condensation removal time taken to complete the condensation removal of the specific condensation removal pattern. The shortest determination circuit determines the condensation removal pattern having a shortest of the condensation removal time among the plurality of the condensation removal patterns as a shortest pattern, and causes the condensation removal unit to execute the condensation removal in accordance with the shortest pattern when the condensation determination circuit determines that a condensation occurs after the determination of the shortest pattern.
US09661162B2 Information providing device, image forming device, and transmission system for providing image data to a transmission terminal that performs video communication
An information providing device is capable of communicating with an image forming device, a data managing device, and a transmission terminal. The information providing device includes a storage unit; a communication unit that transmits a forming instruction to instruct the image forming device to perform image forming, and receives, from the image forming device, storage location information indicating the data managing device that stores data obtained by image forming by the image forming device and indicating a storage location in the data managing device; and a storage location managing unit that generates, in the storage unit, management information in which identification information of the image data is associated with the storage location information. The communication unit receives the data saved in the storage location indicated by the storage location information from the data managing device and transmits the received data to the transmission terminal.
US09661161B2 Roaming printing by assigning ID informaton of a user to print job data and transmitting the assigned ID information to printing devices on a network by multi-casting
A method of printing a document is described. The method comprises a workstation generating and storing print job data for a document, the workstation assigning ID information to the print job data, the user inputting the assigned ID information at a chosen printing device, the printing device transmitting a print job data request signal to the workstation, and the workstation transmitting the print job data to the printing device.
US09661160B2 System and method for providing cloud printing service
Provided is an image forming system operable to provide a cloud printing service, the image forming system comprising: a transmitting device operable to transmit content by designating a target phone number; a cloud printing server operable to receive the target phone number and the content from the transmitting device; a receiving device assigned with the target phone number and operable to receive an upload notification of the content with respect to the target phone number from the cloud printing server; and an image forming device operable to print the content by receiving the content from the cloud printing server, wherein the cloud printing server transmits the content to the image forming device registered in the target phone number when the cloud printing service is requested for the content to the target phone number.
US09661159B2 Information processing device, and method and non-transitory computer-readable recording medium for the same
An information processing device may display a first image indicating a storage area. The information processing device may display a second image in response to receiving a first specific operation performed on the first image. The information processing device may receive a second specific operation for selecting the second image. The information processing device may receive first path information in response to receiving the second specific operation The first path information may indicate a location of the storage area. The information processing device may send the first execution instruction to the image processing device, in the case that the second specific operation is received. The information processing device may receive scan data from the image processing device. The information processing device may store a data file of the received scan data in the storage area designated by the first path information.
US09661153B2 Base station that confirm the intention of a user to continue a call
A radio communication control device accepts a call-up from a radio communication terminal and includes a unit configured to detect the degree of jamming in a cell, a unit configured to confirm the intention of a user of a terminal concerned as to whether the call-up is continued regardless of addition of an extra to the user's telephone call charge when the call-up has been made from a radio communication terminal in the cell concerned in a specific jammed state, a unit configured to block the call-up concerned in accordance with the confirmed intention of the user of the terminal concerned and a unit configured to change charge setting so as to add an extra to the user's telephone call charge when the call-up has not been blocked in the specific jammed state.
US09661149B2 Telephony systems using cloud computing for interconnecting businesses and customers
A multi-tiered communication system for provisioning a cloud computing system to host a media server. The system includes a data center including one or more Interactive Voice Recognition (IVR) functions that are configured for use with a caller who initiates contact with the data center. The system also includes a media server implemented in a cloud computing system. The media server is configured to route an incoming call from one subscriber to another, or in the case of a caller to the data center, to route one or more IVR messages to the caller and to connect the caller with an agent for real-time communication.
US09661141B1 Managing agent login to multiple conference call bridges
A method, a computer readable medium, and a system for managing agent login to multiple bridges are provided. The method comprises reserving at least one bridge for at least one agent, creating a first queue for the at least one bridge, the first queue comprising the at least one agent, monitoring efficiency of the at least one bridge, determining if a need for a first bridge of the at least one bridge is high, creating a second queue for the first bridge of the at least one bridge if the need for the first bridge of the at least one bridge is high, assigning at least one agent from the first queue to the second queue, and moving the at least one agent up in the second queue.
US09661137B2 System and method for automatic communication distribution local assignment
A system and method are presented for automatic communication distribution local assignment. An on-premises device, in a contact center environment using a cloud-based solution, communicates with the solution to determine if there is a service interruption. When an interruption is determined, the on-premises device steps in to perform local assignment of communications for the solution until communication has been restored with the cloud-based solution. The on-premises device comprises a module that monitors all ACD communication flows. The module may also manage the logic of when to intervene and how to assign communications in queue to available agents during outages.
US09661133B2 Electronic device and method for extracting incoming/outgoing information and managing contacts
A method and electronic device for extracting incoming/outgoing information and managing contacts are provided. The method includes determining whether a communicating electronic device which has been or is in communication with the electronic device is included as a contact in a first contact list; extracting incoming/outgoing information based on at least one of metadata and contents of the communication with the communicating electronic device when the communicating electronic device is not included as a contact in the first contact list; and displaying the extracted incoming/outgoing information on a touchscreen of the electronic device.
US09661126B2 Driving distraction reduction system and method
A processor-implemented system for automatically controlling the functionality of a mobile device of a driver while driving so as to reduce driving distractions related to the mobile device. The system detects driving and automatically enters a driving mode when driving is detected. The driving mode implements an alternate user interface (UI) that limits interactions with the mobile device in accord with predetermined restrictions. The driving mode can be configured to automatically screen incoming calls and texts while suppressing potentially-distracting notifications. The system implements a PIN-based mechanism that ensures user compliance while enabling an opt-out feature usable under controlled circumstances.
US09661123B1 Secure remote actuation system with data connection port
A secure remote actuation system may comprise a remote input receptor and a network. The remote input receptor may comprise a user interface for receiving user inputs from a user and one or more data connection ports. The network may comprise a combination of computer systems interconnected by telecommunications equipment or cables allowing information to be exchanged. The network may also comprise a network device for obtaining the user inputs from the remote input receptor. One or more acceptable inputs may be stored on the network. In the present invention, the network device obtains the user inputs from the remote input receptor while the user is using the user interface and then the network compares the user inputs to the acceptable inputs.
US09661121B2 Intuitive way to point, access, and control appliances and other objects in building interiors
A user equipment (UE) device pointed at an appliance to be controlled, or at an object that is to be accessed or about which information needs to retrieved, determines its position and orientation within an environment with respect to a fixed frame of reference. The appliance to be controlled is identified based on a determined position and orientation of the UE device and a known position of the appliance. The UE device controls the identified appliance by establishing a wireless communication link between the identified appliance and UE device based on a wireless technology that is compliant with both the appliance and the UE device. The UE device may control another appliance via a central control computer server to which the other appliance is interfaced, when the other appliance is not configured for wireless communication.
US09661113B2 Wireless communication system and method for continuously performing data communication while the folder type wireless communication device in the closed state
A wireless communication terminal transmitting/receiving data with a folder closed and a method thereof are disclosed. The wireless communication terminal includes: a wireless transceiver for transmitting and receiving data through a wireless communication network; a storage for storing the transmitted data and the received data; a detector for detecting a state of the folder of the wireless communication terminal in order to determine whether the folder is opened or closed; an outputting unit for indicating a result of the data transmission/reception; and a controller for analyzing the transmitted/received data to detect the last packet of the data, and continuing to perform the data transmission/reception without regard to the detected state of the folder until the last packet of the data has been detected.
US09661111B2 Method and system for serialization and deserialization (SERDES) for inter-system communications
An integrated circuit may comprise a tuner operable to digitize a band of frequencies comprising a plurality of television channels, a crossbar operable to select one or more of the plurality of television channels output by the tuner, a plurality of demodulators operable to receive the selected one or more television channels from the crossbar and demodulate the selected one or more television channels to recover a plurality of transport streams, a transport module operable to multiplex the plurality of transport streams into a single packet stream, and a framer operable to: encapsulate packets of the plurality of transport streams into transport stream frames of a serial datastream, and insert filler frames into the serial datastream after every Nth transport stream frame of the serial datastream, where N is an integer.
US09661110B2 System and method for enabling channel access enhancements in existing communication networks
Described herein is a system and method for enhanced channel access in existing communication networks. The system comprising: a first enhanced node comprising a first processor, the first processor configured to: transmit a legacy frame header of a physical layer protocol data unit (PPDU), the legacy frame header comprising an indicator indicating that sub-PPDUs will be transmitted during a duration associated with transmission of a legacy PPDU; a second enhanced node comprising a second processor configured to receive the legacy frame header; and a third enhanced node comprising a third processor configured to receive the legacy frame header.
US09661105B2 Virtual assistant system to enable actionable messaging
A virtual assistant system includes a mobile device to receive an input command corresponding to a function to be performed at one or more external services, to translate the input command into a semantic atom representing the command, and to transmit the semantic atom, and an assistant server configured to receive the transmitted semantic atom, the assistant server including a plurality of plugins, each plugin corresponding to a respective one of the external services and configured to generate a proprietary language command corresponding to the received semantic atom for each external service in which the function is to be performed.
US09661097B2 System and method for caching content at an end user'S customer premises equipment
A caching method and device for reducing non-local network traffic by caching content at equipment at the premises of one or more end users. The caching device may be connected to a non-local network of a data distribution network that may include the non-local network, a headend connected to the non-local network, a content delivery server connected to the headend and a content source connected to the headend. The premises equipment may include a caching device including a controller and storage medium. The caching device at an end user premises may receive content, which may be sent to a plurality of end user premises as part of a multicast, over a non-local network. The end user may access the received content at local network speeds without having to send an individual request for the content over the non-local network.
US09661091B2 Presence-based content control
Presence based content access control techniques are described in which presence of users is used as a basis for enforcing content restrictions. In an implementation, applications are registered to receive feedback regarding users' presence in relation to a presentation of content via a computing device. The presence of users is recognized independently of authentication of the users to access user accounts. For example, an imaging sensor such as camera may be employed for recognition of multiple users engaged with the computing device. In addition or alternatively, presence devices associated with users such as badges, key fobs, or access cards may be detected to ascertain the presence of users. Feedback indicative of the one or more users that are recognized may then be supplied to the registered applications. The feedback enables the applications to control the presentation of content by enforcing content restrictions and/or taking other presence based actions.
US09661086B2 Incorporation of content from an external followed user within a social networking system
A following user follows a followed user on a third-party application. The followed user may additionally approve the inclusion of content posted by the followed user on the third-party application within an account of any following users on the social networking system. Subsequent postings by the followed user on the third-party application cause the third-party application to notify the social networking system of the posting. The social networking system in turn incorporates the posting of the followed user on the third-party application into a user interface that it displays to the following user.
US09661083B1 Efficient notification protocol through firewalls
A first computing device sends a plurality of request messages to a second computing device that is outside a firewall associated with the first computing device, each request message of the plurality of request messages comprising a request for the second computing device to send a response message to the first computing device after a time period specified in the request message. The first computing device determines a timeout period of the firewall based on one or more response messages that are received responsive to the plurality of request messages. The first computing device sends or receives an additional message to or from the second computing device within the timeout period to prevent the firewall from blocking future messages from the second computing device.
US09661079B2 Apparatus and method for providing a common interface for multiple wireless communication protocols
A method includes receiving data from multiple wireless field devices using multiple wireless communication protocols. The method also includes normalizing the data from the wireless field devices using one or more templates associated with the wireless field devices. The method further includes transmitting the normalized data in a unified format. The method could also include generating the one or more templates using device description (DD) files associated with the wireless field devices. Each template may provide, for one wireless field device or type of wireless field device, (i) an indication of a type of data provided by the wireless field device or type of wireless field device, (ii) a range of data provided by the wireless field device or type of wireless field device, and (iii) how to normalize data from the wireless field device or type of wireless field device into the unified format.
US09661074B2 Updating de-duplication tracking data for a dispersed storage network
A method begins by a dispersed storage (DS) processing module of a dispersed storage network (DSN) determining whether a change has occurred to a data object of a set of data objects. When a change has occurred, the method continues with the DS processing module accessing de-duplication tracking data for the set of data objects. When the change is deletion of an identified data object of the set of data objects, the method continues with the DS processing module determining whether the identified data object is the only data object in the set of data objects. When the identified data object is not the only data object in the set of data objects, the method continues with the DS processing module updating the linking information to delete linking the identified data object to addressing information.
US09661073B2 Web browser synchronization with multiple simultaneous profiles
Computer-implemented methods for synchronizing a personalized web browsing experience on multiple devices by logging into a web browser on each device using a pre-existing profile are provided. In one aspect, a method includes receiving a request to open a first instance of a web browser, and receiving, in the first instance of the web browser, log in information for a pre-existing profile created independently of the web browser. The method also includes providing web browser personalization information for the pre-existing profile in response to the receipt of the log in information for the pre-existing profile. Systems, web browsers, and machine-readable media are also provided.
US09661072B2 Content-acquisition source selection and management
A plurality of sources storing portions of a digital content item that includes a plurality of pieces is identified. The plurality of sources includes one or more peer computers of a peer-to-peer network. For each piece of the plurality of pieces of the digital content item, that piece is acquired from a source.
US09661068B2 Systems, methods, and computer readable media for sharing environment information
Systems, methods, and computer readable media for sharing awareness information are provided. A non-aware electronic device can require awareness information including, for example, information about its environment or information about its status within its environment, in order to perform a particular device operation. When the non-aware device lacks an awareness component for detecting the required type of awareness information, the non-aware device can establish a communications path with an aware device that includes such an appropriate awareness component. The aware device can share the required type of awareness information as captured by its awareness component with the non-aware device. The distance between the non-aware device and the aware device can be less than a threshold distance to ensure that the shared awareness information is relevant to the non-aware device.
US09661065B2 Determination of data object exposure in cloud computing environments
Embodiments disclosed herein provide systems, methods, and computer readable media for indicating data object exposure in a cloud computing environment. In a particular embodiment, a method provides receiving information about a data object from the cloud computing environment. The method further provides analyzing the information to determine a plurality of exposure characteristics for the data object. The method further includes determining an indication of exposure of the data object based on the plurality of exposure characteristics.
US09661055B2 Method and system for redirecting a client
A method and a system for redirecting a client are disclosed, the method including: sending by the client a request message to a redirect agent; returning by the redirect agent a first response message to the client, an identification of a second realm being carried in the first response message; sending by the client the request message to a second server in the second realm. The data are maintained and modified only on the redirect agent, so that the redirection service between different realms may be realized without upgrading or maintaining the client. In addition, because the number of redirect agents is much smaller than the number of clients, the operation and maintenance costs may be reduced greatly.
US09661033B2 Identifying intended communication partners in electronic communications
An apparatus, computer program product, and method for assisting communication with an intended communication partner. The apparatus may include a user interface and at least one computer processor. The computer processor initiates a communication session with a first contact. The processor identifies at least one second contact that has a potential to be confused with the first contact and highlights at least one difference between the first contact and the second contact in the user interface.
US09661028B2 Method, apparatus, and system for disaster recovery of IMS
A method, apparatus, and system for disaster recovery of an IP Multimedia Subsystem (IMS) are provided. The method includes: triggering a redundant Call Session Control Function (CSCF); obtaining, by the redundant CSCF, user backup data of registered IMS Private User Identities (IMPIs) that are associated with IMPUs and user service configuration data of IMS Public User Identities (IMPUs) in an IMS subscription from a network storage entity of a user; and recovering, by the redundant CSCF, a corresponding service according to the obtained user backup data of the registered IMPIs and user service configuration data of the IMPUs in the IMS subscription. With the present invention, the one-IMPU multi-IMPI, one-IMPI multi-IMPU, or multi-IMPI multi-IMPU service can be recovered, and this enables the user to have better service continuity experiences.
US09661025B2 Method and apparatus for identifying and detecting threats to an enterprise or e-commerce system
Methods and apparatuses for identifying and detecting threats to an enterprise or e-commerce system are disclosed, including grouping log lines belonging to one or more log line parameters from one or more enterprise or e-commerce system data sources and/or from incoming data traffic to the enterprise or e-commerce system; extracting one or more features from the grouped log lines into one or more features tables; using one or more statistical models on the one or more features tables to identify statistical outliers; labeling the statistical outliers to create one or more labeled features tables; using the one or more labeled features tables to create one or more rules for identifying threats to the enterprise or e-commerce system; and using the one or more rules on incoming enterprise or e-commerce system data traffic to detect threats to the enterprise or e-commerce system. Other embodiments are described and claimed.
US09661024B2 Configuring applications and policies in non-cooperative environments
The present invention extends to methods, systems, and computer program products for configuring applications and policies in non-cooperative environments. Embodiments of the invention provide the ability to configure non-cooperative applications and operating systems to comply with a policy. For example, applications and operating systems at a user's (e.g., an information worker's) personal device (e.g., smartphone) can be appropriately configured to provide more secure access to a corporate IT infrastructure. An IT worker can programmatically repackage an application to comply with a policy, deploy it to a user's personal device, and adjust the application's behavior during execution to comply with the policy. Adjusted behavior can include injecting custom user interfaces into an application to support various scenarios. Injecting a custom user interface can be facilitated by tracking visual context for an application across one or more displays and switching between the application's visual context and the custom user interface.
US09661019B2 System and method for distributed denial of service identification and prevention
Systems and methods for discovery and classification of denial of service attacks in a distributed computing system may employ local agents on nodes thereof to detect resource-related events. An information later agent may determine if events indicate attacks, perform clustering analysis to determine if they represent known or unknown attack patterns, classify the attacks, and initiate appropriate responses to prevent and/or mitigate the attack, including sending warnings and/or modifying resource pool(s). The information layer agent may consult a knowledge base comprising information associated with known attack patterns, including state-action mappings. An attack tree model and an overlay network (over which detection and/or response messages may be sent) may be constructed for the distributed system. They may be dynamically modified in response to changes in system configuration, state, and/or workload. Reinforcement learning may be applied to the tuning of attack detection and classification techniques and to the identification of appropriate responses.
US09661015B2 Randomizing countermeasures for fault attacks
A device may include countermeasure circuitry that provides a countermeasure check that protects device logic. The device may also include enforcement circuitry that non-deterministically enforces the countermeasure check on the device logic so that the device logic is not always protected by a countermeasure action within the countermeasure check. The device may non-deterministically enforce the countermeasure check according to an enforcement rate, and the device may adjust the enforcement rate depending on a priority of the device logic or device logic portion protected by a particular countermeasure check.
US09661005B2 Security level and status exchange between TCP/UDP client(s) and server(s) for secure transactions
According to one embodiment, a system includes a processor and logic integrated with and/or executable by the processor, the logic being configured to identify a security issue affecting a first peer in one or more secure transmission control protocol/user datagram protocol (TCR/UDP) sessions, inform a second peer about the security issue using the first peer of the one or more TCP/UDP sessions, and perform at least one action in response to identifying and/or being informed about the security issue. In another embodiment, a method for providing a secure TCP/UDP session includes identifying a security issue affecting a first peer in one or more TCP/UDP sessions, informing a second peer about the security issue using the first peer of the one or more TCP/UDP sessions, and performing at least one action in response to identifying and/or being informed about the security issue.
US09660998B1 Secure proxy
Methods and systems are provided herein to enable secure proxying of network traffic between trusted and untrusted environments. In particular, a secure proxy may be provided that includes a set of policies. The policies may be applicable to various network protocol layers (e.g., an application layer), network traffic types, and/or endpoint resolution. The set of policies may be used to inspect, restrict and/or modify traffic between the trusted and untrusted environment to ensure data and network security. A proxy device may use the set of policies, for example, to obtain current service-related information (such as the list of IP addresses) currently associated with a computing resource requested by an application. Such endpoint information may be used, in turn, to update a white list.
US09660995B2 Methods, systems, and computer readable media for combating device theft with user notarization
The subject matter described herein includes methods, systems, and computer readable media for combating mobile device theft with user notarization. One method includes providing a supplicant video notarization system application executable on a supplicant device for initiating an interactive video call between a supplicant and a notary as a condition to the supplicant accessing a protected electronic resource. The method further includes providing a notary video notarization system application executable on a notary device through which the notary receives the interactive video call and interacts with the supplicant via the interactive video call to confirm the identity of the supplicant and that video of the supplicant provided in the call is live.
US09660990B2 Temporarily providing higher privileges for computing system to user identifier
A root user identifier of a computing system is disabled. Thereafter, and in response to determining that a problem with the computing system requires root privileges to the computing system to solve, a code patch for installation on the computing system is received from a third party. The code patch is installed on the computing system, resulting in a user identifier temporarily having the root privileges to the computing system. The user identifier is different than the root user identifier is. A password for the user identifier is provided to the third party to permit the third party to solve the problem with the computing system using the root privileges, via the user identifier temporarily having the root privileges to the computing system. The code patch is computer code installable on the computing system.
US09660985B2 Service authorization using auxiliary device
Implementations of the present disclosure relate to systems and methods for service authorization. A server terminal device may receive user authentication information that is stored on the auxiliary device for user authentication associated with an authentication device. Based on the user authentication information, the server terminal device may then determine whether the authentication device meets the authentication condition. The implementations further relate to methods and systems for requesting service authorization.
US09660979B2 Information processing system, information processing apparatus, and method
An information processing system and an information processing apparatus and method for transmitting image data from a portable terminal apparatus, to a different apparatus through a network so that the image data may be managed by the different apparatus. A camcorder image station has a folder for each user of a camcorder and has, in each of the folders, 10 sub folders of album 1 to album 10 to each of which a name is applied in advance. The user of the camcorder transmits images picked up by the user to the camcorder image station so that the images are registered into a predetermined album. The camcorder has an album list of 10 albums of album 1 to album 10 in advance and selects an album of one of the names from within the list to designate an album into which image data should be uploaded.
US09660975B2 Method and apparatus for identity federation gateway
Techniques for an ID federation gateway include determining whether a user associated with a request for a particular network resource is to be identified by the provider of the particular service or by a different party. The service also comprises causing the different party to provide identification data that indicates an identity for the user, if the user is to be identified by the different party. The method further comprises causing user credentials data, based on the identification data, to be sent to an authentication process of the provider for a set of one or more network resources that includes the particular network resource requested by the user, if the data indicates that the user is successfully identified.
US09660962B2 Network-attached storage gateway validation
An indication to validate operation of a network-attached storage gateway is received. The network-attached storage gateway communicatively couples a client and an object store. a virtual namespace is generated based, at least in part, on a network-based file system implemented by the network-attached storage gateway. A first file system entity is selected from the virtual namespace. A first identifier of the first object in the object store is determined. The first object corresponds to the first file system entity. The first object is retrieved from the object store based, at least in part, on the first identifier. The first object is retrieved by bypassing the network-attached storage gateway. It is determined whether the first object matches the first file system entity.
US09660955B1 Group signaling using synthetic media access control addresses
Methods, systems and computer program products to communicate using a synthetic Media Access Control (synMAC) addresses are provided. The method includes the step of receiving and storing a first message assigning a first synMAC address. The first synMAC address is distinct from a unique stored Media Access Control (MAC) address. A second message including a second synMAC address is received. The first synMAC address is compared to the stored second synMAC address. The second message is accepted and processed if the first synMAC address is equal to the second synMAC address. In another example, a first device assigns a common synthetic Media Access Control (synMAC) address to multiple devices. The first device then broadcasts a message including the common synMAC address to each of the devices.
US09660949B2 Distributed geomessaging architecture
Methods and systems for providing geomessaging clients mobility between different geomessaging servers are discussed with relation to the interaction of nodes in either an IMS or a non-IMS based network.
US09660948B2 Rule-based rate limiting
Methods, devices, and machine-readable media are provided to perform rule-based rate limiting. As provided in this disclosure, this may include receiving a message en route to a destination, determining one or more parameters of the message, and determining whether the parameters of the message match parameters of a rule that specifies taking a first action when more than some number of messages having those parameters are received within a specific amount of time. When the one or more parameters of the message match the one or more parameters of the first restriction rule, a sliding window counter that indicates a total number of corresponding messages received within the amount of time may be incremented. When the first sliding window counter exceeds the first number of messages, the specified action may be taken.
US09660943B2 Messaging based signaling for communications sessions
According to one embodiment of the present invention, a system for providing call signaling services to client devices transmits a start channel message on a service topic from a first client device to a service instance. The system publishes from the service instance to the client devices a channel message including a channel topic. The service instance subscribes to the service topic and an associated channel topic. Each client device subscribes to a corresponding client topic. The system transfers signaling information between the client devices and the service instance by publishing signaling information to a channel topic and client topics to establish a communication channel between the client devices. The system communicates between the client devices by publishing information over the communication channel. Embodiments of the present invention further include a method and computer program product for providing call signaling services in substantially the same manners described above.
US09660933B2 Allocating and accessing hosting server resources via continuous resource availability updates
Systems and methods are provided for dynamically allocating and accessing hosting server resources to users of hosting services. The system may include one or more servers that provide multiple levels of access to the hosting server resources, and an administration server configured with one or more migration paths that allow the user to migrate the account between two levels while the account remains accessible to all entities authorized to access the account. The hosting server resources may be divided according to virtual partitions that are resizable by the administration server. The system may include a migration interface stored on and accessible to the user from the administration server. The migration interface provides the user with options to migrate the account between the levels of access. The system may include an application programming interface that provides access to the administration server for changing the account's level of access.
US09660929B1 System, method, and computer program for segregated policy decision making in the context of network function virtualization orchestration in a communication network
A system, method, and computer program product are provided for segregated policy decision making in the context of network function virtualization orchestration in a communication network. In use, at least one orchestration task is identified to be performed by a Network Function Virtualization Orchestrator (NFV-O) associated with a communication network. Additionally, the at least one orchestration task is assigned to be performed by a network service planning module, the network service planning module functioning to assure the at least one orchestration task is acceptable based on an orchestration template. Further, a policy decision module is queried with contextual information associated with the at least one orchestration task, the policy decision module functioning to assure one or more business goals are considered based on the contextual information.
US09660928B2 Allocation of GPU resources across multiple clients
Methods, apparatuses and systems directed to hosting, on a computer system, a plurality of application instances, each application instance corresponding to a remote client application; maintaining a network connection to each of the remote client applications for which an application instance is hosted; allocating resources of a graphics processing unit of the computer system between at least two of the remote client applications; concurrently rendering, utilizing the resources of the graphics processing unit of the computer system, the graphical output of the application instances corresponding to the at least two of the remote client applications; and transmitting the rendered graphical output to the at least two of the remote client applications over the respective network connections.
US09660926B2 Multi-stream scheduling and requests
An embodiment of a method of requesting a plurality of media streams can include, as performed by a computing device, receiving a control input to control a playback function of at least one of the plurality of media streams, determining a download bandwidth between the computing device and a media source on a network, classifying the at least one of the plurality of media streams based on the control input and total download bandwidth, and sending a plurality of requests for the plurality media streams over a single connection to the media source, wherein at least one of an order or a content of the requests is based on the classification. The sending of the media stream requests can utilize at least one of a server-side protocol for multiplexing media streams over a single connection or one or more of HTTP pipelining or HTTP range requests over a single connection.
US09660919B2 Adaptive data connection retry by a wireless communication device
A method for adaptive data connection retry by a wireless communication device is provided. The method can include detecting a failed attempt by the wireless communication device to establish a data connection for an application. The method can further include selecting a data retry pattern having a predefined association with the application from a set of predefined data retry patterns. The set of predefined data retry patterns can be defined based at least in part on application usage data collected by a network entity from wireless communication devices. The method can additionally include retrying data connection establishment in accordance with the selected data retry pattern.
US09660917B2 System and method for remotely controlling network operators
A system and method for controlling communications networks. Network performance information is gathered from a first communications network using performance information packet data packets. A network operator of the first communications network is controlled from a secondary communications network using the performance information packet data packets. Changes to the network operator are implemented based on instructions included in the performance information packet data packets.
US09660913B2 Network packet broker
A network packet broker comprising a plurality of source ports for receiving incoming data packets, a plurality of destination ports for transmitting outgoing data packets, a switch chip arranged to direct incoming data packets from a source port to a destination port based on a configurable set of rules, and a port for receiving a configuration model from a user interface. The configuration model comprises a set of maps and a set of filters, each map specifying at least one source port and at least one destination port, and each filter specifying a condition under which a packet of interest may pass the filter. A rule generator is provided to convert the configuration model into a set of rules for configuring the switch chip. The rule generator is arranged to convert a plurality of maps into a set of rules which the switch chip can implement in one pass.
US09660911B2 Method for sending an acknowledgement to an ingress mesh point in a mesh network and a medium access control frame format
The present invention relates to a method for confirming the delivery of a data packet in a mesh network by sending an acknowledgement (ACK) to an ingress mesh point (IMP). A mesh network comprises a plurality of mesh points that are wirelessly linked together. A data packet sent by a station (STA) is received by an IMP. A MAC frame is generated for transmission of the data packet and the frame is forwarded to an egress mesh point (EMP) in order to provide a service by the mesh network. The MAC frame includes a field comprising an IMP address and an EMP address. When the EMP, (or optionally an intermediate mesh point), receives a data packet successfully, the EMP or the intermediate mesh point sends an ACK to the IMP or preceding mesh point.
US09660905B2 Service chain policy for distributed gateways in virtual overlay networks
A method forwarding data traffic based on a service chain policy for distributed gateway located within a network virtualization edge (NVE). The NVE may receive, within a first virtual overlay network, a data packet destined for a destination tenant end point located in a second virtual overlay network. The NVE may determine that a network service function is unavailable to treat the data packet between the first virtual overlay network and the second virtual overlay network. In order to route the data packet, the NVE may obtain a service chain policy that provides the location of a network node configured to treat the data packet with the network service function. The NVE may transmit the data packet toward the network node. A service chain policy may correspond to a sequence of network nodes that represents a path to the destination tenant end point.
US09660901B2 Systems and methods for forming and using a group of link aggregation groups to reduce traffic on interconnect links
A first switch forms first and second LAGs and a main LAG comprising the first and second LAGs as sub-LAGs. Forming the first and second LAGs comprises receiving LACP data units which indicate that the first switch is connected to second and third switches through first and second pluralities of ports, and forming the first LAG of the first plurality of ports and the second LAG of the second plurality of ports. The second and third switches share a control plane. In forming the first and second LAGs, LACP data units are received from the second and third switches and include unique identifiers of the second and third switches respectively. Forming the main LAG comprises receiving one or more LACP data units which indicate that the first and second plurality of ports are to be part of the main LAG, and forming the main LAG based on such LACP data units. Other features are also provided.
US09660899B2 End-to-end multipathing through network having switching devices compatible with different protocols
A first cluster includes first switching devices that are compatible with a software-defined networking (SDN) protocol. A second cluster includes second switching devices within or partially overlapping the first cluster. Each second switching device is compatible with a protocol for an open systems interconnection (OSI) model layer. The first switching devices include one or more border switching devices located at a boundary between the first cluster and the second cluster. Each border switching device is also compatible with the protocol for the OSI model layer. The first switching devices effect first multipathing through the network except through the second cluster, and the second switching devices effect second multipathing just through the second cluster of the network. As such, the first switching devices and the second switching devices together effect end-to-end multipathing through both the first cluster and the second cluster of the network.
US09660894B2 Network analysis assistance device, network assessment device, network analysis assistance method, network assessment method, network analysis assistance program and network assessment program
A first electronic message collector collects electronic messages travelling on a first network and stores the electronic messages in a first storage. A second electronic message collector collects electronic messages travelling on a second network and stores the electronic messages in a second storage. An electronic message associator retains a mapping table in which the correlation, or similar, between electronic messages travelling from the first network to a gateway device and electronic messages travelling from the gateway device the second network are defined. The electronic message associator references the mapping table and associates the electronic messages stored in the second storage with the electronic messages stored in the first storage. From the result of the above-mentioned association, a status analyzer determines whether or not receipt of electronic message between the first network and the second network is accomplished normally.
US09660881B2 Method and system for determining signal penetration of one or more neighbor base stations
A method and system for determining signal penetration of one or more neighbor base stations is disclosed. The method comprises: receiving one or more measurement reports from one or more UEs associated with a serving base station, wherein the one or more measurement reports comprise signal strength values of the one or more neighbor base stations; identifying a location of each of the one or more UEs based on the one or more measurement reports; determining a distance between one or more pairs of UEs based on the location of the each UE; defining one or more penetration areas based on the one or more distances between the one or more pairs of UEs; and determining signal penetration in the one or more penetration areas based on the one or more pairs of UEs associated with each of the penetration areas.
US09660876B2 Collector mechanisms in a content delivery network
A computer-implemented method operable in a content delivery service (CDN), includes, by a collector system: receiving multiple event streams of event data, said multiple event streams comprising event data from a plurality of CD services in said CDN, each event of said event streams comprising: (i) a timestamp for said event, (ii) information relating to said event; and producing state data relating to information represented in said event data of said multiple event streams while being able to asynchronously respond to queries relating to said state data.
US09660869B2 Combining network analysis and predictive analytics
Records are obtained from sources and typed datasets are assembled based on the obtained records. Relationships are identified among the typed datasets and at least one network comprising nodes and edges are assembled based on the identified relationships. A network analyzer assembles a vector and the vector is passed to analytics. The analytics then generate an output that is provided to a user or other device in the form of data.
US09660858B2 Maintaining consistent globally unique identifiers via an asynchronous interface
Systems, methods, and computer-readable storage media for maintaining consistent globally unique identifiers (GUIDs) for content items accessible via an asynchronous interface in a multi-user network-based content management environment (storage environment). The example content management system can make a content item within a data storage available to an authorized user via the asynchronous interface, and receive, from a client device, content item change information derived from data generated by an operating system function at the client device. Then the content management system can analyze the content item change information to determine a corresponding action at the content management system, and implement the corresponding action on the server side. The content management system can optionally provide a confirmation of the corresponding action to the client device.
US09660847B2 Equalized multi-signaling mode driver
A transmit circuit can be configured to output two-level pulse amplitude modulation (PAM-2) or four-level pulse amplitude modulation (PAM-4). In the PAM-2 mode, pre-tap feed-forward equalization (FFE) and post-tap FFE can be applied to the PAM-2 signal by pre-taps and post-taps, respectively. In the PAM-4 mode, at least one post-tap is repurposed to generate, along with the main tap, the main PAM-4 signaling levels. At least one PAM-2 FFE tap is repurposed to apply FFE in the PAM-4 mode.
US09660846B2 High-speed serial data signal receiver circuitry
Circuitry for receiving a high-speed serial data signal (e.g., having a bit rate in the range of about 10 Gpbs and higher) includes a two-stage, continuous-time, linear equalizer having only two serially connected stages. Phase detector circuitry may be provided for receiving the serial output of the equalizer and for converting successive pairs of bits in that output to successive parallel-form bit pairs. Further demultiplexing circuitry may be provided to demultiplex successive groups of the parallel-form bit pairs to final groups of parallel bits, which can be quite large in terms of number of bits (e.g., 64 parallel bits). Another aspect of the invention relates to multiplexer circuitry for efficiently going in the opposite direction from such relatively large groups of parallel data bits to a high-speed serial data output signal.
US09660842B2 Low power equalizer and its training
Described is an apparatus which comprises: samplers operable to perform linear equalization training and to perform function of an un-rolled decision feedback equalizer (DFE); and logic to select output of offset samplers, from among the samplers, when two adjacent bits of an input signal are the same. Described is an equalization scheme which comprises a linear equalizer (LE) operable to match a first post-cursor residual ISI tap to a first pre-cursor residual ISI tap for a non-lone bit transition of the input signal.
US09660838B2 Device and method for adaptive channel estimation
A method to be performed at a station configured to connect to a Long Term Evolution radio access network (LTE-RAN) to utilize enhanced Multimedia Broadcast Multicast Services using a Multicast-Broadcast Single-Frequency Network (MBSFN). The method including receiving a MBSFN subframe having a MBSFN subframe structure including a plurality of Orthogonal Frequency-Division Multiplexing (OFDM) symbols, a first one of the OFDM symbols having a first reference symbol inserted therein, a second one of the OFDM symbols having a second reference symbol inserted therein, determining a rate of change of channel conditions being experienced by the station and performing a non-destaggered channel estimation when the rate of change of channel conditions is greater than a predetermined threshold, the non-destaggered channel estimation using a first Channel Impulse Response (CIR) at the first OFDM symbol and a second CIR at the second OFDM symbol.
US09660837B2 Modular device and data management system and gateway for a communications network
A gateway provides duplex-directional, multimedia ad hoc mesh networking, peer-to-peer direct communications, power optimization, dynamic configuration, and data management, while operating within various devices and network topologies. A multitasking virtual machine monitor for mobile networked devices, that is capable of functional expandability and portability to various operating environments, interoperability with a variety of operating systems, the Gateway Control System (GCS) performs functional capabilities in both a local and a networked topology using local and remote hardware and software. Software within the GCS is partitioned into sequentially, autonomous code, referred to herein as “modules,” each module being configured to communicate with hardware and other gateway modules. Collectively, all gateway modules are referred to herein as the gateway stack (GS). Each member of the GS can be turned on or off, downloaded from a remote site, and dynamically configured.
US09660832B2 Techniques for filtering selective users in distribution lists
Techniques, including systems and methods for distributing electronic messages, are disclosed. In an embodiment, information relating to a message thread is maintained. The information includes information identifying one or more members of a distribution list to be excluded from receiving messages in the message thread. When it has been determined to prevent distribution of the electronic message to one or more members of the distribution list, the electronic message is distributed to members of the distribution list excluding the one or more members to whom distribution is to be prevented. The distributed electronic message may identify the distribution list as an intended recipient.
US09660830B2 Control method, packet processing device, and storage medium
A control method executed by a packet processing device, the control method includes receiving, by a first processor, a received packet; identifying first processing execution information corresponding to the received packet, from among a plurality of first processing execution information, by referring to the first memory, based on packet identification information included in the received packet; and transmitting processing specification information included in the identified first processing execution information together with the received packet, to a second processor, when the processing specification information included in the identified first processing execution information specifies processing by the second processor; receiving, by the second processor, the processing specification information included in the identified first processing execution information and the received packet; and executing the processing for the received packet in accordance with second processing execution information specified by the received processing specification information, by referring to the plurality of second processing execution information.
US09660824B2 Renewing an in-process meeting without interruption in a network environment
A method is provided in one example and includes establishing a connection with each of a first set of endpoints associated with meeting attendees, and establishing a first online meeting between the first set of endpoints associated with meeting attendees in which the first online meeting has a meeting identifier associated therewith. The method further includes receiving first context information associated with the first online meeting from at least one of the first set of endpoints associated with meeting attendees, and establishing a second online meeting between a second set of endpoints associated with meeting attendees without disconnecting at least one of the first set of endpoints associated with meeting attendees in which the second online meeting has the same meeting identifier as the first online meeting associated therewith. The method still further includes maintaining the first context information within the second online meeting.
US09660808B2 Communication protocol and method for authenticating a system
One aspect relates to a communication protocol for communicating between one or more entities, such as devices, hosts or any other system capable of communicating over a network. A protocol is provided that allows communication between entities without a priori knowledge of the communication protocol. In such a protocol, for example, information describing a data structure of the communication protocol is transferred between communicating entities. Further, an authentication protocol is provided for providing bidirectional authentication between communicating entities. In one specific example, the entities include a master device and a slave device coupled by a serial link. In another specific example, the communication protocol may be used for performing unbalanced transmission between communicating entities.
US09660801B2 Methods and devices for key management in an as-a-service context
The present invention discloses methods and devices for key management in an as-a-service (aaS) context. Methods include the steps of: upon receiving a creation request in a provider computing-environment, creating a specific key in at least one location in the provider computing-environment by repetitively computing respective specific-key contributions: in a set of N computing resources in the provider computing-environment; and in a set of M customer locations in a customer computing-environment; and applying the respective specific-key contributions to change a specific-key value in the computing resources, wherein the respective specific-key contributions are never revealed to any computing resources, and to any customer locations, other than respective contributors; wherein at least one location is a region of memory located in a computing resource operationally connected to the provider computing-environment, wherein the customer locations are regions of memory located in a computing resource operationally connected to the customer computing-environment.
US09660794B2 Bi-directional full-duplex lock system applied in data transmission interface and operating method thereof
A bi-directional full-duplex lock system applied in a data transmission interface of a liquid crystal display is disclosed. The data transmission interface includes a transmitter and a receiver. The bi-directional full-duplex lock system includes a detection module and a control module. The detection module detects a transmitter link state of transmitter and a receiver link state of receiver respectively. The control module controls transmitter to transmit a lock signal to receiver, controls receiver to transmit the lock signal to transmitter, and controls one receiver to transmit the lock signal to another receiver. The lock signal relates to transmitter link state and receiver link state. When transmitter transmits the lock signal to receiver, a phase of the lock signal will be reversed for the receiver to detect whether its own frequency is correct.
US09660789B2 Central network node, first network node, first wireless device, controller network node, and methods therein, of instructing the first network node to transmit to the first wireless device
A method performed by a central network node includes instructing one of a first network node and a second network node to transmit to a first wireless device. The central network node receives a first Channel Quality Indicator, CQI, and a third CQI sent by the first wireless device. The first CQI has been computed by the first wireless device based on a first unique signal transmitted by the first network node. The third CQI has been computed by the first wireless device based on a second unique signal transmitted by the second network node. The central network node identifies the one of the first and the second network nodes having a better channel quality, based on the received first CQI and the third CQI. The central network node sends a first message to the identified network node, instructing it to transmit to the first wireless device.
US09660788B2 Method and apparatus for performing uplink hybrid automatic repeat request operation in an asymmetric multicarrier communication network environment
The present invention provides a method and apparatus for performing an uplink Hybrid Automatic Repeat Request (HARQ) operation in an asymmetric multicarrier communication network environment. In one embodiment, a method includes transmitting a HARQ packet to a base station in a transmit time interval of one of a plurality of partitions of an uplink allocation interval on a first carrier by a mobile station. Then, the method includes determining a partition of the uplink allocation interval in which the HARQ packet is transmitted, and determining a HARQ feedback region in the subsequent downlink subframe corresponding to the determined partition. The method further includes receiving HARQ feedback information in the determined HARQ feedback region in the subsequent downlink subframe on a second carrier from the base station.
US09660781B2 Methods and related devices for sending and receiving uplink control signaling
Embodiments of the present invention disclose methods and related devices for sending and receiving uplink control signaling. On a terminal side, the terminal performs data processing and resource mapping separately for the uplink control signaling and uplink data that are scheduled by a base station, so as to obtain a frequency domain signal, where the performing resource mapping separately refers to mapping the data-processed uplink control signaling and uplink data to different resource block groups in a system bandwidth separately; and the terminal performs frequency-to-time conversion for the obtained frequency domain signal to obtain a time domain signal, and then sends the signal to the base station.
US09660780B2 Method for feeding back channel state information in wireless communication system and apparatus therefor
The present invention relates to a method for receiving a reference CSI configuration information and a following CSI configuration information which is configured to report a same RI (Rank Indicator) as the reference CSI configuration information, receiving a first CSI-RS (Channel State Information-Resource Signal) configuration information associated with the reference CSI configuration and a second CSI-RS configuration information associated with the following CSI configuration, number of CSI-RS antenna ports according to the second CSI-RS configuration information is same as number of CSI-RS antenna ports according to the first CSI-RS configuration information; and transmitting CSI determined based on at least one of the first CSI-RS configuration information and the second CSI-RS configuration information.
US09660778B2 System and method for allocating transmission resources
A method for wirelessly transmitting data and control information using a plurality of transmission layers includes determining a number of bits in user data codewords to be transmitted during a subframe and calculating a number of control vector symbols to allocate to control information during the subframe. The number of control vector symbols is calculated based on the number of bits in the user data codewords to be transmitted during the subframe and an estimate of the number of vector symbols onto which the user data codewords will be mapped. The estimate of the number of vector symbols depends on the number of control vector symbols to be allocated to control information. The control codewords may be mapped to the calculated number of control vector symbols and transmitting vector symbols carrying the user data codewords and the control codewords over the plurality of transmission layers during the subframe.
US09660773B2 Method, user equipment and base station for controlling discontinuous reception (DRX) in wireless communication system
A method, a user equipment, an eNB are provided for controlling DRX in a wireless communication system. A method includes receiving, from a master evolved Node B (MeNB), an indication that a Slave eNB (SeNB) is to be monitored; and monitoring the SeNB, in response to the indicator. The present disclosure relates to a pre-5th-Generation (5G) or 5G communication system to be provided for supporting higher data rates Beyond 4th-Generation (4G) communication system such as Long Term Evolution (LTE).
US09660772B2 Detecting and processing weak signals using an array of antennas
A method for detecting and processing signals may include receiving a weak radio frequency (RF) signal by an array of antennas. The method may also include digitally sampling the weak RF signal from each antenna of the array of antennas and storing the digital samples of the weak RF signal from each antenna. The method may additionally include detecting a presence of the weak RF signal. Detecting the presence of the weak RF signal may include determining a correlation between the weak RF signal received by each of the antennas of the array of antennas using the digital samples of the weak RF signal from each antenna.
US09660763B2 Methods and apparatus employing FEC codes with permanent inactivation of symbols for encoding and decoding processes
Encoding of a plurality of encoded symbols is provided wherein an encoded symbol is generated from a combination of a first symbol generated from a first set of intermediate symbols and a second symbol generated from a second set of intermediate symbols, each set having at least one different coding parameter, wherein the intermediate symbols are generated based on the set of source symbols. A method of decoding data is also provided, wherein a set of intermediate symbols is decoded from a set of received encoded symbols, the intermediate symbols organized into a first and second sets of symbols for decoding, wherein intermediate symbols in the second set are permanently inactivated for the purpose of scheduling the decoding process to recover the intermediate symbols from the encoded symbols, wherein at least some of the source symbols are recovered from the decoded set of intermediate symbols.
US09660761B2 System and method for monitoring a connection of an end-user device to a network
A method of monitoring the connection of a first end-user device to a network includes determining the amount of bandwidth present, tracking the amount of bandwidth in use by different classes of traffic, and tracking performance of the connection to detect when a threshold crossing has been reached. The method also includes transmitting a query to the first end-user device in response to the determined reaching of the threshold, the query requesting from a user of the first end-user device a communication action to perform based on the threshold being reached. The method further includes changing the communications session between the first end-user device and the network in accordance with the received communication action.
US09660757B2 Low latency fiber optic local area network
The present invention is directed to a low latency fiber optic local area network with a network and a plurality of nodes connected through optical fibers. Each node has a plurality of bi-directional input/output interfaces. Each bi-directional input/output interface has a demultiplexer, at least one optical power coupler, a plurality of wavelength converters, and a plurality of internal optical waveguides. The internal optical waveguides extend from each wavelength converter and are for communication with the demultiplexer, the input fiber optic interface, and the optical fiber. Each optical power coupler has a fiber optic output interface for communication with other nodes, and each demultiplexer has a input fiber optic interface for communication with other nodes.
US09660749B2 Method for configuring a backhaul link subframe in a wireless communication system to which a carrier aggregation scheme is applied and an apparatus for the same
A method for configuring a backhaul link subframe in a wireless communication system to which a carrier aggregation scheme is applied and an apparatus for the same are disclosed. The method comprises determining one of a plurality of subframe configurations as a first subframe configuration for a primary component carrier allocated to the relay node; configuring subframe configuration candidates for one or more secondary component carriers allocated to the relay node on the basis of the determined first subframe configuration; determining a second subframe configuration for each of the one or more secondary component carriers by using the configured subframe configuration candidates; and transmitting and receiving a signal to and from the relay node in accordance with the first subframe configuration and the second subframe configuration.
US09660747B2 Media signal broadcasting method, media signal broadcasting system, host device and peripheral device
A media signal broadcasting method, a media signal broadcasting system, a host device and a peripheral device are provided. The media signal broadcasting method is provided. The media signal broadcasting method includes the following steps. A host device and a peripheral device are provided. A first radio signal is received by the peripheral device. The first radio signal is converted to be a second radio signal by the peripheral device. The second radio signal is transmitted to the host device by the peripheral device. The second radio signal is received and is converted to be a media signal by the host device. A third radio signal is received and converted to be the media signal by the host device. The media signal converted from the third radio signal or the second radio signal is played by the host device.
US09660722B2 System and method for performing in-service optical fiber network certification
A system and method for performing an in-service optical time domain reflectometry test, an in-service insertion loss test, and an in-service optical frequency domain reflectometry test using a same wavelength as the network communications for point-to-point or point-to-multipoint optical fiber networks while maintaining continuity of network communications are disclosed.
US09660712B2 Method and apparatus for transmitting downlink data on basis of beam restricted sub-frame
The method comprises: a step in which the base station transmits to a terminal configuration information related to the beam restricted sub-frame; and a step in which the base station transmits downlink data to the terminal via a sub-frame. The sub-frame includes the beam restricted sub-frame and a normal sub-frame, setting information includes information indicating a sub-frame set as the beam restricted sub-frame among multiple sub-frames, the beam restricted sub-frame is a sub-frame transmitted only based on a first beam subset, the normal sub-frame is a sub-frame transmitted based on the first beam subset and a second beam subset, the first beam subset is the set of beams generated based on a first precoding matrix set, and the second beam subset is the set of beams generated based on a second precoding matrix set including the first precoding matrix set.
US09660703B1 Electronic circuit and system for wireless charging
An electronic circuit for a portable battery-powered electronic device and a related system for wireless charging an electronic circuit for a portable battery-powered electronic device are disclosed. The electronic circuit is operable in a first mode as an actuator and in a second mode as a wireless charging receiver and comprises an electromechanical actuator, a capacitance, and a multi-mode switching circuitry. The electromechanical actuator comprises an inductor. The capacitance is selectively connectable to the inductor, at least in the second mode, to form therewith a resonant circuit for inductively receiving an electromagnetic wireless charging signal. The multi-mode switching circuitry comprises one or more switching devices for switching the electronic circuit between its different modes, wherein at least one of the switching devices is configurable as a rectifying device.
US09660701B2 Near field coupling devices and associated systems and methods
A near-field coupling device that may facilitate communications with a transponder is provided. The near-field coupling device may include a ground plane, a dielectric substrate, one or more conductive strips and a terminating load. The conductive strips together with the ground planes form coupling elements. The near-field coupling device further includes one or more switching elements for selectively connecting and disconnecting the coupling elements with a transceiver. The connected coupling elements define a total characteristic impedance. Using the switching element, the ratio between the total characteristic impedance of the connected coupling elements and the terminating load may be changed in order to adjust the distribution of an electromagnetic field along the coupling elements according to the type and position of the transponder to be processed.
US09660700B2 Method, system and apparatus for automatically linking customizable and/or personalized digital content to an object
A method, system and apparatus for automatically linking customizable and personalized information to a near field communication (NFC) tag comprises programming and/or encoding the NFC tag with a personalized message and then attaching the NFC tag body to an object such as a greeting card, event invitation, candle or gift basket. When the object is then received by the recipient, the recipient only needs to tap the NFC tag with a NFC enabled device in order to automatically access the personalized message. In some embodiments, the personalized message comprises a greeting, pictures, and/or other customizable digital content.
US09660699B2 Detection apparatus, electric power receiving apparatus, electric power transmission apparatus, wireless electric power transmission system, and detection method
A method for wireless power transmission includes obtaining, via a Q-value circuit, first and second voltages at respective first and second nodes of a resonance circuit. The first and second voltages are effective to determine if foreign matter is present in a space affecting wireless power transmission. The method includes controlling a switching section between the Q-value circuit and the resonance circuit such that at least a part of the electric power transmission process occurs at a different time than when the first and second voltages are obtained.
US09660694B2 Radio unit and method performed by a radio unit operable in a base station system of a wireless communication network for reducing interference at the radio unit
Disclosed is a method performed by a radio unit (10) operable in a base station system of a wireless communication network, for reducing interference at the RU. The base station system comprises a baseband unit (30) the radio unit (10) and a plurality of radio heads (21-26) wherein the radio unit is connected to the plurality of radio heads via a number of metallic conductors (40), and wherein a signal is to be communicated to the radio unit at a first frequency range over one of the number of metallic conductors from one of the plurality of radio heads. The method comprises: detecting (206) if there is any near end crosstalk, NEXT, at a receiver of the RU, the receiver being connected to the one of the number of metallic conductors, and, when NEXT is detected, triggering (210) the one of the plurality of RHs to send the signal to be communicated over the one of the number of metallic conductors at a second frequency range different from the first frequency range where a lower NEXT is expected than at the first frequency range. Disclosed are also a corresponding radio unit and a computer program.
US09660691B2 Antenna interface circuits with quadplexers
Techniques for supporting data transmission and reception on multiple bands for carrier aggregation are disclosed. In an exemplary design, an apparatus (e.g., a wireless device) includes first and second antenna interface circuits coupled to first and second antennas, respectively. The first antenna interface circuit includes a first quadplexer for first and second bands. The second antenna interface circuit includes a second quadplexer for the first and second bands. The first quadplexer may be a duplicate of the second quadplexer, which may simplify implementation. Each antenna interface circuit may further include a diplexer, a duplexer, a triplexer, another quadplexer, switches, etc. The first and second quadplexers may support data transmission and reception on two bands in a first band group. Other circuits in the first and second antenna interface circuits may support data transmission and/or reception on additional bands, possibly in one or more other band groups.
US09660687B2 Front-end circuit for band aggregation modes
A front-end circuit for a wireless communication unit includes at least two antenna feeds. At least one of the antennas is coupled to an antenna switch. The circuit comprises filters and duplexers and is prepared to operate a number of FDD frequency bands. Each FDD band comprises an Rx band for receive signals and a Tx band for transmit signals. The circuit provides a single band operation mode for each frequency band and aggregated band operation modes. In an aggregated band operation mode Rx signals can be received in two different frequency bands at the same time as well as Tx signals can be transmitted in at least one of the two different frequency bands. In addition, TDD bands as well as GSM bands are covered.
US09660681B1 Tunable optical module for optical communication
Light of at least two wavelengths is collimated in a forward path towards a reflector and light of at least one of the wavelengths is focused and detected in a return path, using in both paths a lens unit including a first convex surface and a second surface. A diffraction element diffracts the collimated light of the at least two wavelengths into different wavelength components. The reflector is moved so that one or more of the different wavelength components will be focused by the lens unit in the return path and detected. The second surface reflects the light of the at least two wavelengths from an input port towards the first convex surface and the first convex surface collimates the reflected light of the at least two wavelengths in the forward path, or the first convex surface focuses the one or more wavelength components towards the second surface that reflects the one or more wavelength components to an output port in the return path. The first convex surface can be replaced by a GRIN lens performing the focusing and collimating functions.
US09660675B2 Digital predistortion and uptilt and cable communication
Otherwise incompatible digital predistortion and uptilt can be used together, such as in a cable television or other cable communications system having a frequency-dependent signal loss at high frequencies. The predistortion can be used to compensate for a nonlinear gain compression of a power amplifier at higher frequencies. Additional uptilt and equalizer circuits can be included to address deleterious distortion effects that may otherwise arise by using predistortion and uptilt together. Training and adaptation of various components are described. Fine and coarse uptilt adjustments can be provided.
US09660670B1 System, device, and method for combining software defined radios
A device includes circuitry configured to assess a broadband spectrum environment including signal and blocker characteristics via one or more receiver paths, determine operational parameters for the device based on the signal and blocker characteristics, and align one or more radio components from one or more radios for operation based on the operational parameters of the device.
US09660668B2 Forward error correction (FEC) for local area networks (LANs)
A local area network (LAN) backbone is implemented within an environment such as a self-contained environment (e.g., an automobile, an aircraft, a train, a ship, and/or any other environment). The LAN backbone is affected by AWGN, NBI, and/or impulse noise (noise). The LAN backbone supports communications based on an Ethernet communication protocol (e.g., a 1000Base-T1 based system that includes at least one single twisted pair). A device receives a first LDPC coded signal via the LAN backbone and decodes it to recover an input signal of a control system. The device also uses soft information generated during the decoding to compensate for the noise affecting the LAN backbone and then processes the input signal to generate a control signal for the control system. The device then and encodes the control signal to generate a second LDPC coded signal and transmits the second LDPC coded signal via the LAN backbone.
US09660666B1 Content-aware lossless compression and decompression of floating point data
Lossless content-aware compression and decompression techniques are provided for floating point data, such as seismic data. A minimum-length compression technique exploits an association between an exponent and a length of the significand, which corresponds to the position of the least significant bit of the significand. A reduced number of bits from the significand can then be stored. A prediction method is also optionally previously applied, so that residual values with shorter lengths are compressed instead of the original values. An alignment compression technique exploits repetition patterns in the floating point numbers when they are aligned to the same exponent. Floating point numbers are then split into integral and fractional parts. The fractional part is separately encoded using a dictionary-based compression method, while the integral part is compressed using a delta-encoding method. A prediction method is also optionally previously applied to the integral part, thereby increasing the compression ratio.
US09660659B2 Apparatus for correcting gain error of analog-to-digital converter
A bias generator may include: an operational amplifier, a resister string, and a control circuit. The operational amplifier includes a first input terminal suitable for receiving a bandgap reference voltage, a second input terminal with an offset voltage and an output terminal. The resister string includes at least one resister coupled between a ground terminal and the output terminal of the operational amplifier, suitable for generating bias voltages. The control circuit is coupled between the second input terminal and the resister string, swaps the offset voltage, and selectively provides the offset voltage and the swapped offset voltage to the second input terminal of the operational amplifier.
US09660652B2 Differential driver with pull up and pull down boosters
A driver includes first and second resistors coupled to a supply voltage and coupled to pairs of main transistors at positive and negative output nodes. The first and second pairs of main transistors provide emphasis and de-emphasis on the positive and negative output nodes. The driver also includes a delay inverter, a pull up booster and a pull down booster. The delay inverter delays and inverts each of a pair of differential input signals to provide delayed and inverted differential signals. The pull up booster provides a bypass current path that bypasses the first and second resistors but includes at least some of the first and second pairs of main transistors. The pull down booster provides an additional current path from the supply voltage through the first or second resistor to ground.
US09660646B1 Multiple controllers for a capacitive sensing device
A capacitive sensing device can include multiple capacitive sensors. A first device controller is operatively connected to a portion of the capacitive sensors, while a second device controller is operatively connected to another portion of capacitive sensors. A common node or shield can be connected between the first device controller and the second device controller. Charging and discharging events of selected drive lines in the capacitive sensing device and/or of the common node or shield can be synchronized to reduce undesirable effects such as noise and/or to prevent the charging events and the discharging events from overlapping with each other. One or more reference capacitive sensors can be shared by the multiple device controllers.
US09660644B2 Proximity switch assembly and activation method
A proximity switch assembly and method for detecting activation of a proximity switch assembly is provided. The assembly includes a plurality of proximity switches each having a proximity sensor providing a sense activation field and control circuitry processing the activation field of each proximity switch to sense activation. The control circuitry monitors the signal responsive to the activation field and determines a differential change in generated signal, and further generates an activation output when the differential signal exceeds a threshold. The control circuitry further distinguishes an activation from an exploration of the plurality of switches and may determine activation upon detection of a stable signal.
US09660640B2 Switching circuits having ferrite beads
A circuit includes an electronic component package that comprises at least a first lead, a III-N device in the electronic component package, a gate driver, and a ferrite bead. The III-N device comprises a drain, gate, and source, where the source is coupled to the first lead. The gate driver comprises a first terminal and a second terminal, where the first terminal is coupled to the first lead. The ferrite bead is coupled between the gate of the III-N transistor and the second terminal of the gate driver. When switching, the deleterious effects of the parasitic inductance of the circuit gate loop are mitigated by the ferrite bead.
US09660639B2 Distributed driver circuitry integrated with GaN power transistors
Power switching systems are disclosed comprising driver circuitry for enhancement-mode (E-Mode) GaN power transistors with low threshold voltage. Preferably, a GaN power switch (D3) comprises an E-Mode high electron mobility transistor (HEMT) with a monolithically integrated GaN driver. D3 is partitioned into sections. At least the pull-down and, optionally, the pull-up driver circuitry is similarly partitioned as a plurality of driver elements, each driving a respective section of D3. Each driver element is placed in proximity to a respective section of D3, reducing interconnect track length and loop inductance. In preferred embodiments, the layout of GaN transistor switch and the driver elements, dimensions and routing of the interconnect tracks are selected to further reduce loop inductance and optimize performance. Distributed driver circuitry integrated on-chip with one or more high power E-Mode GaN switches allows closer coupling of the driver circuitry and the GaN switches to reduce effects of parasitic inductances.
US09660631B2 Duty cycle detection circuit and method
A duty cycle detection circuit may include: a timing signal generation unit to generate a plurality of timing signal groups by selectively combining multi-phase clock signals according to an enable signal; and a detection unit to generate a duty detection signal by selectively combining signals of the plurality of timing signal groups according to the enable signal.
US09660621B1 Large dynamic range analog signal conditioning method and device with active accuracy enhancement
An analog signal conditioning device and method employing a multi-path feedback mechanism to actively minimize the error of the overall desired signal conditioning transfer function to produce a corrected output signal, initially and over temperature, by exploiting characteristics of resistances manufactured simultaneously on a common thermally conductive substrate.
US09660612B2 Phase shifted resonator
Methods and apparatus, including computer program products, are provided for a tunable filter. In some example embodiments, there may be provided an apparatus. In some example embodiments, there is provided an apparatus. The apparatus may include a tunable radio frequency filter including a tunable phase shifter coupled to a resonator, wherein the tunable phase shifter tunes a center frequency of the tunable radio frequency filter by at least varying a phase of a radio frequency signal provided to the resonator. Related apparatus, systems, methods, and articles are also described.
US09660610B2 Crystal device and mounting arrangement
A crystal device has a crystal blank, a first excitation electrode part which is provided on an upper surface of the crystal blank, a first wiring part which extends from the first excitation electrode part to an edge part of the upper surface, a first lead-out terminal which is provided at the edge part of the upper surface of the crystal blank, a first mounting terminal which is provided at a position facing the first lead-out terminal, a first connection part which is provided so that one end is superimposed on the first lead-out terminal and the other end is superimposed on the first mounting terminal, a substrate having a mounting pad which is provided on its upper surface, a conductive adhesive which is provided between the mounting pad and the first mounting terminal, and a lid which is bonded to the upper surface of the substrate.
US09660609B2 Devices and methods related to stacked duplexers
Devices and method related to stacked duplexers. In some embodiments, an assembly may include a first wafer-level packaging (WLP) device having a radio-frequency (RF) shield. The assembly may also include a second WLP device having an RF shield, the second WLP device positioned over the first WLP device such that the RF shield of the second WLP device is electrically connected to the RF shield of the first WLP device.
US09660607B2 Solid state impedance tuners
A solid state impedance tuner or impedance tuner system includes a control element array with a plurality of solid state control elements configured to be turned on simultaneously to achieve a desired impedance state. The control element array comprises N solid state control elements arranged along an RF transmission line. A controller selectively turns on or off each control element by application of a control signal to vary an impedance presented by the control element array, Another aspect is an impedance tuner module card configured in a standardized system architecture, with a chassis board, and at least one solid state tuner module integrated on the card A chassis electrical connector connected to the tuner module is configured for connection to a corresponding backplane connector. Methods for calibrating a solid state impedance tuner that includes at least two solid state tuner modules combined in one package are disclosed.
US09660598B2 Devices and methods for increasing reliability of scalable periphery amplifiers
Devices and methods for improving reliability of scalable periphery amplifiers is described. Amplifier segments of the scalable periphery architecture can be rotated to distribute wear. Further, extra amplifier segments can be implemented on amplifier dies to extend the overall lifetime of amplifiers.
US09660595B2 Linear amplifier using nonlinear amplifying stage
Disclosed herein is a linear amplifier using a nonlinear amplifying stage which includes a first amplifier and a second amplifier connected in cascade, including: a bias voltage generator in which a first bias voltage is applied to a gate terminal of the first amplifier, and a second bias voltage higher than the first bias voltage is applied to a gate terminal of the second amplifier, wherein the first amplifier and the second amplifier have a nonlinear gain characteristic in a region of arbitrary output power, and as the output power increases in the region of arbitrary output power, a gain of the first amplifier increases, while a gain of the second amplifier decreases.
US09660593B2 Weighted memory polynomial method and system for power amplifiers predistortion
A system and method for linearizing a power amplifier using digital predistortion technique is provided including processing circuitry, the processing circuitry configured to apply a digital predistortion function based on a weighted static polynomial function, a weighted dynamic polynomial function and a threshold parameter which splits the nonlinear transfer characteristics of the device under test into a region where the static nonlinearity predominates and a region where the dynamic distortions predominate.
US09660588B1 Quaternary/ternary modulation selecting circuit and associated method
A quaternary/ternary modulation selecting circuit of an audio amplifier includes a quaternary signal generating circuit, for receiving complementary analog input signals to generate complementary quaternary signals; and a ternary signal generating circuit for generating a ternary signal according to the complementary quaternary signals, wherein the ternary signal includes a positive ternary wave and a negative ternary wave; wherein when a difference in amplitude between the complementary analog input signals is within a predetermined range of zero amplitude, a signal pattern of the positive ternary wave generated from the ternary signal generating circuit is identical to a signal pattern of the negative ternary wave generated from the ternary signal generating circuit.
US09660582B2 Spin current generation with nano-oscillator
A device including a spin channel to transport a spin current, a nano-oscillator, and a magnetoresistive device that receives the spin current from the nano-oscillator. The nano-oscillator includes a magnetization state that oscillates between a first state and a second state in response to an input voltage or current. The oscillation of the nano-oscillator may induce the spin current within the spin channel. The magnetoresistive device includes a magnetization state that is set based at least in part on the received spin current.
US09660578B2 Electronic device with capacitor bank linearization and a linearization method
An electronic device comprises a controllable capacitor bank and a capacitive divider arranged in parallel with the capacitor bank and configured to linearize the capacitor bank in a linearization frequency range of a frequency characteristic of the electronic device. The capacitive divider comprises a series arrangement of a first series capacitance, and a main capacitor bank. A control circuit coupled to one or more control inputs of the capacitive divider and controllable capacitor bank is configured to modify the equivalent capacitance of the capacitive divider and the controllable capacitor bank for providing capacitance steps, each capacitance step being variable over frequency such that for each step a frequency change Δf of the frequency characteristic is maintained constant in the linearization frequency range.
US09660572B2 Aluminum frame structure for packaging solar panel
An aluminum frame structure for packaging solar panel, comprising: a vertical support member; an U-shaped member, coupled to the vertical support member while allowing the opening of the U-shaped member to face toward a level direction; and at least one protruding member, disposed inside the U-shaped member, each having at least one protrusion arranged at the opening of the U-shaped member and at a position neighboring to the vertical support member while allowing the gap between the highest point of the at least one protrusion and an imaginary line representing the contact slope to be formed larger than the thickness of the back film, and also enabling the contact area of the at least one protrusion and the contact slope to be at least larger than 50% of the area of the contact slope.
US09660565B2 Controller for controlling a motor
A controller in an electric power steering system controls motor that assists a steering operation of a steering wheel by a driver by generating an assist torque. The controller includes an instruction calculator calculating a base assist instruction value and at least one of correction instruction values, a distributor distributing the instruction values a plurality of winding wire groups, and calculating a torque instruction value for each of the plurality of winding wire groups. Thus, the base assist instruction value and the correction instruction values are appropriately distributed to each of the plurality of winding wire groups, for an appropriate distribution of the instruction values among the plurality of winding wire groups for generating the assist torque.
US09660557B2 Electrostatic chuck and method for manufacturing the electrostatic chuck
An electrostatic chuck includes a pedestal part formed of metal and including a gas passage, an insulation substrate mounted on the pedestal part and including a first surface facing the pedestal part and a second surface on an opposite side of the first surface, the first surface including a first hole part communicating with the gas passage, the second surface including a second hole part having a bore diameter less than that of the first hole part and communicating with the first hole part, and an insulation flow part formed of an insulating material and including a first end provided in the first hole part and a second end provided in the gas passage. The insulation flow part is configured to allow a gas supplied from the gas passage to flow into the second hole part.
US09660552B2 Apparatus for controlling paralleled inverter
An apparatus for controlling paralleled inverter is disclosed. In the apparatus for controlling paralleled inverter, one synchronization signal is shaped by at least two inverters to respectively transmit a voltage command and an operation command.
US09660545B2 Matrix converter
A matrix converter includes: a power convertor that includes a plurality of bidirectional switches configured to control a conducting direction using a plurality of switching elements; a command generator configured to generate a control command for a PWM control on the plurality of switching elements; and a commutation controller configured to perform a commutation control on the plurality of bidirectional switches in a case where the control command changes. In a case where the control command changes during execution of the commutation control, the commutation controller executes a handover step for handover to a next commutation control and then executes the next commutation control from a step in a course of the next commutation control.
US09660541B2 Switching power supply device
A switching power supply device includes a switching control circuit that generates a switching control signal such that a desired output voltage is generated from an input voltage, a drive circuit that turns on/off an output transistor in accordance with the switching control signal, and an on-pulse stop circuit that generates a pulse stop signal such that the number of ON pulses of the switching control signal is reduced in a state where a load is heavier than a first threshold but is lighter than a second threshold.
US09660539B2 Switching power supplies, and switch controllers for switching power supplies
A switching power supply includes a power converter which includes a transformer and a switch, a current sensor, a switch controller and a compensation resistor. The current sensor is operable for generating a current monitoring signal indicating a current through a primary winding of the transformer. The switch controller is operable for receiving a feedback signal indicating an output voltage of the power converter, generating a driving signal based on the feedback signal to control an input power and an output power of the transformer, receiving a line voltage signal indicating an input voltage of the power converter, and generating a compensation current corresponding to a peak value of the line voltage signal. The compensation resistor is coupled between the current sensor and the switch controller. A voltage of the current monitoring signal is inversely proportional to the input voltage under control of the compensation current and the compensation resistor.
US09660534B2 Control circuit for multiphase switching converter to reduce overshoot and associated control method
A multiphase switching converter having a plurality of switching circuits and a control circuit, the plurality of switching circuits provide an output voltage, the control circuit provides a plurality of switching control signals to turn ON the plurality of switching circuits successively based on the output voltage and a reference signal, when the output voltage is detected overshooting, the control circuit turns OFF a current switching circuit, and when the output voltage is detected recovering from overshooting, the control circuit turns ON the current switching circuit again for a first time period until a sum of the first time period and a second time period achieves a predetermined value, wherein the second time period is a time period the current switching circuit maintains ON uninterruptedly before the output voltage is detected overshooting.
US09660532B2 Package systems including passive electrical components
A converter includes a plurality of active circuitry elements over a substrate. The converter further includes a passivation structure over the plurality of active circuitry elements, the passivation structure having at least one opening that is configured to expose at least one electrical pad of each active circuitry element. The converter further includes a plurality of passive electrical components over the passivation structure, wherein each passive electrical component is selectively connectable with at least one other passive electrical component, and a first side of each passive electrical component is electrically coupled to an electrical pad of each of at least two active circuitry elements. The converter further includes a plurality of electrical connection structures, wherein a first electrical connection structure electrically couples an electrical pad of a first active circuitry element to a corresponding passive electrical component, and the first electrical connection structure is completely within the passivation structure.
US09660525B2 Three-D power converter in three distinct strata
A switching power supply in an integrated circuit, an integrated circuit comprising a switching power supply, and a method of assembling a switching power supply in an integrated circuit are disclosed. In one embodiment, the invention provides a three-dimensional switching power supply in an integrated circuit comprising a device layer. The switching power supply comprises three distinct strata arranged in series with the device layer, the three distinct strata including a switching layer including switching circuits, a capacitor layer including banks of capacitors, and an inductor layer including inductors. This switching power supply further comprises a multitude of connectors electrically and mechanically connecting together the device layer, the switching layer, the capacitor layer, and the inductor layer. The switching circuits, the capacitors and the inductors form a switching power supply for supplying power to the device layer.
US09660523B2 System and method for reducing power loss in switched-capacitor power converters
A system and method allows for controlling a resonant switched-mode converter to provide a variable conversion ratio. The system and method operates to control the switching devices such that the impedance of the switched-mode converter is set to a plurality of configurations for a plurality of time intervals. The system and method may further include off-time modulation techniques for varying or maintaining the overall switching period of the switched-mode converter.
US09660521B2 Power conversion circuit
A power conversion circuit includes first to fourth switching elements connected in series between ground and high voltage electrical paths, a first reactor, a main battery, a second reactor, a sub battery, a high voltage sensor for detecting a high voltage VH between the ground and high voltage electrical paths, and a controller. Upon issuance of an instruction for turning off all of the first to fourth switching elements, the controller determines that the third switching element is experiencing an ON failure when the high voltage VH is equal to the sum of a battery voltage VB1 of the main battery and a battery voltage VB2 of the sub battery, to thereby allow electrical power to be transferred between the batteries and a load even in the event of occurrence of the ON failure in the switching element.
US09660520B2 Method and apparatus to provide power conversion with high power factor
A power converter circuit rectifies a line voltage and applies the rectified voltage to a stack of capacitors. Voltages on the capacitors are coupled to a plurality of regulating converters to be converted to regulated output signals. The regulated output signals are combined and converted to a desired DC output voltage of the power converter. Input currents of the regulating converters are modulated in a manner that enhances the power factor of the power converter.
US09660512B2 Electronic device for acquiring specific information of respective switching elements
There is provided an electronic device comprising: a plurality of switching elements connected to a power supply; a plurality of specific information storage units provided for the corresponding switching elements and configured to store specific information of respective corresponding switching elements; a processing unit configured to control the switching elements; and a communication line disposed between the specific information storage units and the processing unit, through which the specific information of the respective switching elements is sent from the specific information storage units to the processing unit.
US09660511B2 Gate driver circuit and power conversion apparatus using same
A gate driver circuit capable of quickly driving a semiconductor device without erroneous ignitions. It has a positive power supply for forward bias, a negative power supply for backward bias, a first bias circuit that outputs the positive- or negative-power-supply voltage according to gate driver signal S, a capacitor that is charged by the negative-power-supply voltage when the first bias circuit outputs the negative-power-supply voltage, and a second bias circuit that supplies the gate of the semiconductor device with the positive- or negative-power-supply voltage according to gate driver signal S. Only in an early stage of a transition period during which the semiconductor device is turned on, the second bias circuit supplies the gate of the semiconductor device, instead of the positive-power-supply voltage, with a voltage boosted by adding the charged voltage of the capacitor onto the positive-power-supply voltage outputted from the first bias circuit.
US09660508B2 Rotary electric machine for vehicle
An object of the present invention is to provide a rotary electric machine for vehicle which can improve workability and efficiently secure an attachment space at low cost. In a rotary electric machine according to the present invention, a terminal 34 is attached on the outside of a rear bracket 21 so as to be overlapped and fitted to a voltage adjustment device 22 in an axial direction. Fitting portions 22j and 22k made of conductors are provided on the voltage adjustment device 22. Portions 34m and 34p to be fitted, which are made of conductors, are provided on the terminal 34. The voltage adjustment device 22 and the terminal 34 are integrally fixed to the rear bracket 21, with the fitting portions being fitted into the portions to be fitted.
US09660506B2 Electric motor having a communication passage
An electric motor includes a housing, a rotor, a stator, a storage tank, and a communication passage. The stator has a stator core provided coaxially with the rotor to surround the rotor. The storage tank is provided at a lower portion of the housing to store lubricating oil and divided by the stator core into a first storage tank and a second storage tank. The communication passage is provided to communicate the first storage tank with the second storage tank. The communication passage, as seen in an axial direction, extends above an oil level of the lubricating oil stored in the first storage tank and the second storage tank such that an air flows between an upper portion of the first storage tank and an upper portion of the second storage tank.
US09660502B2 Cooling system for electric motor with internal shaft passage and cooling medium reservoir
A motor includes: a shaft to which a rotor is attached and having an internal cooling medium passage in an inside of the shaft, a cooling medium passing through the internal cooling medium passage; a housing including the shaft disposed therein and configured to rotatably support the shaft; and a cooling medium reservoir provided in the housing and provided on an upstream side of an inlet of the internal cooling medium passage in a flowing direction of the cooling medium, the cooling medium reservoir being configured to store the cooling medium and then flow the cooling medium to the internal cooling medium passage.
US09660498B2 Motor mount with improved decoupling for ventilation system
The invention relates to a mount 2 in which is housed an electric motor 3 which has a shaft 10 extending along a longitudinal axis 13, said motor having a mass equilibrium line 22 transverse to the longitudinal axis 13 and passing through a center of gravity 40 of the electric motor, said mount 2 being connected to the motor 3 by a plurality of decoupling means 20 distributed around the periphery of the motor, characterized in that the longitudinal position D2 with respect to the mount 2 of at least one decoupling means 20 and a dimension D3 of this decoupling means 20 along the longitudinal axis 13 are determined with respect to the mass equilibrium line 22.
US09660497B2 Cordless portable pump device
A cordless portable pump device comprising a submersible pump, wiring means capable of conducting electrical current, a power supply comprising a rechargeable battery pack from a commercially available portable power tool having a voltage rating of at least fourteen volts, and a power receptacle suitably adapted to receive and retain the power supply.
US09660496B2 Canned motor and vacuum pump
Provided is a canned motor to be coupled to a vacuum pump and used as a rotary driving source for the vacuum pump. The canned motor includes: a stator core; a rotor provided on an inner side of the stator core; and a non-conductive can provided between the stator core and the rotor. The non-conductive can is configured to separate the stator core and the rotor from each other. The non-conductive can is made of resin, ceramic, or composite material thereof. The non-conductive can is bonded to the stator core with an adhesive.
US09660481B2 Wireless charger assembly mountable on different desks
A wireless charger assembly is used for transferring power to an electronic device through inductive charging. The wireless charger assembly includes a bottom case releasably mounted to an exterior flatbed, a transmitter coil, and a top case. The transmitter coil transmits power to a receiver coil of the electronic device through inductive charging. The top case has a working platform mounted around the working surface of the flatbed, a neck portion extending downwardly from the working platform, and a slot defined by the working platform and the neck portion. The neck portion releasably retained to the closed loop wall.
US09660476B2 Circuit arrangement for discharging an electrical energy store and power converter comprising such a circuit arrangement
A circuit assembly for discharging an electrical energy store includes a first discharge current path for uncontrolled, passive discharging of the energy store and for keeping a defined charge voltage of the energy store, and a second discharge current path for controlled, active discharging of the energy store. A semiconductor switch electrically connects to a positive current connection of the energy store and to a negative current connection of the energy store. A voltage limiter includes a first current connection for electrically connecting to the positive current connection of the energy store and a second current connection for electrically connecting to the negative current connection of the energy store. The circuit assembly further includes a first control path for providing a first control signal from the first current connection of the voltage limiter to the control connection of the semiconductor switch in order to control the semiconductor switch.
US09660469B2 Multi-battery charging circuit and charging method thereof
A multi-battery charging circuit is described and it includes an electric power detecting unit for detecting remaining amount of electric power of each battery; a charging deciding unit provided with a first amount of electric power threshold and for comparing the remaining amount detected with the first threshold; and a charging unit for charging a plurality of batteries with a first strategy in a first time period, and with a second strategy in a second time period when the remaining amount of electric power of one or more of the batteries is equal to a second amount of electric power threshold, and with a third strategy in a third time period when the remaining amount is equal to a third amount of electric power threshold.
US09660468B2 Rechargeable flameless candle systems and methods
According to an embodiment of the present invention, a recharging device includes a recharging port that receives a flameless candle and recharges a battery in the candle. The recharging device includes a first stacking structure that has a top portion and a bottom portion. There is a top stacking contact on the top portion. An electrical power bus is connected with the top stacking contact. The electrical power bus is also configured to provide electrical power to the flameless candle through the recharging port. The top portion of the first stacking structure is configured to mate with a bottom portion of a first stacking structure of another recharging device.
US09660457B2 Feed line switching apparatus, optical submarine branching apparatus, submarine cable system, and feed line switching method
In a feed line switching apparatus, a situation in which the feed line switching apparatus cannot work when feed lines have a predetermined connection relationship is prevented. The feed line switching apparatus includes a command acquisition unit which acquires a feed line switching command which designates a connection relationship of feed lines, a switching execution unit which switches the connection relationship of the feed lines in accordance with the feed line switching command acquired by the command acquisition unit, and a switching control unit which suppresses switching of the connection relationship of the feed lines in the switching execution unit for a predetermined feed line switching command.
US09660455B2 System and method for increasing efficiency of gensets in micro-grid systems
A system and method for running a plurality of gensets in parallel in a micro-grid system is disclosed. The system and method may include at least one genset configured to run at a load factor of greater than sixty percent, the number of the at least one genset supplying power at any given time including a minimum or less than minimum number of gensets capable of meeting a demand imposed by a load. The system and method may also include a turbo compounding system associated with at least one of the at least one genset, each of the electric turbo compounding systems configured to increase fuel efficiency of the at least one genset.
US09660453B2 Control of a microgrid
A method of controlling a microgrid including at least one distributed generator (DG) and arranged for being connected to a power grid, by means of a converter via which the DG is connected in said microgrid. The method includes running the converter in a current control mode for controlling at least one current output of the DG in the microgrid; obtaining an indication that the converter should change from the current control mode towards a voltage control mode for controlling a voltage output of the DG in the microgrid; and entering the converter in an interstate mode, in response to the obtained indication, in which interstate mode the converter is configured for controlling both the current output and the voltage output.
US09660450B2 Monitoring system and method for megawatt level battery energy storage power plant
The present invention relates to a monitoring and controlling system and method for megawatt level battery energy storage power plant, which includes: a central monitoring and controlling module is used to determine the power command value of each energy storage substation of the battery energy storage power plant, and send it to all the local monitoring and controlling modules; the local monitoring and controlling modules is used to calculate the power command value of each energy storage unit of the energy storage substations controlled by it, and sending it to each energy storage unit, and upload to the central monitoring and controlling module to store. Between the central monitoring and controlling module and the local monitoring and controlling modules, the data transmission and communication are carried out through communication networks; the communication networks adopt real time and non real time communication parallel network structure.
US09660448B2 Multiple renewables site electrical generation and reactive power control
A method of configuring a renewable energy curtailment and control system uses a master controller and a plurality of controllers configured to control a cluster of renewable energy resources to deliver predetermined amounts of actual power and reactive power to a point of interconnect with a grid in accordance with contractual requirements with users of electrical power while reducing reactive power flow between renewable resources in the cluster.
US09660442B2 Frequency regulation method
A frequency regulation method for a grid which is performed by a control device that connects, through a communication network, a controller for controlling at least one load device and a storage battery. The frequency regulation method including: obtaining, when it is detected that a frequency of a grid deviates from a predetermined range, an instruction signal including a power instruction value for keeping the frequency of the grid within the predetermined range; and generating a control signal for controlling the load device when the load device is operable in accordance with the instruction signal, and transmitting the control signal to the controller, and generating a control signal for charging or discharging the storage battery when the load device is not operable in accordance with the instruction signal, and transmitting the control signal to the storage battery.
US09660441B2 Overvoltage protection for power systems
Electrical protection devices, such as for use with power systems for overvoltage protection, are disclosed. One electrical protection device includes a first electrical connection, a second electrical connection, a first electrical discharge device, and a second electrical discharge device. The first electrical discharge device includes a first conductive bus connected to the first electrical connection and a second conductive bus connected to the second electrical connection. The first electrical discharge device has a first breakdown voltage. The second electrical discharge device includes a third conductive bus connected to the first electrical connection and a fourth conductive bus connected to the second electrical connection. The second electrical discharge device has a second breakdown voltage.
US09660436B2 Detection of interconnected outputs
Systems and methods for detection of interconnected outputs of a power supply are provided. A first channel of a power supply is activated, such that power is supplied to a first load connected to the first channel. A first load voltage is measured for the first load. A second load voltage is measured for a second load connected to a second channel of the power supply. The second load voltage is compared to the first load voltage to generate an interconnection result. The power supply is shut down when the interconnection result indicates that the second load voltage matches the first load voltage, such that all channels of the power supply do not supply power to any load connected thereto.
US09660429B2 Electrical wire protection tube and wire harness
A electrical wire protection tube and a wire harness that can prevent breakage of a wire arranged in the handle swing portion of a two-wheeled vehicle. The electrical wire protection tube includes a tube main body portion made up of ring-shaped ribs and small-diameter short tube portions that are a resin molded body and are alternatingly arranged in a single line so as to form one passageway for an electrical wire. Each ring-shaped ribs has a maximum-diameter ridgeline portion and first and second truncated cone surface portions that are respectively located on different sides of the ridgeline portion and are inclined toward the small-diameter short tube portions. When the tube main body portion is bent into a U shape, the small-diameter short tube portions stretch on one side such that the first and second truncated cone surface portions of adjacent ring-shaped ribs come into close contact on the opposite side.
US09660427B1 Power transfer unit
A power transfer unit is disclosed. In a first implementation of the disclosed power transfer unit, a tubular assembly of the power transfer unit includes an encapsulated elbow hinge design with a reduced profile that permits substantially off-center installation of the housings of the power transfer unit. In a second implementation of the disclosed power transfer unit, the tubular assembly includes an inverted, telescoping tubing design that does not come apart during installation and use, and in some implementations may act as a stop for a closable member.
US09660424B2 Spark plug
A spark plug 1 has a center electrode 4 and a ground electrode 5 opposed to each other and causes a spark discharge to occur through application of a voltage between the center electrode 4 and the ground electrode 5 . Moreover, the center electrode 4 has a columnar main chip 10 provided at a distal end thereof by welding via a fusion portion 12 and an annular auxiliary chip 11 surrounding the fusion portion 12. Consequently, when a spark discharge occurring from the center electrode 4 is blown to the downstream side by the influence of a gas flow in a cylinder of an internal combustion engine, it is possible to suppress a cathode point from being formed in the fusion portion 12 since the fusion portion 12 is surrounded and thus protected by the auxiliary chip 11. As a result, it is possible to suppress wear of the center electrode 4, thereby extending the service life of the spark plug 1.
US09660420B2 Laser diode
A laser diode with an improved kink level in the L-I characteristic and capable of obtaining a stable high output in a horizontal transverse mode is provided. The laser diode includes an active layer made of nitride III-V compound semiconductor containing at least gallium (Ga) in 3B-group elements and at least nitrogen (N) in 5B-group elements, an n-type compound semiconductor layer provided on one of faces of the active layer, and a p-type compound semiconductor layer provided on the other face of the active layer. A region closest to the active layer, in the n-type compound semiconductor layer is a high-concentration region whose impurity concentration is higher than that of the other n-type regions.
US09660406B2 Push-in wire connector with collar
A wire connector having a collar surrounding a set of wire ports in a wire connector with the collar providing a collective shield between an environment external to the collar the collar but not between the set of wires within the collar.
US09660392B2 Electrical plug and energy transmission arrangement
The invention relates to an electrical plug (24) having a connection unit (36) which can be coupled to an electrical line (26) in order to transmit electrical energy, having at least one electrical contact pin (30) which has a plug section (32) and a coupling section (34), wherein the coupling section (34) is electrically coupled to the connection unit (36), and wherein the plug section (32) is designed to provide a releasable plug connection to an associated contact socket (18) in order to electrically couple the contact pin (30) to the contact socket (18), and having a detection unit (38) which is designed to) detect a tensile force which is exerted on the contact pin (30) and/or a movement of the contact pin (30) relative to the contact socket (18), and to provide a disconnection signal for interrupting the energy transmission process.
US09660388B2 Connector module with cable positioning features
A connector module includes a housing that extends along a longitudinal axis between a mating end and a cable end. The housing is defined by a first shell and a second shell that mate at a seam and define an interior chamber therebetween. The first shell and the second shell each includes a cable exit segment that has at least one cable positioning feature extending from an inner surface of the respective cable exit segment. Each cable positioning feature includes at least two posts and a slot defined therebetween. The slots of the cable positioning features are configured to receive a cable between the at least two posts of each corresponding cable positioning feature. The cable extends from the cable end of the housing.
US09660386B2 High frequency RJ45 plug with non-continuous ground planes for cross talk control
There is provided a communication connector including a housing and a plurality of electrical contacts received by the housing. A printed circuit board (PCB) is provided and includes first and second pairs of electrically conductive signal traces on different layers of the PCB, each pair of the first and second pairs of traces being connected to a corresponding pair of the plurality of pairs of contacts; and at least one split ground plane including first and second sections being substantially electrically isolated from one another, wherein at least a portion of the first section is adjacent to at least a portion of the first pair of traces and at least a portion of the second section is adjacent to at least a portion of the second pair of traces.
US09660385B2 Electrical connectors having open-ended conductors
Electrical connector including a plurality of mating conductors. Each of the mating conductors extends between an engagement portion and an interior portion. The engagement portions of the mating conductors are configured to engage contacts of the mating connector. The engagement portions are located proximate to one another at a first nodal region. The interior portions are located proximate to one another at a second nodal region. The electrical connector also includes a first open-ended conductor electrically connected to the engagement portion of a first mating conductor of the plurality of mating conductors and extending from the first nodal region. The electrical connector also includes a second open-ended conductor electrically connected to the interior portion of a second mating conductor of the plurality of mating conductors and extending from the second nodal region. The first open-ended conductor is capacitively coupled to the second open-ended conductor.
US09660379B1 Vehicle electrical connector assembly and connection method
An exemplary vehicle connector assembly includes, among other things, a first housing, and a second housing configured to selectively engage the first housing in a first position to accommodate a first take-out location. The first housing is further configured to engage the second housing in a second position to accommodate a second take-out location different than the first take-out location. An exemplary electrical connection method includes, among other things, securing a first housing of a connector to a second housing in a first position to accommodate a first take-out location. The first housing is securable to the second housing in a second position to accommodate a second take-out location instead of the first take-out location. The first position circumferentially offset from the second position.
US09660377B2 Connector apparatus
A magnetic electrical connector is provided which has particular application to use in vehicles or aircraft to prevent damage due to passenger movement. The connector includes a socket having a housing with a front face, a plurality of conductor contact regions provided on the front face, and a magnet provided in the housing to physically retain a plug in connection with the socket in use.
US09660369B2 Assembly of cable and connector
An assembly of cable and connector includes a flat flexible cable, an input-output connector and a paddle card. The flat flexible cable has parallel conductor wires, an insulated layer wrapped around the conductor wires. The conductor wires have at least one first integrated power wire and signal wires. A width of the first integrated power wire is larger than two times the width of one signal wire. The input-output connector has terminals separated into an upper-side terminal and a lower-side terminal. A number of the terminals is larger than a number of the conductor wires. The paddle card has a base board, and transferring circuits distributed on the base board. The transferring circuits has first pads on one side of the base board which are correspondingly connected to the conductor wires, and second pads on the other side of the base board which are correspondingly connected to the terminals.
US09660365B2 Printed circuit board
A printed circuit board includes at least two rigid printed circuit board parts which are connected to one another by at least one flexible connecting part which is thinner than the rigid printed circuit board parts. The at least two rigid printed circuit board parts can be moved toward one another by bending the flexible connecting part. A groove, which is produced by the different thickness of the rigid printed circuit board parts relative to the flexible connecting part, is filled with an elastic material.
US09660362B2 Device for electrical connection having an auxiliary output, and switching appliance having such a device
A device connects an electrical conductor to an area for electrical connection of an electrical switching device, the switching device having an electrical switching module connected to the area for electrical connection. The connecting device has at least one primary unit for electrically connecting a primary conductor to the area for connection, and an insulating shell receiving each primary connecting unit. The connecting device additionally has at least one secondary unit for connecting a secondary electrical conductor, and, for each secondary unit, an electrically conductive link piece connected between the secondary unit and a respective primary unit.
US09660358B2 Contact element for an electrical plug connector device
A contact element for an electrical plug connecting device, having a molded first end section and a molded elongated receiving section which defines a longitudinal axis for mechanical and electrical coupling and/or receiving a mating contact element designed to be complementary to the contact element of a plug connecting device to be paired with the electrical plug connecting device, both of which are manufactured of an electrically conductive material. The elongated receiving section extends essentially cylindrically from the first end section. This end section as well as the elongated cylindrical receiving section are molded to be free of seams and butt joints by shaping the electrically conducting material by means of a force acting at least predominantly parallel to the longitudinal axis, and at least the receiving section molded by shaping the electrically conducting material forms a cylindrical interior sheathed by the molded electrically conducting material along the longitudinal axis.
US09660357B1 Electrical connector with internal crimping mechanism
An electrical connector with an internal crimping mechanism. The electrical connector has a connector shell with one or more electrical connecting pins contained therein. One or more crimping screws are threaded through a hole in a wall of the connector shell. One or more crimping springs, with a first side and a second opposite side, are within the connector shell adjacent to the hole in the wall of the connector shell. There is a hole in the first side of the crimping spring through which the crimping screw passes to engage the second opposite side of the crimping spring. The crimping screw and the crimping spring are constructed to reversibly crimp an electrical wire between the second opposite side of the crimping spring and an internal wall of the connecting pin when said crimping screw is screwed into said electrical connector.
US09660355B2 Connection structure of external conductor terminal of electric cable
A connection structure of an external conductor terminal for connection with an external conductor of an electric cable including the external conductor made up of twined cables enclosing an outer periphery of an insulating coating of one or more internal conductors and a protective coating covering the external conductor, wherein the external conductor terminal has a cylindrical connector portion connected to the external conductor and a terminal portion provided at one end of the connector portion; and the connector portion is fitted around a location on an outer periphery of the insulating coating where the external conductor is laid bare, the twined cables of the external conductor are provided in contact with an outer periphery of the connector portion, a ring member is fitted around outer peripheries of the twined cables and the twined cables are crimped.
US09660353B2 Small-sized elastic inner conductor right-angled elbow conductor connector
A small-sized elastic inner conductor right-angled elbow conductor connector includes: a first conductor capable of deforming elastically, the first conductor having a first axis, the first conductor deforms elastically and springs back in a longitudinal direction perpendicular to the first axis under the action of a second conductor, thereby elastically contacting the second conductor arranged perpendicular to the first axis and retaining the second conductor, when the second conductor is connected with the first conductor, such that the first conductor and the second conductor are able to be connected to each other at a right angle.
US09660351B2 Deployable antenna frame
A multi-faceted deployable antenna frame including a six-bar linkage structure in a lateral facet of the antenna frame, the six-bar linkage structure being convertible from a folded state into a deployed state and having two first bars and four second bars, each bar being coupled to two others by a hinge to form a closed loop, where in the deployed state, the six-bar linkage structure has a quadrilateral shape. The antenna frame also includes a deployment means for deploying the antenna frame by moving the six-bar linkage structures from the folded state into the deployed state, the deployment means including: a flexible, elongated member of a substantially inextensible material; a first guiding means provided at an end portion of one of the first bars and coupled to the elongated member; a storage means provided at the first bar that includes the first guiding means for storing a part of the elongated member; a driving means that is coupled to the elongated member to pull the elongated member to the storing means when deploying the antenna frame; and a second guiding means between two adjacent second bars, the elongated member being coupled to the second guiding means. A first end of the elongated member is attached to the storing means and a second end of the elongated member is coupled to another first bar, and wherein the elongated member is extending between said first end and said second end along a plurality of second bars.
US09660347B2 Printed coupled-fed multi-band antenna and electronic system
The disclosure is related to a printed coupled-fed multi-band antenna, and a related electronic system. The antenna includes a first antenna member structurally with a mushroom-shaped radiation portion and an antenna connection portion being electrically connected with a ground plane. The mushroom-shaped radiation portion is employed to activate first band electromagnetic wave. The antenna includes a second antenna member, which may be shaped as a U-shaped radiation portion. The second antenna member is floating within a region surrounded by the mushroom-shaped radiation portion, the antenna connection portion and the ground plane. The U-shaped radiation portion is coupled with both the ground plane and the mushroom-shaped radiation portion. The coupling effect allows the second antenna member to activate a second band electromagnetic wave. The multiple band signaling paths are formed over the printed antenna for application of a multi-band antenna.
US09660335B2 Antenna system and a communication device
An antenna system includes a monopole antenna with a first end connected to a feed point on a printed circuit board (PCB) and a second end being electrically floating; and a matching conductive stub with a first end connected to a ground point on the PCB and a second end being electrically floating.
US09660333B2 Radiator, solderless interconnect thereof and grounding element thereof
A radiator includes an aperture plate defining multiple slots in first and second transverse directions, spring probes disposed within each of the multiple slots, printed circuit boards (PCBs) each having major and minor surfaces and being recessed on either side of multiple portions of one of the minor surfaces to define multiple pads plated with conductive pad material electrically interconnected with a PCB circuit and a grounding element. Each of the PCBs is disposed with the corresponding one of the minor surfaces inserted into a slot such that the PCBs form a crisscrossing pattern and the pads form horizontal blind-mate contacts with the spring probes that are in-plane with corresponding PCB planes. The grounding element is interposed between crisscrossing PCB pairs at complementary notches thereof.
US09660321B2 Method and system for a mobile application (app) that assists with aiming or aligning a satellite dish or antenna
An app running on a communication device determines a current position of an antenna, which is to be aligned with a transmitter. The app determines a direction in which the antenna should be oriented so that the antenna is aligned with the transmitter when the communication device is placed by the antenna. The app may generate, based on the determined direction, one or more cues to enable alignment of the antenna so that the current position or a newly determined current position of the antenna is aligned with the determined position of the transmitter. The cues may include audible, visual and/or vibration cues. The app may acquire information from one or more sensors, which are located within the communication device and/or integrated within the antenna. The acquired information may be utilized to determine the current position and/or a newly determined current position of the antenna.
US09660320B2 High efficiency mounting assembly for satellite dish reflector
A reflector dish assembly including a support structure, a reflector dish, and a reflector bracket configured for mounting the reflector dish. A support arm supports an electronic device and an elbow bracket is configured for coupling with an end of the support arm. A seat section of the elbow bracket is configured for engaging with the reflector bracket for securing the support arm in relation to the reflector dish. The reflector bracket includes a seat to receive the elbow bracket seat section, with the seat having bosses and support tabs spaced linearly from the bosses. The elbow bracket seat section includes guide slots configured for sliding over the bosses when the seat receives the seat section. The elbow bracket seat section includes support slots for receiving the support tabs of the reflector bracket seat and securing the guide slots with the bosses.
US09660317B2 High-frequency signal transmission line
A flexible high-frequency signal transmission line includes a dielectric body including laminated flexible dielectric layers. A signal line is provided in the dielectric body. A grounding conductor is arranged in the dielectric body to be opposed to the signal line via one of the dielectric layers. The grounding conductor is of a ladder structure including a plurality of openings and a plurality of bridges arranged alternately along the signal line. A characteristic impedance of the signal line changes between two adjacent ones of the plurality of bridges such that the characteristic impedance of the signal line rises from a minimum value to an intermediate value and to a maximum value and falls from the maximum value to the intermediate value and to the minimum value in this order.
US09660313B2 Metal-air fuel cells and methods of removing spent fuel therefrom
This invention is directed to a metal-air electrochemical power sources, specifically zinc-air batteries and fuel cells, and methods for removing solid or semi-solid spent fuel using a thickener-liquefier pair.
US09660301B2 Methods and devices for battery protection
An electronic apparatus is provided. The electronic apparatus includes: a battery; at least one pressure sensor provided on a surface of the battery; and a controller electrically connected with the at least one pressure sensor. The at least one pressure sensor samples a pressure parameter on the surface of the battery. The controller acquires the pressure parameter, detects a magnitude relation between the pressure parameter and a predefined threshold value, and generates a control instruction for protecting the battery based on the detected magnitude relation.
US09660297B2 Methods of producing batteries utilizing anode coatings directly on nanoporous separators
Provided are methods of preparing a separator/anode assembly for use in an electric current producing cell, wherein the assembly comprises an anode current collector layer interposed between a first anode layer and a second anode layer and a porous separator layer on the side of the first anode layer opposite to the anode current collector layer, wherein the first anode layer is coated directly on the separator layer.
US09660291B2 Positive active material for lithium secondary battery, method of preparing the same, and lithium secondary battery including positive active material
A positive active material for a lithium secondary battery, a method of preparing the same, and a lithium secondary battery including the positive active material. The positive active material includes a core part and a shell part that include a nickel-based composite oxide, and a content of nickel in the core part is larger than that in the shell part.
US09660285B2 Fuel cell and method for manufacturing the same
Disclosed are: a fuel cell which is provided with a membrane electrode assembly (50), an anode-side gas diffusion layer (52) and a cathode-side gas diffusion layer (54); and a method for manufacturing the cell. The degree of processing for suppressing protrusion of carbon fibers in the anode-side gas diffusion layer (52) and the degree of processing for suppressing protrusion of carbon fibers in the cathode-side gas diffusion layer (54) are set to be different from each other. Specifically, protrusion from the anode-side gas diffusion layer (52) is sufficiently suppressed, thereby being prevented from damaging the membrane electrode assembly (50). Meanwhile, the degree of suppression processing of the cathode-side gas diffusion layer (54) is set low, thereby securing drainage of generated water.
US09660279B2 Fuel unit for hydrogen generator
Disclosed are a fuel unit for a hydrogen generator and methods for producing the fuel unit and the hydrogen generator. A fuel sheet (50) is made by disposing a plurality of fuel pellets (50A-50J) containing a hydrogen-containing material on a substrate (52), and one or more fuel sheets are formed into a non-cylindrical fuel sheet assembly my moving (e.g., bending) a portion of the fuel sheet (50) to position pellets adjacent to each other such that adjacent sides of the adjacent pellets lie in essentially parallel planes. A non-cylindrical fuel unit is produced from one or more of the fuel sheet assemblies. Fuel units can be replaceably disposed in a hydrogen generator, and fuel pellets can be selectively heated to produce hydrogen gas as needed.
US09660266B2 Lithium secondary battery
Disclosed is a lithium secondary battery including (i) a cathode active material including a lithium metal phosphate according to Formula 1 below, (ii) an anode active material including amorphous carbon, and (iii) an electrolyte for lithium secondary batteries including a lithium salt and an ether-based solvent, Li1+aM(PO4-b)Xb  (1) wherein M is at least one selected from the group consisting of Group II to XII metals, X is at least one selected from F, S, and N, −0.5≦a≦+0.5, and 0≦b≦0.1.
US09660265B2 Lithium sulfur batteries and electrolytes and sulfur cathodes thereof
Lithium sulfur battery cells that use water as an electrolyte solvent provide significant cost reductions. Electrolytes for the battery cells may include water solvent for maintaining electroactive sulfur species in solution during cell discharge and a sufficient amount of a cycle life-enhancing compound that facilitates charging at the cathode. The combination of these two components enhances one or more of the following cell attributes: energy density, power density and cycle life. For instance, in applications where cost per Watt-Hour (Wh) is paramount, such as grid storage and traction applications, the use of an aqueous electrolyte in combination with inexpensive sulfur as the cathode active material can be a key enabler for the utility and automotive industries, for example, providing a cost effective and compact solution for load leveling, electric vehicles and renewable energy storage. Sulfur cathodes, and methods of fabricating lithium sulfur cells, in particular for loading lithium sulfide into the cathode structures, provide further advantages.
US09660262B2 Nonaqueous electrolyte secondary battery
A positive electrode for a nonaqueous electrolyte secondary battery according to the present invention includes particles A of a lamellar type lithium transition metal oxide and particles B of a spinel type lithium transition metal oxide, as a positive active material, at a ratio within the range of A:B=20:80 to 80:20 (weight ratio), in which a particle size distribution of the positive active material has a peak based on the particles A and a peak based on the particles B within the range of 1 to 50 μm. In the integrated distribution curve of the particle diameter, a particle diameter A(D50) at a degree of accumulation of the particles A of 50% and a particle diameter B(D50) at a degree of accumulation of the particles B of 50% satisfy the following expression (1), and a particle diameter A(D95) at a degree of accumulation of the particles A of 95% and a particle diameter B(D5) at a degree of accumulation of the particles B of 5% satisfy the following expression (2): B(D50)−A(D50)≧5 μm  Expression (1) B(D5)>A(D95)  Expression (2).
US09660260B2 Cathode active material coated with fluorine-doped lithium metal manganese oxide and lithium-ion secondary battery comprising the same
Provided are a cathode active material coated with a fluorine-doped spinel-structured lithium metal manganese oxide, a lithium secondary battery including the same, and a method for preparing the same. The cathode active material has improved chemical stability and provides improved charge/discharge characteristics at elevated temperature (55-60° C.) and high rate. The cathode active material allows lithium ions to pass through the coating layer with ease and is chemically stable, and thus may be used effectively as a cathode active material for a high-power lithium secondary battery.
US09660259B2 Positive electrode active material with improved output and lithium secondary battery comprising the same
A mixed positive electrode active material comprising a lithium manganese oxide represented by following [Chemical Formula 1] and a second positive electrode active material represented by following [Chemical Formula 2], and a lithium secondary battery comprising the same are disclosed. aLi2MnO3.(1−a)LixMO2  [Chemical Formula 1] In [Chemical Formula 1], 0
US09660257B2 Storage element
A storage element for a solid-electrolyte battery is provided, having a main body which is composed of a porous matrix of sintered ceramic particles, and also having a redox system which is composed of a first metal and/or at least one oxide of the first metal, wherein a basic composition of the storage element comprises at least one further oxide from the group comprising Y2O3, MgO, Gd2O3, WO3, ZnO, MnO which is suitable for forming an oxidic mixed phase with the first metal and/or the at least one oxide of the first metal.
US09660252B2 Method for the production of electrodes for fully solid batteries
The invention relates to a process for fabrication of an electrode film in an all-solid-state battery comprising successive steps to: a) Procure a substrate, preferably a conducting substrate, b) Deposit an electrode film on said substrate by electrophoresis, from a suspension containing particles of electrode materials, c) Dry the film obtained in the previous step, d) Thermal consolidation of the electrode film obtained in the previous step by sintering, sintering being done at a temperature TR that preferably does not exceed 0.7 times the melting temperature (expressed in ° C.), even more preferably does not exceed 0.5 times the melting temperature (expressed in ° C.), and much more preferably does not exceed 0.3 times the melting temperature (expressed in ° C.) of the electrode material that melts at the lowest temperature.
US09660244B2 System and method for establishing connections of a battery module
A battery module includes a housing and battery cells disposed in the housing, each of the battery cells including two terminals. The battery module also includes bus bar cell interconnects including a first material, where each bus bar cell interconnect is configured to electrically couple two adjacent battery cells via an electrical coupling with a first terminal of one of the adjacent battery cells and a second terminal of the other adjacent battery cell, where at least one of the first and second terminals includes the first material. The battery module includes welds, each weld being disposed at a corresponding welding point to directly couple one of the bus bar cell interconnects with the corresponding at least one terminal including the first material. Each welding point is accessible for welding from a position above the battery cells when the interconnects are disposed over the battery cells.
US09660241B2 NASICON-polymer electrolyte structure
A method is provided for forming a sodium-containing particle electrolyte structure. The method provides sodium-containing particles (e.g., NASICON), dispersed in a liquid phase polymer, to form a polymer film with sodium-containing particles distributed in the polymer film. The liquid phase polymer is a result of dissolving the polymer in a solvent or melting the polymer in an extrusion process. In one aspect, the method forms a plurality of polymer film layers, where each polymer film layer includes sodium-containing particles. For example, the plurality of polymer film layers may form a stack having a top layer and a bottom layer, where with percentage of sodium-containing particles in the polymer film layers increasing from the bottom layer to the top layer. In another aspect, the sodium-containing particles are coated with a dopant. A sodium-containing particle electrolyte structure and a battery made using the sodium-containing particle electrolyte structure are also presented.
US09660232B2 Button cell terminal
A button cell terminal to electrically connect to a button cell and a circuit board includes: a spring contact terminal; a board joint; and a pressing force absorbing spring portion. The spring contact terminal is arranged into a spring shape deforming elastically in response to pressing force from the button cell in the X-axis direction and the Z-axis direction. The board joint is joined to the circuit board. The pressing force absorbing spring portion includes a bent arm for absorbing pressing force from the button cell through elastic deformation in response to pressing force from the button cell in the X-axis direction and the Y-axis direction.
US09660231B2 Battery pack
There is provided a battery pack capable of improving the safety thereof. The battery pack includes a battery array, side plates, a top cover and end plates. The battery array includes a plurality of battery cells aligned in a first direction. The battery array is formed as a hexahedron having (1-1)th, (1-2)th, (2-1)th (2-2)th, (3-1)th and (3-2)th planes. The top cover is provided to the (1-1)th plane of the battery array, and has reinforcing frames respectively formed at both sides based on the first direction. The reinforcing frame includes vertical and horizontal frames. The end plates are provided to the (3-1)th and (3-2)th planes, respectively. The end plates are fixed to the top cover. A holding part pressing both sides of the top cover on the (1-1)th plane are provided to the side plates, respectively.
US09660230B2 Battery pack having end plates
Provided is a battery pack including a pair of end plates facing each other, a plurality of battery cells arrayed between the end plates, and a pair of side plates each extending along a length of the plurality of battery cells, and coupled to the end plates, wherein each of the end plates includes a base plate, bending portions bent from each edge of the base plate in a direction away from the plurality of battery cells, each bending portion having a reinforcing bead unit, and a flange portion connected to the base plate at each bending portion. According to one or more embodiments of the present invention, deformation of the battery pack may be efficiently suppressed and deterioration of a function of a battery cell may be prevented by blocking volume expansion due to recharging and discharging operations of the battery cell.
US09660229B2 Battery pack release with tactile feedback for cordless power tools
Battery packs include a battery pack housing, at least one battery release member held by the battery housing, a (blind) latch held by the battery pack housing in communication with the battery release member that releaseably locks the battery pack to a device, and a tactile feedback mechanism that is held by the battery pack housing and is in communication with the battery release member. The tactile feedback mechanism generates a tactile feedback that reduces or increases an application force required by a user to manually actuate the at least one release member. The tactile feedback transmitted through the at least one battery release member. The tactile feedback is generated when the at least one release member has been manually actuated by the user a sufficient distance to allow the user to easily remove the battery pack from the device.
US09660225B2 Secondary battery, electronic device, and vehicle
Provided is a secondary battery suitable for a portable information terminal or a wearable device, or an electronic device having a novel structure with a variety of forms and a secondary battery that fits the form of the electronic device. The secondary battery is sealed using a film having projections that can reduce stress on the film caused when external force is applied. The film has a pattern of projections formed by pressing (e.g., embossing). A top portion of each of the projections has a region thicker than a bottom portion of each of the projections. The thickness of the top portion of each of the projections is 1.5 or more times, preferably 2 or more times, as large as that of the bottom portion of each of the projections, and is a thickness such that each of the projections has a convex space.
US09660221B2 Display devices using feedback enhanced light emitting diode
Display devices using feedback-enhanced light emitting diodes are disclosed. The display devices include but are not limited to active and passive matrix displays and projection displays. A light emissive element disposed between feedback elements is used as light emitting element in the display devices. The light emissive element may include organic or non-organic material. The feedback elements coupled to an emissive element allow the emissive element to emit collimated light by stimulated emission. In one aspect, feedback elements that provide this function include, but are not limited to, holographic reflectors with refractive index variations that are continuous.
US09660218B2 Package of environmental sensitive element
In one embodiment, a package of an environmental sensitive element including a flexible substrate, an environmental sensitive element and an encapsulation is provided. The environmental sensitive element is disposed on the flexible substrate. The encapsulation covers the environmental sensitive element, wherein the Young's mudulus of the encapsulation ranges from about 5 GPa to about 15 GPa, hardness of the encapsulation ranges from about 0.4 GPa to about 1.0 GPa, and water vapor transmittance rate (WVTR) of the encapsulation is less than 10−2 g/cm2 day.
US09660215B2 Display panel and encapsulation method thereof
Embodiments of the present invention disclose a display panel and an encapsulation method thereof, and relate to the field of display technology. The display panel comprises a first substrate and a second substrate which are disposed in opposition to each other. The first substrate and the second substrate are encapsulated by a sealant. In a non-display area of the display panel, a first adsorption layer is disposed on one of the first substrate and the second substrate, and a second adsorption layer is disposed on the other of the first substrate and the second substrate. The first adsorption layer and the second adsorption layer may be attracted to each other by magnetic force. Embodiments of the present invention can effectively avoid the separation of the first substrate and the second substrate due to the stress released during the process of melting the sealant, thereby improving the problem of poor encapsulation caused thereby.
US09660211B2 Light-emitting element, light-emitting device, display device, electronic appliance, and lighting device
A multicolor light-emitting element using fluorescence and phosphorescence, which has a small number of manufacturing steps owing to a relatively small number of layers to be formed and is advantageous for practical application can be provided. In addition, a multicolor light-emitting element using fluorescence and phosphorescence, which has favorable emission efficiency is provided. A light-emitting element which includes a light-emitting layer having a stacked-layer structure of a first light-emitting layer exhibiting light emission from a first exciplex and a second light-emitting layer exhibiting phosphorescence is provided.
US09660209B2 Method for manufacturing OLED device and OLED device manufactured therewith
The present invention provides a method for manufacturing an OLED device and an OLED device manufactured therewith. The method for manufacturing an OLED device includes: (1) providing a substrate and forming, in sequence, an anode and a hole transporting layer on the substrate; (2) forming an emissive layer on the hole transporting layer through a solution film casting process, wherein the emissive layer comprises a red sub-pixel, a green sub-pixel, and a blue sub-pixel, of which at least one sub-pixel is formed of a quantum dot and at least one sub-pixel is formed of an organic light-emitting material; (3) forming, in sequence, an electron transporting layer and a cathode on the emissive layer; and (4) providing a package cover plate, which is set above the cathode, wherein the substrate and the package cover plate are bonded together by sealing enclosing resin to complete packaging of the OLED device. Since each sub-pixel of the emissive layer is formed through a solution film casting process, the manufacture of the OLED device requires no use of a fine metal mask so that the manufacturing cost is low, the utilization rate of material is high, and the yield rate is good.
US09660202B2 Organic electroluminescence device
An organic electroluminescence (EL) device, including an anode; a cathode; and an emission layer between the anode and the cathode, the emission layer emitting a light via a singlet excited state, a stacking structure of at least three layers having different components being provided between the anode and the emission layer, wherein the stacking structure includes: a first layer including an electron accepting compound having a lowest unoccupied molecular orbital (LUMO) level of about −9.0 eV to about −4.0 eV; a second layer including a compound represented by the following Formula (1), the second layer being closer to the emission layer than the first layer; and a third layer including a compound represented by the following Formula (2), the third layer being closer to the emission layer than the second layer, wherein the emission layer includes a compound represented by the following Formula (3).
US09660193B2 Material composition for organic photoelectric conversion layer, organic photoelectric conversion element, method for producing organic photoelectric conversion element, and solar cell
It is an object of the present invention to provide a material composition for a bulk-heterojunction-type organic photoelectric conversion layer having high photoelectric conversion efficiency and durability through formation of a stable phase-separated structure by drying in a short time with high productivity and to provide an organic photoelectric conversion element, a method of producing the organic photoelectric conversion element, and a solar cell. The material composition for an organic photoelectric conversion layer contains at least a p-type conjugated polymer semiconductor material being a copolymer having a main chain including an electron-donating group and an electron-withdrawing group, an n-type organic semiconductor material having electron acceptability, and a solvent. The solvent is represented by a general formula (1).
US09660184B2 Spin transfer torque memory cells
Spin transfer torque memory cells and methods of forming the same are described herein. As an example, spin transfer torque memory cells may include an amorphous material, a storage material formed on the amorphous material, wherein the storage material is substantially boron free, an interfacial perpendicular magnetic anisotropy material formed on the storage material, a reference material formed on the interfacial perpendicular magnetic anisotropy material, wherein the reference material is substantially boron free, a buffer material formed on the reference material and a pinning material formed on the buffer material.
US09660176B2 Method of manufacturing electronic device, electronic apparatus, and mobile apparatus
A method of manufacturing an electronic device including an electronic element, a base substrate, and a lid member, includes joining the lid member to the sealing part by application of an energy beam so that a plate thickness of the lid member may be larger in a part joined to the sealing part than in a part located inside of the part in a plan view along the thickness direction.
US09660175B2 Piezoelectric ceramic, method for manufacturing piezoelectric ceramic, piezoelectric element, and electronic device
A piezoelectric ceramic contains a main component, Mn as a first auxiliary component, and a second auxiliary component containing at least one element selected from the group consisting of Cu, B, and Si. The main component contains a perovskite metal oxide having the following general formula (1): (Ba1-xCax)a(Ti1-yZry)O3(0.100≦x≦0.145,0.010≦y≦0.039)  (1) The amount b (mol) of Mn per mole of the metal oxide is in the range of 0.0048≦b≦0.0400, the second auxiliary component content on a metal basis is 0.001 parts by weight or more and 4.000 parts by weight or less per 100 parts by weight of the metal oxide, and the value a of the general formula (1) is in the range of 0.9925+b≦a≦1.0025+b.
US09660170B2 Micromachined ultrasonic transducer arrays with multiple harmonic modes
Micromachined ultrasonic transducer (MUT) arrays capable of multiple resonant modes and techniques for operating them are described, for example to achieve both high frequency and low frequency operation in a same device. In embodiments, various sizes of piezoelectric membranes are fabricated for tuning resonance frequency across the membranes. The variously sized piezoelectric membranes are gradually transitioned across a length of the substrate to mitigate destructive interference between membranes oscillating in different modes and frequencies.
US09660166B2 Thermoelectric conversion material, thermoelectric conversion element, article for thermoelectric power generation and power supply for sensor
A thermoelectric conversion element (1) having, on a substrate (12), a first electrode (13), a thermoelectric conversion layer (14), and a second electrode 15, wherein a nano conductive material and a low band gap material are contained in the thermoelectric conversion layer (14); an article for thermoelectric power generation and a power supply for a sensor using the thermoelectric conversion element (1); and a thermoelectric conversion material containing the nano conductive material and the low band gap material.
US09660159B2 Wiring material, semiconductor device provided with a wiring using the wiring material and method of manufacturing thereof
A semiconductor device having good TFT characteristics is realized. By using a high purity target as a target, using a single gas, argon (Ar), as a sputtering gas, setting the substrate temperature equal to or less than 300° C., and setting the sputtering gas pressure from 1.0 Pa to 3.0 Pa, the film stress of a film is made from −1×1010 dyn/cm2 to 1×1010 dyn/cm2. By thus using a conducting film in which the amount of sodium contained within the film is equal to or less than 0.3 ppm, preferably equal to or less than 0.1 ppm, and having a low electrical resistivity (equal to or less than 40 μΩ·cm), as a gate wiring material and a material for other wirings of a TFT, the operating performance and the reliability of a semiconductor device provided with the TFT can be increased.
US09660155B2 Light emitting diode
Provided are a light emitting diode, a method of manufacturing the same, and a use thereof. The light emitting diode having excellent initial light flux and excellent color uniformity and dispersion, the method of manufacturing the same, and the use thereof may be provided.
US09660148B2 Method for manufacturing light emitting device, and light emitting device
A method for manufacturing a light emitting device comprises a package preparation step of preparing a package having a recess in which a light emitting element is locatable, wherein the package includes a projection extending from an upper surface of the package, the projection at least partially surrounding the recess, a sealing resin forming step of filling said recess in which said light emitting element is located with a sealing resin, and providing said sealing resin higher than the height of said package, and a sealing resin cutting step of cutting the sealing resin such that an upper surface of the sealing resin is at a height that is substantially the same as a height of the upper surface of the package.
US09660143B2 Substrate and light emitting diode
The present invention relates to a substrate having an upper surface that is not parallel to a reference plane, wherein the substrate may include the upper surface or an upper layer which is inclined or inflexed. In addition, the present invention relates to a light emitting diode comprising an active layer that is not parallel to a reference plane. The light emitting diode of the present invention may be characterized in that the active layer is inflexed. Furthermore, the light emitting diode of the present invention may be characterized in that the side wall of the light emitting diode is inflexed. Moreover, the light emitting diode of the present invention may be characterized in that the side wall of the light emitting diode is inflexed and inclined. Through the configuration, the size of a chip is identically maintained, and the area of the active layer for emitting light is increased. In addition, the area of the exposed active layer at the edge of the chip is increased, and light emitted from the side surface thereof is oriented toward the front side thereof, thereby enhancing a utilization rate of the emitted light.
US09660134B1 Nitride semiconductor polarization controlled device
A polarization controlled device has a first layer comprising a group III-nitride semiconductor substrate or template; a second group III-nitride semiconductor layer disposed over the group III-nitride semiconductor substrate or template; a third group III-nitride semiconductor layer disposed over the second group III-nitride semiconductor layer; and a fourth group III-nitride semiconductor layer disposed over the third group III-nitride semiconductor layer. A pn junction is formed at an interface between the third and fourth group III-nitride semiconductor layers. A polarization heterojunction is formed between the second group III-nitride semiconductor layer and the third group III-nitride semiconductor layer. The polarization junction has fixed charges of a polarity on one side of the polarization junction and fixed charges of an opposite polarity on an opposite side of the polarization junction. When unbiased, the pn junction comprises a first electric field that opposes the flow of carriers across the pn junction and the polarization junction comprises a second electric field that opposes the flow of oppositely charged carriers across the polarization junction.
US09660126B2 Photovoltaic device with three dimensional charge separation and collection
A photovoltaic device having three dimensional (3D) charge separation and collection, where charge separation occurs in 3D depletion regions formed between a p-type doped group III-nitride material in the photovoltaic device and intrinsic structural imperfections extending through the material. The p-type group III-nitride alloy is compositionally graded to straddle the Fermi level pinning by the intrinsic structural imperfections in the material at different locations in the group III-nitride alloy. A field close to the surfaces of the intrinsic defects separates photoexcited electron-hole pairs and drives the separated electrons to accumulate at the surfaces of the intrinsic defects. The intrinsic defects function as n-type conductors and transport the accumulated electrons to the material surface for collection. The compositional grading also creates a potential that drives the accumulated separated electrons toward an n-type group III-nitride layer for collection. The p-type group III-nitride alloy may comprise an alloy of InGaN, InAlN or InGaAlN.
US09660111B2 Luminescent materials that emit light in the visible range or the near infrared range and methods of forming thereof
Luminescent materials and methods of forming such materials are described herein. A method of forming a luminescent material includes: (1) providing a source of A and X, wherein A is selected from at least one of elements of Group 1, and X is selected from at least one of elements of Group 17; (2) providing a source of B, wherein B is selected from at least one of elements of Group 14; (3) subjecting the source of A and X and the source of B to vacuum deposition to form a precursor layer over a substrate; (4) forming an encapsulation layer over the precursor layer to form an assembly of layers; and (5) heating the assembly of layers to a temperature Theat to form a luminescent material within the precursor layer.
US09660108B2 Bootstrap MOS for high voltage applications
A device includes a p-well region, and a first High-Voltage N-type Well (HVNW) region and a second HVNW region contacting opposite edges of the p-well region. A P-type Buried Layer (PBL) has opposite edges in contact with the first HVNW region and the second HVNW region. An n-type buried well region is underlying the PBL. The p-well region and the n-type buried well region are in contact with a top surface and a bottom surface, respectively, of the PBL. The device further includes a n-well region in a top portion of the p-well region, an n-type source region in the n-well region, a gate stack overlapping a portion of the p-well region and a portion of the second HVNW region, and a channel region under the gate stack. The channel region interconnects the n-well region and the second HVNW region.
US09660106B2 Flash memory and method of manufacturing the same
A flash memory structure includes a memory gate on a substrate, a select gate adjacent to the memory gate, and an oxide-nitride spacer between the memory gate and the select gate, where the oxide-nitride spacer further includes an oxide layer and a nitride layer having an upper nitride portion and a lower nitride portion, and the upper nitride portion is thinner than the lower nitride portion.
US09660101B2 Semiconductor device comprising an oxide semiconductor layer
Oxide layers which contain at least one metal element that is the same as that contained in an oxide semiconductor layer including a channel are formed in contact with the top surface and the bottom surface of the oxide semiconductor layer, whereby an interface state is not likely to be generated at each of an upper interface and a lower interface of the oxide semiconductor layer. Further, it is preferable that an oxide layer, which is formed using a material and a method similar to those of the oxide layers be formed over the oxide layers Accordingly, the interface state hardly influences the movement of electrons.
US09660100B2 Semiconductor device and method for manufacturing the same
A semiconductor device is formed in such a manner that a first insulator, a first oxide semiconductor, and a first conductor are formed; the first conductor is processed to form a second conductor; the first oxide semiconductor is processed to form a second oxide semiconductor; a second insulator is formed over the second conductor; a third insulator is formed over the second insulator; a fourth insulator is formed over the third insulator; the fourth insulator, the third insulator, the second insulator, and the second conductor are selectively processed to partly expose the second oxide semiconductor; a fifth insulator is formed over the second oxide semiconductor and the fourth insulator; and a third conductor is formed over the fifth insulator and then chemical mechanical polishing treatment is performed to expose a top surface of the fourth insulator.
US09660089B2 Thin film transistor substrate and method of manufacturing the same
A thin film transistor substrate includes a substrate, a data line disposed on the substrate and which extends substantially in a predetermined direction, a light blocking layer disposed on the substrate and including a metal oxide including zinc manganese oxide, zinc cadmium oxide, zinc phosphorus oxide or zinc tin oxide, a gate electrode disposed on the light blocking layer, a signal electrode including a source electrode and a drain electrode spaced apart from the source electrode, where the source electrode is connected to the data line, and a semiconductor pattern disposed between the source electrode and the drain electrode.
US09660084B2 Semiconductor device structure and method for forming the same
A method for forming a semiconductor device structure is provided. The method includes forming a dielectric layer over a substrate. The dielectric layer has a trench passing through the dielectric layer. The method includes forming a gate stack in the trench. The method includes performing a hydrogen-containing plasma process over the gate stack. The method includes removing a top portion of the gate stack to form a first recess surrounded by the gate stack and the dielectric layer. The method includes forming a cap layer in the first recess to fill the first recess.
US09660082B2 Integrated circuit transistor structure with high germanium concentration SiGe stressor
An integrated circuit transistor structure includes a semiconductor substrate, a first SiGe layer in at least one of a source area or a drain area on the semiconductor substrate, and a channel between the source area and the drain area. The first SiGe layer has a Ge concentration of 50 percent or more.
US09660073B1 High-voltage semiconductor device and method for manufacturing the same
A high-voltage semiconductor device is provided. The device includes a semiconductor substrate including a well region of a first conductivity type and an isolation structure in the well region. First and second regions are respectively defined on both sides of the isolation structure. First and second gate structures are respectively disposed on the first and second regions. First and second implant regions of a second conductivity type that is different from the first conductivity type are respectively in the first and second regions and adjacent to the isolation structure. A counter implant region is in the well region under the isolation structure and laterally extends under the first and second implant regions. The counter implant region has the first conductivity type and has a doping concentration that is greater than that of the well region. A method for fabricating the high-voltage semiconductor device is also disclosed.
US09660065B2 Semiconductor device and method for producing same having multilayer wiring structure with contact hole having hydrophobic film formed on side surface of the contact hole
A method of producing a semiconductor device includes forming an insulating film on a substrate on which a semiconductor layer is formed; removing a part of the insulating film by etching to form an opening in the insulating film; supplying steam with a temperature greater than or equal to 200° C. and less than or equal to 600° C. to the opening formed in the insulating film; after supplying the steam, applying a solution including a silicon compound to a side surface or the insulating film defining the opening; and forming a hydrophobic film on the side surface of the insulating film defining the opening by polymerizing the silicon compound.
US09660063B2 Semiconductor structure having sets of III-V compound layers and method of forming the same
A semiconductor structure includes a substrate; and a graded III-V layer over the substrate. The semiconductor structure further includes a p-doped gallium nitride (GaN) layer over the graded III-V layer. The semiconductor structure further includes one or more sets of GaN layers over the p-doped GaN layer. Each set of the one or more sets of GaN layers includes a lower GaN layer, wherein the lower GaN layer is undoped, unintentionally doped having N-type doping, or N-type doped. Each set of the one or more sets of GaN layers includes an upper GaN layer on the lower GaN layer, wherein the upper GaN layer is P-type doped. The semiconductor structure includes a second GaN layer over the one or more sets of GaN layers, the second GaN layer being either undoped or unintentionally doped having the N-type doping. The semiconductor structure includes an active layer over the second GaN layer.
US09660058B2 Method of FinFET formation
A method of fabricating a fin for a FinFET device includes providing a semiconductor substrate, forming a patterned silicon germanium layer on the semiconductor substrate, epitaxially growing a silicon layer on a top surface and sidewalls of the patterned silicon germanium layer, forming a sacrificial layer covering the patterned silicon germanium layer, and removing the sacrificial layer and a portion of the silicon layer disposed on the top surface of the patterned silicon germanium layer until a top surface of the sacrificial layer is co-planar with the top surface of the patterned silicon germanium layer. The method further includes removing the patterned silicon germanium layer and removing the sacrificial layer to form the fin. The epitaxially formed fin does not have the issues of line width roughness and edge roughness to improve the performance of the FinFET device.
US09660044B2 Power field effect transistor, a power field effect transistor device and a method of manufacturing a power field effect transistor
A power field effect transistor, a power field effect transistor device and a method of manufacturing a power field effect transistor are provided. During the manufacturing of the power field effect transistor, a body drive stage to manufacture the body region of the power field effect transistor is shortened to obtain a relatively low on resistance for the power field effect transistor. Before the implanting stage of the dopants of the body region, a pre body drive stage is introduced. During the pre body drive stage and the body drive stage sidewalls of a polysilicon layer of the power field effect transistor are oxidized to obtain a power field effect transistor which has at the sidewalls an oxidized polysilicon layer that is thick enough to prevent a premature current injection from the gate to the source regions of the power field effect transistor.
US09660042B1 Semiconductor device and manufacturing method thereof
A semiconductor device and manufacturing method thereof are provided in the present invention. A second opening is formed corresponding to a gate structure after a step of forming a first opening corresponding to an epitaxial layer. After the step of forming the second opening, a pre-amorphization implantation process is performed to form an amorphous region in the epitaxial layer, and the influence of the process of forming the second opening on the amorphous region may be avoided. The semiconductor device formed by the manufacturing method of the present invention includes a contact structure and an alloy layer. The contact structure is disposed in the second opening for being electrically connected to a metal gate. The alloy layer is disposed on the metal gate and disposed between the metal gate and the contact structure. The alloy layer includes an alloy of the material of the metal gate.
US09660026B1 Method of making a silicon nanowire device
There is provided an electronic device and a method for its manufacture. The device comprises an elongate silicon nanowire less than 0.5 μm in cross-sectional dimensions and having a hexagonal cross-sectional shape due to annealing-induced energy relaxation. The method, in examples, includes thinning the nanowire through iterative oxidation and etching of the oxidized portion.
US09660024B2 Semiconductor device with two transistors and a capacitor
A semiconductor device includes a first memory cell including a first transistor and a first capacitor, the first transistor comprising a first gate electrode, a first source, and a first drain; a second memory cell including a second transistor and the first capacitor, the second transistor comprising a second gate electrode, a second source, and a second drain; a first word line coupled to the first gate electrode; and a second word line coupled to the second gate electrode. The first capacitor is electrically connected between the first and second transistors.
US09660021B1 Trench gate trench field plate vertical MOSFET
A semiconductor device having a vertical drain extended MOS transistor may be formed by forming deep trench structures to define vertical drift regions of the transistor, so that each vertical drift region is bounded on at least two opposite sides by the deep trench structures. The deep trench structures are spaced so as to form RESURF regions for the drift region. Trench gates are formed in trenches in the substrate over the vertical drift regions. The body regions are located in the substrate over the vertical drift regions.
US09660020B2 Integrated circuits with laterally diffused metal oxide semiconductor structures and methods for fabricating the same
Integrated circuits with improved laterally diffused metal oxide semiconductor (LDMOS) structures, and methods of fabricating the same, are provided. An exemplary LDMOS integrated circuit includes a p-type semiconductor substrate, an n-type epitaxial layer disposed over and in contact with the p-type semiconductor substrate, and a p-type implant layer disposed within the n-type epitaxial layer, wherein the p-type implant layer is not in contact with the p-type semiconductor substrate. It further includes an n-type reduced surface field region disposed over and in contact with the p-type implant layer, a p-type body well disposed on a lateral side of the p-type implant layer and the n-type reduced surface field region, and a shallow trench isolation (STI) structure disposed within the n-type reduced surface field region. Still further, it includes a gate structure disposed partially over the p-type body well, partially over the n-type surface field region, and partially over the STI structure.
US09660019B2 Concentric capacitor structure
A concentric capacitor structure generally comprising concentric capacitors is disclosed. Each concentric capacitor comprises a first plurality of perimeter plates formed on a first layer of a substrate and a second plurality of perimeter plates formed on a second layer of the substrate. The first plurality of perimeter plates extend in a first direction and the second plurality of perimeter plates extend in a second direction different than the first direction. A first set of the first plurality of perimeter plates is electrically coupled to a first set of the second plurality of perimeter plates and a second set of the first plurality of perimeter plates is electrically coupled to a second set of the second plurality of perimeter plates. A plurality of capacitive cross-plates are formed in the first layer such that each cross-plate overlaps least two of the second plurality of perimeter plates.
US09660017B2 Microelectronic package with surface mounted passive element
A microelectronic package includes a packaging substrate having a chip mounting surface; a chip mounted on the chip mounting surface of the packaging substrate with the chip's active surface facing down to the chip mounting surface; a plurality of input/output (I/O) pads distributed on the active surface of the chip; and a discrete passive element mounted on the active surface of the chip. The discrete passive element may be a decoupling capacitor, a resistor, or an inductor.
US09660009B2 Organic light emitting diode display
An organic light emitting diode display includes a scan line, a data line, and a driving voltage line connected to a pixel. The pixel includes a switching transistor connected to the scan line and the data line, a driving transistor connected to the switching transistor, and a compensation transistor to compensate a threshold voltage of the driving transistor. The pixel also includes a first data connector to connect the compensation transistor to the driving transistor, a first storage electrode corresponding to the driving gate electrode and connected to the driving voltage line, and a second storage electrode overlapping a first storage electrode. An extended portion of the second storage electrode is in an overlapped portion between the first data connector and the scan line.
US09660007B2 Display device and method of manufacturing display device
A display device according to the invention includes: a first substrate that includes a flexible substrate, is segmented into a display area and a non-display area outside the display area, and includes a thin film transistor and an electroluminescent light-emitting element formed on the display area of the flexible substrate; and an IC chip that is bonded on the non-display area of the first substrate via an anisotropic conductive film, wherein the first substrate includes, between the flexible substrate and the anisotropic conductive film, at least one or more support layers whose plan view shape is larger than that of the IC chip and whose hardness is higher than that of the flexible substrate, and the IC chip is located inside the at least one or more support layers in a plan view.
US09660000B2 Organic light emitting diode (OLED) array substrate and fabricating method thereof, display device
An OLED array substrate, comprising a plurality of pixel units, the pixel unit at least comprising a first sub-pixel, a second sub-pixel and a third sub-pixel, further comprising: a substrate, a TFT array and a pixel electrode formed on the substrate, and at least two organic luminescent material layers that display different colors formed on the pixel electrode, wherein the first sub-pixel comprises a first pixel electrode, the second sub-pixel comprises a second pixel electrode, the third sub-pixel comprises a third pixel electrode, an organic luminescent material layer of a first color covers the adjacent first pixel electrode and second pixel electrode in the pixel unit, an organic luminescent material layer of a second color covers the adjacent second pixel electrode and third pixel electrode in the pixel unit.
US09659999B2 3-dimensional stack memory device
A 3-dimensional stack memory device includes a semiconductor substrate, a stacked active pattern configured so that a plurality of stripe shape active regions and insulation layers are stacked alternatively over the semiconductor substrate, a gate electrode formed in the stacked active pattern, a source and drain formed at both sides of the gate electrode in each of the plurality of active regions, a bit line formed on one side of the drain to be connected to the drain, a resistive device layer formed on one side of the source to be connected to the source, and a source line connected to the resistive device layer. The source is configured of an impurity region having a first conductivity type, and the drain is configured of an impurity region having a second conductivity type different from the first conductivity type.
US09659995B2 Flexible display device
A flexible display device includes a display panel having pliability and a dielectric elastomer unit on the display panel. The dielectric elastomer unit is reversibly deformable by an applied voltage to provide stiffness to the display panel.
US09659991B2 Image capturing apparatus, manufacturing method thereof, and camera
A back-side illumination image capturing apparatus includes a semiconductor substrate having a first surface for receiving incident light and a second surface located on the opposite side as the first surface, and including a photoelectric conversion portion, and a gate electrode disposed above the second surface. The apparatus further includes a first insulating layer disposed above the second surface of the semiconductor substrate, an interlayer insulation film disposed on the first insulating layer, a contact plug connected to the gate electrode, and a light-cutting portion for cutting light, of the incident light, that has passed through the photoelectric conversion portion. The light-cutting portion passes through at least part of the interlayer insulation film. The first insulating layer is located between the light-cutting portion and the semiconductor substrate.
US09659988B2 Image pickup apparatus
In an image pickup apparatus, during a period from a start of an accumulation period of electric carriers to an end of a reading period for a first photoelectric conversion unit and a second photoelectric conversion unit, the number of times an on-state voltage is supplied to a gate electrode of a first transfer transistor is larger than the number of times an on-state voltage is supplied to a gate electrode of a second transfer transistor. Additionally, among a plurality of pixels, in a pixel having a shortest distance from the gate electrode of the second transfer transistor to a contact plug, a distance from the gate electrode of the second transfer transistor to the contact plug is shorter than a distance from the gate electrode of the first transfer transistor to the contact plug.
US09659985B2 Integrated circuit and image sensing device having metal shielding layer and related fabricating method
An integrated circuit includes a first semiconductor device, a second semiconductor device, and a metal shielding layer. The first semiconductor device includes a first substrate and a first multi-layer structure, and the first substrate supports the first multi-layer structure. The second semiconductor device includes a second substrate and a second multi-layer structure, and the second substrate supports the second multi-layer structure. The metal shielding layer is disposed between the first multi-layer structure and the second multi-layer structure, wherein the metal shielding layer is electrically connected to the second semiconductor device.
US09659984B2 Solid-state image sensor including a photoelectric conversion element, a charge conversion element, and a light shielding element, method for producing the same solid-state image sensor, and electronic apparatus including the same solid-state image sensor
A solid-state image sensor includes a semiconductor substrate having a photoelectric conversion element converting incident light into a charge and a charge retaining section temporarily retaining the charge photoelectrically converted by the photoelectric conversion element and a light shielding section having an embedded section extending in at least a region between the photoelectric conversion element and the charge retaining section of the semiconductor substrate.
US09659980B2 Semiconductor photomultiplier
The present disclosure relates to a semiconductor photomultiplier comprising a substrate; an array of photosensitive cells formed on the substrate that are operably coupled between an anode and a cathode. A set of primary bus lines are provided each being associated with a corresponding set of photosensitive cells. A secondary bus line is coupled to the set of primary bus lines. An electrical conductor is provided having a plurality of connection sites coupled to respective connection locations on the secondary bus line for providing conduction paths which have lower impedance than the secondary bus line.
US09659974B2 Pixel structure, manufacturing method of pixel structure, array substrate, and display panel
The disclosure provides a pixel structure, a manufacturing method of a pixel structure, an array substrate, a display panel, and a display device. The pixel structure includes a plurality of data lines and a plurality of scan lines, and a plurality of pixel units formed by intersecting the plurality of data lines with the plurality of scan lines. A pixel unit corresponds to one of the plurality of data lines and one of the plurality of scan lines. The pixel unit includes a pixel electrode and a TFT. The pixel electrode of the pixel unit in a row is electrically connected to a TFT of a pixel unit in a preceding adjacent row of the pixel electrode of the pixel unit.
US09659972B2 Thin film transistor array panel comprising etch stopper for shaping a channel
A thin film transistor array panel includes: a substrate; gate lines on the substrate, each of the gate lines including a gate electrode; a semiconductor layer on the substrate; an etching stopper on the semiconductor layer; a data wiring layer on the substrate and including a data line, a source electrode connected to the data line, and a drain electrode; and a passivation layer covering the source electrode, the drain electrode, and the etching stopper, where the etching stopper includes an etching prevention portion between the source electrode and the drain electrode, a shortest distance A between an upper side and a lower side of an overlap area where the etching prevention portion and the semiconductor layer overlap one another is represented by a straight line in a plane view, and a width of a channel portion of the semiconductor layer is greater than the shortest distance A.
US09659966B2 Flexible display substrate, flexible organic light emitting display device and method of manufacturing the same
A flexible display substrate, a flexible organic light emitting display device, and a method of manufacturing the same are provided. The flexible display substrate comprises a flexible substrate including a display area and a non-display area extending from the display area, and a wire formed on the flexible substrate. At least a part of the non-display area of the flexible substrate is formed in a crooked shape in a bending direction, and the wire positioned on at least a part of the non-display area of the flexible substrate includes a plurality of first wire patterns, and a second wire pattern formed on the plurality of first wire patterns and electrically connected with the plurality of first wire patterns.
US09659965B2 Liquid crystal display device and method of manufacturing the same
A liquid crystal display (LCD) device comprises a first substrate, a second substrate disposed to face the first substrate, a liquid crystal layer which is disposed between the first substrate and the second substrate and which includes multiple liquid crystal molecules, and a self-alignment layer formed between the first substrate and the liquid crystal layer, the self-alignment layer comprising a vertical alignment additive having a molecular structure having a hydrophilic group and a polymerized group formed in both ends of a core molecule, wherein a major axis of the vertical alignment additive is at an angle less than about 90° with respect to a surface of the first substrate.
US09659962B2 Semiconductor devices and methods of manufacture thereof
Semiconductor devices and methods of manufacture thereof are disclosed. A complimentary metal oxide semiconductor (CMOS) device includes a PMOS transistor having at least two first gate electrodes comprising a first parameter, and an NMOS transistor having at least two second gate electrodes comprising a second parameter, wherein the second parameter is different than the first parameter. The first parameter and the second parameter may comprise the thickness or the dopant profile of the gate electrode materials of the PMOS and NMOS transistors. The first and second parameter of the at least two first gate electrodes and the at least two second gate electrodes establish the work function of the PMOS and NMOS transistors, respectively.
US09659959B2 Semiconductor devices
A semiconductor device includes a lower insulation layer, a plurality of base layer patterns separated from each other on the lower insulation layer, a separation layer pattern between the base layer patterns, a plurality of channels extending in a vertical direction with respect to top surfaces of the base layer patterns, and a plurality of gate lines surrounding outer sidewalls of the channels, being stacked in the vertical direction and spaced apart from each other.
US09659951B1 Single poly nonvolatile memory cells, arrays thereof, and methods of operating the same
A single poly nonvolatile memory (NVM) cell includes first and second active regions disposed to face each other and third and fourth active regions spaced apart from the first and second active regions. A drain region, a junction region and a source region are disposed in the fourth active region. A floating gate is disposed on the first and second active regions and is disposed to extend onto the third and fourth active regions. A read/selection gate is disposed to cross the fourth active region between the drain region and the junction region. The first active region is coupled to a first array control gate line, and the second active region is coupled to a second array control gate line. The source region, the junction region and the floating gate constitute a floating gate transistor. The drain region, the junction region and the read/selection gate constitute a read/selection transistor.
US09659935B2 Dielectric liner added after contact etch before silicide formation
A method for forming MOS transistor includes providing a substrate including a semiconductor surface having a gate electrode on a gate dielectric thereon, dielectric spacers on sidewalls of the gate electrode, a source and drain in the semiconductor surface on opposing sides of the gate electrode, and a pre-metal dielectric (PMD) layer over the gate electrode and over the source and drain regions. Contact holes are formed through the PMD layer to form a contact to the gate electrode and contacts to the source and drain. A post contact etch dielectric layer is then deposited on the contacts to source and drain and on sidewalls of the PMD layer. The post contact etch dielectric layer is selectively removed from the contacts to leave a dielectric liner on sidewalls of the PMD layer. A metal silicide layer is formed on the contacts to the source and drain.
US09659916B2 Light emitting device package
A light emitting device package is provided. The light emitting device package may include a main body having a cavity including side surfaces and a bottom, and a first reflective cup and a second reflective cup provided in the bottom of the cavity of the main body and separated from each other. A first light emitting device may be provided in the first reflective cup, and a second light emitting device may be provided in the second reflective cup.
US09659907B2 Double side mounting memory integration in thin low warpage fanout package
Packages and methods of formation are described. In an embodiment, a package includes a redistribution layer (RDL) formed directly on a top die, and a bottom die mounted on a back surface of the RDL.
US09659906B2 Semiconductor device
A semiconductor device with improved heat radiation characteristics. It includes: a wiring board having a chip mounting surface and a plurality of electrode pads formed over the chip mounting surface; a semiconductor chip located over the chip mounting surface of the wiring board, having a plurality of bonding pads; a plurality of wires for coupling the electrode pads and the bonding pads; a heat slug located over the semiconductor chip; and a sealing member covering the chip mounting surface of the wiring board, the semiconductor chip, the wires, and the heat slug. A spacer lies between the chip mounting surface of the wiring board and the semiconductor chip and the sealing member lies between the semiconductor chip and the heat slug.
US09659902B2 Thermocompression bonding systems and methods of operating the same
A thermocompression bonding system for bonding semiconductor elements is provided. The thermocompression bonding system includes (1) a bond head assembly including a heater for heating an semiconductor element to be bonded, the bond head assembly including a fluid path configured to receive a cooling fluid; (2) a pressurized cooling fluid source; (3) a booster pump for receiving a pressurized cooling fluid from the pressurized cooling fluid source, and for increasing a pressure of the received pressurized cooling fluid; (4) a pressurized fluid reservoir for receiving pressurized cooling fluid from the booster pump; and (5) a control valve for controlling a supply of pressurized cooling fluid from the pressurized fluid reservoir to the fluid path.
US09659894B2 Chip mounting
A device comprising a chip including a substrate defining one or more electronic devices and a printed circuit board electrically connected to the chip via one or more solder elements sandwiched between the chip and the printed circuit board, and the solder elements, and buffer layers having a Young's Modulus of 2.5 GPa or less.
US09659892B2 Semiconductor device and method of manufacturing semiconductor device
A method of manufacturing a semiconductor device includes: arranging a solder material containing at least tin, between a semiconductor element and a joined member provided with a nickel layer and a copper layer, such that the solder material is in contact with the copper layer, the nickel layer being provided on a surface of the joined member, and the copper layer being provided on at least a portion of a surface of the nickel layer; and melting and solidifying the solder material to form Cu6Sn5 on the surface of the nickel layer using tin of the solder material and the copper layer.
US09659888B2 Semiconductor device
Even when a thermal stress is applied to an electrode pad, the electrode pad is prevented from being moved. A substrate of a semiconductor chip has a rectangular planar shape. The semiconductor chip has a plurality of electrode pads. The center of a first electrode pad is positioned closer to the end of a first side in the direction along the first side of the substrate as compared to the center of a first opening. Thus, in a part of the first electrode pad covered with an insulating film, a width of the part closer to the end of the first side in the direction along the first side is larger than another width of the part opposite to the above-mentioned width.
US09659887B2 Semiconductor device
A semiconductor device includes a pad group including pads provided on a semiconductor substrate and arranged in a row to form a pad row as a whole. The pad group includes at least one first pad provided with a first via-connection part electrically connected therewith and extending in a first direction perpendicular to a row direction of the pad row, and at least one second pad provided with a second via-connection part electrically connected therewith and extending in a second direction opposite to the first direction. The at least one second pad is formed at a position moved in the first direction from the row direction of the pad row passing through a center of the at least one first pad.
US09659877B2 Shielding device
One aspect of the invention relates to a shielding device for shielding from electromagnetic radiation, including a shielding base element, a shielding cover element and a shielding lateral element for electrically connecting the base element to the cover element in such that a circuit part to be shielded is arranged within the shielding elements. Since at least one partial section of the shielding elements includes a semiconductor material, a shielding device can be realized completely and cost-effectively in an integrated circuit.
US09659874B2 Method of forming deep trench and deep trench isolation structure
A method of forming a deep trench in a semiconductor substrate includes: forming a first mask pattern over the semiconductor substrate, in which the first mask pattern has a first opening exposing a portion of the semiconductor substrate; forming a second mask pattern over the first mask pattern, in which the second mask pattern has a second opening substantially aligned with the first opening to expose the portion of the semiconductor substrate, and the second opening has a width greater than a width of the first opening to further expose a portion of the first mask pattern; and removing the portion of the semiconductor substrate, the portion of first mask pattern and another portion of the semiconductor substrate beneath the portion of the first mask pattern to form the deep trench.
US09659872B2 Manufacturing method for semiconductor device and semiconductor device
A step of forming a connecting member configured to electrically connect a first conductive line and a second conductive line includes a phase of perforating a laminate from a first semiconductor wafer to form a plurality of connection holes that reach the second conductive line and a phase of filling the plurality of penetrating connection holes with a conductive material to form conductive sections in contact with the second conductive line.
US09659871B2 Semiconductor device
Provided is a semiconductor device including a substrate with a plurality of logic cells, transistors provided in the plurality of logic cells, contact plugs connected to electrodes of the transistors, first via plugs in contact with top surfaces of the contact plugs, and first wires in contact with top surfaces of the first via plugs. The first wires may include a common conductive line connected to the plurality of logic cells through the contact plugs, and all of the first wires may be shaped like a straight line extending parallel to a specific direction.
US09659866B1 Three-dimensional memory structures with low source line resistance
Dielectric pedestal structures embedded in a sacrificial material layer is formed between a substrate and an alternating stack of insulating layers and spacer material layers. After memory openings are formed through the alternating layer, a cavity is formed by removal of the sacrificial material layer selective to the dielectric pedestal structures. A memory film, a semiconductor channel layer, and a dielectric core are sequentially formed in the volume including the cavity and the memory openings. A backside trench is formed through the alternating stack in an area that straddles the dielectric pedestal structures. By recessing the dielectric pedestal structures selective to the semiconductor channel layer, planar regions and vertical regions of the semiconductor channel layer can be physically exposed, which are converted into source regions. Contact resistance can be lowered due the increased contact area provided by vertical source portions.
US09659864B2 Method and apparatus for forming self-aligned via with selectively deposited etching stop layer
A layer of an interconnect structure is formed over a substrate. The layer contains an interlayer dielectric (ILD) material and a metal line disposed in the ILD. A first etching stop layer is formed on the ILD but not on the metal line. The first etching stop layer is formed through a selective atomic layer deposition (ALD) process. A second etching stop layer is formed over the first etching stop layer. A high etching selectivity exists between the first and second etching stop layers. A via is formed to be at least partially aligned with, and electrically coupled to, the metal line. The first etching stop layer prevents the ILD from being etched through during the formation of the via.
US09659858B2 Low-stress vias
A component can include a substrate having a front surface and a rear surface remote therefrom, an opening extending from the rear surface towards the front surface, and a conductive via extending within the opening. The substrate can have a CTE less than 10 ppm/° C. The opening can define an inner surface between the front and rear surfaces. The conductive via can include a first metal layer overlying the inner surface and a second metal region overlying the first metal layer and electrically coupled to the first metal layer. The second metal region can have a CTE greater than a CTE of the first metal layer. The conductive via can have an effective CTE across a diameter of the conductive via that is less than 80% of the CTE of the second metal region.
US09659850B2 Package substrate comprising capacitor, redistribution layer and discrete coaxial connection
A package substrate that includes a first portion and a redistribution portion. The first portion is configured to operate as a capacitor. The first portion includes a first dielectric layer, a first set of metal layers in the dielectric layer, a first via in the dielectric layer, a second set of metal layers in the dielectric layer, and a second via in the dielectric layer. The first via is coupled to the first set of metal layers. The first via and the first set of metal layers are configured to provide a first electrical path for a ground signal. The second via is coupled to the second set of metal layers. The second via and the second set of metal layers are configured to provide a second electrical path for a power signal. The redistribution portion includes a second dielectric layer, and a set of interconnects.
US09659849B2 Method for manufacturing multilayer wiring board
A multilayer wiring board has a high degree of freedom of wiring design and can realize high-density wiring, and a method to simply manufacture the multilayer wiring board. A core substrate with two or more wiring layers provided thereon through an electrical insulating layer. The core substrate has a plurality of throughholes filled with an electroconductive material, and the front side and back side of the core substrate have been electrically conducted to each other by the electroconductive material. The throughholes have an opening diameter in the range of 10 to 100 μm. An insulation layer and an electroconductive material diffusion barrier layer are also provided, and the electroconductive material is filled into the throughholes through the insulation layer. A first wiring layer provided through an electrical insulating layer on the core substrate is connected to the electroconductive material filled into the throughhole through via.
US09659847B2 Terminal structure for active power device
A semiconductor die comprising a terminal structure for an active power device. The terminal structure comprises a metallic layer arranged to be electrically coupled between the active power device and an external contact of an integrated circuit package, a conductive sub-structure extending in parallel with the metallic layer, and located such that, when mounted within an integrated circuit device, the conductive sub-structure lies between the metallic layer and a reference voltage plane, and interconnecting elements extending between the metallic layer and the conductive sub-structure and electrically coupling the metallic layer to the conductive sub-structure. The plurality of interconnecting elements comprise first and second interconnecting elements extending between first and second lateral end regions of the metallic layer and the conductive sub-structure respectively such that the first and second interconnecting elements are laterally spaced with respect to the direction of travel of the fundamental signal for the active power device.
US09659838B1 Integration of chip level micro-fluidic cooling in chip packages for heat flux removal
An electronic chip package including a base defining a fluid inlet opening for receiving pressurized fluid from a fluid source and a fluid outlet opening. A dielectric body is arranged on the base and configured to support an electronic device. The dielectric body comprises a coolant flow chamber formed in a first surface thereof, and a plurality of impingement openings formed within the coolant flow chamber. The plurality of impingement openings are in communication with the fluid inlet opening of the base for generating a plurality of fluid streams to be expelled into the coolant flow chamber. The body further comprises a coolant return port formed within the coolant flow chamber and in communication with the fluid outlet opening of the base.
US09659836B2 Heat dissipation structure, fabricating method, and electronic apparatus
Disclosed is a heat dissipation structure that includes a plurality of linear structures made of carbon, each of the linear structures having at least one of a first end and a second end being bent, and a coating layer formed on a surface of each of the linear structures, the coating layer having a part covering the other one of the first ends and the second ends of the linear structures, a thickness of the part allowing the corresponding linear structures to be plastically deformable.
US09659831B2 Methods and structures for detecting low strength in an interlayer dielectric structure
A method for manufacturing a semiconductor device is disclosed. The method includes generating a thermo-mechanical stress within a plurality of layers of a wafer, and after generating the thermo-mechanical stress, testing an interfacial strength level associated with one or more of the plurality of layers.
US09659823B2 Highly scaled tunnel FET with tight pitch and method to fabricate same
A structure includes a substrate and a tunnel field effect transistor (TFET). The TFET includes a source region disposed in the substrate having an overlying source contact, the source region containing first semiconductor material having a first doping type; a drain region disposed in the substrate having an overlying drain contact, the drain region containing second semiconductor material having a second, opposite doping type; and a gate structure that overlies a channel region between the source and the drain. The source region and the drain region are asymmetric with respect to one another such that one contains a larger volume of semiconductor material than the other one. A method is disclosed to fabricate a plurality of the TFETs using a plurality of spaced apart mandrels having spacers. A pair of the mandrels and the associated spacers is processed to form four adjacent TFETs without requiring intervening lithographic processes.
US09659822B2 Providing a chip die with electrically conductive elements
A method for providing position control information for controlling an impingement position of a laser beam for treatment of a chip die in a chip manufacturing process, comprises the steps of a) receiving a specification of positions (x,y) of a electrically conductive elements in the chip die, the positions having a first coordinate along a first direction (x) and a second coordinate (y) along a second direction in a plane defined by the chip die, said first and second direction being mutually transverse to each other, b) selecting a cluster of positions that is within a predetermined two-dimensional spatial range, wherein each pair of positions in the cluster at least has a first minimum difference in their first coordinates or a second minimum difference in their second coordinates and removing the next position from the ordered set, c) update the positions of the set of positions in accordance with an expected time needed to carry out the treatment for said cluster and a speed of a wafer comprising the chip die, d) repeating steps b-d until each of the positions in said set is assigned to a cluster.
US09659821B1 Method of forming interconnect structures by self-aligned approach
A method includes forming a dielectric layer over a conductive feature. A first mask having a first opening is formed over the dielectric layer. A second mask is formed over the first mask. A third mask having a second opening is formed over the second mask. A fourth mask having a third opening is formed over the third mask, a portion of the third opening overlapping with the second opening. The portion of the third opening is transferred to the second mask to form a fourth opening, a portion of the fourth opening overlapping with the first opening. The portion of the fourth opening is transferred to the dielectric layer to form a fifth opening. The fifth opening is extended into the dielectric layer to form an extended fifth opening, the extended fifth opening exposing the conductive feature. The extended fifth opening is filled with a conductive material.
US09659818B1 Forming self-aligned dual patterning mandrel and non-mandrel interconnects
A method for forming conductive lines on a substrate includes depositing a layer of mandrel material on a substrate and removing portions of the layer of mandrel material to form a first mandrel having a first length, a portion of the first mandrel has sloped sidewalls, a second mandrel having a second length, the second mandrel having an outwardly facing sloped sidewall, and a third mandrel having the second length, the third mandrel having an outwardly facing sloped sidewall, the first length is greater than the second length, the first mandrel is arranged between the second mandrel and the third mandrel. A spacer is formed along non-sloped sidewalls of the first mandrel, the second mandrel, and the third mandrel. The first mandrel, the second mandrel, and the third, mandrel, and exposed portions of the substrate are removed to form cavities. The cavities are filled with a conductive material.