Document Document Title
US09837834B2 Battery apparatus
The battery system is a combined system of a first battery and a second battery. The discharging curve (discharging characteristic) (311) of the first battery has a stable region (B1). The discharging curve (discharging characteristic) (321) of the second battery has a stable region (B2) in the range of voltage lower than the voltage in the stable region (B1) of the first battery and also has an unstable region (A2) in the range of voltage overlapping the voltage in the stable region (B1) of the first battery. The first battery and the second battery are connected in parallel so that, in a discharging process, the discharging state of the entire battery shifts from the stable region (B1) of the first battery to the stable region (B2) of the second battery.
US09837833B2 Discharge balancing device, discharge balancing method, and power supply system
A discharge balancing device, for balancing a plurality of electric energy storage units connected in series in a discharge stage, comprising a plurality of bypass units, respectively connected to the plurality of electric energy storage units in parallel, configured to drain bypass currents from the plurality of electric energy storage units according to control signals; an energy condition measurement circuit, coupled to the plurality of the electric energy storage units, configured to measure energy conditions of the plurality of electric energy storage units; and a balancing control unit, coupled to the energy condition measurement circuit and the plurality of bypass units, configured to generate each of the control signals according to the energy conditions measured by the energy condition measurement circuit, so as to control each of the plurality of bypass units whether to drain a bypass current from a corresponding electric energy storage unit.
US09837822B2 Control device of energy storage system
A control device of an energy storage system is provided. The control device includes a voltage calculation unit calculating the difference between a reference voltage and a measured voltage; frequency calculation unit calculating the difference between a reference frequency and a measured frequency; a power reserve margin (PRM) calculating a ratio of reserve power to the maximum consumption of power; and a power calculation unit using, as input values, coefficients calculated at the voltage calculation unit, the frequency calculation unit and the PRM calculation unit, and calculating a switch control value of an energy storage system by further using a difference in reactive power and active power.
US09837817B2 Automatic system for controlling appliances
A system for managing house appliances supplied through a power grid is provided. Each house appliance operates according to at least one corresponding operative mode. Each operative mode comprises a sequence of operative phases. The system comprises at least one control unit interfaced with the house appliances for exchanging data. The at least one control unit collects power profile data comprising timing and electric power consumption data of each operative phase of each operative mode of the house appliances; generates a time schedule of the house appliances operations by distributing in time the execution of the operative phases thereof such that total power consumption of house appliances is kept under a maximum power threshold of the power grid; and controls the operation of the appliances based on the time schedule. The at least one control unit is configured to generate the time schedule by exploiting a Particle Swarm Optimization approach.
US09837813B2 Power distribution unit with modular charging ports
A surge protector for providing electricity to an electronic device. The surge protector including a housing defining a module slot and including a module connector positioned within the module slot and a module insertable into the module slot and including at least one connector port and a housing connector. The housing connector can be operably connectable to the module connector when the module is inserted into the module slot. The cable can be connected to the module and housing such that the module can be positioned at a location remote from the housing.
US09837804B2 Integrated electrical assembly, enclosure, master tub, multi-wire connector, and junction box
An example integrated electrical assembly for installation in a building structure is disclosed. The integrated electrical assembly may provide for power and telecommunications distribution in a building structure or a subspace of a building structure. A master tub configured to receive a plurality of electrical components and provide a common ground is disclosed. The master tub may be used in the integrated electrical assembly or alone. A multi-wire connector that may provide coupling of one or more wires to a circuit is disclosed. A junction box that may be installed in a wall, such as a pre-fabricated wall is disclosed.
US09837800B2 Mounting of a start system on a plurality of securing rails
The present invention relates to a start system (1) comprising a plurality of electrical apparatuses (3, 5) each comprising an insulating casing (7, 9), secured to each other and having an alignment along a first extension direction (D1). The plurality of electrical apparatuses (3, 5) is intended to be brought on a plurality of securing rails (13, 15) extending along a second extension direction (D2) transversal to the first extension direction (D1). A first electrical apparatus (3) comprises a removable mounting device (21) including a primary movable mounting element (17), the mounting device (21) forming a primary housing (35) in which a portion (13a) of a first rail (13) is able to be inserted. A second electrical apparatus (5) comprises a secondary mounting element (19), the secondary mounting element (19) forming, with the insulating casing (9) of the second electrical apparatus (5) a secondary housing (81) in which is able to be inserted a portion (15a) of a second rail (15).
US09837799B2 Spark plug
A spark plug including an electrode having a cylindrical precious metal tip welded thereto, the electrode having a melt portion in which the precious metal tip and the electrode base material are melted, wherein the melt portion includes a melt sag over an entire circumference on a side surface of the precious metal tip.
US09837792B2 Light-emitting device
A light-emitting device is provided. The light-emitting device is configured to emit a radiation and comprises: a substrate; an epitaxial structure on the substrate and comprising a first DBR stack, a light-emitting stack and a second DBR stack and a contact layer in sequence; an electrode; a current blocking layer between the contact layer and the electrode; a first opening formed in the current blocking layer; and a second opening formed in the electrode and within the first opening; wherein a part of the electrode fills in the first opening and contacts the contact layer; and the light-emitting device is devoid of an oxidized layer and an ion implanted layer in the second DBR stack.
US09837786B2 Short period undulator
The invention relates to a method for generating electromagnetic radiation (preferably UV, VUV, XUV, or X-rays), to an optical short-period undulator (10) and to a free-electron laser comprising the latter. To accomplish the method, a high-energy electrically charged particle beam (5) is provided, and high-intensity electromagnetic pulses (7, 7a, 7b) are generated, and by interfering said pulses with one another an electromagnetic standing wave is created, wherein said standing wave has an electric field strength of a pre-determined peak value. The particle beam is directed through the non-steady electromagnetic field of the standing wave in or in the vicinity of a plane spanned by nodes with maximal electric field strength of said electromagnetic standing wave. Meanwhile, by the electromagnetic field of the standing wave, the particle beam is forced to travel along an undulating path and thereby, in the form of radiation emitted by said particle beam, electromagnetic radiation that propagates in the propagation direction of the particle beam is generated. Said short-period undulator (10) comprises a pulse source (2) to emit high-intensity pulses falling into the terahertz frequency range and an interaction region to direct a high-energy electrically charged particle beam, in particular an electron beam, through the undulator with undulator effect. The undulator effect is provided in the interaction region through a dynamic effect developing in or in the vicinity of a plane spanned by nodes with maximal electric field strength of an electromagnetic standing wave created by the interference of high-intensity pulses falling into the terahertz frequency range, emitted by said pulse source.
US09837785B2 Polarization laser sensor
Systems and apparatuses for a polarization laser sensor are disclosed. The polarization laser sensor can include a pump source, a common section, a reference section and a detection section. The common section is provided with a gain medium, and the detection section is provided with a sensing element configured to cause an optical path difference. The reference section and the detection section are connected to the common section though a first polarization splitting unit and a second polarization splitting unit. The common section is provided with an output unit or each of the reference section and the detection is provided with the output unit, the output unit is connected to a photoelectric detector through a light uniting unit, and a polarization rotation unit is disposed between the light uniting unit and the output unit.
US09837781B2 External cavity laser with reduced optical mode-hopping
An optical source is described. This optical source includes a semiconductor optical amplifier (with a semiconductor other than silicon) that provides an optical gain medium and that includes a reflector. Moreover the hybrid external cavity laser includes a photonic chip with: an optical waveguide that conveys an optical signal output by the semiconductor optical amplifier; and a ring resonator, having a resonance wavelength, which reflects at least a resonance wavelength in the optical signal, where the reflector and the ring resonator define an optical cavity. Furthermore, the photonic chip includes: a thermal-tuning mechanism that adjusts the resonance wavelength; a photo-detector that measures an optical power output by the ring resonator; and control logic that adjusts the temperature of the ring resonator based on the measured optical power to lock a cavity mode of the optical cavity to a carrier wavelength.
US09837780B2 Excimer laser apparatus and excimer laser system
The excimer laser apparatus may include a laser chamber configured to contain gas, a pair of electrodes provided in the laser chamber, a power source unit configured to supply a pulse voltage between the pair of electrodes, a gas supply unit configured to supply gas into the laser chamber, a gas exhaust unit configured to partially exhaust gas from within the laser chamber, and a gas control unit configured to control the gas supply unit and the gas exhaust unit, where a replacement ratio of gas to be replaced from within the laser chamber increases as deterioration of the pair of electrodes progresses, the deterioration being represented by a deterioration parameter of the pair of electrodes.
US09837774B2 Fixing structure between busbar and terminal
A fixing structure between a busbar and a terminal includes a busbar and a terminal. The busbar includes a busbar main body, an arm, and a fixing target portion. The terminal includes a wire connection portion to which a wire is to be electrically connected, a busbar fixing portion which is fixed and electrically connected to the fixing target portion of the busbar, and an arm fixing portion provided between the wire connection portion and the busbar fixing portion and fixed to the arm of the busbar.
US09837771B2 Electrical connector with short circuit element
A plug connector includes a first connector half configured as a socket connector and a second connector half configured as a plug connector, each of the connector halves including an insulating body housing at least a respective pair of electric contact elements, respectively female and male, a short-circuit element being provided between the contacts of the socket connector half, adapted to hold such contacts shorted upon unmated connector, wherein the short-circuit element is made from a strip of resilient metallic material, shaped so as to constitute a spring and to offer, at each of its ends, a resilient contact, the first end of the short-circuit element being substantially rigid and stable in contact with a respective female electric contact element, while the second end of the short-circuit element, upon plug connector unmated, goes intimately into contact with the other element of female electrical contact of the socket connector.
US09837763B2 Electrical connector
A connector includes an embodiment that is equipped with a lever configured to turn around a turning shaft portion provided on the outside of an outer shell portion of a housing of the connector. The lever is equipped with a cam shaft portion inserted through a window formed in the outer shell into a cam groove formed in a slider. The lever further includes a cam shaft portion having a base portion and a hook portion wherein the hook portion extends beyond and engages an edge of the window preventing the cam shaft from detaching from the cam groove.
US09837759B2 Wirestrain relief to use on a light emitting diode linear module
Provided is a connection housing including a first plate having a connecting member for slidably connecting the first plate to an electrical assembly. The first plate includes a ridge portion formed across a threading path. A second plate has an opening for non-slidably connecting the second plate to the electrical assembly. The second plate includes a valley portion positioned in opposing relation to the ridge portion. The first and second plates are configured for (i) facilitating placement of a wire along the threading path and (ii) folding onto each other to restrict movement of the wire after the folding.
US09837754B2 Sealing interface for a telecommunications enclosure
A sealing interface (26) that utilizes an elastomeric sealing member (28) is disclosed herein. The sealing interface (26) is configured to provide effective sealing while requiring only relatively low amounts of force to deform the elastomeric sealing member (28) sufficiently to form an effective seal.
US09837751B2 Connector cover and connector assembly
A connector cover is adapted to cover a connector and be fixed to a main board. The connector includes a connector top surface having a connector slot, a connector bottom surface and four connector laterals. The connector cover includes a cover top surface, four cover laterals, at least one bending pin and at least one connecting pin.The four cover laterals are adapted to cover the four connector laterals, and two of the cover laterals are connected to the cover top surface. The bending pin extends from the cover lateral and is adapted to be bent to lean against the connector bottom surface. The connecting pin extends from the cover lateral. The connector cover is connected to the main board through the connecting pin. A connector assembly is further provided.
US09837731B2 Field installable connector
A connector is disclosed. The connector comprises a housing having an insertion passageway, an operating lever having an end pivotably connected to the housing, and a spring having a first end fixed to the operating lever and an opposite second end extending into an interior of the connector. The operating lever is movable between an open position and a closed position. The second end of the spring closes the insertion passageway when the operating lever is in the closed position.
US09837720B2 Metamaterial antenna
Disclosed is a metamaterial antenna including a conductor cover formed at one side of a wireless terminal, a feed parallel inductor element formed to connect the conductor cover to a feed part, and at least one ground parallel inductor element formed to connect the conductor cover to at least one ground part.
US09837718B2 Display arrangement and method for fabrication of a display arrangement
A display arrangement comprises a display, a conductive shield arranged at the display, a ferrite layer and a conducting line of an antenna. The ferrite layer is arranged between the conducting line and the conductive shield.
US09837716B2 Multiband antenna
A multiband antenna is provided. A resonance path is provided by a first connection segment and a low-frequency radiating element with a closed pattern to enable the multiband antenna to support a low frequency band, wherein a first side of the closed pattern is wider than a second side of the closed pattern. The second side of the closed pattern is connected to one end of the first connection segment. The other end of the first connection segment is connected to a feed element.
US09837705B2 Electronic apparatus
An electronic apparatus includes a display; and an antenna including a first element without power feeding that is a structural component made of metal and is disposed on the display or above a display surface of the display in a display direction, a second element which is disposed below the first element and is connected to a power supply, and a GND plate that is disposed below the second element, wherein the first element and the second element are electromagnetically coupled.
US09837695B2 Surface-wave waveguide with conductive sidewalls and application in antennas
A surface-wave waveguide may include a base conductive ground plane including opposite side edges and a pair of conductive side walls. One conductive side wall extends from each side edge of the conductive ground plane. The surface-wave waveguide may also include a substrate including a dielectric material disposed on the base conductive ground plane and between the conductive side walls. The surface-wave waveguide may also include an impedance sheet disposed on the substrate and between the conductive side walls. The impedance sheet may include a predetermined impedance characteristic for transmitting an electromagnetic wave.
US09837694B2 Filter characteristic tuning apparatus, tunable filter apparatus and control method for tunable filter apparatus
According to an embodiment, a filter characteristic tuning apparatus includes a characteristic tuning member, an elastic member, a first movable member, a second movable member, and a driving mechanism. The elastic member comes in contact with a characteristic tuning member by deformation, and separates from the characteristic tuning member by a restoring force. The first movable member deforms the elastic member in a closing operation. The driving mechanism displaces a second movable member such that a projection opens/closes the first movable member. The characteristic tuning member changes a gap between the characteristic tuning member and the resonator by a linear driving force obtained by converting the transmitted rotary driving force.
US09837686B2 Rechargeable lithium ion battery
The rechargeable lithium ion battery includes a positive active material including a lithium compound, a non-aqueous electrolyte including at least one disulfonate ester selected from a cyclic disulfonate ester represented by Chemical Formula 1 and a linear disulfonate ester represented by Chemical Formula 2, and includes at least one carbonate having an unsaturated bond selected from vinylene carbonate and vinylethylene carbonate. The non-aqueous electrolyte may include about 0.05 wt % to about 0.5 wt % of the disulfonate ester based on the total weight of the non-aqueous electrolyte, and about 0.2 wt % to about 1.5 wt % of the carbonate having the unsaturated bond based on the total weight of the non-aqueous electrolyte.
US09837682B1 Variable layer thickness in curved battery cell
Examples are disclosed herein that relate to curved batteries. One example provides a battery comprising an anode arranged on an anode substrate, a cathode arranged on a cathode substrate, the anode substrate being curved at a first curvature and the cathode substrate being curved at a second curvature, and a separator between the anode and the cathode. A thickness of the anode substrate and a thickness of the cathode substrate are determined based on the curvature of the respective substrate, such that the one of the anode substrate and the cathode substrate with a larger curvature has a larger thickness.
US09837681B2 Low capacity, low area-specific resistance battery cell for electronic devices
A small capacity battery for powering electronic devices, such as an e-book reader, is provided. This small capacity battery is designed to produce low area-specific resistance, which maintains usable operating voltages even during periods of high current draw. As a result, a lighter and smaller form-factor battery may provide the same battery capacity as a larger and heavier conventional battery. A user may then be provided with a lightweight and small form-factor electronic device that achieves an extended battery life.
US09837675B2 Fuel supplying apparatus and system for direct carbon fuel cell
Disclosed is a fuel supplying apparatus, for a direct carbon fuel cell, which has improved output density by ensuring the flow properties of an anode medium. The fuel supplying apparatus for a direct carbon fuel cell comprises: a flow pipe which forms it cylindrical flow path in the vertical direction around a tube-shaped cell contained in an anode medium in which a carbon fuel is mixed; and a bubbling means which provides a gas from below the flow pipe to the inside of the anode medium and thus enables the anode medium to flow by the vertical flow of the gas. Consequently, the anode medium is provided to the anode of the tube-shaped cell by the flow.
US09837670B2 Methods and systems for fuel cell stack sintering and conditioning
Systems and methods for sintering and conditioning fuel cell stacks utilizing channel guides, baffles, and internal compression systems are provided. Sintering and conditioning may be performed utilizing a fuel cell column cartridge assembly and fuel cell stacks may be sintered and conditioned at the system level during the same annealing cycle on the same support.
US09837669B2 Catalyst layer and manufacturing method thereof, membrane electrode assembly and manufacturing method thereof, and fuel cell using the same
The present disclosure provides a method for manufacturing a catalyst layer and the method includes the following steps. First, a solution fabrication step is provided for fabricating a solution. The solution includes a solvent, a polymer and a titanium-containing precursor. A layering step is then provided for evaporating the solvent to form a gel-like layer, and a nitridation step is performed for treating the gel-like layer in ammonia ambience to remove the polymer so as to obtain a catalyst support, in which the catalyst support is composed of titanium nitride with a plurality of pores. A catalyst preparation step is performed for forming a plurality of platinum particles on the catalyst support.
US09837665B2 Lipon coatings for high voltage and high temperature Li-ion battery cathodes
A lithium ion battery includes an anode and a cathode. The cathode includes a lithium, manganese, nickel, and oxygen containing compound. An electrolyte is disposed between the anode and the cathode. A protective layer is deposited between the cathode and the electrolyte. The protective layer includes pure lithium phosphorus oxynitride and variations that include metal dopants such as Fe, Ti, Ni, V, Cr, Cu, and Co. A method for making a cathode and a method for operating a battery are also disclosed.
US09837663B2 Lithium-ion secondary battery
A lithium-ion secondary battery 100 includes a positive electrode current collector 221 and a porous positive electrode active material layer 223 retained by the positive electrode current collector 221. The positive electrode active material layer 223 contains, for example, positive electrode active material particles 610, an electrically conductive material 620, and a binder 630. In this lithium-ion secondary battery 100, the positive electrode active material particles 610 have a shell portion 612 constituted by a lithium transition metal oxide, a hollow portion 614 formed inside the shell portion 612, and a through hole 616 penetrating the shell portion 612. In the lithium-ion secondary battery 100, in the positive electrode active material layer 223 on average, the hollow portion 614 accounts for 23% or higher of an apparent sectional area of the positive electrode active material particles 610. In addition, a thickness of the shell portion 612 in the positive electrode active material layer 223 on average is 2.2 μm or less.
US09837662B2 Particulate anode materials and methods for their preparation
Method for preparing a particulate material including particles of an element of group IVa, an oxide thereof or an alloy thereof, the method including: (a) dry grinding particles from an ingot of an element of group IVa, an oxide thereof or an alloy thereof to obtain micrometer size particles; and (b) wet grinding the micrometer particles dispersed in a solvent carrier to obtain nanometer size particles having a size between 10 to 100 nanometers, optionally a stabilizing agent is added during or after the wet grinding. Method can include further steps of (c) drying the nanometer size particles, (d) mixing the nanometer size particles with a carbon precursor; and (e) pyrolyzing the mixture, thereby forming a coat of conductive carbon on at least part of the surface of the particles. The particulate material can be used in fabrication of an anode in an electrochemical cell or electrochemical storage energy apparatus.
US09837659B2 Process for lithiating negative electrodes for lithium ion electrochemical cells
Methods for pre-lithiating negative electrodes for lithium-ion electrochemical cells (e.g., batteries) are provided. The methods include disposing a lithium metal source comprising a layer of lithium metal adjacent to a surface of a pre-fabricated negative electrode. The lithium metal source and electrode are heated (e.g., to a temperature of ≧about 100° C.) to transfer a quantity of lithium to the pre-fabricated negative electrode. This lithiation process adds excess active lithium capacity that enables replacement of irreversibly lost lithium during cell formation and cell aging, thus leading to increased battery capacity and improved battery life. The methods may be batch or continuous.
US09837656B2 Rechargeable battery having flexible configuration
A rechargeable battery including a plurality of battery cells disposed in parallel; and a connection unit connected to ends of the plurality of battery cells such that each battery cell of the plurality of battery cells is rotatable with respect to an adjacent battery cell.
US09837650B2 Porous membrane
A porous membrane is provided having a compound having an ionic group and a hydrophobic group, a metal oxide, and a binder resin. The content of the compound having an ionic group and a hydrophobic group is 0.2 to 2 parts by mass relative to 100 parts by mass of the metal oxide.
US09837642B2 Electric storage device
An electric storage device includes an electrode assembly, an insulating cover covering the electrode assembly, and a case including a case body having a rectangular box shape and including an opening, the case body being configured to house the electrode assembly and the insulating cover. The insulating cover is formed into a rectangular box shape conforming to the case body. An embossing is applied to the insulating cover.
US09837635B2 Protective structure having anti-scratch layer
A protective structure includes an impact resistant structure and an anti-scratch structure. The impact resistant structure includes a plurality of buffer structures and a plurality of filling structures located around the buffer structures. The anti-scratch structure is located over the impact resistant structure. The anti-scratch structure includes a hard coat layer which covers the impact resistant structure, and a surface anti-scratch layer which covers the hard coat layer.
US09837627B2 Organic light emitting diode having hole auxiliary layer and organic light emitting diode display including the same
An organic light emitting element according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention includes a first electrode; a second electrode; an emission layer between the first electrode and the second electrode; and a hole auxiliary layer between the first electrode and the emission layer. The hole auxiliary layer includes at least one hole blocking layer and at least one hole transport layer contacting the hole blocking layer, and a thickness of the hole auxiliary layer is in a range of 140 angstroms to 220 angstroms.
US09837616B2 Aromatic amine derivative, and organic electroluminescent element containing same
An aromatic amine derivative represented by the following formula (1): wherein Z1 is a group represented by the following formula (2); Z2 is a group represented by the following formula (3) or (3′); and P and Q are independently a group represented by the following formula (4) or (5):
US09837615B2 Nitrogen-containing heterocyclic derivative, organic electroluminescence element material using same, and organic electroluminescence element and electronic device using same
A nitrogen-containing heterocyclic derivative in which an indole structure is fused to a benzophenanthrene ring is a novel material useful as a material for organic electroluminescence devices for the production of organic electroluminescence devices and electronic equipment.
US09837608B2 Mask assembly and apparatus and method of manufacturing display apparatus using the same
A mask assembly includes: a mask frame; and a mask sheet disposed on the mask frame, wherein the mask sheet is stretched by applying tensile force and affixed onto the mask frame, wherein the mask sheet includes a pattern including a plurality of openings, and wherein a thickness of the pattern is different from thicknesses of other portions of the mask sheet.
US09837607B2 Use of centrosymmetric Mott insulators in a resistive switched memory for storing data
A material belonging to the family of centrosymmetric Mott insulators is used as an active material in a resistively switched memory for storing data. The material is placed between two electrical electrodes, by virtue of which an electric field of a preset value is applied in order to form, by way of an electron avalanche effect, an elementary information cell that has at least two logic states.
US09837601B2 Magnetic shield, semiconductor device, and semiconductor package
Provided is a magnetic shield having improved shielding properties from an external magnetic field. A magnetic shield MS1 has in-plane magnetization as remanent magnetization, and is adapted to generate a perpendicular component in the magnetization direction by applying a magnetic field in the perpendicular direction to the magnetic shield.
US09837590B2 Method of producing light emitting device
A method of producing a light emitting device includes providing a light emitting element on a base member, the base member including an insulating member and a pair of connection terminals at least on an upper surface thereof. The connection terminals have an exposed portion exposed to outside, with the light emitting element electrically connected to the connection terminals. A covering member is disposed to cover at least a portion of the upper surface of the light emitting element, and a protective layer is disposed to cover at least a portion of the exposed portions of the connection terminals. The covering member is removed, and material from the upper surface side of the base member is supplied to dispose a light-transmissive member on the upper surface of the light emitting element. At least a portion of the light-transmissive member present on the protective layer is then removed.
US09837586B2 Wavelength converters and methods for making the same
Disclosed herein are wavelength converters and methods for making the same. The wavelength converters include a single layer of a polymeric matrix material, and one or more types of wavelength converting particles. In some embodiments the wavelength converters include first and second types of wavelength converting particles that are distributed in a desired manner within the single layer of polymeric matrix material. Methods of forming such wavelength converters and lighting devices including such wavelength converters are also disclosed.
US09837574B2 Anneal techniques for chalcogenide semiconductors
Techniques for precisely controlling the composition of volatile components (such as sulfur (S), selenium (Se), and tin (Sn)) of chalcogenide semiconductors in real-time—during production of the material are provided. In one aspect, a method for forming a chalcogenide semiconductor material includes providing a S source(s) and a Se source(s); heating the S source(s) to form a S-containing vapor; heating the Se source(s) to form a Se-containing vapor; passing a carrier gas first through the S-containing vapor and then through the Se-containing vapor, wherein the S-containing vapor and the Se-containing vapor are transported via the carrier gas to a sample; and contacting the S-containing vapor and the Se-containing vapor with the sample under conditions sufficient to form the chalcogenide semiconductor material. A multi-chamber processing apparatus is also provided.
US09837556B2 Integrated photovoltaic panel with sectional maximum power point tracking
An integrated photovoltaic panel has one or more integral DC-DC converter circuits. The DC-DC converter input port couples to a section of at least one photovoltaic (PV) device of the panel separate from PV devices feeding other converters. The converter has an MPPT controller for operating the converter to transfer maximum power from coupled photovoltaic devices to its output port. The PV panel has a transparent substrate to which PV devices are mounted. A laminating material seals PV devices and converters to the substrate. In embodiments, the panel has multiple converters connected with output ports in series. The integrated PV panel provides summed maximum powers of each section of PV devices. In some embodiments the DC-DC converters are complete with inductors, in other embodiments a common inductor is shared by multiple converters of the panel, in a particular embodiment the common inductor is parasitic inductance of the panel.
US09837555B2 Apparatus and method for a low loss coupling capacitor
Embodiments are provided herein for low loss coupling capacitor structures. The embodiments include a n-type varactor (NVAR) configuration and p-type varactor (PVAR) configuration. The structure in the NVAR configuration comprises a p-doped semiconductor substrate (Psub), a deep n-doped semiconductor well (DNW) in the Psub, and a p-doped semiconductor well (P well) in the DNW. The circuit structure further comprises a source terminal of a p-doped semiconductor material within P well, and a drain terminal of the p-doped semiconductor material within the P well. Additionally, the circuit structure comprises an insulated gate on the surface of the P well, a metal pattern comprising a plurality of layers of metal lines, and a plurality of vias through the metal lines. The vias are contacts connecting the metal lines to the gate, the source terminal, and the drain terminal.
US09837553B1 Vertical field effect transistor
The present disclosure relates to semiconductor structures and, more particularly, to vertical field effect transistors (VFETs) and methods of manufacture. The VFET includes: one or more vertical fin structures; a source region positioned at a first location on a top surface of the one or more vertical fin structures; a drain region positioned at a second location on the top surface of the one or more vertical fin structures at a predetermined distance away from the source region, along a length thereof; and a gate channel along the predetermined distance and in electrical contact with the source region and the drain region.
US09837552B2 Semiconductor device
A semiconductor device having a structure which can prevent a decrease in electrical characteristics due to miniaturization is provided. The semiconductor device includes, over an insulating surface, a stack in which a first oxide semiconductor layer and a second oxide semiconductor layer are sequentially formed, and a third oxide semiconductor layer covering part of a surface of the stack. The third oxide semiconductor layer includes a first layer in contact with the stack and a second layer over the first layer. The first layer includes a microcrystalline layer, and the second layer includes a crystalline layer in which c-axes are aligned in a direction perpendicular to a surface of the first layer.
US09837538B2 Semiconductor device and manufacturing method thereof
A semiconductor device including a Fin FET device includes a fin structure extending in a first direction and protruding from a substrate layer. The fin structure includes a bulk stressor layer formed on the substrate layer and a channel layer disposed over the bulk stressor layer. An oxide layer is formed on the substrate layer extending away from the channel layer. A source-drain (SD) stressor structure is disposed on sidewalls of the channel layer over the oxide layer. A gate stack including a gate electrode layer and a gate dielectric layer covers a portion of the channel layer and extends in a second direction perpendicular to the first direction.
US09837537B2 Semiconductor device and formation thereof
A semiconductor device and method of formation are provided herein. A semiconductor device includes a barrier including carbon over a fin, the fin including a doped region. The semiconductor device includes an epitaxial (Epi) cap over the barrier, the Epi cap including phosphorus. The barrier inhibits phosphorus diffusion from the Epi cap into the fin as compared to a device that lacks such a barrier. The inhibition of the phosphorus diffusion reduces a short channel effect, thus improving the semiconductor device function.
US09837529B1 Power MOSFET having improved manufacturability, low on-resistance and high breakdown voltage
Stripe-shaped surface transistor structures of a power MOSFET are disposed over an array of parallel-extending P type Buried Stripe-Shaped Charge Compensation Regions (BSSCCRs). The power MOSFET has two and only two epitaxial semiconductor layers, and the BSSCCRs are disposed at the interface between these layers. Looping around the area occupied by these parallel-extending BSSCCRs is a P type ring-shaped BSSCCR. At the upper semiconductor surface are disposed three P type surface rings. The inner surface ring and outer surface ring are coupled together by a bridging metal member, but the center surface ring is floating. The bridging metal member is disposed at least in part over the ring-shaped BSSCCR. The MOSFET has a high breakdown voltage, a low RDS(ON), and is acceptable and suitable for manufacture at semiconductor fabrication plants that cannot or typically do not make superjunction MOSFETs.
US09837528B2 Semiconductor device and manufacturing method of the same
A semiconductor device having a field-effect transistor, including a trench in a semiconductor substrate, a first insulating film in the trench, an intrinsic polycrystalline silicon film over the first insulating film, and first conductivity type impurities in the intrinsic polycrystalline silicon film to form a first conductive film. The first conductive film is etched to form a first gate electrode in the trench. A second insulating film is also formed in the trench above the first insulating film and the first gate electrode, and a first conductivity type doped polycrystalline silicon film, having higher impurity concentration than the first gate electrode is formed over the second insulating film. The doped polycrystalline silicon film is provided in an upper part of the trench to form a second gate electrode.
US09837525B2 Semiconductor device and method for manufacturing same
The semiconductor device includes a semiconductor substrate, a plurality of source regions formed in a stripe shape on the semiconductor substrate, a plurality of gate electrodes formed in a stripe shape between a plurality of the stripe shaped source regions on the semiconductor substrate, an insulating film for covering the source regions and the gate electrodes, the insulating film including a contact hole for partly exposing the source regions in a part of a predetermined region with respect to a longitudinal direction of the source regions; and a source electrode formed on the insulating film and electrically connected to the source region via the contact hole.
US09837521B2 Nitride semiconductor device and fabrication method therefor
A nitride semiconductor device includes an electron transit layer (103) that is formed of a nitride semiconductor, an electron supply layer (104) that is formed on the electron transit layer (103), that is formed of a nitride semiconductor whose composition is different from the electron transit layer (103) and that has a recess (109) which reaches the electron transit layer (103) from a surface, a thermal oxide film (111) that is formed on the surface of the electron transit layer (103) exposed within the recess (109), a gate insulating film (110) that is embedded within the recess (109) so as to be in contact with the thermal oxide film (111), a gate electrode (108) that is formed on the gate insulating film (110) and that is opposite to the electron transit layer (103) across the thermal oxide film (111) and the gate insulating film (110), and a source electrode (106) and a drain electrode (107) that are provided on the electron supply layer (104) at an interval such that the gate electrode (108) intervenes therebetween.
US09837514B2 Vertical P-type, N-type, P-type (PNP) junction integrated circuit (IC) structure
Various particular embodiments include an integrated circuit (IC) structure having: a stack region; and a silicon substrate underlying and contacting the stack region, the silicon substrate including: a silicon region including a doped subcollector region; a set of isolation regions overlying the silicon region; a base region between the set of isolation regions and below the stack region, the base region including an intrinsic base contacting the stack region, an extrinsic base contacting the intrinsic base and the stack region, and an amorphized extrinsic base contact region contacting the extrinsic base; a collector region between the set of isolation regions; an undercut collector-base region between the set of isolation regions and below the base region; and a collector contact region contacting the collector region under the intrinsic base and the collector-base region via the doped subcollector region.
US09837512B2 Semiconductor device, manufacturing method thereof, and display device including the semiconductor device
The transistor includes a gate electrode, a gate insulating film over the gate electrode, an oxide semiconductor film over the gate insulating film, a source electrode and a drain electrode electrically connected to the oxide semiconductor film. The oxide semiconductor film includes a first oxide semiconductor film on the gate electrode side and a second oxide semiconductor film over the first oxide semiconductor film. The first oxide semiconductor film includes a first region in which an atomic proportion of In is larger than that of M (M is Ti, Ga, Sn, Y, Zr, La, Ce, Nd, or Hf). The second oxide semiconductor film includes a second region in which an atomic proportion of In is smaller than that of the first oxide semiconductor film. The second region includes a portion thinner than the first region.
US09837508B2 Manufacturing method of trench power MOSFET
A manufacturing method of a trench power MOSFET is provided. In the manufacturing method, the trench gate structure of the trench power MOSFET is formed in the epitaxial layer and includes an upper doped region, a lower doped region and a middle region interposed therebetween. The upper doped region has a conductive type reverse to that of the lower doped region, and the middle region is an intrinsic or lightly-doped region to form a PIN, P+/N− or N+/P− junction. As such, when the trench power MOSFET is in operation, a junction capacitance formed at the PIN, P+/N− or N+/P− junction is in series with the parasitic capacitance. Accordingly, the gate-to-drain effective capacitance may be reduced.
US09837506B2 Method of manufacturing a semiconductor device having electrode trenches, isolated source zones and separation structures
A method of manufacturing a semiconductor device includes forming electrode trenches in a semiconductor substrate between semiconductor mesas that separate the electrode trenches, the semiconductor mesas including portions of a drift layer of a first conductivity type and a body layer of a second, complementary conductivity type between a first surface of the semiconductor substrate and the drift layer, respectively. The method further includes forming isolated source zones of the first conductivity type in the semiconductor mesas, the source zones extending from the first surface into the body layer. The method also includes forming separation structures in the semiconductor mesas between neighboring source zones arranged along an extension direction of the semiconductor mesas, the separation structures forming partial or complete constrictions of the semiconductor mesa, respectively.
US09837501B2 Semiconductor device
The semiconductor device including: two fins having rectangular parallelepiped shapes arranged in parallel in X-direction; and a gate electrode arranged thereon via a gate insulating film and extending in Y-direction is configured as follows. First, a drain plug is provided over a drain region located on one side of the gate electrode and extending in Y-direction. Then, two source plugs are provided over a source region located on the other side of the gate electrode and extending in Y-direction. Also, the drain plug is arranged in a displaced manner so that its position in Y-direction may not overlap with the two source plugs. According to such a configuration, the gate-drain capacitance can be made smaller than the gate-source capacitance and a Miller effect-based circuit delay can be suppressed. Further, as compared with capacitance on the drain side, capacitance on the source side increases, thereby improving stability of circuit operation.
US09837497B1 Channel structure and manufacturing method thereof
A channel structure includes a first patterned channel layer including a lower portion and an upper portion. The upper portion is disposed on the lower portion. A width of the upper portion is larger than a width of the lower portion. A material or a material composition ratio of the upper portion is different from a material or a material composition ratio of the lower portion. The height and the channel length of the channel structure are increased by disposing the first patterned channel layer, and the saturation current (Isat) of a transistor including the channel structure of the present invention may be enhanced accordingly.
US09837495B2 III-nitride semiconductor structures with strain absorbing interlayers
There are disclosed herein various implementations of semiconductor structures including III-Nitride interlayer modules. One exemplary implementation comprises a substrate and a first transition body over the substrate. The first transition body has a first lattice parameter at a first surface and a second lattice parameter at a second surface opposite the first surface. The exemplary implementation further comprises a second transition body, such as a transition module, having a smaller lattice parameter at a lower surface overlying the second surface of the first transition body and a larger lattice parameter at an upper surface of the second transition body, as well as a III-Nitride semiconductor layer over the second transition body. The second transition body may consist of two or more transition modules, and each transition module may include two or more interlayers. The first and second transition bodies reduce strain for the semiconductor structure.
US09837489B2 Method of manufacturing semiconductor device
A method of manufacturing a semiconductor device includes forming a second SiC layer of a first conductivity type on a first SiC layer by epitaxial growth, forming a first region of a second conductivity type by selectively ion-implanting first impurities of the second conductivity type into the second SiC layer, removing a portion of the first region, forming a third SiC layer of the first conductivity type on the second SiC layer by epitaxial growth, and forming a second region of the second conductivity type on the first region by selectively ion-implanting second impurities of the second conductivity type into the third SiC layer.
US09837488B2 Semiconductor device
According to one embodiment, a semiconductor device includes a first semiconductor layer; a second semiconductor layer having a larger band gap than the first semiconductor layer; a third semiconductor layer having a smaller band gap than the second semiconductor layer; a first electrode being in contact with the third semiconductor layer; a second electrode being in contact with the third semiconductor layer; and a third electrode provided between the third semiconductor layer in contact with the first electrode, the second semiconductor layer directly below the first electrode, and the first semiconductor layer directly below the first electrode, and the third semiconductor layer in contact with the second electrode, the second semiconductor layer directly below the second electrode, and the first semiconductor layer directly below the second electrode, being in contact with the third semiconductor layer, the second semiconductor layer, and the first semiconductor layer via insulating film.
US09837471B2 Dual OTS memory cell selection means and method
A 3D cross-point memory array includes a bitline and a word line. Both the bitline and the word line have multiple selector switches. Each switch of a corresponding bitline or word line is connected to a horizontal conductor or a vertical conductor so that a given bitline or word line has two switches, a horizontal conductor and a vertical conductor. By activating a particular horizontal conductor and vertical conductor, a specific bitline or word line is selected.
US09837463B2 Solid-state imaging device and method of manufacturing the same
A solid-state imaging device has a first area in which a plurality of pixels are provided, a second area provided on an outer side with respect to the first area, and a third area provided on the outer side with respect to the second area. An inner-lens layer provided over the first to third areas has an opening. An insulating film provided below the inner-lens layer also has an opening.
US09837461B1 Image sensor devices
An image sensor device is provided. The image sensor device includes a substrate, a first photoelectric conversion unit, a second photoelectric conversion unit, a third photoelectric conversion unit, a plurality of isolation structures, a first doped region, and a second doped region. The first, second, and third photoelectric conversion units are disposed in the substrate. The second photoelectric conversion unit is located between the first photoelectric conversion unit and the third photoelectric conversion unit. The isolation structures are disposed in the substrate between the photoelectric conversion units. The first doped region is formed in the substrate below the isolation structures. The first doped region extends below the third photoelectric conversion unit. The second doped region is formed in the substrate below a part of the first doped region. The second doped region extends below the second photoelectric conversion unit.
US09837460B2 Semiconductor device and manufacturing method thereof
An improvement is achieved in the performance of a semiconductor device. A semiconductor device includes an n−-type semiconductor region formed in a p-type well, an n-type semiconductor region formed closer to a main surface of a semiconductor substrate than the n−-type semiconductor region, and a p−-type semiconductor region formed between the n−-type semiconductor region and the n-type semiconductor region. A net impurity concentration in the n−-type semiconductor region is lower than a net impurity concentration in the n-type semiconductor region. A net impurity concentration in the p−-type semiconductor region is lower than a net impurity concentration in the p-type well.
US09837450B2 Reducing parasitic leakages in transistor arrays
A method of operating a device comprising: a first conductor layer defining a plurality of source conductors each associated with a respective group of transistors, and a plurality of drain conductors each associated with a respective transistor; a semiconductor layer defining semiconductor channels between said source and drain conductors; a second conductor layer defining a plurality of gate conductors each associated with a respective set of transistors, and one or more storage capacitor conductors capacitively coupled to the drain conductors for a respective set of transistors; the method comprising: using the gate conductors to switch the transistors between on and off states; and using the storage capacitor conductors to reduce the conductivity of one or more semiconductor layer connecting the drain conductor of each transistor in the on state to source and/or drain conductors other than those associated with that transistor.
US09837446B2 Thin film transistor array panel and manufacturing method thereof
A thin film transistor array panel includes: a gate wiring layer disposed on a substrate; an oxide semiconductor layer disposed on the gate wiring layer; and a data wiring layer disposed on the oxide semiconductor layer, in which the data wiring layer includes a main wiring layer including copper and a capping layer disposed on the main wiring layer and including a copper alloy.
US09837437B2 Integrated circuit, semiconductor device based on integrated circuit, and standard cell library
An integrated circuit (IC) may include at least one cell including a plurality of conductive lines that extend in a first direction and are in parallel to each other in a second direction that is perpendicular to the first direction, first contacts respectively disposed at two sides of at least one conductive line from among the plurality of conductive lines, and a second contact disposed on the at least one conductive line and the first contacts and forming a single node by being electrically connected to the at least one conductive line and the first contacts.
US09837432B2 Semiconductor memory device
According to one embodiment, a semiconductor memory device includes a substrate, a stacked body, a plurality of pillar portions, and an interconnection portion. The stacked body is provided on the substrate. The stacked body includes a plurality of electrode layers stacked separately from each other. The plurality of pillar portions are provided in the stacked body. The plurality of pillar portions extend in a stacking direction of the stacked body. The interconnection portion is provided in the stacked body. The interconnection portion extends in a first direction. The neighboring pillar portions are not arranged along the first direction.
US09837428B2 Method of manufacturing semiconductor device
A performance of a semiconductor device is improved. A film, which is made of silicon, is formed in a resistance element formation region on a semiconductor substrate, and an impurity, which is at least one type of elements selected from a group including a group 14 element and a group 18 element, is ion-implanted into the film, and a film portion which is formed of the film of a portion into which the impurity is ion-implanted is formed. Next, an insulating film with a charge storage portion therein is formed in a memory formation region on the semiconductor substrate, and a conductive film is formed on the insulating film.
US09837426B2 Voltage switching circuit and semiconductor apparatus including the same
A voltage switching circuit includes: a control signal generation block configured to include a high voltage switching block which controls an electric current flowing according to a high voltage in response to a voltage level of a low voltage control signal and generates complementary high voltage control signals; and a high voltage transfer block configured to be driven according to the complementary high voltage control signals, and generate a switching signal, the voltage level of which is raised based on the high voltage so that the switching signal has substantially the same level as the high voltage.
US09837419B2 3D semiconductor device with reduced chip size
A semiconductor device includes a first memory block and a second memory block in a cell region and a first transistor and a second transistor, respectively corresponding to the first and second memory blocks, in a pass transistor region located below the cell region, wherein each of the first and second transistors includes: a first gate electrode coupled to the first memory block and a second gate electrode coupled to the second memory block.
US09837411B2 Semiconductor die with a metal via
A semiconductor die that may include a substrate; an epitaxial layer; a metal layer; a first transistor; and a metal via that surrounds the first transistor, extends between the metal layer and the substrate, and penetrates the substrate.
US09837399B2 Cascode configured semiconductor component and method
In accordance with an embodiment, semiconductor component having a compound semiconductor material based semiconductor device connected to a silicon based semiconductor device and a protection element, wherein the silicon based semiconductor device is a transistor. The protection element is coupled in parallel across the silicon based semiconductor device and may be a resistor, a diode, or a transistor. In accordance with another embodiment, the silicon based semiconductor device is a diode. The compound semiconductor material may be shorted to a source of potential such as, for example, ground, with a shorting element.
US09837398B1 Metal track cutting in standard cell layouts
Integrated circuit layouts are disclosed that include metal layers with metal tracks having separate metal sections along the metal tracks. The separate metal sections along a single track may be electrically isolated from each other. The separate metal sections may then be electrically connected to different voltage tracks in metal layers above and/or below the metal layer with the separate metal sections. One or more of the metal layers in the integrated circuit layouts may also include metal tracks at different voltages (e.g., power and ground) that are adjacent to each other within a power grid layout. The metal tracks may be separated by electrically insulating material. The metal tracks and the electrically insulating material between the tracks may create capacitance in the power grid layout.
US09837394B2 Self-aligned three dimensional chip stack and method for making the same
Self-aligned three dimensional vertically stacked chip stacks and processes for forming the same generally include two or more vertically stacked chips supported by a scaffolding structure, the scaffolding structure defined by a first scaffolding trench and at least one additional scaffolding trench, the first scaffolding trench comprising a bottom surface having a width and a sidewall having a height extending from the bottom surface to define a lowermost trench in a scaffolding layer, the at least one additional scaffolding trench overlaying the first scaffolding trench having a sidewall having a height and a width, wherein the width of the at least one scaffolding trench is greater than the first scaffolding trench width to define a first stair between the first scaffolding trench and the at least one additional trench; a first chip secured to the first scaffolding trench having a height less than the first scaffolding trench sidewall height; and at least one additional chip secured to and supported by the first stair, wherein the at least one additional chip is vertically spaced apart from the first chip.
US09837393B2 Semiconductor package with integrated semiconductor devices and passive component
According to one exemplary embodiment, a semiconductor package includes a substrate having lower and upper surfaces. The semiconductor package further includes at least one passive component coupled to first and second conductive pads on the upper surface of the substrate. The semiconductor package further includes at least one semiconductor device coupled to a first conductive pad on the lower surface of the substrate. The at least one semiconductor device has a first electrode for electrical and mechanical connection to a conductive pad external to the semiconductor package. The at least one semiconductor device can have a second electrode electrically and mechanically coupled to the first conductive pad on the lower surface of the substrate.
US09837391B2 Scalable polylithic on-package integratable apparatus and method
Described is an apparatus which comprises: a first die including: a processing core; a crossbar switch coupled to the processing core; and a first edge interface coupled to the crossbar switch; and a second die including: a first edge interface positioned at a periphery of the second die and coupled to the first edge interface of the first die, wherein the first edge interface of the first die and the first edge interface of the second die are positioned across each other; a clock synchronization circuit coupled to the second edge interface; and a memory interface coupled to the clock synchronization circuit.
US09837387B2 Light emitting apparatus
A light emitting apparatus is disclosed. The light emitting apparatus includes a light-transmissive substrate having a top surface and a bottom surface, at least one semiconductor light emitting device disposed on the top surface of the light-transmissive substrate, a reflective part disposed over the semiconductor light emitting device to reflect light from the semiconductor light emitting device toward the light-transmissive substrate, and a first wavelength converter disposed between the light-transmissive substrate and the reflective part.
US09837382B2 Semiconductor package and manufacturing method thereof
Thermal resistance is reduced from an element surface of a semiconductor chip to the rear surface of a semiconductor package. Split patterning of a metal is easily carried out, stress produced by a thermal expansion coefficient between silicon and metal is significantly reduced and environment reliability is improved. Low cost is realized by manufacturing a semiconductor package without using a TIM material. A semiconductor package is provided including a semiconductor chip including a first surface and a second surface opposed to the first surface and covered with a resin, an electrode being arranged over the first surface, a first wiring connected to the first surface directly or via a first opening arranged in the resin, and a second wiring connected to the second surface via a second opening arranged in the resin.
US09837373B2 Semiconductor device and production method therefor
A semiconductor device includes a semiconductor chip, a lead arranged on a side portion of the semiconductor chip, and a wire, whose one end and another end are bonded to the semiconductor chip and the lead respectively, having a ball portion and a stitch portion wedged in side elevational view on the semiconductor chip and the lead respectively. An angle of approach of the wire to the lead is not less than 50°, and the length of the stitch portion is not less than 33 μm.
US09837372B1 Wafer-level die to package and die to die interconnects suspended over integrated heat sinks
An interconnect for electrically coupling pads formed on adjacent chips or on packaging material adjacent the chips, with an electrically conductive heat sink being disposed between the pads, the interconnect comprising a metallic membrane layer disposed between two adjacent pads and disposed or bridging over the electrically conductive heat sink so as to avoid making electrical contact with the electrically conductive heat sink. An electroplated metallic layer is disposed on the metallic membrane layer. Fabrication of interconnect permits multiple interconnects to be formed in parallel using fabrication techniques compatible with wafer level fabrication of the interconnects. The interconnects preferably follow a smooth curve to electrically connect adjacent pads and following that smooth curve they bridge over the intervening electrically conductive heat sink material in a predictable fashion.
US09837368B2 Enhanced board level reliability for wafer level packages
A wafer level package device, electronic device, and fabrication methods for fabrication of the wafer level package device are described that include forming an exposed lead tip on the wafer level package for providing a solder buttress structure when coupling the wafer level package device to another electrical component. In implementations, the wafer level package device includes at least one integrated circuit die, a metal pad, a first dielectric layer, a redistribution layer, a second dielectric layer, a pillar structure, a molding layer, a pillar layer, and a plating layer, where the pillar layer is sawn to form pad contacts on at least two sides of the wafer level package device. The exposed pad contact facilitate a solder fillet and buttress structure resulting in improved board level reliability.
US09837367B1 Fabrication of solder balls with injection molded solder
Wafers and methods of forming solder balls include forming a final redistribution layer over terminal contact pad on a surface of a wafer. The wafer includes multiple bulk redistribution layers. A hole is etched in the final redistribution layer to expose the terminal contact pad. Solder is injected into the hole using an injection nozzle that is in direct contact with the final redistribution layer. The final redistribution layer is etched back. The injected solder is reflowed to form a solder ball.
US09837362B2 Cavity formation in interface layer in semiconductor devices
Fabrication of radio-frequency (RF) devices involves providing a field-effect transistor (FET), forming one or more electrical connections to the FET, forming one or more dielectric layers over at least a portion of the electrical connections, and disposing an electrical element at least partially above the one or more dielectric layers, the electrical element being in electrical communication with the FET via the one or more electrical connections. RF device fabrication further involves applying an interface material over at least a portion of the one or more dielectric layers, removing at least a portion of the interface material to form a trench above at least a portion of the electrical element, and covering at least a portion of the interface material and the trench with a substrate layer to form a cavity, the electrical element being disposed at least partially within the cavity.
US09837359B1 Integrated fan-out package and method of fabricating the same
An integrated fan-out package including a die attach film, an integrated circuit component, an insulating encapsulation, and a redistribution circuit structure is provided. The integrated circuit component is disposed on the die attach film and includes a plurality of conductive terminals. The die attach film includes an uplifted edge which raises toward sidewalls of the integrated circuit component. The insulating encapsulation encapsulates the uplifted edge and the integrated circuit component. The redistribution circuit structure is disposed on the integrated circuit component and the insulating encapsulation, and the redistribution circuit structure is electrically connected to the conductive terminals of the integrated circuit component. A method of fabricating the integrated fan-out package are also provided.
US09837358B2 Source-gate region architecture in a vertical power semiconductor device
A vertical drift metal-oxide-semiconductor (VDMOS) transistor with improved contact to source and body regions, and a method of fabricating the same. A masked ion implant of the source regions into opposite-type body regions defines the locations of body contact regions, which are implanted subsequently with a blanket implant. The surface of the source regions and body contact regions are silicide clad, and an overlying insulator layer deposited and planarized. Contact openings are formed through the planarized insulator layer, within which conductive plugs are formed to contact the metal silicide, and thus the source and body regions of the device. A metal conductor is formed overall to the desired thickness, and contacts the conductive plugs to provide bias to the source and body regions.
US09837344B2 Low CTE interposer
An interconnection component includes a first support portion has a plurality of first conductive vias extending therethrough substantially perpendicular to surfaces thereof such that each via has a first end adjacent a first surface and a second end adjacent a second surface. A second support portion has a plurality of second conductive vias extending therethrough substantially perpendicular to surfaces thereof such that each via has a first end adjacent the first surface and a second end adjacent the second surface. A redistribution layer is disposed between the second surfaces of the first and second support portions, electrically connecting at least some of the first vias with at least some of the second vias. The first and second support portions can have a coefficient of thermal expansion (“CTE”) of less than 12 parts per million per degree, Celsius (“ppm/° C.”).
US09837342B2 Multilayer wiring board and method for manufacturing same
A multilayer wiring board includes a main wiring board which mounts a semiconductor component on a surface of the main wiring board, and a wiring structure body which is mounted to the main wiring board and is formed to be electrically connected to the semiconductor component. The wiring structure body includes conductive pads formed on a first side of the wiring structure body, a heat radiation component formed on a second side of the wiring structure body on the opposite side with respect to the first side, an insulation layer positioned between the conductive pads and the heat radiation component, and via conductors formed in the insulation layer such that each of the via conductors has a diameter which increases from the first side toward the second side of the wiring structure body.
US09837325B2 Electrically testable microwave integrated circuit packaging
An extension of conventional IC fabrication processes to include some of the concepts of flip-chip assemblies while producing a final “non-flip chip” circuit structure suitable for conventional packaging or for direct usage by customers. Multiple IC dies are fabricated on a semiconductor wafer in a conventional fashion, solder bumped, and singulated. The singulated dies are then flip-chip assembled onto a single tile substrate of thin-film material which has been patterned with vias, peripheral connection pads, and one or more ground planes. Once dies are flip-chip mounted to the thin-film tile, all of the dies on the entire tile may be probed using automated testing equipment. Once test probing is complete, the dies and tile are singulated into die/tile assemblies.
US09837314B2 Self-alignment of metal and via using selective deposition
Techniques herein include methods of patterning substrates such as for back end of line (BEOL) metallization processes. Techniques herein enable fully self-aligned vias and lines. Processes herein include using selective deposition, protective films and combination etch masks for accurately patterning a substrate. In a substrate having uncovered portions of metal material and dielectric material, the dielectric material is grown upwardly without covering metal material. This raised dielectric material is conformally protected and used in subsequent patterning step to align via and line placement. Such combinations mitigate overlay errors.
US09837311B2 Conductive plug structure and fabrication method thereof
The present disclosure provides conductive plug structures and fabrication methods thereof. An exemplary fabrication process of the conductive plug structure includes providing a substrate; forming a mask layer having an opening on a surface of the substrate; etching the substrate to form a contact hole using the mask layer as an etching mask; etching the mask layer to increase a feature size of the opening; forming an insulation layer on an inner surface of the opening, an inner surface of the enlarged opening and a surface of the mask layer to have more edge corners, a thickness of the insulation layer being greater than a thickness of the remaining mask layer; forming a conductive layer filling the contact hole on the insulation layer; and planarizing the conductive layer and the insulation layer until a surface of the mask layer is exposed.
US09837307B2 Semiconductor device and process
A metal first, via first process for forming interconnects within a metallization layer of a semiconductor device is provided. In an embodiment a conductive material is deposited and the conductive material is patterned into a conductive line and a via. A dielectric material is deposited over the conductive line and the via, and the dielectric material and the via are planarized.
US09837305B1 Forming deep airgaps without flop over
A semiconductor structure that includes: a semiconductor substrate having a semiconductor base and back end of the line (BEOL) wiring layers; a dielectric cap layer on the semiconductor base; trenches on the dielectric cap layer, each of the trenches including dielectric walls, a dielectric bottom in contact with the dielectric cap layer and a metal filling a space between the dielectric walls; air gap openings on the dielectric cap layer and interspersed with the trenches, each air gap opening between the dielectric wall from one metal trench and adjacent to the dielectric wall of a second metal, the dielectric cap layer forming a bottom of the air gap openings; and a second dielectric cap layer formed over the trenches and over the air gap openings, the second dielectric cap layer pinching off each air gap opening.
US09837303B2 Semiconductor method and device of forming a fan-out device with PWB vertical interconnect units
A semiconductor device has a modular interconnect unit or interconnect structure disposed in a peripheral region of the semiconductor die. An encapsulant is deposited over the semiconductor die and interconnect structure. A first insulating layer is formed over the semiconductor die and interconnect structure. A plurality of openings is formed in the first insulating layer over the interconnect structure. The openings have a pitch of 40 micrometers. The openings include a circular shape, ring shape, cross shape, or lattice shape. A conductive layer is deposited over the first insulating layer. The conductive layer includes a planar surface. A second insulating layer is formed over the conductive layer. A portion of the encapsulant is removed to expose the semiconductor die and the interconnect structure. The modular interconnect unit includes a vertical interconnect structure. The modular interconnect unit forms part of an interlocking pattern around the semiconductor die.
US09837299B2 Methods of forming 3-D circuits with integrated passive devices
Methods of forming 3-D ICs with integrated passive devices (IPDs) include stacking separately prefabricated substrates. An active device (AD) substrate has contacts on its upper portion. A ground plane is located between the AD substrate and an IPD substrate. The ground plane provides superior IPD to AD cross-talk attenuation.
US09837296B2 Electrostatic chuck apparatus
An electrostatic chuck apparatus is disclosed which can be prevented from being damaged or fractured when the temperature abruptly increases or decreases when plasma is irradiated on a plate-like specimen, the heater is heated, or the like, and can also prevent corrosion when a corrosive gas or plasma is provided. The electrostatic chuck apparatus has an electrostatic chuck portion 2 having a mounting plate 11 made of a corrosion-resistant ceramic, a supporting plate 12 which is integrated with the mounting plate 11 so as to support the mounting plate 11 and is made of an insulating ceramic having a larger thermal conductivity than the thermal conductivity of the corrosion-resistant ceramic, and an internal electrode for electrostatic adsorption 13 provided between the mounting plate 11 and the supporting plate 12; and a temperature-controlling base portion 3 which adjusts the electrostatic chuck portion 2 to a desired temperature.
US09837288B2 Semiconductor power package and method of manufacturing the same
A semiconductor power package includes a pre-molded chip housing and an electrically conducting chip carrier cast-in-place in the pre-molded chip housing. The semiconductor power package further includes a power semiconductor chip bonded on the electrically conducting chip carrier. A covering material is provided to embed the power semiconductor chip. The covering material has an elastic modulus less than an elastic modulus of a material of the pre-molded chip housing and/or a thermal conductivity greater than a thermal conductivity of the material of the pre-molded chip housing and/or a temperature stability greater than a temperature stability of the pre-molded chip housing.
US09837285B2 Etching method
A method for selectively etching a first region of silicon oxide with respect to a second region of silicon nitride includes a first step of exposing a target object having the first region and the second region to a plasma of a processing gas containing a fluorocarbon gas, etching the first region, and forming a deposit containing fluorocarbon on the first region and the second region. The method further includes a second step of etching the first region by a radical of the fluorocarbon contained in the deposit. In the first step, the plasma is generated by a high frequency power supplied in a pulsed manner. Further, the first step and the second step are repeated alternately.
US09837276B2 Gate cut with high selectivity to preserve interlevel dielectric layer
A method for preserving interlevel dielectric in a gate cut region includes recessing a dielectric fill to expose cap layers of gate structures formed in a device region and in a cut region and forming a liner in the recess on top of the recessed dielectric fill. The liner includes a material to provide etch selectivity to protect the dielectric fill. The gate structures in the cut region are recessed to form a gate recess using the liner to protect the dielectric fill from etching. A gate material is removed from within the gate structure using the liner to protect the dielectric fill from etching. A dielectric gap fill is formed to replace the gate material and to fill the gate recess in the cut region.
US09837269B2 Deposition method for planar surfaces
A method for producing a substantially planar surface for semiconductor processing to improve lithography, planarization, and other process steps that benefit from a flat substrate. The method includes depositing a first alloy to form a first layer on a substrate. The first layer has a center high deposition, meaning the height in the center of the substrate is higher than the height at the edges of the substrate. The method further includes depositing a second alloy on the first layer to form a second layer. The first alloy has a different composition than the second alloy. In such a method the net deposition is substantially planar reducing or eliminating deposition induced long-range distortions that might occur across a substrate.
US09837265B2 Gas flow profile modulated control of overlay in plasma CVD films
Methods for modulating local stress and overlay error of one or more patterning films may include modulating a gas flow profile of gases introduced into a chamber body, flowing gases within the chamber body toward a substrate, rotating the substrate, and unifying a center-to-edge temperature profile of the substrate by controlling the substrate temperature with a dual zone heater. A chamber for depositing a film may include a chamber body comprising one or more processing regions. The chamber body may include a gas distribution assembly having a blocker plate for delivering gases into the one or more processing regions. The blocker plate may have a first region and a second region, and the first region and second region each may have a plurality of holes. The chamber body may have a dual zone heater.
US09837260B2 Cleaning method, processing apparatus, and storage medium
Deposits such as particles deposited on a surface of a target object can be easily removed while suppressing damage to the target object such as destruction of pattern formed on the surface of the target object or film roughness on the surface of the target object. In a pre-treatment, vapor of a hydrogen fluoride is supplied to a wafer W to dissolve a natural oxide film 11, so that a deposit 10 attached to a surface of the natural oxide film 11 is slightly separated from a surface of the wafer W. A carbon dioxide gas that does not react with an underlying film 12 is supplied to a processing gas atmosphere where the wafer W is placed, so that a gas cluster of the carbon dioxide gas is generated. Then, the gas cluster in a non-ionized state is irradiated toward the wafer W to remove the deposit 10.
US09837258B2 Ion trap with variable pitch electrodes
Methods, apparatuses, and systems for design, fabrication, and use of an ion trap with variable pitch electrodes are described herein. One apparatus includes an ion trap and a plurality of variable pitch electrodes disposed on the ion trap. A respective electrode of the plurality of electrodes can have a first pitch in a first region of the trap and a second pitch in a second region of the trap.
US09837257B2 Method and device for a coated corona ionization source
A corona ionization source assembly and fabrication methods are described that include a fine wire including a wire core including a first material, and a wire coating including a second material, where the wire coating surrounds a portion of the wire core, and the diameter of the wire coating is greater than the diameter of the wire core. Additionally, the fine wire may be coupled to a mounting post. In an implementation, a process for fabricating the corona ionization source assembly that employs the techniques of the present disclosure includes forming a wire core, forming a wire coating that surrounds the wire core, forming a mask layer on at least a portion of the wire coating, etching the wire coating, and removing the mask layer from the wire coating.
US09837256B2 Simultaneous positive and negative ion accumulation in an ion trap for mass spectroscopy
A mass spectrometer ion reaction device, useful for performing ion-ion reactions (eg. ETD, PTR) is described. The device includes a plurality of non-linear rods, that form a pair of quadrupole rod sets. The device includes an axial passageway, that allows injections of ions of both polarities into the device, and a three dimensional trapping region. Anions and cations that are injected into the device are spatially separated into different trapping regions by a DC dipole electric field generated by a DC voltage source. The device also includes a plurality of lenses to confine, transmit or receive ions in/from the device.
US09837251B2 Plasma etching method, plasma etching device, plasma processing method, and plasma processing device
A plasma etching method includes a first step of attracting a substrate onto a monopolar electrostatic chuck in a first plasma, which is a plasma of a noble gas, and stopping generation of the first plasma after the attracting of the substrate, and a second step of etching the substrate in a second plasma, which is a plasma of a halogen-based etching gas, and stopping generation of the second plasma after the etching of the substrate. In the first step, the generation of the first plasma is stopped when a positive voltage is applied from the monopolar electrostatic chuck to the substrate. In the second step, the generation of the second plasma is stopped when a negative voltage is applied from the monopolar electrostatic chuck to the substrate.
US09837249B2 Radial waveguide systems and methods for post-match control of microwaves
A system provides post-match control of microwaves in a radial waveguide. The system includes the radial waveguide, and a signal generator that provides first and second microwave signals that have a common frequency. The signal generator adjusts a phase offset between the first and second signals in response to a correction signal. The system also includes first and second electronics sets, each of which amplifies a respective one of the first and second microwave signals. The system transmits the amplified, first and second microwave signals into the radial waveguide, and matches an impedance of the amplified microwave signals to an impedance presented by the waveguide. The system also includes at least two monitoring antennas disposed within the waveguide. A signal controller receives analog signals from the monitoring antennas, determines the digital correction signal based at least on the analog signals, and transmits the correction signal to the signal generator.
US09837241B2 Tera Hertz reflex klystron
A Tera Hertz reflex klystron includes an electron emission unit, a resonant unit and an output unit. The electron emission is used to emit a plurality of electrons. The electron emission unit defines a first opening. The resonant unit comprises a resonant cavity frame. The resonant cavity frame comprises a top wall and a bottom wall and defines a resonant cavity. The top wall and the bottom wall faces with each other. The bottom wall comprises a bottom opening. The top wall comprises a top opening and at least one outputting hole. The bottom opening and the first opening are merged with each other. The output unit being configured to output Tera Hertz waves. The plurality of electrons are transferred to the output unit from the at least one outputting hole.
US09837239B2 Techniques for optimizing nanotips derived from frozen taylor cones
Optimization techniques are disclosed for producing sharp and stable tips/nanotips relying on liquid Taylor cones created from electrically conductive materials with high melting points. A wire substrate of such a material with a preform end in the shape of a regular or concave cone, is first melted with a focused laser beam. Under the influence of a high positive potential, a Taylor cone in a liquid/molten state is formed at that end. The cone is then quenched upon cessation of the laser power, thus freezing the Taylor cone. The tip of the frozen Taylor cone is reheated by the laser to allow its precise localized melting and shaping. Tips thus obtained yield desirable end-forms suitable as electron field emission sources for a variety of applications. In-situ regeneration of the tip is readily accomplished. These tips can also be employed as regenerable bright ion sources using field ionization/desorption of introduced chemical species.
US09837234B2 Instant trip mechanism for molded case circuit breaker
Disclosed embodiments include an instant trip mechanism for a molded case circuit breaker. In some embodiments, the mechanism includes an adjustment dial to set a current for an instant trip operation; an instant bar provided with an upper portion contactable with the adjustment dial, a shaft portion serving as a rotation shaft, and a lower extending portion downwardly extending from the shaft portion; an electromagnet unit to generate a magnetic attraction force that is proportional to an amount of current flowing on the circuit; an armature rotatable with a lower end portion supported by a shaft, and attracted toward the electromagnet unit by the magnetic attraction force; and a spring for applying to the armature a load varying in a direction of the armature getting away from the electromagnet unit.
US09837232B2 Electromechanical circuit breaker
An electromechanical circuit breaker comprising a main contact pair comprising a first main contact disposed on a first main contact bridge; an auxiliary contact pair comprising a first auxiliary contact disposed on a first auxiliary contact bridge, the first auxiliary contact bridge being connected in parallel to the first main contact bridge and wherein the auxiliary contact pair comprises a material that has a higher melting point than a material of the main contact pair; a first armature configured to move the first main contact bridge; a second armature configured to move the first auxiliary contact bridge, wherein the first and second armatures are configured such that the auxiliary contact pair opens after the main contact pair opens, and the auxiliary contact pair closes before the main contact pair closes.
US09837222B2 Working cylinder for a drive of an electric circuit breaker
An exemplary working cylinder for a drive of an electric circuit breaker includes a base that includes a cylinder head and a cylinder body that are connected to one another. Additional components are fastened to the cylinder head as a core piece of the drive, and a thrust ring is guided on an outer surface of the cylinder body. The thrust ring compresses mechanical springs in the mechanical resilient energy storage device by way of a storage piston in a storage module.
US09837219B2 Switch contact wetting with low peak instantaneous current draw
A contact wetting circuit 100 is disclosed for supplying wetting current to sense the state of dry contacts of a switch SW1 setting for an electronic device 10. The contact wetting circuit includes an RC circuit 110 having a resistor R1 and a capacitor C1, and a controller 120 connected to a power supply 130 of the device. The controller supplies a first voltage to the RC circuit to produce a charging current having an average current and/or a peak current below the wetting current parameter of the dry contacts. The charging current is used to charge the capacitor C1 during the first time period. The controller stops the supply of the first voltage to the RC circuit after sufficient charging to allow the charged capacitor C1 to supply a second voltage, across the switch SW1, to produce a wetting current. Thereafter, the controller polls and senses the state of the switch SW1, and performs certain operations accordingly.
US09837217B2 Capacitor module
A capacitor module comprises: a lower block panel including first conductive blocks arranged to be tightly attached to each other and respectively having a first lower coupling unit formed at one side and a second lower coupling unit formed at the other side; an upper block panel including second conductive blocks arranged to be tightly attached to each other and respectively having a second upper coupling unit formed at one side to be positioned on a top of the second lower coupling unit and a first upper coupling unit formed at the other side; and capacitors arranged to be positioned between the lower block panel and the upper block panel and respectively having a first external electrode connected to the first lower coupling unit or the second upper coupling unit and a second external electrode connected to the second lower coupling unit or the first upper coupling unit.
US09837192B2 Method for passing an electrical cable through a hole and device for same
A method for passing an electrical cable through a hole in a housing of a unit of electrical equipment is provided. The method may include: fitting onto the cable a tubular, mushroom-shaped male member comprising a stem with a threaded portion and a portion with enlarged head; inserting into the hole the cable having the male member fitted thereon extending through said hole with said portion with enlarged head abutting against the periphery of the hole externally to the housing and said threaded portion protruding inside the housing; and retaining said male member in the hole by coupling with said threaded portion that protrudes inside the housing an annular female member in the form of a nut co-operating with the periphery of the hole inside said housing to counter the movement of the female member with respect to the housing.
US09837190B2 Methods for forming joints between magnesium diboride conductors
In a method for forming joints between MgB2 filaments of superconducting wires, the MgB2 filaments from the wires to be joined are exposed, and the exposed filaments are then exposed to a mixture of magnesium powder and boron powder in a furnace, and the MgB2 filaments and the magnesium and boron powders are pressed together in the furnace. The MgB2 filaments and the magnesium and the boron powders in the furnace are heated, and oxygen that is present within the furnace is preferentially trapped, and thus removed from the joint, by providing titanium within the furnace.
US09837188B2 Differential return loss supporting high speed bus interfaces
Various aspects of the present disclosure are directed toward methods and apparatus that include a lead frame with a fixed external pin pitch. A differential signal path is provided that is characterized by bond-pad pitch range, wire length and wire diameter. The differential signal path carries signals in a frequency range between 5 GHz and 16.1 GHz with less than about 25 dB differential return loss (DDRL). Further, the signals are processed at a signal-processing node that is electrically coupled to the differential signal path by using the differential signal path to carry signals in a frequency range between 5 GHz and about 16.1 GHz.
US09837178B2 Image processing apparatus, imaging system, and image processing method
An image processing apparatus includes: a measurement data acquiring unit that acquires data obtained by using an imaging apparatus to capture an image formed by an electromagnetic wave transmitted through an object, as measurement data of the object; an image generating unit that generates a first image and a second image that represent information on different physical quantities, from the measurement data; a filter characteristics determining unit that determines, based on the first image, filter characteristics to be set when an anisotropic filter is applied, for each position in the image; and a filtering unit that applies the anisotropic filter to the second image while varying the filter characteristics of the anisotropic filter for each position in the image in accordance with the filter characteristics determined based on the first image.
US09837170B2 Systems and methods for testing performance of memory modules
A system and method for testing performance of a plurality of memory modules includes generating a clock signal at a set frequency and sending the clock signal to the memory modules. An initial data pattern is sent to an input of a first memory module. A subsequent data pattern received from the first memory module is delayed by a predetermined delay time and sent to an input of a last memory module. The initial data pattern and the subsequent data pattern received from the output of the last memory module are compared and a performance of the memory modules is also calculated.
US09837169B2 Memory system for rapidly testing data lane integrity
A memory system for a computer is provided as well as a method for integrity testing a memory interface. The memory system includes a memory controller providing a memory interface including a plurality of data lanes, wherein each of the plurality of data lanes includes a driver and a receiver, and wherein each receiver has an output. The memory system further includes an AND gate having an output and a plurality of inputs, wherein the output of each receiver is coupled to one of the plurality of inputs of the AND gate. The method includes driving a high signal pulse onto each of a plurality of data lanes of a memory interface, receiving a reflection of the high signal pulse on each of the data lanes, and determining whether the reflections received on the data lanes indicate that any one or more of the data lanes is defective.
US09837155B1 Dual gate semiconductor memory device with vertical semiconductor column
A memory device includes: a semiconductor column extending vertically on a substrate and including a source region of a first conductivity type, an intrinsic region, and a drain region of a second conductivity type; a first gate electrode disposed adjacent to the drain region to cover the intrinsic region; a second gate electrode spaced apart from the first gate electrode and disposed adjacent to the source region to cover the intrinsic region; a first gate insulating layer disposed between the first gate electrode and the intrinsic region; and a second gate insulating layer disposed between the second gate electrode and the intrinsic region.
US09837154B2 Resistive random access memory (RRAM) system
One example includes a resistive random access memory (RRAM) system. The system includes a resistive memory element to store a binary state based on a resistance of the resistive memory element. The system also includes an RRAM write circuit to generate a current through the resistive memory element to provide a write voltage across the resistive memory element to set the resistance of the resistive memory element. The system further includes a write shutoff circuit to monitor a change in the write voltage as a function of time to deactivate the RRAM write circuit in response to a change in the binary state of the resistive memory element.
US09837149B2 Low read current architecture for memory
A low read current architecture for memory. Bit lines of a cross point memory array are allowed to be charged by a selected word line until a minimum voltage differential between a memory state and a reference level is assured.
US09837145B2 Multi-level flash storage device with minimal read latency
A memory system, non-volatile solid-state memory, and a method of efficiently reading data from a flash memory array are disclosed. The disclosed memory system includes a flash memory array having a plurality of memory cells that store data therein, each of the plurality of memory cells being configured to store at least two bits per cell and being organized into pages, and a controller configured to read any bit of data from a page of the flash memory array by applying a single threshold voltage to the flash memory array. Reading data from the flash memory array with a single threshold greatly decreases the latency associated with the read operation.
US09837144B1 Apparatus and method for controlling boost capacitance for low power memory circuits
A memory circuit includes a set of subarrays of memory cells and a set of write assist circuits for generating negative voltages on bitlines pertaining to the set of subarrays, respectively. A set of distinct signals initiate the write assist circuits in generating the negative voltages for subarrays, respectively. The distinct signals may have particular state to cause a subset of the write assist circuits to generate the negative voltages if the corresponding subarrays are target of a writing operation, and another state to cause another subset of the write assist circuits to not generate the negative voltages if the corresponding subarrays are not target of the writing operation. This avoids the unnecessary generation of negative voltages for subarrays that are not the target of a writing operation so as to reduce power consumption. The generation of the distinct signals may be based on a set of write mask signals.
US09837140B2 Semiconductor device
A semiconductor device including a first N-type well and a second N-type well includes: a memory circuit to be coupled with first and second power source lines; and a first switch which electrically couples the first power source line with the second power source line and electrically decouples the first power source line from the second power source line. The memory circuit includes a memory array to be coupled with the second power source line, a peripheral circuit to be coupled with the first power source line, and a second switch which electrically couples the first power source line with the second power source line in the active mode and electrically decouples the first power source line from the second power source line in the standby mode. The first and second switches each include a first PMOS transistor arranged in the first N-type well.
US09837131B2 Semiconductor device and output circuit thereof
A semiconductor device and an output circuit thereof for accelerating rising of a pull-up transistor are provided. The output circuit of the invention includes an external terminal (130), an output buffer (110) and a pre-buffer circuit (120). The external terminal (130) can output output data to an external part. The output buffer (110) is connected to the external terminal (130) and includes a pull-up transistor (Qp1) of P type and a pull-down transistor (Qn1) of N type. The pre-buffer circuit (120) outputs a pull-up signal (PU) and a pull-down signal (PD) corresponding to the output data to the output buffer (110). The pre-buffer circuit (120) also includes a circuit (122). The circuit (122) negatively boosts the pull-up signal (PU) when the pull-up signal (PU) is changed from a high level into a low level.
US09837119B2 Identifying a defect in a data-storage medium
An embodiment of a data-read path includes a defect detector and a data-recovery circuit. The defect detector is operable to identify a defective region of a data-storage medium, and the data-recovery circuit is operable to recover data from the data-storage medium in response to the defect detector. For example, such an embodiment may allow identifying a defective region of a data-storage disk caused, e.g., by a scratch or contamination, and may allow recovering data that was written to the defective region.
US09837108B2 Magnetic sensor and a method and device for mapping the magnetic field or magnetic field sensitivity of a recording head
The invention provides a method and apparatus for scanning a read/write head of a hard disk drive during manufacture. The method comprises: providing a magnetic sensor; moving the magnetic sensor relative to and in close proximity to the read/write head under test; obtaining measurements from the head under test or the sensor, representing a two-dimensional magnetic map; processing the map to obtain an accurate map of the head sensitivity of the head under test from which the key performance characteristics of the head can be obtained.
US09837102B2 User environment aware acoustic noise reduction
Examples of the disclosure describe user environment aware single channel acoustic noise reduction. A noisy signal received by a computing device is transformed and feature vectors of the received noisy signal are determined. The computing device accesses classification data corresponding to a plurality of user environments. The classification data for each user environment has associated therewith a noise model. A comparison is performed between the determined feature vectors and the accessed classification data to identify a current user environment. A noise level, a speech level, and a speech presence probability from the transformed noisy signal are estimated and the noise signal is reduced based on the estimates. The resulting signal is outputted as an enhanced signal with a reduced or eliminated noise signal.
US09837101B2 Indexing based on time-variant transforms of an audio signal's spectrogram
An audio identification system generates audio fingerprints and indexes associated with the audio fingerprints based on discrete and overlapping frames within a sample of an audio signal. The system applies a time-to-frequency domain transform to a time-sequence of frames, which may be filtered. The audio identification system then applies a time-variant transformation (e.g., a Discrete Cosine Transform) to the transformed frames and generates an audio fingerprint and index by selecting sets of coefficients of the time-variant transformation. The system selects coefficients that are less sensitive to possible noise and/or distortions in the underlying signal, such as low-frequency coefficients. The time-variant transformation provides sufficient sampling among the indexes by incorporating the phase information of the frames into the indexes. The system stores the audio fingerprint and other identifying information by index for efficient retrieval and matching of the retrieved fingerprints.
US09837099B1 Method and system for beam selection in microphone array beamformers
Embodiments of systems and methods are described for determining which of a plurality of beamformed audio signals to select for signal processing. In some embodiments, a plurality of audio input signals are received from a microphone array comprising a plurality of microphones. A plurality of beamformed audio signals are determined based on the plurality of input audio signals, the beamformed audio signals comprising a direction. A plurality of signal features may be determined for each beamformed audio signal. Smoothed features may be determined for each beamformed audio signal based on at least a portion of the plurality of signal features. The beamformed audio signal corresponding to the maximum smoothed feature may be selected for further processing.
US09837091B2 Audio-visual dialogue system and method
The present invention provides an audio-visual dialogue system that allows a user to create an ‘avatar’ which may be customised to look and sound a particular way. The avatar may be created to resemble, for example, a person, animal or mythical creature, and generated to have a variable voice which may be female or male. The system then employs a real-time voice conversion in order to transform any audio input, for example, spoken word, into a target voice that is selected and customised by the user. The system is arranged to facially animate the avatar using a real-time lip-synching algorithm such that the generated avatar and the target voice are synchronised.
US09837086B2 Encoded audio extended metadata-based dynamic range control
An audio encoder encodes a digital audio recording having a number of audio channels or audio objects. A Dynamic Range Control (DRC) processor produces a sequence of encoder DRC gain values, by applying a selected one of a number of DRC characteristics to a group of one or more of the audio channels or audio objects. The encoder DRC gain values are to be applied to adjust the group of audio channels or audio objects, upon decoding them from the encoded digital audio recording. A bitstream multiplexer combines a) the encoded digital audio recording with b) the sequence of encoder DRC gain values, an indication of the selected DRC characteristic, and an indication of an alternate DRC characteristic, the latter as metadata associated with the encoded digital audio recording. Other embodiments are also described including a system for decoding the encoded audio recording and performing DRC adjustment upon it.
US09837080B2 Detection of target and non-target users using multi-session information
Systems and methods for maintaining speaker recognition performance are provided. A method for maintaining speaker recognition performance, comprises training a plurality of models respectively corresponding to speaker recognition scores from a plurality of speakers over a plurality of sessions, and using the plurality of models to conclude whether a speaker seeking access to an environment is a non-ideal target speaker or a non-ideal non-target speaker. Using the plurality of models to conclude comprises calculating a first probability that the speaker seeking access is the non-ideal target speaker, calculating a second probability that the speaker seeking access is the non-ideal non-target speaker, and determining whether the first probability, the second probability or a sum of the first probability and the second probability is above a probability threshold.
US09837076B1 Customizing actions based on contextual data and voice-based inputs
Methods and systems are provided for customizing an action. In some implementations, voice input is received from a user and a context is determined from the voice input. Potential contextual data is identified based on the context and the voice input. A level of confidence is determined for an association of the potential contextual data and the context. An action is performed based on the voice input, the potential contextual data, and the level of confidence. The potential contextual data is used to customize the action.
US09837073B2 Efficient incremental modification of optimized finite-state transducers (FSTs) for use in speech applications
Methods of incrementally modifying a word-level finite state transducer (FST) are described for adding and removing sentences. A prefix subset of states and arcs in the FST is determined that matches a prefix portion of the sentence. A suffix subset of states and arcs in the FST is determined that matches a suffix portion of the sentence. A new sentence can then be added to the FST by appending a new sequence of states and arcs to the FST corresponding to a remainder of the sentence between the prefix and suffix. An existing sentence can be removed from the FST by removing any arcs and states between the prefix subset and the suffix subset. The resulting modified FST is locally efficient but does not satisfy global optimization criteria such as minimization.
US09837071B2 System and method for speech personalization by need
Disclosed herein are systems, computer-implemented methods, and tangible computer-readable storage media for speaker recognition personalization. The method recognizes speech received from a speaker interacting with a speech interface using a set of allocated resources, the set of allocated resources including bandwidth, processor time, memory, and storage. The method records metrics associated with the recognized speech, and after recording the metrics, modifies at least one of the allocated resources in the set of allocated resources commensurate with the recorded metrics. The method recognizes additional speech from the speaker using the modified set of allocated resources. Metrics can include a speech recognition confidence score, processing speed, dialog behavior, requests for repeats, negative responses to confirmations, and task completions. The method can further store a speaker personalization profile having information for the modified set of allocated resources and recognize speech associated with the speaker based on the speaker personalization profile.
US09837068B2 Sound sample verification for generating sound detection model
A method for verifying at least one sound sample to be used in generating a sound detection model in an electronic device includes receiving a first sound sample; extracting a first acoustic feature from the first sound sample; receiving a second sound sample; extracting a second acoustic feature from the second sound sample; and determining whether the second acoustic feature is similar to the first acoustic feature.
US09837066B2 System and method for adaptive active noise reduction
A system and method for adaptive active noise reduction measure the acoustic response for each user to adaptively adjust and customize the ANR operation using adaptive filters to correct for any differences between the measured response and a targeted response. The system and method of various embodiments incorporate a closed loop control system with a feedforward input. The acoustic measurement and adaptation procedure is performed to adapt or tune at least one of the closed loop and feedforward control loops to provide adaptive ANR customized for each user and current ambient environment.
US09837060B2 System and method for stringed instruments' pickup
A method for stringed instruments' pickup, the method comprising a step of: capturing mechanical vibrations of at least one string; and converting them to a signal representative of a string's current state, the method being characterized in that the capturing comprises the following steps: capturing, using an image capturing device, image frames comprising views of at least one musical instrument's string in a still state; storing the captured image as a reference of a still state; capturing (500), using the image capturing device, image frames comprising views of at least one musical instrument's string in a vibrating state; storing the captured image as a reference of a vibrating state; comparing (520) the still state reference with a vibrating state reference in order to find (530) amplitude of vibrations of each string as well as frequency of each string vibrations based on amplitude height in pixels with reference to the still state and determining a frequency of each vibrating string on the basis of the number of pixels between two nuts of at least half-period of a given periodic function.
US09837053B1 Display method of display device
A display method includes steps of: receiving, by the controller, a first frame and a second frame from an input data; up-converting, by the controller, a frame rate of the input data to produce a third frame based on the first frame and the second frame; identifying, by the controller, a static image content of the third frame according to a comparison of the first frame and the second frame; controlling, by the controller, the driver circuit not to update data of pixels within a static display area of the display panel corresponding to the static image content during the period of time that the third frame is displayed by the display panel.
US09837051B2 Electronic device and method for adjusting images presented by electronic device
An electronic device and a method generate a first model and a second model when the images presented by the electronic device are viewed by a user located at a reference location. The electronic device obtains an image of the user captured by a camera of the electronic device when the user views the images presented by the electronic device. The electronic device generates a third model according to the image of the user. The electronic device adjusts the images presented by the electronic device when the third model does not match the first model.
US09837046B2 Display control device and control method therefor
A display control device comprises calibration unit configured to display an image for colorimetry on a screen of a display panel and performing calibration processing of adjusting display quality of the display panel on the basis of a colorimetry result obtained by colorimetry with a sensor; detection unit configured to detect a predetermined event that can decrease an accuracy of colorimetry of the sensor while the calibration processing is executed; and determination unit configured to perform determination processing of determining whether or not to stop the calibration processing by comparing the colorimetry results before the detection and after the detection of the predetermined event with the sensor when the detection unit has detected the predetermined event.
US09837040B2 Mobile device including a display device and a method of operating the mobile device
A display driver includes a gamma voltage generation unit, a decoder, and a plurality of source amplifiers. The gamma voltage generation unit generates gamma reference voltages. The decoder transforms pixel data corresponding to received image information into data voltages using the gamma reference voltages. The plurality of source amplifiers outputs the data voltages to a display panel. The gamma voltage generation unit includes a first amplifier receiving a reference voltage and a voltage divider including a plurality of resistors and at least one first switch. The at least one first switch turns on or turns off a first connection between an output node of the first amplifier and the plurality of resistors depending on an operation mode. The voltage divider generates at least one first gamma reference voltage among the gamma reference voltages based on an output voltage of the first amplifier.
US09837039B2 Method of driving display panel, timing controller for performing the method, and display apparatus having the same
A method of driving a display panel is provided. The method includes generating first compensated and second compensated data based on input image data, outputting the first compensated data to a data driver during a first frame, outputting the first smoothing data to the data driver during a second frame subsequent to the first frame, and outputting the second compensated data to the data driver during an n-th frame subsequent to the second frame (where n is a natural number greater than two). The first smoothing data has a value between a value of the first compensated data and a value of the second compensated data.
US09837027B2 Semiconductor device
The semiconductor device cyclically outputs given status information pieces according to a predetermined procedure from a test output terminal one by one on receipt of a test enable direction through a test enable terminal, and outputs the same status information pieces as those output at that time from the test output terminal without interruption on receipt of a test disable direction. Operating the test enable terminal, the semiconductor device cyclically outputs status information pieces without the need for initial setting and further, outputs only desired status information without interruption.
US09837024B2 Scan driving circuit and driving method thereof, array substrate and display apparatus
A scan driving circuit and a driving method thereof, an array substrate, and a display apparatus are disclosed. The scan driving circuit comprises: a first shift register (11) connected to one group of clock signals (CLKA) having a first clock cycle, and configured to output a first scanning signal (GA) progressively; a second shift register (12) connected to another group of clock signals (CLKB) having a second clock cycle, and configured to output a second scanning signal (GB) progressively; and a logic arithmetic device (13) connected to a first clock signal (CLK1) having a third clock cycle, connected to the first shift register (11) and the second shift register (12), and configured to output compensation signals (SC) of multiple rows; the compensation signal (SC) of any row has a wave shape the same as the first clock signal (CLK1) when a second scanning signal (GB) of a present row is at a first level, and has a wave shape the same as a first scanning signal (GA) of the present row when the second scanning signal (GB) of the present row is at a second level; and the third clock cycle is smaller than the second clock cycle. The scan driving circuit can be implemented by adding an appropriate circuit structure on the basis of the conventional GOA circuit, without manufacturing a driving chip on the external circuit board, so that the manufacturing process can be simplified, the process cost of products can be reduced, and integration level of the OLED panel can be raised.
US09837014B2 Method of driving organic light emitting diode display device
A method of driving an organic light emitting diode display device having first to third sub-pixels and a white sub-pixel comprises judging a gray level of an image data; classifying the image data into a low gray level group, a middle gray level group and a high gray level group; displaying an image using the first to third sub-pixels except the white sub-pixel when the gray level of the image data is classified into the low gray level group; and displaying the image using the first to third sub-pixels and the white sub-pixel when the gray level of the image data is classified into one of the middle and high gray level groups.
US09837012B2 Display device and electronic apparatus
A display device 10 includes are arranged in a matrix form and to which image information is input, and a signal processing unit 20. The signal processing unit 20 includes a rendering position deciding unit that decides whether or not a sub-pixel rendering process of changing input signal values of sub-pixels of a second pixel among a first pixel, the second pixel, and the third pixel is performed, a pattern information acquiring unit that acquires an arrangement of the sub-pixels in a processing direction of either of a portrait mode and a landscape mode as pattern information indicating a first arrangement pattern or a second arrangement pattern, and a rendering unit that performs a first sub-pixel rendering process or a second sub-pixel rendering process on the input signals of the sub-pixels of the second pixel based on the decision of the rendering position deciding unit and the pattern information.
US09837003B2 Free-standing vertical structures for displaying botanic media
A free-standing vertical structure is described including at least one wall structure having a plurality of live plants removably secured thereto. The wall structures may also include non-botanic media in combination with the plurality of plants such as traditional media, to form a new mixed media format for conveying information, herein referred to as botanic media. The plurality of plants may be configured to surround the non-botanic media to create a frame or border. The plants may also be arranged and configured to display information themselves. The non-botanic media and/or plants are configured on the wall structure to convey information readily perceivable by a passerby. The plants are preferably hydroponically-fed with nutrients and water from an irrigation system.
US09836990B2 System and method for evaluating cyber-attacks on aircraft
A system for evaluating a cyber-attack on an aircraft may include a display associated with the aircraft, a sensor system configured to generate sensor data for a pilot, and a data processing system configured to: (1) generate simulation data, (2) generate a flight simulation from the simulation data, (3) simulate the cyber-attack on at least one aircraft system during the flight simulation, (4) generate virtual flight data during the flight simulation, and (5) present the sensor data and the virtual flight data.
US09836989B2 Training data management method and related system
A training data management method and related system is disclosed comprising three integrated elements. A training data network may provide a network linking a remote instructor operating an off-board data network with a student operating an onboard data network. The remote instructor may, via the datalink connection, maintain a level of control of the data set available to the student. A method for providing training data may include an onboard and off-board safety monitor configured for perceiving a safety event and sending a notification thereof to an involved participant. A system for providing training data may include a data guard configured to monitor all communications between two networks and block sensitive information, training data, and classified communications between the networks.
US09836985B2 Systems and methods for automated scoring of textual responses to picture-based items
Systems and methods are provided for measuring a user's English language proficiency. A constructed response generated by a user is received, the constructed response being based on a picture. The constructed response is processed to determine a first numerical measure indicative of a presence of one or more grammar errors in the constructed response. The constructed response is processed to determine a second numerical measure indicative of a degree to which the constructed response describes a subject matter of the picture. The constructed response is processed to determine a third numerical measure indicative of a degree of awkward word usage in the constructed response. A model is applied to the first, second, and third numerical measures to determine a score for the constructed response indicative of the user's English language proficiency. The model includes first, second, and third variables with associated first, second, and third weighting factors, respectively.
US09836983B2 System and method for recording and playback of interactions on a computing device
A system and method for providing playback of interactions on a computing device. The system is configured to provide a user of a computing device with the capability of playing and/or recording walkthroughs on a user interface of the computing device, wherein the user is able to directly interact with the walkthrough and user interface in real- or near real-time during playback of the walkthrough. The walkthrough may be tutorial-based, such that the user may follow along with the walkthrough when attempting to answer a question or solve a problem via the user interface (e.g. classroom lesson on solving equations). The system is further configured to allow the user to record and generate a customized walkthrough.
US09836978B2 Parking assistance device
A parking assistance device includes: an acquisition unit that acquires a first distance between a vehicle and a first obstacle measured by a distance measuring unit and a second distance between the vehicle and a second obstacle measured by the distance measuring unit; a calculation unit that calculates an inter-objects distance between the first and second obstacles; and a generation unit that generates a guidance route for the vehicle such that each of the first and second distances become equal to or longer than a second reference distance which is shorter than a first reference distance that is a reference for safe travelling of the vehicle, when the vehicle is caused to move between the first and second obstacles and within the inter-objects distance and in a case where a condition is satisfied.
US09836977B1 Automated vehicle steering control system with lane position bias
A steering-control system for an automated vehicle includes an object-detector and a controller. The object-detector is suitable for use on a host-vehicle. The object-detector is used to detect an other-vehicle approaching the host-vehicle, and to detect a stationary-object that defines a roadway traveled by the host-vehicle. The controller is in communication with the object-detector and adapted to operate the host-vehicle. The controller is configured to steer the host-vehicle towards a centered-position of a travel-lane of the roadway when a projected-path of the other-vehicle approaches the host-vehicle to a minimum-distance between the other-vehicle and the host-vehicle greater than a distance-threshold. The controller is also configured to steer the host-vehicle towards a biased-position of the travel-lane to increase the minimum-distance when the projected-path approaches the host-vehicle to less than the distance-threshold if the host-vehicle remains in the centered-position.
US09836970B1 Vehicle positioning guide lights
A system that assists a driver with properly positioning a vehicle. Such systems may include an interface to information from vehicle sensor(s), light strip(s), and computing device(s) including one or more tangible computing elements. The computing device(s) may perform steps that include determining a position of the vehicle using the information from the vehicle sensor(s), and generating optical indication(s) using the light strip(s) of an action that the driver should take based on the position. In some aspects, the system is deployed in a carwash bay and assists the driver with properly positioning the vehicle in the carwash bay. The optical indication may be green light to indicate that the vehicle should be moved forward, blue light to indicate that the vehicle should be moved backward, and red light to indicate that the vehicle should be stopped. Also, associated methods.
US09836962B1 Determining abnormal traffic conditions from a broadcast of telematics data originating from another vehicle
A computer-implemented method of using telematics data at a destination device is provided. The destination device may be a mobile device associated with a driver, or a smart vehicle controller of a destination vehicle. The telematics data is generated by an originating mobile device (i) having a Telematics Application (or “App”), and (ii) associated with a second driver/vehicle, the telematics data including acceleration, braking, speed, heading, and location data associated with an originating vehicle. The telematics data may be broadcast from the originating mobile device to the destination device that (a) analyzes the telematics data received, (b) determines that an abnormal travel condition exists, and (c) automatically take corrective action that alleviates a negative impact of the abnormal travel condition on the destination vehicle to facilitate safer travel. A usage-based or other insurance discount may be provided based upon insured usage of the telematics data-based risk mitigation or prevention functionality.
US09836957B2 Method and apparatus for communicating with premises equipment
Aspects of the subject disclosure may include, for example, a system adapted for obtaining data from electromagnetic waves propagating in a transmission medium, and transmitting a plurality of wireless optical signals including the data responsive to determining that weather conditions are favorable for transmitting wireless optical signals, each wireless optical signal being directed to a different one of a plurality of communication devices. Other embodiments are disclosed.
US09836944B2 Geo-location services
A method for geo-location services is described. In one embodiment, the method includes monitoring a condition of a user at a location, identifying an emergency situation in relation to the user at the location, and upon identifying the emergency situation, sending a notification message to a predetermined contact, the notification message comprising a temporary code to unlock a door lock at the location within a predetermined time period.
US09836943B1 Floating apparatus for alerting people of the presence of voltage in water
A floating apparatus for alerting people of the presence of voltage in water. When the floating apparatus is placed in water and in an active state, it detects when at least a threshold level of voltage is present in the water and generates an alert signal in response to detecting the threshold level of voltage is present. The floating apparatus may detect the threshold level of voltage is present without requiring that a ground wire be connected between an electrical circuit of the floating apparatus and a fixed structure exterior of the water such as soil surrounding the water.
US09836941B2 Heavy equipment proximity alert system
A proximity alert system for tracking one or more persons in proximity of heavy equipment is provided. The proximity alert system includes a database configured to store identifying data and an identification code of an asset in a worksite, one or more beacons configured to transmit a low energy transmission including an identification code, and one or more receiving units attached to one or more pieces within a worksite configured to detect and transmit data related to the one or more beacons to the database. When an asset is detected as being in dangerous proximity to a piece of equipment, an alert is emitted from the receiving unit.
US09836937B2 Sensor system, sensor, and detachment tool
This sensor system includes: a sensor that is provided with a sensor cover having an opening formed on one end and a sensor main body which is detachably disposed on an inner portion of the sensor cover; and a detachment tool used to detach the sensor main body from the sensor cover, wherein the sensor includes an attachment structure used to attach the sensor main body to the inner portion of the sensor cover, the detachment tool includes a detachment structure used to detach the sensor main body from the inner portion of the sensor cover, and in the detachment structure, by pushing the detachment tool into the sensor main body from the opening of the sensor cover, the sensor main body is detached from the inner portion of the sensor cover.
US09836923B2 Ordering lottery tickets using mobile devices
A mobile application or mobile website allows a user of a mobile device to make player selections associated with the order of a lottery ticket. The mobile device then displays a machine-readable code image. When a lottery retailer scans the image, the code conveys the lottery ticket order to the retail system, allowing the retailer to sell lottery tickets corresponding with the order. The mobile application or website may record player selections for reuse, record purchased tickets to report lottery status to the player, and assist the player in locating a lottery retailer. Further, a lottery image ticket may be transmitted to the user's mobile device or to an account which can be accessed through the user's mobile device. The lottery image ticket can then be presented to the retailer equipment for winnings check and redemption.
US09836918B2 Remote configuration of gaming terminals
A gaming terminal data repository (GTDR) for storing game software components and transaction information for gaming machine and gaming terminals is disclosed. A system database is partitioned according to different gaming entities allowing game software component configurations of particular gaming terminals to be easily analyzed and modified. Game software components for gaming terminals connected to the GTDR may be automatically updated using various triggers. System gaming machines may utilize a combination of game software components residing on the gaming machine and those received from the GTDR. A library of preset gaming terminal configurations can be stored at the system database, where each such preset configuration includes specific settings for each of a plurality of gaming terminal setting categories. Gaming terminals can be configured remotely using the GTDR, and possibly one or more of the stored preset gaming terminal configurations.
US09836916B2 Player-controlled volatility in gaming equipment
A method and apparatus for playing a wagering game on a gaming apparatus enables different paytables and related volatility wagers on at least one of an underlying wagering game and a side bet wager against a paytable. The method allows a player placing a wager on the underlying wagering game; and the player placing a wager on the side bet. The method further allows providing a physical random event outcome in the underlying wagering game on which both the underlying game and the side bet are based. At least one of the wager on the underlying wagering game and the wager on the side bet is made on at least one of two available wagers having differing volatilities from each other.
US09836915B2 Electronic gaming machine and gaming method
An electronic gaming machine includes a display for displaying a game including game symbols arranged into an array of predetermined game positions. An electronic game controller designates at least one of the predetermined game positions as a special game position in the array such that a special symbol appearing in the special game position in a play of the game causes the electronic game controller to award a game enhancing element to the player. The special game position is visually indicated on the array to the player during the play by a graphical element associated with the special game position. A gaming method is also provided.
US09836911B2 Gaming system and a method of gaming
A gaming system is disclosed which comprises a game controller arranged to selectively implement one of a plurality of games in response to player input, and a denomination selector arranged to facilitate selection by a player of a bet denomination, each game being associated with at least one bet denomination, and wherein at least one bet denomination of at least one of the games is different to at least one bet denomination of at least one of the other games. A corresponding method is also disclosed.
US09836906B2 Time synchronization
A method having the steps of obtaining temporal information communicated to a first device; carrying out one or more of the following tests: a test to determine whether the first device is in a state following an initial operation, a battery replacement or other power outage, or a reset, a test to determine whether a deviation between temporal information of the clock and the communicated temporal information is less than or equal to a threshold which is specified, and a test to determine whether the communicated temporal information has the same date as the temporal information of the clock; and synchronizing the clock using the communicated temporal information if all of one or more defined conditions are satisfied, wherein one of the one or more conditions requires that at least one of the one or more tests carried out has a positive result.
US09836897B2 Lockbox access device and method with biometric security data
A lockbox access apparatus comprising a wireless communications device having a stored program configured to: cause the wireless communications device to communicate an access request to a lockbox; and receive lockbox identifying information from the lockbox. The wireless communication device is further configured to: record biometric identifying information of an individual; take entry from a user of non-biometric identifying information of the individual; and transmit the lockbox identifying information, the biometric identifying information, and the non-biometric identifying information to a remote destination.
US09836895B1 Simulating virtual objects
An autonomous vehicle is tested using virtual objects. The autonomous vehicle is maneuvered, by one or more computing devices, the autonomous vehicle in an autonomous driving mode. Sensor data is received corresponding to objects in the autonomous vehicle's environment, and virtual object data is received corresponding to a virtual object in the autonomous vehicle's environment. The virtual object represents a real object that is not in the vehicle's environment. The autonomous vehicle is maneuvered based on both the sensor data and the virtual object data. Information about the maneuvering of the vehicle based on both the sensor data and the virtual object data may be logged and analyzed.
US09836883B2 Systems and methods for fitting product
Systems and methods are disclosed for fitting a subject by generating one or more 3D deformable models for an anatomical portion; capturing images of a user anatomical portion and a reference object using a mobile camera; generating an updated model of the user anatomical portion by selecting a closest 3D deformable model to the user anatomical portion and matching points on the closest 3D deformable model to one or more predetermined points on the user anatomical portion; and selecting a best-fit product from a plurality of product variations based on the 3D model.
US09836878B2 System, method, and computer program product for processing primitive specific attributes generated by a fast geometry shader
A system, method, and computer program product are provided for processing primitive-specific attributes. A portion of a graphics processor is determined to operate in a fast geometry shader mode and a vertex associated with a set of per-vertex attributes is determined to be a shared vertex. The shared vertex is determined to be a non-provoking vertex corresponding to a first primitive that is associated with a first set of per-primitive attributes and the shared vertex is determined to be a provoking vertex corresponding to a second primitive that is associated with a second set of per-primitive attributes. Only one set of the per-vertex attributes associated with the shared vertex is stored and only one of the second set of per-primitive attributes associated with the second primitive is stored.
US09836877B2 Hardware accelerated simulation of atmospheric scattering
A method and system may include a hardware texture unit having logic to receive parameters of a view ray for a pixel of a graphical scene, and determine an illumination of the view ray. The illumination, which could indicate an in-scatter illumination percentage for the view ray, may be passed to a software module such as a pixel shader for rendering of the pixel.
US09836873B2 Analysis and manipulation of panoramic surround views
Various embodiments of the present invention relate generally to systems and methods for analyzing and manipulating images and video. According to particular embodiments, the spatial relationship between multiple images and video is analyzed together with location information data, for purposes of creating a representation referred to herein as a surround view. In particular embodiments, a surround view can be generated by combining a panoramic view of an object with a panoramic view of a distant scene, such that the object panorama is placed in a foreground position relative to the distant scene panorama. Such combined panoramas can enhance the interactive and immersive viewing experience of the surround view.
US09836863B2 Method and system for visualization of athletes
A system and method for receiving positional data corresponding to stages of movement of a person within a time interval, determining from the positional data, at each stage of movement, one of: a position, an orientation, and a pose of the person, and based on the one of the position, the orientation, and the pose of the person determined for each stage of movement, generating a visualization graphic, separate from a display of the person, that illustrates one of the positions, orientations, and poses of the person at the stages of movement within the time interval.
US09836859B2 Wide X-ray spectrum photon counting computed tomography
A computed tomography (CT) imaging apparatus includes a radiation source configured to emit X-rays; a plurality of photon-counting detectors configured to detect X-rays emitted by the radiation source and generate a photon counting signal based on the detected X-rays; and processing circuitry to obtain a kV-waveform used by the radiation source to generate the X-rays during a scan of an object, and adjust at least one energy threshold dividing the photon counting signal into a plurality of spectra bins in accordance with the obtained kV-waveform.
US09836856B2 Color name generation from images and color palettes
Systems and methods are provided for generating color names for colors corresponding to images and/or palettes. A color image is obtained, and one or more color palettes corresponding to the color image are identified. The color palette may be generated based on palette generation criteria, which may facilitate or control a palette generation process. Illustratively, the palette generation process may include image pre-processing, color distribution generation, representative color identification, palette candidate generation, and palette determination. A color name for each color identified in the color palette and/or the color image can be identified based at least in part on color name popularity information. Color name popularity information may be identified from color name-related voting results provided by a social network site. Aspects of the disclosure are further directed to processing the identified color name(s), such as updating color name metadata associated with the original color image and/or the color palette.
US09836853B1 Three-dimensional convolutional neural networks for video highlight detection
A three-dimensional convolutional neural network may include a preliminary layer group, one or more intermediate layer groups, a final layer group, and/or other layers/layer groups. The preliminary layer group may include an input layer, a preliminary three-dimensional padding layer, a preliminary three-dimensional convolution layer, a preliminary activation layer, a preliminary normalization layer, and a preliminary downsampling layer. One or more intermediate layer groups may include an intermediate three-dimensional squeeze layer, a first intermediate normalization layer, an intermediate three-dimensional padding layer, a first intermediate three-dimensional expand layer, a second intermediate three-dimensional expand layer, an intermediate concatenation layer, a second intermediate normalization layer, an intermediate activation layer, and an intermediate combination layer. The final layer group may include a final dropout layer, a final three-dimensional convolution layer, a final activation layer, a final normalization layer, a final three-dimensional downsampling layer, and a final flatten layer.
US09836852B2 System and method to stabilize display of an object tracking box
A method includes receiving first data defining a first bounding box for a first image of a sequence of images. The first bounding box corresponds to a region of interest including a tracked object. The method also includes receiving object tracking data for a second image of the sequence of images, the object tracking data defining a second bounding box. The second bounding box corresponds to the region of interest including the tracked object in the second image. The method further includes determining a similarity metric for first pixels within the first bounding box and search pixels within each of multiple search bounding boxes. Search coordinates of each of the search bounding boxes correspond to second coordinates of the second bounding box shifted in one or more directions. The method also includes determining a modified second bounding box based on the similarity metric.
US09836851B2 Apparatus and method for detecting multiple objects using adaptive block partitioning
An apparatus for detecting multiple objects using adaptive block partitioning is disclosed. An object contour extracting unit configured to extract a contour information of an object using a local binary pattern LBP and difference image between adjacent images. An adaptive block partitioning unit configured to perform a block partitioning of an object not overlapped based on the extracted contour information. A motion quantization unit configured to calculate a motion orientation histogram MOH of the object by performing N-directional quantization about a motion vector. An object detection unit configured to detect the object using a block of the partitioned object, the contour information and the MOH, and estimate a moving direction of the object after performing labeling the detected object. The apparatus may process effectively data through eight-directional quantization of a motion vector of an object using motion information provided in advance from an ISP chip, detect proper area of the object in the unit of a block with minimizing motion error of the object through the block with adaptive size and orientation histogram, and estimate simultaneously moving direction of the object with the detection of the object.
US09836841B2 System and method for packaged medicament inspection
A unit-dose medicament inspection system and method provide for the obtainment of an image of a receptacle after a corresponding filling operation in which a predetermined unit-dose medicament was to have been located in the receptacle. The image may be processed to extract image data that may be compared with stored data corresponding with a predetermined unit-dose medicament. Size, configuration and other features of objects located within a receptacle may be included with the extracted image data and compared with corresponding stored data to determine whether a given receptacle includes the intended medicament and/or whether the medicament located within the receptacle is an acceptable condition. Receptacle attributes may also be inspected for compliance with predetermined configuration parameters.
US09836838B2 Statistical mapping in an optoacoustic imaging system
Electromagnetic energy is deposited into a volume, an acoustic return signal from energy deposited in the volume is measured, and a parametric map that estimates values of at least one parameter as spatially represented in the volume is computed. A reference level of a region of interest is determined, and upper and lower color map limits are specified, with at least one of them being determined in relation to the reference level. The parametric map is then rendered in the palette of a color map by mapping the estimated values of the parametric map onto the color map according to the color map limits. Two wavelengths of energy can be applied to the volume, and the parametric map computation can be adapted by applying an implicit or explicit model of, or theoretical basis for, distribution of electromagnetic energy fluence within the volume pertaining to the two wavelengths. The actual electromagnetic energy fluence caused by each wavelength has a propensity, due to variability within the volume, to differ from the modeled or theoretical electromagnetic energy fluence.
US09836835B2 Imaging apparatus for diagnosis, information processing apparatus, and control method thereof, program thereof, and computer-readable storage medium thereof
A technique is disclosed for helping prevent image quality of a three-dimensional image from becoming poor due to fluctuations in the rotation speed of an imaging core. For this purpose, if data is obtained from the imaging core by moving and rotating the imaging core, a cross-sectional image is generated at each movement position. Then, a direction where a guidewire is present in each of the cross-sectional images is detected. An angular difference between the direction of the detected guidewire and a preset direction is obtained so as to rotate each of the cross-sectional images in accordance with the angular difference. Then, the cross-sectional images which are previously rotated in this way are connected to one another, thereby generating the three-dimensional image.
US09836832B2 Method and device for evaluating quality of video in time domain on terminal side
Disclosed are a method and device for valuating quality of a video in a time domain on a terminal side. The method comprises that: a significant movement area proportion of each video frame is calculated, video frames are divided into absolute regular frames and suspected distorted frames according to the significant movement area proportion of each video frame; a frozen frame detection, a scenario-conversion frame detection, a jitter frame detection, and a ghosting frame detection are performed on the suspected distorted frames; the video is split into scenarios according to the result of the scenario-conversion frame detection, scenario information weight of each scenario is calculated, and the quality of the video in time domain on the terminal side is determined. The disclosure increases the closeness of the evaluation result to subjective perception, expands an evaluation system of time domain distortions of the video, and reduces the probability of misjudgments.
US09836827B2 Method, apparatus and computer program product for reducing chromatic aberrations in deconvolved images
In an example embodiment, method, apparatus and computer program product are provided. The method includes facilitating receipt of a deconvolved image including a plurality of component images. A guide image is selected from the component images and a cross-filtering is performed of component images other than the guide image to generate filtered component images. The cross-filtering is performed of a component image by iteratively performing, selecting a pixel and a set of neighboring pixels around the pixel in the guide image, computing a set of weights corresponding to the set of neighboring pixels based at least on spatial differences between the pixel and the set of neighboring pixels, and cross-filtering a corresponding pixel of the pixel in the component image based on the set of weights to generate a filtered corresponding pixel in the component image. The filtered component images form a filtered deconvolved image with reduced chromatic aberration.
US09836822B2 Method and technical equipment for image processing
The invention relates to a method and technical means for rotating an original image in an image frame by an angle to have a rotated image in said image frame, wherein said image frame comprising said rotated image having empty corners lacking image data; comparing the rotated image to the original image to identify remaining corners; adding content of the remaining corners to the empty corners of the image frame comprising said rotated image.
US09836819B1 Systems and methods for selective retention and editing of images captured by mobile image capture device
The present disclosure provides an image capture, curation, and editing system that includes a resource-efficient mobile image capture device that continuously captures images. The mobile image capture device is operable to input an image into at least one neural network and to receive at least one descriptor of the desirability of a scene depicted by the image as an output of the at least one neural network. The mobile image capture device is operable to determine, based at least in part on the at least one descriptor of the desirability of the scene of the image, whether to store a second copy of such image and/or one or more contemporaneously captured images in a non-volatile memory of the mobile image capture device or to discard a first copy of such image from a temporary image buffer without storing the second copy of such image in the non-volatile memory.
US09836815B2 Display method, display device and display system
A display device comprises a timing controller (TCON), a scaler, a buffer and a comparator; the comparator is used for comparing whether pixel data of a current frame image from the scaler are identical with pixel data stored in the buffer or not; in the case where the comparison result is “identical”, the scaler enters an off-operating state; and the TCON is used for acquiring pixel data of the current frame image to be displayed and outputting the pixel data for display. A display method and a display system for the display device are provided as well.
US09836811B2 Memory control device, mobile terminal, and computer-readable recording medium for controlling writing and reading of data to frame memory
A memory control device of the present invention comprises a reset control section (32) for (i) suspending, at a time point where rp overtakes wp or wp overtakes rp or a time point immediately before that time point, a reading operation of data, and (ii) conducting again, at a predetermined time point where reading is to be resumed, the reading operation of the data from a position at which the reading operation has been started in a frame memory (31).
US09836797B2 Estate disposition modeling
A system and computer-implemented method for modeling estate disposition are disclosed. One embodiment receives balance sheet inputs, estate planning document inputs and timing/event inputs. Conveyance and tax logic are applied to the inputs. Flowcharts illustrating the disposition of the estate based on the inputs are generated. Tax and liquidity analysis based on the inputs are also generated.
US09836794B2 Computer system and method for detecting questionable service providers
A computer system includes a data storage module. The data storage module receives, stores, and provides access to data related to payment requests submitted to an insurance company by service providers. The data storage module is coupled to a computer processor. Also coupled to the computer processor are a program memory, an input device and an output device. The input device is used to input information to identify a first service provider. The display device is used to display data about other service providers who are associated with the same insurance claims as the first service provider. The data displayed about the other service providers includes taxpayer identification numbers (TINs).
US09836789B2 Method and system for generating and operating hybrid markets and user-defined marketplaces
A system is provided for facilitating trading of financial instruments, comprising: (i) a requester module configured to obtain request for quotation (RFQ) information from one or more requesting users, the RFQ information comprising terms of a request for quotation; (ii) a responder module operatively connected to the requester module, the responder module configured to obtain response information from one or more responding users; (iii) a contract generation module operatively connected to the requester module and the responder module, wherein the contract generation module is configured to generate contracts to trade financial instruments based on the RFQ information and the response information; (iii) an interface module operatively connected to the requester module, the responder module, and the contract generation model, wherein the interface module is configured obtain order information based on the contracts trade financial instruments, from one or more qualifying users; and (iv) a transaction module configured to execute trades based on the contracts to trade financial instruments.
US09836787B1 Method and system for secure syndicated balance display
One or more financial accounts associated with a user are designated for balance monitoring and balance display. Balance increments are then defined and a unique balance indicator image, symbol, or display, is associated with each defined balance increment. One or more websites, and/or applications, are then designated to display the balance indicator images, symbols, or displays, and whenever one of the designated websites or applications is accessed, data indicating a current balance in the designated one or more financial accounts is obtained. The current balance amount is then encoded using the appropriate balance indicator image, symbol, or display, and the appropriate balance indicator image, symbol, or display, is displayed on a display device associated with the user computing system as part of, on, in, or through, the accessed designated website or application.
US09836785B2 Auctioning of announcements
An announcement distributor distributes, or auctions an opportunity to distribute, an announcement to an announcement recipient such as a consumer, issuer, merchant, or acquirer within a payment processing system. The announcement when there has been a satisfaction of an announcement condition, such as the consumer being determined to be located within a predetermined spatial zone. The content of the announcement may, in turn, facilitate a subsequent cashless transaction for resources of merchants. Implementations describe various permutations of the content of the announcement, the announcement condition, and the announcement recipient.
US09836781B2 System and method for presenting a sales demonstration using a pool/spa controller user interface
A system and method for presenting a sales demonstration using a user interface of a pool/spa controller is provided. A first device includes a system controller user interface and sends data to a second device. The second device processes the data to present a media presentation which exhibits systems, associated features, and their ability to be controlled via a controller. A user can control pool and/or spa equipment using the first device, and the user's input can guide a presentation on the second device, which demonstrates corresponding features of such equipment. As such, the natural connections among a user, a controller, and an associated feature are demonstrated in a sales-effective manner. Additionally, the first device can present a user with a simulation of a control system interface to allow for effective sales of products.
US09836764B2 Electronic device and computer product
The present invention provides an electronic device and computer program product, and the computer program product includes an application that is loaded into the electronic device to perform the method as follows. After a user logs into his account, the selected mobile advertisement is accepted and then played; when the mobile advertisement is selected or played, it offers a record of promotion information to be stored in the user account, the promotion information includes at least one of the following: points, a voucher, and a discount coupon, in which the point is utilized to redeem goods. At least one photo of the user account is selected, so that the portable printer can print this photo through a wireless transmission unit of the electronic device.
US09836762B1 Automatic assignment of media content items to digital signage device based on comparison between demographic information collected at digital signage device and media content metadata
In certain aspects, a media content management and deployment system is provided. A data store stores content metadata associated with media content items and specifying a target demographic of each of the media content items. A demographic information server obtains first demographic data specifying a first demographic in a first timeslot at a location of a first signage device, predicts a second demographic in a second timeslot at the location based on the first demographic data, wherein the second timeslot is subsequent to the first timeslot, and generates second demographic data specifying the second demographic. When a deployment module obtains the second demographic data, the deployment module compares the content metadata with the second demographic data, selects a media content item from the plurality of media content items based on the comparison, and sends a media item identification identifying the selected media content to the first signage device.
US09836754B2 Evaluating coincident interaction indicators
Disclosed are embodiments for determining the impact of one or more latent factors on user interaction metrics based at least in part on an impact model. The embodiments identify a value for a user interaction metric, the user interaction metric measuring interaction with content and identify an impact for a latent factor on the user interaction metric, the impact determined based at least in part on a model providing a relationship between the user interaction metric and the latent factor. Additionally, embodiments may involve adjusting an attribute of the electronically provided content based at least in part on the impact of the latent factor on the user interaction metric.
US09836750B2 Validation in serialization flow
An example apparatus may include a processor and a memory device including computer program code. The memory device and the computer program code may, with the processor, cause the apparatus to receive serialization codes for a first entity in a serialization flow; compare serialization codes for the first entity to serialization codes for a second entity, the second entity being either upstream or downstream of the first entity in the serialization flow; and validating the serialization codes from the first entity by determining if the serialization codes for the first entity are compatible with the serialization codes for the second entity in the serialization flow.
US09836743B2 Systems and methods to register merchants for data processing in an electronic transaction system
A user interface to register merchants. The user interface is configured to allow a merchant to search and identify a set of transaction parameters that are used in authorization and/or settlement messages of payment transactions initiated for a store of the merchant and allow the merchant to obtain a store identifier representing the set of transaction parameters. The store identifier, for example, can be used to label offers of the store of the merchant. Thus, whether or not an authorization or settlement message transmitted in the payment processing network for a payment transaction is for the store can be determined based on whether or not the transaction parameters in the message match with the set of transaction parameters represented by the store identifier.
US09836731B2 Induction based transaction at a transaction server
A method and system for conducting an online payment transaction through a point of sale device. The method includes receiving input from a user selecting an item for purchase through the point of sale device; calculating a total purchase amount for the item in response to a request from the user to purchase the item; and sending payment authorization for the total purchase amount from the point of sale device to a payment entity, in which the payment authorization is sent to the payment entity via a mobile communication device of the user. The method further includes receiving a result of the payment authorization from the payment entity through the mobile communication device; and completing the payment transaction based on the result of the payment authorization.
US09836729B2 Media software navigation with conditional links
The systems and methods described herein are directed toward launching a third party application in a media center module using a conditional link. The media center module is configured to enable the third party application to register with the module and to associate a primary link that serves as the entry point for the application. The media center module also enables the third party application to provide a conditional link that serves as the entry point when a certain condition is met. Under normal circumstances, the media center module provides the primary link as the entry point for a user to launch the third party application. When the media center module receives a notification from the third party application to use the conditional link, the media center application causes the conditional link to be the entry point for the application. Thus, the use of conditional link enables a third party application to specify how the application is launched from the media center module under different conditions.
US09836728B1 Systems and methods for point of sale deposits
The disclosed embodiments include systems and methods for executing a point of sale deposit. In one embodiment, a system may include one or more memory devices storing software instructions, and one or more processors configured to execute the software instructions to receive deposit information related to a point of sale deposit from a mobile device, and generate a deposit token retaining at least the deposit information and deposit authorization information. The one or more processors may also be configured to transmit the deposit token to the mobile device for displaying a readable code generated based on the deposit token, receive a point of sale deposit authorization notification from the merchant device indicating at least receipt by the merchant device of the deposit token from the mobile device, and transfer funds to a financial service account based on the received deposit information and authorization notification.
US09836717B2 Inventory tracking system classification strategy
A vehicle may include a passive entry system that unlocks the vehicle upon authenticating a fob in a vicinity of the vehicle. The passive entry system further recognizes the vehicle is approaching a restrictive geographic location within which at least one proscribed item is prohibited, receives item data indicative of items located within the vehicle, and provides output indicating whether any of the items is a proscribed item for the restrictive geographic location.
US09836711B2 Job execution system, job execution program, and job execution method
In order to reduce the load of an approval process when approval is required to execute computation jobs using computer resources, the job execution system according to the present invention groups multiple computation jobs and then requests approval in units of groups, and when approval with respect to a group is obtained, all of the computation jobs included in that group are treated as having obtained approval.
US09836707B2 Visual pathfinder for product structure recursions
A system and method to identify recursion in a virtual product structure. Initially, the virtual product structure is analyzed to identify the existence of a recursion. Once a recursion is identified, a graphical representation of the virtual product structure is generated and displayed to graphically exposure the recursion. Other embodiments are also described and claimed.
US09836693B2 Using cohorts in a question answering system
A cohort analysis mechanism analyzes cohorts with similar attributes to extrapolate additional knowledge and answer a question in a question answering system. The cohort analysis mechanism identifies cohorts for an entity of the question and extracts relevant data concerning the cohorts. The cohort analysis mechanism aggregates the relevant information for evidence scoring and answer scoring to answer a question posed to the question answering system. The aggregating of the data includes combining and ranking answers from the cohorts, gathering evidence and then answering the question with the gathered evidence.
US09836685B1 RFID tags for on- and off-metal applications
In one embodiment, a radio-frequency identification (RFID) tag including a substrate having a top surface, bottom surface, opposed end surfaces, and opposed lateral surfaces, a passive RFID integrated circuit (IC) chip mounted to the top surface of the substrate, a monopole antenna that includes a planar radiating arm that extends out from the RFID IC chip along the top surface of the substrate and a matching loop having two grounded matching stubs that surround the chip and a portion of the radiating arm, and a ground plane formed on the bottom surface, an end surface, and the top surface of the substrate, the ground plane being electrically coupled to the matching stubs and the radiating arm.
US09836680B1 Systems and methods for advanced communication mechanisms for magnetic cards and devices
A card may detect variations (e.g., position, velocity, acceleration and direction) of a read head in relation to the card. Based on certain parameters (e.g., card length, initially detected read head position, and read head velocity) the card may change communicated bit parameters (e.g., bit period) so that a total number of data bits may be communicated by the card to the read head while the read head remains within a communication distance of the card.
US09836677B2 Print controlling apparatus and computer-readable recording medium storing print control program
A print controller includes a communication section configured to communicate with a printer, a communication controlling section configured to request transmission of a transmission command for acquiring response data to the printer, and a printing data processing section configured to process printing data on a host-based system and transmit the processed printing data to the printer via the communication section. During communication on the host-based system, the printing data processing section transmits the transmission command to the printer via the communication section and acquires the response data returned from the printer in response to the transmission command. The communication controlling section processes the acquired response data as response data corresponding to the transmission command.
US09836673B2 System, method and computer program product for training a three dimensional object indentification system and identifying three dimensional objects using semantic segments
A method of training an object identification system and identifying three dimensional objects using semantic segments includes receiving, into a non-volatile memory, an input file containing a geometric description of a three dimensional object having one or more semantic segments and one or more annotations for each of the one or more semantic segments, receiving, into the non-volatile memory one or more training images of the three dimensional object, identifying, through a processor, the one or more segments in the one or more training images, computing, through a training module, one or more descriptors to the one or more segments, and generating an output file representing a machine vision of the three dimensional object.
US09836670B2 Image processing device for computing an initial phase having magnitude and direction based on image processing information
A image processing method includes computing an initial phase corresponding to a difference between a position of a first pixel of an input image and a position of a first pixel of an output image using at least one of scaling ratio information between the input and output images, chroma subsampling format conversion information applied between the input and output images, or rotation angle information of the input image, and determining the position of the first pixel of the output image based on the initial phase and the position of the first pixel of the input image.
US09836669B2 Generating a reference digital image based on an indicated time frame and searching for other images using the reference digital image
A digital image and a text string is received. The text string can be processed to identify at least a time frame and determine whether the time frame is a future time frame or a past time frame. How at least one element of the first digital image will change or has changed during the time frame can be predicted. At least one reference digital image can be generated, the reference digital image including at least one change to the at least one element corresponding to how the at least one element will change or has changed during the time frame. The reference digital image to each of a plurality of other digital images. A correlation parameter can be assigned to each of the plurality of other digital images. A portion of the plurality of other digital images having highest correlation parameters can be output for presentation to a user.
US09836664B1 Method and system for identifying and addressing imaging artifacts to enable a software system to provide financial services based on an image of a financial document
A method and system identifies and addresses imaging artifacts in an image of a financial document to enable a software system to provide financial services based on the image of the financial document. The method and system receive document image data, extract image features from the document image data, and apply the image features to an analytics model to generate an image classification, according to one embodiment. The method and system use the image classification to determine whether the document image data contains one or more particular image artifacts (e.g., Moiré patterns), according to one embodiment. If the software system determines that it is likely that the document image data contains one or more particular image artifacts, then the software system applies a filter (e.g., a median filter) to the document image data to reduce and/or remove the one or more particular image artifacts, according to one embodiment.
US09836660B2 Vision-based wet road surface condition detection using tire tracks
A method of determining a wet surface condition of a road. An image of a road surface is captured by an image capture device of the host vehicle. The image capture device is mounted on a side of the host vehicle and an image is captured in a downward direction. A region of interest is identified in the captured image by a processor. The region of interest is in a region rearward of a tire of a host vehicle. The region of interest is representative of where a tire track as generated by the tire rotating on the road when the road surface is wet. A determination is made whether water is present in the region of interest as a function of identifying the tire track. A wet road surface signal is generated in response to the identification of water in the region of interest.
US09836659B2 Vehicle-mounted image recognition apparatus and method of manufacturing the same
In a vehicle-mounted image recognition apparatus, a resolution of an image projected on an imaging plane of an image sensor is different at a position away from a center between a circumferential direction and a radial direction. To make a circumferential resolution higher than a radial resolution, at least a lower half of the imaging plane is located closer to a circumferential focus than a middle of a radial focus and the circumferential focus at a position off the optical axis center of the image projected on the image sensor through the image-forming optical system. This is achieved by adjusting the position of the imaging plane when manufacturing or by selecting a lens with high circumferential resolution. This apparatus improves recognition accuracy in recognizing traffic lanes without using an expensive lens exhibiting high resolution both in the circumferential direction and in the radial direction.
US09836654B1 Surgical tracking and procedural map analysis tool
In some embodiments, methods and systems are provided for accessing a surgical dataset including surgical data collected during performance of a surgical procedure. The surgical data can include video data of the surgical procedure. Using the surgical data, a plurality of procedural states associated with the surgical procedure can be determined. For a procedural state of the plurality of procedural states, temporal information can be identified that identifies a part of the video data to be associated with the procedural state. For the procedural state of the plurality of procedural states, electronic data can be generated that characterizes the part of the video data and outputting the electronic data associated with the plurality of procedural states.
US09836653B2 Systems and methods for capturing images and annotating the captured images with information
The present teachings provide an autonomous mobile robot that includes a drive configured to maneuver the robot over a ground surface within an operating environment; a camera mounted on the robot having a field of view including the floor adjacent the mobile robot in the drive direction of the mobile robot; a frame buffer that stores image frames obtained by the camera while the mobile robot is driving; and a memory device configured to store a learned data set of a plurality of descriptors corresponding to pixel patches in image frames corresponding to portions of the operating environment and determined by mobile robot sensor events.
US09836649B2 Eye imaging in head worn computing
Aspects of the present invention relate to methods and systems for imaging, recognizing, and tracking of a user's eye that is wearing a HWC. Aspects further relate to the processing of images reflected from the user's eye and controlling displayed content in accordance therewith. Aspects further relate to determining health conditions of the user based on eye imaging technologies.
US09836640B2 Face detector training method, face detection method, and apparatuses
A face detector training method, a face detection method, and apparatuses are provided. In the present invention, during a training phase, a flexible block based local binary pattern feature and a corresponding second classifier are constructed, appropriate second classifiers are searched for to generate multiple first classifiers, and multiple layers of first classifiers that are obtained by using a cascading method form a final face detector; and during a detection phase, face detection is performed on a to-be-detected image by using a first classifier or a face detector that is learned during a training process, so that a face is differentiated from a non-face, and a face detection result is combined and output.
US09836639B2 Systems and methods of light modulation in eye tracking devices
An image of a user's eyes and face may be analyzed using computer-vision algorithms. A computing device may use the image to determine the location of the user's eyes and estimate the direction in which the user is looking. The eye tracking technology may be used in a wide range of lighting conditions and with many different and varying light levels. When a user is near a light source, an automatic exposure feature in the camera may result in the user's face and eyes appearing too dark in the image, possibly reducing the likelihood of face and eye detection. Adjusting attributes such as the camera exposure time and the intensity and illumination interval of the light sources based on motion and light levels may improve detection of a user's features.
US09836634B2 Ultraviolet fluorescent barcode reading method and device
An ultraviolet fluorescent barcode reading method and device, the reading method comprising the following steps: S1, irradiating an invisible ultraviolet fluorescent barcode via an ultraviolet light source and activating the invisible ultraviolet fluorescent barcode to be visible; S2, acquiring the image of the barcode activated to be visible; S3, filtering and decoding the barcode image to obtain corresponding barcode information; S4, outputting the barcode information. The reading method reads the invisible ultraviolet fluorescent barcode via a color filter, thus improving the convenience for reading.
US09836633B2 Dendritic structures and tags
The disclosure features dendritic tags, and methods and systems for fabricating and using such tags. The methods can include obtaining at least one image of a dendritic tag attached to an article, analyzing the at least one image to identify a set of features associated with the dendritic tag, and comparing the set of features to stored information to identify the article.
US09836630B2 System for and method of rapidly determining true bearings of radio frequency identification (RFID) tags associated with items in a controlled area
An RFID tag reading system and method accurately and rapidly determine true bearings of RFID tags associated with items in a controlled area. An RFID reader has an array of antenna elements and a plurality of RF transceivers. A controller controls the transceivers by steering a primary transmit beam over the controlled area to each tag, by steering a primary receive beam at a primary steering angle from each tag, by steering a plurality of secondary receive beams at different secondary steering angles that are offset from the primary steering angle by receiving secondary receive signals from each tag, and by processing the secondary receive signals to determine a true bearing for each tag. Bidirectional communication between the reader and a tag is conducted over a single inventory round in which the tag is read a plurality of times by the primary and the secondary receive beams.
US09836627B2 Event based interrogation zone tracking system for product samples
The invention provides a temporary installation of a system of RFID-based terminals and user-worn RFID devices within an event interrogation zone. At an event, terminals are located within, and associated with, vendor booths erected in the interrogation zone. User RFID devices are issued to users wishing to enter the interrogation zone. Each user RFID device includes an element worn by the user, and an attached or embedded RFID tag with a stored unique UserID. Products for sampling have unique ProductIDs. The terminals are programmed for: (1) retrieving the UserID when the user enters the vendor booth; (2) retrieving a ProductID of a product sampled by the user; and (3) retrieving the UserID when the user leaves the vendor booth. The UserID and timestamps of entry, departure, and ProductIDs of products sampled are communicated to a server. The system allows tracking of products sampled and user behavior during an event.
US09836626B1 Payment card detection for card reader
Aspects of the technology provide a card reader for facilitating a financial transaction between a buyer and a merchant. In some implementations, the card reader includes an audio plug configured to provide a communicative coupling between the card reader and a smartphone device, and a read head communicatively coupled to the audio plug, the read head being configured to read financial information from a payment card for processing a transfer of funds from the buyer to the merchant. In certain implementations, the card reader further includes a switch coupled to the audio plug, wherein the switch is configured to close in response to the presence of the payment card to enable communication between the card reader and the smartphone via the audio plug.
US09836615B2 Music-content using apparatus capable of managing copying of music content, and program therefor
When new music content is generated on the basis of replication of original music content, additional information including information indicating that the generated new music content is based on replication and replication source information identifying a replicated-from source of the replicated content is generated and added to the new music content based on the replication. When the new (i.e., replicated) music content is to be used, a search is made for original music content on the basis of information identifying a replicated-from source and use of the new (replicated) music content is permitted only when the c original music content has been successfully found. Such arrangements reliably allow the replicated content to be used by a given person only when the person possesses the original music content.
US09836614B2 Detecting, enforcing and controlling access privileges based on sandbox usage
Systems and methods may provide for receiving web content and detecting an access control attribute associated with the web content. Additionally, the access control attribute may be monitored for a disablement condition. In one example, the disablement condition may be detected, an access policy may be determined in response to the disablement condition, and the access policy may be implemented. Other embodiments are described and claimed.
US09836609B2 Event-based apparatus and method for securing bios in a trusted computing system during execution
An apparatus is provided for protecting a basic input/output system (BIOS) in a computing system. The apparatus includes a BIOS read only memory (ROM), an event detector, and a tamper detector. The BIOS ROM has BIOS contents that are stored as plaintext, and an encrypted message digest, where the encrypted message digest comprises an encrypted version of a first message digest that corresponds to the BIOS contents, and where and the encrypted version is generated via a symmetric key algorithm and a key. The event detector is configured to generate a BIOS check interrupt that interrupts normal operation of the computing system upon the occurrence of an event, where the event includes one or more occurrences of a hard disk access. The tamper detector is operatively coupled to the BIOS ROM and is configured to access the BIOS contents and the encrypted message digest upon assertion of the BIOS check interrupt, and is configured to direct a microprocessor to generate a second message digest corresponding to the BIOS contents and a decrypted message digest corresponding to the encrypted message digest using the symmetric key algorithm and the key, and is configured to compare the second message digest with the decrypted message digest, and configured to preclude the operation of the microprocessor if the second message digest and the decrypted message digest are not equal. The microprocessor includes a dedicated crypto/hash unit disposed within execution logic, where the crypto/hash unit generates the second message digest and the decrypted message digest, and where the key is exclusively accessed by the crypto/hash unit. The microprocessor further has a random number generator disposed within the execution logic, where the random number generator generates a random number at completion of a current BIOS check, which is employed by the event detector to randomly set a number of occurrences of the event that are to occur before a following BIOS check.
US09836603B2 Systems and methods for automated generation of generic signatures used to detect polymorphic malware
The disclosed computer-implemented method for automated generation of generic signatures used to detect polymorphic malware may include (1) clustering a set of polymorphic file samples that share a set of static attributes in common with one another, (2) computing a distance of the polymorphic file samples from a centroid that represents a reference data point with respect to the set of polymorphic file samples, (3) determining that the distance of the polymorphic file samples from the centroid is below a certain threshold, and then upon determining that the distance is below the certain threshold, (4) identifying, within the set of static attributes shared in common by the polymorphic file samples, a subset of static attributes whose values are identical across all of the polymorphic file samples and (5) generating a generic file-classification signature from the subset of static attributes. Various other methods, systems, and computer-readable media are also disclosed.
US09836594B2 Service channel authentication token
A computer system receives an authentication request from a user device and determines a determined device identification from a set of received device attributes. When the device is properly authenticated, the computer system generates an authentication token that is signed by the determined device identification and returns the authentication token to the user device. When the computer system subsequently receives a service request with an authentication token and a plurality of device attributes for a protected resource from a user device, the computer system determines a derived device identification from some or all of the received device attributes. When a signed device identification of the authentication token and the derived device identification are equal, the apparatus continues processing the service request. Otherwise, the service request is rejected.
US09836591B2 Managing latency and power in a heterogeneous distributed biometric authentication hardware
Techniques for authenticating a biometric input are disclosed. An example of a biometric authentication system is configured to receive a biometric input, perform a first authentication process on the biometric input with an application processor, such that the first authentication process generates one or more authentication parameters, provide the one or more authentication parameters to a secure processor, perform a second authentication process on the biometric input on the secure processor, such that the second authentication process utilizes the one or more authentication parameters, and output an authentication score based on the second authentication process.
US09836584B2 Method of quantitative determination of nonisothermal thermooxidative degration effects of a polyolefin material comprising a residual catalyst
A method for quantitative determination of nonisothermal thermooxidative degradation effects of a polyolefin material containing a residual catalyst. The method includes determining a first thermooxidative degradation by obtaining a thermogravimetric analysis spectrum of polyolefin, and then modifying the first thermooxidative degradation based on a structure of the residual catalyst to obtain final thermooxidative degradation properties of the polyolefin.
US09836576B1 Phasing of unphased genotype data
Phasing unphased genotype data of an individual includes: obtaining the unphased genotype data of the individual; processing the unphased genotype data to determine phased haplotype data, the processing comprising performing out-of-sample population-based phasing on the unphased genotype data; wherein: performing out-of-sample population-based phasing includes performing statistical analysis using predetermined reference data that is based on genotype data of a reference population; and the genotype data of the reference population does not reference the genotype data of the individual.
US09836574B2 Vehicle management devices
A vehicle monitoring device (VMO) in accordance with the invention comprises a microprocessor programmed to simulate a vehicle's powertrain, that is arranged to receive signals from a vehicle's engine management system to produce a real-time simulated model of the vehicle's powertrain operation when the vehicle's actual instantaneous fuel consumption and/or emissions can be accurately predicted during operation of the vehicle and compared with predetermined or calculated performance characteristics for the powertrain under the pertaining conditions in order to display the instantaneous operating conditions in relation to the optimum under any driving condition. The VMO is advantageously arranged to receive the signals from the on-board diagnostics (OBO or OBO-II or equivalent) port. The VMO is preferably programmed so that the performance coefficient is used to calculate the instantaneous and/or cumulative quantity or percentage of fuel wasted as a result of non-optimum operation of the vehicle. The invention extends to the display.
US09836572B2 Incremental common path pessimism analysis
A method, system, and computer program product for performing incremental common path pessimism analysis in integrated circuit design includes performing common path pessimism removal (CPPR) analysis to provide timing credit for one or more paths that are subject to common path pessimism. The method also includes identifying one or more post-CPPR critical paths based on the CPPR analysis, setting flags for critical nodes of the one or more post-CPPR critical paths, performing a design fix to address the one or more post-CPPR critical paths, and applying a set of rules based on the design fix and the flags to identify seed points among the critical nodes of the one or more post-CPPR critical paths. Invalidating and re-performing the CPPR analysis is done only for paths associated with the seed points.
US09836563B2 Iterative simulation with DFT and non-DFT
Electronic design automation modules for simulate the behavior of structures and materials at multiple simulation scales with different simulation modules.
US09836556B2 Optical proximity correction for directed-self-assembly guiding patterns
Aspects of the disclosed technology relate to techniques of optical proximity correction for directed self-assembly guiding patterns. An initial mask pattern for photomask fabrication is first generated by performing a plurality of conventional optical proximity correction iterations. Predicted print errors for two or more via-type features are then determined based on a predicted guiding pattern for the two or more via-type features, a target guiding pattern for the two or more via-type features, and correlation information between a plurality of guiding pattern parameters and location and size parameters for the two or more via-type features. Here the predicted guiding pattern is derived based on the initial mask pattern. Based on the predicted print errors and the correlation information, the initial mask pattern is adjusted to generate a new mask pattern.
US09836555B2 Methods and devices for saving and/or restoring a state of a pattern-recognition processor
Systems and methods are disclosed for saving and restoring the search state of a pattern-recognition processor. Embodiments include a pattern-recognition processor having a state variable array and a state variable storage array stored in on-chip memory (on-silicon memory with the processor). State variable storage control logic of the pattern-recognition processor may control the saving of state variables from the state variable array to the state variable storage array. The state variable storage control logic may also control restoring of the state variables from the state variable storage array to restore a search state.
US09836553B2 Automatically modifying a tree structure
A method and system are provided to support automated modification to a multiple node tree structure. Each clause and each logical operator are defined in the tree structure as nodes. In addition, each link emanating from a child node to a parent node is defined as a child link, and each link emanating from a parent node to a child node is defined as a parent link. The selection and location of an operator for placement in the tree structure will be automated in response to the position selected.
US09836549B2 Collaboration adapter to exploit single-user web applications for collaborative work
A framework-specific collaboration adapter (FCA) provides a lightweight transformation process capable of converting single-user Web applications into their collaborative counterparts. Thereby, a local data structure of a local document instance is transformed into a shared data structure with concurrency control support. The FCA replays local document changes at all remote sites. To mark the data model within the source code of the original application, the original single-user Web application has to be enhanced with Source Code Annotations (SCA). The concurrency control system synchronizes all shared model instances that are distributed on the client-side as well as on the server-side.
US09836544B2 Methods and systems for prioritizing a crawl
Methods and systems for prioritizing a crawl are described. One aspect of the invention includes a method for identifying a plurality of storage locations each comprising a plurality of articles, ranking the plurality of storage locations based at least in part on events associated with the plurality of articles, and crawling the storage locations based at least in part on the ranking. Another aspect of the invention includes identifying a plurality of storage locations each comprising a plurality of articles, identifying a plurality of types of the plurality of articles, ranking the plurality of storage locations based at least in part on the plurality of types of the plurality of articles; and crawling the storage locations based at least in part on the ranking.
US09836542B2 Web application retrieval and display of web content based information with web content
A service maintains information regarding one or more aspects of Web content, such as Web pages, that can be accessed by a computing device. The same service or a different service (e.g., a digital assistant) also maintains information regarding the user of the computing device. When a user navigates to Web content using a Web application, such as a Web browser, the services are accessed to obtain information regarding the Web content navigated to, information regarding the user, and/or user selectable tasks or actions. The Web application displays the obtained information to the user along with the Web content. The Web application displays the obtained information without altering the obtained Web content. Optionally, the Web application displays an indication that additional information regarding the Web content is available, and displays the obtained information (e.g., automatically or in response to receiving a user input request to display that additional information).
US09836541B2 System and method of managing capacity of search index partitions
A search system can maintain a search index of metadata and text for objects in a repository, repositories or distributed across a network. The search index can be divided into partitions with a partition assigned a first capacity utilization threshold and a second capacity utilization threshold. If the capacity utilization of the partition is below the first threshold, the system can add, update and delete information in the partition. If the capacity utilization of the partition is above the first threshold, the system can update and delete information in the partition, but cannot add information for new objects to the partition. If the capacity utilization of the partition is above the second threshold, the system can enter a rebalancing mode in which it seeks to rebalance capacity utilization between partitions. The behavior of the system can change depending upon the size of a partition relative to its configurable thresholds.
US09836538B2 Domain-based ranking in document search
In one example, documents that are examined by a search process may be scored in a manner that is specific to a domain. A domain may be a substantive area, such as medicine, sports, etc. Different scoring approaches that take aspects of the domain into account may be applied to the documents, thereby producing different scores than might have been produced by a simple comparison of the terms in the query with the terms in the documents. These domain-based approaches may take a query into account in scoring the documents, or may be query-independent. Each approach may be implemented by a scorer. The combined output of the scorers may be used to generate a score for each document. Documents then may be ranked based on the scores, and search results may be provided.
US09836535B2 Method and system for content retrieval based on rate-coverage optimization
A content retrieval method including: extracting a plurality of fingerprints including a plurality of video fingerprints and audio fingerprints from contents stored in a content database; determining representative video fingerprints of the video frames and representative audio fingerprints of the audio sequences; determining a data rate indicating a storage limitation and a coverage indicating a number of searching results to be returned; storing selected representative video fingerprints and representative audio fingerprints based on the storage limitation indicated by the data rate in a fingerprint database; receiving a query containing at least one of video data and audio data submitted by a user; extracting at least one query fingerprint representing the query; determining a number of fingerprints most matching the query fingerprint based on the coverage to generate search results indicating matching contents represented by the number of most matching fingerprints; and returning the search results to the user.
US09836530B2 Determining preferred communication explanations using record-relevancy tiers
In one example of the disclosure, data indicative of a word or phrase communicated during a meeting including a plurality of participants is obtained. For each participant, records electronically accessible to the participant are identified, and each record is associated with a tier from a hierarchy of record-relevancy tiers. A set of explanations for the communication and associated scores is identified, including for each participant, beginning with a most relevant tier, searching the records accessible to the participant tier by tier until an explanation is identified, and assigning a score to the explanation according to the tier associated with the record in which the explanation is found. A preferred explanation for the communication is determined based upon the scores, and a display of the preferred explanation is caused.
US09836522B2 Framework for ordered clustering
A framework for clustering is described herein. In accordance with one aspect, a data set having x number of objects, and preference information of a user is provided to a clustering tool. The clustering tool may calculate preference degrees between objects in the data set. In addition, similarity measures of objects in the data set may be calculated. Clusters of objects may then be generated from the data set.
US09836521B2 Device classification method, device classification system, and device
A device classification method that includes: receiving a first action performed on a first device in the device group, for classifying the first device as belonging to the coordinated operation group; setting, when the first action is received, each of one or more devices in the device group other than the first device to a classifiable state in which the device is classifiable as belonging to the coordinated operation group; receiving a second action performed on a second device in the device group that is set to the classifiable state, for classifying the second device as belonging to the coordinated operation group; and classifying, when the second action is received, the first device and the second device as belonging to the coordinated operation group.
US09836517B2 Systems and methods for mapping and routing based on clustering
Classifications associated with a plurality of nodes may be identified. The classifications may be grouped into first level communities based on edge weights between the classifications. The first level communities may be grouped into second level communities based on edge weights between the first level communities. A sorted list of the plurality of nodes may be generated based on the classifications, the first level communities, and the second level communities. Unique identifiers (IDs) may be assigned sequentially to the sorted list of the plurality of nodes.
US09836513B2 Page feed for efficient dataflow between distributed query engines
Page feed for efficient dataflow between distributed query engines is disclosed. An example method comprises storing a query result relation by a producer query as pages in a query engine buffer pool, and then sending these pages to a distributed caching platform (DCP) as the data source of another query. The example method also includes reading the result relation by a consumer query from the page stored in the DCP.
US09836495B2 Computer assisted completion of hyperlink command segments
Described are methods, systems and computer readable media for computer assisted completion of hyperlink command segments.
US09836493B2 Management of long-running locks and transactions on database tables
Establishment of an exclusive lock on each of an outer database ownership table and an inner database ownership table is attempted. In response to establishing the exclusive lock on each of the outer database ownership table and the inner database ownership table, a switch is made to a pair of overlapping shared locks on each of the outer database ownership table and the inner database ownership table. Release and re-acquisition of each of the pair of overlapping shared locks on the outer database ownership table and the inner database ownership table is alternated.
US09836487B2 System and method for ensuring code quality compliance for various database management systems
A system and computer-implemented method for ensuring code quality compliance for one or more Database Management Systems (DBMSs) is provided. The system comprises a user interface configured to prompt one or more users to select one or more options and provide information for configuring rules corresponding to coding standards and best practices. The system further comprises a rules registration module to register the configured rules in a repository for validation. Furthermore, the system comprises a source selector to provide options to the one or more users to select one or more DBMSs and a source manager to fetch database code from the one or more selected DBMSs. In addition, the system comprises one or more parsers to parse the fetched database code, a validator to validate the parsed code using the registered rules and a report manager to provide results of the validation to the one or more users.
US09836483B1 Using a mobile device for coarse shape matching against cloud-based 3D model database
Methods and systems for comparing a 3D model of a target object to a shape-search database are provided. An example method includes using a mobile device to acquire a plurality of images of a target object, determining a 3D model based on the images, transmitting a search query that includes the 3D model, and receiving a search query result. In another example method, a server could receive a search query that includes a 3D model of an object, compare the 3D model to a shape-search database, generate a search query result based on the comparison, and transmit the search query result. The search query result could include one or more of: information regarding the target object, information regarding one or more objects similar to the target object, and a suggestion for acquiring additional images of the target object.
US09836481B2 Image-based retrieval and searching
In various example embodiments, a system and method for image query are presented. A feature detector generates first feature description data of a first type. An image processor accesses feature codes and angle bins. The image processor generates second feature description data of a second type by comparing a plurality of groups with respective codes of the feature codes. Each of the plurality of groups comprises at least of portion of the first feature description data determined based at least on the feature codes and the angle bins. A search engine selects a first one of a plurality of stored feature description data linked to respective stored images. An interface provides an indication of the stored image linked to the first stored feature description data for display of the stored image linked to the first stored feature description data on a remote device.
US09836480B2 Filesystem capacity and performance metrics and visualizations
A software and hardware facility persistently maintains metrics on directories at different levels within a tree of a filesystem. The facility hierarchically aggregates attributes of files contained by directories and stores them as metric values in each directory within a tree. The stored values represent summed or otherwise aggregated data from the descendant directories and files. The metric values represent aggregated attributes such as checksums, MIN and/or MAX aggregates, sameness bits, bloom filter aggregates, queryable user tags, moving average aggregates, b-tree aggregates, etc. The facility provides mechanisms for efficiently sampling activities performed by the filesystem and visually representing these activities.
US09836478B2 File system sharing
File system sharing in multi-host computing system (100) running multiple operating systems is described herein. A file systems stored on different data partitions (110-1) and (110-1), of different operating systems (106-1) and (106-2), running on a multi-host computing system (100) may be shared based on file server-client architecture. According to the implementation, an operating system (106-1) may share its file system as file server and other operating system (106-2) may access the shared file system as file client. In one implementation, the sharing of data between multiple hosts is enabled by a dedicated high speed, low latency, inter processor communication bus, FiRE (124).
US09836468B2 Electronic apparatus and method for temporarily storing data thereof
An electronic apparatus and a method for temporarily storing data thereof, adapted to temporarily store the data downloaded from a remote apparatus, are provided. In the method, an access instruction to the remote apparatus is captured, and accordingly a file requested by the access instruction or metadata of all files and subfolders under a folder requested by the access instruction is downloaded and temporarily stored in a storage unit, in which a usage time of the temporarily stored file is recorded. When a specific condition is met, the usage time of all the temporarily stored files is checked and at least one file that is not accessed for the longest time is deleted accordingly. The folder having the deleted file is checked whether not to include data of any file, and accordingly the metadata of all the files and subfolders under the folder is deleted.
US09836460B2 Systems and methods for analyzing patent-related documents
Methods and systems are disclosed that analyze patent-related documents having at least one property type. In one implementation, a method involves displaying, in a first graphical element, identifiers of the patent-related documents. The method also involves analyzing the patent-related documents to determine at least one property value for the property type. The property value includes a string of one or more words describing subject matter associated with the patent-related documents and occurring in a subset of the patent-related documents. The method also displays a second graphical element associated with the property type. The second graphical element includes the property value. The method receives, at the second graphical element, a user selection of the property value. The method displays, in the first graphical element, identifiers of the subset of the patent-related documents in which the property value occurs.
US09836459B2 Systems and methods for multi-user mutli-lingual communications
Various embodiments described herein facilitate multi-lingual communications. The systems and methods of some embodiments may enable multi-lingual communications through different modes of communications including, for example, Internet-based chat, e-mail, text-based mobile phone communications, postings to online forums, postings to online social media services, and the like. Certain embodiments may implement communications systems and methods that translate text between two or more languages (e.g., spoken), while handling/accommodating for one or more of the following in the text: specialized/domain-related jargon, abbreviations, acronyms, proper nouns, common nouns, diminutives, colloquial words or phrases, and profane words or phrases.
US09836458B1 Web conference system providing multi-language support
A method, system and computer program product for enabling attendees of a web conference to view materials of the web conference in their native language. When the conference server determines that the preferred native language of the attendee differs from the preferred native language of the presenter of the web conference, the conference server creates a virtual environment that is a clone of a host environment of the presenter that runs a native language pack of the preferred native language of the attendee. Upon the presenter starting the web conference, the screen shot shared by the presenter to the attendees is captured from the host environment of the presenter and then translated into the preferred native language of the attendee using the native language pack of the attendee's virtual environment. The translated screen shot is then sent to the attendee in the attendee's preferred native language from the virtual environment.
US09836455B2 Apparatus, method and computer-accessible medium for explaining classifications of documents
Classification of collections of items such as words, which are called “document classification,” and more specifically explaining a classification of a document, such as a web-page or website. This can include exemplary procedure, system and/or computer-accessible medium to find explanations, as well as a framework to assess the procedure's performance. An explanation is defined as a set of words (e.g., terms, more generally) such that removing words within this set from the document changes the predicted class from the class of interest. The exemplary procedure system and/or computer-accessible medium can include a classification of web pages as containing adult content, e.g., to allow advertising on safe web pages only. The explanations can be concise and document-specific, and provide insight into the reasons for the classification decisions, into the workings of the classification models, and into the business application itself. Other exemplary aspects describe how explaining documents' classifications can assist in improving the data quality and model performance.
US09836453B2 Document-specific gazetteers for named entity recognition
A method for entity recognition employs document-level entity tags which correspond to mentions appearing in the document, without specifying their locations. A named entity recognition model is trained on features extracted from text samples tagged with document-level entity tags. A text document to be labeled is received, the text document being tagged with at least one document-level entity tag. A document-specific gazetteer is generated, based on the at least one document-level entity tag. The gazetteer includes a set of entries, one entry for each of a set of entity names. For a text sequence of the document, features for tokens of the text sequence are extracted. The features include document-specific features for tokens matching at least a part of the entity name of one of the gazetteer entries. Entity labels are predicted for the tokens in the text sequence with the named entity recognition model, based on the extracted features.
US09836444B2 Spread cell value visualization
As disclosed herein, a method for visualizing a spread function corresponding to a data table includes receiving a set of user selected cells selected by a user that correspond to a data table, enabling the user to select a spread command from a set of available spread commands, executing the selected spread command on the set of user selected cells to provide a set of adjusted cells, displaying an interactive visualization to the user corresponding to the set of adjusted cells, and providing a data table corresponding to the set of adjusted cells. A computer program product and computer system corresponding to the method are also disclosed.
US09836437B2 Screencasting for multi-screen applications
A method includes determining, by a local computing device, a portion of a web page to render for display via a remote display of a remote device, generating rendered presentation information by rendering the portion of the web page based upon at least one characteristic of the remote device and transmitting the rendered presentation information to the remote device.
US09836430B2 Backboard for hard disk drive and electronic device using the backboard
A backboard applied in an electronic device includes a storage extended chip, a serial attached small computer system interface (SAS) hard disk drive (HDD) connector, a convertor, a first election unit, and a second election unit. An input pin of the convertor is coupled to a plurality of input pins of the SAS HDD, to receive the data signal from the SAS HDD connector. The first election unit is coupled to a first ground pin of the SAS HDD connector, enable pins of the convertor and the storage extended chip. The second election unit is coupled to the first ground pin of the SAS HDD connector and an enable pin of the storage extended chip. When the SAS HDD connector is coupled to a SATA HDD or a SAS HDD, the storage extended chip operates and receives a SAS signal from the SAS HDD connector.
US09836429B2 Signal transmission circuit and printed circuit board
The present invention aims to improve the signal transmission characteristics by shortening the length of the detour path of the return current. The present invention comprises a return current transmission path relative to a signal transmission path for transmitting signals. The signal transmission path includes a signal pad formed on a circuit board surface layer, and signal through-holes formed on the circuit board surface layer and a circuit board inner layer and connected to the signal pad. The return current transmission path includes a ground pad formed on the circuit board surface layer, and a plurality of ground through-holes formed on the circuit board surface layer and the circuit board inner layer and connected to the ground pad and a ground layer of the circuit board inner layer. Each of the ground through-holes is arranged by being separated on either side of the ground pad.
US09836427B2 Library for seamless management of storage devices
An approach for using a storage library to translate commands from one command language into a different command language. The approach includes receiving a storage request in a command language from an application. The storage request is directed to a target storage device that uses a different command language. The storage request is translated into the different command language of the target storage device using a storage library of command languages and the storage request is performed.
US09836414B2 Apparatus and method for hardware-based secure data processing using buffer memory address range rules
A processor for processing data from a buffer memory, implemented in hardware, may allow writing of output data, processed based on input data from at least one secure location associated with a secure address range of the buffer memory, to one or more secure locations associated with the secure address range. Further, the processor may block writing of output data, processed based on input data from at least one secure location associated with the secure address range, to one or more insecure locations associated with an insecure address range of the buffer memory.
US09836412B2 Processor memory system
A plurality of processing elements (PEs) include memory local to at least one of the processing elements in a data packet-switched network interconnecting the processing elements and the memory to enable any of the PEs to access the memory. The network consists of nodes arranged linearly or in a grid to connect the PEs and their local memories to a common controller. The processor performs memory accesses on data stored in the memory in response to control signals sent by the controller to the memory. The local memories share the same memory map or space. The packet-switched network supports multiple concurrent transfers between PEs and memory. Memory accesses include block and/or broadcast read and write operations, in which data can be replicated within the nodes and, according to the operation, written into the shared memory or into the local PE memory.
US09836411B2 Synchronizing updates of page table status indicators and performing bulk operations
A synchronization capability to synchronize updates to page tables by forcing updates in cached entries to be made visible in memory (i.e., in in-memory page table entries). A synchronization instruction is used that ensures after the instruction has completed that updates to the cached entries that occurred prior to the synchronization instruction are made visible in memory. Synchronization may be used to facilitate memory management operations, such as bulk operations used to change a large section of memory to read-only, operations to manage a free list of memory pages, and/or operations associated with terminating processes.
US09836398B2 Add-on memory coherence directory
A mechanism is provided for memory coherence in a multiple processor system. Responsive to a memory access resulting in a cache miss in a given processor, the processor determines whether a memory region being accessed is marked as directory-based. Responsive to the given processor determining the memory region is marked as directory-based, the given processor accesses a directory entry corresponding to the memory region to identify a home chip for the page using a directory-based protocol. The given processor forwards the memory access request to the home chip to perform the memory access.
US09836381B2 Translating machine codes to store metadata and to propagate metadata for run time checking of programming errors
A method translates the native machine codes that do not allocate memory for metadata, do not store, and do not propagate metadata by augmenting them with extra instructions to allocate memory for metadata, to store, and to populate metadata such that metadata are readily available at run time for checking programming errors.
US09836378B2 Methods for managing performance states in an information handling system
An information handling system (IHS) is disclosed wherein the system includes a processor associated with at least one performance state (P-state), and a memory in communication with the processor. The memory is operable to store a virtualization software and a basic input/out system (BIOS). The BIOS is configured to report a parameter of the P-state to the virtualization software. In addition, the BIOS is configured to transition the processor into a desired P-state. A method for managing performance states in an information handling system (IHS) is further disclosed wherein the method includes providing a basic input/output system (BIOS) in communication with a processor, the processor associated with an at least one performance state (P-state) and reporting a parameter of the at least one P-state to a virtualization software via the BIOS. The method further includes transitioning the processor to a desired P-state via the BIOS.
US09836369B2 Storage system to recover and rewrite overwritten data
A storage system to recover and rewrite overwritten data is described. A Shingled Magnetic Recording (SMR) array subsystem within the storage system writes data to multiple adjacent tracks on a number of storage devices, such as hard drives that support shingled magnetic recording. While writing data, the SMR array subsystem detects that one of the storage devices erroneously overwrote a portion of the data on one or more of the tracks. The SMR array subsystem can recover the overwritten portion of data using other portions of the data written to corresponding tracks on the other storage devices that are part of the array. The recovered data can then be rewritten to the array.
US09836368B2 Implementing automatic switchover
One or more techniques and/or computing devices are provided for automatic switchover implementation. For example, a first storage controller, of a first storage cluster, may have a disaster recovery relationship with a second storage controller of a second storage cluster. In the event the first storage controller fails, the second storage controller may automatically switchover operation from the first storage controller to the second storage controller for providing clients with failover access to data previously accessible to the clients through the first storage controller. The second storage controller may detect, cross-cluster, a failure of the first storage controller utilizing remote direct memory access (RDMA) read operations to access heartbeat information, heartbeat information stored within a disk mailbox, and/or service processor traps. In this way, the second storage controller may efficiently detect failure of the first storage controller to trigger automatic switchover for non-disruptive client access to data.
US09836359B2 Storage and control method of the same
There is provided a storage having plural clusters. Each of the clusters includes a cache memory and a save memory. The processor of each of the clusters controls to write plural data pieces into the cache memory, controls to store all the data stored in the cache memory into the save memory upon an occurrence of a failure, and controls to restore some of the data stored in the save memory into the cache memory upon recovery from the failure.
US09836357B1 Systems and methods for backing up heterogeneous virtual environments
The disclosed computer-implemented method for backing up heterogeneous virtual environments may include (1) identifying a request to back up a virtual machine executing on a host system, (2) creating a storage map of a virtual storage environment of the virtual machine by (a) identifying, from the host system, a virtual disk file that stores data for the virtual machine and (b) identifying, from a guest system operating within the virtual machine, one or more virtual storage devices that store data for the virtual machine, and (3) creating a unified backup of the virtual machine based on the storage map of the virtual storage environment by coordinating a backup operation of the virtual disk file with a backup operation of the virtual storage device. Various other methods, systems, and computer-readable media are also disclosed.
US09836343B2 Framework for user-mode crash reporting
A user-mode crash reporting system for generating a crash report when an application crashes is provided. The user-mode crash reporting system installs a crash handler to execute in the same process as the application when the application crashes. When the application crashes, the crash handler identifies a victim thread of the process that was executing at the time of a crash. The crash handler then walks a call stack of the victim thread to identify return addresses for returning from called functions of the application. The crash handler identifies offsets within the module corresponding to the return addresses and creates a call chain of functions using the identified offsets. The crash handler then generates a crash report based on the identified call chain.
US09836339B1 Application programming interface as a service
Techniques are disclosed for providing an application programming interface (API) as a service. In embodiments, a client provides code to be executed along with a configuration file for that code. Based on that, virtual machine(s) and load balancer(s) may be selected, a domain name service configured, and throttling and scaling configured. Through this, an API as a service may be provided on behalf of a client with minimal configuration required by the client or an administrator of a web service platform that provides the API as a service.
US09836336B2 Central registry for binding features using dynamic pointers
A first feature (e.g., chart or table) includes a reference to a dynamic pointer. Independently, the pointer is defined to point to a second feature (e.g., a query). The first feature is automatically updated to reflect a current value of the second feature. The reference to the pointer and pointer definition are recorded in a central registry, and changes to the pointer or second feature automatically cause the first feature to be updated to reflect the change. A mapping between features can be generated using the registry and can identify interrelationships to a developer. Further, changes in the registry can be tracked, such that a developer can view changes pertaining to a particular time period and/or feature of interest (e.g., corresponding to an operation problem).
US09836323B1 Scalable hypervisor scheduling of polling tasks
Systems and methods for hypervisor scheduling of polling tasks are disclosed. In one implementation, responsive to determining that no input/output (I/O) worker tasks associated with virtual machines are running on a processor of a host computer system running a plurality of virtual machines, callback dispatcher task may be invoked by the processor. The callback dispatcher task may identify an entry of a callback list, wherein the entry references an input/output (I/O) worker task associated with a virtual machine of the plurality of virtual machines. The callback dispatcher task may further invoke a callback code referenced by the entry of the callback list. Responsive to identifying a pending I/O request, the callback code may wake up the input/output (I/O) worker task associated with the entry of the callback list.
US09836321B2 Transmitting encapsulated SNMP commands to virtual machines
Systems and methods for transmitting encapsulated SNMP commands to virtual machines. An example method may comprise: receiving a Simple Network Management Protocol (SNMP) request; encapsulating, by a processing device, the SNMP request in a format compatible with respect to which a virtual machine is configured to communicate; and providing the encapsulated SNMP request to the virtual machine.
US09836315B1 De-referenced package execution
A library registry service receives a library interface definition that defines an interface for a library stub and data indicating whether a corresponding package is to be executed locally or remotely. An application is then built using the library stub. When the application calls the library stub, the library stub determines whether the package is to be executed locally or remotely either dynamically or by consulting the library registry service. The library stub then causes the package to be executed in the determined location. An updated library may be periodically generated and deployed for execution by the library stub locally or remotely. The library stub might also batch calls and/or provide a control interface for configuring aspects of its operation.
US09836312B2 Storage control device, storage device, and storage control method thereof
A storage control device includes: a detection unit that determines whether a preliminary process of saving data from a first memory to a second memory is necessary, where the second memory includes a suspend area and a typical area; a preliminary processing unit that writes a first value to the suspend area when the detection unit has determined that the preliminary process is necessary; and a saving processing unit that writes a second value corresponding to the data. The first value is different from the second value when the detection unit has determined that the preliminary process is necessary.
US09836301B2 Component discovery from source code
A method for component discovery from source code may include receiving source code, and determining business classes by excluding packages and classes in the source code identified as belonging to a presentation layer, as belonging to a data access layer, as models and/or as utilities. The method may further include extracting multi-dimensional features from the business classes, estimating similarity for business class pairs based on the extracted multi-dimensional features, clustering the business classes based on the similarity and mapping functional concepts to the clusters. The clusters generated by the clustering may represent components of the source code. The method may also include determining interfaces for the components based on the clustering.
US09836290B2 Supporting dynamic behavior in statically compiled programs
Support for dynamic behavior is provided during static compilation while reducing reliance on JIT compilation and large runtimes. A mapping is created between metadata and native code runtime artifacts, such as between type definition metadata and a runtime type description, or between method definition metadata, a runtime type description, and a native code method location, or field definition metadata, a runtime type description, and a field location. A mapping between runtime artifacts may also be created. Some compilation results include trampoline code to support a reflection invocation of an artifact in the reduced runtime support environment, for virtual method calls, call-time bounds checking, calling convention conversion, or compiler-intrinsic methods. Some results support runtime diagnostics by including certain metadata even when full dynamic behavior is not supported.
US09836285B2 Drag and drop portlet deployment
Deploying portlet(s) onto a displayed portal page by dragging and dropping portlet related artifacts from the IDE like portlet deployment descriptor node or a specific portlet node, and, responsively displaying the portlet(s), corresponding to the dropped node, in the displayed portal page. The updating of the portal page is accomplished by an internal IDE browser of a stand-alone type IDE working co-operatively with a remote portal server.
US09836266B2 Display apparatus and method of controlling display apparatus
A display apparatus and a method of controlling the display apparatus are provided. The method includes detecting a user when the display apparatus keeps a standby mode, in response to the detecting of the user, activating an area of a display unit to display at least one object, and in response to selection of one of the at least one object, controlling the display apparatus according to the selected object.
US09836264B2 Application programming interface for providing native and non-native display utility
Systems are presented including: a first electronic device operative to receive a first input, the first electronic device including: a first data communication unit operative to connect the first electronic device to a second electronic device; and a first processing unit operative to process the first input to generate information representing at least a portion of a first intended display, and operative to establish at least one communication channel between the first and second electronic devices using the first data communication unit operative and to call at least one application programming interface to forward the information representing the at least the portion of the first intended display to the second electronic device for display, and further operative to receive and process a representation of a second input from the second electronic device.
US09836257B2 Mobile information apparatus that includes intelligent wireless display, wireless direct display, or transfer of digital content for playing over air the digital content at smart televisions, television controllers, or audio output devices
A method of transferring digital content from a mobile wireless information apparatus such as a smart phone, an information Pad, or a digital Pad to a wireless output device associated with a television by short range wireless communication. The method may include downloading video digital content from the Internet to the mobile wireless information apparatus and may open a short range wireless communication that is compatible with IEEE802.11 or with Bluetooth™ standard for output. The method may select a wireless output device associated with the television. Subsequently, the information apparatus may conform the digital content into an output data for transferring the output data over the short range wireless connection to the selected wireless output device associated with the television for output.
US09836253B2 Image forming apparatus capable of notifying user at suitable timing that printing material is running low
An image forming apparatus includes a connector to which a cartridge containing printing material is connectable and a controller. The controller stores a subscription status indicating whether a user is subscribed to a specific service, acquires first information indicating a residual quantity of the printing material, transmits the first information to a sever, and determines whether the user is subscribed to the specific service. Under the specific service, a new cartridge is delivered by transmitting the first information. When not subscribed to the specific service and the residual quantity is a first threshold value or less, the controller notifies the user that the residual quantity is low. When subscribed to the specific service and the residual quantity is a second threshold value or less, the controller notifies the user that the residual quantity is low. The second threshold value is below the first threshold value.
US09836240B2 Protection for memory deduplication by copy-on-write
An example method of providing deduplication support for one or more memory pages includes setting, by a memory manager, an initial memory page to a write protection mode. The initial memory page is located in an address space allocated to a memory consumer. The method also includes detecting, by the memory manager, an attempted write to the initial memory page. The method further includes creating, by the memory manager, a copy of the initial memory page in response to detecting the attempted write. The method also includes discarding, based on a determination of whether to discard the initial memory page or the copy of the initial memory page, the initial memory page or the copy of the initial memory page to provide protection for memory deduplication.
US09836239B2 Recording device and information processing device
A recording device includes a plurality of storage modules and a recording controller. With respect to a writing request, the recording controller generates parity data and writes data in the respective plurality of modules by dividing the data. When an error is detected with respect to a reading request, data of the error is restored from data and the parity data read from other recording modules. With respect to an initialization request of the storage module, the storage module to be initialized is specified from the plurality of storage modules, and an address conversion table is initialized. Moreover, identification information for identifying the initialized storage module is held. With respect to a request for cancelling the table initialization request of the storage module, reading of data from the storage module corresponding to the held identification information is processed as an error.
US09836233B2 Virtual storage system and methods of copying electronic documents into the virtual storage system
A virtual storage system in data communication with a user computing device via a communication network and methods of selectively or automatically copying electronic documents to a virtual storage system where the virtual storage system includes at least one processor configured to process, encrypt and copy electronic documents retrieved from an external system, and a plurality of redundant physical storage devices in data communication with the at least one processor and each configured to store the electronic documents retrieved from the external system.
US09836225B2 Electronic control unit for vehicle and data communication method
An electronic control unit for a vehicle includes a nonvolatile memory that is capable of erasing and writing data electrically, and capable of receiving a program to be written into the nonvolatile memory in units of a predetermined size by means of communication using a communication buffer. The electronic control unit for the vehicle uses communication buffers, the number of which is greater than the number of communication buffers used in an in-vehicle communication environment, to receive the program.
US09836219B2 Storage device and read methods thereof
A read method of a storage device includes performing a first read operation on a nonvolatile memory device based on a time stamp table storing a program time and a time-read level look-up table indicating a read level shift due to a program lapsed time. A determination is made whether to adjust the time-read level look-up table based on a result of the first read operation. As a consequence of determining to adjust the time-read level look-up table, adjusting the time-read level look-up table through a valley search operation and performing a second read operation on the nonvolatile memory device based on the time stamp table and the adjusted time-read level look-up table.
US09836216B2 Semiconductor memory device and operating method thereof
Provided herein is a semiconductor memory device and an operating method thereof. The semiconductor memory device may include a memory cell array, a peripheral circuit, and a control logic. The memory cell array may include a plurality of memory blocks. The peripheral circuit may perform a program operation or read operation on a selected memory block of the memory cell array. The control logic may select between a first program method and a second program method depending on program mode information for the selected memory block, and may control the peripheral circuit to perform the program operation on the selected memory block using the selected program method.
US09836214B2 Portable terminal and control method therefor
When it is discriminated by an input-means determining unit that an input to display unit is a first input by a pen, a function of an application allocated in advance to an area on a screen of the application specified by an input coordinate of first input means determined by an input-position determining unit is executed on the basis of the first input. When it is discriminated that the input to the display unit is a second input by a finger, the execution of the function of the application allocated in advance on the screen of the application is prohibited and a predetermined function not allocated to the area on the screen of the application is executed on the basis of the second input.
US09836212B2 Terminal device, information processing method, program, and storage medium
A terminal device that includes an operation surface; an input detection unit that detects an indicator and determines at least one of a position of the indicator contacting the operation surface and a distance of the indicator from the operation surface in a vertical direction; an operation determination unit that determines information about an operation input by movement information of the indicator detected by the input detection unit; and a control unit that performs predetermined control when a first operation which is an operation performed to move the indicator in a vertical direction away from the operation surface is detected by the operation determination unit.
US09836203B2 Grid-based visual design environment
In general, the subject matter described in this disclosure can be embodied in methods, systems, and computer-readable devices for presenting, by a computing system, multiple cells that are arranged in a multi-dimensional grid of cells. The computing system may display content in a first cell without displaying the content in a second cell. The computing system may present a first user interface element that is to expand the display of the content from the first cell to both the first cell and the second cell. The computing system may receive first user input that selects the first user interface element. The computing system may display, in response to receiving the first user input, the content in the first cell and the second cell.
US09836200B2 Interacting with electronic devices using a single-point gesture
Disclosed are a system and a method for interacting with electronic devices using a single-point gesture. A single point is selected in an image provided by a display associated with an electronic device. The selected point is continuously moved to generate a trajectory. A bending of the trajectory is monitored while moving the selected point. In response to the monitoring of the bending, the electronic device is operable to perform, based at least on the bending of the trajectory, a designated action. For example, the image is moved along the trajectory and while being moved the image is zoomed in when the trajectory bends clockwise and the image is zoomed out when trajectory bends counterclockwise. The scale of zooming is determined based on an area between a segment trajectory and a chord of trajectory found in a pre-determined time period or a pre-determined travel distance along the trajectory.
US09836191B2 Dynamic application generation for a content feed
A system receives an indication of a content feed of hierarchical content over a network. The content feed is hosted by a content provider. The system dynamically instantiates a content connection application that incorporates the content feed using a pre-defined declarative data structure engine. The system provides a user interface widget for the content connection application to allow user interaction with the hierarchical content of the first content feed.
US09836184B2 Adaptive determination of information display
A method for operating a list in a mobile terminal is disclosed. An example method includes displaying a first set of items from an item list in the mobile terminal, changing the item list based on a received command, determining a direction of most recent movement in the item list before the receiving of the command, determining items from the item list to display according to the determined direction and the change of the item list, and displaying the determined items from the item list.
US09836183B1 Summarized network graph for semantic similarity graphs of large corpora
Provided is a process including: obtaining a clustered graph, the clustered graph having three or more clusters, each cluster having a plurality of nodes of the graph, the nodes being connected in pairs by one or more respective edges; determining visual attributes of cluster icons based on amounts of nodes in clusters corresponding to the respective cluster icons; determining positions of the cluster icons in a graphical visualization of the clustered graph; obtaining, for each cluster, a respective subset of nodes in the respective cluster; determining visual attributes of node icons based on attributes of corresponding nodes in the subsets of nodes, each node icon representing one of the nodes in the respective subset of nodes; determining positions of the node icons in the graphical visualization based on the positions of the corresponding cluster icons of clusters having the nodes corresponding to the respective node icons; and causing the graphical visualization to be displayed.
US09836182B2 Mobile terminal and control method for the mobile terminal
A mobile terminal including a wireless communication unit configured to perform wireless communication; a display unit configured to display an icon corresponding to an application; and a controller configured to display a first graphic object on the display unit along with the icon indicating first information about an event that has occurred with respect to the application, and display a second graphic object on the display unit including second information about the event that has occurred in which the second information includes more detailed information than the first information.
US09836172B2 Touch apparatus, capacitive touch sensing circuit thereof, and touch sensing method using the same
A touch apparatus, a capacitive touch sensing circuit of the touch apparatus, and a touch sensing method are provided. The capacitive touch sensing circuit includes a switching capacitor integrating circuit, an encoding circuit, a feedback circuit, and a decoding circuit. The switching capacitor integrating circuit receives an input signal and integrates the input signal to generate an output signal. The encoding circuit receives and encodes the output signal to generate an encoded result. The feedback circuit provides a charge dissipation path for discharging charges from the switching capacitor integrating circuit, and the feedback circuit receives the encoded result and adjusts a charge dissipation ability provided by the charge dissipation path according to the encoded result. The decoding circuit receives and decodes the output signal to generate a touch detecting result.
US09836168B2 Display device with touch detection function and electronic apparatus
According to an aspect, a display device with a touch detection function includes a controller, touch wiring that supplies a touch drive signal to drive electrodes, and a plurality of switch groups that are provided for each of the drive electrodes, each of the plurality of switch groups having selection switches. The plurality of switch groups select a drive electrode to be coupled to a touch wiring based on a selection signal from the controller. The selection switches for each of the plurality of switch groups are coupled in parallel with each other between a corresponding drive electrode and the touch wiring, and for each of the drive electrodes, all of the selection switches operate in accordance with the selection signal, couple the corresponding drive electrodes and the touch wiring, and apply the touch drive signal to the corresponding drive electrodes.
US09836161B2 Touch sensor built-in display device structure
A terminal connection structure includes plural first connection terminals which are arranged side by side in one direction on a first circuit substrate, and plural second connection terminals which are arranged side by side in the one direction on a second resin circuit substrate overlappingly connected to the first circuit substrate and are respectively connected to the plural first connection terminals. Each of the plural second connection terminals includes plural first wirings extending in a direction crossing the one direction, and a second wiring connected to the plural first wirings and extending in the one direction. The second wiring is provided in a region where the second circuit substrate is overlapped and connected to the first circuit substrate.
US09836159B2 Touch display panel and method for driving the same
The present disclosure provides a touch display panel and a driving method thereof The touch display panel includes a common electrode layer including a first common electrode and a second common electrode spaced apart from each other, the touch display panel further comprises a touch signal source, a switch layer and a common wire, each display cycle of the touch display panel comprises a display stage and a touch stage, the touch signal source can provide a touch signal to the first common electrode in the touch stage, the common wire is connected to a common voltage output terminal, the second common electrode is electrically connected to the common wire, and the switch layer comprises a first switch element for electrically connecting the first common electrode with the common wire in the display stage, and disconnecting the first common electrode from the common wire in the touch stage.
US09836156B2 In-cell touch panel and display device
An in-cell touch panel and a display device are provided. The in-cell touch panel includes an array substrate (100) and a counter substrate (200), with a black matrix pattern (210) provided on the array substrate (100) or the counter substrate (200). A common electrode layer (110) of the array substrate (100) includes a plurality of first touch electrodes (111) and a plurality of common electrodes (112) that are insulated from each other; the counter substrate (200) comprises a plurality of second touch electrodes (220), projections of the second touch electrodes (220) on the array substrate (100) lie within regions where the common electrodes (112) are located. Regions of the first touch electrodes (111) corresponding to the black matrix pattern (210) protrude toward the counter substrate (200) entirely or in part, and/or regions of the second touch electrodes (220) corresponding to the black matrix pattern (210) protrude toward the array substrate (100) entirely or in part. With the touch panel, the sensitivity of touch can be enhanced.
US09836154B2 Selective touch scan area and reporting techniques
Techniques are disclosed for selective area scanning, touch scanning, and/or reporting of touch screen contacts in electronic touch sensitive devices. The selective area scanning can be used to only scan a specific section of a touch screen area, the selective touch scanning can be used to scan only for specific touches or input sources on a touch screen, and the selective reporting can be used to selectively report only desired contacts to a device processor and reject all other contacts. Multiple selective scan areas can be provisioned, with each discrete area customizable with respect to location, size, accepted touch types and/or reporting criteria. In some cases the user can configure some or all of these selective screen features.
US09836150B2 System and method for feedforward and feedback with haptic effects
Systems and methods for feedforward and feedback with haptic effects are disclosed. One such system may include a sensor configured to detect an interaction with a touch surface and transmit a sensor signal associated with the interaction; a processor in communication with the sensor, the processor configured to: determine an operation available on a device, the operation associated with a first user interaction; determine a simulated texture associated with the operation; output a haptic signal associated with the simulated texture; determine whether to perform the operation based on a second user interaction; and a haptic output device in communication with the processor and coupled to the touch surface, the haptic output device configured to receive a haptic signal and simulate a texture on the touch surface based in part on the haptic signal.
US09836148B2 Flexible display apparatus having guide for movement of the flexible display
A flexible display apparatus includes a flexible display, a housing to store at least a portion of the flexible display, and a first guide in the housing to guide movement of the flexible display, and to sense a squeezing motion on the housing.
US09836146B2 Method of controlling virtual object or view point on two dimensional interactive display
A method of controlling a viewpoint of a user or a virtual object on a two-dimensional (2D) interactive display is provided. The method may convert a user input to at least 6 degrees of freedom (DOF) structured data according to a number of touch points, a movement direction thereof, and a rotation direction thereof. Any one of the virtual object and the viewpoint of the user may be determined as a manipulation target based on a location of the touch point.
US09836145B2 Mobile terminal apparatus and display method therefor
A mobile terminal apparatus comprises: a touch pad sensor that is arranged on a back surface of a housing, and detects a contact position when held by a user; and a holding pattern determining unit that determines a holding pattern having a highest similarity to a touch pad detection data detected by the touch pad sensor among a plurality of predetermined holding patterns to output the determined holding pattern. The mobile terminal apparatus controls an orientation of information displayed on a display screen of a display unit based on the holding pattern outputted by the holding pattern determining unit.
US09836143B1 System, method, and computer-readable medium for facilitating adaptive technologies
A system, method, and computer-readable medium that facilitate software configuration of assistive computer devices by automatically assessing a user's capabilities through questions and tasks are provided. The analysis results of the user's capabilities are then available to assistive computer software applications which may subsequently update their interfaces accordingly. A mapping mechanism from an external input device into a target software application is facilitated for software applications that do not include assistive technology features.
US09836140B2 Data input device and associated braking means
A data input device comprises a body intended to be fixed onto a workstation, a part that is rotationally mobile in relation to the body, a set of sensors delivering information on the relative position of the mobile part in relation to the body and means for braking the rotational movements of the mobile part in relation to the body. The braking means comprise a friction ring encircling the mobile part, the ring being split and extending mainly in a plane at right angles to an axis of symmetry of the mobile part, an annular spring extending in the plane and radially compressing the friction ring against the mobile part and means for adjusting the length of the annular spring.
US09836126B2 Accessibility path guiding through microfluidics on a touch screen
Providing accessibility path guidance on a display presented on a touch screen of a device with microfluidics. The fluid is selectively applied to a portion of the touch screen by a computer of the device to raise a portion of the touch screen. The computer loads a display on the touch screen which requires user input. The flow information regarding the display is fetched and a computer of the device detects that the user has touched the touch screen at a point. The computer uses microfluidics to create a physical ridge on the touch screen corresponding to a flow path connecting the point on the touch screen in which the user is currently touching to a touch point within an object field which requires user input. Once the user has reached the object field by following the physical ridge through touch, the physical ridge is removed.
US09836123B2 Bussed haptic actuator system and method
A bussed haptic actuator system includes a plurality of haptic actuators and a master control subsystem. Each haptic actuator includes a memory with an address storable therein and a slave controller subsystem configured to control the actuator in response to a received command signal. The master control subsystem is connected via a bus to the plurality of haptic actuators. The master control subsystem includes sequencer configured to determine which of the plurality of haptic actuators are to be activated and logic configured to provide, on the bus, a command signal including one or more addresses corresponding to haptic actuators to be activated as determined by the sequencer.
US09836118B2 Method and system for analyzing a movement of a person
A system and method for analyzing movement of a person includes: measuring kinetic data as the person ambulates with a pair of removable force sensors affixed to a person's ankles, feet, shoes or lower-limb prosthesis with each of the pair of force sensors on a different one of the person's ankle, feet, shoes or lower-limb prosthesis; obtaining kinematic data as the person ambulates with at least one video camera that video records the person ambulating without markers; and temporally synchronizing the kinetic data and the kinematic data together.
US09836114B1 Event-based trigger for managing battery consumption
Systems and methods are provided for optimizing battery life in an electronic device. The device is configured to make periodic assessments of battery capacity by measuring the DC resistance value of the battery cell during the execution of a power-consuming operation. If the measured DC resistance value reaches a threshold level, the device can initiate a power-saving mode in which an operating parameter of the device is adjusted to decrease power consumption.
US09836113B2 Method and apparatus to manage power usage in a processor
In an embodiment, a processor includes first logic to determine first power to be provided to a first portion of a computational resource during a time period. The first portion may be reserved for execution by the processor of a first workload to be executed during the time period. The first power may be determined based at least in part on the first workload and independently of a second workload. The processor may include second logic to determine second power to be provided to a second portion of the computational resource during the time period. The second portion may be reserved for execution by the processor of the second workload during the time period. The second power may be determined based at least in part on the second workload and independently of the first workload.
US09836110B2 Apparatus, systems and methods for learning a critical voltage of a microprocessor control unit
A microcontroller-based electronic device and its operating methods are operable to learn a critical voltage value for a microprocessor control unit residing in the microcontroller-based electronic device. The microprocessor control unit receives power from a battery. An exemplary embodiment detects an operating voltage provided to the microprocessor control unit by a supplemental power reservoir after removal of the battery, stores information corresponding to a value of the operating voltage in a nonvolatile memory, repeats the detecting and the saving information as the operating voltage decays in response to a discharge of the supplemental power reservoir, and determines the actual minimum operating voltage for the microprocessor control unit based on a last one of the stored information corresponding to the value of the operating voltage. A learned critical voltage value is based upon the defined actual minimum operating voltage.
US09836106B2 Method and apparatus for powering on a terminal
A method and an apparatus for powering on a terminal. The method for powering on a terminal includes collecting, by a pressure detection sensor disposed inside a housing of a terminal, a value of pressure; sending, by the pressure detection sensor, an interrupt request to a power management unit (PMU) when the value of the pressure collected by the pressure detection sensor meets a set condition; and outputting, by the PMU, a power supply maintaining signal after receiving the interrupt request, so as to power on the terminal.
US09836101B1 Cooling mount
A cooling mount for portable electronic devices is provided that includes a cooling unit for preventing portable electronic devices housing the cooling mount from reaching critical temperatures during operation to avoid undesired shut down of the electronic device.
US09836099B2 Ultrathin heat remover for portable electronic device
A portable electronic device includes at least one energy module which further included thermoelectric materials which may convert heat to electric power. The energy module may supply power to at least one of heat generating component in the portable electronic device. A heat remover composed of graphene may be in thermal contact with the at least one of the components. The heat remover may also disposed over a surface of the energy module and may be formed one or more heat conduction path.
US09836097B2 Storage drive and storage drive block
A storage drive configured for use in a storage drive block and a storage drive block are provided. The storage drive block in one example includes a plurality of storage drives joined together into a substantially rigid storage drive block, a block communication element extending to the plurality of storage drives and adapted to communicatively link a plurality of communication boards of the plurality of storage drives to a mass storage chassis assembly, and one or more joining elements affixing the one or more mounting elements of each storage drive to form the storage drive block.
US09836095B1 Microelectronic device package electromagnetic shield
Microelectronic devices including an electromagnetic shield over a desired portion of a substrate. The magnetic shield is formed of conductive particles within a selectively curable layer, such as a solder resist material. After application to the substrate, the conductive particles are allowed to settle to form a conductive structure to serve as an electromagnetic shield. The electromagnetic shield can be formed primarily over regions of the substrate containing conductive traces coupled in the package to communicate signals presenting a risk of causing electromagnetic interference with other devices.
US09836094B2 Display method and eletronic device for location/position sensing and displaying relation information while reducing power consumption
A display method and an electronic device are described. The display method is applied in an electronic device that includes a display unit and at least one sensing unit. The method includes obtaining first sensing data by a first sensing unit; determining first display information according to the first sensing data; judging whether a predetermined condition is met or not to obtain a judgment result; and selecting a first mode or a second mode to be used to determine a display position of the first display information on the display unit according to the judgment result, wherein the first mode is different from the second mode; and displaying the first display information at the display position.
US09836092B2 Supporting element and portable electronic device including supporting element
A support unit comprising a cover, a positioning unit and a bracket is provided. The cover is pivotably connected to a housing of the portable electronic device and can be received in the housing. The positioning unit is fixed to the housing and includes a plurality of limiting recesses. The bracket includes a first end and a second end that opposite. The first end is connected to the positioning unit, and the second end is pivotably connected to the cover. When the cover is expanded out of the housing, the first end of the bracket is driven by the cover to move relative to the positioning unit, and then the first end of the bracket is engaged with a limiting recess of the positioning unit to fix the expansion angle of the cover relative to the housing. A portable electronic device including the support unit is also provided.
US09836087B2 Flexible display
A flexible display is disclosed. In one aspect, the flexible display includes a flexible display panel and a housing for the flexible display. The flexible display panel is configured to be withdrawn from a surface of the housing. The flexible display also includes a grip connected to a first end of the flexible display panel and having a surface that opposes the surface of the housing in a first direction. The flexible display further a plurality of fixing members connected to one of the housing or the grip. The fixing members are configured to extend in a second direction crossing the first direction when the flexible display panel is accommodated in the housing and rotate in a predetermined direction so as to be substantially parallel to the first direction when the flexible display panel is withdrawn from the housing.
US09836079B2 Master/slave control of touch sensing
Touch sensing can be accomplished using master/slave touch controllers that transmit drive signals to a touch surface and process sense signals including superpositions resulting from master/slave drive signals. The master/slave can drive and sense different sets of lines, respectively, of the touch surface. A communication link between master/slave can be established by transmitting a clock signal between master/slave, transmitting a command including sequence information to the slave, and initiating a communication sequence from the clock signal and sequence information. The slave can receive/transmit communications from/to the master during first/second portions of the communication sequence, respectively. Touch sensing operations can be synchronized between master/slave by transmitting a command including phase alignment information from master to slave, and generating slave clock signals based on the clock signal and the phase alignment information, such that sense signal processing by master clock signals are in-phase with sense signal processing by slave clock signals.
US09836074B2 Current generation circuits and semiconductor devices including the same
Semiconductor devices are provided. The semiconductor device may include a current generation circuit and an internal circuit. The current generation circuit may include a first drive element and a second drive element which are connected in series. The current generation circuit may generate a reference voltage signal whose voltage level is set by a reference current which is identical or substantially identical to a current flowing through the first and second drive elements. The internal circuit may utilize an output current controlled according to the reference current as an operation current thereof.
US09836068B2 Methods and apparatus for a chemical regulation system
A chemical regulation system according to various embodiments of the present technology is configured to regulate the flow rate of a liquid and monitors the chemical composition of the liquid. The chemical regulation system may comprise various valves, fittings, and couplings configured to regulate the flow of the liquid through a production tank and into a chemical hopper to product a highly concentrated liquid/chemical solution that is provided to the production tank. The chemical regulation system may comprise a controller to electrically control various valves. The chemical regulation system may comprise a device for facilitating the flow of a liquid out of a production tank.
US09836057B2 Arranging passenger pickups for autonomous vehicles
Aspects of the disclosure relate to arranging a pickup between a driverless vehicle and a passenger. For instance, dispatch instructions dispatching the vehicle to a predetermined pickup area in order to pick up the passenger are received by the vehicle which begins maneuvering to the predetermined pickup area. While doing so, the vehicle receives from the passenger's client computing device the device's location. An indication that the passenger is interested in a fly-by pickup is identified. The fly-by pickup allows the passenger to safely enter the vehicle at a location outside of the predetermined pickup area and prior to the one or more processors have maneuvered the vehicle to the predetermined pickup area. The vehicle determines that the fly-by pickup is appropriate based on at least the location of the client computing device and the indication, and based on the determination, maneuvers itself in order to attempt the fly-by pickup.
US09836056B2 Smart vehicle
A smart vehicle can be operated by generating a 3D model of a sensor's field of view; receiving information from neighboring vehicles to compensate for blindspots in the sensor's field of view and in a driver's field of view; receiving traffic information, weather information; adjusting one or more characteristics of the plurality of 3D models based on the received traffic and weather information and blindspot information; aggregating the plurality of 3D models to generate a comprehensive 3D model; and combining the comprehensive 3D model with detailed map information; and using the combined comprehensive 3D model with detailed map information to maneuver the vehicle.
US09836053B2 System and method for automated aerial system operation
A method for controlling an aerial system with a rotor enclosed by a housing, including: operating the rotor in a flight mode, detecting a grab event indicative of the aerial system being grabbed, and automatically operating the rotor in a standby mode. A method for controlling an aerial system including a central axis extending normal to a lateral plane of the aerial system, including: generating a first aerodynamic force with a set of rotors enclosed by a housing, detecting that an acute angle between the central axis and a gravity vector is greater than a threshold angle, and operating each rotor of the set of rotors to cooperatively generate a second aerodynamic force less than the first aerodynamic force with the set of rotors.
US09836051B2 Automated drive assisting device, automated drive assisting method, and program
Automated drive assisting devices, methods, and programs acquire position specifying information for specifying a vehicle position during travel, and acquire a continuity degree that represents a degree to which automated drive can be continued on the basis of the position specifying information acquired during the automated drive. The devices, methods, and programs determine whether the automated drive can be continued on the basis of the acquired continuity degree, and determine vehicle control information for controlling a vehicle such that the continuity degree becomes higher on the basis of the acquired position specifying information in the case where it is determined that the automated drive cannot be continued. The devices, methods, and programs output the determined vehicle control information to a vehicle control device that controls the vehicle.
US09836046B2 System and method for controlling a self-propelled device using a dynamically configurable instruction library
A self-propelled device includes a drive system, a wireless communication port, a memory and a processor. The memory stores a first set of instructions for mapping individual inputs from a first set of recognizable inputs to a corresponding command that controls movement of the self-propelled device. The processor (or processors) receive one or more inputs from the controller device over the wireless communication port, map each of the one or more inputs to a command based on the set of instructions, and control the drive system using the command determined for each of the one or more inputs. While the drive system is controlled, the processor processes one or more instructions to after the set of recognizable inputs and/or the corresponding command that is mapped to the individual inputs in the set of recognizable inputs.
US09836041B2 Method for manufacturing elastomeric material components of a tyre for vehicle wheels
A robot arm having seven axes of actuation imparts to a toroidal support a circumferential distribution motion about its own geometric axis simultaneously with controlled transverse distribution displacements in front of a dispensing organ of a strip of elastomeric material. The strip thus forms a plurality of turns, the orientation and mutual superposition whereof are controlled in such a way as to control the thickness variations to be conferred to a component of a tire being manufactured, based on a pre-determined laying scheme pre-set on an electronic computer. The rotation of the toroidal support is controlled in such a way as to obtain a peripheral speed of application exceeding the theoretical feeding rate of the strip, able to be increased or decreased as needed to form turns with reduced or, respectively, enlarged cross section.
US09836039B2 Method and system for simulating a work process on a machine tool
A method and system simulates a work process on a machine tool using a virtual machine. The virtual machine is set up to simulate the work process on the machine tool using machine data, workpiece data, and tool data as a function of numerical control (NC) control data and programmable logic control (PLC) control data. The work process is simulated on a platform that comprises a plurality of processor cores, wherein the work process is simulated in partial simulations that run in parallel on different processor cores.
US09836036B2 Agricultural implement with automated recognition of seed attributes
An agricultural implement arrangement includes a container of seed having an ID tag associated therewith; an implement for applying a product to a geographic area; an electrical reader configured for reading the ID tag and providing an output signal; and an electrical processing circuit coupled with the reader and the implement. The ID tag has data representing at least one attribute associated with the seed. The electrical processing circuit receives the output signal and controls the implement, dependent upon the output signal.
US09836035B2 System for and method of acting on containers
A computing device identifies a plurality of containers that are collocated at a facility via a network. Each container of the plurality of containers comprises an electronic device integrated into the container without interfering with a content of the container, the electronic device comprising a receiver, a display and speakers. The computing device transmits messages comprising activation signals to electronic devices of the plurality of containers that are collocated at the facility. The messages cause the electronic devices of the plurality of containers to activate, display images using the display and output audio via the speakers together as a group.
US09836034B2 Control unit for a piece of furniture
The invention relates to a control device (9) for at least one adjusting drive (7, 8) which is to be associated with a piece of furniture (1) and which is designed to control the at least one adjusting drive (7, 8) based on control data (20) captured by a wireless transmission path (19) of the operating unit (10). Said control device is characterized by an emitter interface (21) which is designed to transmit data (22) to the operating unit (10) by means of a wireless transmission path (19). The invention further relates to an operating unit (10) comprising a receiver interface (23) which is designed to capture data (22) from the control device (9) by means of a wireless transmission path (19), in addition to a system (18) consisting of a control device (9) and an operating unit (10) and a piece of furniture (1) equipped with said system (13).
US09836029B2 Alarm clock having a motion sensor and mobile device connectivity
The alarm clock having a motion sensor and mobile device connectivity is an alarm clock providing connectivity with a cellular telephone, smartphone or any similar suitable type of mobile device. The alarm clock having a motion sensor and mobile device connectivity includes an optical projector for projecting an image representative of a display screen of the mobile device on an external display surface, such as a wall or a ceiling. The alarm clock having a motion sensor and mobile device connectivity includes a housing for receiving a clock controller. A clock display, audio alarm, motion sensor, optical projector and a device interface are each mounted on the housing and are in communication with the clock controller. Actuation of the motion sensor by detected movement of a user's hand or the like selectively actuates the optical projector to project the image representative of the display screen of the mobile device.
US09836026B2 Wall clock with changeable size
The present invention discloses a wall clock with changeable size comprising a clock base, a front cover, a dial, a framework assembly, a rear cover and a framework assembly disposed between the dial and the rear cover, in which the framework assembly comprises a central dish for displaying time, which is configured to be suitable for passing through one of the holes of the dial; a plurality of arms, each of which is configured to be retractable in a length direction thereof, and has one end being secured to the central dish; and a plurality of fixing members for the arms, mounted removably and radially at different positions of the other end of the respective arms so that the framework assembly can be fixed in the clock base. By changing the length of the arms and the style of the dishes, variety in the function display and size of the assembled wall clock can be obtained, which not only increases the decorative function of the wall clock, but also decreases the mold and manufacturing cost, shortens the manufacturing and product development time.
US09836025B2 Tactile switch for an electronic device
Embodiments are directed to a watch having a touch-sensitive display and a switch assembly positioned along or within an enclosure. The switch assembly includes a shaft extending into an opening of the enclosure and is configured to receive rotational and translational input. A first sensor, positioned within the enclosure, is configured to detect the rotational input. A second sensor, positioned within the enclosure, is configured to detect the translational input. The watch also includes a touch-sensitive display configured to receive touch input and to depict a graphical output of the watch. The graphical output may be responsive to various inputs, including a touch input provided at the display, the translational input provided at the switch assembly, and the rotational input provided at the switch assembly.
US09836017B2 Electrical cable connecting apparatus, method for connecting electrical cable, and image forming apparatus
An image forming apparatus main body (apparatus main body) and an automatic document feeder mounted on the apparatus main body are provided, and a cable-side connector provided at a front end of an electrical cable extending from the automatic document feeder is removably connected to a board-side connector provided on a circuit board of the apparatus main body. In this configuration, an opening portion is provided in a back face of a housing of the apparatus main body at a position opposing the board-side connector, a lid that covers this opening portion is attached to a front end portion of the electrical cable by an attachment member, and this lid is configured so as to be attachable to the opening portion by a hook and fixing by screwing by means of a screw insertion boss.
US09836013B2 Image forming apparatus, image forming system and lubricant amount adjusting method
An image forming apparatus includes: an image bearing member that is rotatable and supplied with toner to which lubricant has been added; a first cleaning section configured to remove the toner remaining on the image bearing member; a second cleaning section configured to remove the toner remaining on the image bearing member and left without being removed by the first cleaning section; and a control section that performs control to change removing performance in the first cleaning section.
US09836010B2 Vibration-type driving apparatus, robot, and image forming apparatus
The present invention relates to a vibration-type driving apparatus including a vibrator including an electro-mechanical transducer; a driven body disposed in pressure-contact with the vibrator; a supporting portion extending from the vibrator; a base to which the vibrator is fixed with the supporting portion interposed therebetween; a vibration absorber disposed between the supporting portion and the base; and a compressive-force adjusting device capable of adjusting a compressive force to be applied to the vibration absorber between the supporting portion and the base.
US09836005B2 Sheet feeding apparatus, sheet feeding method and image formation system
A sheet feeding apparatus includes: a second conveyance belt disposed on an upstream side of a first conveyance belt in a sheet conveyance direction; a second absorption section configured to absorb the sheet stored in the sheet storage section to suck the sheet on the second conveyance belt; and a control section configured to perform a stopping operation for stopping at least one of a conveyance operation of the second conveyance belt and an absorption operation of the second absorption section during a conveyance operation of the first conveyance belt.
US09836001B2 Image forming apparatus having measuring unit
An image forming apparatus includes an image forming unit configured to form measurement images used for density correction at different timings using pseudo halftone processing patterns and a density detection sensor for detecting density of an object to be detected on an optical path including the formed measurement image. Further, the image forming apparatus includes a shutter which is arranged in the optical path between a density detection sensor and the measurement image, changed, by a motor, to a closed state in which a detecting surface of the density detection sensor is closed when the measurement image is not detected, and changed to an open state in which the detecting surface of the density detection sensor is opened when the measurement image is detected. Further, the image forming apparatus includes a controller which changes an image forming condition based on the detection result of the density detection sensor.
US09835993B1 Method and system for controlling a fuser of an electrophotographic imaging device
A system and methods for controlling the fuser heater of an electrophotographic imaging device, including initiating a preheating operation for preheating the fuser heater. Following a temperature of the fuser heater reaching a first predetermined temperature during the preheating operation, heater power is calculated based on a current temperature of the fuser heater and upon a second predetermined temperature. Current line voltage of a power supply line powering the electrophotographic device is also calculated, and a maximum heater power is determined based on the calculated current line voltage. The calculated heater power is then compared with the determined maximum heater power and the fuser heater is powered using the heater power equal to a lesser of the calculated heater power and the determined maximum heater power to heat the fuser heater from the first predetermined temperature to a second predetermined temperature.
US09835977B2 Powder container, powder supply device, and image forming apparatus including same
A powder container includes a powder chamber for containing powder for forming images, a powder outlet formed in a face of the powder container, and a shutter assembly to open and close the powder outlet and including first and second shutters. The first shutter is movable between a sealing position to close the powder outlet and an open position to open the powder outlet and includes a pressed member to cancel retention of the first shutter at the sealing position. The second shutter includes a pressing projection that interferes with the pressed member of the first shutter and is movable between a shielding position to cover the pressed member without interference between the pressing projection and the pressed member and a releasing position to press the pressed member with the pressing projection.
US09835976B2 Developing cartridge including rotary member having detectable extending portions for determining presence of the developing cartridge
A developing cartridge is provided. The developing cartridge includes a housing which accommodates developer therein, a receiving member provided which couples with a force output member of an image forming apparatus to receive a driving force, a developing roller which rotates by the driving force received by the receiving member; a detectable rotary member having a first detectable portion and a second detectable portion and rotates by the driving force from a first rotational position where the first detectable portion is detected by a detection member provided in the image forming apparatus to a second rotational position where the second detectable portion is detected by the detection member, and a cut-off mechanism which cuts off a transmission of the driving force from the receiving member to the detectable rotary member in a state where the detectable rotary member is positioned in the second rational position.
US09835973B2 Image forming apparatus having cleaner-less developer system
An image forming apparatus includes an image bearing member on which a latent image is formed, a developer carrying member for developing the latent image, and an electroconductive regulating member for regulating a layer thickness of the developer in contact with the developer carrying member. A voltage source applies, to the electroconductive regulating member, a voltage of the same polarity as a polarity of the developer on a surface of the developer carrying member at least during a developing operation. The developer remaining on the surface of the image bearing member, after a developer image formed on the image bearing member is transferred, is collected by the developer carrying member. At a time when the developer carrying member is driven in a period other than during the developing operation, a potential difference between the electroconductive regulating member and the developer carrying member is made zero or a voltage which is different toward a side of a polarity opposite the polarity of the developer from a voltage applied to the developer carrying member is applied to the electroconductive regulating member.
US09835971B2 Image forming apparatus to emit a plurality of light beams for an exposure of a photosensitive member
An image forming apparatus which is configured to expose a photosensitive member to light beams emitted from a plurality of light emitting elements, generates a plurality of BD signals by a plurality of laser light beams, and controls timings at which the plurality of light emitting elements emits the light beams based on a difference between timings at which the BD signals are generated.
US09835970B2 Image forming apparatus with pre-exposure member
In an image forming apparatus including a plurality of image forming stations, on the basis of a density of a toner image formed in an upstream image forming station, an operation of a pre-exposure device in a downstream image forming station is controlled.
US09835967B2 Surface modified magnetic carriers using hydrophobized titania
A developer mix used in a dual component development (DCD) system is a mixture of toner particles and magnetic carrier particles, wherein the magnetic carrier particle is surface treated with a hydrophobized titania particle. The surface treatment with a hydrophobized titania particle may be selected from either a spherical, disk, or spindle shaped. Tribocharge of the toner and the toner charge stability across cartridge life or environments may be suitably modified by selecting a preferred size and shape of the hydrophobized titania.
US09835951B2 Roll to roll light exposure system
Embodiments of the present invention provide a roll-to-roll exposure system having a reference mark array and alignment scope units for precisely measuring the position and orientation of an object on a flexible multilayered circuit film. A roll-to-roll exposure system according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention includes: a plurality of rolls configured to move a flexible multilayered circuit film having an object positioned thereon; alignment scope units positioned so as to be spaced apart from each other and proximate to the rolls; and at least one exposure unit positioned so as to be spaced proximate to the rolls and spaced apart from sides of the alignment scope units, in which one of the rolls has a reference mark array on its surface.
US09835945B2 Positive resist composition and method of pattern formation with the same
A positive resist composition comprising: (A) a resin which comes to have an enhanced solubility in an alkaline developing solution by an action of an acid; (B) a compound which generates an acid upon irradiation with actinic rays or a radiation; (C) a fluorine-containing compound containing at least one group selected from the groups (x) to (z); and (F) a solvent, and a method of pattern formation with the composition: (x) an alkali-soluble group; (y) a group which decomposes by an action of an alkaline developing solution to enhance a solubility in an alkaline developing solution; and (z) a group which decomposes by an action of an acid.
US09835942B2 Photosensitive resin composition and use thereof
In order to provide (A) a photosensitive resin composition which (i) obtains an excellent tack-free property after being applied and dried, (ii) can be subjected to fine processing so as to have photosensitivity, (iii) prepares a cured film having excellent flexibility, flame retardancy, and electrical insulation reliability, and (iv) has small warpage after being cured, (B) a resin film, (C) an insulating film, and (D) an printed wiring board provided with an insulating film, the photosensitive resin composition containing at least (A) binder polymer; (B) cross-linked polymer particles, whose polymer has a urethane bond in its molecule; (C) thermosetting resin; and (D) photo-polymerization initiator is used.
US09835937B2 Projection-type image display device
A projection-type image display device includes a light source, a phosphor, and a filter. The light source emits a first blue illumination light. The phosphor generates a first yellow illumination light of a first wavelength band, which includes a component of a red band and a component of a green band, from a part of the first blue illumination light, and reflects a second blue illumination light and the first yellow illumination light. The filter reflects, to the phosphor side, a third blue illumination light that is a part of the second blue illumination light reflected by the phosphor, and attenuates a component of a second wavelength band of the first yellow illumination light, which is narrower than the first wavelength band. The phosphor also generates a second yellow illumination light from the third blue illumination light reflected by the filter.
US09835930B2 Auto focus device and method for liquid crystal display
An auto focus device comprises a focus panel and a focus controller. The focus panel comprises liquid crystal between a first light-transmissive conductive film and a second light-transmissive conductive film, and the focus controller is configured to apply a voltage between the two light-transmissive conductive films at the position of at least one pixel, so that the liquid crystal at the position will have an expected focal length. An auto focus method comprises: acquiring information on eyesight status of a user; acquiring information on posture of the user; calculating expected focal length of the liquid crystal between the two light-transmissive conductive films at the position of at least one pixel according to the acquired user information; selecting a voltage to be applied between the two light-transmissive conductive films at the position according to the expected focal length; and applying the voltage between the two light-transmissive conductive films at the position.
US09835929B2 Multi-layer coating system using voids for heat blocking system and method for manufacturing same
Provided are a multilayered-coating system and a method of manufacturing the same. The multi-layered coating system includes: a layer 1 including a plurality of spherical voids with a radius a1 that are randomly distributed and separated from one another and a filler material with a refractive index n1 that is disposed in a space between the spherical voids; and subsequent layers expressed as the following word-equation, “a layer i located above a layer i−1 and including a plurality of spherical voids with a radius ai that are randomly distributed and separated from one another, and a filler material with a refractive index ni, the filler material disposed in a space between the spherical voids where i is an integer greater than 1”.
US09835928B1 Optical N-level quadrature amplitude modulation (NQAM) tuned by dithering associated heaters
A technique for tuning a silicon photonics (SiP) based nested (parent/child) Mach-Zehnder modulator (MZM). The technique includes a sequence of applying dither tones on individual arms of the child MZMs, observing changes in the output of the MZM, and adjusting the MZM until reaching the null points for the child MZMs and the quad point for the parent MZM.
US09835926B2 Electrophoretic dispersion
The present invention is directed to an electrophoretic dispersion, in particular, an electrophoretic dispersion comprising uncharged or lightly charged additive particles for improving bistability of an electrophoretic display. The average diameter of the additive particles is about 1% to about 25% of the average hydrodynamic diameter of the charged pigment particles.
US09835923B2 Bistable liquid crystal light-modulating device
A bistable liquid crystal spatial light modulating (SLM) device (SLM) device utilizes the homeotropic and bubble domain texture change of a cholesteric liquid crystal that is responsive to external stimuli, such as electric voltage, light and pressure. The SLM device is configured to be switched between the two stable textures of the bubble domain texture or the fingerprint texture. In addition, the SLM device may be switched between transparent and light-scattering states by the application of an electric field, light irradiation or physical/mechanical pressure. The light transmission state and the light-scattering states of the present invention are also stable in time at zero voltage, and are reversible upon the application of an external field at a different voltage, frequency or wavelength of light.
US09835920B2 Display device
A display device includes a plurality of pixels, at least one of which includes a pixel electrode, a switch, a storage electrode, and a storage electrode, and a storage electrode connecting portion. The pixel electrode is in a pixel area corresponding to a first gate line, a second gate line, a first data line, and a second data line. The switch is connected to the first gate line, the first data line, and the pixel electrode. The storage electrode is adjacent to the pixel electrode. The storage electrode connecting portion is connected to the storage electrode and overlaps at least one of the first gate line or the second gate line. At least a portion of the storage electrode connecting portion is substantially parallel to the overlapped one of the first gate line or the second gate line.
US09835919B2 Display device including a plurality of metal lines in contact with a common electrode
According to one embodiment, a display device comprises metal lines which are in contact with a structural electrode. A first filter overlaps with first and second pixels, and a second filter overlaps with second and fourth pixels. First to fourth structural electrodes overlap with first to fourth pixels respectively. A first slit extends between first and second pixels, and a second slit extends between third and fourth pixels. The first metal line is formed between first and second structural electrodes to cover part of the first slit, and the second metal line is formed between third and fourth structural electrodes to cover part of the second slit.
US09835915B2 Liquid crystal display
A liquid crystal display in which the common voltage line is disposed directly on or directly under the common electrode directly contacts the common electrode such that a signal delay of the common voltage line may be reduced and simultaneously a reduction in the aperture ratio of the liquid crystal display may be prevented.
US09835914B2 Window method and apparatus for protection from bright light sources
According to an embodiment, an electrically switchable mirror includes: a first electrically switchable layer of cholesteric liquid crystal material, the first electrically switchable layer having a first state in which right-handed circularly polarized light incident thereon is reflected and left-handed circularly polarized light incident thereon is transmitted and a second state wherein right-handed and left-handed circularly polarized light incident thereon are transmitted; a second electrically switchable layer of cholesteric liquid crystal material, the second electrically switchable layer having a first state in which left-handed circularly polarized light incident thereon is reflected and right-handed circularly polarized light incident thereon is transmitted and a second state wherein right-handed and left-handed circularly polarized light incident thereon are transmitted; and a first electrically switchable wave plate disposed between the first and second electrically switchable layers.
US09835909B2 Display device having cyclically-arrayed sub-pixels
In a display device, first and second sub pixels arranged in juxtaposition between adjacent scan lines are lined alternately in a column direction in at least one of first and third columns of sub pixels; at least one of third and fourth sub pixels is arranged between adjacent scan lines in at least one of second and fourth columns of sub pixels; the first, second, third, and fourth sub pixels are included in an identical row of pixels and the first, second, third, and fourth columns of sub pixels; and a first pixel that is in an identical row of pixels and includes sub pixels of the first and second columns includes a sub pixel not present in a second pixel that is adjacent to the first pixel in a row direction and is included in the third and fourth columns.
US09835899B2 Display device containing multiple optical conversion layers
A display device includes a first base substrate, a second base substrate, pixels, a first polarizer, and a second polarizer. The first base substrate includes light transmitting areas and a light blocking area surrounding each of the light transmitting areas. The pixels respectively overlap the light transmitting areas. The first and second polarizers are spaced apart from each other such that the pixels are disposed therebetween. At least one of the first and second polarizers includes a plurality of optical conversion layers, each of which comprises a plurality of lattice wires.
US09835890B2 Liquid crystal display
The present invention relates to a liquid crystal (LC) display of the FFS type comprising a liquid crystal medium with negative dielectric anisotropy and a di- or multireactive polymerizable compound, and an alignment layer inducing planar alignment in the LC medium.
US09835885B2 Systems, methods, and apparatus for sensitive thermal imaging
The high-pixel-count uncooled thermal imaging arrays disclosed herein have liquid crystal (LC) microcavity transducers separate from the read-out integrated circuit (ROIC). The transducer converts incident infrared (IR) radiation in birefringence changes that can be measured with visible light. In other words, the system uses the temperature sensitivity of the LC birefringence to convert the IR scene to a visible image. Measurements on sample arrays indicate that the LC material quality is similar to that of bulk samples and has good noise performance. Additionally, high-fill-factor arrays on fused-silica substrates may be processed to enable optimization of conditions for greatly improved temperature sensitivity. An additional IR absorber layer may be integrated into the process to tune the structure for the infrared.
US09835881B2 Wavelength locking filter
An optical system can automatically lock an adjustable spectral filter to a first wavelength of an incoming light signal, and can automatically filter an additional incoming light signal at the first wavelength. A tunable filter can have a filtering spectrum with an adjustable peak wavelength and increasing attenuation at wavelengths away from the adjustable peak wavelength. The tunable filter can receive first input light, having a first wavelength, and can spectrally filter the first input light to form first output light. A detector can detect at least a fraction of the first output light. Circuitry coupled to the detector and the tunable filter can tune the tunable filter to maximize a signal from the detector and thereby adjust the peak wavelength to match the first wavelength. The tunable filter further can receive second input light and spectrally filter the second input light at the first wavelength.
US09835875B2 Method of calculation for detailed waverfront calculation for spectacle lenses with a diffractive grating
Method for assessing an optical property of kth order of an optical element at an evaluation point. The optical element has a boundary surface formed of a refractive base surface and a phase-modifying optical element. The method includes determining the properties of a wavefront in the local surrounding of the evaluation point by means of a local wavefront tracing, anddetermining the optical property at the evaluation point based on the properties of the wavefront in the local surrounding of the evaluation point,wherein the local wavefront tracing has a local wavefront tracing upon passage through the boundary surface, and the local wavefront tracing upon passage through the boundary surface is performed according to the equation for the local wavefront tracing through the refractive base surface, the equation being supplemented by an additive additional term PK(k).
US09835853B1 MEMS scanner with mirrors of different sizes
A scanning device includes a base and a gimbal, mounted within the base so as to rotate relative to the base about a first axis. A first mirror, which has a first area, is mounted within the gimbal so as to rotate about a second axis, which is perpendicular to the first axis. A second mirror, which has a second area that is at least twice the first area, is also mounted within the gimbal so as to rotate about a third axis, which is parallel to the second axis, in synchronization with the first mirror.
US09835845B2 Scanning endoscope
A scanning endoscope includes: a light guide portion configured to guide an illuminating light that is emitted from a light source portion and irradiate an object with the illuminating light; an actuator configured to drive so as to cause a distal end of a light guide portion to scan, in order to scan the guided illuminating light over an object; a holding portion configured to hold the actuator; a rigid tubular member having a space that encloses the light guide portion, the actuator and the holding portion; and a connection portion that is interposed between the tubular member and the holding portion, and is configured to hold the holding portion at a prescribed position within the tubular member and to change shape in a circumferential direction that takes a longitudinal direction of the light guide portion as an axis when the tubular member or holding portion receives a force.
US09835842B2 Microscope attachment
A microscope attachment includes a lens apparatus with one or more lenses, a light source, and a sample holder. The sample holder is disposed between the lens apparatus and the light source and is positioned to transmit light from the light source through the sample holder and through the lens apparatus. The lens apparatus is disposed to enlarge an optical area in the sample holder. An attachment mechanism is disposed to connect the microscope attachment to a personal electronic device.
US09835819B2 Sight adjustable by single hand
A sight includes a main body including a focus lens system and an erecting lens system; a first adjusting member disposed in the main body and configured to move the focus lens system along the optical axis; a second adjusting member disposed in the main body and configured to move the erecting lens system in a first direction which is perpendicular to the optical axis; a focus adjusting module disposed in the main body and configured to drive the first adjusting member so as to move the focus lens system along the optical axis; and a first adjusting module detachably joined to the focus adjusting module and configured to drive the second adjusting member so as to move the erecting lens system in the first direction.
US09835813B1 Assembly for installing optical fiber cable
An assembly for installing an optical fiber cable which includes a fiber core assembly and a reinforcement yarn assembly surrounding the fiber core assembly. The assembly includes a leading unit having a yarn positioner for fixing a front part of the reinforcement yarn assembly, and a trailing unit including a front cap, a rear tube, and a middle tube that has front and rear threaded portions threadedly engage the front cap and the rear tube, respectively. The front cap has a threaded sleeve portion sleeving around the front threaded portion of the middle tube for clamping a rear part of the reinforcement yarn assembly against the middle tube, thereby fixing the rear part of the reinforcement yarn assembly.
US09835812B2 Multi-optical fiber aggregate
A multi-fiber aggregate is provided. The multi-fiber aggregate includes at least two optical fibers, each of the at least two optical fibers having a core member formed from a silica-based glass and an outer cladding layer formed from a silica-based glass surrounding and in direct contact with the core member. The multi-fiber aggregate also includes a polymeric binding coating surrounding the at least two optical fibers and holding the at least two fibers in a predetermined geometry.
US09835808B2 Cylindrical optical ferrule alignment apparatus
An alignment sleeve for an optical fiber adapter includes features to bring precision alignment between optical fiber cores. The sleeve includes a tubular inner area to accept first and second ferrule ends of first and second connectors. First and second tabs project from first and second ends of the sleeve. The first and second tabs slide into holes in the ferrule holders or barrels of the first and second connectors, so as to provide rotational alignment of the first and second ferrules, which may be presenting multi-core optical fibers. A mid-portion of the sleeve may include geometrical features to enable a snap fit of the sleeve into a housing of the adapter. More than one tab may be employed at the ends of the sleeve, and the tabs may have defined spacing and/or dimensions to enable security keying, only permitting coupling between connectors possessing matching holes in the ferrule barrels.
US09835806B2 Fiber optic cable and ferrule with smooth internal contours and method of terminating fiber with the ferrule
A fiber optic ferrule includes a body extending from a first end to a second opposite end, with the body including an axial passage extending between the first and the second ends. The axial passage includes a first diameter portion having a diameter of at least 125 microns, a second diameter portion having a diameter of at least 250 microns and less than a diameter of a buffer, and a smooth and continuous transition between the first and the second diameter portions. The second diameter portion is positioned between the first diameter portion and the second end. The axial passage further defines a tapered shape at the second end extending inward from the second end toward the second diameter portion. In certain embodiments, another smooth and continuous transition can be provided between the taper shape and the second diameter portion. In certain embodiments, the axial passage is smooth and continuous between the first and the second ends of the body. A hub holds the ferrule. A method of assembling a terminated fiber optic cable is also provided.
US09835804B2 Connecting mid-board optical modules
A clip connects two ferrules together, without a housing, to form a fiber optic connection. The clip has proximal and distal ends which define, and the clip has arms extending along the longitudinal axis to hold a cable-side ferrule in connection with fixed ferrule connected to a photonic module or die. The arms form an opening through which the cable-side ferrule is passed for connecting to the fixed ferrule. The arms have resilient bends forming a spring that can be resiliently extended along the longitudinal axis. The arms have a contact area at their ends which grasp the end of the cable-sided ferrule. The arms resiliently retract to compress the cable-sided ferrule towards the fixed ferrule with a predetermined force. The clip is positioned with respect to the circuit board using a pick and place system. The clip is not taller than either ferrule portion, enabling a limited vertical clearance.
US09835803B2 Attaching connectors
A connector assembly includes a first connector that has an attachment feature. A second connector is removably attachable to the attachment feature of the first connector without establishing communication with the first connector. One of the first and second connectors is an optical connector, and another of the first and second connectors is an electrical connector.
US09835799B2 Loose tube fiber cable adapter and splice-on connector adapter
An adapter is configured to hold a loose tube fiber cable and is mountable into a fusion splicer. The adapter includes a clamp base having a first and second grooves, each groove having a centerline, a width and a depth. The depth of the second groove is greater than the depth of the first groove, such that a shoulder is formed between the first and second grooves. The centerlines of the grooves align. This allows for the loose tube fiber cable or splice-on connector to be properly positioned within the grooves. The first groove is V-shaped. The second groove may be V-shaped, U-shaped or square-shaped. A clamp cover seats on the clamp base. The clamp cover has a compressible pad which, when the clamp cover is placed into a facing relationship with the clamp base, the pad aligns with the first groove.
US09835789B2 Illuminated operational device
An operational element receives manipulation and moves relative to a base. A light source emits light. A visor is extended from the base and is located on an upper side of the light source.
US09835781B2 Wire grid polarizer and method of fabricating the same
Provided is a wire grid polarizer comprising a substrate, a plurality of conductive wire patterns formed in parallel to protrude from a top surface of the substrate and first hard mask patterns disposed on the conductive wire patterns and second hard mask patterns disposed on the first hard mask patterns, wherein a ratio of a taper angle of the second hard mask patterns to a taper angle of the first hard mask pattern is 1 or greater.
US09835771B2 Polarizing plate and liquid crystal display including the same
A polarizing plate and a liquid crystal display including the polarizing plate include: a polarizer; and a surface protective film on a first surface of the polarizer, and the surface protective film includes a first protective film on the first surface of the polarizer, and a primer layer on at least one surface of the first protective film, a refractive index ratio of the first protective film to the primer layer satisfying the equation: 0.6
US09835769B2 Optical effect coating
A method which may be used for forming an optical effect coating for a light transmission element configured to form a part of a cover of a device is disclosed. The method comprises: printing a first coating layer having a plurality of adjacent first elongated micro openings extending in a first direction in an aperture area, and printing a second coating layer having a plurality of adjacent second elongated micro openings extending in a second direction, the second direction differing from the first direction, in the aperture area. Thereby, an optical effect coating is formed, comprising micro holes formed at intersections of the first and the second elongated micro openings, the micro holes producing locally increased effective light transmittance through the optical effect coating in the aperture area.
US09835764B2 System and method for the calibration of a hydrophone line array
A method is disclosed for calibration of a towed line array. In a low frequency band, calibration is performed using an acoustic field observed by reference standard hydrophones. The observations form a model of a complex acoustic field throughout a space occupied by a measurement apparatus. The array sensitivities are computed by comparing output voltages of the array with the acoustic field estimated at the locations occupied by hydrophones of the array. Variations in the acoustic field that cannot be accounted for by free field propagation theory are included in the calculation of array channel sensitivities. The method extends the low frequency limit for the calibration to less than the minimum frequency at which free field propagation conditions can be approximated. Boundary reflections and spatial variations in the acoustic field are recognized. The spatial distribution of acoustic energy is used to provide low frequency calibration with improved precision.
US09835763B2 Method of monitoring carbon dioxide leakage in carbon capture and storage reservoirs
The method of monitoring carbon dioxide leakage in carbon capture and storage reservoirs estimates porosity and water saturation in a porous medium, such as brine-saturated shale, as is common in carbon capture and storage reservoirs, based upon measured electrical conductivity and seismic P-wave velocity. The estimated porosity and water saturation may be used for monitoring carbon dioxide leakage from a carbon dioxide reservoir to the overlying cap rock of the region. Measured electrical conductivity and seismic P-wave velocity data are used by the present method to estimate the porosity and water saturation in the cap rock. If a decrease in water saturation in the cap rock is found, this indicates that carbon dioxide may be leaking up from the carbon dioxide reservoir. An alert signal is then generated to indicate that there may be a carbon dioxide leak.
US09835752B2 Metal detector
A sensor for the location of metallic objects and also an associated method comprise a plurality of transmitting coils (2.1, 2.2) and at least one receiving coil (1.9) which are arranged such as to be inductively coupled to one another and overlap to a partial extent for the purposes of decoupling the interaction therebetween, whereby there can be obtained a point of optimal cancellation of the interaction. Due to the fact that a flow of current is passed through the transmitting coils (2.1, 2.2) by a sensor electronic system, equal flows of current through the transmitting coils have an effect upon the at least one receiving coil (1.9) which results in a local point of optimal cancellation which moves in a first direction when there is a flow of current in a first transmitting coil (2.1), whereas it moves in another direction when there is a flow of current in a further transmitting coil (2.2), and due to the fact that there is provided a control circuit for the regulation of the currents in the transmitting coils which leads to a displacement of the local point of optimal cancellation which causes cancellation of the received signal, a simple and effective sensor is thereby produced.
US09835746B2 Formation stability modeling
A method can include receiving data that characterizes anisotropy of a formation; receiving a model that models one or more planes of weakness in an anisotropic formation; and, based at least in part on the model and the data, outputting information germane to stability of a bore in an anisotropic formation.
US09835742B1 Neutron imaging integrated circuit and method for detecting neutrons
The present disclosure provides a neutron imaging detector and a method for detecting neutrons. In one example, a method includes providing a neutron imaging detector including plurality of memory cells and a conversion layer on the memory cells, setting one or more of the memory cells to a first charge state, positioning the neutron imaging detector in a neutron environment for a predetermined time period, and reading a state change at one of the memory cells, and measuring a charge state change at one of the plurality of memory cells from the first charge state to a second charge state less than the first charge state, where the charge state change indicates detection of neutrons at said one of the memory cells.
US09835737B1 Autonomous gamma, X-ray, and particle detector
A system and method for imaging gamma- and x-ray, and charged particles sources employing a three dimensional array of scintillation elements arranged surrounding an emission source. According to a preferred embodiment, each element of the array comprises a scintillator element, a solid-state photon detector, and processing electronics to output an electronic signal. The elements may be efficiently packed in both the X-Y plane and stacked in the Z-axis, to provide depth of interaction information. The elements of the array are preferably hierarchically arranged with control electronics provided together for subarray modules (e.g., an n×m×1 module), and synchronization electronics provided at a larger scale. The modules preferably communicate with a control system through a shared addressable packet switched digital communication network with a control and imaging system, and receive control information from that system through the network.
US09835730B2 Projection data binning and image generation in photon counting imaging modality
Among other things, one or more techniques and/or systems are described for presenting images derived from a photon counting imaging modality. Initially, a first image is derived by binning native projection data in a first manner to create first binned data and generating the first image using the first binned data. A region-of-interest within the object may be identified from the first image, and, based upon the identified region-of-interest, the native projection data may be rebinned in a second, different, manner to create second binned data. Because the second manner of binning the native projection data is different than the first manner, an image resulting from the second binned data may be different than the first image. Moreover, a user interface may be provided for assisting a user in selecting a region-of-interest and/or for specifying desired properties of the second image.
US09835718B2 Range finder and optical device
A distance detection apparatus including: a light output unit which outputs a light; a computation unit which computes a distance to a detection target by using a time until when the light output from the light output unit is received in a light receiving unit; a deblurring optical system which is driven based on a detection result of a blurring and through which the output light is transmitted; a detection unit which detects a position of the deblurring optical system; a storage unit which stores a predetermined range; a determination unit which determines whether the position detected by the detection unit is included in the predetermined range; and a control unit which controls a light output by the light output unit in accordance with a determination result of the determination unit.
US09835716B2 Proximity sensor with light blocking compound
A sensor comprising a light emitter and light detector directly covered and encapsulated by a layer of light blocking compound. The light blocking compound can be thick enough between the light emitter and light detector to block substantially all light emitted by the light emitter from reaching the light detector directly, but be thin enough above the light emitter and light detector to allow at least some level of light emitted by the light emitter to escape out of the sensor, be reflected by another object, re-enter the sensor, and survive passing through the light blocking compound to enter the light detector.
US09835697B2 RF-safe interventional or non-interventional instrument for use in an MRI apparatus
An RF-safe interventional or a non-interventional instrument is used during an MR imaging or MR examination of an examination object (A). The instrument is made of or includes at least one longitudinal or elongated electrically conductive element (1, 3), for example, in the form of a conductor or wire or line for feeding electrical signals, or in the form of the instrument itself or a component or a part thereof, which is not provided for feeding electrical signals but is nevertheless electrically conductive. All such elements are subject to RF common mode currents which are induced in the element when the instrument or element is exposed to an RF/MR excitation field generated during MR imaging or MR examination by an MR imaging apparatus. The instrument is made RF-safe by increasing the energy loss of an oscillator which is represented by the conductor (1, 3) by a damping element (4; 6) in order to prevent or limit RF heating of the examination object (A) at or surrounding the conductor (1, 3).
US09835686B2 Method for monitoring an on-load tap changer
The invention relates to a method for monitoring an on-load tap changer that is used to switch between winding taps of a tapped transformer without interrupting the load current and is actuated using a motor drive. According to the invention, prior to the actual load switching process, the on-load tap changer is initially moved a short distance, preferably against the direction in which the load is subsequently switched. In said initial process, it is verified whether the on-load tap changer has moved, i.e. has left its previous stationary position, and/or whether the torque on the motor drive has exceeded a predefined threshold value. The actual load switching process takes place only once the test has yielded a positive result.
US09835684B2 In-circuit test structure for printed circuit board
A printed circuit board, an in-circuit test structure and a method for producing the in-circuit test structure thereof are disclosed. The in-circuit test structure comprises a via and a test pad. The via passes through the printed circuit board for communicating with an electrical device to be tested on the printed circuit board. The test pad is formed on an upper surface of the printed circuit board and covering the via, wherein a center of the via deviates from a center of the test pad. In the in-circuit test, the accuracy of the test data can be improved by means of the in-circuit test structure provided by the present invention, and thus the reliability of the test result is ensured. Also, the test efficiency of the in-circuit test is improved.
US09835673B2 Method for analyzing faults in ungrounded power distribution systems
A method analyzes a fault of an ungrounded power distribution system. The method determines a type of a fault in a line segment of the ungrounded power distribution system, and modifies a nodal admittance matrix of the line segment determined before the fault using a transformation matrix corresponding to the type of the fault to produce a faulty nodal admittance matrix of the line segment after the fault. The ungrounded power distribution system is analyzed using the faulty nodal admittance matrix and nodal admittance matrices of functional branches or line segments of the power distribution system.
US09835670B2 Isolator, semiconductor device, and method for controlling isolator
An isolator includes: a transmission circuit that generates an alternating current transmission signal in which a first potential is set to be a reference potential; a first insulating element to which the alternating current transmission signal is supplied; a second insulating element that generates an alternating current reception signal in which a second potential is set to be a reference potential by being alternating current-coupled to the first insulating element through an insulating film; a reception circuit that reproduces reception data based on the alternating current reception signal; an impedance control unit that controls an impedance of the first or the second insulating element to be higher than an impedance before the control; and a leakage current detection unit that detects a leakage current flowing between the first and the second insulating elements through the first or the second insulating element in which the impedance has been controlled.
US09835668B2 Circuit arrangement for short-circuit detection in diodes, lighting arrangement and method therefor
A circuit arrangement comprises a first terminal for connection to a voltage source, a second terminal for connection to a first current sink and a third terminal for supplying a potential signal. A first diode string can be connected to the voltage source on the anode side and to the first current sink on the cathode side. The third terminal can be coupled to the cathode side of the first diode string by a resistor. An adjustable reference current sink is coupled to the third terminal, for generating a reference current, and comparison unit coupled to the third terminal on the input side for providing a short-circuit detection signal in dependence on a difference between the potential signal and an adjustable reference voltage. The potential signal can be supplied in dependence on a first short-circuit voltage across the first diode string and in dependence on the reference current.
US09835664B2 Microwave antennas for extremely low interference communications systems
Microwave antennas having optimized performance are provided. The microwave antennas include a primary reflector having effective foci arranged in a generally circular or elliptic range around a central axis thereof, and a matching component filling a hole at a bottom center portion thereof. The structural parameters of the microwave antenna are tuned by an aperture field analysis method to optimize the overall performance.
US09835656B2 Method and device for measuring current at a converter
In a method and device for measuring current at a converter, the prevailing phase current is determined at the output of the converter by current-measuring devices, in order to supply it to a closed-loop control device assigned to the converter. The prevailing phase current to be ascertained at an output of the converter is measured independently at two current-measuring devices, and the measuring results of both current-measuring devices are utilized to determine the prevailing phase current.
US09835653B2 Solder bump array probe tip structure for laser cleaning
A probe tip structure that decreases the accumulation rate of Sn particles to the probe tip and enables considerably more efficient and complete laser cleaning is disclosed. In an embodiment, the probe structure includes an array of probe tips, each probe tip having an inner core; an interfacial layer bonded to the inner core; and an outer layer bonded to the interfacial layer, wherein the outer layer is resistant to adherence of the solder of the ball grid array package.
US09835651B2 Cantilever type probe card for high frequency signal transmission
A high-frequency cantilever type probe card includes a base board, a probe base provided on the base board, two probes, and a capacitor having opposite ends electrically connected to the probes respectively. The probe base is made of an insulating material, and the probes are made of a conductive material. Each of the probes has an arm and a tip, wherein the arm is connected to the probe base, and the tip is adapted to contact a pad of a DUT. When the DUT generates a testing signal with a high frequency, and the testing signal is transmitted to one of the probes, the capacitor, and the other one of the probes in sequence, and then transmitted back to the DUT.
US09835650B2 Packaged device adapter with parameter indication
An adapter apparatus and method includes using an adapter body defining a socket cavity configured to receive a packaged device and a socket lid assembly configured to apply a force upon a packaged device received in the socket cavity of the adapter body. A measurement apparatus associated with the socket lid assembly may include a measurement element (e.g., temperature sensing element, compressible element, etc.) that is configured to contact a packaged device received in the socket cavity when the socket lid assembly closes the socket cavity and applies a force upon the packaged device (e.g., a measurement signal is generated with use of the measurement element that is configured to contact the packaged device). An indicator may be configured to display a parameter based on the measurement signal (e.g., a count, a temperature, etc.).
US09835641B2 Angular velocity detection device and angular velocity sensor including the same
An angular velocity detection device includes an outer frame including fixed portions, outer beam portions connected to the fixed portions, a sensing part surrounded by the outer frame with first slit therebetween, and a joint connecting the outer frame and the sensing part. The sensing part includes an inner beam portion, a flexible portion, and a detector. The inner beam portion has a hollow region inside and is square-shaped when viewed from above. The flexible portion is formed in the hollow region of the inner beam portion, and is connected to the inner edge of the inner beam portion. The detector is disposed in the flexible portion. The first slit is formed to surround the sensing part excluding the joint.
US09835619B2 Apparatus for automatic electric field immunohistochemical staining and method for automatic electric field immunohistochemical staining
Acceleration and automation of immunohistochemical staining are achieved as follows: an automatic electric field immunohistochemical staining apparatus is configured to provided with a sample mounting unit, a solution supply unit, an electric field stifling unit, and a washing unit; the sample mounting unit on which a glass substrate with a tissue specimen fixed thereto is mounted and the electric field stirring unit that includes an upper electrode are operated in coordination to activate an antigen in the tissue specimen; the sample mounting unit and the solution supply unit containing various solutions are operated in coordination to supply a primary-antibody-containing solution to the tissue specimen; the sample mounting unit and the electric field stirring unit are operated in coordination to perform an antigen-antibody reaction of the antigen in the tissue specimen and a primary antibody; and the electric field stirring unit and the washing unit are operated in coordination.
US09835618B1 Discovery, detection and use of biomarkers
Provided herein are systems for and methods of capturing, detecting, quantifying, and characterizing target moieties that are characterized by having a lipophilic portion of sufficient size and chemical composition whereby the target moiety inserts (or partitions) into a lipid assembly. Examples of such assays employ synthetic lipid constructs such as supported bilayers which are used to capture target moieties; other example assays exploit the natural absorption of compounds into natural lipid constructs such as HDL or LDL particles or cell membranes to capture target moieties. In specific embodiments, the target moieties are bacterial pathogen associated molecular pattern (PAMP) molecules or compounds not yet identified as PAMP molecules. Also provided are methods of determining PAMP molecule fingerprints and profiles that are linked to (indicative of) bacterial infection, disease states or progression, development of antibiotic resistance, and so forth, as well as these fingerprints, profiles and methods of using them.
US09835614B2 Measurement of cell growth and drug susceptibility by resonant mass measurement
System and Method for measuring the growth of a bacterial culture and its response to one or more antimicrobials using measurement of mass of individual microbes. Methods include periodic sampling, determining change in mass and concentration, and comparing growth rates of cultures in nutrient broth vs. mixtures containing various antibiotic mixtures. A number of antimicrobials can be compared in one measurement by multiplexing or using multiple sensors to measure in parallel. Growth and antibiotic efficacy can be assessed at low concentrations at the onset of growth, typically within 1 to 2 hours.
US09835610B2 Concrete screeding system with floor quality feedback/control
A screeding system for use with a screeding machine during screeding of an uncured concrete surface includes a control and a plurality of sensors. The sensors are disposed at the screeding machine, which has a screed head assembly that is movable over uncured concrete to screed the concrete surface. The sensors include elevation sensors that sense an elevation of the screed head assembly relative to a reference plane established at the concrete area. The control processes data captured by said plurality of sensors while the screeding machine is screeding the uncured concrete surface. Responsive to the data processing of captured data, the control estimates a flatness or levelness or quality of the surface of the concrete being screeded. While the screeding machine is screeding the uncured concrete surface, the control generates an output indicative of the estimated flatness or levelness or quality of the surface.
US09835606B2 Quantitation of tamoxifen and metabolites thereof by mass spectrometry
Provided are methods for determining the amount of tamoxifen and its metabolites in a sample by mass spectrometry. In some aspects, the methods provided herein determine the amount of norendoxifen. In some aspects, the methods provided herein determine the amount of norendoxifen and tamoxifen. In some aspects, the methods provided herein determine the amount of norendoxifen and other tamoxifen metabolites. In some aspects, the methods provided herein determine the amount of tamoxifen, norendoxifen, and other tamoxifen metabolites.
US09835599B2 Method for producing a chromatography analysis column
The invention concerns a method for producing a chromatography analysis column, the resulting column, and a device comprising such a column. The method according to the invention comprises the following steps: (a) depositing on the flat surface of a substrate a first layer of particles which are intended to form the stationary phase; (b) depositing on the layer at least one second layer of compactly assembled particles; (c) impregnating the first and second layers with a light radiation-sensitive material, to form at least two compactly assembled particle layers impregnated with sensitive material; (d) insolating these layers in the regions corresponding to the desired internal shape of the chromatography analysis column, if the light radiation-sensitive material behaves like a positive resin, or outlining this internal shape if the light radiation-sensitive material behaves like a negative photosensitive resin; (e) eliminating either the regions insolated in step (d) if the light radiation-sensitive layer behaves like a positive photosensitive resin, or the regions not insolated in step (d) if the light radiation-sensitive material behaves like a negative photosensitive resin; and (f) covering and sealing the structure obtained in step (e) with a cover covered on the face facing the layers with at least one layer of compactly assembled particles which are identical to or different from those deposited on the substrate surface. The invention is used in particular in the field of chemical analysis.
US09835591B2 Optical cantilever based analysis
An optical sensor including a MEMS structure, and a grating coupled resonating structure positioned adjacent to the MEMS structure, the grating coupled resonating structure comprising an interrogating grating coupler configured to direct light towards the MEMS structure. The interrogating grating coupler is two dimensional, and the interrogating grating coupler and the MEMS structure form an optical resonant cavity.
US09835588B2 Jet injector inlet for a differential mobility spectrometer
A method and apparatus for performing differential mobility spectrometer (DMS) which includes decreasing the amount of time that ions spend inside fringing fields generated by the DMS. The apparatus includes an entrance electrode plate sealingly engaged to the entrance of the DMS, and is electrically separated from the parallel plate electrodes of the DMS, the entrance electrode plate has an aperture for allowing the traversal of ions into the DMS; wherein the cross-sectional area of the aperture is less than the cross-sectional area of the ion path, the ion path being located between the two parallel plate electrodes of the DMS. The entrance electrode plate may also have a focusing potential applied to it for focusing of ions.
US09835586B2 Portable electrochemical cell with temperature control and surface morphology independence
The invention comprises portable, rugged and relatively compact electrochemical cells. Each may be removably and nondestructively secured to one surface of a substrate of indefinite size. In-situ electrochemical measurements may be made on portions of existing structures such as ships, bridges, or buildings. An electrochemical cell is disclosed which comprises an analytical chamber which can be utilized with either on-board or external potentiostats. The electrochemical cell has a mounting means which permits the cell to be secured to substrates with irregular surface morphology and to horizontal, vertical or intermediately oriented surfaces. The electrochemical cell provides a means to control the temperature of the electrolyte and the substrate area of interest to permit more accuract and consistent elecrochemical measurements. Said probe is capable of performing electrochemical measurements such as a monitoring corrosion, effectiveness, or integrity of conductive and nonconductive coatings on bare and coated metallic or conductive substrates.
US09835583B2 Remote sensing using pulse-width modulation
A method of assembling a remote sensor system to detect a gas or chemical and a remote sensor system are described. The method includes fabricating a sensor, the sensor outputting a sensor signal that changes upon contact of the sensor with the gas or chemical and the sensor having an input port for a clock signal, coupling a capacitor to the sensor, the capacitor output voltage resulting from the sensor signal output by the sensor, and coupling a mixer to the capacitor and a low frequency oscillator, the mixer configured to mix the capacitor output voltage with the low frequency oscillator output to generate an output signal. The method also includes coupling an antenna to the mixer, the antenna configured to transmit the output signal indicating detection of the gas or chemical.
US09835580B2 Methods and systems for detecting the hydration of sensors
A sensor system includes a sensor and a sensor electronics device. The sensor includes a plurality of electrodes. The sensor electronics device includes a connection detection device, a power source, and a delay circuit. The connection detection device determines if the sensor electronics device is connected to the sensor and transmits a connection signal. The delay circuit receives the connection signal, waits a preset hydration time, and couples the regulated voltage from the power source to an electrode in the sensor after the preset hydration time has elapsed. Alternatively, the sensor electronics device may include an electrical detection circuit and a microcontroller. The electrical detection circuit determines if the plurality of electrodes are hydrated and generates an interrupt if the electrodes are hydrated. A microcontroller receives the interrupt and transmits a signal representative of a voltage to an electrode of the plurality of electrodes.
US09835574B2 Gas measurement device and measurement method thereof
A gas measurement device measures gas using a gas sensor including a sense resistance exposed to the gas and a reference resistance not exposed to the gas. The gas measurement device applies a first current value and a second current value to the sensor. A detector functions to detect a first resistance variation and a second resistance variation of the sense resistance exposed to the gas with respect to the reference resistance as a function of the first current value and the second current value, respectively. The resistance variation dependent on relative humidity is then determined as a function of the first and second resistance variations and a first constant. The resistance variation dependent on gas content is then determined as a function of the first and second resistance variations and a second (different) constant.
US09835572B2 Therapeutic polymeric nanoparticle compositions with high glass transition temperature or high molecular weight copolymers
The present disclosure relates in part to pharmaceutical compositions comprising polymeric nanoparticles having certain glass transition temperatures. Other aspects of the invention include methods of making such nanoparticles.
US09835559B2 Urine specimen analysis device and urine specimen analysis method
A urine specimen analysis device includes a specimen drawing portion, a sample preparing portion, a measurement portion, and an information processing portion. The specimen drawing portion draws a first aliquot and a second aliquot from a urine specimen. The sample preparing portion prepares a first measurement sample by mixing the first aliquot and a first staining dye that stains red blood cells, and a second measurement sample by mixing the second aliquot and a second staining dye that stains nucleic acids. The measurement portion measures fluorescence emitted from the first measurement sample prepared by the sample preparing portion, and fluorescence emitted from the second measurement sample prepared by the sample preparing portion. The information processing portion detects at least red blood cells contained in the first measurement sample based on the fluorescence of the first measurement sample measured by the measurement portion, and at least white blood cells contained in the second measurement sample based on the fluorescence of the second measurement sample measured by the measurement portion.
US09835556B2 Gas analysis device
A gas analysis device includes a probe tube, a flange, an optical system member, and heaters. The probe tube includes an optical path through which measurement light is projected onto a prescribed measurement region of a sample gas flowing through a flue and/or is received from the measurement region. The flange is fixed to the outer periphery of the probe tube and is attached to a pipe side wall. The optical system member projects measurement light onto the sample gas S within the measurement region and/or receives measurement light from the measurement region. The heaters are disposed within the flange and heats the portion where the probe tube and flange are fixed to each other.
US09835554B2 Cleanable flat-faced conductivity sensor
Provided is a cleanable conductivity sensor and related methods having a distal sensing end in which active sensing elements are positioned and an outer fin specially configured to minimize unwanted interference without impacting the ability for automated cleaning of the distal sensing end. A rotatable wiper or brush may be periodically rotated over the distal sensing end, thereby removing unwanted biological build-up and avoiding fouling, thereby increasing the sensor deployment time without active intervention and maintenance.
US09835546B2 System and method of analysis by determining a depolarizing or dichroic character of an object
An analysis system comprises a transmitting device (1.1) and a receiving device (1.2). The transmitting devices comprises means for illuminating an object (1.3), or a part of the object, by a first light beam (1.8) consisting of signals with two distinct frequencies and first orthogonal polarisation states. The receiving device comprises means (1.6) for detecting, in a second light beam with second polarisation states and resulting from the illumination of the object to be analysed by the first light beam, a signal at a beat frequency equal to a difference between the two frequencies of the first light beam; and means (1.7) for obtaining information relating to the depolarising or dichroic character of the object, or of the part of the object, according to the detection or not of a signal at the beat frequency.
US09835540B2 Devices and methods for manipulating components in a fluid sample
Devices for sorting components (e.g., cells) contained in a liquid sample are provided. In certain aspects, the devices include a magnetic separation device and an acoustic concentrator device fluidically coupled to magnetic separation device. Aspects of the invention further include methods for sorting cells in a liquid sample, and systems, and kits for practicing the subject methods.
US09835537B2 Method for determining pore space parameters and a thermal conductivity of a matrix of porous materials
A porous sample is alternately saturated with at least two saturating fluids with known different thermal conductivities. As at least one saturating fluid a mixture of at least two fluids is used with known and different thermal conductivities. After each saturation thermal conductivity of the saturated sample is measured, and pore space characteristics and matrix thermal conductivity are determined based on the results of thermal conductivity measurements.
US09835531B2 Method and separation device for separating a filtrate from a sample fluid
A separation device for separating a filtrate from a sample fluid, especially for extracting plasma from whole blood, comprising a sample container for receiving the sample fluid and a filter plunger to be introduced under seal into the sample container, which filter plunger has a filter element at its front end and a grip element on the opposite end and will receive in its interior the filtrate obtained. After insertion of the filter plunger into the sample container an annular chamber is formed between the inner wall of the sample container and the outer wall of the filter plunger, which is sealed against the exterior by a sealing lip and in which an air cushion is formed upon introduction of the filter plunger into the sample container, which acts on the sample fluid. A flow connection is provided between the annular chamber and the front side of the filter element after insertion of the filter plunger is terminated.
US09835511B2 High temperature flexural mode piezoelectric dynamic pressure sensor
A method for forming a pressure sensor includes forming a base of a sapphire material, the base including a cavity formed therein; forming a sapphire membrane on top of the base and over the cavity; forming a lower electrode on top of the membrane; forming a piezoelectric material layer on an upper surface of the lower electrode, the piezoelectric material layer being formed of aluminum nitride (AIN); and forming at least one upper electrode on an upper surface of the piezoelectric material layer.
US09835502B2 Temperature and strain sensing optical fiber and temperature and strain sensor
Disclosed is a temperature and strain sensing optical fiber including a first doped radial zone (Z1) with an associated first Brillouin shift (BS1) caused by the doping of said zone (Z1) and a second doped radial zone (Z2) with associated second Brillouin shift (BS2) caused by the doping of said second zone (Z2). The concentration and/or composition of the doping materials in said first and second radial zones are chosen such that the first Brillouin Shift (BS1) is different from the second Brillouin Shift (BS2) for all variations of said Brillouin Shifts (BS1, BS2) caused by temperature and/or strain.
US09835497B2 Rod thermometer device for detecting a temperature, use for the electrical simulation of nuclear fuel rods
The invention relates to rod thermometer device for detecting a temperature, including a plurality of temperature-sensitive elements and a protective sheath having an axis X in which the sensitive elements are partially inserted. The sheath is made of a metal constituting one of the two metals of a thermocouple, and the sensitive elements of a plurality of wires made of a metal other than that of the sheath and constituting the other one of the two metals of a thermocouple, one of the ends of each one of the wires being welded inside the sheath forming a junction for measuring a given thermocouple, the welded ends of the wires being distributed along a plurality of axial and azimuth positions relative to the axis X inside the sheath, each one of the wires extending out of the sheath by at least one of the ends thereof.
US09835496B2 Fever alert system
An apparatus, a system and a method for monitoring and alerting a user caring for a patient when a change in body temperature requires immediate attention. The apparatus is a bracelet worn by the user. The system includes the bracelet in wireless communication with a temperature sensing device placed on the patient. The bracelet has a display operative for displaying the body temperature, an audible alarm that sounds and a vibration that occurs when the temperature exceeds a setpoint, and a plurality of lights, each with a unique setpoint, a light activated when the temperature exceeds the setpoint. The user attaches the temperature sensing device to the patient and dons the bracelet. The user can then sleep, selectively observing the display and lights upon waking with confidence that the system is monitoring the patient's temperature and selectively alerting the user when a change in body temperature requires immediate attention.
US09835495B2 Light beam measurement device, laser apparatus, and light beam separator
A light beam measurement device includes: a polarization measurement unit including a first measurement beam splitter provided on an optical path of a laser beam and configured to measure a polarization state of the laser beam having been partially reflected by the first measurement beam splitter; a beam profile measurement unit including a second measurement beam splitter provided on the optical path of the laser beam and configured to measure a beam profile of the laser beam having been partially reflected by the second measurement beam splitter; and a laser beam-directional stability measurement unit configured to measure a stability in a traveling direction of the laser beam, while the first measurement beam splitter and the second measurement beam splitter are made of a material containing CaF2.
US09835494B2 Terahertz wave phase difference measurement device
In order to provide a high-sensitivity terahertz wave phase difference measurement system having a high S/N ratio, terahertz interference waves are observed using a half mirror and a movable reference mirror, and the phase difference is calculated, by a terahertz wave generation/detection device that obtains a high S/N ratio by employing a terahertz wave generator for irradiating a non-linear optical crystal with angular phase-matched pump light and seed light, and a terahertz wave detector for irradiating a non-linear optical crystal with angular phase-matched pump light and terahertz waves. In order to match the optical path length of the pump light and the terahertz waves irrespective of the position of the movable reference mirror and the position of a measured object, a first optical delay device, and a second optical delay device that operates in conjunction with movement of a movable reference mirror of a Michelson interferometer, are introduced on the optical path of the pump light.
US09835479B2 Vehicle seat with load sensor
A vehicle seat includes a load sensor for measuring a load applied from an occupant and a seat cushion frame, wherein the seat cushion frame comprises right and left side frames extending in a front-and-rear direction, the load sensor is attached to the seat cushion frame, and a concave portion is formed in at least one of the right and left side frames at a position opposite to the load sensor.
US09835472B2 Using cartesian coordinates for position detection with a magnetic sensor
A magnetic sensor, may sense a first magnetic field component corresponding to a first axis of a magnetic field produced by a magnet. The magnetic sensor may sense a second magnetic field component corresponding to a second axis of the magnetic field. The magnetic sensor may determine information that defines potential positions of a movable object associated with the magnet. Each potential position, of the potential positions, may be defined by a first magnetic field range for the first magnetic field component and a second magnetic field range for the second magnetic field component. The magnetic sensor may identify a position of the movable object based on the first magnetic field component, the second magnetic field component, and the information that defines the potential positions. The magnetic sensor may provide an output based on identifying the position of the movable object.
US09835465B2 Method for operating an autonomous vehicle on a courier route
A method for operating a motor vehicle when the driver thereof needs to accomplish a series of tasks (such as delivery and/or pick-up of items) along a route that each require the driver to park the motor vehicle, to leave it and to cover certain distances on foot. The motor vehicle is able to operate both under the control of a human driver aboard the motor vehicle or autonomously without driver intervention. When the driver parks the motor vehicle for the purpose of task accomplishment, an electronic plan of the tasks is checked to determine whether it is more efficient for task accomplishment if the driver returns to the motor vehicle at the first parking location or if the vehicle drives autonomously to a next stopping point situated in the direction of travel and the human driver walks to meet it at the next stopping point.
US09835462B2 System for determining a height coordinate
A navigation system has a database which stores index data for, respectively, a tile of a tiling. The index data includes, for each one of plural cells of a grid which is superimposed on the tile, respectively an identifier for each triangular face of a triangulated irregular network which at least partially overlaps with the respective cell. The plural cells of the grid are defined so as to cover the respective tile. A processing device of the navigation system is configured to use the index data to determine a triangular face on which a map feature having given lateral coordinates is located, in order to determine a height coordinate of the map feature.
US09835459B2 Electronic device, and method and program for displaying name of search object candidate
An electronic device including a navigation function, includes a display unit configured to display road map data on a display screen, a scroll unit configured to scroll a road map screen display on the display screen in response to a user input, a determination unit configured to determine if the scrolling has stopped, an identification unit configured to identify, when it is determined that the scrolling has stopped, a search object candidate specified by a position at which the scrolling has stopped, a selection unit configured to select a search object candidate, an acquisition unit configured to acquire name data of the search object candidate, and a synthesis and display unit configured to synthesize and display the name data onto the road map data.
US09835456B1 Wheelchair assistance system
A method may include obtaining current sensor information that corresponds to one or more sensors of a wheelchair and that indicates a current state of the wheelchair and its surrounding environment. The method may further include obtaining current situation information that indicates a current situation of a wheelchair and its corresponding user. In addition, the method may include determining current solution information that corresponds to a current solution to help navigate the current situation. The current solution information may be determined based on one or more of the following: the current situation information and the current sensor information. The method may additionally include implementing the current solution based on the current solution information.
US09835454B2 High-Q MEMS gyroscope
A system and/or method for efficiently operating a MEMS gyroscope without drive circuitry and/or with drive circuitry and a non-constant oscillating amplitude. In a non-limiting example, drive circuitry may be utilized to drive the MEMS gyroscope proof mass to a desired oscillating amplitude, and then the drive circuitry may be powered off. Rotational velocity may be sensed while the proof mass is being driven to a desired oscillating amplitude, while the proof mass is being maintained at a desired oscillating amplitude, and/or while the proof mass amplitude decays.
US09835450B2 Method for inspecting an object by means of ultrasound
A method for inspecting an object by ultrasound for detecting a wall thickness or defects of the object, wherein at least one ultrasonic pulse is transmitted into the object on a first position on an object's surface, the ultrasonic pulse is received on a second position on an object's surface possibly by propagating directly towards the second position along the surface or possibly as a result of reflection and/or diffractions of the pulse so that more than one pulse being received at different time and wherein a data signal is generated representing the received pulses and the associated moments in time wherein these pulses are received wherein the step is repeated for other positions and wherein the data signals are processed for generating processed signals to obtain a To FD image, wherein the processing for obtaining the processed data signals comprises at least three processing steps.
US09835448B2 Hologram for alignment
An example hologram device may include a target holographic view of an encoded holographic image representing an alignment target; and a plurality of non-target holographic views of the encoded holographic image, each non-target holographic view indicating a position relative to the target holographic view.
US09835445B2 Method and system for projecting a visible representation of infrared radiation
A method for enabling easier interpretation and analysis of an observed real world scene by presenting a visible representation of infrared (IR) radiation information, based on IR radiation emitted from said real world scene, and additional information onto said observed real world scene, using thermography arrangement comprising an IR imaging system, a visible light imaging system and a visible light projecting system.
US09835435B2 Apparatus for detecting a 3D structure of an object
Apparatus for detecting a 3D structure of an object, comprising at least three laser emitters and a beam splitter that splits the laser radiation of the laser emitters into a reference radiation and an illumination radiation. The illumination radiation strikes the object to be measured, is reflected by the object as object radiation and interferes with the reference radiation. A detector receives the interference patterns formed from the interference of the reference and object radiation and an analysis unit analyzes the interference patterns. At least two of the laser emitters emit laser radiation in the invisible range and the analysis unit detects the object in three dimensions based on the interference patterns of the invisible laser radiation. At least one of the laser emitters emits colored laser radiation and the analysis unit deduces the object's color based on the intensity of the colored object radiation reflected by the object.
US09835434B1 Home automation input interfaces based on a capacitive touchscreen for detecting patterns of conductive ink
An electronic device with a two-dimensional capacitance sensing area, a camera, one or more processors and memory detects a predefined capacitance distribution of an object that is placed on or near the two-dimensional capacitance sensing area. The object includes a predefined visual pattern on the object. The device, in response to detecting the predefined capacitance distribution of the object that is placed on or near the two-dimensional capacitance sensing area, performs a first predefined operation in accordance with first information encoded by the predefined capacitance distribution of the object. The device detects the predefined visual pattern on the object using the camera, and performs the first predefined operation in accordance with second information encoded in the predefined visual pattern detected using the camera.
US09835432B2 Method and system for determining a rotation angle of at least one wheel of a vehicle
A rotation angle of at least one wheel of a vehicle is determined during an operation of the vehicle. The method includes acquiring a plurality of pressure values of a tire pressure of the at least one wheel by way of a tire pressure sensor, and determining a rotation angle of the at least one wheel by determining a change of the pressure of the tire based on the acquired plurality of pressure values.
US09835424B2 Ballistic arrow
A hunting arrow having an arrow shaft with a front end and a back end. The hunting arrow has at least one arrow blade attached to the arrow shaft, and has a closed position and at least one open position. The at least one arrow blade is substantially flush with the arrow shaft when in the closed position, and extends radially outward from the arrow shaft when in an open position. In addition, the hunting arrow has an arrow tip that is attached to the front end of the arrow shaft and is capable of moving longitudinally toward or away from the arrow shaft. The arrow tip is operatively engaged with the at least one arrow blade so that the arrow tip opens and closes the at least one arrow blade by moving relative to the arrow shaft.
US09835417B1 RPG shield netting and related manufacturing methods
An improved RPG shield netting that comprises a net structure supporting a spaced arrangement of one-piece nodes manufactured using an insert injection molding process such that each node is formed as a one-piece three-dimensional solid shape with uniform surfaces that envelopes a portion of one or more cord elements.
US09835413B2 Ballistic ranging methods and systems for inclined shooting
A portable system for facilitating inclined shooting of projectile weapons comprises a ranging system, an inclinometer and a processor. The ranging system measures a line-of sight range distance from a vantage point to a target that is elevated or depressed relative to the vantage point, and the inclinometer measures an inclination angle of a line of sight between the vantage point and the target. Based on information from the rangefinder and inclinometer, the processor determines a predicted altitude-compensated inclined shooting (ACIS) trajectory at the line-of sight range distance for a preselected projectile. The ACIS trajectory is based on a bullet path height correction between a bullet path height at a first altitude and a bullet path height at a second altitude, a range distance of the target from the vantage point, and selected meteorological atmospheric information.
US09835405B2 Toy gun
The moving distance of a cartridge which is actuated each time a trigger is pulled once can be increased. A toy gun includes: a trigger; a cartridge in which cartridge bullet loading portions loaded with bullets are continuously provided and which is installed ahead of the trigger; a link mechanism (including a trigger rear end portion, a link A, a link B, a rod, and an arm) which is once extended from behind the trigger to the side opposite the cartridge installation position and thereafter inverted and whose tip is extended to ahead of the trigger; and a nail which is actuated through the link mechanism in conjunction with the actuation of the trigger and moves the cartridge.
US09835404B2 Pneumatic firing device
A pneumatic firing device includes a rear section engaging a cylinder, a solenoid valve engaging the rear section from under, an adjusting element disposed inside the rear section, a piston disposed inside the cylinder to form a first chamber and a second chamber, an airflow guiding element engaging the cylinder at a front thereof, a moving rod having a tail end engaging the piston and a front end stretching through the cylinder into the airflow guiding element for operation control of the airflow guiding element, and a front section engaging a front of the airflow guiding element and having a plurality of passage to displace the delivery tube through a hole thereof. The solenoid valve holds control of the operation of a pressure release channel to change the pressure difference between the first and second chamber, making the pressured air entering a first passage from a first guiding hole of the airflow guiding element, pushing the delivery tube to a firing position, flowing into a second passage from a second guiding hole, and then firing a pellet with strong airflow.
US09835401B2 Methods of manufacturing a muzzle brake
A muzzle brake for reducing the recoil associated with firing a weapon comprising a plurality of gas vents, a plurality of projections extending outward from the muzzle brake, and an interiorly depressed annular nose surrounding the projectile's exit point, for capturing, redirecting, and/or creating turbulence in propellant gases generated from firing the weapon.
US09835382B2 Thermal dissipation module
A heat dissipation module used for an electronic device is provided. The electronic device has a heat source. The heat dissipation module includes an evaporator, a pipe, and a working fluid. The evaporator has a recess at an exterior surface of the evaporator, and the heat source is thermally contacted with the recess to transfer a heat generated from the heat source to the recess of the evaporator. The pipe is connected to an inner space of the evaporator and forms a loop. The working fluid is filled in the loop, wherein the working fluid in liquid passing through a portion of the inner space of the evaporator corresponding to the recess absorbs the heat and is transformed into vapor.
US09835381B2 Double walled evaporator with heat exchange
An apparatus covering an evaporator on all four sides. a first inlet to allow refrigerant into the casing. A side chamber, a top chamber, a center chamber, and a bottom chamber to receive refrigerant and act as a heat exchange allowing the refrigerant received to undergo heat transfer and reduction in temperature due to thermal exchange with a plurality of side of the evaporator. A first outlet to allowing the refrigerant to exit the casing. A second inlet to allow the refrigerant to enter the evaporator after exiting the casing and distribute the refrigerant within the evaporator. A second outlet allowing the refrigerant to exit the evaporator and cycle through a refrigeration system. The first inlet and the second outlet are dual-piped to allow for heat exchange. The evaporator, comprising a plurality of tubes, optionally, space reducers, and optionally, a center space reducer.
US09835363B2 Evaporative heat transfer system
Evaporative heat transfer system. The system includes a substrate and a plurality of substantially parallel, spaced-apart ridges extending from the substrate forming vertical liquid manifolds therebetween. A nanoporous membrane is supported on the ridges and a pump delivers a dielectric fluid across the ridges. The fluid is drawn through the liquid manifolds via capillarity provided by the nanoporous membrane and evaporates to dissipate heat flux through the substrate. A preferred dielectric fluid is pentane. It is preferred that membrane porosity vary across the membrane to tailor thermal resistances to limit temperature rises.
US09835360B2 Refrigeration system having a variable speed compressor
A two-stage cascade refrigeration system is provided having a first refrigeration stage and a second refrigeration stage. The first refrigeration stage defines a first fluid circuit for circulating a first refrigerant, and has a first compressor, a condenser, and a first expansion device that is in fluid communication with the first fluid circuit. The second refrigeration stage defines a second fluid circuit for circulating a second refrigerant, with the second refrigeration stage having a second compressor, a second expansion device, and an evaporator that is in fluid communication with the second fluid circuit. A heat exchanger is in fluid communication with the first and second fluid circuits to exchange heat between the first and second refrigerants. At least one of the first or second compressors is a variable speed compressor.
US09835357B2 Cylindrical tubular heat exchanger type 2
In accordance with the present invention, there is provided a tubular heat exchanger wherein a central tube is employed to enclose an internal heated fluid which ascends inside the central tube. The heated fluid is then radially disbursed as it converges toward the internal surface of a top cover of the heat exchanger assembly, being forced outwardly under the top flange by the updraft force of the heated fluid, which forces the heated fluid downwardly apportioning the heated fluid around equally spaced axially arranged heat transfer tubes surrounded by an outer tube which are in sealed engagement with the top flange and attach at the bottom in sealing engagement with the exhaust collection manifold. The heated fluid descends around the tubes and enters an exhaust manifold exiting through an exhaust pipe. The heat transfer fluid enters a lower plenum and flows around the heat exchanger core into an upper plenum.
US09835355B2 Inter-axial inline fluid heater
An inter-axial inline fluid heater is presented. The inter-axial inline fluid heater includes an outer retaining sheath defining a first area, and an interior flow tube disposed within the outer sheath and capable of having fluid flow therethrough. Further, the inter-axial inline fluid heater includes a resistance wire disposed between the interior flow tube and the outer retaining sheath, the resistance wire capable of producing heat for heating a fluid passing through the interior flow tube when power is applied to the resistance wire. Also includes is a dielectric heat transfer material disposed between the interior flow tube and the outer retaining sheath and surrounding at least a portion of the resistance wire.
US09835337B2 Gas fireplace
A gas fireplace includes a furnace, a burner, and an air guiding device, wherein the air guiding device divides an inside of the furnace into a first chamber and a second chamber; the burner is provided in the second chamber; an air outlet of the furnace communicates with the first chamber; the air guiding device has a passageway communicating the first chamber and the second chamber, wherein a width of the passageway gradually narrows from the second chamber to the first chamber. Whereby, the hot air generated while the burner is burning gas enters the first chamber from the second chamber through the air guiding device, and then can be smoothly exhausted to outside.
US09835335B2 Air directed fuel injection
A combustion chamber for a gas turbine is provided. The combustion chamber has a pilot burner device, a fuel injector, an ignitor unit and an air blast injector. The pilot burner device has a pilot body with a pilot surface facing an inner volume of the combustion chamber. The fuel injector has a fuel outlet for injecting a fuel into the inner volume, wherein the fuel outlet is arranged at the pilot surface. The ignitor unit is arranged at the pilot surface such that fuel which passes the ignitor unit is ignitable. The air blast injector is adapted for injecting an air blast into the inner volume, wherein the air blast injector includes an air blast outlet arranged at the pilot surface such that the air blast is injectable in the direction to the fuel outlet and the ignitor unit for directing the fuel to the ignitor unit.
US09835332B2 Combustion chamber arrangement
A combustion chamber arrangement including an outer wall and an inner wall spaced from the outer wall and the outer wall supports the inner wall. The inner wall including at least one row of circumferentially arranged tiles. At least one tile in the at least one row of tiles having an L, or V, shaped downstream end and the downstream end of the tile in the row of tiles having a first portion extending from the downstream end of the tile towards and sealing with an inner surface of the outer wall and a second portion extending from the first portion in a downstream direction and away from the inner surface of the outer wall. The first portion of the downstream end of the tile having a plurality of apertures to supply coolant over an inner surface of the second portion of the downstream end of the tile.
US09835331B2 Ceramic bottom lining of a blast furnace hearth
A hearth for a metallurgical furnace, in particular for a blast furnace, the hearth including a wall lining and a bottom lining of refractory material for containing a molten metal bath, the bottom lining including a lower region and an upper region that is arranged to cover the top of the lower region and that is built of ceramic elements, the ceramic elements of the upper region being made of microporous ceramic material including a granular phase made of a silico-aluminous high alumina content granular material and a binding phase for binding grains of said granular material, said microporous ceramic material having thus an maintaining permanently a thermal conductivity lower than 7 W/m.° K.
US09835316B2 Frame and light source module including the same
A frame and a light source module having the same are provided. According to embodiments, there is provided a frame comprising a plurality of bodies spaced apart from one another in one direction and connected to one another by a supporter. The plurality of bodies comprises a light emission window formed at an upper part of a body, a light incidence window formed at a bottom part of the body, and a mounting portion formed between the light emission window and the light incidence window, and including a groove that is formed on an inner wall of the body and is recessed horizontally into the body from the light incidence window.
US09835314B1 Luminaire mounting system
A luminaire mounting system can accommodate mounting a luminaire to different structures. The luminaire can comprise an adapter, which may be formed into or otherwise associated with a frame of the luminaire, for example. The adapter can provide a mechanical interface to different brackets that are configured for mounting to different structures. The adapter can connect to a first type of bracket that is configured for mounting to a vertically extending pole, to a second type of bracket that is configured for mounting to a horizontally extending pole, and to a third type of bracket that is configured for mounting to a wall or other flat surface.
US09835310B2 Wave-length conversion inorganic member, and method for manufacturing the same
A wave-length conversion inorganic member can includes a base body and an inorganic particle layer on the base body. The inorganic particle layer can include particles of an inorganic wave-length conversion substance which is configured to absorb light of a first wave-length and to emit light of a second wave-length different from the first wave-length. The inorganic particle layer can include an agglomerate of a plurality of the particles. Each of the plurality of the particles are in contact with at least one of the other particles or the base body. A cover layer comprises an inorganic material, and the cover layer continuously covers a surface of the base body and surfaces of the particles. The inorganic particle layer has an interstice enclosed by the particles, or by the particles and one of the base body and the cover layer.
US09835308B2 Light indicator
Light indicator which comprises a support body to which multiple rows of LEDs and multiple lenses are fixed, each of which positioned in front of the corresponding row of LEDs, and provided with a rear surface directed towards the LEDs, and with a front surface directed in the sense opposite the aforesaid rear surface. In addition, the light indicator comprises multiple coupling bodies, each of which extended between two ends thereof, of which a rear end is engaged with the support body, and a front end is provided with a first bent portion engaged in abutment against the front surface of the corresponding lens in order to retain the latter integral with the support body itself.
US09835303B2 Optoelectronic component and method for the production thereof
An optoelectronic device and a method for producing an optoelectronic device are disclosed. An embodiment of an optoelectronic device includes a carrier, an electrically conductive layer arranged on the carrier, at least one semiconductor chip comprising an active layer for generating electromagnetic radiation, wherein the semiconductor chip is electrically conductively and mechanically connected with the carrier via the electrically conductive layer. The device further comprises a holder, wherein a surface of the carrier remote from the semiconductor chip is arranged on the holder, wherein the carrier is mechanically connected with the holder by at least one fastening element and is fastened to the holder, wherein the fastening element passes completely through the carrier, and wherein the semiconductor chip is electrically conductively connected to the holder by the fastening element.
US09835301B2 Optical systems and methods for pole luminaires
A pole luminaire mounts to a base and illuminates an area adjacent to the base. The luminaire includes a core structure having a plurality of side portions that extend vertically from the base, disposed about an elongate, open central shaft. One or more luminaire subassemblies couple with the core structure. Each luminaire subassembly includes a housing with a face panel that defines an aperture, a face plate coupled within the aperture, and a light engine having one or more light emitters. Light is directed through the aperture and the face plate into the area.
US09835298B2 Accent light with tube in tube niche fixture and water channel cooling light housing
An underwater pendant light installation within a wall of a water feature has an installation tube in a niche tube having a facia section at the terminus of the niche tube. One terminus of the niche tube in communication with the water feature and having a water inlet coupled to a water gap section. An at least one underwater pendant or accent light having a housing, a lens body, an electronics section, an at least one heat sink, and one or more LEDs is mounted within the niche tube. The underwater pendant or accent light being coupled in a watertight fashion to a power source through the watertight coupling and being contained within the niche tube such that the water gap section surrounds at least in part the housing and permits water from the water feature to circulate in contact the housing but not penetrate into the watertight electrical connection.
US09835297B2 Light emitting device having a wavelength converter fixed to the mounting surface
A light emitting device includes a base defining a recess opening upward, a semiconductor laser element, a light reflecting member to reflect light from the semiconductor laser element, a wavelength converting member to convert wavelength of light from the light reflecting member, and a cover including a light-transmissive member and covering the opening of the recess. The recess is defined in the base by first inner lateral surfaces extending downward from a periphery of the opening of the recess defined in the upper surface of the base, a bottom surface connected to the first inner lateral surfaces, a mounting surface connected to the first inner lateral surfaces and located higher than the bottom surface in a region different from the bottom surface when viewed from above, and second inner lateral surfaces connecting the bottom surface and the mounting surface. The wavelength converting member is fixed on the mounting surface.
US09835291B2 Connection for refrigerated gas storage tank
A storage tank includes a tank roof and a tank sidewall. At least one opening is located in at least one of the tank roof or the tank sidewall. A pipe extends through the at least one opening, the pipe having a sleeve assembly positioned around the pipe. The sleeve assembly also extends through the opening. The sleeve assembly includes a sleeve, at least one layer of insulation, and an inner flange. The inner flange is located on a first end of the sleeve and is coupled to the pipe. The sleeve, in turn is coupled to the tank such that the inner flange is located within the storage tank. The at least one layer of insulation is positioned in an annulus between the pipe and the sleeve.
US09835290B2 Suspension arm
An apparatus comprising an arm with a depending hollow attachment housing, into which is inserted a corresponding attachment portion of a depending device. The housing and attachment portion both have corresponding openings which come into alignment when the attachment portion is inserted into the housing. The apparatus comprises a securing segment which passes through the aligned openings in the housing and attachment portion to prevent the vertical separation of the housing and attachment portion, and a sleeve which surrounds the housing and is vertically moveable between a first position wherein it exposes the openings and securing segment and a second position wherein it covers the securing segment thereby preventing the securing segment from becoming dislodged. The housing comprises a removable delimiter which reduces the allowable vertical movement of the sleeve so that its vertical movement is restricted so as to prevent the sleeve adopting its first position.
US09835288B1 Monitor support device
A monitor support device for mounting flat screen monitors upon stands. The monitor support device includes a support member adapted to be mounted to a monitor stand; and a bracket assembly removably mounted to the support member and adapted to be coupled to a monitor.
US09835287B2 Support bracket
A support bracket includes a body, an arm, a first mount, a boss, and a second mount. The arm extends laterally from the body and a first fastener opening passes through the arm. The first mount extends from a first side of the body, and a first fillet is disposed at the interface of the first mount and the body. A boss extends from a second side of the body and a second fastener opening passes through the boss. A second fillet is disposed at the interface of the boss and the body. The second mount extends into the body opposite the boss. A third fillet is disposed at the interface of the second mount and the first side and a fourth fillet is disposed at the interface of the second mount and the second side.
US09835279B2 Coded cartridge holder and fastener enabled by cartridge size
A coded cartridge holder for use with a drug delivery device is provided. The cartridge holder includes a fastener that becomes operative based in part on a length of a cartridge or a diameter of the cartridge. In one embodiment, the cartridge holder is coupled to the drug delivery device. The cartridge holder comprises a first blocking feature. The drug delivery device includes a cartridge detector comprising a second blocking feature. This feature may be a pin, for engagement with the first blocking feature of the cartridge holder when the cartridge acts on the cartridge detector. The cartridge holder may further include a fastening mechanism configured to fasten the cartridge holder to the drug delivery device only when the second blocking feature engages the first blocking feature.
US09835273B2 Flexible pipe body and method of providing same
A flexible pipe body and method of producing a flexible pipe body, the flexible pipe body including a collapse resistant layer comprising a radially inner surface and a radially outer surface, the radially inner surface comprising a plurality of substantially regular protrusions and/or depressions extending in a direction perpendicular to a tangent of the radially inner surface, for breaking up a boundary layer of fluid flowing along the flexible pipe body in use.
US09835259B2 Top entry trunnion ball valve for safe in-line maintenance and method to facilitate such maintenance
A top entry trunnion mounted rotary ball valve defining a main valve body having an upstream and a downstream ball seat assembly, the ball seat assemblies further including a soft insert seal, a ball seat, a seat retainer and a plurality of compression springs in between the ball seat and the seat retainer. A guiding groove on a cylindrical surface of each of the ball seats, having a first end and a second end at an axial distance equal to or more than a measure of retraction required so as to get a mechanical clearance to remove or assemble the ball member. Each ball seat is retracted in a recess against a force Fc of the compression springs and the mechanical clearance is created between the ball member and the soft insert seal, to remove or assemble the ball member and or any component from inside the valve body.
US09835252B2 Multi-elastomer seal
A system, in certain embodiments has, a fluid seal having a seal body, including a seal interface having one or more engagement portions, a first elastomer portion disposed along the seal interface, and a second elastomer portion disposed along the seal interface, wherein the first and second elastomers have material properties that are different from one another.
US09835249B2 Control method and system for shifting mechanism of vehicle
A control method for a shifting mechanism of a vehicle includes determining whether or not an error signal is generated by a motor unit, when it is determined that an error signal is generated, determining whether or not a shift finger of the shifting mechanism is shifted to one of the shift positions, when it is determined that the shift finger is shifted to one of the shift positions in the step of determining whether or not the shift finger of the shifting mechanism is shifted to one of the shift positions, confirming a value of an end position by moving the shift finger to the end position of the shift position that is currently selected, and correcting a value of a position of the shift finger using the value of the end position confirmed in the step of confirming the value of the end position.
US09835243B2 Hydraulic circuit for the transmissions of industrial and agricultural vehicles
A hydraulic circuit for the transmissions of industrial and agricultural vehicles. The circuit comprises a feed pump driven by an internal combustion engine; a lubricating circuit; a main pressure regulator capable of bringing about a first change in the pressure of the working fluid in the circuit, this change in pressure being capable of regulation in relation to a first regulation pressure; a maximum pressure regulator for the lubrication circuit capable of bringing about a second change in pressure of the working fluid depending upon a second regulating pressure; and means for regulating regulation of the first and second regulating pressures.
US09835240B2 Gear reducer having a sealing plug providing axial support to a spring for gear slack compensation
The invention relates to a gear reducer (1) for an assisted-steering module, including a casing (3), a worm (4) which meshes with a worm wheel (6), and a spring (10) for taking up gear play, which presses said worm (4) radially against the worm wheel (6), the wall of the casing (3) being bored, away from of the axis (XX′) of the worm, with an opening (14) sealed by a plug (15), the spring (10) for taking up gear play including at least one retaining lug (17, 18) which projects radially to the axis (XX′) of the worm (4), and the hub (20) of the plug (15) having a guiding wall (21) that is substantially transverse to the axis (XX′) of the worm (4), which is designed to be placed axially opposite said at least one retaining lug (17, 18), in order to prevent the axial movement of the spring (10) beyond a predetermined functional travel.