Document	Document Title
US09948095B2	Combined control of two voltage sources Electrical management system comprising a first voltage source linked to a load and a second voltage source at lower voltage, characterized in that the second voltage source and/or an associated charger can be arranged in series with the first voltage source and the load.
US09948093B2	Device and method for discharging an energy accumulator in a high-voltage grid The invention relates to a device and method for discharging an energy accumulator (C), in particular an intermediate circuit capacitor, in a high-voltage grid (3), in particular in a direct current intermediate circuit in a motor vehicle, having a direct current converter (5) connected downstream of the high-voltage grid (3), a low-voltage grid (4) connected downstream of the direct current converter (5), an power grid (7) connected downstream of the direct current converter (5) and parallel to the low-voltage grid (4) for supplying energy to a control circuit (9) of the direct current converter (5), and a first controllable switching element (S) which is connected to the connecting line between the direct current converter (5) and the low-voltage grid (4) and by means of which, in the event of a disturbance of the low-voltage grid (4), the direct current converter (5) and the power grid (7) can be disconnected from the low-voltage grid (4). The power grid (7) is connected to the direct current converter (5) via a first electrical component (10; 20) which prevents a backflow of current from the power grid (7) into the direct current converter (5).
US09948092B2	Current-mirror-based electrostatic discharge clamping circuit and current-mirror-based electrostatic discharge detector The present invention discloses a current-mirror-based electrostatic discharge (ESD) clamping circuit comprising: a first power terminal; a second power terminal; a current-mirror-based ESD detector; a driver; and an ESD clamping element. The current-mirror-based ESD detector includes: a resistor coupled between the first power terminal and a detection-output-terminal; a semiconductor capacitor coupled between the detection-output-terminal and an ESD triggered current mirror; and the ESD triggered current mirror operable to electrically connect the semiconductor capacitor and/or the detection-output-terminal with the second power terminal according to the level of a driving signal under an ESD operation. The driver is operable to generate the driving signal according to the voltages of the detection-output-terminal and the first and second power terminals. The ESD clamping element is operable to provide a conducting path from the first power terminal to the second power terminal according to the level of the driving signal under the ESD operation.
US09948091B1	Integrated defibrillation pulse protector Silicon-controlled rectifier (SCR) based circuit for ECG protection under defibrillator pulse is disclosed. The SCR-based clamp is a symmetric structure for dual-direction voltage tolerance protection based on two anti-series P-well/N-well lateral blocking junctions isolated from P-substrate by the N-buried layer. The injector regions (n+/p+) are substantially lengthened in order to accommodate a larger number of contact rows than typically used for ESD pulses specification. A stack of metal layers may also be used to provide high current and heat-sink capability with each electrode metal layer fully filled with VIAs.
US09948090B2	Semiconductor device Provided is a semiconductor device making it possible to promote area reduction while maintaining ESD resistance. The semiconductor device includes a power wire, a ground wire and a protection circuit provided between the power wire and the ground wire so as to cope with electrostatic discharge. The protection circuit includes a first transistor, a first resistive element, a second transistor, a first capacitive element, a first inverter and a protection transistor. A gate width of the second transistor is narrower than a gate width of the first transistor.
US09948087B2	Protective device for an electrical supply facility The present invention is directed to a protective device configured to be coupled between an AC power source and an electrical load. A ground continuity monitor is coupled to the ground conductor, the ground continuity monitor being configured to detect a ground discontinuity condition in the ground conductor. A circuit interrupter mechanism is configured to interrupt electrical continuity in a tripped state and establish electrical continuity in a reset state. A self-test circuit is coupled to the ground continuity monitor and configured to perform a simulated ground continuity test that simulates the ground discontinuity condition. The self-test circuit provides a test failure signal when the ground continuity monitor fails to provide an output signal in response to the simulated ground continuity test. The test failure signal is configured to trip the circuit interrupter mechanism.
US09948084B2	DC circuit breaker and circuit breaking method of the DC circuit breaker Disclosed embodiments relate to a DC circuit breaker and a circuit breaking method thereof which comprises: a measuring portion for measuring a DC current conducted through a first circuit portion; the first circuit portion for conducting and blocking the DC current; and a second circuit portion for conducting and blocking the DC current which is bypassed from the first circuit portion and controlling the open/close operation of the first circuit portion according to a measuring result of the measuring portion, wherein, in the first circuit portion and the second circuit portion, switching elements, which are included in each of them, are connected in a parallel configuration such that a high switching operation during a blocking operation can be improved and the DC current can be blocked in a safer and more efficient manner, and a circuit breaking method of the DC circuit breaker.
US09948069B2	Spark plug A spark plug wherein least one of a center electrode and a ground electrode includes a shaft portion and an electrode tip joined to one surface of the shaft portion. The shaft portion includes a first core formed of a material containing copper and a first outer layer that is formed of a material having higher corrosion resistance than the first core and covers at least part of the first core. The electrode tip includes a second outer layer that is formed of a material containing a noble metal and forms the outer surface of the electrode tip and a second core that is formed of a material having a higher thermal conductivity than the second outer layer and is at least partially covered with the second outer layer.
US09948062B2	Solid-state lighting structure with light modulation control A solid-state light source (SSLS) with light modulation control is described. A SSLS device can include a main p-n junction region configured for recombination of electron-hole pairs for light emission. A supplementary p-n junction region is proximate the main p-n junction region to supplement the recombination of electron-hole pairs, wherein the supplementary p-n junction region has a smaller electron-hole life time than the electron-hole life time of the main p-n junction region. The main p-n junction region and the supplementary p-n junction region operate cooperatively in a light emission state and a light turn-off-state. In one embodiment, the recombination of electron-hole pairs occurs in the main p-n junction region during a light emission state, and the recombination of electron-hole pairs occurs in the supplementary p-n junction region light during the light turn off-state.
US09948061B2	Methods of driving laser diodes, optical wavelength sweeping apparatus, and optical measurement systems An optical wavelength sweeping apparatus is disclosed. The optical wavelength sweeping apparatus includes a laser diode having an active region including a thickness of less than 1 μm, a cross-section of less than 7 μm2, and a ratio of active region volume to total laser diode volume of less than 1/300, and a pulse generator coupled to the laser diode. The pulse generator is configured and operable to provide a current drive pulse to the laser diode to selectively and rapidly heat the active region and immediate vicinity to provide a peak increase in temperature of 30° C. or more at an end of the current pulse and to perform a wavelength sweep of emitted optical radiation which is greater than 5 nm. Methods of driving a laser diode and optical systems are disclosed, as are other aspects.
US09948058B2	Method and apparatus for determining optical fibre characteristics An optical amplifier assembly for determining a parameter of an optical fiber configured to amplify an optical signal being propagated therethrough, the assembly comprising: at least one amplifier pump light source assembly configured to transmit light at a plurality of wavelengths into the optical fiber; a receiver configured to receive light that has propagated through at least part of the optical fiber; and a processor configured to determine the parameter of the optical fiber based on the received light.
US09948057B2	Optical amplifier, optical amplifying system, wavelength converter, and optical communication system An optical amplifier includes: an optical amplifying fiber; and a pump light source that supplies pump light to the optical amplifying fiber, the pump light being used for parametrically amplifying signal light input to the optical amplifying fiber by using a non-linear optical effect of the optical amplifying fiber. The fluctuation of the zero-dispersion wavelength of the optical amplifying fiber in the longitudinal direction is within the limit of 0.5 nm/100 m.
US09948055B2	Gas laser A gas laser, including: a semiconductor laser, an optical beam-shaping system, a pair of electrodes, a discharge tube, a rear mirror, and an output mirror. The pair of electrodes includes two electrodes. The electrodes are symmetrically disposed at an outer layer of the discharge tube in parallel. The electrodes are connected to a radio-frequency power supply via a matching network, and the electrodes operate to modify working gas in the discharge tube through radio-frequency discharge. The rear mirror and the output mirror are disposed at two end surfaces of the discharge tube, respectively. The rear mirror, taken together with the output mirror and the discharge tube, form a resonant cavity. The output mirror is configured to output a laser beam.
US09948047B2	Composite cable and composite harness [Problem] Provided are a composite cable and a composite harness that allow the improvement of cable termination workability while maintaining the flex resistance.[Solution] A composite cable 1 is provided with a pair of first electric wires 2, a twisted pair wire 4 formed by twisting a pair of second electric wires 3 having a smaller outer diameter than the first electric wires 2 and a tape member 6 spirally wound around an assembled article 5 that is formed by twisting the pair of first electric wires 2 and the twisted pair wire 4 together, wherein a twist direction of the twisted pair wire 4 is different from a twist direction of the assembled article 5, and the twist direction of the assembled article 5 is different from a winding direction of the tape member 6.
US09948038B2	Connector A connector comprises an outer member, which is made of resin coated with a conductive plating layer, and an inserted portion, which is inserted into an insertion hole of a case rearward in a front-rear direction when the connector is attached to the case. The outer member has a body portion, a flange and an attached surface which is formed of a rear surface of the body portion and a rear surface of the flange. The flange protrudes from the body portion in a perpendicular plane perpendicular to the front-rear direction. The inserted portion is located inward of the body portion in the perpendicular plane. The rear surface of the body portion is formed with a pressure contact portion which surrounds the inserted portion in the perpendicular plan. The pressure contact portion is formed with a contact surface which is located rearward of the rear surface of the flange.
US09948036B2	Connector having short circuit terminal A connector includes: a housing; terminals inserted in the housing from a first side of the housing; a short circuit terminal inserted in the housing from a second side of the housing, having contact pieces configured to contact the terminals respectively, and connecting the terminals to each other; and a front holder attached to the housing from the second side of the housing, configured to retain the terminals in the housing, and having a displacement portion. The displacement portion of the front holder attached to the housing displaces the contact pieces of the short circuit terminal inserted in the housing with the terminals not inserted in the housing, by a prescribed distance in a direction of separating the contact pieces from the terminals.
US09948031B2	Electrical connector An electrical connector includes a housing including a receiving portion for inserting a flat conductive member; a plurality of terminals arranged in a terminal arrangement direction; a movable member; and a fixing metal member. The movable member includes a supported portion and an engaging portion. The supported portion is supported on the housing to be movable between an open position and a closed position. The engaging portion engages with the flat conductive member when the movable member is situated at the closed position. The fixing metal member includes a fixing portion to be fixed to an electrical circuit board; a regulating portion for restricting the movable member; and an engaging section for engaging with the movable member. The fixing metal member includes leg portions extending toward the electrical circuit board. The fixing portion, the regulating portion, and the engaging portion are disposed on the leg portions.
US09948029B1	Peripheral device coupling A self-aligning mechanism is described and may include a first coarse guide component connected to a first device and a second coarse guide component connected to a second device, the first coarse guide component configured to interact with the second coarse guide component to positionally align a connector pair, the coarse guide components configured to prevent a connector from being inserted into a connector receptacle until the connector and the connector receptacle are positionally aligned. The mechanism may also include a first fine guide component connected to the first device and a second fine guide component connected to the second device, the first fine guide component configured to interact with the second fine guide component to rotationally align the connector with the connector receptacle, the fine guide components configured to prevent the connector from being inserted into the connector receptacle until the connector and the connector receptacle are rotationally aligned.
US09948025B2	Connector A connector (F) includes an inner housing (11). Terminal fittings (72) are fixed to front end parts of wires (71) and are inserted into the inner housing (11) from behind. An outer housing (37) is held out of contact with the terminal fittings (72) and is mounted relatively displaceably with respect to the inner housing (11). Vibration damping rings (64) are fit externally on the wires (71) in a state out of contact with the inner housing (11), and are held resiliently in contact with the outer housing (37).
US09948019B2	Cable assembly A connector for a cable assembly includes a shell, a contact housing, and multiple finger clips. The contact housing is held in a chamber of the shell. The contact housing defines contact cavities extending through the contact housing between front and rear ends thereof. The finger clips are held in the contact cavities. The finger clips have deflectable latches. The contact cavities of the contact housing are configured to removably receive electrical contacts therein through the rear end. The deflectable latch of the finger clip in the corresponding contact cavity is configured to engage a retention shoulder of the electrical contact to removably secure the electrical contact in the contact cavity. The electrical contacts held in the contact housing are configured to mate with corresponding mating contacts of a mating connector.
US09948016B2	USB type connector having structurally integrated components An electrical plug connector includes a metallic shell, an insulated housing, a grounding plate, a first terminal module, a second terminal module, and a molding block. The first terminal module includes first plug terminals and a first combining block. The second terminal module includes second plug terminals and a second combining block. The insulated housing is received in the metallic shell. The first and the second combining blocks are respectively combined with the first plug terminals and the second plug terminals by insert-molding techniques. Then, the first combining block and the second combining block are respectively assembled to the grounding plate. Next, the molding block is provided to combine the first combining block with the second combining block, so that an assembly of the first terminal module, the second terminal module, and the grounding plate can be firmly assembled to the rear of the insulated housing.
US09948015B2	Three-in-two card connector and mobile terminal including three-in-two card connector The card connector includes a card connector base and a limiting structure. The card connector base includes a first area and a second area, the limiting structure includes a first limiting part and a second limiting part; the first limiting part is used to limit a first data card in the first area, and the second limiting part is used to limit a second data card or a third data card in the second area; a first spring plate group is disposed in the first area and is configured to electrically connect to edge connectors of the first data card; a second spring plate group and a third spring plate group are disposed in different positions of the second area; the second spring plate group is configured to electrically connect to edge connectors of the second data card; the third spring plate group is configured to electrically connect to edge connectors of the third data card.
US09948010B2	Method for dish reflector illumination via sub-reflector assembly with dielectric radiator portion A method for illuminating a dish reflector of a reflector antenna, including providing a waveguide coupled to a vertex of a dish reflector at a proximal end, a sub-reflector supported by a dielectric block coupled to a distal end of the waveguide, the dielectric block provided with a dielectric radiator portion proximate the distal end of the waveguide. An RF signal passing through the waveguide and the dielectric block to reflect from the sub-reflector through the dielectric block and at least partially through the dielectric radiator portion to the dish reflector illuminates the dish reflector with a maximum signal intensity and/or signal intensity angular range that is spaced outward from the vertex area of the dish reflector.
US09948006B2	Antenna assembly and electronic device including the same An antenna assembly applied in an electronic device with a metal cover, includes a dielectric body, a first radiating element and a second radiating element. The metal cover opens a fastening groove. The dielectric body is fastened in the fastening groove. The first radiating element is mounted to an inner surface of the dielectric body. The first radiating element has a feeding portion. The second radiating element is mounted to an outer surface of the dielectric body and without being electrically connected with the metal cover. The second radiating element is abreast with and adjacent to the first radiating element in an outside-to-inside direction. The first radiating element is coupled with the second radiating element to receive and send electromagnetic wave signals. The electronic device includes the metal cover and the antenna assembly.
US09948001B2	Portable terminal A portable terminal comprises a display and an antenna for wireless communication made of a metal. At least a part of the antenna includes a metallic decoration. The display and the metallic decoration are located in a manner visually recognizable from a specific surface.
US09947996B2	Antenna device An antenna device includes an antenna element, a sensing circuit, a matching circuit and an impedance adjusting circuit. The sensing element is used to generate a sensing signal. The matching circuit is coupled to the antenna unit. The impedance adjusting circuit is coupled to the sensing circuit and is capable of turning an impedance of the antenna unit and an impedance of the matching circuit into mismatch according to the sensing signal.
US09947989B2	Antenna for communication terminal Provided are an antenna for a communication terminal, and a method of manufacturing the same, the antenna including: a communication terminal case; and a radiator layer formed of a metal material in an inner curved surface part of the communication terminal case.
US09947978B1	Orthomode transducer An orthomode transducer (OMT) configured as a compact three port septum polarizer waveguide where one of the three ports is configured to propagate linear orthogonally polarized signals, and an edge of the septum facing that port has a profile including three or more segments with respective facing edges spaced at diverse respective distances from the one of the three ports that is configured to propagate linear orthogonally polarized signals. The three or more segments include one or both of a notch and a protrusion.
US09947965B2	Nonaqueous electrolyte solution and nonaqueous electrolyte battery using same The object of the present invention is to provide a nonaqueous electrolyte secondary battery which has excellent balance of general performance with respect to performance including durability, capacity, resistance, and output characteristics. Provided is a nonaqueous electrolyte battery comprising a positive electrode and a negative electrode each being capable of occluding and releasing metal ions, and a nonaqueous electrolyte solution, wherein the nonaqueous electrolyte solution contains an electrolyte, a nonaqueous solvent, and at least one compound selected from the group consisting of a compound having a fluorosulfonyl structure (—SO2F), a difluorophosphate, and an isocyanate compound, and wherein the negative electrode has a negative electrode active material containing metal particles capable of alloying with Li and graphite particles.
US09947956B2	System for rolling electrode plates A system for rolling electrode plates includes: supplying units for supplying first and second electrode plates and separators; electrode processing units for forming first electrode tabs having gradually increasing intervals between tabs on one side of the first electrode plate and second electrode tabs having gradually increasing intervals between tabs on one side of the second electrode plate by performing cutting processes on the sides of the first and second electrode plates; an assembling unit for forming an electrode assembly by rolling the first and second electrode plates and the separators; and buffer units for temporarily storing the first and second electrode plates to compensate for differences in processing rates and base material transfer amounts between the electrode processing units and the assembling unit, and for transmitting the temporarily stored first and second electrode plates to the assembling unit.
US09947954B2	Fuel cell stack A fuel cell stack includes seven current collecting members and six fuel cells that are alternate stacked with reference to the stacking direction. Each of the six fuel cells includes an anode, a cathode and a solid electrolyte layer that is disposed between the anode and the cathode and contains a zirconia-based material as a main component. The six fuel cells include a first fuel cell disposed in the center with reference to the stacking direction, and a second fuel cell disposed in one end with reference to the stacking direction. An intensity ratio of tetragonal crystal zirconia to cubic crystal zirconia in a Raman spectrum of the solid electrolyte layer of the first fuel cell is greater than an intensity ratio of tetragonal crystal zirconia to cubic crystal zirconia in a Raman spectrum of the solid electrolyte layer of the second fuel cell.
US09947952B2	Fluoroionomers dispersions having a low surface tension, low liquid viscosity and high solid content The invention pertains to a process for manufacturing certain (per)fluoroionomer liquid compositions, comprising, inter alia, at least one of fluorination and treatment with a polar solvent, to the liquid compositions therefrom having an improved solids content/surface tension/liquid viscosity compromise, to the use of the same for manufacturing composite membranes and to composite membranes obtainable therefrom.
US09947940B2	Method for producing fuel cell electrode catalyst A method is provided for producing a platinum alloy-containing fuel cell electrode catalyst with high activity which is suited for its industrial mass-production. The method for producing a fuel cell electrode catalyst includes a step of preparing a dispersion in which particles of a fuel cell electrode catalyst precursor including a platinum alloy is dispersed in an electrolyte solution, and a step of alternately subjecting the dispersion to bubbling with an oxidizing gas and to bubbling with an inert gas or a reducing gas.
US09947938B2	Carbon monoxide-tolerant anode catalyst layer and methods of use thereof in proton exchange membrane fuel cells A method of operating a fuel cell having an anode, a cathode and a polymer electrolyte membrane disposed between the anode and the cathode, includes feeding the anode with an impure hydrogen stream having low levels of carbon monoxide up to 5 ppm, wherein the anode includes an anode catalyst layer including a carbon monoxide tolerant catalyst material, wherein the catalyst material includes: (i) a binary alloy of PtX, wherein X is a metal selected from the group consisting of Nb and Ta, and wherein the atomic percentage of platinum in the alloy is from 45 to 80 atomic % and the atomic percentage of X in the alloy is from 20 to 55 atomic %; and (ii) a support material on which the PtX alloy is dispersed; wherein the total loading of platinum in the anode catalyst layer is from 0.01 to 0.2 mgPt/cm2.
US09947923B2	Nonaqueous electrolyte battery and battery pack The nonaqueous electrolyte battery according to one embodiment includes a positive electrode and a negative electrode. The positive electrode contains a positive electrode active material containing manganese-containing composite oxide. The negative electrode contains a negative electrode active material selected from the group consisting of titanium oxide and titanium-containing composite oxide. A ratio p/n of a capacity p per unit area of the positive electrode to a capacity n per unit area of the negative electrode is in the range of 0.8 or more and 1 or less.
US09947919B2	Carbon fiber zinc negative electrode The conductivity of a zinc negative electrode is enhanced through use of surfactant-coated carbon fibers. Carbon fibers, along with other active materials such as bismuth oxide, zinc etc., form an electronically conductive matrix in zinc negative electrodes. Zinc negative electrodes as described herein are particularly useful in nickel zinc secondary batteries.
US09947918B2	Porous silicon particulates with micropores and mesopores within macropores Embodiments of the present disclosure pertain to porous silicon particulates and anode materials that contain them. In some embodiments, each of the porous silicon particulates include a plurality of macropores, mesopores and micropores such that the micropores and mesopores are within the macropores. The porous silicon particulates also contain: a coating associated with the porous silicon particulates; and a binding material associated with the porous silicon particulates. The binding material can include binders, carbon materials, polymers, metals, additives, carbohydrates, and combinations thereof.
US09947912B2	Bus bar holding member and battery pack A bus bar holding member comprises a plurality of bus bars arranged to connect terminals of respective batteries in each battery array group in parallel, and a resin support member comprising a resin stacking section which is stacked on a surface of the plurality of bus bars and a resin intervening section which intervenes between the plurality of bus bars to electrically insulate the plurality of bus bars from each other. The bus bar comprises a base plate on which the resin stacking section is stacked, and a jagged edge formed along an edge of the base plate. The jagged edge is formed in a wavy shape crossing a reference line, which is a straight line along an array direction of the batteries in each battery array group between an adjacent pair of the battery array groups.
US09947903B2	Method of manufacturing a display device including a light emitting structure having different optical resonance distances in sub-pixel regions thereof A light emitting structure includes a first hole injection layer, a first organic light emitting layer, a charge generation layer, a second hole injection layer, a second organic light emitting layer, an electron transfer layer, and a blocking member. The light emitting structure has first, second, and third sub-pixel regions. The first organic light emitting layer may be on the first hole injection layer. The charge generation layer may be on the first organic light emitting layer. The second hole injection layer may be on the charge generation layer. The second organic light emitting layer may be on the second hole injection layer. The electron transfer layer may be on the second organic light emitting layer. The blocking member may be at at least one of the first to the third sub-pixel regions.
US09947902B2	Prefabricated substrate of array substrate, vapor deposition method, array substrate and display apparatus The present invention provides a prefabricated substrate of array substrate, a vapor deposition method, an array substrate and a display apparatus, which can solve a problem that there is a waste of material in a vapor deposition process of the prior art. The prefabricated substrate comprises a plurality of sub-pixel units, each sub-pixel unit comprising a drive unit and a sub-pixel electrode connected with the drive unit, wherein, the drive unit is also connected with a data line and a gate line, and is used for transferring a data voltage signal outputted from the data line to the sub-pixel electrode when the gate line is strobed. The sub-pixel unit further comprises a switch unit connected with the data line and the sub-pixel electrode The switch unit is used for adjusting voltage of the sub-pixel electrode under control of a switch signal outputted from a switch signal line.
US09947898B2	Display device having improved environmental tolerance A display device includes a substrate including a display area and a non-display area surrounding the display area, a thin-film encapsulation layer disposed on the substrate, and a first blocking dam disposed outside the display area, the first blocking dam having at least one layer. Portions of the first blocking dam is removed, and thus, the divided pieces of the first blocking dam are spaced apart from each other, and a second blocking dam is disposed in at least one of a front portion and a rear portion of the first blocking dam corresponding to the spaced part.
US09947895B2	Flexible AMOLED display A flexible AMOLED display is disclosed including an OLED stack having an anode layer, a cathode layer and an organic light emitting layer between the anode layer and the cathode layer. A backplane includes a substrate, a plurality of bus lines, and a thin film transistor array. A permeation barrier layer is positioned between the OLED stack and the backplane, and a plurality of vias connect the OLED anode layer to the backplane thin film transistor array. In one embodiment, a neutral plane of the AMOLED display crosses the permeation barrier. In one embodiment, the thickness of at least a portion of the bus lines is greater than the thickness of the cathode layer. A method of increasing the flexibility of an AMOLED display is disclosed. A method of assembling a flexible AMOLED display under a processing temperature of less than 200 degrees Celsius is also disclosed.
US09947891B2	OLED packaging method and OLED packaging structure The present invention provides an OLED packaging method and an OLED packaging structure. The OLED packaging method includes the following steps: providing a TFT substrate (1) and a package lid (2); forming air channels (21) on the package lid (2); forming an OLED device (11) on the TFT substrate (1); coating a loop of desiccant (12) on the TFT substrate (1) along an outer circumference of the OLED device (11) and coating a loop of a dam (13) along an outer circumference of the desiccant (12); laminating the TFT substrate (1) and the package lid (2) together; and pressing the TFT substrate (1) and the package lid (2) together and applying irradiation of ultraviolet light to cure the dam (13). The method effectively eliminates the issue of resin flushing caused by a difference of air pressures inside and outside the packaging structure in bonding the package lid and the TFT substrate so as to improve the property of water resistance, enhance mechanical strength of the packaging structure, and improve packaging effectiveness.
US09947887B2	Display unit, method of manufacturing display unit, and electronic apparatus A display unit includes: an organic light emitting element including a first electrode, an organic layer, and a second electrode in order, the organic layer including a conductive layer; and an auxiliary electrode configured to be electrically connected to the second electrode via the conductive layer in the organic layer.
US09947886B2	Quantum dot light emitting diode, display apparatus and its manufacturing method A quantum dot light emitting diode, a display apparatus, and a manufacturing method are provided. The manufacturing method includes forming a first electrode, a first functional layer, a buffer layer, a quantum dot layer, a second functional layer and a second electrode on a base substrate sequentially, wherein the first functional layer is made from organic material, a material for the buffer layer includes a polar organic solvent, and forming the quantum dot layer includes forming a solution including quantum dots and a non-polar organic solvent above the buffer layer using inkjet printing method, the non-polar organic solvent and the polar organic solvent are capable of dissolving each other; and removing the polar organic solvent and the non-polar organic solvent to form the quantum dot layer.
US09947885B2	Light-emitting element To provide a light-emitting element which uses a fluorescent material as a light-emitting substance and has higher luminous efficiency. To provide a light-emitting element which includes a mixture of a thermally activated delayed fluorescent substance and a fluorescent material. By making the emission spectrum of the thermally activated delayed fluorescent substance overlap with an absorption band on the longest wavelength side in absorption by the fluorescent material in an S1 level of the fluorescent material, energy at an S1 level of the thermally activated delayed fluorescent substance can be transferred to the S1 of the fluorescent material. Alternatively, it is also possible that the S1 of the thermally activated delayed fluorescent substance is generated from part of the energy of a T1 level of the thermally activated delayed fluorescent substance, and is transferred to the S1 of the fluorescent material.
US09947882B2	Electronic devices with robust flexible displays An electronic device may have a hinge that allows the device to be flexed about a bend axis. A display may span the bend axis. To protect display elements such as pixel circuitry from excessive mechanical stress, the display may include one or more structural protective layers. A structural layer may be incorporated into the display stack as a supportive backing behind the pixel circuitry and/or as a protective cover over the pixel circuitry. The structural layer may include rigid portions and flexible portions. The flexible portions may contain flexible material that separates and adjoins adjacent rigid structures or that fills grooves between adjacent rigid portions. The rigid portions may be formed from thin sheets of glass or other transparent materials. The flexible material in the structural layer may be an elastomeric material having a refractive index that matches that of the glass sheets in the structural layer.
US09947876B2	Organic electroluminescence device and electronic device An organic electroluminescence device includes an anode, an emitting layer and a cathode, in which the emitting layer includes a first compound, a second compound and a third compound. The first compound is a delayed fluorescent compound. The first compound has an energy gap T77K at 77 [K] larger than an energy gap T77K at 77 [K] of the second compound. The third compound has an energy gap T77K at 77 [K] larger than the energy gap T77K at 77 [K] of the second compound. The second compound has a fused ring structure represented by a formula (2) below and has eight or less rings in total.
US09947874B2	Materials for organic electroluminescent devices The present invention relates to compounds of the formula (1) which are suitable for use in electronic devices, in particular organic electroluminescent devices, and to electronic devices which comprise these compounds.
US09947871B2	Surface modifier for metal electrode, surface-modified metal electrode, and method for producing surface-modified metal electrode A surface modifier for a metal electrode containing a reactive silyl compound represented by General Formula (1) Rf—X-A-SiR13-n(OR2)n (1) wherein, Rf is an aryl group having 6 to 10 carbon atoms that may have an alkyl substituent having 1 to 5 carbon atoms or an alkyl group having 1 to 10 carbon atoms, wherein at least one hydrogen atom is replaced with a fluorine atom, X represents a divalent group selected from —O—, —NH—, —C(═O)O—, —C(═O)NH—, —OC(═O)NH—, and —NHC(═O)NH—, or a single bond, A represents a straight chain, branched chain or cyclic aliphatic divalent hydrocarbon group having 1 to 10 carbon atoms, an aromatic divalent hydrocarbon group having 6 to 10 carbon atoms, or a single bond, R1 is a monovalent hydrocarbon group having 1 to 3 carbon atoms, R2 represents a monovalent hydrocarbon group having 1 to 3 carbon atoms, an acetyl group, a propanoyl group, or a hydrogen atom, and n is an integer of 1 to 3, a metal electrode surface-modified with the surface modifier, and a method for producing a surface-modified metal electrode are provided.
US09947868B2	Back plate clamping device, alignment device and evaporation equipment Embodiments of the present invention relate to the field of display technology and disclose a back plate clamping device, an alignment device and an evaporation equipment. In one embodiment, a back plate clamping device includes a framework, an upper clamping plate mounted to the framework, and a lower clamping plate assembly. The lower clamping plate assembly includes a stand, a plurality of support plates and a plurality of elastic support structures that are provided in an one-to-one correspondence with the support plates. A surface of each support plate facing away from the corresponding elastic support structure is formed with a supporting face, and, each support plate is mounted to the stand and is movable in a direction perpendicular to a plane where the supporting face is located. And, the stand is mounted to the framework and is movable in the direction perpendicular to the plane.
US09947864B2	Method for etching object to be processed In one embodiment, a method for etching a workpiece including a lower electrode and a multi-layer film disposed on the lower electrode, the multi-layer film including a first magnetic layer, a second magnetic layer, and an insulating layer interposed between the first magnetic layer and the second magnetic layer, through a mask, is provided. The method includes exposing the workpiece to plasma of first processing gas which contains first rare gas and second rare gas having an atomic number larger than that of the first rare gas, and does not contain hydrogen gas.
US09947862B2	Magnetoresistive memory device According to one embodiment, a magnetoresistive memory device includes a first magnetic layer in which a magnetization direction is variable, a first nonmagnetic layer provided on the first magnetic layer, a second magnetic layer provided on the first nonmagnetic layer, a magnetization direction of the second magnetic layer being invariable, and a second nonmagnetic layer provided on the first magnetic layer, which is opposite the first nonmagnetic layer. The first magnetic layer includes Mo.
US09947860B2	Spin torque majority gate device The disclosed technology generally relates to magnetic devices, and more particularly to spin torque devices. In one aspect, a spin torque majority gate device includes a free ferromagnetic layer, a spin mixing layer formed above the free ferromagnetic layer, a non-magnetic tunnelling layer formed above the spin mixing layer, and a plurality of input elements formed above the non-magnetic tunnelling layer, where each input element has a fixed ferromagnetic layer.
US09947855B2	Thermoelectric conversion element and method of manufacturing the same, and heat radiation fin A thermoelectric conversion element includes: a magnetic body having a magnetization; and an electromotive body formed of material exhibiting a spin orbit coupling and jointed to the magnetic body. The magnetic body has an upper joint surface jointed to the electromotive body. The upper joint surface has concavities and convexities.
US09947854B2	Thermoelectric module, and heat conversion apparatus comprising the same The embodiments of the present invention relate to a thermoelectric element and a thermoelectric module used for cooling, and the thermoelectric module can be made thin by having a first substrate and a second substrate with different surface areas to raise the heat-dissipation effectiveness.
US09947853B2	Thermoelectric device A thermoelectric device for transferring heat from a heat source to a heat sink includes at least one thermoelectric leg pair having a first leg including an n-type semiconductor material and a second leg including a p-type semiconductor material. The first leg and the second leg are electrically coupled in series. A resistive element electrically couples the first leg and the second leg between the heat source and the heat sink.
US09947848B2	Semiconductor light emitting device and method for producing the same A semiconductor light emitting device includes a lead frame 1 covered by a resin package 2. The lead frame 1 includes first and second leads 1A and 1B facing each other. The first and second leads 1A and 1B include inner lead sections 11 and 12 covered with the package 2, respectively. The first and second leads 1A and 1B include outer lead sections 13 protruding from package 2 ends. First and second exposed surfaces 51 and 52 are exposed from the package 2 in the first and second lead lower surfaces, respectively. The first lead 1A is longer than the second lead 1B. An LED 3 is mounted on the first lead upper surface. The second lead 1B includes second end portions 15 extending in the second exposed surface 52 from the both ends of the facing surface toward the first lead 1A.
US09947842B2	Manufacturing method for quantum dot color film substrate and quantum dot color film substrate The present disclosure provides a method for manufacturing quantum dot color film substrate and quantum dot color film substrate. The method is to form a quantum dot adhesive by mixing a red quantum dot material, a green quantum dot material and a photoinitiator in a thermosetting adhesive. The photoinitiator itself does not destroy fluorescence properties of quantum dot, but the photoinitiator is cleaved and can quenching the fluorescence of quantum dot after UV irradiation. A selective quenching quantum dot layer is obtained after coating a quantum dot adhesive uniformly on a color filter layer, and the light mask is used to irradiate the quantum dot adhesive on the blue sub-pixel region. Free radicals are generated by cleaving photoinitiator and are quenching the quantum dot material directly; the method is capable of meeting requirement of high gamut, simple preparation process and low cost.
US09947832B2	Light-emitting device A light-emitting device includes a semiconductor layered structure; an upper electrode disposed on a portion of an upper surface of the semiconductor layered structure; a lower electrode disposed on a lower surface of the semiconductor layered structure in a region spaced from a region directly under the upper electrode, the lower electrode being reflective; and a protective film disposed continuously on a surface of the upper electrode and the upper surface of the semiconductor layered structure. A thickness of a first portion of the protective film, which is disposed at least in a region directly above the lower electrode, is smaller than a thickness of a second portion of the protective film, which is disposed continuously on the surface of the upper electrode and the upper surface of the semiconductor layered structure adjacent to the portion on which the upper electrode is disposed.
US09947830B2	Patterned sapphire substrate and light emitting diode A patterned sapphire substrate has a first surface and a second surface opposite to each other; the connection zone between first protrusion portions has no C surface (i.e. (0001) surface); and the patterned sapphire substrate may have no C surface on the growth surface to reduce the threading dislocation density of the GaN epitaxial material on the sapphire substrate.
US09947827B2	Front-side emitting mid-infrared light emitting diode A device emitting mid-infrared light that comprises a semiconductor substrate of GaSb or closely related material. The device can also comprise epitaxial heterostructures of InAs, GaAs, AISb, and related alloys forming light emitting structures cascaded by tunnel junctions. Further, the device can comprise light emission from the front, epitaxial side of the substrate.
US09947823B2	Group-IV solar cell structure using group-IV or III-V heterostructures Device structures, apparatuses, and methods are disclosed for photovoltaic cells that may be a single junction or multijunction solar cells, with at least a first layer comprising a group-IV semiconductor in which part of the cell comprises a second layer comprising a III-V semiconductor or group-IV semiconductor having a different composition than the group-IV semiconductor of the first layer, such that a heterostructure is formed between the first and second layers.
US09947821B2	High concentration doping in silicon A silicon device, has a plurality of crystalline silicon regions. One crystalline silicon region is a doped crystalline silicon region. Deactivating some or all of the dopant atoms in the doped crystalline silicon region is achieved by introducing hydrogen atoms into the doped 5 crystalline silicon region, whereby the hydrogen coulombicly bonds with some or all of the dopant atoms to deactivate the respective dopant atoms. Deactivated dopant atoms may be reactivated by heating and illuminating the doped crystalline silicon region to break at least some of the dopant-hydrogen bonds while maintaining conditions to create a high concentration of neutral hydrogen atoms whereby 10 some of the hydrogen atoms diffuse from the doped crystalline silicon region without rebinding to the dopant atoms.
US09947818B2	Solar cell module A solar cell module includes a solar cell panel including a plurality of solar cells sealed between a front surface member and a back surface member with a sealing material, and a frame supporting a peripheral edge portion of the solar cell panel. The frame includes a main body portion, a fitting portion which is located above the main body portion and in which the peripheral edge portion of the solar cell panel is to be fitted. The frame further includes an inner flange portion provided at a part of the main body portion below the fitting portion and not below a bottom portion of the main body portion and extending in a direction inward from the peripheral edge portion of the solar cell panel.
US09947808B2	CIGS compound solar cell In order to provide a CIGS compound solar cell with a high conversion efficiency, a CIGS compound solar cell including a rear electrode layer, a CIGS light absorbing layer, a buffer layer, and a transparent electrode layer in this order over a substrate is configured such that the buffer layer comprises a mixed crystal of a Group IIa metal and zinc oxide, and characteristics of the mixed crystal as shown by X-ray diffraction satisfy the following formula (1): 0.5≤A/(A+B+C)<1 (1) (where none of A, B, C are 0) A: peak intensity at plane (002) B: peak intensity at plane (100) C: peak intensity at plane (101).
US09947799B2	Semiconductor device An object is to provide a semiconductor device including an oxide semiconductor, which has stable electric characteristics and high reliability. In a transistor including an oxide semiconductor film, the oxide semiconductor film is subjected to dehydration or dehydrogenation performed by heat treatment. In addition, as a gate insulating film in contact with the oxide semiconductor film, an insulating film containing oxygen, preferably, a gate insulating film including a region containing oxygen with a higher proportion than the stoichiometric composition is used. Thus, oxygen is supplied from the gate insulating film to the oxide semiconductor film. Further, a metal oxide film is used as part of the gate insulating film, whereby reincorporation of an impurity such as hydrogen or water into the oxide semiconductor is suppressed.
US09947795B2	Thin-film transistor According to one embodiment, a thin-film transistor includes a first insulating film, an oxide semiconductor layer provided on the first insulating film and a second insulating film provided on the oxide semiconductor layer, and at least one of the first insulating film and the second insulating film includes a first region in contact with the oxide semiconductor layer and a second region further distant from the oxide semiconductor layer than the first region, and the second region has an argon concentration higher than that of the first region.
US09947792B2	Semiconductor device and method for fabricating the same A method for fabricating semiconductor device is disclosed. The method includes the steps of: providing a substrate having a first fin-shaped structure thereon; forming a spacer adjacent to the first fin-shaped structure; using the spacer as mask to remove part of the substrate for forming a second fin-shaped structure, in which the second fin-shaped structure comprises a top portion and a bottom portion; and forming a doped portion in the bottom portion of the second fin-shaped structure.
US09947789B1	Vertical transistors stressed from various directions A vertical transistor includes a semiconductor substrate, and fin(s) over the semiconductor substrate (n-type fin(s) and/or p-type fin(s)), the fin(s) acting as vertical transistor channels for vertical transistors. Each of the fin(s) is lattice mismatched at one or more interface(s), being stressed from below, from above, from fin sidewalls or combination(s) thereof. The vertical transistors can be realized by providing a semiconductor substrate, forming stressed fin(s) of vertical transistor(s) acting as vertical transistor channels, the stressed fin(s) being lattice mismatched at one or more interfaces and being stressed from below, above, sidewalls or combination(s) thereof.
US09947781B2	Semiconductor device and manufacturing method thereof A semiconductor device includes a first semiconductor layer formed of a nitride semiconductor on a substrate, a second semiconductor layer formed of a nitride semiconductor on the first semiconductor layer, a gate trench formed in the second semiconductor layer or in the second and first semiconductor layers, a gate electrode formed at the gate trench, and a source electrode and a drain electrode formed on the second semiconductor layer. The gate trench has terminal parts of a bottom of the gate trench formed shallower than a center part of the bottom. A part of a sidewall of the gate trench is formed of a surface including an a-plane. The center part of the bottom is a c-plane. The terminal parts of the bottom form a slope from the c-plane to the a-plane.
US09947779B2	Power MOSFET having lateral channel, vertical current path, and P-region under gate for increasing breakdown voltage In one embodiment, a power MOSFET cell includes an N+ silicon substrate having a drain electrode. An N-type drift layer is grown over the substrate. An N-type layer, having a higher dopant concentration than the drift region, is then formed along with a trench having sidewalls. A P-well is formed in the N-type layer, and an N+ source region is formed in the P-well. A gate is formed over the P-well's lateral channel and has a vertical extension into the trench. A positive gate voltage inverts the lateral channel and increases the vertical conduction along the sidewalls to reduce on-resistance. A vertical shield field plate is also located next to the sidewalls and may be connected to the gate. The field plate laterally depletes the N-type layer when the device is off to increase the breakdown voltage. A buried layer and sinker enable the use of a topside drain electrode.
US09947776B2	Method for manufacturing semiconductor device including memory cell of nonvolatile memory, capacitance element, and transistors To reduce a manufacturing cost of a semiconductor device in which a high breakdown voltage transistor and a trench capacitive element in which a part of an upper electrode is embedded in a trench formed in a main surface of a semiconductor substrate are mixed together.After an insulating film is formed over a main surface of a semiconductor substrate so as to cover a trench formed in the main surface of the semiconductor substrate, the insulating film is processed to form an upper electrode of a capacitive element, a gate insulating film which insulates the semiconductor substrate to be a lower electrode, and a gate insulting film of a high breakdown voltage transistor.
US09947771B2	Thin film transistor and method of fabricating the same A method of fabricating a thin film transistor includes forming a substrate having first and second regions, a semiconductor layer pattern formed in the first region and the second region, and a first gate insulating layer pattern formed on a channel region of the semiconductor layer pattern of the first region. A second gate insulating layer is formed on the substrate, a first conductive layer pattern is formed above the channel region of the first region and above the semiconductor layer pattern of the second region, and an inter-layer insulating layer is formed on the substrate. A second conductive layer pattern is formed in the first region and above the first conductive layer pattern of the second region. The second conductive layer pattern of the first region is coupled to the semiconductor layer pattern of the first region through the second gate insulating layer and the inter-layer insulating layer.
US09947758B2	Forming silicide regions and resulting MOS devices A semiconductor device with improved roll-off resistivity and reliability are provided. The semiconductor device includes a gate dielectric overlying a semiconductor substrate, a gate electrode overlying the gate dielectric, a gate silicide region on the gate electrode, a source/drain region adjacent the gate dielectric, and a source/drain silicide region on the source/drain region, wherein the source/drain silicide region and the gate silicide region have different metal compositions.
US09947754B1	Manufacturing method of array substrate and LCD panel The invention provides a manufacturing method of array substrate, wherein a light-shielding layer is disposed on the semiconductor layer, the light-shielding layer is a light-absorbing positive photo-resist, the light-shielding layer uses the same layer design as the photo-resist layer used for etching the semiconductor layer, after etching the semiconductor layer, the photo-resist layer is baked to obtain the light-shielding layer smaller than the semiconductor layer to shield the irradiation on the semiconductor layer to reduce the current leakage; then ohmic contact layer is formed at both ends of the semiconductor layer by phosphorus ion-implantation. In the LCD panel, the light-shielding layer is disposed on the semiconductor layer, the light-shielding layer serves both as an etching stopper and light-shielding, and can replace the BM of the conventional CF substrate to block light irradiation on the semiconductor layer, reduce leakage current, simplify panel structure, and improve aperture ratio.
US09947747B2	Fully depleted silicon-on-insulator device formation A p-type metal-oxide-semiconductor (pMOS) planar fully depleted silicon-on-insulator (FDSOI) device and a method of fabricating the pMOS FDSOI are described. The method includes processing a silicon germanium (SiGe) layer disposed on an insulator layer to form gaps on a surface opposite a surface that is disposed on the insulator layer, each of the gaps extending into the SiGe layer to a depth less than or equal to a thickness of the SiGe layer, and forming a gate conductor over a region of the SiGe layer corresponding to a channel region of the pMOS. The method also includes performing an epitaxial process on the SiGe layer at locations corresponding to source and drain regions of the pMOS planar FDSOI device.
US09947738B2	Display panel including multilayer wiring and member for reducing probability of power line mis-pressing during manufacturing process, and manufacturing method for the same A display panel including: a substrate; a multi-layer wiring layer disposed over the substrate and including a first power line and a second power line; organic electroluminescence elements over the multi-layer wiring layer; a partition wall over the multi-layer wiring layer; and a member over the multi-layer wiring layer, a height of the member from the substrate being greater than a height of the partition wall from the substrate, wherein the multi-layer wiring layer includes a first portion and a second portion, the organic electroluminescence elements are arrayed on the first portion, in the second portion, the first power line and the second power line intersect, and the member is positioned on the second portion without overlapping at least one of the first power line and the second power line in plan view of the substrate.
US09947733B2	Organic light emitting display device having cathode electrode connected with an auxiliary electrode via a gap space between the first and second banks An organic light emitting display device can include a substrate; an anode electrode on the substrate; an organic emitting layer on the anode electrode; a cathode electrode on the organic emitting layer; an auxiliary electrode connected with the cathode electrode; a first bank on an upper surface of the auxiliary electrode; and a second bank disposed between the auxiliary electrode and the anode electrode, in which the second bank is formed of a same material as the first bank, and the first and second banks are spaced apart from each other, and a width of an upper surface of the first bank is larger than a width of a lower surface of the first bank, and the cathode electrode is connected with the auxiliary electrode via a gap space between the first bank and the second bank.
US09947721B2	Thermal insulation for three-dimensional memory arrays Methods, systems, and devices for a three-dimensional memory array are described. Memory cells may transform when exposed to elevated temperatures, including elevated temperatures associated with a read or write operation of a neighboring cell, corrupting the data stored in them. To prevent this thermal disturb effect, memory cells may be separated from one another by thermally insulating regions that include one or several interfaces. The interfaces may be formed by layering different materials upon one another or adjusting the deposition parameters of a material during formation. The layers may be created with planar thin-film deposition techniques, for example.
US09947720B2	Three-dimensional memory apparatuses and methods of use A three dimensional (3D) memory array may include a plurality of memory cells. An example 3D memory array may include an electrode plane and a memory material disposed through and coupled to the electrode plane. A memory cell included in the memory material is aligned in a same plane as the electrode plane, and the memory cell is configured to exhibit a first threshold voltage representative of a first logic state and a second threshold voltage representative of a second logic state. A conductive pillar is disposed through and coupled to the memory cell, wherein the conductive pillar and electrode plane are configured to provide a voltage across the memory cell to write a logic state to the memory cell.
US09947717B2	Light-emitting device having light-emitting elements and electrode spaced apart from the light emitting element A light-emitting device operating on a high drive voltage and a small drive current. LEDs (1) are two-dimensionally formed on an insulating substrate (10) of e.g., sapphire monolithically and connected in series to form an LED array. Two such LED arrays are connected to electrodes (32) in inverse parallel. Air-bridge wiring (28) is formed between the LEDs (1) and between the LEDs (1) and electrodes (32). The LED arrays are arranged zigzag to form a plurality of LEDs (1) to produce a high drive voltage and a small drive current. Two LED arrays are connected in inverse parallel, and therefore an AC power supply can be used as the power supply.
US09947716B2	Chip package and manufacturing method thereof A chip package includes a chip, an adhesive layer, and a dam element. The chip has a sensing area, a first surface, and a second surface that is opposite to the first surface. The sensing area is located on the first surface. The adhesive layer covers the first surface of the chip. The dam element is located on the adhesive layer and surrounds the sensing area. The thickness of the dam element is in a range from 20 μm to 750 μm, and the wall surface of the dam element surrounding the sensing area is a rough surface.
US09947715B2	Manufacturing method of semiconductor device The present invention makes it possible to improve the performance of a semiconductor device.After anisotropic etching is applied to an insulating film covering a gate electrode of a transfer transistor and a sidewall spacer is formed over the sidewall of the gate electrode, a damaged layer formed in the interior of a semiconductor substrate by the anisotropic etching is removed by oxidizing the surface of the semiconductor substrate, forming a sacrificial oxide film, and removing the sacrificial oxide film.
US09947711B2	Semiconductor device with surface integrated focusing element and method of producing a semiconductor device with focusing element The semiconductor device comprises a semiconductor substrate (1), a sensor or sensor array (2) arranged at a main surface (10) of the substrate, an integrated circuit (3) arranged at or above the main surface, and a focusing element (17) comprising recesses (4) formed within a further main surface (11) of the substrate opposite the main surface. The focusing element may be arranged opposite the sensor or sensor array (2), which may be a photosensor or photodetector or an array of photosensors or photodetectors, for instance. The focusing element (17) is formed by etching the recesses (4) into the semiconductor material.
US09947708B2	Semiconductor device and manufacturing method of the same A semiconductor device includes a plurality of wirings (WR11) which are formed in the same layer above a semiconductor substrate, and a plurality of wirings (WR12) which are formed in the same layer as that of the plurality of wirings (WR11). The plurality of wirings (WR11) are extended in an X axis direction and arranged at a pitch (PT11) in a Y axis direction intersecting with the X axis direction when seen in a plan view, and the plurality of wirings (WR12) are extended in the X axis direction and arranged at a pitch (PT12) in the Y axis direction when seen in a plan view. The plurality of wirings (WR11) are electrically connected to the plurality of wirings (WR12), and the pitch (PT11) is smaller than the pitch (PT12).
US09947691B2	Array substrate, manufacturing method thereof and display panel An array substrate, a manufacturing method thereof and a display panel are disclosed. The array substrate comprises: a base substrate (200) and gate lines (202), data lines (205) and a plurality of pixel units (20). Each pixel unit (20) includes a first thin-film transistor (TFT), a pixel electrode (208) and at least second TFT connected in series with the first TFT. The pixel electrode (208) is connected with a drain electrode (207) of the second TFT; a source electrode (206′) of the second TFT is connected with a drain electrode (207) of the first TFT; and a source electrode (206) of the first TFT is connected with the data line (205). The array substrate can reduce the leakage current when the TFTs are switched off.
US09947675B1	Mask-programmable ROM using a vertical FET integration process A mask programmable read-only memory (PROM) cell is provided utilizing a vertical transistor processing flow. PROM programming is performed during the processing flow itself. Notably, “0” or “1” state can be programmed by tuning the threshold voltage of the vertical transistor by controlling the doping concentration of the epitaxially grown semiconductor channel material.
US09947672B2	Semiconductor devices including a dummy gate structure on a fin Semiconductor devices including a dummy gate structure on a fin are provided. A semiconductor device includes a fin protruding from a substrate. The semiconductor device includes a source/drain region in the fin, and a recess region of the fin that is between first and second portions of the source/drain region. Moreover, the semiconductor device includes a dummy gate structure overlapping the recess region, and a spacer that is on the fin and adjacent a sidewall of the dummy gate structure.
US09947670B2	Semiconductor device A static random access memory (SRAM) device includes an inverter including a ninth first-conductivity-type semiconductor layer formed on a semiconductor substrate; a first pillar-shaped semiconductor layer which is formed on the semiconductor substrate and in which a first first-conductivity-type semiconductor layer, a first body region, a second first-conductivity-type semiconductor layer, a first second-conductivity-type semiconductor layer, a second body region, and a second second-conductivity-type semiconductor layer are formed from the substrate side in that order; a first gate insulating film formed around the first body region; a first gate formed around the first gate insulating film; a second gate insulating film formed around the second body region; a second gate formed around the second gate insulating film; and a first output terminal connected to the second first-conductivity-type semiconductor layer and the first second-conductivity-type semiconductor layer.
US09947668B2	Semiconductor devices and methods of forming the same Semiconductor devices, and methods for forming the same, include forming a first wiring film and an etching buffer film in a cell array region and a peripheral circuit region of a substrate, and forming a contact hole by selectively etching the etching buffer film and the first wiring film so as to expose an active region of the cell array region and at least a part of a field isolation region adjacent thereto. A bit line contact is formed in the contact hole to be in contact with the active region, and a second wiring film is formed over the substrate. By patterning the second wiring film, the bit line contact, the etching buffer film, and the first wiring film, a bit line is formed in the cell array region and a peripheral gate is formed in the peripheral circuit region.
US09947667B2	Semiconductor device having buried gate structure and method for manufacturing the same, memory cell having the same and electronic device having the same A semiconductor device includes a substrate comprising a trench; a gate dielectric layer formed over a surface of the trench; a gate electrode positioned at a level lower than a top surface of the substrate, and comprising a lower buried portion embedded in a lower portion of the trench over the gate dielectric layer and an upper buried portion positioned over the lower buried portion; and a dielectric work function adjusting liner positioned between the lower buried portion and the gate dielectric layer; and a dipole formed between the dielectric work function adjusting liner and the gate dielectric layer.
US09947665B2	Semiconductor structure having dielectric layer and conductive strip A semiconductor structure is provided. The semiconductor structure includes a conductive strip, a conductive layer, a first dielectric layer, and a second dielectric layer. The first dielectric layer is between the conductive strip and the conductive layer arranged in a crisscross manner. The second dielectric layer is different from the first dielectric layer. The second dielectric layer and the first dielectric layer are adjoined with the conductive strip in different positions on the same sidewall of the conductive strip.
US09947664B1	Semiconductor device and method of forming the semiconductor device A semiconductor device includes a first vertical field effect transistor (VFET) formed on a substrate, and including a first fin and a first gate formed on the first fin, a second VFET formed on the substrate and connected in parallel with the first VFET, and including a second fin and a second gate formed on the second fin, a third VFET formed on the substrate and including a third fin, the first and second gates being formed on the third fin, and a fourth VFET formed on the substrate and connected in series with the third VFET, and including a fourth fin, the first and second gates being formed on the fourth fin.
US09947663B2	FinFET CMOS with silicon fin N-channel FET and silicon germanium fin P-channel FET A substrate having a silicon region and a silicon germanium region is provided. A first set of fins in the silicon region and a second set of fins in the silicon germanium region is etched into the substrate. A set of protective caps on upper portions of the first and second sets of fins. A lower portion of each of the first and second sets of fins is oxidized. The silicon germanium portion of the lower portion of fin in the second set of fins is completely oxidized. The lower portion of the first set of fins is partially oxidized. A punchthrough stop isolation region is formed in the lower portion of the first set of fins. Another aspect of the invention is a device which is created by the method.
US09947658B2	Semiconductor device and manufacturing method thereof In a method for manufacturing a semiconductor device, a doped layer doped with a first dopant is formed in a substrate. A semiconductor layer is formed on the doped layer. A fin structure is formed by patterning at least the semiconductor layer and the doped layer such that the fin structure comprises a channel region including the semiconductor layer, and a well region including the doped layer. An isolation insulating layer is formed such that the channel region of the fin structure protrudes from the isolation insulating layer and the well region of the fin structure is embedded in the isolation insulating layer. A gate structure is formed over a part of the fin structure and the isolation insulating layer. The semiconductor layer is at least one of a doped silicon layer or a non-doped silicon layer.
US09947656B2	Integrated circuit devices including fin active areas with different shapes An integrated circuit device can include a substrate having a first area and a second area and a pair of first fin-shaped active areas each having a first shape protruding from the first area in a first direction, adjacent to each other, and extending in a straight line. A fin separation insulating film can be between the pair of first fin-shaped active areas in the first area and a second fin-shaped active area can protrude from the second area in the first direction and have a second shape that is different from the first shape, wherein respective widths of each of the pair of first fin-shaped active areas are less than a corresponding width of the second fin-shaped active area.
US09947655B2	3D bonded semiconductor structure with an embedded capacitor A first semiconductor structure including a first bonding oxide layer having a first metallic structure embedded therein and a second semiconductor structure including a second bonding oxide layer having second metallic structure embedded therein are provided. A high-k dielectric material is formed on a surface of the first metallic structure. A nitride surface treatment process is performed to provide a nitrided surface layer to each structure. The nitrided surface layer includes nitridized oxide regions located in an upper portion of the bonding oxide layers and either a nitridized high-k dielectric material located in at least an upper portion of the high k dielectric material or a nitridized metallic region located in an upper portion of the second metallic structure. The nitrogen within the nitridized metallic region is then selectively removed to restore the upper portion of the second metallic structure to its original composition. Bonding is then performed.
US09947653B2	High-voltage semiconductor devices A high-voltage semiconductor device includes a MOS device and a resistor device. The MOS device has a source, a drain, a drain insulation region adjacent to the drain, and a gate adjacent to the source. The resistor device is formed on the drain insulation region and is electrically connected to the drain. The resistor device has a plurality of resistor sections connected in series, and each of the plurality of resistor sections has a curved shape.
US09947651B2	Semiconductor integrated circuit device having an NMOS with a high resistance drain terminal A semiconductor integrated circuit device with a “PAD on I/O cell” structure in which a pad lead part is disposed almost in the center of an I/O part so as to reduce the chip layout area. In the I/O part, a transistor lies nearest to the periphery of the semiconductor chip. When seen in a plan view of the I/O part, a resistance lies above the transistor and a first and a second diode lie above the resistance; a second transistor lies above the diodes; and a logic block lies above the second transistor with a pad lead part, for example, formed in a metal wiring layer, therebetween. This permits the pad through the second transistor to be on the same node and therefore the pad lead part can be disposed almost in the center of the I/O part.
US09947648B2	Semiconductor device including a diode at least partly arranged in a trench A semiconductor device includes a semiconductor body including a first trench extending into the semiconductor body from a first surface and a diode including an anode region and a cathode region. One of the anode region and the cathode region is at least partly arranged in the first trench. The other one of the anode region and the cathode region includes a first semiconductor region directly adjoining the one of the anode region and the cathode region from outside of the first trench, thereby constituting a pn junction. The semiconductor device further includes a conducting path through a sidewall of the first trench.
US09947647B2	Method and system for over-voltage protection using transient voltage suppression devices A method of fabricating an overvoltage protection device and an over-voltage circuit protection device are provided. The over-voltage circuit protection device includes a plurality of transient voltage suppression (TVS) devices coupled in electrical parallel.
US09947641B2	Wire bond support structure and microelectronic package including wire bonds therefrom A microelectronic package may include a substrate having first and second regions, a first surface and a second surface remote from the first surface; at least one microelectronic element overlying the first surface within the first region; electrically conductive elements at the first surface within the second region; a support structure having a third surface and a fourth surface remote from the third surface and overlying the first surface within the second region in which the third surface faces the first surface, second and third electrically conductive elements exposed respectively at the third and fourth surfaces and electrically connected to the conductive elements at the first surface in the first region; and wire bonds defining edge surfaces and having bases electrically connected through ones of the third conductive elements to respective ones of the second conductive elements and ends remote from the support structure and the bases.
US09947639B2	Semiconductor module A semiconductor module (10A) according to one embodiment includes a plurality of first and second transistor chips (hereinafter, first and second transistors) (12A, 12B) and a substrate (90). In each of the first and second transistors, first and second main electrode pads (18, 20) are each electrically connected together; the second main electrode pads of the first transistors are electrically connected to the first main electrode pads of the second transistors; control electrode pads of the first and second transistors are respectively connected to first and second control electrode wiring patterns (94, 98) on the substrate via first and second resistance parts (13A, 13B); and the first and second resistance parts respectively have a plurality of first and second resistance elements (72A, 72B) each connected to the corresponding control electrode pad, and first and second linking parts (74A, 74B) respectively linking the plurality of first and second resistance elements together.
US09947637B2	System and method for clamping wafers together in alignment using pressure A system and method for clamping wafers together in alignment using pressure. The system and method involves holding a first wafer and a second wafer together in alignment using a wafer clamp within an ambient environment maintained at a first pressure and creating a second pressure at least partially around and between the first wafer and the second wafer held together by the wafer clamp, wherein the first pressure is greater than the second pressure. The first wafer and the second wafer are clamped together in alignment using a pneumatic force created by a pressure differential between the first pressure and the second pressure.
US09947635B1	Semiconductor package, interposer and semiconductor process for manufacturing the same A semiconductor package includes a first semiconductor device and a second semiconductor device. The first semiconductor device includes a first main body, at least one first columnar portion and at least one first conductive layer. The first columnar portion protrudes from a bottom surface of the first main body. The first conductive layer is disposed on a side surface of the first columnar portion. The second semiconductor device includes a second main body, at least one second columnar portion and at least one second conductive layer. The second columnar portion protrudes from a top surface of the second main body. The second conductive layer is disposed on a side surface of the second columnar portion. The first conductive layer is electrically coupled to the second conductive layer.
US09947633B2	Deformable conductive contacts Deformable conductive contacts are provided. A plurality of deformable contacts on a first substrate may be joined to a plurality of conductive pads on a second substrate during die level or wafer level assembly of microelectronics. Each deformable contact complies to a degree that is related to the amount of joining pressure between the first substrate and the second substrate. Since an individual contact can make the conductive coupling within a range of distances from a target pad, an array of the deformable contacts provides tolerance and compliance when there is some variation in height of the conductive elements on either side of the join. A flowable underfill may be provided to press the deformable contacts against opposing pads and to permanently join the surfaces at a fixed distance. The deformable contacts may include a wiping feature to clear their target pads for establishing improved metal-to-metal contact or a thermocompression bond.
US09947632B2	Semiconductor device and method of making a semiconductor device A semiconductor device and a method of making the same. The device includes a semiconductor substrate having a major surface, one or more contacts located on the major surface and an encapsulant covering at least the major surface. A peripheral edge of each contact defines a contact area on the major surface. The device also includes one or more bond pads located outside the encapsulant. Each bond pad is electrically connected to a respective contact located on the major surface of the substrate by a respective metal filled via that passes through the encapsulant. A sidewall of each respective metal filled via, at the point at which it meets the respective contact, falls inside the contact area defined by the respective contact when viewed from above the major surface of the substrate, whereby none of the metal filling each respective via extends outside the contact area of each respective contact.
US09947629B2	Method of forming contact holes in a fan out package Methods of forming packages include forming an encapsulant laterally encapsulating a die over an active surface of the die. The active surface has an electrical pad. A first opening is formed through the encapsulant to the electrical pad. In some embodiments the first opening is formed using a photolithographic technique. In some embodiments the first opening is formed using a temporary pillar by forming the temporary pillar over the electrical pad, forming the encapsulant, and then exposing and removing the temporary pillar. A conductive pattern is formed over the encapsulant including a via formed in the first opening to the electrical pad of the die's active surface. In some embodiments, a dielectric layer is formed over the encapsulant, and the conductive pattern is over the dielectric layer. Embodiments may include forming additional dielectric layers and conductive patterns.
US09947623B1	Semiconductor device comprising a conductive pad on a protruding-through electrode A semiconductor device. For example and without limitation, various aspects of the present disclosure provide a semiconductor device that comprises a semiconductor die comprising an inactive die side and an active die side opposite the inactive die side, a through hole in the semiconductor die that extends between the inactive die side and the active die side where the through hole comprises an inner wall, an insulating layer coupled to the inner wall of the through hole, a through electrode inside of the insulating layer, a dielectric layer coupled to the inactive die side, and a conductive pad coupled to the through electrode.
US09947615B2	Electronic circuit and camera An electronic circuit includes a generating circuit for generating a first group of signals and a second group of signals, and a transmission path for transmitting the first group of signals and the second group of signals. The first group of signals are composed of signals synchronized with a first edge that is one of the rising edge and the falling edge of a reference clock, and the second group of signals are composed of signals synchronized with a second edge that is the other of the rising edge and falling edge. The transmission path includes first transmission lines for transmitting the signals composing the first group and second transmission lines for transmitting the signals composing the second group, and the first and second transmission lines are alternately arranged.
US09947613B2	Power semiconductor device and method for manufacturing the same A power semiconductor device includes a power semiconductor element, a controlling element, a first lead frame and a second lead frame, respectively, a first metal wire electrically connecting the power semiconductor element and the first lead frame, and a sealing body covering these components. The first lead frame includes a first inner lead having a connecting surface to which one end of the first metal wire is connected. Among surfaces of the sealing body, in a side surface, a resin inlet mark is formed in a side surface portion from which the first lead frame and the second lead frame do not project, the resin inlet mark being greater in surface roughness than another area. The resin inlet mark is formed opposite to a side where the first metal wire is positioned on the connecting surface when seen in the direction along the mounting surface.
US09947608B2	Method of manufacture for a semiconductor device A method of manufacture for a semiconductor device is disclosed. The method includes providing a semiconductor stack structure that includes a device terminal of a semiconductor device, and having a first surface and a buried oxide (BOX) layer attached to a wafer handle. Another step includes disposing a polymeric layer that includes a polymer and an admixture that increases thermal conductivity of the polymer onto the first surface of the semiconductor stack structure. Another step involves removing the wafer handle from the BOX layer to expose a second surface of the semiconductor stack structure, and yet another step involves removing a portion of the semiconductor stack structure to expose the device terminal.
US09947596B2	Range-based real-time scanning electron microscope non-visual binner A technique to identify non-visual defects, such as SEM non-visual defects (SNVs), includes generating an image of a layer of a wafer, evaluating at least one attribute of the image using a classifier, and identifying the non-visual defects on the layer of the wafer. A controller can be configured to identify the non-visual defects using the classifier. This controller can communicate with a defect review tool, such as a scanning electron microscope (SEM).
US09947594B2	Semiconductor device and manufacturing method thereof A semiconductor device includes a first semiconductor channel, a second semiconductor channel, a first gate stack and a second gate stack. The first gate stack includes N-work function metal present on the first semiconductor channel. The second gate stack includes N-work function metal present on the second semiconductor channel. The N-work function metal in the first gate stack and the second gate stack are substantially different. The difference includes at least one of N-work function metal type and N-work function metal amount.
US09947591B2	Method for manufacturing a Si-based high-mobility CMOS device with stacked channel layers, and resulting devices A device and method for manufacturing a Si-based high-mobility CMOS device is provided. The method includes the steps of: (i) providing a silicon substrate having a first insulation layer on top and a trench into the silicon; (ii) manufacturing a III-V semiconductor channel layer above the first insulation layer by depositing a first dummy layer of a sacrificial material, covering the first dummy layer with a first oxide layer, and replacing the first dummy layer with III-V semiconductor material by etching via holes in the first oxide layer followed by selective area growth; (iii) manufacturing a second insulation layer above the III-V semiconductor channel layer and uncovering the trench; (iv) manufacturing a germanium or silicon-germanium channel layer above the second insulation layer by depositing a second dummy layer of a sacrificial material, covering the second dummy layer with a second oxide layer, and replacing the second dummy layer with germanium or silicon-germanium by etching via holes in the second oxide layer followed by selective area growth.
US09947585B2	Multi-gate transistor with variably sized fin An embodiment includes an apparatus comprising: a non-planar transistor comprising a fin, the fin including a source region having a source region width and a source region height, a channel region having a channel region width and a channel region height, a drain region having a drain width and a drain height, and a gate dielectric formed on a sidewall of the channel region; wherein the apparatus includes at least one of (a) the channel region width being wider than the source region width, and (b) the gate dielectric including a first gate dielectric thickness at a first location and a second gate dielectric thickness at a second location, the first and second locations located at an equivalent height on the sidewall and the first and second gate dielectrics thicknesses being unequal to one another. Other embodiments are described herein.
US09947577B2	Integrated circuit with a sidewall layer and an ultra-thick metal layer and method of making A method of forming an integrated circuit that includes providing a substrate, a metal layer over the substrate, and a first dielectric layer over the metal layer. The first dielectric layer includes a via. A sidewall layer that includes a silicon compound is in the via. A second dielectric layer is over the sidewall layer and an ultra-thick metal (UTM) layer is in the via.
US09947574B2	Semiconductor device A semiconductor device according to an embodiment includes a semiconductor layer, a first insulating film provided on the semiconductor layer, a first conductive layer provided on the first insulating film, a second insulating film provided on the semiconductor layer and the first conductive layer, a second conductive layer provided on the second insulating film, a first contact portion connecting the semiconductor layer and the second conductive layer, and a second contact portion connecting the first conductive layer and the second conductive layer. A distance between the semiconductor layer and an upper portion of the second insulating film adjacent to the second contact portion is greater than a distance between the semiconductor layer and an upper portion of the second insulating film adjacent to the first contact portion. The second contact portion has a larger width than the first contact portion.
US09947570B2	Handler bonding and debonding for semiconductor dies Various embodiments process semiconductor devices. In one embodiment, a release layer is applied to a handler. The release layer comprises at least one additive that adjusts a frequency of electro-magnetic radiation absorption property of the release layer. The additive comprises, for example, a 355 nm chemical absorber and/or chemical absorber for one of more wavelengths in a range comprising 600 nm to 740 nm. The at least one singulated semiconductor device is bonded to the handler. The at least one singulated semiconductor device is packaged while it is bonded to the handler. The release layer is ablated by irradiating the release layer through the handler with a laser. The at least one singulated semiconductor device is removed from the transparent handler after the release layer has been ablated.
US09947563B2	Wafer container with air-tight device A wafer container is provided. The wafer container includes a housing, a door and an air-tight device. The housing has a room with an opening formed therein, and a door frame surrounding the opening. The door fits in the door frame to close the opening. The air-tight device is disposed around the door, located between the door and the door frame, and having a protruding part extending toward the room. The protruding part has an early-stage pressure-adjusting element configured to exhaust a first gas from the room by pumping a second gas into the room when the door is closed.
US09947562B2	Method and apparatus for processing semiconductor work pieces A processing apparatus for semiconductor work pieces and related methodology is disclosed and which includes a processing chamber having an internal cavity, and which has a plurality of rotatable processing stations positioned therein and wherein the rotatable processing stations each process a semiconductor work piece.
US09947559B2	Thermal management of edge ring in semiconductor processing Apparatus for processing semiconductors are provided herein. In some embodiments, an apparatus for processing a substrate may include: a first ring disposed concentrically about a substrate support, the first ring configured to position a substrate atop the substrate support during processing; and a second ring disposed between the substrate support and the first ring, the second ring configured to provide a heat transfer path from the first ring to the substrate support.
US09947553B2	Manufacturing method of semiconductor device and semiconductor device The present invention provides a semiconductor device and a method for manufacturing a semiconductor device. The method comprises: Preparing a semiconductor chip 6 with a first electrode layer 21 formed on an element-forming surface 7. Prepared a support member 30 having a conductor 31 formed on a pattern-forming surface 33. The first electrode layer 21 is bonded to the conductor 31 by a solder, and thus the semiconductor chip 6 is fixed on the support member 30. While the semiconductor chip 6 is fixed on the support member 30, the semiconductor chip 6 is coated by the sealing resin 3 to form a sealing structure 46. By removing the support member 30 from the sealing structure 46, the conductor 31 formed on the support member 30 is transferred to the sealing structure 46. The conductor 31 transferred to the sealing structure 46 is an external electrode exposed from the sealing structure 46.
US09947543B2	Semiconductor memory device and manufacturing method thereof The present disclosure relates to a semiconductor memory, device and a method of forming a semiconductor memory device. The method of manufacturing a semiconductor memory device, includes forming a tunnel insulation layer and a floating gate on a semiconductor substrate of an active region, forming a trench in the semiconductor substrate of an isolation region, forming, in the trench, a sacrificial layer having an upper surface positioned higher than a surface of the semiconductor substrate, forming a capping layer over the sacrificial layer, and forming an air gap by removing the sacrificial layer without removing the capping layer.
US09947528B2	Structure and method for nFET with high k metal gate The present disclosure provides an integrated circuit. The integrated circuit includes a semiconductor substrate; a n-type filed effect transistor (nFET) formed on the semiconductor substrate and having a first gate stack including a high k dielectric layer, a capping layer on the high k dielectric layer, a p work function metal on the capping layer, and a polysilicon layer on the p work function metal; and a p-type filed effect transistor (pFET) formed on the semiconductor substrate and having a second gate stack including the high k dielectric layer, the p work function metal on the high k dielectric layer, and a metal material on the p work function metal.
US09947522B2	Probe adaptor assembly An apparatus for connecting an ionisation probe assembly to a mass and/or ion mobility spectrometer is disclosed. The apparatus comprises: an attachment member for releasably attaching a probe assembly to the apparatus; a cap for enclosing the attachment member; wherein the apparatus is operable to deliver a voltage to a probe assembly only when the cap is arranged to enclose the attachment member; and wherein the cap is configurable to enclose the attachment member when a probe assembly is attached to the apparatus.
US09947511B2	Antenna for plasma generation and plasma processing device having the same Provided are an antenna, which is disposed in a vacuum chamber for generating an inductively coupled plasma, and a plasma processing device. The antenna and the plasma processing device suppress increase of the impedance even if the antenna is lengthened. An antenna 20 is disposed in a vacuum chamber 2 for generating an inductively coupled plasma 16 in the vacuum chamber 2 by applying a high frequency current. The antenna 20 includes an insulating pipe 22 and a hollow antenna body 24 which is disposed in the insulating pipe 22 and in which cooling water flows. The antenna body 24 has a structure that a plurality of metal pipes 26 are connected in series with a hollow insulator 28 interposed between the adjacent metal pipes 26, and each connecting portion has a sealing function with respect to vacuum and the cooling water.
US09947506B2	Sample holder and focused ion beam apparatus Shaft members which respectively protrude toward at least one beam member and the other beam member in a z-axis direction are formed in a mesh support member. A through hole for penetrating a space between a shaft end surface and an opening portion in the z-axis direction and introducing a focused ion beam toward a fine sample piece is formed in at least one shaft member.
US09947503B2	Magnetic shielding of an X-ray emitter An x-ray emitter includes a housing. In an embodiment, the housing includes a diamagnetic or paramagnetic housing material and a plurality of ferromagnetic particles. In an embodiment, the ferromagnetic particles are aligned substantially along closed paths. A medical device includes an embodiment of the x-ray emitter. A method is further for producing an embodiment of the x-ray emitter.
US09947493B2	Magnetically biased retracting key assembly and keyboard Magnetically biased retracting key assemblies and keyboards are provided. A key assembly includes a touch surface for receiving a press input from a user and a planar-translation-effecting (PTE) mechanism configured to guide as the keycap moves from an un-pressed position toward a pressed position. The key assembly also includes a ready-return mechanism configured to magnetically biased the keycap in the un-pressed position, the ready-return mechanism including a slider mechanism positioned beneath the keycap and coupled to the PTE mechanism. When the press surface receives a press input the slider mechanism translates away from the magnet as the PTE mechanism guides the keycap from the un-pressed position toward the pressed position. In some embodiments, the PTE mechanism and the ready-return mechanism translate with respect to a chassis layer providing a key retraction feature for the key assembly or keyboard.
US09947491B1	Magnetic sensor alignment with breakaway Disclosed herein are electronic devices with a sensor configured to breakaway from an input button or input/output interface. In one example, the electronic device includes a button positioned within an opening of a chassis or housing. A sensor is in communication with the button, wherein the button is configured to contact the sensor in a first sensor position upon application of an activation force. At least one magnet is configured to retain the sensor in the first sensor position by a frictional or magnetic force. Additionally, the sensor is configured to move from the first sensor position to a second sensor position upon application of a force greater than the frictional or magnetic force and less than a sensor damage force. The activation force is less than the frictional or magnetic force, which is less than the sensor damage force.
US09947489B2	Electric switching apparatus comprising an improved arc-quenching device The present invention relates to an electric switching apparatus, in particular a DC contactor. The switching apparatus has at least one switching point as well as at least one arc-quenching device that is assigned to the switching point. The arc-quenching device comprises at least one quenching element and at least one permanent magnet for influencing an arc that arises during the switching process. The arc is blown into the quenching element by a magnetic field that is created by the permanent magnet. It is provided according to the invention that the at least one permanent magnet forms at the same time the quenching element and that it is arranged and polarized in a way that the arc is attracted by the permanent magnet and thereby sucked onto the permanent magnet and quenched by said permanent magnet.
US09947488B2	Electrical switch ganging system and method A fastener is provided for ganging or joining two or more switch handles to one another. The fastener includes a head at one end and an elongated shank extending from the head. The shank includes a threaded portion adjacent the head that threadingly engages one of the switch handles. The shank extends longitudinally from the threaded portion through the threadingly engaged switch handle and through one or more additional switch handles to gang the switch handles to one another.
US09947482B2	Photoelectric conversion element, dye-sensitized solar cell, and metal complex dye used in same A photoelectric conversion element has a conductive support, a photoreceptor layer containing an electrolyte, a charge carrier layer containing an electrolyte and a counter electrode, and the photoreceptor layer has semiconductor particles on which a metal complex dye represented by Formula (I) is carried. M1(LA)(LD)(Z1).CI Formula (I) M1 represents a metal atom; Z1 represents a monodentate ligand; LA represents a tridentate ligand represented by Formula (AL-1); LD represents a bidentate ligand represented by Formula (DL-1); and CI represents a counterion necessary for neutralizing the charge.
US09947473B2	Multilayer ceramic capacitor A multilayer ceramic capacitor includes a multilayer body and a pair of outer electrodes on end surfaces of the multilayer body. The multilayer body includes a stack of ceramic layers and inner electrodes electrically connected to the outer electrodes. Each of the pair of outer electrodes includes an underlying electrode layer on a surface of the multilayer body, an intermediate metal layer on a surface of the underlying electrode layer, and a conductive resin layer on a surface of the intermediate metal layer. The underlying electrode layer contains Ni, and the intermediate metal layer contains a Cu—Ni—Sn alloy.
US09947470B2	Ceramic dielectric composition and multilayer ceramic capacitor containing the same A ceramic dielectric composition contains a base material powder represented by one or more of (Ca1-xSrx) (Zr1-yTiy)O3, Ca(Zr1-yTiy)O3, Sr(Zr1-xTiy)O3, (Ca1-xSrx) ZrO3, and (Ca1-xSrx)TiO3, in which x and y satisfy 0≤x≤1.0 and 0.2≤y≤0.9, respectively. The ceramic dielectric composition have on may high room-temperature permittivity and excellent ESD protection characteristics and may secure withstand voltage characteristics while implementing relatively high capacitance.
US09947469B2	Thin-film dielectric and thin-film capacitor element A thin-film dielectric having a higher dielectric constant than usual ones and not requiring a special single crystal substrate, and a large-capacity thin-film capacitor element using the thin-film dielectric, in which a BaTiO3-based perovskite solid solution and a KNbO3-based perovskite solid solution are alternately formed to form a crystal structure gradient region where a lattice constant continuously changes at the interface, and thus crystal lattice strain occurs, thereby permitting the production of a thin-film dielectric having a high dielectric constant; also, a large-capacity thin-film capacitor element can be produced by using the thin-film dielectric of the present invention.
US09947465B2	Magnetic assembly packaging process A magnetic assembly packaging process is described. The magnetic assembly packaging process comprises the steps of setting a first substrate and a second substrate in a jig; performing electrical connection of the magnetic component to the first substrate and the second substrate; overlaying the enclosure over the first substrate and the second substrate; overturning the preformed magnetic assembly; and injecting an insulation paste layer between the first substrate and the second substrate. Accordingly, the magnetic assembly packaging process can effectively minimize the manufacturing cost and the volume of the magnetic element through reducing the overall volume of the substrate.
US09947464B2	Method of manufacturing laminated core In a method of manufacturing a laminated core, a laminated core body 14 including magnet insertion holes 12 and 13 with magnet pieces 15 inserted therein is placed between a molding (upper) die 10 and a retaining (lower) die 11, and a molding resin 19 is filled from resin reservoir portions (pots) 16 to fix the pieces 15 in the holes 12 and 13. Between the die 10 and the body 14, a guide member 18 is placed, which includes resin passages 31 provided from the portions 16 to the holes 12 and 13 and gates 30 connecting to the holes 12 and 13 on downstream sides of the passages 31. The method can reduce lead time of a production line without replacing the molding dies for different laminated rotor cores and thus without preparing different types of molding dies.
US09947462B2	Wireless power transmission system, power transmitting device, and power receiving device This wireless power transmission system includes: a power transmitting antenna and a power receiving antenna arranged to face each other and not to be in contact with each other; and an electromagnetic shield structure that includes a first shield and a second shield to house, in its inner space, the power transmitting and power receiving antennas facing each other. The first and second shields are configured to make first and second spaces to house the power transmitting and power receiving antennas, respectively. At least one of the first and second shields includes a protruding portion that is parallel to at least one of the power transmitting and power receiving antennas and that protrudes out of the shield sidewalls. Power is transmitted by a non-contact method through a radio frequency magnetic field from the power transmitting antenna to the power receiving antenna.
US09947455B2	Multilayer coil component A coil includes a plurality of internal conductors that are electrically connected to each other and are disposed in an element body having magnetism. The plurality of internal conductors includes conductor portions that are separated from each other in a first direction and overlap each other when viewed from the first direction. At least one low-permeability layer is disposed along the conductor portions between the internal conductors adjacent to each other in the first direction. Permeability of the low-permeability layer is lower than permeability of the element body. The low-permeability layer includes a first portion contacting the internal conductors and at least one second portion separated from the internal conductors in the first direction, between the internal conductors adjacent to each other. The element body includes first element body regions that are interposed between the second portion and the internal conductors.
US09947452B2	Electrical device with emergency cooling system An electrical device includes a winding including an interior portion and an exterior surface, a primary cooling system for cooling the exterior surface of the winding, a secondary cooling system for cooling the interior portion of the winding, and a heat exchanger thermally coupled to the primary cooling system and the secondary cooling system.
US09947451B1	Ignition coil An ignition coil includes a low voltage terminal for connection with a battery and a high voltage terminal for connection with a spark plug. An assembly of windings interconnects the terminals. The ignition coil further includes a case containing the windings and the terminals. The case is configured for use with a cylinder head cover having a cylindrical bore with a key projecting radially inward of the bore. A cylindrical portion of the case has a central axis, a rotational locator surface, and an insertion guide groove configured to receive the key in the bore. A helical section of the groove is configured to receive the key when the case is in a first rotational orientation. The helical section is further configured for the rotational locator surface to move into abutment with the key upon rotation of the case from the first rotational orientation to a second rotational orientation.
US09947449B2	Electromagnetic actuator, valve, and injection pump An electromagnetic actuator includes an electromagnet having a coil, which coil surrounds a pole core, and a magnet armature, which can be moved toward the pole core by the electromagnet, wherein the magnet armature has a bearing surface facing the pole core and the pole core has a correspondingly opposite counter surface. The bearing surface and/or the counter bearing surface has a layer that prevents direct contact of the bearing surface with the counter bearing surface and that causes damping of the approaching movement.
US09947435B2	Wire harness A wire harness includes electric wires, and an electromagnetic wave suppression member that includes a restricting member and an annular magnetic core, the restricting member being provided to cover a periphery of the electric wires and including an inner wall portion more rigid than the electric wires, and the magnetic core being provided around the inner wall portion. The restricting member includes fixing portions formed to fix the electromagnetic wave suppression member to a fixing target.
US09947433B2	Thermoplastic resin composition and molded product using the same A thermoplastic resin composition includes 0.1 to 20 parts by weight of a carbon black relative to 100 parts by weight of a thermoplastic resin, wherein the carbon black is dispersed in the thermoplastic resin composition to have a maximum particle diameter of not greater than 50 μm.
US09947425B2	Method for reducing the radioactive contamination of the surface of a component used in a nuclear reactor The invention relates to a method for reducing the radioactive contamination of the surface of a component used in a nuclear reactor, which component is in contact with radioactively contaminated water, in which method a hydrophobic film is produced on the surface of a component by virtue of the surface being wetted with an aqueous solution which contains a film-forming amphiphilic substance.
US09947424B2	Coating type radiation-shielding material and radiation-shielding elastomer material An object of the invention is to provide a radiation-shielding material that has a high radiation-shielding capability and can be easily coated, molded and sheeted. Metals or the like having a radiation-shielding capability are blended with an elastomer precursor in a high concentration thereby providing a radiation-shielding material that has a higher radiation-shielding capability than ever before and can be easily coated, molded and sheeted in any desired configuration.
US09947419B1	Apparatus and method for implementing design for testability (DFT) for bitline drivers of memory circuits A first bitline driver includes a multiplexer for outputting data and write mask signals in functional mode, and test vector signal in test mode; a latch to latch the data signal in functional mode and the test vector signal in test mode; a latch to latch the write mask signal in functional mode and the test vector signal in test mode; a latch to latch the test vector signal and provide it to a scan output; and a write circuit for writing data to a memory cell based on the data signal. A second bitline driver includes a latch to latch a data signal in functional mode if a write mask signal is deasserted and to latch a test vector signal in test mode; a latch to latch the test vector signal and provide it to a scan output; and a write circuit for writing data to a memory cell.
US09947411B2	Memory system including a memory chip configured to receive an erase suspend command and a program suspend command from a controller chip A non-volatile semiconductor memory device includes a memory cell array and a control circuit. A control circuit performs an erase operation providing a memory cell with a first threshold voltage level for erasing data of a memory cell, and then perform a plurality of first write operations providing a memory cell with a second threshold voltage level, the second threshold voltage level being higher than the first threshold voltage level and being positive level. When the control circuit receives a first execution instruction from outside during the first write operations, the first execution instruction being for performing first function operation except for the erase operation and the first write operations, the circuit performs the first function operation during the first write operations.
US09947409B2	Flash memory In order to reduce the manufacturing cost, a flash memory includes a memory cell array formed by a plurality of memory cells arranged in a matrix shape; a plurality of word lines provided in each column of the memory cell array; a first word line driver that outputs a first voltage group to each of the word lines; and a second word line driver that outputs a second voltage group to each of the word lines together with the first word line driver.
US09947402B1	Method, system and device for non-volatile memory device operation Disclosed are methods, systems and devices for operation of non-volatile memory devices. In one aspect, a correlated electron switch (CES) device may be placed in any one of multiple memory states in a write operation. Limiting current between terminals of the non-volatile memory device during read operations may enable use of higher voltages for higher realized gain. Additionally, bipolar write operations for set and reset may enable an increased write window and enhanced durability for a CES device.
US09947401B1	Peak current management in non-volatile storage Technology is described for keeping current (e.g., peak power supply current or ICC) in a non-volatile memory system within a target while maintaining high throughput. Programming conditions are adaptively changed at the sub-codeword level in order to keep power supply current of the memory system within a target. In one embodiment, a chunk of data that corresponds to a sub-codeword is written while consuming lower than normal programming current in order to keep power supply current within a target. The relatively low programming current may increase the expected raw BER. However, other portions of the codeword can be written with a higher than normal programming current, which results in a lower expected bit raw error rate for the memory cells that store that portion.
US09947397B2	Crosspoint array decoder Example implementations disclosed herein can be used to decode memory elements in a crosspoint array. In one example implementation, crosspoint array decoder includes a number of field effect transistor decoder switches corresponding to specific lines in a crosspoint array and a sense amplifier coupled to at least some of the field effect transistor decoder switches and includes a set of inference field effect transistors matched to the field effect transistor decoder switches to infer a stimulus voltage applied to a memory element in a crosspoint array.
US09947394B2	Nonvolatile memory device including page buffer and method for reading data without a dumping process for backing up data A nonvolatile memory device including a page buffer and a method of operating the nonvolatile memory device, the method including performing a first sensing operation using a first sensing voltage; precharging some bit lines from among a plurality of bit lines, according to first data stored in a first latch unit of a page buffer due to the first sensing operation; resetting the first latch unit; and performing a second sensing operation using a second sensing voltage.
US09947392B1	Memory device sensing circuit A memory device includes a first memory array comprising a first bit cell configured to store a first logical state; and a reference signal provision (RSP) unit, coupled to the first memory array, and configured to provide a first reference signal that represents an average of a discharging rate and a leakage rate of a second memory array. In an embodiment, the first logical state stored by the first bit cell is read out using the first reference signal.
US09947387B2	Systems and methods for reducing standby power in floating body memory devices Methods, devices, arrays and systems for reducing standby power for a floating body memory array. One method includes counting bits of data before data enters the array, wherein the counting includes counting at least one of: a total number of bits at state 1 and a total number of all bits; a total number of bits at state 0 and the total number of all bits; or the total number of bits at state 1 and the total number of bits at state 0. This method further includes detecting whether the total number of bits at state 1 is greater than the total number of bits at state 0; setting an inversion bit when the total number of bits at state 1 is greater than the total number of bits at state 0; and inverting contents of all the bits of data before writing the bits of data to the memory array when the inversion bit has been set.
US09947385B1	Data sense amplification circuit and semiconductor memory device including the same A semiconductor memory device includes: a first memory cell coupled to a first bit line; a second memory cell coupled to a second bit line; and a sense amplification circuit for sensing and amplifying a voltage difference between the first and second bit lines, wherein the sense amplification circuit includes: a first sense amplifier including a cross-coupled pair of first and second transistors coupled to the first bit line and the second bit line, respectively; a second sense amplifier including a cross-coupled pair of third and fourth transistors coupled to the first and second bit lines, respectively; and an offset supplier for controlling a timing for supplying a voltage of the first bit line to the first transistor and a timing for supplying a voltage of the second bit line to the second transistor according to a selected memory from the first and second memory cells.
US09947384B1	Semiconductor device relating to generate target address to execute a refresh operation A semiconductor device may be provided. The semiconductor device may include a target address storage circuit and a first row address generation circuit. The target address storage circuit may be configured to count the number of times that blocks are selected by a plurality of logic level combinations of an address based on an active pulse. The target address storage circuit may be configured to store and output the address of a target block, which is selected at least a predetermined number of times, among the blocks as a target address. The first row address generation circuit may be configured to generate a first row address, which is counted, from the target address based on a first internal command.
US09947383B1	Spin hall write select for magneto-resistive random access memory A magneto-resistance random access memory (MRAM) cell includes a transistor, a wire and a magnetic tunnel junction (MTJ). The MTJ includes a fixed layer of fixed magnetic polarity electrically connected with the transistor, a free layer of variable magnetic polarity electrically connected with the wire and an insulator between the fixed and free layers. First current passed through the wire destabilizes the variable magnetic polarity of the free layer. Second current passed through the transistor in one of two directions during first current passage through the wire directs the variable magnetic polarity of the free layer toward a parallel or anti-parallel condition with respect to the fixed magnetic polarity of the fixed layer. A ceasing of the first current prior to a ceasing of the second current sets the variable magnetic polarity of the free layer in the parallel or anti-parallel condition.
US09947377B2	Providing memory training of dynamic random access memory (DRAM) systems using port-to-port loopbacks, and related methods, systems, and apparatuses Providing memory training of dynamic random access memory (DRAM) systems using port-to-port loopbacks, and related methods, systems, and apparatuses are disclosed. In one aspect, a first port within a DRAM system is coupled to a second port via a loopback connection. A signal is sent to the first port from a System-on-Chip (SoC), and passed to the second port through the loopback connection. The signal is then returned to the SoC, where it may be examined by a closed-loop engine of the SoC. A result corresponding to a hardware parameter may be recorded, and the process may be repeated until an optimal result for the hardware parameter is achieved at the closed-loop engine. By using a port-to-port loopback configuration, the DRAM system parameters regarding timing, power, and other parameters associated with the DRAM system may be trained more quickly and with lower boot memory usage.
US09947353B1	Magnetic recording system employing passive thermal asperity avoidance An apparatus comprises magnetic recording disk surfaces and magnetic recording heads comprising a leading and a following head. A controller moves the heads so that the leading head, at a passive fly height, follows a first track of a first disk surface containing a passive thermal asperity (PTA), and the following head, at a passive fly height, follows a first track of a second disk surface. The PTAs on tracks of the second disk surface define virtual PTAs on corresponding tracks of the first disk surface. The controller moves the heads away from the respective first tracks and to neighboring tracks to avoid the PTA and virtual PTAs. The controller is configured to move the heads back to the respective first tracks so that a write or read operation can be performed by the leading head.
US09947350B1	Method of detecting back electromotive force in electro-mechanical actuators, corresponding device and apparatus A driver device coupled to a winding of an electro-mechanical actuator includes: a power stage driving the winding in a discontinuous mode by alternating conduction on-phases to off-phases, and a sensor circuit sensing a voltage across the winding in an off-phase, wherein, during such an off-phase the voltage across the winding includes a residual voltage which decays to zero. The power stage drives the winding from an on-phase to an off-phase by applying to the winding a reverse current pulse to invert the direction of flow of the current through the winding and produce an oscillation of the residual voltage, whereby the residual voltage includes a zero-crossing point after the current through the winding is exhausted. The sensor circuit senses the voltage across the winding at this zero-crossing point, whereby the voltage sensed across the winding at the zero-crossing point is indicative of the back electromotive force of the winding.
US09947345B2	Protecting a sensitive device from corrosion A product according to one embodiment includes a tape having an applicator portion for applying an organic coating to a magnetic head; the organic coating on the applicator portion of the tape; and a lubricant on a data portion of the tape. The lubricant has a different composition than the organic coating. A method for protecting a magnetic head according to one embodiment includes applying an organic coating to a magnetic head using the foregoing product.
US09947341B1	Real-time voice masking in a computer network A voice signal may be adjusted to mask traits such as the gender of a speaker by separating source and filter components of a voice signal using cepstral analysis, adjusting the components based on pitch and formant parameters, and synthesizing a modified signal. Features are disclosed to support real-time voice masking in a computer network by limiting computational complexity and reducing delays in processing and transmission while maintaining signal quality.
US09947340B2	Regeneration of wideband speech A method of regenerating wideband speech from narrowband speech, the method comprising: receiving samples of a narrowband speech signal in a first range of frequencies; modulating received samples of the narrowband speech signal with a modulation signal having a modulating frequency adapted to upshift each frequency in the first range of frequencies by an amount determined by the modulating frequency wherein the modulating frequency is selected to translate into a target band a selected frequency band within the first range of signals; filtering the modulated samples using a target band filter to form a regenerated speech signal in the target band; and combining the narrow band speech signal with the regenerated speech signal in the target band to regenerate a wideband speech signal, the method comprising the step of controlling the modulated samples to lie in a second range of frequencies identified by determining a signal characteristic of frequencies in the first range of frequencies.
US09947338B1	Echo latency estimation A device that determines an echo latency estimate by combining reference signals. The device may determine the echo latency corresponding to an amount of time between reference signals being sent to transmitters and input data corresponding to the reference signals being received. The device may generate a combined reference signal by adding (or filtering) each of the reference signals. The device may then compare the combined reference signal to input audio data received from a microphone or receiving device. The device may detect a highest peak, determine if there are any earlier significant peaks and estimate the echo latency based on the earliest significant peak. This technique is not limited to audio data and may be used for signal matching using any system that includes multiple transmitters and receivers (e.g., Radar, Sonar, etc.).
US09947337B1	Echo cancellation system and method with reduced residual echo An echo canceller includes a fast Fourier transform (FFT) unit to provide frequency domain representation (FD) of an input. A multiband adaptive filter receives the FD of the input and provides an FD filter output, the adaptive filter is a finite input response (FIR) digital filter. Another FFT unit provides an FD of a microphone signal, and a summer adds the FD filter output to the FD of the microphone signal to provide echo-canceller FD output. A feedback subsystem uses the echo-canceller FD output to adjust filter coefficients of at least a first, a second, and a third frequency band of the multiband adaptive filter to minimize uncancelled output in the echo-canceller FD output. The feedback subsystem adjusts the filter coefficients of the second frequency band of the adaptive filter according to uncancelled output in the first, second, and third frequency bands of the echo-canceller FD output.
US09947331B2	Encoding method, decoding method, encoder, decoder, program and recording medium A frequency-domain sample interval corresponding to a time-domain pitch period L corresponding to a time-domain pitch period code of an audio signal in a given time period is obtained as a converted interval T1, a frequency-domain pitch period T is chosen from among candidates including the converted interval T1 and integer multiples U×T1 of the converted interval T1, and a frequency-domain pitch period code indicating how many times the frequency-domain pitch period T is greater than the converted interval T1 is obtained. The frequency-domain pitch period code is output so that a decoding side can identify the frequency-domain pitch period T.
US09947328B2	Methods, apparatus and systems for determining reconstructed audio signal According to an aspect of the present invention, a method for reconstructing an audio signal having a baseband portion and a highband portion is disclosed. The method includes obtaining a decoded baseband audio signal by decoding an encoded audio signal and obtaining a plurality of subband signals by filtering the decoded baseband audio signal. The method further includes generating a high-frequency reconstructed signal by copying a number of consecutive subband signals of the plurality of subband signals and obtaining an envelope adjusted high-frequency signal. The method further includes generating a noise component based on a noise parameter. Finally, the method includes adjusting a phase of the high-frequency reconstructed signal and obtaining a time-domain reconstructed audio signal by combining the decoded baseband audio signal and the combined high-frequency signal to obtain a time-domain reconstructed audio signal.
US09947311B2	Systems and methods for automatic phonetization of domain names A method can include receiving, from a user, a string of characters. The method can also include determining components of the string of characters. The components of the string of characters may include one or more graphemes that are related in the string of characters. The method can include determining universal phonetic representations for the components of the string of characters. The method can also include determining pronunciations for the universal phonetic representations. Additionally, the method can include constructing a pronunciation of the string of characters based at least partially on the pronunciations of the universal phonetic representations. Further, the method can include sending, to the user, a sound file representing the pronunciation of the string of characters.
US09947309B2	Sonar transducer support assembly systems and methods Techniques are disclosed for systems and methods for providing accurate and reliable compact sonar systems for mobile structures. In one embodiment, a sonar system includes a mounting bracket, a transducer support arm, and a pivoting mechanism pivotably coupling the transducer support arm to the mounting bracket such that, for forces acting on the transducer support arm that are less than a preselected kick-up level, the pivoting mechanism holds the transducer support arm against such forces and at a user selectable first angular position relative to the mounting bracket, and for forces acting on the transducer support arm that are equal to or greater than the preselected kick-up level, allows the transducer support arm to be moved by those forces to a second angular position relative to the mounting bracket.
US09947307B2	Electronic percussion instrument Provided is an electronic percussion instrument that is capable of simulating a playing technique for an acoustic percussion instrument. A tubular body part is opened on an axial end surface, and a head is attached to the axial end surface to be struck on the front surface. A capacitance sensor includes an electrode that generates a capacitance with respect to a detected conductor, such as a human body, positioned on the front surface side of the head. Because the capacitance sensor detects a change of a capacitance corresponding to a distance between the electrode and the detected conductor, whether the detected conductor approaches (contacts) the head or presses the head can be determined. As a result, the playing technique for the acoustic percussion instrument is simulated.
US09947305B2	Bi-directional music synchronization using haptic devices Systems and methods may provide for capturing one or more inbound wireless transmissions and identifying a remote user movement based on at least one of the one or more inbound wireless transmissions. Additionally, a local haptic output may be generated, by an actuator, based on the remote user movement. In one example, the actuator is a piezoelectric actuator.
US09947303B1	Adapter device for attaching a strap to a musical instrument provided with a strap button An adapter device is disclosed for removably securing a carrying strap to a guitar or other musical instrument provided with a strap mounting button. The adapter device includes a housing defining a cavity for receipt of a clamp member movably mounted to the housing. The housing has a strap stud and a threaded nut for securing the housing to the carrying musical instrument. The clamp member has an elongate slot for receipt of a shaft of the mounting button of the musical instrument. The clamp member further includes an enlarged cavity for receipt of an enlarged circular head of the mounting button to prevent the mounting button from pulling out of the slot in the clamp member. A latch member is movably mounted to the housing and movable from an unlocking position to a locking position covering the clamp member and securing the clamp member within the cavity of the housing. tab is provided on the latch member to secure the latch member in the locking position.
US09947298B2	Variable compression management of memory for storing display data A method, at a host device (10), of managing memory (28) of a display control device (16), the memory (28) being used for storing display data sent from the host device (10) to the display control device (16) for display. The method involves maintaining a map (18) at the host device (10) corresponding to the memory (28) at the display control device, the map (18) indicating locations corresponding to addresses of the memory (28) at which data is stored or not. The map (18) is used to determine a size of a portion of the display data, and a location on the map (18) where the portion of display data would fit into the memory. An address in the memory (28) corresponding to the determined location on the map (18), together with the portion of display data, is then sent to the display control device (16), and the location on the map (18) corresponding to the address in the memory (28) is updated to indicate that the address has data stored in it. The data may be compressed using compression parameters, which can be selected so that the compressed portion of display data will fit into a free space in the memory (28) of the display control device (16).
US09947292B2	Image processing method and device An image processing method and device are provided. The method includes: choosing content-associated sub pixels in an image to be processed; obtaining an initial color level value of each of the content-associated sub pixels in the image to be processed; adding to least one digit to an end of the initial color level value and assigning a preset value to each added digit so as to obtain a processed color level value; and replacing the initial color level value with the processed color level value.
US09947289B2	User interface apparatus and user interface method A user interface apparatus and a method of improving user interface are provided. The user interface apparatus may detect a change in an incident light and may control a display to represent the detected change in the light to be overlaid on image content. Provided is a user interface apparatus including: a display configured to display image content; a detector configured to detect a change in an incident light; and a controller configured to control the display to overlay the detected change in the light on the image content.
US09947282B2	Gate driver, display driver circuit, and display device including same A display driver circuit including a gate driver driving gate lines of a display panel according to a driving order. The gate lines are disposed in an ordered arrangement within the display panel. A source driver converts image data corresponding to a selected gate line into an image signal and outputs the image signal to a source line of the display panel. A timing controller calculates comparison values by comparing a first image data portion corresponding to a first gate line with image data portions respectively corresponding to gate lines of the plurality of gate lines. The timing controller sets the driving order for the gate lines in response to the comparison values.
US09947278B2	Display method and device and computer-readable medium A display method, device and a computer-readable medium are provided. The method includes: detecting whether there is any change in a displayed content for the display; in response to detecting that the displayed content for the display does not change, controlling the display to alternately update display data corresponding to a first portion and a second portion of display units in each row when the display unit comprises m rows of pixels; and in response to detecting that the displayed content for the display does not change, controlling the display to alternately update display data corresponding to a third portion and a fourth portion of display units in each column when the display unit comprises n columns of pixels. Herein m and n are positive integers. Thus, screen flicker caused by reduction of refresh frequency of a display while the display content does not change can be avoided.
US09947274B2	Gate driver and display device having the same A gate driver includes a plurality of stages outputting a plurality of gate output signals, respectively. Each stage includes a first input circuit applying an input signal to a first node in response to a first clock signal, a second input circuit applying the first clock signal to a second node in response to a voltage of the first node, a first output circuit controlling a gate output signal to a first logic level in response to the voltage of the first node, a second output circuit controlling the gate output signal to a second logic level in response to a voltage of the second node, and a leakage current blocking circuit applying a first power voltage corresponding to the first logic level to the first input circuit in response to the voltage of the first node.
US09947270B2	Pixel circuit, display device, and method of driving pixel circuit A pixel circuit, display device, and method of driving a pixel circuit enabling source-follower output with no deterioration of luminance even with a change of the current-voltage characteristic of the light emitting element along with elapse, enabling a source-follower circuit of n-channel transistors, and able to use an n-channel transistor as an EL drive transistor while using current anode-cathode electrodes. The circuit includes a source of a TFT used as a drive transistor that is connected to an anode of a light emitting element, and a drain of the TFT is connected to a power source potential. A capacitor is connected between a gate and source of the TFT, and a source potential of the TFT is connected to a fixed potential through a TFT used as a switching transistor.
US09947269B2	Organic light emitting display and circuit thereof An organic light emitting display comprises a display panel having a plurality of pixels, a gate drive circuit that drives scan lines and emission lines on the display panel, and a data drive circuit that drives data lines on the display panel. Each of the pixels is arranged in an nth row. A single frame for the organic light emitting display comprises an initial period in which the gate voltage of a driving transistor is initialized, a sampling period for compensating the threshold voltage of the driving transistor, and a light emission period in which an organic light emitting diode emits light. A value corresponding to an image signal to be displayed by the organic light emitting diode is applied to a data line during the sampling period, and an initial voltage is applied to one electrode of a capacitor during the initial period.
US09947268B2	Display device and color conversion method The display device includes an image display unit including a plurality of pixels each including first to third sub-pixels and a fourth sub-pixel for displaying an additional color component according to an amount of lighting of a self-emitting element; a conversion processing unit that receives a first input signal including first color information for display at a predetermined pixel, where the first input signal is obtained based on an input video signal, the conversion processing unit being configured to outputs a second input signal including second color information with a saturation reduced by an amount of saturation attenuation defined such that saturation variation falls within a predetermined range according to the first color information; and a fourth sub-pixel signal processing unit that outputs, to the image display unit, a third input signal including third color information with red, green, blue components and the additional color component that are converted based on the second color information.
US09947267B2	Light emitting diode pixel unit circuit and display panel for light emitting diode display A LED pixel unit circuit and a display panel. The LED pixel unit circuit comprises a driving module (31), the driving module (31) includes a driving TFT (DTFT), a first-switching element (T1), a first capacitor (C1), a second capacitor (C2) and a driving control unit (311), wherein the driving control unit (311) comprises a matching TFT (T3) whose threshold voltage (Vth3) is matched with the threshold voltage (Vth) of the driving TFT (DTFT), is located between the positive voltage (VDD) output terminal of the power source and the first node (P1), and is configured to control charging and discharging of the second capacitor (C2) so as to hold the threshold voltage (Vth3) of the matching TFT (T3) and thereby compensate for the threshold voltage (Vth) of the driving TFT (DTFT). The LED pixel unit circuit can solve the problem of brightness non-uniformity of the display panel due to different threshold voltages of the TFTs, and also integrate a touch screen circuit (32) into the pixel unit circuit to realize a touch function of the display panel.
US09947266B2	Drive circuit, display device and driving method A retention unit which retains input data, and a light emission control unit which compensates a value of a drive current that flows to a light emission element based on the input data which is retained in the retention unit, are provided in each pixel unit of a display device. While the light emission control unit displays input data of an image of an Nth frame during a light emission period TL (N) by driving the light emission element, input data of an image of an (N+1)th frame is written to the retention unit which becomes a pair together with the light emission control unit, as processing in a write processing period TS (N+1) of the (N+1)th frame.
US09947263B2	Display apparatus and control method for the same A display apparatus capable of controlling a curvature of a viewing area in which a broadcast image is displayed and a curvature of an area except the viewing area to be different from each other, and a control method of the same. A display apparatus includes a display; and a driving device configured to change a curvature of the display, wherein the driving device may control a curvature of a viewing area and a curvature of a background area to be different from each other.
US09947254B2	Liquid crystal display panel The present invention provides a liquid crystal display panel. The array test circuit (200) comprises a test control unit including a N type thin film transistor and a P type thin film transistor, wherein one thin film transistor is employed to be the output thin film transistor, and the other thin film transistor is employed to be the voltage stabilization thin film transistor. When the liquid crystal display panel is in the normal display state, the test control signal (ATEN) controls the output thin film transistor to be deactivated and controls the voltage stabilization thin film transistor to be activated so that the voltage difference of the gate and the source of the output thin film transistor is zero. Thus, the leakages on the data lines in the active display area (100) are consistent.
US09947250B2	Stanchion capable of providing prompted information A stanchion capable of providing prompted information comprises a post and a prompt device disposed in the post. The prompt device senses the queuing state and outputs the prompted information corresponding to the queuing state. Hence, the stanchion offers information favorable for the queue such as waiting time and other helpful functions available for being applied to prompt people in the queue as well in addition to partitioning the moving line of the queue.
US09947249B1	Segmented sign frame A sign frame incorporates a plurality of segments each selected from straight, curved or hinged segments that are interchangeable and are telescopically connected to adjacent segments. The selection of curved and straight segments may provide for customization of the sign size, while selection of hinge segments can be integrated with other segments to provide a hinge support for the sign and sign frame and for convenient attachment to a pole or post.
US09947246B1	Sign for displaying changeable information A display sign mountable on a support surface where at least some of the information displayed thereon needs to be changed periodically. The sign includes a housing with one or more pockets defined therein, where an interior of each pocket is visible through an associated window on the housing. A set of display cards is receivable in each pocket in the housing. Each display card has different text or graphics thereon. Individual display cards may be selectively withdrawn from the set of display cards by grasping a tab on that particular display card and pulling the display card out of the pocket. The removed display card may be inserted in front of an outermost display card that was previously visible through the associated window. A single display card that is free of tabs may be inserted into one of the pockets and remain substantially permanently visible through the associated window.
US09947244B2	Adjustable spine joint assembly for crash test dummy An adjustable spine joint assembly for a crash test dummy includes an upper member adapted to be operatively connected to an upper thoracic portion of a spine of the crash test dummy, a lower member adapted to be operatively connected to a lower thoracic portion of the spine of the crash test dummy, a center pivot bolt pivotally connected to the lower member and the upper member to allow rotational movement therebetween, and a self-locating adjustment mechanism cooperating with the upper member and the lower member to allow adjustment of a plurality of fixed joint angles between the upper member and the lower member.
US09947241B2	Display apparatus A display apparatus comprising a plurality of planar elements which interconnect to form a display board is described herein. The display apparatus includes a box configured to support the display board in a substantially vertical position. The box is also configured to enable the plurality of planar elements to be packed away inside the box for storage. A method of assembling the display apparatus is also disclosed.
US09947238B2	Music notation system The invention disclosed herein comprises a method for visually representing music to be played on a musical instrument by providing a tablature staff which is divided into individual measures by segmenting the tablature staff with measure lines. Each measure is then further divided into proportional time subdivisions using subdivision lines. Alphanumeric notes are then printed between these subdivision lines on the tablature staff, wherein each alphanumeric note represents a tone to be played on a musical instrument and wherein the duration of each alphanumeric note is indicated by the number of time subdivisions within a measure and its corresponding font size.
US09947237B2	Electronic push-button contrabass trainer A stringless portable electronic training device for a stringed instrument, such as a contrabass, has the shape of a fingerboard with just enough neck to provide realistic left hand position, and just enough body to contain actuators corresponding with strings, electronics, a speaker, and an output jack. On the fingerboard are rows of push buttons corresponding with the location of the notes. The push buttons are held down to select notes which are sounded by actuators at a lower end of the fingerboard. Actuating without the pressing of a button produces the note of the open string. The actuators may include a set of flippers that replicate the plucking of strings and a set of elongated buttons that sustain a bowed sound as they are pressed down. The sound is produced electronically through a built-in speaker and/or output jack.
US09947236B2	Apparatus, system, and method for a virtual instruction cloud A system, method, and apparatus for providing educational content via a cloud, include creating a plurality of available educational sessions, the educational sessions comprising a virtual network and being savable by a user for later completion. Saving a session includes saving a state of the virtual network; selecting a subset of the educational sessions, the subset being vetted by an academic instructor, the sessions satisfying requirements for an academic curriculum; recording progress of a student performing the subset of educational sessions; and indicating completion of the academic curriculum in response to the student successfully performing the subset of educational sessions.
US09947233B2	Method and system to improve safety concerning drones A method and system for controlling access to restricted sectors in airspace. The method includes creating a multi-dimensional map of airspace, overlaying a sector having boundaries onto the map, wherein the sector contains a restricted flight zone and a buffer zone monitoring the flight of an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV), sending a command to the UAV if the UAV enters the buffer zone; and generating a response if the UAV does not leave the sector based on the command.
US09947226B2	Methods and systems for blind spot monitoring with dynamic detection range A system and method are provided and include a blind spot monitoring system with a blind spot sensor that monitors a focus area within a blind spot detection area of a subject vehicle and that generates an alert when a secondary vehicle is detected within the focus area of the blind spot detection area. A controller receives data corresponding to an amount of traffic at a location of the subject vehicle, determines the level of traffic at the location of the subject vehicle based on the data, and reduces the focus area when the level of traffic is greater than a predetermined threshold.
US09947224B2	Reporting road event data and sharing with other vehicles Example systems and methods allow for reporting and sharing of information reports relating to driving conditions within a fleet of autonomous vehicles. One example method includes receiving information reports relating to driving conditions from a plurality of autonomous vehicles within a fleet of autonomous vehicles. The method may also include receiving sensor data from a plurality of autonomous vehicles within the fleet of autonomous vehicles. The method may further include validating some of the information reports based at least in part on the sensor data. The method may additionally include combining validated information reports into a driving information map. The method may also include periodically filtering the driving information map to remove outdated information reports. The method may further include providing portions of the driving information map to autonomous vehicles within the fleet of autonomous vehicles.
US09947219B2	Monitoring of a traffic system A traffic control system can includes a plurality of traffic lights. A monitoring system can include an inbound interface component, an analytics component, and an outbound status provisioning component. The inbound interface component can be configured to receive a stream of sensor data from visual sensor(s). Each visual sensor can be configured to capture light signals of traffic lights. Each traffic light can be sensed by the visual sensor(s). The received stream of sensor data can represent a current signal status of each traffic light. The analytics component can be configured to predict at least one future signal status for each of the traffic lights based on the use of a machine learning algorithm. The outbound status provisioning component can be configured to send a message(s) to a vehicle. The sent message can influence the operation of the vehicle.
US09947218B2	Traffic-light cycle length estimation device For each of the traveling directions (traveling direction 1 to traveling direction 4) at an intersection, a traffic-light cycle length estimation device acquires a time at which a vehicle in the stopped state starts moving, calculates the time difference between neighboring start times, which have been acquired, as a start interval, and generates a histogram based on the number of samplings of start intervals. The device combines the generated histograms into a histogram for all direction to generate one histogram that represents the relation between the start intervals and the number of samplings and, based on this histogram, estimates the cycle length of the traffic light. If a particular value, one of the start intervals, corresponds to the maximum number of samplings, that particular value is estimated as the cycle length.
US09947217B1	Driving event data analysis A driving analysis server may be configured to receive vehicle operation data from vehicle sensors, and may use the data to identify a potentially high-risk or unsafe driving event by the vehicle. The driving analysis server also may receive corresponding image data, video, or object proximity data from the vehicle or one or more other data sources, and may use the image, video, or proximity data to analyze the potentially high-risk or unsafe driving event. A driver score for the vehicle or driver may be calculated or adjusted based on the analysis of the data and the determination of one or more causes of the driving event.
US09947216B2	Pedestrian safe crossing vehicle indication system An indicator system and method for a vehicle is provided that uses forward-directed indicators to signal to pedestrians when the vehicle is yielding to crossing pedestrians. The system monitors the vehicle brakes and the speed of the vehicle. One or more sets of indicator lights are deployed along the forward portion of the vehicle. When the vehicle brakes are applied, one set of indicator lights is energized. When the vehicle speed slows below a defined speed to indicate yielding, either a second set of indicators illuminate or the first set is pulsed. The second set of indicators is a different color than the first, and can pulse or energize statically. The indicator lights are preferably green in color when energized to indicate yielding to pedestrians, providing a positive signal that it is safe to cross the road in front of the vehicle.
US09947208B2	Systems and methods for monitoring maintenance intervals A system for monitoring maintenance for manufacturing apparatuses in a facility is provided. The system includes at least one manufacturing apparatus, the manufacturing apparatus including an RF identification tag and a module, and a control system. The control system is configured to receive, from the module, operational status information that indicates time periods during which the manufacturing apparatus is in operation, determine a cumulative time duration of operation for the manufacturing apparatus, retrieve a predetermined maintenance interval for the manufacturing apparatus, determine whether the cumulative time duration of operation exceeds the predetermined maintenance interval, and in response to a determination that the cumulative time duration of operation exceeds the predetermined maintenance interval, i) output a signal that causes the manufacturing apparatus to discontinue operation, and ii) cause instructions for completing a required maintenance procedure to be displayed on a display device in communication with the control system.
US09947207B2	Method and apparatus for detecting an obstructed view A method and apparatus for detecting an obstructed surface are provided. The apparatus includes: at least one memory comprising computer executable instructions; and at least one processor configured to read and execute the computer executable instructions. The computer executable instructions cause the at least one processor to: detect a current draw from a generator; determine that a surface including a conductive coating is obstructed in response to the current draw being greater than a predetermined threshold; and output a signal to perform a function in response to determining that the surface is obstructed.
US09947205B2	Somatosensory type notification alerts A computing device is described that can receive contextual information related to a user associated with the computing device. The contextual information may relate to at least one of a physiological condition of the user at a current time or a type of activity associated with the user at the current time. The computing device can select, based at least in part on the contextual information, a type of alert to output as an indication of notification data. The type of alert may include at least one of an electric stimulus type alert, a shape-memory alloy type alert, and a vibration type alert. Responsive to selecting the type of alert, the computing device can output an alert based on the notification data, the alert being of the selected type of alert.
US09947196B2	Wireless asset tracking systems with heterogeneous communication An asset tracking system that utilizes a wireless network system and has primary (main) and secondary (sub) tracking devices or ‘tags’ that are assigned to assets. The main tracking device acts as a coordinator and the sub tracking devices surrounding the coordinator act as end-devices. Each main device acts as a gateway network to long range communication while each sub device can only communicate in proximity profile (short range or nearby communication). Each sub device can communicate only with a main device. The main device passes data from the sub device to a remote host transparently. Each sub device sends its data when it triggered by a ‘ping’ from the main device.
US09947192B2	Metal-theft detection device A metal-theft detection device includes a first sensing terminal configured to be electrically coupled with an earth wire of a mains electricity circuit, a second sensing terminal configured to be electrically coupled with a neutral wire of the mains electricity circuit, a wireless communications module, and circuitry configured to measure a resistance of a conductive path connected between the first and second sensing terminals, and to cause the wireless communications module to transmit a wireless message based on the measured resistance.
US09947188B2	Systems and methods for generating haptic effects associated with audio signals Systems and methods for generating haptic effects associated with audio signals are disclosed. One disclosed system for outputting haptic effects includes a processor configured to: receive an audio signal; determine a haptic effect based in part on the audio signal by: identifying one or more components in the audio signal; and determining a haptic effect associated with the one or more components; and output a haptic signal associated with the haptic effect.
US09947186B2	Haptic feedback controller A haptic feedback element controller for a mobile device and a method of controlling a haptic feedback element for a mobile device is described. The haptic feedback element includes a processor having a processor output, a first processor input, and a second processor input, a control state module having an output coupled to the second processor input and configured to determine at least one operating state parameter of at least one of a haptic feedback element and a haptic feedback element amplifier; wherein the processor is configured to alter the amplitude of one or more frequency components of an input signal received on the first processor input in dependence of the at least one operating state parameter and to output a processed signal to a haptic feedback element amplifier having an output for coupling to a haptic feedback element. The haptic feedback element controller may maximize the drive signal up to mechanical and thermal limits without lifetime reduction of the haptic feedback element.
US09947185B2	Wearable device that warms and/or cools to notify a user A wearable device that warms or cools to notify a user wearing the device is provided. The wearable device includes: a plurality of individual heating and/or cooling spots, a plurality of dots pulsating in heating/cooling sections, and/or a plurality of dots moving around in heating/cooling sections. A system is also provided comprising a wearable device, a scheduling device, and a communication between the wearable device and the scheduling device.
US09947182B2	Medium processing device and medium transaction device A medium processing device includes a storage cassette, a casing for storing the storage cassette, a loading section that supports the storage cassette, a slide rail attached to the casing and the loading section, and that allows the loading section to move between the interior and the exterior of the internal space, and a connector. The connector is outside of a pass-through region through which the storage cassette passes in a case where loading the storage cassette into the loading hole of the loading section, and that, when the storage cassette has been loaded into the loading hole and is supported by the loading section, electrically connects the loading section and the storage cassette together. A protective portion is at the loading section, and protrudes out further than the connector in an opposite direction opposite to a loading direction in which the storage cassette is loaded into the loading hole.
US09947181B2	System and method for generating set of lotto numbers by using hash codes The present disclosure provides a system and method for generating a set of lotto numbers using hash codes. The method includes receiving multimedia information containing a desired content from a user, converting the received multimedia information to hash codes, and generating a set of lotto numbers based on the converted hash codes.
US09947178B2	Systems for implementing enhanced gaming and prizing parameters in an electronic environment System and methods are provided for effecting user experience in an electronic game environment through use of virtual currency or vCoins. In a multi-level game, the systems and methods include memory for storing information on game play, the information including input received from the user, information relating to levels within the multi-level game and game display information for output to the user. A processor is coupled to the memory for generating game play information, preferably including game play with virtual money. The virtual money is acquired through game play or cash purchase. The virtual money is convertible into a non-cash good comprising advancement to another level within the game.
US09947171B2	Gaming method and gaming apparatus with in-game player stimulation A method for operating a gaming apparatus includes displaying a set of stopped reels in place of one or more spinning reels, each stopped reel having at least one symbol thereon and the total number of stopped reels being less than the total number of reels originally spinning. The method also includes determining an in-game outcome associated with a configuration of the symbols on the set of stopped reels, and providing an in-game stimulation selected from the group consisting of a 3-dimensional aural stimulation, a visual stimulation, a value stimulation and a physical stimulation according to the in-game outcome. The method further includes displaying stopped reels in place of all of the spinning reels, determining a game outcome associated with the configuration of the symbols on all of the stopped reels, and determining a value payout based on the game outcome. The apparatus is also included.
US09947167B2	Treatment system and method for ingestible product dispensing system and method A computationally implemented system and method that is designed to, but is not limited to: electronically directing at least one second automated treatment occurrence of the at least one automated device to treat at least a portion of the automated ingestible product dispensing equipment other than removing material from the automated ingestible product preparation equipment including other than removing the at least one first substance, other than removing the first ingestible product, and other than removing other materials associated with preparation of the at least one first ingestible product prior to at least one second operation occurrence of the automated ingestible product dispensing equipment, the at least one second operation occurrence electronically initiated via electronically receiving first input associated with a particular individual living being. In addition to the foregoing, other method aspects are described in the claims, drawings, and text forming a part of the present disclosure.
US09947162B2	Image acquisition device and image acquisition method Light is emitted on one side of a paper sheet 100, which is being transported on a transport path, from a first light source 11, and light is emitted on other side of the paper sheet 100 from a second light source 21 and a fourth light source 22. A first light receiving sensor 14 receives a first reflected light, which is the light emitted by the first light source 11 and reflected from the one side of the paper sheet 100. A second light receiving sensor 24 receives a second reflected light, which is the light emitted by the second light source 21 and the fourth light source 22 and reflected from the other side of the paper sheet 100, and receives a transmitted light that is the light emitted by the first light source 11 and that has passed through the paper sheet 100.
US09947157B1	Appliance override key A method of operating an appliance includes enabling an operation restriction. The operation restriction limits activation of the appliance and requires an authorization prior to activating the appliance. The method also includes receiving a request to activate the appliance. The method further includes receiving an override key via a user interface physically connected to the appliance. The method further includes disabling the operation restriction after the override key is received, and activating the appliance after the override key is received.
US09947154B2	Retrofitted keypad and method Methods, devices, and systems are provided for retrofitting an existing access control system with one or more supplemental access devices that add access control capabilities to the existing system. A supplemental access device can be configured as a retrofit keypad. The retrofit keypad adds the ability for a user to provide additional credential and/or security information to an access control system via one or more interface keys on the retrofit keypad. The retrofit keypad may be a portable device such as an RFID device, wireless communication device, near field communication (NFC) device, etc., and/or combinations thereof.
US09947153B2	Secure smartphone based access and start authorization system for vehicles A Bluetooth enabled Smartphone may be used for both access control and start authorization in a secure and safe way, and embodiments are backward-compatible with conventional vehicle access and start systems. A smart phone acts as an intermediary authorization device to a code generator which effectively resembles a car key that is installed in a vehicle. A Bluetooth transceiver and the code generator—and, optionally, for the retrofit solution, an RF/LF transceiver—are added to the vehicle. The Bluetooth transceiver communicates with the smart phone. The code generator communicates with electronic control units in the vehicle that control access, immobilization, and engine start. The communication may happen via a wired connection or, in the case of the retrofit solution, via an RF/LF transceiver that mimics an additional car key programmed to the vehicle.
US09947151B2	Wheel hub safety devices, systems and methods A wheel hub safety device is for a vehicle having a hub and a wheel. The hub having a plurality of opposing equiradially disposed wheel bolts. The wheel having a plurality of opposing equiradially disposed holes spaced for mating engagement with the wheel bolts on the hub. The wheel is configured for attachment to the hub through use of a plurality of lug nuts. The wheel hub safety device has a housing and a plurality of lug nut rotation detectors. The housing is for housing the plurality of lug nut rotation detectors, at least one sensor and a transmitter.
US09947147B1	Vehicle electronic logging authorization and handover system A novel vehicle electronic logging authorization and handover system is configured to provide commercial vehicle driver log handover requests and authorizations to improve and preserve robustness and non-overlapping uniqueness of electronically-generated commercial vehicle driver log data among a plurality of drivers who time-share a vehicle. In one embodiment, the novel vehicle electronic logging authorization and handover system includes a vehicle OBD device, a vehicle ELD, a remote ELD log handover authorization application executed on a first driver's portable electronic device, a remote ELD log handover request application executed on a second driver's portable electronic device, and a commercial fleet operation vehicle electronic logging database and management system. The drivers are able to remotely request or authorize ELD log handovers to other drivers, even if they are not inside or near the time-shared vehicle at the time of ELD log handover request or authorization.
US09947138B2	System and method for augmented reality display of dynamic environment information A method for providing environment information to a mobile device user is presented. The method comprises receiving a request for target environment information from a mobile device, determining the pose of the mobile interface device relative to the target environment, and obtaining target environment data for one or more measurable environment parameters (e.g., radiation level). The target environment data is used to assemble augmented reality information configured for viewing in conjunction with a real-time view of the target environment captured by the mobile interface device. The target augmented reality information is then transmitted to the mobile device for display to the user.
US09947137B2	Method for effect display of electronic device, and electronic device thereof A method for effect display of an electronic device, and the electronic device thereof are provided. The method in the electronic device includes obtaining a correlation among a plurality of objects extracted from an image, and displaying at least any one of the plurality of objects by adding an effect, on the basis of the correlation. Further, other exemplary embodiments are also included in the present disclosure in addition to the aforementioned exemplary embodiments.
US09947136B2	Three-dimensional image data analysis and navigation A system (100) is provided for analyzing image data representing image intensities of an image volume, the image intensities having a signal dynamic range. The system (100) comprises an analysis subsystem (140) for accessing display data defining a set of display settings for display of the image volume, each one of the set of display settings causing a different sub-range of the signal dynamic range to be mapped to a display dynamic range during the display. During operation, the analysis subsystem (140) analyzes the image data to identify, for each one of the set of display settings, a region of the image volume which comprises image intensities within the respective sub-range, thereby identifying a set of regions of interest, and generating analysis data (142) identifying the set of regions of interest. As such, the user is enabled to quickly navigate to regions in the image volume which contain meaningful visual information when displayed using the respective display settings.
US09947133B2	Method and system for modeling light scattering in a participating medium The disclosure provides an approach for simulating scattering in a participating medium. In one embodiment, a rendering application receives an image and depth values for pixels in the image, and generates multiple copies of the image associated with respective numbers of scattering events. The rendering application further applies per-pixel weights to pixels of the copies of the image, with the per-pixel weight applied to each pixel representing a probability of a light ray associated with the pixel experiencing the number of scattering events associated with the copy of the image in which the pixel is located. In addition, the rendering application applies a respective blur to each of the weighted copies of the image based on the number of scattering events associated with the weighted copy, sums the blurred weighted image copies, and normalizes the sum to account for conservation of energy.
US09947123B1	Transfer of rigs with temporal coherence In various embodiments, a user can create or generate objects to be modeled, simulated, and/or rendered. The user can apply a mesh to the character's form to create the character's topology. Information, such as character rigging, shader and paint data, hairstyles, or the like can be attached to or otherwise associated with the character's topology. A standard or uniform topology can then be generated that allows information associated with the character to be transfer to other characters that have a similar topological correspondence.
US09947120B2	Visualization of wellbore cleaning performance A method for displaying performance of a wellbore drilling operation including wellbore cleaning includes defining drilling parameters for the drilling operation. The method includes defining a visualization tool including a boundary defined by the drilling parameters, where the boundary depicts an optimal rate of penetration (ROP). The method includes displaying the visualization tool with the optimal ROP, where the optimal ROP defines a maximum ROP for optimal wellbore cleaning based on the drilling parameters. The method includes displaying an actual rate of penetration (ROP) with respect to the optimal ROP on the visualization tool. The method further includes adjusting the actual ROP to match the optimal ROP.
US09947115B2	Visual music color control system Described herein are various technologies pertaining to presenting, and configuring, digital objects on a display device for application with a visual music presentation. An interactive screen can be presented on a touchscreen of a display device, wherein a visual musician can interact with one or more components and/or features comprising the screen to control presentation of the digital objects. A portion of the screen can be configured to initially present a continuous hue spectrum, which can subsequently be replaced with a discrete hue spectrum. Further, a spectrum comprising naturally visible hues can be modified such that a plurality of hues in the spectrum are positioned equally across the spectrum, and further, brightness of respective hues can be modified to enable visually appealing visual music presentation.
US09947098B2	Augmenting a depth map representation with a reflectivity map representation A solution for generating a 3D representation of an object in a scene is provided. A depth map representation of the object is combined with a reflectivity map representation of the object to generate the 3D representation of the object. The 3D representation of the object provides more complete and accurate information of the object. An image of the object is illuminated by structured light and is captured. Pattern features rendered in the captured image of the object are analyzed to derive a depth map representation and a reflectivity map representation of the illuminated object. The depth map representation provides depth information while the reflectivity map representation provides surface information (e.g., reflectivity) of the illuminated object. The 3D representation of the object can be enhanced with additional illumination projected onto the object and additional images of the object.
US09947085B2	System and method for improving an image characteristic of image frames in a video stream According to various implementations of the invention, a changed region between a later-in-time image frame and an earlier-in-time image frame and an unchanged region between such two image frames are determined. A new improvement to the video characteristic is determined and applied to the changed region of the later-in-time image frame. A prior improvement to the video characteristic that was determined for the earlier-in-time image frame is applied to the unchanged region of the later-in-time image frame.
US09947084B2	Multiresolution consistent rasterization A technique for multiresolution consistent rasterization in which a setup unit calculates universal edge equations for a universal resolution. A rasterizer evaluates coverage data for two different resolutions based on the edge equations. The rasterizer evaluates coverage data for different effective pixel sizes—a large pixel size and a small pixel size. Optionally, the rasterizer may determine a first set of coverage data by performing conservative rasterization to determine coverage data for large pixels. Optionally, the rasterizer may then determine a second set of coverage data by performing standard rasterization for small pixels. Optionally, for the second set of coverage data, the rasterizer may evaluate only the small pixels that are within large pixels in the first set of coverage data that evaluate as covered.
US09947065B2	Zero-watermarking registration and detection method for HEVC video streaming against requantization transcoding A zero-watermarking registration and detection method for HEVC video streaming against requantization transcoding is provided. To increase an attack-resistance of a registration watermarking, the registration method firstly processes depth values corresponding to respective brightness blocks in a target video streaming with a depth binarization during constructing registration watermarking information through depth features, because the depth binarization well reflects a robustness of the registration watermarking. A first watermarking information matrix including a part of the depth values after the depth binarization is encrypted with a random matrix, so as to increase a safety of the registration watermarking. The registration method directly generates zero-watermarking through the depth features of the video streaming without modifying original carrier information and affecting a watermarking transparency. Meanwhile, the registration method has a strong robustness against attacks, such as the requantization transcoding of quantization parameters within a certain range of variation and common signal processing.
US09947052B1	Controlling autonomous vehicles to optimize traffic characteristics Aspects of the disclosure relate to controlling autonomous vehicles to optimize traffic characteristics. A computing platform may receive vehicle guidance data from autonomous vehicle control systems of vehicles. Subsequently, the computing platform may identify a number of the vehicles currently operating in an autonomous mode based on the vehicle guidance data. Thereafter, the computing platform may identify a target number of the vehicles to be operated in an autonomous mode in order to optimize traffic characteristics. Then, the computing platform may generate messages directing selected vehicles to switch into autonomous mode in order to achieve the target number. Subsequently, the computing platform may send the messages directing the selected vehicles to switch into autonomous mode in order to receive incentives. Thereafter, the computing platform may award the incentives to the selected vehicles that switch into the autonomous mode as directed by the messages.
US09947033B1	Streaming data marketplace A technology for a streaming data marketplace is provided. In one example, a method may include requesting to receive a first stream of data from a first source via the streaming data marketplace. The first stream of data may be received and then correlated and combined with data from a second source as a combined stream. The combined stream may then be published to the streaming data marketplace.
US09947020B2	Systems and methods to provide intelligent analytics to cardholders and merchants In one aspect, a computing apparatus includes: a transaction handler to process transactions, a data warehouse to store transaction data recording the transactions processed by the transaction handler, a portal coupled with the data warehouse to receive one or more parameters as an input and to provide spending activity information for presentation as a response to the input, and an analytics engine coupled with the portal and the data warehouse to analyze spending activities of a user based on the transaction data and the one or more parameters to generate the spending activity information regarding transactions in a plurality of accounts of the user.
US09947018B2	System and method for generating time-slot samples to which content may be assigned for measuring effects of the assigned content Systems and methods provide for generating time-slot samples to which content may be assigned for measuring effects of the assigned content. Systems and methods provide for receiving viewer visit duration (VVD) that target viewers spend at a location where content is to be presented and receiving time intervals (TI) for data collection for data streams of interest that target viewers can affect during their visit to the location. A time-slot sample duration (TSSD) is determined using VVD and TI. Time-slot samples are generated that have a duration defined by the TSSD and a data collection period defined for at least a portion of the TSSD.
US09947014B2	Determination and monetization of future location A computer-implemented method for monetizing future location of users includes identifying indicator(s) retrieved from log data or an electronic declaration that indicate a possibility that a user will be at a specific location in the future; generating a probability that the user will be at the specific location in the future based on the indicator(s); and charging an advertiser a cost for an impression to which to serve a location-specific advertisement targeted to the user, the cost charged being greater when the probability is greater that the user will be at the specific location in the future. The method may be extended to targeting a group of users that expect to be at the same location at the future point in time. Monetization of future locations may depend on the quality and/or quantity of the log data and declarations of future locations and on a number of users in a group of users if monetized according to the group.
US09947013B2	Techniques for secure mobile payment Techniques for secure mobile payment are provided. A credit or gift card is registered for additional security, such that a secure identifier or personal identification number (PIN) is required for use of the credit or gift card. Registration is not required or even known by the third-party payment service associated with the card. Subsequently, when a consumer attempts to use the card and before payment instructions are sent to the corresponding third-party payment service, the secure identifier or PIN is requested and verified. If properly verified, the payment instructions are forwarded for processing by the third-party payment service.
US09946997B1	Method and system for allocating deposits over a plurality of depository institutions Computer system, computer-implemented method, and program product for managing transactions that include administering clients' deposits to and withdrawals from client transaction accounts; determining a client available deposit amount, Di, determining, for Di, a value of Ni banks for the respective client transaction account, wherein Ni is a whole number and (X) times (Ni) is equal to or less than 100, where X is a distribution percent value to be distributed to each of the Ni banks; allocating, the percentage, X, multiplied by the client deposit amount, Di, calculating, for the banks a respective net deposit amount; generating instructions to transfer funds; and updating.
US09946996B1	Methods, systems and articles for providing financial account information for setting up direct deposit of pay checks Systems and methods for providing financial account information for an employee for setting up direct deposit of pay checks into a financial account of the employee. A financial services system receives a request from a payroll processor of an employer of the employee for account information for a financial account held by the employee, the request including personal information of the employee. The financial services system searches a database for a financial account held by the employee and identifies a financial account held by the employee by matching the personal information received in the request with corresponding information associated with a matching financial account stored in the database. The financial services system transmits the financial account information for the matching financial account sufficient to set up direct deposit to the payroll processor. The payroll processor then sets up direct deposit of the employee's pay checks into the matching financial account.
US09946990B2	System and method for determining product movement using a sensor The present invention is a system and method for determining product movement using a sensor. Through the interaction of items placed on an array of sensors connected to a circuit board controller, the apparatus is configured to detect a change in capacitance caused by the interaction and thereby associate it with an item or groups of items. Detection and association of such signals recorded in a database with items displaced in a storage location permits a user to keep track of said items remotely through a computing device.
US09946988B2	Management and notification of object model changes Techniques are disclosed for managing development of a model set comprised of one or more object models by a plurality of model developers. Each model developer may be considered an interested party. For example, when a model developer changes an area of the model, that person becomes the most interested party in other changes made to the same area. An automated mechanism is provided to track changes made to the model set and informs interested parties as changes are made or after changes are made to the model based on a weighting system. In one embodiment, the weighting system may be based on a distance from the changed portions and on the amount of time since a party last made a change to the same area.
US09946968B2	Question-answering system A computer program product and method provides a question and answer service that accepts an initial first question from a user and analyzes the question by a first generation subsystem to generate a first answer. A second generation subsystem of the question and answer service is configured to generate a second question based at least in-part on keywords from the first question and the first answer.
US09946963B2	Barcode visualization in augmented reality Disclosed herein is an improved method for providing content associated with barcodes in augmented reality in addition or in combination with providing content associated with target objects in augmented reality. The improved method advantageously provides a augmented reality client that a user may use to view the respective content associated with barcodes and target objects while in camera view to improve usability. Advantageously, the user is not unexpectedly taken out of camera view to view the content associated with the barcode and the user experience provided is consistent between barcodes and target objects. Furthermore, the improved method integrates barcodes and a visualization of the barcode within augmented reality, without disrupting the real-time augmented reality experience.
US09946958B1	Image processing system and method An image processing system involves a camera, at least one processor associated with the camera, non-transitory storage, a lexical database of terms and image classification software. The image processing system uses the image classification software to assign hyponyms and associated probabilities to an image and then builds a subset hierarchical tree of hypernyms from the lexical database of terms. The processor then scores the hypernyms and identifies at least one hypernym for the image that has a score that is calculated to have a value that is greater than one of: a pre-specified threshold score, or all other calculated level scores within the subset hierarchical tree. The associated methods are also disclosed.
US09946952B2	Multi-source, multi-scale counting in dense crowd images A method for counting individuals in an image containing a dense, uniform or non-uniform crowd. The current invention leverages multiple sources of information to compute an estimate of the number of individuals present in a dense crowd visible in a single image. This approach relies on multiple sources, such as low confidence head detections, repetition of texture elements (using SIFT), and frequency-domain analysis to estimate counts, along with confidence associated with observing individuals in an image region. Additionally, a global consistency constraint can be employed on counts using Markov Random Field. This caters for disparity in counts in local neighborhoods and across scales. The methodology was tested on a new dataset of fifty (50) crowd images containing over 64,000 annotated humans, with the head counts ranging from 94 to 4,543. Efficient and accurate results were attained.
US09946951B2	Self-optimized object detection using online detector selection Embodiments are directed to an object detection system having at least one processor circuit configured to receive a series of image regions and apply to each image region in the series a detector, which is configured to determine a presence of a predetermined object in the image region. The object detection system performs a method of selecting and applying the detector from among a plurality of foreground detectors and a plurality of background detectors in a repeated pattern that includes sequentially selecting a selected one of the plurality of foreground detectors; sequentially applying the selected one of the plurality of foreground detectors to one of the series of image regions until all of the plurality of foreground detectors have been applied; selecting a selected one of the plurality of background detectors; and applying the selected one of the plurality of background detectors to one of the series of image regions.
US09946943B2	Methods and apparatuses for birefringence based biometric authentication The invention relates to technologies for eye based biometric authentication. The invention provides methods, apparatuses and computer programs for initiating an action based on characteristics of acquired biometric information. In an embodiment, the invention comprises (i) receiving at least one image comprising an image of at least part of an eye, (ii) determining whether the at least part of an eye has birefringent characteristics, and (iii) initiating a predefined action responsive to (a) the at least part of an eye exhibiting birefringent characteristics that are inconsistent with a predefined set of birefringent characteristics or (b) a determined lack of birefringent characteristics typical of a real eye, wherein the predefined action comprises any one or more of denying biometric enrollment, denying biometric authentication, denying access to a resource, denying a request for unlocking of a resource, or transmitting or recording information identifying a spoof.
US09946934B2	Semantic representation module of a machine-learning engine in a video analysis system A machine-learning engine is disclosed that is configured to recognize and learn behaviors, as well as to identify and distinguish between normal and abnormal behavior within a scene, by analyzing movements and/or activities (or absence of such) over time. The machine-learning engine may be configured to evaluate a sequence of primitive events and associated kinematic data generated for an object depicted in a sequence of video frames and a related vector representation. The vector representation is generated from a primitive event symbol stream and a phase space symbol stream, and the streams describe actions of the objects depicted in the sequence of video frames.
US09946932B2	Systems and methods for image-feature-based recognition Methods and systems are described herein that allow a user to capture a single image snapshot from video, print, or the world around him or her, and obtain additional information relating to the media itself or items of interest displayed in the snapshot. A fingerprint of the snapshot is used as a query and transmitted to the server. Image Feature-Based Recognition, as described herein, uses a feature index to identify a smaller set of candidate matches from a larger database of images based on the fingerprint. Novel methods and systems using a distance metric and a radical hash table design exploit probabilistic effects and allow distinct image features to be preferred over redundant ones, allowing only the more distinctive data points to remain resident within the index, yielding a lean index that can be quickly used in the identification process.
US09946931B2	Change detection and change monitoring of natural and man-made features in multispectral and hyperspectral satellite imagery An approach for land cover classification, seasonal and yearly change detection and monitoring, and identification of changes in man-made features may use a clustering of sparse approximations (CoSA) on sparse representations in learned dictionaries. A Hebbian learning rule may be used to build multispectral or hyperspectral, multiresolution dictionaries that are adapted to regional satellite image data. Sparse image representations of pixel patches over the learned dictionaries may be used to perform unsupervised k-means clustering into land cover categories. The clustering process behaves as a classifier in detecting real variability. This approach may combine spectral and spatial textural characteristics to detect geologic, vegetative, hydrologic, and man-made features, as well as changes in these features over time.
US09946921B2	Monitoring device, monitoring method and monitoring program A monitoring device includes a crowd behavior analysis unit 21 and an abnormality degree calculation unit 24. The crowd behavior analysis unit 21 specifies a behavior pattern of a crowd from input video. The abnormality degree calculation unit 24 calculates an abnormality degree from a change of the behavior pattern.
US09946916B2	Capacitive fingerprint sensor and sensing panel thereof A capacitive fingerprint sensor and a sensing panel are provided. The capacitive fingerprinting sensor includes a sensing circuit, a level switch, an output switch. The sensing circuit has a first capacitor providing a sensing voltage according to a first sensing driving signal. A control terminal of the level switch is coupled to the sensing circuit to receive the sensing voltage, a first terminal thereof receives a high voltage level, and a second terminal thereof provides a sensing determination signal. A control terminal of the output switch receives a second sensing driving signal, a first terminal thereof is coupled to the second terminal of the level switch to receive the sensing determination signal, and a second terminal thereof is coupled to a data line. The sensing determination signal is provided through the level switch to avoid a parasitic capacitance on a trace influencing a voltage level of the sensing determination signal.
US09946914B1	Liveness detection via ultrasonic ridge-valley tomography An apparatus may include an ultrasonic sensor system and a control system. The control system may be configured for controlling the ultrasonic sensor system to obtain first ultrasonic data from at least a part of a target object proximate a surface of the apparatus. The control system may be configured for receiving the first ultrasonic data from the ultrasonic sensor system and for identifying one or more fingerprint ridge features and one or more fingerprint valley features corresponding to the first ultrasonic data. The control system may be configured for determining, based on the first ultrasonic data, one or more fingerprint valley time intervals corresponding to a depth of one or more fingerprint valley features and for performing a spoof detection process based, at least in part, on the one or more fingerprint valley time intervals.
US09946911B2	Fast retrieval of information embedded in an image A binary bit-string is encoded in a circular image. The circular image encodes substrings of the bit-string in sectors of the circular image and includes redundant bits, error correcting codes, and metadata pertaining to the encoding scheme. To encode the bit-strings, a circular image is generated that includes a center ring and a first ring. Outward from the first ring, additional rings represent bits in the bit-string according to the width of each ring. The exterior of the image includes an outer boundary ring. The width of the boundary rings is used to define the widths representing the value of each ring. To extract a bit-string from an image, the center of the circular image is identified and a direction is selected to evaluate the image outward, determining the boundaries of each ring. The boundaries are analyzed to determine the width of each ring and the encoded bit values.
US09946908B2	Module or arrangement for, and method of, reading a target by image capture with an imaging reader having offset imaging and aiming systems An imaging sensor of an imaging reader senses return light from a target to be read by image capture along an imaging axis over a field of view that extends along mutually orthogonal, horizontal and vertical axes. Two aiming light assemblies are offset from the sensor and are spaced apart along the horizontal axis at opposite sides of the sensor, and direct two aiming light marks, each having a predetermined brightness, at the target. The aiming marks are collinear along the horizontal axis and have inner end regions that overlap on the target to form a bright aiming mark having a brightness greater than the predetermined brightness to visually indicate a center zone of the field of view, as well as outer end regions that visually indicate approximate end limits of the field of view, over a range of working distances.
US09946905B2	Adaptive processing of radio frequency identification Embodiments of the present disclosure relate to adaptive RFID communication. A tag device includes a storage configured to store content that is executable by a proxy device associated with a reader device. The tag device includes a communication component configured to transmit the content to the reader device, the content, when executed by the proxy device, causing an action associated with the tag device to be performed.
US09946903B2	Authenticity verification system and methods of use A system and associated methods for dynamically authenticating an at least one object are disclosed. In at least one embodiment, upon a user desiring to verify the authenticity of a given object via an at least one user device, a public identifier of a corresponding rewritable memory device attached to the object is obtained by the user device and transmitted to a central computing system. Upon determining that the public identifier is present in an at least one database maintained by the central computing system, select details related to the object, as stored in the at least one database, are transmitted to the user device. Additionally, a new public identifier is generated and transmitted to the corresponding rewritable memory device of the object so as to overwrite the previous public identifier stored thereon.
US09946898B2	Security systems and methods for encoding and decoding digital content Systems and methods may be provided for masking data on public networks, such as social networking sites. At a publishing node, the system may monitor data input fields in a webpage, and intercept and encode content, such as text, images, and video input at the data input fields, prior to the content being posted online on a public service provider's website. A privacy agent may process input field content to try to detect encoding markers in the input field content, which define portions of the content that are to be encoded. A third party key server may be used to store decoding keys. A URI reference to the decoding key may be used to access the decoding key by a node attempting to view the decoded version of the input field content.
US09946894B2	Data processing method and data processing device Provided is a data processing method in a data processing device that is connected to an external storage device and that is equipped with a storage device, the method including: receiving a writing instruction to store first data in the storage device; dividing the first data into multiple pieces of division data; storing at least one or more of the pieces of division data in the external storage device; and storing second data different from the first data in the storage device, in which the second data is associated with the first data and the multiple pieces of division data. With the data processing method, security in data management can be improved.
US09946889B2	Systems and methods for multi-tenant data protection application A system for providing a multi-tenant data protection application includes a server shared by all tenants for access to the provided multi-tenant data protection application. The system further includes business logic for managing tenants of the multi-tenant data protection application, tenant resource allocation and isolation of tenant operating environments. The system additionally includes a database server for creating, managing and maintaining databases, including a master database used to store configuration and monitoring data which is used for tenant management and monitoring, and a plurality of private tenant databases, each used to store tenant-specific configuration, tenant-specific data and associated tenant resources. The system includes one or more data protection engines configured to store a copy of protected data at tenant redundant data stores.
US09946888B2	System for managing multiple subscriptions in a UICC The invention relates to a system for managing multiple subscriptions in a UICC, this system comprising a central server able to manage subscriptions stored on a UICC comprised in a mobile terminal in the field, at the request of a subscriber of one of these subscriptions.
US09946883B2	Methods and apparatuses for protecting positioning related information Various methods, apparatuses and articles of manufacture are provided which may be implemented to authenticate the provider of a positioning engine provisioned within a mobile station to enable the positioning engine to obtain and use protected positioning assistance data. In certain examples, a relationship between the provider of a location server and the provider of a positioning engine provisioned within a mobile station may be authenticated, and protected positioning data may be obtained from said positioning engine by said location server.
US09946875B2	Detection of return oriented programming attacks In one embodiment, a processor includes at least one execution unit and Return Oriented Programming (ROP) detection logic. The ROP detection logic may determine a ROP metric based on a plurality of control transfer events. The ROP detection logic may also determine whether the ROP metric exceeds a threshold. The ROP detection logic may also, in response to a determination that the ROP metric exceeds the threshold, provide a ROP attack notification.
US09946874B2	Authenticating application legitimacy Facilities are provided herein to address application phishing by determining whether an application is a legitimate application it purports to be. Optical code(s) are displayed on a display device in association with an application to be authenticated for a user as being a legitimate application. Based on imaging the optical code(s) using a camera of a device of a user, data of the optical code(s) are obtained. It is automatically determines, based on the obtained data of the optical code(s), whether the application to be authenticated is authenticated as being the legitimate application, and based on this, an indication of whether the application is authenticated as being the legitimate application is provided for the user by the device.
US09946866B2	Unattended secure device authorization Unattended secure device authorization techniques are provided. An operating system (OS) module, which is responsible for device validation when that device is interfaced to a host device, is enhanced. The enhanced OS module silently checks the peripheral device's identifier against a white list and if a match occurs, the enhanced OS module grants permission to the host device applications; if no match occurs, the enhanced OS module silently rejects application access to the device. In an embodiment, the enhanced OS module interacts with the device to determine whether the device is to be authorized or rejected.
US09946864B2	Systems and methods for implementing and tracking identification tests Systems and methods for providing identification tests. In some embodiments, a system and a method are provided for generating and serving to a user an animated challenge graphic comprising a challenge character set whose appearance may change over time. In some embodiments, marketing content may be incorporated into a challenge message for use in an identification test. The marketing content may be accompanied by randomly selected content to increase a level of security of the identification test, in some embodiments, a challenge message for use in an identification test may be provided based on information regarding a transaction for which the identification test is administered. For example, the transaction information may include a user identifier such as an IP address. In some embodiments, identification test results may be tracked and analyzed to identify a pattern of behavior associated with a user identifier. A score indicative of a level of trustworthiness may be computed for the user identifier.
US09946862B2	Electronic device generating notification based on context data in response to speech phrase from user A method for generating a notification by an electronic device to alert a user of the electronic device is disclosed. In this method, a speech phrase may be received. Then, the received speech phrase may be recognized, by a processor, as a command to generate the notification. In addition, one or more context data of the electronic device may be detected by at least one sensor. It may be determined whether the notification is to be generated at least based on the context data. The notification may be generated, by the processor, based on the context data and the command to generate the notification.
US09946857B2	Restricted access for home automation system Systems and methods for determining access to a home automation system may include receiving a command from a user to perform a home automation function, and determining a privilege for the user, which may be based on the location of the user. The methods may include comparing the command and the user privilege to an authorization list, where the authorization list defines system access to perform home automation functions based at least on individual commands and associated privileges. The methods may also include determining whether to allow the user access to the home automation system to perform the commanded home automation function.
US09946850B1	Providing temporary contact information Contact information associated with a user is identified. Temporary contact information, exclusive of the contact information, is generated and associated with the user. Termination controls, configured to prevent use of the temporary contact information after the occurrence of an event, are generated and associated with the temporary contact information.
US09946840B1	Systems and methods for assessing staffing levels and predicting patient outcomes Certain embodiments described herein are directed to methods and systems configured to score patient indicators and determine suitable staffing levels based on the scored patient indicators. In some configurations, the system determines scoring levels by comparing the patient indicators to empirical patient data or information.
US09946831B1	Method for closed loop testing of ASICs with image sensors in emulation A system, method, and computer program product for dynamic closed loop testing of an emulated ASIC interfaced to a sensor device. An adapter adjusts non-pre-recorded active sensor device data to be readable by an emulated ASIC design by adjusting data rates and performing formatting per a selected compatible interface. The adapter also adjusts control commands generated by the emulated ASIC design, including those generated in response to received and evaluated sensor device data, to be readable by the sensor device. The control commands dynamically cause changes in the data the sensor device subsequently outputs. Exemplary sensor devices include cameras that generate multimedia data in consumer electronics devices.
US09946830B2	Area sharing between multiple large block synthesis (LBS) blocks Respective large block synthesis (LBS) blocks of an integrated circuit (IC) are overlapped along a corner of each respective LBS block to form an overlap area having an area less than respective areas of respective LBS blocks that are overlapped. A first portion of the overlap area is allocated to a first LBS block and configured to be used by the first LBS block, and a second portion of the overlap area is allocated to a second LBS block and configured to be used by the second LBS block.
US09946829B2	Methods for redistributing cell densities in layout area of IC A method for redistributing cell densities in layout of IC is provided. Initial cell density distribution and routing density distribution are obtained in an initial placement of the IC. White space is inserted into the initial placement according to a specific density value, so as to flatten the initial cell density distribution to the specific density value and obtain a flat cell density distribution. The specific density value is larger than a maximum cell density value within the initial cell density distribution. Cell densities of a first region are increased in the IC according to the routing density distribution and the flat cell density distribution, so as to obtain a modified cell density distribution. The modified cell density distribution is smoothed to obtain a calibrated cell density distribution. The white space is removed from the calibrated cell density distribution to obtain a final placement.
US09946827B2	Method and structure for mandrel and spacer patterning A method includes receiving an integrated circuit design layout that includes first and second layout blocks separated by a first space. The first and second layout blocks include, respectively, first and second line patterns oriented lengthwise in a first direction. The method further includes adding a dummy pattern to the first space, which connects the first and second line patterns. The method further includes outputting a mandrel pattern layout and a cut pattern layout in a computer-readable format. The mandrel pattern layout includes the first and second line patterns and the dummy pattern. The cut pattern layout includes a pattern corresponding to the first space. In embodiments, the method further includes manufacturing a first mask with the mandrel pattern layout and manufacturing a second mask with the cut pattern layout. In embodiments, the method further includes patterning a substrate with the first mask and the second mask.
US09946825B2	Full wave modeling and simulations of the waveguide behavior of printed circuit boards using a broadband green's function technique A broadband Green's function computation technique that employs low wavenumber extraction on a modal summation is used to model the waveguide behavior of electronic components, systems, and interconnects on a printed circuit board. Use of the broadband technique permits discretizing the surface of the printed circuit board across a wide range of frequencies all at once. The broadband Green's function is also extended to via waveguides on circuit boards and power/ground plane waveguides of arbitrary shape. Such a method can analyze a given circuit board geometry over a broad frequency range several hundred times faster than is otherwise possible with existing commercial analysis tools. The present method is useful in electronic design automation for analyzing signal integrity and power integrity, reducing electromagnetic interference and ensuring electromagnetic compatibility.
US09946819B2	Simulating a large network load Buffer credits are starved upon a storage area network (SAN) switch. The starved buffer credit restricts a SAN switch buffer and enables a smaller load to stress the SAN switch, effectively emulating a larger load. Credit starvation may partially inhibit a SAN switch from delivering frames resulting in the filling of the SAN switch buffer and corresponding computational stress. The emulated load allows for all ports of a SAN switch to be simultaneously tested without the need or expense of a large number computing devices stressing the SAN. The SAN switch may be located within a test SAN environment or may be located in a functioning SAN environment to determine SAN bottlenecks prior to critical loading.
US09946817B2	Method for calculating interaction potential between filler particles in polymeric material A method for calculating an interaction potential between filler particles in a polymeric material by using a computer is disclosed. The method comprises: arranging filler models and polymer models in a virtual space; calculating a free energy in the virtual space based on a mean field theory; obtaining parameters of the Lennard-Jones potential by approximating the free energy to the Lennard-Jones potential.
US09946810B1	Mathematical method for performing homomorphic operations The present invention relates generally to a system and method of querying an anonymized database. More particularly, the invention provides a method and system for querying an anonymized database without the need to decrypt queried data while it's processed. Even more specifically, the invention provides a method and system of anonymizing a database such that it may be queried efficiently in near real time while still retaining the ability to not decrypt requested data while it's being processed.
US09946809B2	Executable graph framework for the management of complex systems The present invention addresses deficiencies of the art with respect to collaborative computer networks consisting of mixed data, control functions, analysis functions, and sensors in complex systems of systems. The method involves a database framework for representing complex heterogeneous characteristics of processes, systems, and systems of systems that feature many to many interrelationships. The homoiconic graph framework takes the form of an executable graph database, which is often faster for associative data sets, and maps more directly to object-oriented computer applications for large-scale operations. The invention provides a method to execute the graph database, in that it comprises nodes that are both data fragments and executable components. It is characterized as a homoiconic or executable graph framework to distinguish this unique feature from the concept of a graph database, which generally is a repository of connected data only.
US09946802B2	Site-wide navigation element for user activity in a social networking site Embodiments of the present invention address deficiencies of the art in respect to social networking and provide a method, system and computer program product for site-wide recent action management in a social network. In an embodiment of the invention, a social networking data processing system can be provided. The system can include a social networking application executing in a host server and generating different page views for different users of the social networking application. The system also can include a data store of recent actions for different ones of the users. Finally the system can include a site-wide navigation element displayed in each of the page views for each of the users irrespective of the page view and whether or not the page view is a home page or profile page. In particular, the element can include user links to different profile pages for different users with recent actions.
US09946797B2	Personalized aggregator for organizing and publishing public and private content A system, method and computer program product for allowing users to organize and selectively publish content of interest, with freedom to rearrange and curate information in a desired presentation format. The content may be generated by the user or other sources, allowing the user to moderate and organize the content that the user aggregates. The content (e.g. social network posts, online news, SMS messages) may be publicly available for other users to contribute with new information, or used as source for their own content of interest; it can also be shared only with select users or communities (registered or not), or be kept private. Publishing channels might comprise, for instance, web portals or public displays. Filters may be applied to automatically select and aggregate content from several sources. Methods are implemented to organize content by creating, discarding, replicating and reformatting information via a display interface.
US09946791B1	Making modified content available A method for making modified content available includes storing an item comprising contents. A modification procedure to be performed on the item to modify the contents is identified. The method includes generating a file identifier to represent the item such that, upon a request to access the item being received, the modification procedure is performed on the item using the file identifier and the modified contents are provided in response to the request. A method for making modified content available includes receiving a request to access a file identifier that represents an item comprising contents. After receiving the request, a modification procedure to modify the contents is performed. The modification procedure is identified using the file identifier. The modified contents are provided in response to the request. A system includes an application program, a repository and a redirector.
US09946790B1	Categorizing items using user created data Disclosed are various embodiments for identifying relationships between items included in user-created item lists and a predefined set of keywords based at least in part upon a comparison of the item list titles and the keywords. Each item lists title may be compared with the set of keywords to determine if any of the title terms in the item list title matches any of the keywords. If a match is detected, each of the items included in the item list are associated with the matching keyword. Items that are associated with a particular keyword based on the comparison may be added to an item category corresponding to the keyword.
US09946785B2	Searching code based on learned programming construct patterns and NLP similarity An approach is provided to ingest software source code files into a question/answering (QA) system. During ingestion, source code blocks are classified to identify one or more constructs in the blocks as being domain-specific. Relationships between the blocks are then mapped. Software compliance regulations are ingested into the QA system. Using the QA system, a source code file is analyzed for compliance to the software compliance regulations. The analysis identifies code sections within the source code file as being domain-specific and subject to the ingested set of software compliance regulations.
US09946783B1	Methods and systems for classifying data using a hierarchical taxonomy A method and system for classifying documents is provided. A set of document classifiers is generated by applying a classification algorithm to a trusted corpus that includes a set of training documents representing a taxonomy. One or more of the generated document classifiers are executed against a plurality of input documents to create a plurality of classified documents. Each classified document is associated with a classification within the taxonomy and a classification confidence level. One or more classified documents that are associated with a classification confidence level below a predetermined threshold value are selected to create a set of low-confidence documents. The low-confidence documents are disassociated from each of the associated classifications. A user is prompted to enter a classification within the taxonomy for at least one low-confidence document. The low-confidence document is associated with the entered classification and with a predetermined confidence level to create a newly classified document.
US09946774B2	Method and system for limiting share of voice of individual users In various example embodiments, a system and method for limiting shares of voice of individual users in a result set are provided. In example embodiments, for each publication of a plurality of publications in a set, an entity associated with the publication is identified. Using a sorting criteria, a sorted set is generated by sorting the plurality of publications in accordance with the sorting criteria by shifting a particular publication from the same entity one or more positions in order to satisfy the sorting criteria. The sorted set is provided to a searching user.
US09946770B2	Method, device, and system for searching key words A method and system for searching key words are provided. The method includes: acquire key words typed in the search box, and based on the key words, a search request is sent; associated words which are found based on the search request as well as a summary of the results relevant to the associated words are sent back; the associated words and the summary of the results relevant to the associated words are displayed respectively in the list corresponding to the search box stated previously.
US09946754B2	System and method for data validation Systems and methods for validating data in a communication network environment include receiving a data transformation specification from a user. The data transformation specification is analyzed to determine data transformation rules which are indicative of a relationship between corresponding fields of the source repository and the target repository. Test cases and test scripts are generated based on the data transformation rules and the test cases and the test scripts are executed on the source repository and the target repository to validate the relationship between the corresponding fields of the source repository and the target repository. Thereafter, a log file, indicative of the outcome of the execution of the test cases and the test scripts, is generated.
US09946750B2	Estimating statistics for generating execution plans for database queries A database system identifies missing statistics that is not available for processing database queries and determines the missing statistics. The database system generates execution plans for database queries. The database system requests certain statistical information for generating a database query. If the database system determines that the requested statistical information is not available, the database system stores information describing the requested statistical information as missing statistics. The missing statistics may identify one or more columns associated with tables processed by the database query. The database system performs statistical analysis of database tables to generate the missing statistics so that the statistical information is available for generating execution plans for subsequent queries. The database system may rank the missing statistics based on the number of times the missing statistics was identified by the database system while processing database queries.
US09946743B2	Order encoded manifests in a content centric network One embodiment provides a system that facilitates direct seeking of the ordered content of a manifest based on external metadata. During operation, the system determines, by a content producing device, a root manifest, wherein a manifest indicates a set of content objects and their corresponding digests, wherein a respective content object is a data object or another manifest, and is associated with a name that is a hierarchically structured variable length identifier (HSVLI) which comprises contiguous name components ordered from a most general level to a most specific level. The system generates an index associated with the root manifest, wherein the index allows the set of content objects indicated in the root manifest to be searched and accessed directly, thereby facilitating a content consumer to seek to a desired location in the content represented by the root manifest.
US09946740B2	Handling server and client operations uninterruptedly during pack and audit processes A solution for maintaining the operation of a server and allowing the transfer of data from client devices to a database without locking the database during an audit and pack process is realized that reduces the amount of time lost due to backup file storage transfer. When a file is backed up to a first storage trail through the audit process, the trail may eventually become filled to capacity. Upon the first storage trail filling to capacity, a pack process is initiated, and a backup storage trail is created to store the data during this process. Upon completion of the pack process, the data from the backup storage trail is transferred to another active storage trail.
US09946734B2	Portable vehicle monitoring system The invention is related to a portable vehicle monitoring system that is to be mounted on mobile objects such as police cars for security purposes and ambulances which have right of way; characterized in that it comprises a camera placed on the front right and front left and both sides of the system which enables the system to capture images and recognize faces, LED lighting located around the cameras which are directed towards visual direction and which enable capturing of legible images even at night time police lights placed at the front and rear faces of the base which can flash on and off when necessary, an alarm control device, Ethernet connection forming the network, a cooling device which eliminates the heat formed inside the apparatus, a control card which operates the police lights, modem which continuously provide wireless communication and a top cover which encloses the entire system.
US09946733B2	Visual localization method There is provided a visual localization method comprising: (a) transmitting data representative of one or more detected visual features from a mobile device to a server; (b) estimating the location of the mobile device at the server based on the visual features received from the mobile device; (c) transmitting reference data associated with the estimated location from the server to the mobile device; and (d) the mobile device determining its location based on the reference data received from the server.
US09946732B2	Method and system for comparing 3D models A method is disclosed allowing digital 3D models to be indexed, searched, and compared, and to display the results in a 3D space. The method comprises four complementary parts: displaying, comparing/searching, face reconciliation, and ranking results. Each of these parts can fit in one another or be used independently. The implementation of a process for searching/comparing 3D models based on descriptors at least partly related to faces requires a face reconciliation process (pairing of faces between 3D models).
US09946727B2	Synchronizing user states across multiple clients of a NAS system Methods, computing systems and computer program products implement embodiments of the present invention that include detecting, by a file-level storage system such as a network attached storage system, a user operating a first computer in communication with the file level storage system via a network, and maintaining, while the user is operating the first computer, multiple states for the user. In some embodiments, the user may operate the first computer by logging on to the first computer, and executing one or more applications and data files. Upon detecting the user operating a second computer in communication with the file level storage system via the network, the file-level storage system can synchronize applications and data files on the second computer to the multiple states. In embodiments of the present invention, the user operates the second computer by logging on to the second computer while still logged on to the first computer.
US09946720B1	Searching data files using a key map Approaches for searching for key terms in a plurality of files include associating a respective key map with each file of the plurality of files in memory of a server. Each key map includes a plurality of bit values and each bit value indicates for a key term whether or not the key term is present in the associated file. The server inputs a search map, and the search map includes a plurality of bit values. Each bit value in the search map indicates for a key term whether or not the key term is a key term to search. The server determines for each key map, whether or not the key map satisfies the search map. Data indicating each file of the plurality of files having an associated key map that satisfies the search map is output by the server.
US09946719B2	Distributed data set encryption and decryption An apparatus includes a processor component of a first node device caused to receive data block encryption data and an indication of size of an encrypted data block distributed to the first node device for decryption, and in response to the data set being of encrypted data: receive an indication of the quantity of sub-blocks within the encrypted data block, and a hashed identifier for each data sub-block; use the data block encryption data to decrypt the encrypted data block to regenerate data set portions from the data sub-blocks; analyze the hashed identifier of each data sub-block to determine whether all data set portions are distributed to the first node device for processing; and in response to a determination that at least one data set portion is to be distributed to a second node device for processing, transmit the at least one data set portion to the second node device.
US09946716B2	Distributed file system snapshot Technology is disclosed for managing data in a distributed file system (“the technology”). The technology can gather metadata information associated with the data stored within the distributed file system, create a secondary namespace within a local file system of a local host using the gathered metadata information and store the gathered metadata information as files within the secondary namespace. Further, when a request to create a PPI of the distributed file system is received, the technology can create a PPI of the secondary namespace using a PPI creation feature of the local file system.
US09946715B1	Document processing system and method A system comprises a data storage system, data analysis logic, and user interface logic. The data analysis logic is configured to analyze the documents and to identify documents that satisfy search criteria received from a user. The user interface logic is configured to generate a user interface. The user interface logic is also configured to generate a plurality of charts for display to the user. The user can interact with the charts to specify modified search criteria. The user interface logic is configured to receive modified search criteria from the user via one of the charts and update the remaining charts to reflect the modified search criteria.
US09946713B1	Digital media relationship analyzer and recommender Disclosed are various embodiments for recommending a list of digital media to a user based upon digital media that the user is currently consuming. The list of recommendations is generated from an analysis of the digital media. Subsequently, the list of recommendations is stored on the user's device, and the user is alerted to the list's existence through the rendering of a notification on the user's display. Upon selection of an item from the list of recommendations, the selected digital media is rendered on the display of the user's device within the context of the user's application.
US09946695B2	Systems and methods for automatically generating content layout based on selected highest scored image and selected text snippet A computerized method for automatically generating display content includes receiving a uniform resource locator, wherein the uniform resource locator specifies a landing resource and extracting visual information from the landing resource, wherein the visual information defines one or more images, texts, and colors displayed on the landing resource. The method further includes selecting one or more images, one or more text snippets, and one or more colors based on the visual information extracted from the landing resource, generating a layout for a content item based on one or more of the selected images or selected text snippets, and assembling the content item by applying the selected images, the selected text snippets, and the selected colors to the generated layout.
US09946694B2	Methods, systems and apparatuses for scalable electronic data interchange communications with smart web forms Methods, systems, and apparatuses are disclosed for a computer-implemented method for facilitating electronic data interchange (“EDI”) communication. An EDI document from a first trading partner is in a first format, with data in a plurality of fields. The fields are mapped to fields of an EDI standard. The data in the mapped fields are translated to an intermediate format to create an intermediate format file. Rules, which may be customized, may be applied to the intermediate format file. The rules may include business rules customized for the first trading partner, math rules and/or logic rules. The intermediate format file may be verified to determine whether it complies with the EDI standard and/or the business rules of the first trading partner. The data from the intermediate format to a second format compatible with a computer system of a second trading partner, to create a second format file.
US09946693B2	Displaying of webpage comments in an order according to the number of webpage comments A method of displaying webpage comments is disclosed. The method may comprise sending a webpage browse request to a server, the webpage browse request comprising a webpage address. The method may also comprise receiving webpage information corresponding to the webpage address returned by the server, the webpage information comprising source code and a comment object information list, and each piece of comment object information in the comment object information list comprising position information of a webpage article element commented on by a user. The method may also comprise rendering and displaying a webpage article corresponding to the webpage address according to the source code comprised in the webpage information, and displaying webpage comments corresponding to the webpage address according to the comment object information list.
US09946684B2	Cache management for RDMA data stores Embodiments relate to methods, systems and computer program products for cache management in a Remote Direct Memory Access (RDMA) data store. Aspects include receiving a request from a remote computer to access a data item stored in the RDMA data store and creating a lease including a local expiration time for the data item. Aspects further include creating a remote pointer to the data item, wherein the remote pointer includes a remote expiration time and transmitting the remote pointer to the remote computer, wherein the lease is an agreement that that the remote computer can perform RDMA reads on the data item until the remote expiration time.
US09946675B2	Fault-tolerant loop for a communication bus A communication bus system is provided. The communication bus system includes a communication bus having a plurality of isolatable segments and a bus master coupled to a first end of the communication bus. The bus master is configured to couple to a second end of the communication bus and to decouple from the second end of the communication bus based on a selection signal. A method for operating a communication bus is also disclosed.
US09946670B2	Determining when to throttle interrupts to limit interrupt processing to an interrupt processing time period Provided are a computer program product, system, and method for determining when to throttle interrupts to limit interrupt processing to an interrupt processing time. Upon receiving interrupts from the hardware device, a determination is made as to whether a number of received interrupts exceeds an interrupt threshold during a interrupt tracking time period. If so, an interrupt throttling state is set to a first value indicating to only process interrupts during an interrupt processing time period. Interrupts from the hardware device are processed during the interrupt time period when the interrupt throttling state is set to the first value. Interrupts received from the hardware are masked during a processing of a scan loop of operations while the interrupt throttling has the first value and the interrupt processing time period has expired, wherein the masked interrupts are not processed while processing the scan loop of operations.
US09946668B1	Automatic prioritization of interrupts in a modeling environment In one embodiment, a method of implementing interrupt prioritization and preemption in a modeling environment is provided. The method may include obtaining a model including interrupt-generating components in the modeling environment, obtaining information describing interrupts in the model, and using the information describing the interrupts in the model to automatically generate code for prioritizing the interrupts in the modeling environment.
US09946666B2	Coalescing texture access and load/store operations A system, method, and computer program product are provided for coalescing memory access requests. A plurality of memory access requests is received in a thread execution order and a portion of the memory access requests are coalesced into memory order, where memory access requests included in the portion are generated by threads in a thread block. A memory operation is generated that is transmitted to a memory system, where the memory operation represents the coalesced portion of memory access requests.
US09946662B2	Double-mix Feistel network for key generation or encryption A method of providing security in a computer system includes dividing a block of data into initial left and right halves, and calculating updated left and right halves for each of a plurality of rounds. Calculating the updated left half includes applying a first function to an input left half to produce a first result, and mixing the first result with an input right half. Calculating the updated right half includes applying a second function to the input left half to produce a second result, and mixing the second result with a round key. The input left and right halves are the initial left and right halves for the first round, and thereafter the updated left and right halves for an immediately preceding round. And method may include producing a block of ciphertext with a key composed of the updated left and right halves for the last round.
US09946659B2	Near-memory accelerator for offloading pointer chasing operations from a processing element Embodiments include a near-memory acceleration method for offloading data traversal operations from a processing element. The method is implemented at a near-memory accelerator configured to interact with each of the processing element and a memory used by the processing element. The accelerator performs the data traversal operations to chase pointers, in order to identify a pointer to data to be processed by the processing element. The data traversal operations are performed based on indications from the processing element. In addition, data needed to perform the data traversal operations are fetched by the near-memory accelerator, from the memory. The present invention is further directed to a near-memory accelerator and a computerized system comprising such an accelerator, as well as a computer program product.
US09946651B2	Pattern detector for detecting hangs A microprocessor comprises a cache including a tag array; a tag pipeline that arbitrates access to the tag array; and a pattern detector. The pattern detector comprises a register; a decoder that decodes transaction type identifiers of tagpipe arbs advancing through the tag pipeline; and an accumulator that accumulates into the register the transaction type identifiers of a plurality of tagpipe arbs that advance through the tag pipeline.
US09946650B2	Technique to share information among different cache coherency domains A technique to enable information sharing among agents within different cache coherency domains. In one embodiment, a graphics device may use one or more caches used by one or more processing cores to store or read information, which may be accessed by one or more processing cores in a manner that does not affect programming and coherency rules pertaining to the graphics device.
US09946649B1	Data coherency system and method A method, computer program product, and computing system for defining an IO splitter module within each of a plurality of nodes included within a hyper-converged storage environment. A coherency module is defined on at least one of the plurality of nodes. A data request is received.
US09946636B2	Companion testing for body-aware devices One embodiment provides a method, including: receiving movement data describing physical movement of a person performing a predetermined action; generating, using a processor, classification of the movement data using a test application that predicts output of a wearable device, wherein the test application has been formed using previously collected data that describe the movement of a person performing the predetermined action; determining, using the processor, whether the movement data match the predetermined action in view of the classification; receiving output of a body-aware application that detects and responds to human movement; comparing, using the processor, the output of the body-aware application with the classification; and providing, using the processor, an indication of the comparing of the output of the body-aware application and the classification.
US09946628B2	Embedding and executing trace functions in code to gather trace data Provided are a computer program product, system, and method for embedding and executing trace functions in code to gather trace data. A plurality of trace functions are embedded in the code. For each embedded trace function, a trace level is included indicating code to which the trace applies. The trace level comprises one of a plurality of levels. During the execution of the code, the embedded trace functions having one of the levels associated with a specified at least one level specified are executed. The embedded trace functions associated with at least one level not comprising one of the at least one specified level are not invoked.
US09946623B2	Benchmark updating method and system for touch detection terminal capable of eliminating large-area interference The present invention is applicable to the technical field of touch control, and provides a benchmark updating method for a touch detection terminal under large-area interference. The present invention can reduce the phenomenon of misdetection by performing consistency analysis on an original sampled value.
US09946612B2	Data encoding using spare channels Implementations of encoding techniques are disclosed. In one embodiment, an encoding system includes a codec device, a switching network, a rerouting circuit, a logic integrated circuit, and memory devices. The codec device includes a plurality of input and output (I/O) ports to transport data signals. The switching network is coupled both to the plurality of I/O ports and to a plurality of channels external to the device. The plurality of I/O ports includes at least one spare channel. The rerouting circuitry is coupled to and configured to control the switching network and the logic integrated circuit has logic circuity including command and decode queueing circuitry, redundancy circuits, and error correction circuitry. The memory devices do include any circuitry included in the logic circuitry. Other systems and apparatuses are also described.
US09946610B2	Memory device and method for saving and restoring data using nonvolatile memory According to one embodiment, a memory device saves data of a volatile memory to a first nonvolatile memory in response to an event of power loss. After recovery of power, based on management data indicating a relationship between an identifier of each of programs executed by a host system and address data of each of a plurality of regions of the volatile memory being used respectively by the programs, the memory device identifies a region of the first nonvolatile memory where the data of the region of the volatile memory being used by a first program of the programs before the power loss has been saved. The memory device restores the data stored in the identified region into a first region of the volatile memory newly allocated to the first program by the host system.
US09946599B1	Systems and methods for enhanced data access to a hard disk drive with caching Systems and methods described herein provide a method for enhanced data access to a hard disk drive with caching. The method includes obtaining data for storage from a data source. The method further includes applying at least one of a track error-correcting code scheme, a redundant array of independent disks (RAID) encoder, streaming inter-track interference cancellation and a lower power read-data channel to the obtained data. The method further includes configuring a caching system to store a frequently accessed portion of the encoded data, and receiving, from a host computer, a data access request. The method further includes retrieving a data file from the caching system to the host computer in response to the data access request.
US09946594B2	Validation bits and offsets to represent logical pages split between data containers A flash memory codeword architecture is provided. A non-integer count of logical pages is packed into a codeword payload data container. A codeword payload header is generated. The codeword payload header includes an offset to a first logical page that is packed, at least in part, into the codeword payload data container. The codeword payload data container and the codeword payload header are concatenated to generate a codeword payload. Error-correcting code data is generated based, at least in part, on the codeword payload using a systematic error-correcting code. The codeword payload and error-correcting code data is concatenated to generate a codeword. A physical page is programmed with the codeword.
US09946592B2	Dump data collection management for a storage area network Provided are a computer program product, system, and method for dump data collection in accordance with one embodiment of the present description, in which a variable number of data dump components are selected from a set of data dump components. Each component contains a portion of an available dump data and has associated therewith a component collection time to collect the dump data associated with the component. A determination is made as to whether a total component collection time for the selection of data dump components exceeds a predetermined maximum. The dump data contained in the selection of data dump components is collected if the total component collection time for the selection of data dump components does not exceed the predetermined maximum. Other aspects of dump data collection management in accordance with the present description are described.
US09946587B2	Intelligent rolling upgrade for data storage systems Various method, system, and computer program product embodiments for facilitating upgrades in a computing storage environment are provided. In one such embodiment, one of an available plurality of rolling upgrade policies is defined by specifying the at least one selectable upgrade parameter, including specifying one of a commencement time and duration of an upgrade procedure. A node down tolerance factor is set for at least one node in the computing storage environment. A determination of whether a number of at least one of a plurality of nodes in the computing storage environment currently down, including a target node to be upgraded, does not exceed the node down tolerance factor, and if the node down tolerance factor is not exceeded, a cluster health is checked.
US09946580B2	Multi-core processor system for information processing This multi-core processor system for processing information, of the kind including a data exchange engine (2) associated with multiple users (3) of shared resources (4), is characterized in that it includes means for controlling data exchanges in the processor, associated with each user (3), with the exchange engine (2) and with the shared resources (4) and defining at the processor, a data exchange law determined according to a defined space-time mapping, a giving the possibility of obtaining predictable operating performances of this processor.
US09946563B2	Batch scheduler management of virtual machines A batch scheduler receives a task. Further, a processor, at the batch scheduler, generates a virtual machine corresponding to the task. In addition, the virtual machine is deployed from the batch scheduler to a compute node. The task is also dispatched from the batch scheduler to the virtual machine at the compute node.
US09946562B2	System and method for kernel rootkit protection in a hypervisor environment A system and method for rootkit protection in a hypervisor environment includes modules for creating a soft whitelist having entries corresponding to each guest kernel page of a guest operating system in a hypervisor environment, wherein each entry is a duplicate page of the corresponding guest kernel page, generating a page fault when a process attempts to access a guest kernel page, and redirecting the process to the corresponding duplicate page. If the page fault is a data page fault, the method includes fixing the page fault, and marking a page table entry corresponding to the guest kernel page as non-executable and writeable. If the page fault is an instruction page fault, the method includes marking a page table entry corresponding to the guest kernel page as read-only. Redirecting changing a machine page frame number in a shadow page table of the hypervisor to point to the corresponding duplicate page.
US09946559B1	Techniques for managing virtual machine backups Techniques for managing virtual machine backups are disclosed. In one particular exemplary embodiment, the techniques may be realized as a method for managing virtual machine backups comprising opening a file containing a virtual disk of a virtual machine, parsing the file to identify one or more partitions of the virtual disk, determining file system type for each of one or more partitions, identifying a boot partition in the file, parsing, using at least one computer processor, file system information of the boot partition to identify volume information; and generating volume composition information using the identified volume information.
US09946558B2	Apparatus, method and system for activating an operating system based on a unified command There is provided an information processing apparatus, including a multi-platform capable of managing a plurality of applications, and an operating system which operates on the multi-platform, and is capable of being activated by a command of the multi-platform.
US09946553B2	BMC firmware recovery In an aspect of the disclosure, a method, a computer-readable medium, and an apparatus are provided. The apparatus may be a management device. The management device initiates a first booting process of a program from a first image stored at a primary storage device of the management device. The management device re-initiates the first booting process from the first image when the first booting process is not successful and a number of re-initiation is less than a predetermined number. The management device locates a second image of the program from a secondary storage device when the first booting process is not successful and the number of re-initiation is greater than or equal to the predetermined number. The management device initiates a second booting process of the program from the second image subsequent to the locating the second image.
US09946549B2	Register renaming in block-based instruction set architecture An apparatus for mapping an architectural register to a physical register can include a memory and control circuitry. The memory can be configured to store an intra-core register rename map and an inter-core register rename map. The intra-core register rename map can be configured to map the architectural register to the physical register of a core of a multi-core processor. The inter-core register rename map can be configured to relate the architectural register to an identification of the first core in response to determining that the physical register is a location of a most recent write to the architectural register that has been executed by the first core, is executing on the first core, or is expected to execute on the first core, the most recent write according to program order. The control circuitry can be configured to maintain the intra-core register rename map and the inter-core register rename map.
US09946545B2	Buffer store with a main store and and auxiliary store A loop buffer is provided with a main store 26 and an auxiliary store 28. The main store 26 stores micro-operation instructions. The auxiliary store 28 has fewer entries than the main store 26 and stores target addresses for predicted taken branch instructions stored within the main store 26. Read control circuitry serves to control reading from the main store and from an auxiliary store such that target addresses are read from the auxiliary store in association with the predicted taken branch instructions read from the main store.
US09946544B2	Methods, apparatus, instructions and logic to provide permute controls with leading zero count functionality Instructions and logic provide SIMD permute controls with leading zero count functionality. Some embodiments include processors with a register with a plurality of data fields, each of the data fields to store a second plurality of bits. A destination register has corresponding data fields, each of these data fields to store a count of the number of most significant contiguous bits set to zero for corresponding data fields. Responsive to decoding a vector leading zero count instruction, execution units count the number of most significant contiguous bits set to zero for each of data fields in the register, and store the counts in corresponding data fields of the first destination register. Vector leading zero count instructions can be used to generate permute controls and completion masks to be used along with the set of permute controls, to resolve dependencies in gather-modify-scatter SIMD operations.
US09946538B2	Method and apparatus for providing hardware support for self-modifying code A method and apparatus for providing support for self modifying guest code. The apparatus includes a memory, a hardware buffer, and a processor. The processor is configured to convert guest code to native code and store converted native code equivalent of the guest code into a code cache portion of the processor. The processor is further configured to maintain the hardware buffer configured for tracking respective locations of converted code in a code cache. The hardware buffer is updated based a respective access to a respective location in the memory associated with a respective location of converted code in the code cache. The processor is further configured to perform a request to modify a memory location after accessing the hardware buffer.
US09946537B2	Integrated development environment-based repository searching in a networked computing environment Embodiments of the present invention provide an approach for integrated development environment (IDE)-based repository searching (e.g., for library elements such as classes and/or functions) in a networked computing environment. In a typical embodiment, a first program code file is received from a first integrated development environment (IDE). The first program file may be associated with a set of attributes as stored in an annotation, header, or the like. Regardless, the first program file may be parsed and indexed into a repository based on the set of attributes. A search request may then be received from a second IDE. Based on the search request and the set of attributes, a matching program code file may then be identified as stored in the repository. Once identified, the matching program code file may be transmitted/communicated to the second IDE to fulfill the search request.
US09946534B1	Techniques for automated database deployment New techniques for automated database deployment are disclosed. Change SQL files intended for any target database are checked into a designated source code control repository. A pre-validation process is applied to the proposed changes and reports all errors therein, not just the first error found. A tracking mechanism may find and report changes that have been done against a database since the last deployment, including changes applied without following source control procedure. All recent SQL files since previous promotion can be automatically gathered and built into a master run book SQL for execution in a correct sequence. Backout SQL may also be automatically generated and validated. A pre-test or mock deployment may be performed during regular business hours against an automatically generated copy of the target database. With these techniques, deployments and maintenance of databases become more efficient, and failure rates and failover responses could be significantly improved.
US09946526B2	Development and hosting for platform independent applications Method, system, and programs for providing development, deployment, and hosting of applications that are interoperable across different device platforms. An application capable of being executed in a plurality of different device formats is generated. The application is deployed to a client device for execution at the client device. Execution of the same application is initiated at a server.
US09946509B2	Apparatus and method for processing audio signal An embodiment of the present disclosure provides an audio signal processing device configured to transmit/receive an audio signal to/from an external acoustic output device that includes a microphone and an acoustic output means, including a transmission/reception module configured to transmit/receive a signal to/from the external acoustic output device, and a processor configured to control an operation of the transmission/reception module, wherein the processor transmits an audio output signal to the external acoustic output device through the transmission/reception module, receives, through the transmission/reception module, an input signal to which an external acoustic collected through the microphone is converted while the acoustic output means outputs an acoustic based on the audio output signal, and compares the audio output signal with the input signal to determine whether a user wears the acoustic output means of the external acoustic output device.
US09946507B2	Electronic device and control method One embodiment provides a method including: detecting a deformation of a first flexible display of a first electronic device; obtaining deformation information relating to said deformation; and transmitting the obtained deformation information to a second electronic device comprising a second flexible display, to control the second flexible display based on the transmitted deformation information. Other aspects are described and claimed.
US09946498B2	Information processing apparatus and control method by request processing module operating on information processing apparatus An information processing apparatus to execute an agent module for controlling communication between a print server and the information processing apparatus, which includes a conversion unit, a transmission unit, and a notification unit. The conversion unit converts a request received from a spooler system of the information processing apparatus. The transmission unit transmits the converted request to a destination corresponding to the print server. Where a first authentication error indicating that proxy authentication is required is received after the request is transmitted, the spooler system is notified of a second authentication error indicating that a different authentication is required. Where a request including authentication information usable for proxy authentication is received as a response to the second authentication error, the conversion unit adds the authentication information to the request as information for proxy authentication. The transmission unit then transmits the request to a destination corresponding to the print server.
US09946497B2	Document administration system and document administration method A document administration system includes an administration unit, a discrimination information image discriminating unit, and an image forming apparatus which, forms an image on a recording medium in case that the discrimination information image discriminating unit discriminates that the recording medium has the discrimination information image before the image is formed on the recording medium, and forms the image and the discrimination information image based on the discrimination information connected to the image on the recording medium in case that the discrimination information image discriminating unit discriminates that the recording medium does not have the discrimination information image before the image is formed on the recording medium.
US09946491B2	Memory erase method, memory control circuit unit and memory storage apparatus, including an erase index table and mother-child physical erasing units A memory erase method for a rewritable non-volatile memory module is provided. The method includes: identifying a to-be-erased logical address range and a logical unit that the erased logical address range belongs to according to an erase command; determining whether the logical unit is mapped to any physical erasing unit; and if no, transmitting a message indicating that the erase command is finished in response to the erase command without performing a physical erasing operation. The method further includes: if a mother physical erasing unit for the logical unit is assigned and no physical erasing unit is assigned as a child physical erasing unit for the logical unit, creating an erase index table for the first logical unit and marking bits corresponding to the to-be-erased logical address range in the erase index table as a value indicating that a logical address is erased.
US09946487B2	Method of moving files in hierarchical storage system A method for moving files in a hierarchical storage system having a primary storage and a secondary storage including a sequential storage device from the primary storage to the secondary storage includes obtaining a predetermined file size to be written to the secondary storage, extracting, from a plurality of files in the primary storage, a file not stored in the secondary storage and having the oldest last access time, estimating a file size of the file having the oldest last access time on the secondary storage if the file having the oldest last access time is written to the secondary storage, and selecting the file having the oldest last access time as a file to be moved to the secondary storage as long as the estimated file size does not exceed the predetermined file size to be written to the secondary storage.
US09946485B1	Efficient data marker representation A changed block bitmap of a volume of storage is represented by a data marker that includes an offset to a first dirty block and an offset to a last dirty block. The blocks between the first and last dirty blocks are represented by contiguous clean block identifiers, contiguous dirty block identifiers, and contiguous mixed clean and dirty block identifiers. The contiguous clean block identifiers and contiguous dirty block identifiers use one or two bits to indicate identifier type. The remaining bits indicate a numerical count of contiguous clean or dirty blocks. The contiguous mixed clean and dirty block identifiers may use one bit per block to indicate change status. The data marker may be smaller than a corresponding changed block bitmap.
US09946471B1	RAID groups based on endurance sets The wear of storage devices in a storage array or storage server cluster is unleveled via modal Read/Write to create a plurality of endurance sets, each endurance set having devices with statistically similar amount of wear in a given period of time, and different endurance sets are subjected to different amounts of wear over a given period of time. The storage devices are organized into RAID groups such that multiple devices associated with the same RAID group are not members of the same endurance set. The number of devices in each endurance set may be selected to match the number of spare failover storage devices.
US09946456B2	Mobile terminal and method of controlling the same A mobile terminal having a terminal body including a first side and a second side, a display located on the first side and configured to display information, a first touch sensor configured to receive touch inputs and located on the first side, a second touch sensor configured to receive touch inputs and located on the second side, and a controller configured to cause the display to display a first screen information, and a secondary image with the first screen information when a first touch input is received via the first touch sensor and a corresponding second touch input is received via the second touch sensor, wherein the secondary image is related to a selected region of the first screen information corresponding to a position of the first touch input.
US09946452B1	Movable information panels Various techniques, methods and apparatus are disclosed. In some example embodiments, a movable information panel may be moved to be displayed as a tabbed web page, moved to a different application window, or docked to a horizontal or vertical panel bar. Other example embodiments are also disclosed.
US09946447B2	Device, method, and graphical user interface for selecting user interface objects An electronic device with a display, touch-sensitive surface and one or more sensors to detect intensity of contacts with the touch-sensitive surface displays a first user interface object and detects first movement of the contact that corresponds to movement of a focus selector toward the first user interface object. In response to detecting the first movement, the device moves the focus selector to the first user interface object; and determines an intensity of the contact. After detecting the first movement, the device detects second movement of the contact. In response to detecting the second movement of the contact, when the contact meets selection criteria based on an intensity of the contact, the device moves the focus selector and the first user interface object; and when the contact does not meet the selection criteria, the device moves the focus selector without moving the first user interface object.
US09946446B2	Mobile terminal A mobile terminal including a wireless communication unit configured to provide wireless communication; a touch screen; and a controller configured to receive a touch input on a peripheral region of the touch screen, display at least one display item from among a plurality of display items on the touch screen in response to the received touch input, in which the at least one display item identifies a foreground panel among a plurality of available foreground panels, receive a dragging touch input in which the touch input is dragged and dropped at the at least one display item, and display a foreground panel corresponding to the at least one item by overlapping the foreground panel on at least part of the touch screen.
US09946441B2	Computerized system and method for creative facilitation and organization A computerized system and method for facilitating and organizing the creative process of planning events either along one line, or multiple in parallel, with a designated order but not at specific points in time.
US09946425B2	Systems and methods for switching sensing regimes for gloved and ungloved user input The various embodiments described herein provide input devices configured to selectively operate in two different sensing regimes. The first sensing regime is configured to determine positional information for ungloved fingers in the sensing region. The second sensing regime is configured to determine positional information for gloved fingers in the sensing region. The input devices are further configured to switch from operating in the first sensing regime to the second sensing regime responsive to detecting an input gesture that meets each of a set of criteria, where the set of criteria includes a measure of sensor value stability corresponding to the input gesture being beyond a sensor value stability threshold level. So implemented, the input device allows a user to easily switch between two different sensing regimes, and thus can facilitate the use of the device with both gloved and ungloved fingers providing input.
US09946420B2	Touch screen panel and method for manufacturing the same A touch screen panel includes a substrate including an active area, a non-active area at the periphery of the active area, and a contact area between the active area and the non-active area, sensing electrodes disposed in the active area, connecting lines disposed in the non-active area and the contact area and electrically connected to the sensing electrodes, and a metal capping layer disposed in the contact area, in which the sensing electrodes include a first overcoating layer disposed on the substrate as a conductor layer, and a second overcoating layer disposed on the first overcoating layer, the connecting lines include the first overcoating layer, the second overcoating layer, and a metal line layer disposed on the second overcoating layer, and the metal capping layer couple the metal line layer to the first overcoating layer through a contact hole to expose the first overcoating layer in the contact area.
US09946419B2	Display device substrate and display device A display device substrate including a transparent substrate having a display portion formed in an overall rectangular shape in a planar view, an electrode disposed in the display portion and having pixel openings, the electrode including partial patterns which are electrically isolated from one another and formed in parallel to a first direction along the transparent substrate, a first transparent resin layer formed on the electrode, a transparent electrode formed on the first transparent resin layer, and including partial patterns which are formed along the transparent substrate and in parallel to a second direction perpendicular to the first direction, and a second transparent resin layer formed on the partial patterns of the transparent electrode.
US09946418B2	System and method for sensing touches in capacitive panels A multi-touch sensing system and a method for estimating a location of at least one touch point are provided. The multi-touch sensing system includes a panel, a grid of conductor disposed on the panel, a driver array connected to the grid, a receiver array connected to the grid, a signal processing system, and a controller. The method involves transmitting drive signals to the grid, receiving signals from the grid, estimating a capacitance, and transforming the capacitance into touch coordinates.
US09946415B2	Control method and control device for touch sensor panel A control method for a touch sensor panel may be provided that includes: obtaining touch information on the touch sensor panel from which an electrical signal outputted is changed according to a touch; detecting at least one valid touch from the touch information; determining the valid touch which is included in a palm touch group among the at least one valid touch; and displaying an input corresponding to the valid touch other than the valid touch which is included in the palm touch group among the at least one valid touch, on a display unit.
US09946411B2	Touch panel having double routing scheme Disclosed is a touch panel including a cover substrate including an active area and an unactive area, first and second sensing electrodes extending in mutually different directions on the active area, a first printed circuit board connected with one end of the first sensing electrode, and a second printed circuit board connected with an opposite end of the first sensing electrode.
US09946410B2	System and method for energy efficient measurement of sensor signal A method for improving robustness of a capacitive sensor system has the following steps: a) operating the capacitive sensor system, wherein received sensor signals are filtered by a band-pass filter having a band-pass having a first center frequency; b) polling sensor data at a first rate using the sensor system; c) determining whether a polled sensor value is meeting a predetermined threshold; d) if the predetermined threshold is met: d1) polling sensor data at a second rate being higher than the first rate using the sensor system; d2) verifying that sensor data polled at the second rate are consistent; d3) if the sensor data polled at the second rate are inconsistent, then repeating at least step d2) wherein said band-pass filter is controlled to have a second center frequency.
US09946409B2	Computer keyboard with integrated an electrode arrangement An input device, especially in the form of a computer keyboard provides which for a user of a computer keyboard special operator benefits result as compared to conventional keyboard systems in association with a pointing device. According to an embodiment, a computer keyboard with a keyboard that includes a multitude of manually operable keys, wherein in this keyboard an electrode arrangement is integrated, is designed in such a way and over a driver circuit exploited in such a way that by means of this electrode arrangement the detection of the spatial position or movement of a finger or a hand in an area in front of the keyboard is made possible in a electrical-field way, and by means of the driver, circuit system signals are provided that have an information content that correlates with position and/or movement of a finger or a hand of the user.
US09946408B2	Communication between a master active stylus and a slave touch-sensor device In one embodiment, a system comprises a stylus and a touch sensor. The stylus is operable to transmit a first signal. The touch sensor comprises a first plurality of electrode lines and a controller. Each electrode line is operable to sense the first signal transmitted by a stylus. The stylus tip of the stylus is located at a position relative to the first plurality of electrode lines at the time of transmission of the first signal. The controller is operable to measure a voltage, charge, or capacitance of the sensed first signal on each electrode line of the first plurality of electrode lines and estimate the position of the stylus tip based on interpolation of the measured voltages on each electrode line of the first plurality of electrode lines.
US09946406B2	Optical film with touch function An optical film with touch function includes a substrate, a material layer, a plurality of columnar structures, and a filter electrode layer. The substrate has a carrying surface. The material layer is disposed on the carrying surface of the substrate. Each of the columnar structures is extended from a side of the material layer adjacent to the carrying surface to a side of the material layer away from the carrying surface. A side of each of the columnar structures adjacent to the substrate has a first end surface. The filter electrode layer is disposed between the substrate and the material layer. The filter electrode layer includes a plurality of sensing electrode regions electrically insulated from each other. The filter electrode layer has a plurality of openings, and the openings respectively expose the first end surfaces.
US09946405B2	Information processing device A program includes first to fourth steps. The first step includes a step of fetching a first sensor image at the time when a light unit is lighting and a second sensor image at the time when the light unit is not lighting. The second step includes a step of calculating a third image by calibrating the first sensor image using a first calibration image; and a step of calculating a fourth image by calibrating the second sensor image using a second calibration image. The third step includes a step of calculating fifth to seventh images using the third image and the fourth image; and a step of calculating an eighth image by obtaining a weighted average of the fifth to the seventh images in accordance with an illumination and a display image. The fourth step includes a step of calculating touch data using the eighth image.
US09946400B2	Display device A display device includes: a display functional layer that can change display for each pixel in accordance with an application voltage; a plurality of driving electrodes separately disposed in one direction; a plurality of pixel signal lines to which pixel signals used for applying the application voltage to the display functional layer in accordance with an electric potential difference from the display reference electric potential are applied; a plurality of detection electrodes that are separately disposed in a direction other than the one direction, are coupled with the driving electrodes as electrostatic capacitance, generate detection electric potentials in response to the detection driving signal, and change the detection electric potential in accordance with approach of a detection target object; and a pixel signal control unit that controls the pixel signals so as to include pixel signals having different polarities during the display period.
US09946398B2	System and method for timing input sensing, rendering, and display to minimize latency The disclosed systems and methods relate in general to the field of user input to a touch sensitive device, and in particular to user input systems and methods which can reduce the latency between a most recent input event and the displaying of a rendered frame reflecting such input. In an embodiment, a method for decreasing latency between an input touch event and the display of a frame reflecting the input touch event in a touch sensitive device includes estimating the time of a next frame refresh, receiving from the operating system touch data reflective of an input touch event, determining the application associated with the input touch event, estimating the time it will take the application to process and render the received touch data, determining a time at which delivery of the touch data to the application will permit the application to process and render the touch data prior to the time of the next frame refresh, based at least in part on the estimated time it will take the application to process and render the touch data, and the estimated time of the next frame refresh, and providing the touch data to the application just prior to the determined time.
US09946397B2	Sensor design for enhanced touch and gesture decoding A sensor arrangement for capacitive touch and non-touch detection, has a transmission electrode and a predefined number of receiving electrodes coupled with an evaluation unit, wherein the evaluation unit operates in a non-touch detection mode and in a touch detection mode, wherein the transmission electrode generates an alternating electric near field, and wherein in the non-touch detection mode, the evaluation unit evaluates signals from the receiving electrodes to determine a three-dimensional position of an object; and in the touch detection mode a surface touch detection area defined by the predefined number of electrodes is divided into a plurality of segments wherein within each segment at least two electrodes of the predefined number of electrodes contribute with a portion of their electrode surface area such that different electrode surface area ratios are formed for each of the plurality of segments.
US09946391B2	Sensing objects using multiple transmitter frequencies A processing system includes a sensor module coupled to sensor electrodes. The sensor module is configured to drive the sensor electrodes with first sensing signals and with second sensing signals at a second frequency. The processing system further includes a determination module configured to obtain, concurrently with the driving of the sensor electrodes, first measurement values that are based on effects of the first sensing signals, and a resonance of a pen in a sensing region. Concurrently with the driving of the sensor electrodes, second measurement values are obtained that are based on effects of the second sensing signals, and the resonance of the pen in the sensing region. The determination module determines a resonating state of the pen based on the first measurement values and the second measurement values, and reports the resonating state of the pen.
US09946386B2	Display panel for detecting biometric information and driving method thereof The present application discloses a display panel having an array of a plurality of pixel units, each pixel unit including at least three subpixels for image display, at least some of the plurality of pixel units including a semiconductor photodetector for detecting biometric information; a plurality of first scan lines and a plurality of data lines, each first scan line being connected to a row of subpixels, each data line being connected to a column of subpixels; each subpixel including a first transistor for image display; a plurality of common voltage terminals, each common voltage terminal being connected to a semiconductor photodetector; a plurality of second scan lines, each second scan line being connected to a plurality of semiconductor photodetectors for providing a control voltage signal; each semiconductor photodetector having a second transistor; the second transistor being a phototransistor having a gate node connected to a corresponding second scan line for receiving the control voltage signal to turn on the second transistor, and a first node connected to a corresponding common voltage terminal; and a plurality of read lines, each read line being connected to each semiconductor photodetector in a column of pixel units.
US09946383B2	Conductive trace routing for display and bezel sensors Conductive trace routing techniques for display and bezel sensors are described. In one or more implementations, an apparatus includes display sensors, bezel sensors, and a plurality of conductive traces. The display sensors are configured to detect proximity of an object and are arranged in conjunction with a display area of a display device to support interaction with a user interface displayed by the display device. The bezel sensors are configured to detect proximity of an object and are disposed in a bezel that at least partially surrounds the display device and is outside the display area. The plurality of conductive traces are disposed between the display and bezel sensors and communicatively couple the display sensors and the bezel sensors to one or more computing components that are configured to process inputs received from the display sensors and the bezel sensors.
US09946382B2	Touch sensor integrated type display device A display device including a panel comprising a plurality of pixels, and a drive circuit configured to apply data voltage to the plurality of pixels through data lines is disclosed. In one embodiment, the drive circuit includes a first circuit block having a first recovery time from a power off state to an operational state of the first circuit block, a second circuit block having a second recovery time from a power off state to an operational state of the second circuit block, the second recovery time shorter than the first recovery time, and a control circuit configured to (i) enable the first circuit block and the second circuit block during a first time period, and to (ii) enable the first circuit block and disable the second circuit block during a second time period.
US09946380B2	Fault detection circuit of in cell type touch display panel before cell process and fault detection method The present invention provides a detection circuit of an In Cell type touch display panel and a detection method. By locating a line multiplexer corresponding to the touch sensing electrodes of each column, and selecting and charging at least one parasitic capacitor constructed with the touch sensing electrode and a ground in the touch sensing electrodes of the column with the line multiplexer, and then, measuring the charge electric quantity with the electric quantity measurement unit, and judging whether the touch sensing electrode faults or not according to the value of the charged electric quantity, the detection circuit can accomplish the fault detection to the touch sensing electrode in the array process.
US09946375B2	Active matrix capacitive fingerprint sensor with 2-TFT pixel architecture for display integration Embodiments described herein include an input device including an array of sensing pixels configured to sense an input object in a sensing region. Each of the sensing pixels includes a sense element and a first transistor, wherein the first transistor includes a gate terminal connected to a row select line and a second terminal connected to the sense element. Each of the sensing pixels also includes a second transistor, wherein the second transistor includes a gate terminal connected to the sense element and the second terminal of the first transistor, and wherein the second transistor further includes a second terminal connected to a column output line.
US09946374B2	Method for receiving an input on a touch-sensitive panel A method is provided for receiving an input on a touch-sensitive field, wherein the field is set up to determine the location of a touch of the field by a user's finger, wherein the touch-sensitive field includes a tactile threshold. The threshold is arranged such that at least one area of the touch-sensitive field lies on each side thereof. The method detects a movement of the user's finger on the touch-sensitive field which crosses the threshold, and activates a function in response to the detection.
US09946371B2	System and method for using touch orientation to distinguish between users of a touch panel Methods, devices, and computer program products for using touch orientation to distinguish between users are disclosed herein. In one aspect, a method of identifying a user of a touch device from a plurality of users of the touch device is described. The method includes receiving touch data from a touch panel of the touch device, the touch data indicating a user's touch on the touch screen. The method further includes determining an orientation of the user's touch based on the received touch data. Finally, the method includes identifying the user of the plurality of users which touched the device, based at least in part on the orientation of the touch.
US09946369B2	Input system for controlling electronic device An electronic device includes a display for displaying data stored on the electronic device; input means; sensing means for sensing the three-dimensional position of the input means relative to the device; and control means for controlling the data displayed on the display in dependence on the three-dimensional position of the input means relative to the device. The input means includes a source of electromagnetic radiation for directing an infrared conical beam onto the display. The sensing means can sense the elliptical eccentricity of the electromagnetic radiation incident on the display to determine the angle at which it strikes the display, and can sense the area of the electromagnetic radiation incident on the display to determine the distance of the input means from the display.
US09946363B2	Projector, interactive system, and interactive control method A projector comprising: an image acquiring unit acquiring projection images; an identification information acquiring unit acquiring identification information of a target device among source devices that provide the projections images; a projecting unit that generates a composite image collectively including the acquired projection images, and projects the composite image on a projection plane; a position coordinates detecting unit detecting position coordinates of a pointing object that operates on the plane; a detecting unit that detects a projection region of a projection image provided by the target device, by using the acquired identification information; a converting unit that, when the position coordinates of the pointing object is in the projection region of the projection image, converts the position coordinates of the pointing object to operating information on a coordinate system of the target device; and a transmitting unit that transmits the operating information to the target device.
US09946360B2	Handheld electronic device with text disambiguation A handheld electronic device enabled with disambiguation software. The device provides output in the form of a default output and a number of variants. The output is based largely upon the frequency, i.e., the likelihood that a user intended a particular output, but various features of the device provide additional variants that are not based solely on frequency and rather are provided by various logic structures resident on the device. The device enables editing during text entry and also provides a learning function that allows the disambiguation function to adapt to provide a customized experience for the user. The disambiguation function can be selectively disabled and an alternate keystroke interpretation system provided. Additionally, the device can facilitate the selection of variants by displaying a graphic of a special key of the keypad that enables a user to progressively select variants generally without changing the position of the user's hands on the device.
US09946358B2	Flexible display device and data displaying method thereof A flexible display device and a data displaying method thereof are disclosed. The device includes a touch sensor to generate touch events according to touch actions, a flexible sensor to generate a bend signal as one side of the device is bent, a storage unit to store a function table, and a controller to control the components of the device. The function table is configured to define control operations to reproduce currently output contents based on the touch events and the bend events.
US09946351B2	Empathetic user interface, systems, and methods for interfacing with empathetic computing device Devices, systems, and methods for empathetic computing are described. A method of interfacing with an empathetic computing system may include the steps of receiving sensor data from sensors of an empathetic computing device, wherein the sensor data is generated by user interaction with the empathetic computing device, the user interaction comprising a plurality of interaction units, receiving contextual information associated with the user interaction, classifying the sensor data as a sequence of interaction units using stored associations between exemplary sensor data and pre-determined interaction units, and providing feedback with the empathetic computing device, wherein the feedback is based, at least in part, on the sequence of interaction units and the contextual information.
US09946350B2	Cutaneous haptic feedback system and methods of use Systems and methods may utilize cutaneous feedback for enhanced control of various types of manipulandum. Embodiments of the present invention may include a haptic feedback system comprising: an actuator that exerts force to a user when engaging the actuator that provides cutaneous feedback to the user when using the system. The systems and methods may allow for adjustable and customizable operation of the system to improve the relationship between human and mechanical or virtual devices.
US09946349B2	Shift register, driving method, gate driving circuit and display device A shift register, a driving method, a gate driving circuit and a display device are provided. The shift register includes a scan control module, an output module, a pull-down module, a turn-off restoring module and a touch control module. The turn-off restoring module is electronically connected to the scan control module at a first node and electronically connected to the touch control module and the output module at a second node. The turn-off restoring module controls the first node to be electrically insulated from the second node during a touch scan phase, and restores a potential of the second node to a potential at a time instant before the touch scan phase when the touch scan phase is finished. The touch control module controls the output module to output a touch scan signal to an output terminal of the shift register during the touch scan phase.
US09946348B2	Automatic tuning of haptic effects A system that generates haptic effects receives input media that includes audio data, video data, or sensory data. The system automatically generates a haptic effect track from the input media. The system then applies at least one filter to the automatically generated haptic effect track to generate a tuned haptic effect track.
US09946336B2	Systems and methods for viewport-based augmented reality haptic effects One illustrative system disclosed herein includes a display configured to receive a display signal and output an image, and an image capture device configured to capture an area image and transmit an image signal. The illustrative system also includes a processor in communication with the image capture device and the display, the processor configured to: receive the image signal; determine a virtual object based in part on the image signal; determine the display signal based in part on the image signal, wherein the display signal includes data associated with the virtual object; determine a haptic effect based at least in part on the virtual object; and transmit a haptic signal associated with the haptic effect. The illustrative system further includes a haptic output device configured to receive the haptic signal and output the haptic effect.
US09946332B2	Semiconductor device with power on reset circuitry A semiconductor device which makes it possible to reduce a wasteful standby time at power-on is provided. In this semiconductor device, a reset of an internal circuit is canceled as described below. When a data signal stored in a storage section is at “0,” the reset is canceled by bringing an internal reset signal to the “H” level when a relatively short time has passed after the rising edge of a power on reset signal. When the data signal is at “1,” the reset is canceled by bringing the internal reset signal to the “H” level when a relatively long time has passed after the rising edge of the power on reset signal. Therefore, a wasteful standby time at power-on can be reduced by writing the data signal logically equivalent to the rise time of supply voltage to the storage section.
US09946329B2	Electronic apparatus According to one embodiment, an electronic apparatus includes a connector, power circuit, and controller. The connector is connectable to a first or second external device. The connector includes a first contact configured to receive a first signal from the first external device or a second signal from the second external device. The second signal is different from the first signal and configured to control power inside the electronic apparatus. The power circuit is configured to generate power inside the electronic apparatus using voltage from the first external device or the second external device. The controller is configured to supply a control signal based on the second signal to the power circuit when the first contact receives the second signal.
US09946327B2	Thermal mitigation with power duty cycle An apparatus is provided. The apparatus includes a plurality of cores and a temperature sensor configured to monitor a temperature for the cores. The apparatus further includes t least one switch, each being configured to supply power to one of the cores. A thermal mitigation module is configured to operate the at least one switch at a duty cycle based on the monitored temperature. A method for thermal mitigation for an apparatus is provided. The method includes monitoring a temperature for a plurality of cores, supplying power to one of the cores at a duty cycle, and adjusting the duty cycle based on the monitored temperature. Another apparatus is provided. The apparatus includes a plurality of cores, means for monitoring a temperature for the cores, means for supplying power to one of the cores at a duty cycle, and means for adjusting the duty cycle based on the monitored temperature.
US09946322B2	Wake-up detector The apparatus is a wake-up circuit including a first comparator coupled to an input signal and configured to compare the input signal to a first comparison value. The wake-up circuit includes a second comparator coupled to the input signal and configured to compare the input signal to a second comparison value. The wake-up circuit further includes an exclusive OR gate. A first input of the exclusive OR gate is coupled to an output of the first comparator. A second input of the exclusive OR gate is coupled to an output of the second comparator. The wake-up circuit also includes a tunable charge pump coupled to an output of the exclusive OR gate and configured to convert a signal from the exclusive OR gate to a DC value to wake up a circuit being monitored.
US09946318B1	Hierarchical prioritized charging for battery backup units on computing data centers A method for prioritized charging of battery backup units (BBUs) is provided. The method may include identifying critical system racks associated with computing data centers based on characteristics associated with the system racks on the computing data centers. The method may also include identifying critical system enclosures associated with the identified critical system racks based on system architectures associated with the computing data centers. The method may further include prioritizing the identified critical system enclosures based on parameters associated with the identified critical system enclosures. The method may also include identifying and ranking a plurality of critical BBUs associated with the identified and prioritized critical system enclosures based on prioritized charging rules associated with the plurality of critical BBUs. The method may further include charging the identified and ranked plurality of critical BBUs in an order based on the prioritized charging rules.
US09946317B2	Bi-directional power transfer The user of a portable device defines the charging direction when two devices with bi-directional power transfers interfaces are interconnected. The device detects a gesture of the user and starts the power transfer to the defined direction. The user may also define the amount of charge to be transferred by the same gesture. The portable device may be operational for a longer period as long as there is another device sharing the battery charge. Embodiments of portable devices include smartphones, speakers, tablets, watches or other wearable devices.
US09946304B2	Adjustable flexible display device A flexible display device may include a display module unit configured to project an image, a frame, and a connecting unit. The frame supports the display module unit. The connecting unit is coupled to the display module unit and the frame, and is adjustable so as to allow an amount of curvature of the display module unit to be adjusted.
US09946302B2	Exposed glass article with inner recessed area for portable electronic device housing Transparent articles for use as outer surfaces of electronic devices and methods therefor are disclosed. A transparent cover can be provided over a display of portable electronic device to provide a protective outer cover over the display. The transparent cover can include material to mark, mask or color a portion of the transparent cover, such portion thereupon becoming opaque. The material can be provided in a recessed portion of an inner surface of the transparent cover, such portion being a portion of the transparent cover that is not over a usable portion of the display. The electronic device can, for example, be a portable electronic device.
US09946300B2	System and method for mobile device docking station Embodiments of the invention are related to systems and methods for a docking station that wirelessly connects to a mobile device, facilitates charging the mobile device, and enables the mobile device to interact with a virtual desktop infrastructure.
US09946290B2	Current reference circuit and an electronic device including the same A current reference circuit includes a reference current supply unit configured to generate a reference current having a target current level, a current-frequency converter configured to receive a first temporary reference current corresponding to the reference current from the reference current supply unit and to generate a first comparison clock signal in response to the first temporary reference current, and a first current compensation unit configured to generate a first current compensation signal used for the first temporary reference current to reach the target current level in response to a frequency of a reference clock signal and a frequency of the first comparison clock signal.
US09946288B2	Energy management system, terminal device, display control method, and program An acquirer acquires information concerning an energy management system for controlling a plurality of apparatuses installed in a dwelling. A display displays, in a first display region, the information acquired by the acquirer, and displays, in a second display region, a layout diagram in which images indicating the apparatuses are arranged at positions corresponding to installation locations of the apparatuses in the dwelling. Upon a determination that the information displayed in the first display region includes information concerning a specific apparatus among the plurality of apparatuses, the display displays with relative emphasis an image indicating the specific apparatus in the second display region.
US09946285B2	Energy allocation system for balancing energy consumption The present invention relates to an energy allocation system for operating at least an energy storage device to substantially balance the energy consumed by the energy storage device with the energy supplied thereto, comprising the steps of: determining a power flexibility of the energy storage device by generating an upper time-varying power function; predicting energy consumption data per discrete time-slots over a given time-window for the device; predicting a demand for energy by the device in a given planning time-period; generating a time-varying upper energy function for the demand prediction that defines an uppermost limit for the supply of energy to the device; generating a time-varying lower energy function for the demand prediction that defines a lowermost limit for the supply of energy to the device, and supplying energy to the device in a range defined by the limits specified by the upper energy function and the lower energy function.
US09946280B2	Current output stage having automatic active-passive switching The invention relates to a current output stage (100) comprising an input (IN), an output (OUT) for connecting to an input of a unit (200) to be supplied with current, a control stage (T1, T2, Z1), which sets the output current (Iout), and an energy supply stage (Uv;Uv,−Uv), which can provide energy for the output current (Iout). The current output stage (100) comprises a first transistor (T1), which controls the output current in a closed-loop in the passive operating mode, and the current output stage (100) contains a second transistor (T2; T2, T3), which controls the output current (Iout) in a closed-loop in the active operating mode, wherein the first transistor (T1) and the second transistor (T2; T2, T3) is controlled by a control stage OP1) in an open loop, and wherein in the active operating mode the energy supply stage (Uv;Uv,−Uv) is controlled in an open loop such that same provides energy for the output current (Iout).
US09946279B1	Programmable voltage setting with open and short circuit protection An integrated circuit includes a voltage set input terminal, a current source, a voltage clipping circuit, and a voltage regulator. The clipping circuit receives a voltage from the terminal and supplies a voltage onto a reference voltage input of the regulator. The magnitude of an output voltage VOUT output by the regulator is the voltage on reference voltage input multiplied by the voltage gain of the regulator. The user sets VOUT by attaching an external resistor to the terminal. Current from the current source flows out of the terminal, and through the external resistor, thereby setting the voltage on the terminal. If the voltage on the terminal is between V1 and V2, then VOUT is a fixed multiple of the voltage. If the voltage is less than V1, then VOUT is a predetermined VOUTMIN value. If the voltage is greater than V2, then VOUT is a predetermined VOUTMAX value.
US09946277B2	Wide supply range precision startup current source A start-up circuit for a bandgap reference voltage generator circuit, including a first native transistor with a drain connected to a supply voltage of the bandgap reference voltage generator circuit and a source connected to a gate of the first native transistor; a low voltage transistor with a source connected to ground, a drain connected to the source of the first native transistor, and a gate connected to a resistor; a second native transistor with a source connected to the resistor, a gate connected to the source of the first native transistor; a high voltage transistor with a drain connected to a drain of the second native transistor and a source connected to the supply voltage; and a transistor with a gate connected to the gate of the first high voltage transistor and a drain which provides a start-up current for the bandgap reference voltage generator circuit.
US09946276B2	Voltage regulators with current reduction mode A voltage regulator provides an output current at an output voltage, based on an input voltage. The voltage regulator has a pass transistor for deriving the output current. The voltage regulator contains a drive transistor forming a current mirror in conjunction with the pass transistor, such that the output current through the pass transistor is dependent on a drive current through the drive transistor. The voltage regulator comprises an auxiliary transistor arranged such that at least a fraction of the drive current through the drive transistor flows through the auxiliary transistor. The voltage regulator has amplification circuitry to set the drive current through the drive transistor depending on the output voltage and on a reference voltage. The voltage regulator further contains control circuitry to detect an indication for a dropout situation where a difference between the input voltage and the output voltage falls below a dropout voltage.
US09946274B2	Apparatus and method for controlling temperature A temperature control apparatus is provided. The temperature control apparatus includes an analog to digital (AD) converter digital-converting a measurement value transmitted from a plurality of temperature sensors; a control means comparing the measurement value transmitted from the AD converter with a preset desired value to perform PID calculation; and an output unit transmitting, to outside, a pulse width modulation (PWM) control signal transmitted form the control means, wherein an input-side isolator for isolation for each temperature sensor is provided between the AD converter and the temperature sensor, the input-side isolator is connected to each of the temperature sensors, and the control means sequentially operates the input-side isolators.
US09946273B2	Information providing method and information providing apparatus A cloud server (104) receives environmental information of respective installation sites of a plurality of appliances (101a, 101b, 101c, 102a, 102b) via a network (1000), and determines one or more appliances that are installed in a same room among the plurality of appliances (101a, 101b, 101c, 102a, 102b), based on the received environmental information.
US09946269B2	Method for operating a switch valve that opens and closes a fluid line fed by a filter and feeding an intake pipe A method for operating a switch valve which opens and closes a fluid line is disclosed. The switch valve is actuated by a pulse width modulated signal. The switch valve is actuated outside of the active operating time of the switch valve using PWM signals with an increasing or decreasing duty cycle. The duty cycle in which the switch valve is opened is determined, and the duty cycle corresponding to the opening time is then used to actuate the switch valve to open and close the switch valve during the active operating time of same. In this manner, the switch valve can be actuated in a particularly precise manner.
US09946267B2	Control and stabilization of a flight vehicle from a detected perturbation by tilt and rotation A flight vehicle control and stabilization process detects and measures an orientation of a non-fixed portion relative to a fixed frame or portion of a flight vehicle, following a perturbation in the non-fixed portion from one or both of tilt and rotation thereof. A pilot or rider tilts or rotates the non-fixed portion, or both, to intentionally adjust the orientation and effect a change in the flight vehicle's direction. The flight vehicle control and stabilization process calculates a directional adjustment of the rest of the flight vehicle from this perturbation and induces the fixed portion to re-orient itself with the non-fixed portion to effect control and stability of the flight vehicle. The flight vehicle control and stabilization process also detects changes in speed and altitude, and includes stabilization components to adjust flight vehicle operation from unintentional payload movement on the non-fixed portion.
US09946257B2	Outsourcing processing to a self-propelled device A self-propelled device can establish a communication link with a controller device that is operable by a user to remotely control the self-propelled device. The self-propelled device can further receive, over the communication link, a computer code package from the controller device, and execute the computer code package to perform one or more processing operations performed by the controller device.
US09946252B2	Operational programming of a facility A decision support tool to assist decision-making in the operation of a facility. The decision support tool allows a user to perform operational programming of the facility so that the analysis of specific operational events is flexible and “on-demand.” This is achieved by allowing the user to set scope and timeframe of the analysis according to business needs. As a result, the organization can make better-informed judgments whether to add operational activities and how to adjust the ones already formulated in the program. The decision support tool can also allow for the application of strategies to communicate intent behind the programming instructions and to improve the quality of business decisions.
US09946239B2	Furnace control board architecture A system and method are disclosed that provide for a dual processor architecture in a furnace or HVAC controller. One processor can control non-safety-critical components and is operable to receive software updates. The other processor can control safety-critical components and is not capable of being updated. Safety-critical components can comprise a flame sensor, gas valve and an igniter.
US09946238B2	Electronic wearable activity identifier and environmental controller An apparatus is provided that includes an automation system that detects threats within a secured geographic area, a wireless wearable device worn by a human user that detects activities of the user, and a processor of the automation system that wirelessly receives the detected activities of the human user from the wearable device as the user enters the secured area, that associates at least one of the detected activities with a predetermined action, and that automatically implements a physical change within the secured area in support of the predetermined action.
US09946235B2	Scheduling operation of groups of residential devices Methods and devices for scheduling operation of residential energy consumption devices are described herein. One device includes a memory and a processor. The processor can be configured to execute executable instructions stored in the memory to form a number of chains of residential energy consumption devices, wherein each of the number of chains includes different devices, determine which of the number of chains has a largest total energy consumption over a particular period of time, and determine, for the devices in the chain having the largest total energy consumption over the particular period of timed of time, an operational schedule having a lowest possible cost.
US09946231B2	Detection of and responses to time delays in networked control systems To ameliorate the detrimental effects of time delays, techniques and systems are disclosed for detecting time delays in a plant, facility, or environment (such as a power system) controlled by an NCS, and for providing more resilient control capabilities for adapting to the detected time delays. A time delay estimate can be determined by comparing the expected state of the plant, calculated from a plant model, with the state of the plant described by its telemetry data. Techniques for adapting to a time delay include: switching to an emergency controller and acting in accordance with a local reference model; sending adjusted control commands in accordance with an expected plant state; and instructing a transmitter to transmit subsequent communications packets over multiple redundant communication channels.
US09946229B2	Smart watch and method for controlling the same Disclosed are a smart watch and a method for controlling the same, which determine a notification device that provides a notification of an event, based on wearing/non-wearing of a smart watch and on a distance between the smart watch and an external digital device. The smart watch includes a display unit configured to display content, a sensor unit configured to detect an input signal and transmit the detected input signal to a processor, a communication unit configured to transmit/receive data, and the processor configured to control the display unit, the sensor unit, and the communication unit, wherein the processor is configured to detect a mode of the smart watch, wherein the mode of the smart watch includes a worn mode and an unworn mode of the smart watch, detect an external digital device paired with the smart watch, and determine a notification device providing a notification of an event occurring in at least one of the smart watch and the external digital device based on the detected worn mode or unworn mode of the smart watch, wherein the notification device includes at least one of the smart watch and the external digital device.
US09946224B2	Holographic display Disclosed is a holographic display including a spatial light modulator (SLM) with pixels, the SLM pixels being on a substrate, the SLM including circuitry which is on the same substrate as the SLM pixels, the circuitry operable to perform calculations which provide an encoding of the SLM.
US09946223B2	Cooling device and image forming apparatus incorporating the cooling device A cooling device, which is included in an image forming apparatus, includes a cooling device including an air blower, an airflow divider, an air flowing passage, and an air exhaust opening. The air blower blows air toward a cooling target device. The airflow divider divides the air exhausted from the air blower into at least two airflows such that an air flowing direction of the air is changed to a direction perpendicular to an air exhausting direction of the air. The at least two airflows pass through the air flowing passage. A wall of the air flowing passage is disposed facing the cooling target device. The air exhaust opening is disposed on the wall of the air flowing passage to cause the air to pass through toward the cooling target device disposed in a direction intersecting the air flowing direction in the air flowing passage.
US09946214B2	Control of an environment heater in an imaging forming apparatus In an image forming apparatus, a DC heater is provided in an image forming unit and AC heaters are provided in a sheet feed unit and an image reading unit. An environmental switch is provided at a power supply line connected to the AC heaters. A switch state detection circuit detects whether the environmental switch has been turned on. In accordance with a detection signal output by the switch state detection circuit, the supply of power to the DC heater is started.
US09946200B2	Binary ink developer assembly including slots having a slot angle corresponding to a pressure angle A binary ink developer assembly includes a plurality of rollers, gears, and end caps. The rollers are in contact with each other to form a nip. Each roller includes a plurality of bearings. The gears include gear teeth. A respective gear has an involute tooth profile and applies a gear force at a pressure angle corresponding to the involute tooth profile to rotate at least one roller. The end caps are coupled to the bearings. At least one slot arranged to form a slot angle substantially equal to the pressure angle and to receive a respective bearing to support a respective roller.
US09946196B2	Toner cartridge attachable to developing unit and having toner discharge opening opened in response to the attachment A toner cartridge includes a casing, a toner conveyance unit, a cover, and a first protrusion. The casing includes a first toner-accommodating section having a first internal space for accommodating toner. The first toner-accommodating section has a first opening. The toner conveyance unit is rotatable and configured to convey toner from the first internal space to the first opening. The cover covers the first opening and has a second opening for allowing toner to be discharged therethrough. The cover has a circumferential surface at which a plurality of gear teeth is provided. The gear teeth are configured to move a developing shutter provided at a developing unit for opening or closing an opening of the developing unit. The first protrusion is configured to release the developing shutter from a locking member of the developing unit for locking the developing shutter.
US09946194B2	Toner case and image forming apparatus A toner case includes a case main body, a cover, and a seal member. The case main body is configured to contain a toner and to rotate. The cover is configured to cover an opening part arranged at the case main body and to maintain a rotation stop state when the case main body rotates. The seal member is interposed between the case main body and the cover and configured to maintain a rotation stop state when the case main body rotates. At least a part of the seal member is composed of an elastic material.
US09946192B2	Toner container, image forming apparatus A toner container includes an elongated container main body, a first toner storage portion provided in one side of the container main body in its longitudinal direction, a first rotation member rotatably provided in the first toner storage portion, a second toner storage portion provided in the other side of the container main body in the longitudinal direction, and a second rotation member rotatably provided in the second toner storage portion. The container main body includes a flat plate-like lid member closing opening portions of a first housing of the first toner storage portion and a second housing of the second toner storage portion. First and second bearing portions rotatably supporting a first end portion of a first rotation shaft of the first rotation member and a second end portion of a second rotation shaft of the second rotation member are provided on an inner surface of the lid member.
US09946185B2	Image forming apparatus, and method and computer-readable medium for the same An image forming apparatus includes a belt, a first process unit, a second process unit, and a controller configured to form a toner image based on a first pattern on a first photoconductive body of the first process unit. In addition, the controller is configured to transfer the toner image onto the belt, form an electrostatic latent image based on a second pattern on a second photoconductive body of the second process unit such that the electrostatic latent image formed on the second photoconductive body positionally coincides with the toner image transferred onto the belt in a contact position where the second photoconductive body contacts the belt, and convey the electrostatic latent image formed on the second photoconductive body to the contact position without developing the electrostatic latent image with toner.
US09946180B2	Toner for developing electrostatic latent image A toner for developing an electrostatic latent image includes: toner base particles containing a hybrid crystalline polyester resin having a crystalline polyester polymerized segment and an amorphous polymerized segment chemically bonded to each other and an amorphous resin; and an external additive including fatty acid metal salt particles, wherein a volume median diameter of the fatty acid metal salt particles is from 3.0 to 5.0 μm.
US09946179B2	Toner A toner comprising a binder resin, a crystalline material, and a colorant, wherein, in a cross section image of the toner, when R (μm) is a long axis of the toner, r (μm) is a long axis of a crystalline material domain, domain A is a domain satisfying formula (ii), and domain B is a domain satisfying formula (iii), the toner in which the domain A and the domain B are both present is at least 50 number %; an number average diameter RAvg of the long axis of the toner satisfies formula (i); and a number of domain B per toner cross section of one toner is 20 to 300. 4 μm≤RAvg≤12 μm (i) 0.125≤r/R≤0.375 (ii) 0.000625≤r/R≤0.0625 (iii)
US09946173B2	Imprinting apparatus, imprinting method, and article manufacturing method Provided is an imprinting apparatus that forms patterns sequentially on a plurality of areas of a substrate by using a mold and imprint material. The apparatus includes a moving unit configured to move along a horizontal plane while carrying the substrate, and an adjusting unit configured to adjust an inclination of the mold with respect to the substrate. The adjusting unit adjusts the inclination of the mold with respect to the substrate based on information related to a state of the imprint material provided on the substrate and information related to an order of pattern formation. The information related to the state of the imprint material on the substrate is variable with the movement of the moving unit.
US09946172B2	System for positioning an object in lithography A lithographic apparatus includes: an object that is moveable in at least one direction; a control system to move the object in the at least one direction, wherein the control system is arranged to control movement of the object in the at least one direction in a frequency range of interest; and a conduit provided with a fluid, wherein the conduit is arranged on or in the object in a pattern, and wherein the pattern is such that an acceleration of the object in the at least one direction causes an acceleration pressure profile in the fluid along the conduit, the acceleration pressure profile not matching with a resonance pressure profile that corresponds to a standing wave mode in the fluid with a resonance frequency in the frequency range of interest.
US09946170B2	Method for exposure and development, system for controlling exposure and system for exposure and development The present disclosure provides a method for exposure and development, a system for controlling exposure and a system for exposure and development. The method for exposure and development is configured to expose and develop a substrate when the substrate having a size larger than that of a mask. The method includes: exposing and developing a plurality of different regions of the substrate by means of the mask respectively, wherein the plurality of different regions are pieced to form an entire region which needs to be exposed and developed.
US09946167B2	Metrology method and inspection apparatus, lithographic system and device manufacturing method Methods are disclosed for measuring target structures formed by a lithographic process on a substrate. A grating structure within the target is smaller than an illumination spot and field of view of a measurement optical system. The optical system has a first branch leading to a pupil plane imaging sensor and a second branch leading to a substrate plane imaging sensor. A spatial light modulator is arranged in an intermediate pupil plane of the second branch of the optical system. The SLM imparts a programmable pattern of attenuation that may be used to correct for asymmetries between the first and second modes of illumination or imaging. By use of specific target designs and machine-learning processes, the attenuation patterns may also be programmed to act as filter functions, enhancing sensitivity to specific parameters of interest, such as focus.
US09946166B2	Reduction of hotspots of dense features A method to adjust line-width roughness (LWR) in a lithographic apparatus, the method including receiving a value of LWR and/or image log slope (ILS) for each feature of a plurality of different features of a pattern to be imaged, using a patterning device, onto a substrate in a lithographic process, and evaluating a cost function including a lithographic parameter and the values of LWR and/or ILS to determine a value of the lithographic parameter that (i) reduces a bias between the LWR and/or ILS of the different features, or (ii) reduces a difference in the LWR and/or ILS of the different features between different lithographic apparatuses, or (iii) reduces a difference in the LWR and/or ILS of the different features between different patterning devices, or (iv) any combination selected from (i)-(iii).
US09946164B2	Exposure apparatus and method of manufacturing article The present invention provides an exposure apparatus including a rotation shutter, and a control unit configured to control a rotational speed of the rotation shutter so as to match an exposure amount on a substrate with a target exposure amount in exposure processing for a shot region, based on first information indicating a relationship between a rotational speed of the rotation shutter and an exposure amount on the substrate when rotating the rotation shutter at the rotational speed without stopping rotation of the rotation shutter so as to make a shift from a first state in which the rotation shutter shields a light to a second state in which the rotation shutter passes the light and then back to the first state, wherein the control unit updates the first information based on second information concerning a change in the illuminance of light.
US09946158B2	Composition for forming resist underlayer film for nanoimprint Disclosed herein is a composition for forming a resist underlayer film used as an underlayer of a resist for nanoimprint in nanoimprint lithography of a pattern forming process by heat-baking, light-irradiation, or a combination thereof to form the resist underlayer film. The composition includes a silicon atom-containing polymerizable compound (A), a polymerization initiator (B), and a solvent (C). The polymerizable compound (A) may contain silicon atoms in a content of 5 to 45% by mass. The polymerizable compound (A) may be a polymerizable compound having at least one cation polymerizable reactive group, a polymerizable compound having at least one radical polymerizable reactive group, or a combination thereof, and the polymerization initiator (B) may be a photopolymerization initiator.
US09946153B2	Mask blank and transfer mask Provided is a mask blank in which a thin film for transfer pattern formation is provided on a main surface of a transparent substrate. The thin film is made of a material containing a transition metal and silicon and further containing at least one of oxygen and nitrogen. The thin film has as its surface layer an oxide layer with an oxygen content higher than that of the thin film of a region other than the surface layer. The thin film is formed so that the thickness of its outer peripheral portion is greater than that of its central portion on the main surface side. The oxide layer is formed so that the thickness of its outer peripheral portion is greater than that of its central portion on the main surface side.
US09946152B2	Extreme ultraviolet lithography photomasks The present disclosure relates to semiconductor structures and, more particularly, to modified surfaces of extreme ultraviolet lithography photomasks and methods of manufacture. The structure includes a reflective surface having a patterned design, and a black border region at edges of the patterned design. The black border region includes a modified surface morphology to direct light away from reaching a subsequent mirror.
US09946136B2	Display apparatus and manufacturing method thereof The present invention discloses a display apparatus and a manufacturing method thereof. The display apparatus comprises a display device, an out-cell device and a flexible printed circuit board for being connected to an external signal. The display device has a first category of leads and a second category of leads; the out-cell device has reserved leads, and the reserved leads are electrically connected to the second category of leads; and the flexible printed circuit board has a first category of pins and a second category of pins, the first category of leads are electrically connected to the first category of pins, and the second category of leads are electrically connected to the second category of pins. In this way, the reserved leads are electrically connected to the second category of leads, while the second category of leads are electrically connected to the second category of pins, thereby enabling conduction between the out-cell device and the external signal. As compared with the prior art in which the out-cell device and the display device are provided with their respective flexible printed circuit boards, the display apparatus as provided in the embodiments of the present invention omits the step of separately making a flexible printed circuit board of the out-cell device, thereby reducing the cost of production of the display apparatus and at the same time further simplifying the structure of the out-cell device of the display apparatus.
US09946135B2	High voltage thin film optical switch A thin film optical switch includes a layer of photosensitive material that extends laterally with first and second electrodes are spaced apart laterally from one another along the layer of photo sensitive material. The first and second electrodes contact the photo sensitive material at first and second junctions, respectively. At least one field plate is electrically insulated from the photo sensitive material and extends laterally along the layer of photo sensitive material over the first or the second junction. The field plate is electrically connected to the first electrode or the second electrode.
US09946125B2	Liquid crystal display device A liquid crystal display device according to FFS technology is capable of providing a common electrode with common electric potential. A pixel electrode is formed of a first layer transparent electrode. A common electrode made of a second layer transparent electrode is formed above the pixel electrode interposing an insulation film between them. The common electrode in an upper layer is provided with a plurality of slits. The common electrode extends over all the pixels in a display region. An end of the common electrode is disposed on a periphery of the display region and connected with a peripheral common electric potential line that provides a common electric potential Vcom. There is provided neither an auxiliary common electrode line nor a pad electrode, both of which are provided in a liquid crystal display device according to a conventional art.
US09946117B2	Display device According to one embodiment, a display device includes a first substrate including a display area and a terminal area, a second substrate opposed to the display area, a first sealing member formed between the first and second substrate and surrounding the display area, a second sealing member formed between the first sealing member and a first edge of the second substrate located at the terminal area side, and a first spacer formed between the first and second sealing member and formed at least in contact with the second sealing member. The first spacer includes a first side surface at the second sealing member side and a second side surface at the first sealing member side, and the first side surface at least partly projects toward the first edge.
US09946116B2	Liquid crystal display device having reduced color shift The present invention relates to a liquid crystal display device that prevents a color shift by allowing two sub-pixel areas to have the same transmittance. A liquid crystal display device according to the present invention includes a data line that includes: a connection portion having a direction of extension perpendicular to that of a gate line; a first portion oriented at a first angle with respect to a direction of extension of the connection portion; and a second portion oriented at a second angle different from the first angle with respect to the direction of extension of the connection portion, and wherein an angle between a rubbing direction of the liquid crystal and the connection portion satisfies θ L = θ 2 - θ 1 2 (where θL is the angle between the rubbing direction of the liquid crystal and the direction of extension of the connection portion, θ1: the first angle, θ2: the second angle).
US09946099B2	Efficient thermo-optic phase shifters using multi-pass heaters Techniques for increasing efficiency of thermo-optic phase shifters using multi-pass heaters and thermal bridges are provided. In one aspect, a thermo-optic phase shifter device includes: a plurality of optical waveguides formed in an SOI layer over a buried insulator; at least one heating element adjacent to the optical waveguides; and thermal bridges connecting at least one of the optical waveguides directly to the heating element. A method for forming a thermo-optic phase shifter device is also provided.
US09946095B2	Eyeglasses with topside removable lenses and frames Eyeglasses with a removable upper section are disclosed. The upper section is pre-attached to the lenses, such that the upper section of the eyeglasses is lowered, each with a respective lens, into a lower section of the eyeglasses. The upper section and lower section then form a continuous front face of the eyeglasses and are held together by connectors, such as magnets at extreme left and right sides of the upper sections to magnets within a cutout of the lower section adapted to fit the upper section there-within. This creates, at least a continuous top side and front side of the eyeglasses with lenses between the upper and lower portions thereof.
US09946081B2	Microscope with tunable acoustic gradient index of refraction lens enabling multiple focal plan imaging An apparatus, system and method for microscopy. The apparatus, system and method includes a stage configured to receive an item; a tunable acoustic gradient index of refraction (TAG) lens having a first aspect positioned to image the received item, wherein the first aspect of the TAG lens is configured to have an optical power profile in accordance with an operational frequency of the TAG lens; one or more lenses configured to magnify an image of the received item at a viewing point; and at least one pulsed light source configured to illuminate the received item and to pulse at one or more points within the optical power profile of the TAG lens.
US09946072B2	Diffractive optical element with uncoupled grating structures In an optical display system having a waveguide and multiple diffractive optical elements (DOEs), an in-coupling DOE couples light into the waveguide, an intermediate DOE provides exit pupil expansion in a first direction, and an out-coupling DOE provides exit pupil expansion in a second direction and couples light out of the waveguide. The intermediate DOE includes grating features that are configured to rotate a state of polarization of light perturbations in the intermediate DOE that would otherwise generate optical interference through a closed-loop coupling phenomenon. The polarization state of a perturbed beam is rotated in the intermediate DOE to be orthogonal relative to the polarization state of the main beam used for image display to thereby uncouple the closed loops and make the perturbed beam non-interfering with the imaging beam.
US09946071B2	Modifying light of a multicore assembly to produce a plurality of viewing zones Configurations are disclosed for presenting virtual reality and augmented reality experiences to users. The system may comprise an image-generating source to provide one or more frames of image data in a time-sequential manner, a light modulator configured to transmit light associated with the one or more frames of image data, a substrate to direct image information to a user's eye, wherein the substrate houses a plurality of reflectors, a first reflector of the plurality of reflectors to reflect transmitted light associated with a first frame of image data at a first angle to the user's eye, and a second reflector to reflect transmitted light associated with a second frame of the image data at a second angle to the user's eye.
US09946064B1	Anti-ghosting reflection device and a display system with the same An anti-ghosting reflection device includes: a reflection sandwich layer with a first surface and a second surface which are used as reflection surfaces; a first half-wave plate disposed on the first surface of the reflection sandwich layer; and a second half-wave plate disposed beneath the second surface. An anti-ghosting display system is capable of solving the problem of low reflection at the Brewster's angle, the invisibility of the polarized sunglasses, raindrops-caused image distortion by the use of the reflection sandwich layer disposed in the two half-wave plates in combination with an imaging device which can generate a polarization imaging light P.
US09946062B1	Microelectromechanical systems (MEMS) scanners for scanning laser devices The embodiments described herein provide microelectromechanical system (MEMS) scanners with increased resistance to distortion in the mirror surface. Such MEMS scanners, when incorporated into laser scanning devices, are used to reflect laser light into a pattern of scan lines. Thus, by reducing distortion in the scanning surface these MEMS scanners can provide improved performance in scanning laser devices, including scanning laser projectors and laser depth scanners. In general, this is accomplished by providing a MEMS scanner where the connection to the scan plate is made at an intermediate support structure, and at a point on that intermediate support structure that is offset from the scanning surface. Providing the connection to the scan plate at points offset from the scanning surface can reduce the distortion that occurs in the scanning surface as a result of rotational forces in the MEMS scanner.
US09946047B2	Annual optical spacer, image lens system, and mobile terminal An annular optical spacer includes a first side portion, a second side portion, an outer annular portion, an inner annular portion and an anti-reflective layer. The second side portion is opposite to the first side portion. The outer annular portion connects the first side portion with the second side portion. The inner annular portion connects the first side portion with the second side portion. A vertical distance between the inner annular portion and a central axis of the annular optical spacer is shorter than a vertical distance between the outer annular portion and the central axis of the annular optical spacer. The inner annular portion includes at least one rugged surface. The rugged surface includes a plurality of annular protruding structures, and the annular protruding structures are coaxially arranged around the central axis. The anti-reflective layer is on top of the rugged surface.
US09946042B2	Electronic/photonic chip integration and bonding An optical waveguide device comprising: one or more photonic chips, the one or more photonic chips including: a first portion of a photonic chip comprising an array of first components, each of the first components having an optical input and an electrical output; and a second portion of a photonic chip comprising an array of second components, each of the second components configured to receive an electrical input; the optical waveguide device further comprising: an integrated circuit; the integrated circuit forming an electrical bridge between the electrical outputs of the first components and respective electrical inputs of the second components; wherein the integrated circuit is directly mounted onto the one or more photonic chips; and/or wherein the integrated circuit is located between the first portion of a photonic chip and the second portion of a photonic chip.
US09946039B2	Optical transceiver module An optical transceiver module includes an optical fiber and an optical fiber positioning structure that fixes the optical fiber. The optical fiber positioning structure includes a first positioning part that fixes the said optical fiber, and a first supporting part that fixes the first positioning part on a case of the optical transceiver module. The first positioning part includes a first end face and a second end face opposite to one another, and a first through-hole that connects the first and second end faces. The inner diameter of the first through-hole is substantially equal to the diameter of the optical fiber, and the optical fiber is fixed within the first through-hole. The first supporting part includes an accommodating portion for accommodating the first positioning part. The first positioning part is fixed in the accommodating portion.
US09946037B2	RFID-enabled optical adapter for use with a patch panel One embodiment is directed to a system comprising a panel comprising a plurality of openings. The system is configured to selectively couple a panel contact for each opening to an RFID reader. The system further comprises a plurality of optical adapters. Each optical adapter comprises: at least one radio frequency identifier (RFID) antenna; at least one adapter contact that is electrically connected to the RFID antenna; and at least one conductor configured to electrically connect the adapter contact to respective one of respective panel contacts when the optical adapter is inserted into one of the openings of the panel. The RFID antenna of each connector is configured to be positioned near an RFID tag attached to the connector when the connector is inserted into the body of the optical adapter. The system is configured to selectively couple the RFID reader to each of the panel contacts. Other embodiments are disclosed.
US09946036B2	Connectors for micro-duct terminations of fiber optic cable A connector for coupling a fiber optic cable with a connection point includes a connector body at a first end of the connector and extending in a longitudinal direction and a connector housing at a second end of the connector. The connector body defines a first longitudinal conduit configured to receive a duct, and the duct is configured to slidably receive the fiber optic cable. A compression fitting is configured to be received about a first end of the connector body and slidable relative to the connector body in the longitudinal direction to radially compress the first end of the connector body to grip the duct. The connector housing includes a second longitudinal conduit substantially aligned with the first longitudinal conduit in the longitudinal direction and a connection portion configured to couple the fiber optic cable to the connection point. The first longitudinal conduit and the second longitudinal conduit are configured to slidably receive the fiber optic cable.
US09946022B2	Waveguide formation using CMOS fabrication techniques Conventional approaches to integrating waveguides within standard electronic processes typically involve using a dielectric layer, such as polysilicon, single-crystalline silicon, or silicon nitride, within the in-foundry process or depositing and patterning a dielectric layer in the backend as a post-foundry process. In the present approach, the back-end of the silicon handle is etched away after in-foundry processing to expose voids or trenches defined using standard in-foundry processing (e.g., complementary metal-oxide-semiconductor (CMOS) processing). Depositing dielectric material into a void or trench yields an optical waveguide integrated within the front-end of the wafer. For example, a shallow trench isolation (STI) layer formed in-foundry may serve as a high-resolution patterning waveguide template in a damascene process within the front end of a die or wafer. Filling the trench with a high-index dielectric material yields a waveguide that can guide visible and/or infrared light, depending on the waveguide's dimensions and refractive index contrast.
US09946017B2	Arrays of integrated analytical devices and methods for production Arrays of integrated analytical devices and their methods for production are provided. The arrays are useful in the analysis of highly multiplexed optical reactions in large numbers at high densities, including biochemical reactions, such as nucleic acid sequencing reactions. The integrated devices allow the highly sensitive discrimination of optical signals using features such as spectra, amplitude, and time resolution, or combinations thereof. The arrays and methods of the invention make use of silicon chip fabrication and manufacturing techniques developed for the electronics industry and highly suited for miniaturization and high throughput.
US09946015B2	Fiber structural body and light source device A fiber structural body includes a first fiber, and a second fiber spliced to the first fiber such that light having propagated through the first fiber propagates through the second fiber. At least one of the fibers is a photonic crystal fiber. The second fiber is coated with a first coating layer and a second coating layer in order from a splice surface, and the first coating layer has a refractive index n1 larger than that of a clad layer of the second fiber. In the fiber structural body, L, r, n1, and NA satisfy a particular relationship.
US09946011B2	Illuminated glazing with printed lamination insert A laminated illuminating glazing unit includes a first sheet with a first main face, a second main face and an edge face, a second sheet with a first main face, a second main face and an edge face; a transparent lamination interlayer making adhesive contact with the second main face of the first sheet and with the first main face of the second sheet; a strip of light-emitting diodes (LEDs), including a printed circuit board and a plurality of LEDs, positioned so that the emitting faces of the LEDs face the edge face of the first sheet; and one or more scattering elements, wherein the lamination interlayer includes, on at least one of its main faces, an opaque masking layer extending from the edge of the interlayer toward the center of the glazing unit so as to cover a zone in which the light from the LEDs would, in the absence of the opaque masking layer, be visible, in the form of luminous halos, through the second sheet.
US09946008B2	Indication lighting device and vacuum cleaner including the same An indication lighting device provided is capable of reducing the number of electric wiring from a fixed, part to a moving part when an indication part is provided in the moving part's side. The indication lighting device makes indication by emitting light from a light source arranged in a fixed part to an optical waveguide arranged in a moving part, reflecting the light incident on the optical waveguide by reflection surfaces of prisms of the optical waveguide to an indication part provided in a tip side of the optical waveguide to be propagated, and emitting the light propagated inside the optical waveguide through the indication part.
US09946006B2	Backlight unit and display device A backlight unit (10) and a display device are provided. The backlight unit (10) comprises a light guide plate (101), and a light source (102), a first reflective film (101), and a second reflective film (104). The light source (102) includes a plurality of LEDs (1021) uniformly arranged. The first reflective film (103) is disposed correspondingly on a backlight side of a region opposite to each of the LEDs on the light guide plate (101); The second reflective film (104) includes at least one first sub-reflective film (1041), the first sub-reflective film (1041) being disposed correspondingly on a backlight side of a region opposite to a gap between two adjacent LEDs on the light guide plate (101). A reflectivity of the first reflective film is less than a reflectivity of the second reflective film, and a distance between the light guide plate (101) and the LEDs is less than a distance between an intersection of light beams emitted by two adjacent LEDs and the LEDs, and, a width of the frame of the display device can be reduced.
US09946005B2	Method of manufacturing liquid crystal display device A liquid crystal display device, includes a display panel; a light guide plate to transfer light to the display panel; and a light source module on a side surface of the light guide plate to supply light to the light guide plate, the light source module including a light source to generate light; and a quantum dot unit between the light source and the light guide plate, the quantum dot unit extending along the side surface of the light guide plate and including a tube member filled with a resin including quantum dots, the tube member including a sealing part.
US09946000B2	Display device and display system A display device and display system. Each pixel cell group of the display comprises at least one first line of pixel cells for displaying information to be viewed by a dedicated spectacle wearer, a second line of pixel cells for displaying compensation information, and a third line of pixel cells for displaying naked-eye pattern information. The light adjustment mechanism allows for a difference between phase retardations experienced by the light emitted by the first line of pixel cells and by the third line of pixel cells upon passing through the light adjustment mechanism. With the display device, the viewer wearing dedicated spectacles and the naked-eye viewer are allowed to see different information, thereby improving the confidentiality of the display device in peep preventive displaying.
US09945981B2	Aggregation and analytics for application-specific optimization based on multiple data sources Aggregating and transforming data, and performing analytics thereupon, for application-specific optimization based on multiple data sources. The data is preferably ingressed automatically, and may originate from various public and/or private data sources. Data transformation preferably aligns the data aggregated from the various sources, to thereby allow meaningful referencing. Complex and non-aligned data can therefore be consolidated, such that it is readily digestible by simulation (or other) software. In an embodiment, risk of flooding for a supply chain is computed from the aggregated and transformed data, using data analytics based on physical computation for flood risk assessment, allowing the supply chain to be optimized with regard to threat of flooding and/or actual flooding. In another embodiment, risk of wild fire may be assessed. Other types of risk may also be assessed.
US09945976B2	Utility locator apparatus, systems, and methods Man-portable locator systems for locating buried or otherwise inaccessible pipes, conduits, cables, wires and inserted transmitters using detector arrays and stochastic signal processing and similar techniques to analyze and display multiple target objects at differing frequencies in a layered user interface (UI) are disclosed.
US09945972B2	Method and system for separating seismic sources in marine simultaneous shooting acquisition Seismic data are obtained by recording simultaneously in seismic streamer, acquired by activating approximately simultaneously two or more seismic sources towed at two positions in the vicinity of seismic streamers. A residual is updated iteratively for an inversion solution for the activations of the two or more seismic sources. The iterative updating of the residuals utilizes a sequence of overlapping temporal windows containing reflection events and utilizes normal moveout corrections based on largest reflection events in each temporal window. A final updated residual is added to a final updated model result.
US09945969B2	Apparatus and method for reconstructing complex salt geometry using dual-flood RTM with prismatic waves A method, an apparatus and a computer-readable medium for processing seismic data are provided. The method includes selecting well-imaged areas of a sediment-to-salt interface, and performing (1) a dual-flood RTM with prismatic waves to identify new areas of the sediment-to-salt interface, and (2) one or more RTM to identify other new areas of the sediment-to-salt interface or of a salt-to-sediment interface.
US09945965B2	Universal readout for silicon photomultiplier based detectors A SiPM readout circuit includes a front-end circuit having amplifiers coupled to SiPM analog outputs, pixel readout channels coupled to amplifiers provide a timing signal representing gamma ray photon detection in individual SiPM, a block timing channel that creates a summed signal from all SiPMs, and generates a block timing signal and a validation signal, an energy channel that generates a summed energy signal and a two-dimensional position of the gamma ray photon detection in the block, and a control logic/processing circuit that performs a time stamp estimation method. Methods of determining the radiation event timing and a non-transitory computer-readable medium containing computer-readable instructions to implement the methods are disclosed.
US09945961B2	Radiation detector, and X-ray analysis apparatus and radiation detection method using the same There are provided a radiation detector capable of detecting radiation without occurrence of dead time while maintaining an exposure state in which radiation enters continuously, and an X-ray analysis apparatus and a radiation detection method using the radiation detector. A radiation detector 100 that detects radiation in synchronization with an external apparatus 200, includes: a sensor 110 that generates pulses when radiation particles are detected; a plurality of counters 140a, 140b provided so as to be able to count the pulses; and a control circuit 160 configured to switch a counter to count the pulses among the plurality of counters 140a, 140b, when receiving a synchronization signal from the external apparatus 200.
US09945957B2	Machine control system and method A global navigation satellite system (GNSS) based control system is provided for positioning a working component relative to a work surface, such as an agricultural spray boom over a crop field. Inertial measurement unit (IMU) sensors, such as accelerometers and gyroscopes, are mounted on the working component and provide positioning signals to a control processor. A method of positioning a working component relative to a work surface using GNSS-based positioning signals is also disclosed. Further disclosed is a work order management system and method, which can be configured for controlling the operation of multiple vehicles, such as agricultural sprayers each equipped with GNSS-based spray boom height control subsystems. The sprayers can be remotely located from each other on multiple crop fields, and can utilize GNSS-based, field-specific terrain models for controlling their spraying operations.
US09945944B2	Blind area warning for vehicles Methods and devices are disclosed for assisting a driver of a first vehicle where a second vehicle is detected by a sensor of the first vehicle and a driver of the first vehicle is informed that the second vehicle is at the side of the first vehicle when the second vehicle leaves an area monitored by the sensor, the area monitored by the sensor being an area behind the first vehicle.
US09945942B2	System and method of underground water detection Embodiments of the invention are directed to a method of determining underground liquid (e.g., water) content. Embodiments of the method may include: receiving a scan of an area at a first polarization, the scan scans including first L band microwave reflections from the area. Embodiments of the invention may include receiving an optical data at a wavelength of 1 millimeter to 10 nanometers. Embodiments of the method may further include filtering electromagnetic noise from the scan using the optical data. Embodiments of the method may further include creating a water roughness map based on typical roughness values of various types of water sources and the filtered scan, identifying a first type of water sources using the water roughness map and the filtered scan and calculating the water content at locations in the area based on the identified first type of water sources.
US09945941B1	Simultaneous continuous wave signals A method is provided for transmitting a plurality of narrowband signals in estimating a Doppler shift of a target object. The method includes simultaneously transmitting at least two narrowband signals from a source and receiving incident signals at a receiver. Multiple narrowband signals can be sent simultaneously and in combination with broadband signals from a source. The incident signals are filtered and processed to determine range and Doppler shift of the target.
US09945929B2	Distributed localization systems and methods and self-localizing apparatus A self-localizing apparatus uses timestampable signals transmitted by transceivers that are a part of a distributed localization system to compute its position relative to the transceivers. Transceivers and self-localizing apparatuses are arranged for highly accurate timestamping using digital and analog reception and transmission electronics as well as one or more highly accurate clocks, compensation units, localization units, position calibration units, scheduling units, or synchronization units. Transceivers and self-localizing apparatuses are further arranged to allow full scalability in the number of self-localizing apparatuses and to allow robust self-localization with latencies and update rates useful for high performance applications such as autonomous mobile robot control.
US09945927B2	Object detection apparatus In an object detection apparatus, a first region definition unit defines a first object region including a first detection point representing a relative position of a first object detected by a millimeter-wave radar with respect to a reference point in an XY-plane. An X-axis direction of the XY-plane is a vehicle widthwise direction, and a Y-axis direction of the XY-plane is a vehicle lengthwise direction. A second region definition unit defines a second object region including a second detection point representing a relative position of a second object detected based on a captured image with respect to the reference point. A region size modification unit modifies the size of the first region in the presence of axial misalignment of the radar. A determination unit determines that the first and second objects are the same if there is an overlap of the first and second object regions in the XY-plane.
US09945924B2	Method and magnetic resonance system for slice-selective magnetic resonance imaging In a SEMAC-like magnetic resonance imaging, MR data of multiple readout partitions of a target slice are used in order to reduce image artifacts due to magnetic field inhomogeneities. Slice-selectively excited nuclear spins are refocused via radiation of multiple refocusing pulses. For each refocusing pulse, at least one kz-phase coding gradient is respectively applied along a first direction (to define a readout partition) and at least one ky-phase coding gradient is applied along a second direction to acquire MR data, wherein the first and second directions are orthogonal to one another. The multiple refocusing pulses have at least two different flip angles.
US09945921B2	Magnetic resonance imaging device and control method thereof An MRI apparatus performs an MRI while moving a patient table and includes a main magnet configured to generate a static magnetic field in a bore; a gradient coil assembly configured to apply a gradient signal to the static magnetic field to generate a magnetic field gradient; an RF coil assembly configured to apply an RF excitation signal and an RF refocusing signal; and a controller configured to control the RF refocusing signal so that a slice to which the RF refocusing signal is to be applied conforms to the slice to which the RF excitation signal has been applied.
US09945919B2	Systems and methods for real time gradient timing modification A method is provided for modified gradient timing in a Magnetic Resonance (MR) imaging system. The method includes generating radio frequency (RF) excitation pulses in a volume of patient anatomy to provide subsequent acquisition of associated RF echo data and generating a sequence of gradient waveforms on a static magnetic field in three directions each orthogonal to each other for slice selection, phase encoding and readout RF data acquisition in the volume of patient anatomy. The method also includes receiving, by a controller, an indication of the sequence of gradient waveforms to be applied to a plurality of gradient coils and modifying, via the controller, the sequence of gradient waveforms to be applied to the plurality of gradient coils based on one or more parameters to produce a sequence of modified gradient waveforms. The method further includes providing the sequence of modified gradient waveforms to the plurality of gradient coils.
US09945915B2	High magnetic field compatible interventional needle and integrated needle tracking system An elongate device, such as a catheter, for interventional MRI has one or more passive LC-circuits attached to its distal tip portion for position tracking. The LC-circuits includes an inductor winding and a three-dimensional “trench” capacitor. The LC-circuits are integrated in a piece of silicon. Optical fibers may be included in the device for optical probing of tissue surrounding the distal tip portion.
US09945907B2	Method and system for determining a synchronous machine fault condition A method of determining a fault condition in a synchronous machine. The method includes a) obtaining a field current signal and a shaft voltage signal of the synchronous machine, b) transforming the field current signal and the shaft voltage signal to obtain a field current frequency spectrum and a shaft voltage frequency spectrum, and c) determining whether a fault condition is present, and in case a fault condition is present identifying a type of the fault condition, based on harmonic content of the field current frequency spectrum and harmonic content of the shaft voltage frequency spectrum, wherein c) includes comparing the harmonic content of the field current frequency spectrum with fault condition field current signature spectra and comparing the harmonic content of the shaft voltage frequency spectrum with fault condition shaft voltage signature spectra.
US09945891B2	Charge measuring device with integrated FET, capacitor, and charge accumulation device A charge measuring device detects focused ion beam attacks on an integrated semiconductor circuit with a capacitor, a field effect transistor, and a charge collecting device all manufactured in the integrated semiconductor circuit and insulated from additional circuit elements. A first pole of the capacitor is conductively connected to the charge collecting device and a gate of the field effect transistor. When a voltage is applied to the second pole of the capacitor, a drain source current flows through the field effect transistor, and a relationship between the voltage and the drain source current is ascertained. A comparison of the relationship with a previously ascertained relationship indicates a change of the charge quantity stored in the capacitor by the charge collecting device.
US09945889B2	Method for detecting power theft in a power distribution system A method detects power theft in a branch of a distribution system by distinguishing between technical losses that are inevitable during the course of normal operation of the system, and non-technical losses that can be attributed to power theft. The method assumes a specific circuit corresponding to that branch, collects data for energy consumed and currents at regular intervals by means of a smart or traditional power meter, estimates the likely resistances of the lines connecting the consumption points to the distribution transformed by means of least squares regression, and uses the estimated resistances to predict technical losses in future time intervals. By comparing the total power losses measured during future intervals with the estimates of the technical losses, the amount of non-technical losses can be estimated, and theft can be signaled when this amount is unusually high.
US09945886B2	Electrical current detection device equipped with shunt resistor, and power supply device An electrical current detection device is provided with a shunt resistor that includes a first conducting part, a second conducting part, a center conducting part disposed between the first conducting part and the second conducting part, a first resistor disposed between the first conducting part and the center conducting part, and a second resistor disposed between the second conducting part and the center conducting part, the second resistor having a greater resistance value than the first resistor. The electrical current detection device is further provided with: a signal output unit; an estimation unit that estimates a first estimated current value from the first detection signal, and estimates a second estimated current value from the second detection signal; and an determination unit that compares the first estimated current value and the second estimated current value, and determines the abnormality of the shunt resistor.
US09945883B2	Pipette system A pipetting system includes a rail; a carriage to engage the rail, the carriage movable relative to the rail substantially along a first axis; a pipette pump slidably engaged with the carriage, the pipette pump slidable relative to the carriage substantially along the first axis; and a sensor to detect movement of the pipette pump relative to the carriage.
US09945879B2	Cell smearing apparatus and cell smearing method A cell smearing apparatus comprising: a mixed solution container accommodation unit accommodating a mixed solution container containing a mixed solution of cells and a preservation solution; a suction unit suctioning the mixed solution from the mixed solution container accommodated in the mixed solution container accommodation unit; a sensor unit sensing variation of the mixed solution suctioned by the suction unit; and a controller controlling a suctioning speed of the suction unit based on a value sensed by the sensor unit. The present invention allows cells to be examined to be smeared as a monolayer on a slide for microscopic examination.
US09945876B2	Diagnostic tools for charcot-marie-tooth disease The present invention relates in particular to methods of detecting predisposition to or diagnosis and/or prognosis of Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease (CMT) and related disorders. More specifically, the invention relates to development, validation and application of new biomarkers which can be used for detecting the presence or risk of CMT disease and related disorders. In particular, the present invention relates to metabolite, lipid, carbohydrate and proteinaceous biomarkers that can be measured in biological body fluids and easily available extracts of biopsies, which can be used to aid in the detection, prediction of drug treatment and follow-up of this treatment of neurodegenerative disorders, including CMT disease. The present invention also relates to methods for identification of CMT disease subtypes and assessing the responsiveness to treatments and the efficacy of treatments in subjects having CMT or a related disorder.
US09945873B2	Methods and kits for predicting the risk of respiratory failure, renal failure or thrombopenia in a septic patient by measuring endocan levels in blood The present invention relates to methods and kits for predicting the risk of respiratory failure, renal failure or thrombopenia in a septic patient. More particularly, the present invention relates to a method for predicting the risk of having an organ failure selected from the group consisting of respiratory failure, renal failure and thrombopenia in a septic patient comprising a step consisting of measuring the concentration of endocan in a blood sample obtained from said septic patient.
US09945865B2	Polymer nanocomposites for early diagnosis of diseases Disclosed herein is a composition comprising a crosslinked hydrogel; where the hydrogel comprises a polymer having a cleavable bond along a backbone of the polymer, along a substituent that undergoes crosslinking, or along the backbone of the polymer and along the substituent that undergoes crosslinking; where the cleavable bond is operative to be cleaved by an enzyme released in the body of a living being; and a semiconducting quantum dot that emits light in the visible portion of the electromagnetic spectrum.
US09945864B2	Disease-associated antigens and methods of use thereof The present disclosure provides synthetic antibodies specific for a disease-associated antigen, and methods of using the antibodies in disease therapy. The present disclosure further provides diagnostic assays involving detecting the presence and/or level in biological sample of an antibody specific for a disease-associated antigen.
US09945862B2	Biomarkers for predicting and assessing responsiveness of thyroid and kidney cancer subjects to lenvatinib compounds Biomarkers are provided that are predictive of a subject's responsiveness to a therapy comprising lenvatinib or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof (e.g., lenvatinib mesylate). The biomarkers, compositions, and methods described herein are useful in selecting appropriate treatment modalities for a subject having cancer (e.g., thyroid cancer, kidney cancer), suspected of having cancer, or at risk of developing cancer.
US09945860B2	Nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide indicators, methods of preparation and application thereof The invention relates to a genetically encoded fluorescent sensor for nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide, as well as methods of preparation and uses thereof. In one aspect, this invention relates to a sensor for detecting nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide, particularly, a recombinant fluorescent fusion protein sensor for detecting nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide. In one specific aspect, this invention relates to a recombinant fluorescent fusion protein sensor for detecting reduced nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NADH); in another specific aspect, this invention relates to a recombinant fluorescent fusion protein sensor for detecting oxidized nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NAD+); in yet another aspect, the invention relates to a recombinant fluorescent fusion protein sensor for detecting the ratio of reduced to oxidized nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide. This invention also relates to the method of preparing the sensors, and uses of the sensors in detecting NADH, NAD+, NADH/NAD+ ratio, screening drugs and measuring NADH metabolism.
US09945845B2	Methods of screening using amphibians High-throughput methods of screening agents for activities affecting renal, cardiac, blood or lymphatic vascular development and functions in amphibians in multiwell plates are provided. Also provided are novel compounds that modulate blood and lymphatic vascular development.
US09945842B2	Identification and enrichment of cell subpopulations Markers useful for the identification, characterization and, optionally, the enrichment or isolation of tumorigenic cells or cell subpopulations are disclosed.
US09945826B2	Functional test for gas sensors A gas sensor which works according to the principle of thermal conductivity is functionally tested. In the method, a calibration cycle is conducted in which a membrane of the gas sensor is immersed in a fluid calibration medium having a known concentration of a target gas. After the calibration cycle, a measurement chamber of the gas sensor is purged with a purging gas. Then, a measuring cycle is conducted, using a thermal conductivity sensor to measure the target gas in the measurement chamber. Using a calibration baseline established from the calibration cycle and a measurement baseline in the measurement cycle, a baseline comparison value is obtained and compared to a predetermined baseline threshold value. An error message, indicating a malfunction in the purging gas supply, is generated when the baseline comparison value exceeds the predetermined baseline threshold value.
US09945825B2	Predictive analysis of complex datasets and systems and methods including the same Predictive analysis of complex datasets and systems and methods including the same are disclosed herein. The methods include analyzing airborne particle count data from a cleanroom environment to predict a particle count fault condition within the cleanroom environment. The methods further include generating an airborne particle count data repository that includes particle counts within the cleanroom environment, analyzing the airborne particle count data to calculate a difference between a first rate of change and a second rate of change, and predicting the particle count fault condition responsive to the difference between the first rate of change and the second rate of change being outside a predetermined threshold range difference. The systems include computer readable storage media including computer-executable instructions that, when executed, direct a data analysis system to perform the methods. The systems also include a distributed cleanroom particle count monitoring system including a plurality of detection nodes.
US09945821B2	Composite sampling of fluids Composite sampling of a fluid flowing through a conduit includes collecting, in a vessel coupled to the conduit through which the fluid is flowing, a first discrete sample of fluid from the conduit, the first discrete sample having a first selected volume, and collecting, in the vessel and at a first interval from the first sample, a second discrete sample of the fluid from the conduit, the second discrete sample having a second selected volume, thereby forming a composite sample in the vessel while the vessel is coupled to conduit. The composite sample includes the first discrete sample and the second discrete sample, and may include one or more additional discrete samples. An apparatus for collecting the composite sample includes a gas chromatograph, and is arranged such that the composite sample is provided to the gas chromatograph without removing the composite sample from the apparatus or transporting the composite sample.
US09945816B2	Ultrasonic NDT sensor arrangement and method for inspecting surfaces of variable geometry of metal bodies The invention relates to an ultrasonic NDT sensor arrangement for inspecting surfaces of variable geometry of metal bodies. The sensor arrangement includes a housing with a hollow inner space and an opening, through which part of an incoming sound beam exits the housing to enter a metal body to be tested. An ultrasonic sensor is coupled to the housing such that it emits said incoming sound beam directly into said hollow inner space in a direction towards the opening. The said inner space of the housing is filled with a first coupling fluid which is water. The opening of the housing is closed with a closing member, which is made of a silicone material and which has a similar density and velocity of sound compared to the first coupling fluid.
US09945812B2	Simultaneous ion sensing and gas sampling in combustion engine cylinders and other combustion systems A system and method is provided for simultaneous ion current sensing and gas analysis. The system acquires an ion current signal and analyzes the composition of a corresponding gas sample.
US09945807B2	Biosensor devices, systems and methods therefor A sensing apparatus for sensing target materials including biological or chemical molecules in a fluid. One such apparatus includes a semiconductor-on-insulator (SOI) structure having an electrically-insulating layer, a fluidic channel supported by the SOI structure and configured and arranged to receive and pass a fluid including the target materials, and a semiconductor device including at least three electrically-contiguous semiconductor regions doped to exhibit a common polarity. The semiconductor regions include a sandwiched region sandwiched between two of the other semiconductor regions, and configured and arranged adjacent to the fluidic channel with a surface directed toward the fluidic channel for coupling to the target materials in the fluidic channel, and further arranged for responding to a bias voltage. The sensing apparatus also includes an amplification circuit in or on the SOI and that is arranged to facilitate sensing of the target material near the fluidic channel.
US09945804B2	Sensor array In one illustrative embodiment, a test strip with a first planar substrate has coplanar electrodes on a first planar surface and a second planar substrate (which opposes the first surface of the first planar substrate) has coplanar electrodes on a second planar surface. The first planar surface of the first planar substrate having a first sensing area electrically connected to a first electrical contact. The second planar surface of the second planar substrate having a second electrical contact electrically connected to the first electrical contact via a conductive element, the conductive element extending between the first surface of the first planar substrate and the second surface of the second planar substrate without passing through the first planar substrate, the second planar substrate, or any intermediate layers.
US09945789B2	Multiple analyte detection systems and methods of detecting multiple analytes A multiple analyte detection system includes a carrier having reagents disposed thereat, with each of the reagents capable of optically changing in response to exposure to a respective analyte. The system further includes a photodetector positioned to collectively detect light interacted with each of the reagents, a processor to determine a presence or an absence of each of the analytes in response to the light collectively-detected, and an indicator to provide an indication of the presence or the absence of each of the analytes. A method of detecting multiple analytes includes exposing reagents capable of optically changing in response to exposure to a respective analyte to a sample. The method further includes collectively detecting light interacted with each of the reagents, determining a presence or an absence of each of the analytes in response to the light collectively detected, and indicating the presence or the absence of each of the analytes determined.
US09945788B2	Methods and systems for determining optical regions of interest The present teachings relate to a method and system for determining Regions of Interest (ROI) for one or more biological samples in a laboratory instrument. The method can include an optical system capable of imaging florescence emission from a plurality of sample wells. An initial ROI, its center location and size can be estimated from the fluorescence detected from each well. From this information the average size of the ROIs can be determined and global gridding models can be derived to better locate each of the ROIs. The global gridding models can then be applied to the ROIs to improve the precision of the ROI center locations. Sample wells not originally providing fluorescence ROIs can be recovered through the use of mapping functions. The radius of each ROI can then be adjusted to improve the signal-to-noise ratio of the optical system.
US09945783B2	Cervical cancer information providing method and device Provided is a canceration information providing method capable of presenting the information related to canceration of the cells with high reliability. A cell in which the amount of DNA is greater than or equal to the amount of DNA of the normal cell in the S period is extracted from a cell group of V11≤N/C ratio≤V12 (first counting step). If the number of cells obtained in the first counting step is greater than or equal to the threshold value S1 (S107: YES), “Cancer” is set to a flag 1. A cell in which the amount of DNA is 2C is extracted from a cell group of V13≤N/C ratio≤V11 (second counting step). A ratio of the number of cells obtained in the second counting step and number of cells obtained in the first counting step is calculated, and “Cancer” is set to a flag 2 if the ratio is greater than or equal to a threshold value S2 (S111: YES). If one of the flags 1, 2 is “Cancer” (S113: YES), the display of retest necessary is performed.
US09945780B2	Use of a fluorescent material to detect failure or deteriorated performance of a fluorometer A System and method for self-checking a fluorometer for failure or deteriorated performance includes fluorescent reference standards mounted on a support to move with respect to one or more fixed fluorometers. The intensity of the fluorescent emission of the fluorescent reference standard is initially measured with the fluorometer, and, after a prescribed interval of usage of the fluorometer, a test measurement of the intensity of the fluorescent emission of the fluorescent standard is taken with the fluorometer. The test measurement is compared to the initial measurement, and failure or deteriorated performance of the fluorometer is determined based on a deviation of the test measurement from the initial measurement.
US09945779B2	Integrated device for temporal binning of received photons An integrated circuit includes a photodetection region configured to receive incident photons. The photodetection region is configured to produce a plurality of charge carriers in response to the incident photons. The integrated circuit also includes at least one charge carrier storage region. The integrated circuit also includes a charge carrier segregation structure configured to selectively direct charge carriers of the plurality of charge carriers into the at least one charge carrier storage region based upon times at which the charge carriers are produced.
US09945778B2	Individually and flexibly deployable target-analyte sensitive particulate probes and method of making and using Flexibly deployable, discrete, target-analyte sensitive particulate probes and methods of manufacturing and using. The probes each comprise a porous scaffold particle coated with an optically-active, target-analyte sensitive material. The scaffold particle has at least one of (i) a volume of 0.5 to 500 mm3, and (ii) a largest dimension of 2 to 20 mm.
US09945777B2	Multi-spectral imaging using longitudinal chromatic aberrations Systems and methods for imaging a target object are provided. In one example, an imaging device comprises an objective lens having symmetry around an optical axis. The objective lens is configured to disperse images of a target object in longitudinal chromatic aberrations along the optical axis. The imaging device further includes a sensor configured to obtain multiple images of the target object. Each image corresponds to a specific wavelength within a predetermined spectrum.
US09945771B2	Measuring critical shear stress for mud filtercake removal Methods include: forming a first mud filtercake with a first mud; and determining a relationship between an impinging jet of a fluid at varying pressures against a surface of the first mud filtercake to a first erosion characteristic of the first mud filtercake. In various embodiments, the methods can additionally include: using the first erosion characteristic to design an operation to remove a second mud filtercake formed or to be formed in a wellbore with a second mud.
US09945766B2	Device and method for measuring engine flow and monitoring air filter performance In one example embodiment, an engine flow measurement device features an engine data repository, one or more sensor units, and a measurement unit. The measurement system is configured to identify, from performance data, a maneuver performed during operation of the aircraft and to measure, for the identified maneuver, a plurality of maneuver flow values achieved during performance of the maneuver. The plurality of maneuver flow values correspond to a plurality of maneuver engine power values. Each of the plurality of maneuver flow values represent a volume of air flow through the air filter at a particular moment during performance of the maneuver.
US09945760B2	Tire holding apparatus and tire inspection system provided with said tire holding apparatus A tire holding apparatus is provided with a first support part for supporting a tire, a second support part for supporting the tire, and an air supply and removal part for supplying and removing air from the inside of the tire. The second support part has a protrusion that protrudes toward the first support part. The air supply and removal part has a first flow path for allowing air to flow, a second flow path for allowing air to flow from an opening formed at the leading end of the protrusion to the inside of the tire, and a collection part that is attached to the opening and collects foreign matter that has been mixed into the second flow path from the inside of the tire.

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