US09642291B1
EMI-proof server chassis preventing EMI on an electronic component, includes a chassis and a double aperture flexible piece. The chassis includes a connection portion connected to the chassis, a first engagement portion and a second engagement portion. The first engagement portion and the second engagement portion are connected to and disposed on two sides of the connection portion. The first engagement portion and the second engagement portion are parallelly prolonged, and substantially opposite to each other. The double aperture flexible piece, shaped as a curvature plate, has a first aperture and a second aperture on two sides. The first engagement portion and the second engagement portion are engaged to the first aperture and the second aperture respectively, and the portion of the double aperture flexible piece between the first aperture and the second aperture is curved toward the electronic component, and contact with the electronic component.
US09642285B2
Power modules and power module arrays are disclosed. In one embodiment, a power module includes a module support, a high temperature module, and a module cap. The module support includes a frame member, a heat spreader, a first electrically conductive rail, and a second electrically conductive rail. The high temperature module includes a module substrate, a semiconductor device thermally and/or electrically coupled to a semiconductor surface of the module substrate, a first external connector, and a second external connector. The first and second electrically conductive rails are disposed within a through-hole of the first and second external connectors, respectively. The module cap includes a body portion, a plurality of posts, a first opening, and a second opening. The plurality of posts presses against at least the first external connector, the second external connector, and the module substrate such that the high temperature module is thermally coupled to the heat spreader.
US09642284B2
Embodiments of the present invention relate to an RRU device and an assembly thereof. The RRU device includes: an enclosure, where the enclosure includes a front-end plate and a back-end plate that are respectively set on two lengthwise ends of the enclosure, multiple parallel spaced heat sinks are set on two widthwise sides of the enclosure and between the front-end plate and the back-end plate, and the front-end plate and the back-end plate extend along a widthwise direction of the enclosure by a length which is greater than a length by which the heat sinks extend; and a joint part set on the enclosure, where the joint part is used to fasten two side-by-side radio remote unit devices together.
US09642280B2
A server for or accommodating a plurality of first expansion cards. The server includes a housing, a half-width motherboard, a connector and a dual-sided riser card. The half-width motherboard is disposed in the housing. The connector is disposed at a side edge of the half-width motherboard for connecting with one of the first expansion cards. The dual-sided riser card is electrically connected with the half-width motherboard for connecting with another two of the first expansion cards, the dual-sided riser card being substantially perpendicularly disposed at the half-width motherboard, wherein the projection of one of the first expansion cards connected with the dual-sided riser card and the projection of the first expansion card connected with the connector are overlapped at the housing.
US09642278B2
A terminal plate includes a main portion having a screw hole, and a first and second leg portion which protrude from the main portion in the same direction. The first leg portion is formed longer than the second leg portion. The device housing includes an outer wall which has a first attachment hole into which the first leg portion is inserted, a second attachment hole into which the second leg portion is inserted, and a depressed portion into which the terminal screw is inserted. The printed wiring board is electrically connected to the first leg portion, and a center of the screw hole of is misaligned with respect to a straight line extending through a center of the first attachment hole and a center of the second attachment hole when the terminal plate is attached to the device housing and seen in a direction perpendicular to the main portion.
US09642275B2
A power module has a copper layer composed of copper or a copper alloy on a surface of a circuit layer to which a semiconductor device is bonded, and a solder layer that is formed by using a solder material is formed between the circuit layer and the semiconductor device. An average crystal grain size which is measured by EBSD measurement in a region having a thickness of up to 30 μm from the surface of the circuit layer in the solder layer is 10 μm or less, the solder layer has a composition that contains Sn as a main component, 0.01 to 1.0% by mass of Ni, and 0.1 to 5.0% by mass of Cu, and a thermal resistance increase rate when a power cycle is loaded 100,000 times is less than 10% in a power cycle test.
US09642272B1
Embodiments of the present invention relate to integrated modular display systems. In one embodiment, a modular multi-panel display system includes a mechanical support structure, and a plurality of display panels detachably mounted to the mechanical support structure so as to form an integrated display panel. Each LED panel includes an LED array and an LED driver coupled to the LED array. Each panel further includes a power supply unit disposed outside the housing and electrically coupled to the receiver circuit. The mechanical structure is configured to provide mechanical support to the plurality of display panels without providing hermetic sealing. Each of the plurality of display panels is hermetically sealed.
US09642267B2
An antenna includes two elements having an antenna element which resonates by a frequency f1 and a ground wire element which resonates by a frequency f2 higher than the frequency f1. The antenna element is directed so that an antenna radiation part is located to be substantially parallel to a surface of a casing on which an operating part is provided. The ground wire element is directed so that a ground wire radiation part is located substantially vertically to the surface of the casing on which the operating part is provided. Further, a space between a feeding terminal connecting part of the antenna element and a ground terminal connecting part of the ground wire element is set to be equal to a space between a feeding terminal and a ground terminal and the feeding terminal connecting part is arranged to be parallel to the ground terminal connecting part.
US09642266B2
An electronic module for a vehicle includes a can housing and a circuit carrier having at least one connecting element. The circuit carrier is positioned in the can housing, and is cast with a cast material. The at least one connecting element protrudes from the cast material and is configured to connect at least one conductive element. The electronic module is positioned in the transmission and is configured to be operated.
US09642264B2
A medical or dental handle for driving a medical instrument, comprises a housing with a drive device accommodated therein and/or a supply line for a drive device, a first connection device for detachably connecting a medical or dental instrument and a second connection device for detachably connecting the handle to a media source and/or a drive unit, at least one electric component preferably comprising a light-emitting diode, at least one electric contact and an electric connecting device, which connect electrically the at least one electric component and the at least one electric contact, wherein the electric connecting device comprises a flexible circuit board in the interior of the handle.
US09642261B2
A multilayer composite electronic structure comprising feature layers extending in an X-Y plane, each adjacent pair of feature layers being separated by an inner via layer, the via layer comprising via posts that couple adjacent feature layers in a Z direction perpendicular to the X-Y plane, the via posts being embedded in an inner layer dielectric, the multilayer composite structure further comprising at least one outer layer of terminations comprising at least one copper post that is only partially embedded in an outer layer of dielectric such that part of the at least one copper post protrudes beyond surface of the outer layer of dielectric.
US09642247B2
The invention relates to a metal-ceramic substrate and to a method for the production thereof, the substrate including at least one ceramic layer having first and second surface sides, at least one of the surface sides of which is provided with a metallization, wherein the ceramic material forming the ceramic layer contains aluminum oxide, zirconium dioxide and yttrium oxide. The ceramic layer contains aluminum oxide, zirconium dioxide and yttrium oxide in the following proportions, in each case in relation to the total weight thereof: zirconium dioxide between 2 and 15 percent by weight; yttrium oxide between 0.01 and 1 percent by weight; and aluminum oxide between 84 and 97 percent by weight, wherein the average grain size of the aluminum oxide used is between 2 and 8 micrometers and the ratio of the length of the grain boundaries of the aluminum oxide grains to the total length of all the grain boundaries is greater than 0.6.
US09642243B2
An article includes a multilayer structure, such as, e.g., a touch sensor, having two opposing sides and comprising a central polymeric UV transparent substrate, a transparent conductive layer on each of the two major opposing surfaces of the polymeric substrate, a metallic conductive layer on each transparent conductive layer, and a patterned photoimaging mask on each metallic conductive layer.
US09642242B2
An AC/DC converter of a power conversion apparatus includes filters, a PFC circuit, a first full bridge circuit, a first transformer, and a first rectifier circuit and converts an AC voltage supplied from the outside to a DC voltage. A DC/DC converter includes filters, a second full bridge circuit, a second transformer, and a second rectifier circuit and lowers a DC voltage output from the AC/DC converter. Constituent circuits of the AC/DC converter located on the primary side of the first transformer are mounted on the upper face of a cooling chassis which cools both the converters. Constituent circuits of the AC/DC converter located on the secondary side of the first transformer and constituent circuits of the DC/DC converter are mounted on the lower face of the cooling chassis.
US09642232B2
An embodiment of the invention provides a method for low emission charge neutralization, comprising: generating a high frequency alternating current (AC) voltage; transmitting the high frequency AC voltage to at least one non-metallic emitter; wherein the at least one non-metallic emitter comprises at least 70% silicon by weight and less than 99.99% silicon by weight; wherein the at least one emitter comprises at least one treated surface section with a destroyed oxidation layer; and generating ions from the at least one non-metallic emitter in response to the high frequency AC voltage. Another embodiment of the invention provides an apparatus for low emission charge neutralization wherein the apparatus can perform the above-described operations.
US09642226B2
A two-way load control system comprises a power device, such as a load control device for controlling an electrical load receiving power from an AC power source, and a controller adapted to be coupled in series between the source and the power device. The load control system may be installed without requiring any additional wires to be run, and is easily configured without the need for a computer or an advanced commissioning procedure. The power device receives both power and communication over two wires. The controller generates a phase-control voltage and transmits a forward digital message to the power device by encoding digital information in timing edges of the phase-control voltage. The power device transmits a reverse digital message to the controller via the power wiring.
US09642223B2
A vehicle wheel illumination assembly is provided. The assembly includes a light source located on the body of a vehicle near the wheel well and oriented to direct light onto a wheel assembly having a tire. A tire pressure indicator detects tire pressure of the tire. The light source illuminates the wheel assembly with a desired color to indicate a tire pressure status based on the detected tire pressure. A sensor senses a person near the wheel assembly and a controller activates the light source to illuminate the wheel assembly based on the sensed person to enable servicing of the tire.
US09642219B2
A method for facilitating space experiences for at least a first space user and for at least first and second different spaces, the method comprising the steps of storing first and second space experience specifications for the first and second different spaces, respectively, wherein the first and second space experience specifications indicate space affordance settings for the first and second spaces, respectively, sensing a trigger event associated with at least one of the first and second different spaces, where the sensed trigger event is associated with the first space, using the first space experience specification to control the first space affordances and where the sensed trigger event is associated with the second space, using the second space experience specification to control the second space affordances.
US09642217B2
A motion sensor network method for lighting in group units by using an infrared communication sensor according to the present invention comprises the steps of: sensing a first motion of a person or a vehicle by means of a first sensor module and turning on one lighting module; implementing infrared communication with another sensor module adjacent to the first sensor module and turning on another lighting module; maintaining the turning-on of the first lighting module and the other lighting module when the first sensor module or the other sensor module senses a second motion of the person or the vehicle; and turning off the first lighting module and the other lighting module when the first sensor module or the other sensor module fails to sense the second motion of the person or the vehicle for a certain time.
US09642212B1
A system and method for producing a conformal electroluminescent coating on an object wherein an electrically conductive base backplane film layer is applied upon a substrate. One or more intermediate layers, such as dielectric, or phosphor film layers, is/are applied upon the conductive backplane film layer. An electrode film layer is applied upon the one or more intermediate layers using a substantially transparent, electrically conductive material. The electroluminescent phosphor is excitable by an electrical field established across the phosphor film layer such that the device emits electroluminescent light upon application of an electrical charge between the conductive backplane film layer and the electrode film layer.
US09642200B2
A method and system of driving an LED load. There is a power stage that is configured to deliver a level of current indicated by a control signal to the LED load when a PWM signal is ON and stop delivering the level of current when the PWM signal is OFF. There is a feedback circuit that is configured to generate the operating point signal, which causes the power stage to deliver a level of current indicated by the control signal, when the PWM signal is ON. A store and hold circuit is configured to store an information indicative of a level of the operating point signal just after the PWM signal is turned OFF and cause the operating point signal to be at that level just before the PWM signal is turned ON.
US09642187B2
A rear slider window assembly for a vehicle includes a fixed window panel, a frame portion and a movable window panel that is movable along the frame between a closed position and an opened position relative to an opening of the fixed window panel. A first heater grid is disposed at the first panel portion, a second heater grid is disposed at the second panel portion, and a third heater grid is disposed at the movable window panel. A first busbar is disposed at the fixed window panel and extends at least partially across an upper or lower panel portion of the fixed window panel. The rear slider window assembly includes an electrical connector for electrically conductively connecting the third heater grid to one of (i) the first heater grid, (ii) the second heater grid and (iii) the first busbar.
US09642180B2
Technology for mapping an enhanced physical downlink control channel to physical resource blocks in a radio frame is disclosed. One method comprises mapping modulated symbols in the ePDCCH to at least one control channel element. The at least one control channel element can be mapped to resource elements located in a plurality of distributed physical resource blocks in a subframe, wherein each resource block is separated by at least one additional resource block in the subframe. The mapping can also be to resource elements distributed in a single resource block in the subframe, wherein the control channel element is mapped to be distributed in frequency and time relative to other mapped resource elements in the single resource block.
US09642179B2
A managed surface-space network fabric is presented. The surface-space network fabric can include a spaced-based network fabric and a surface-based network fabric integrated together to form a single fabric managed by a global fabric manager. The global fabric manager cooperates with other fabric managers local to each fabric to establish a communication topology among all the nodes of the fabric. Preferred topologies include paths from any port on a node to any other port on another node in the fabric. The surface-space fabric, and each individual fabric, can function as a distributed core fabric operating as a single, coherent device.
US09642173B2
Systems and methods for reusing generic tokens using a Bluetooth® low energy (BLE) beacon. The systems and methods include a user device including a wireless transceiver, a memory for storing a generic token, and one or more processors coupled to the memory and the wireless transceiver. The wireless transceiver is configured to communicate with a beacon using a BLE communications protocol, receive a beacon identifier from the beacon, send a check in request to the beacon, and receive token differences from the beacon. The processors are configured to recreate a custom token based on the stored generic token and the received token differences. The beacon is configured to forward the check in request to a server. The server is configured to verify the user device and create the custom token and the token differences between the custom and generic tokens for return to the user device via the beacon.
US09642163B2
A train control device includes an on-vehicle base station mounted on a train, base stations that can communicate with the on-vehicle base station, an on-vehicle control device controlling an operation such that the train can stop before reaching a stop limit before which the train can run safely, and ground control devices that transmit, to the train side, the stop limit calculated based on information on the current position acquired from the train side via the base stations and opening information on a turnout on the ground. The on-vehicle control device calculates a channel-reservation start pattern, which is a pattern determining a reservation start position of a communication channel of a base station as a switching target when the base station as a communication partner to the on-vehicle base station is switched and in which the reservation start position is different according to train speed and train position.
US09642159B1
Disclosed is a method and apparatus to help facilitate providing of multiple Downlink Control Information (DCI) messages that separately schedule downlink communication of bearer data to a wireless communication device (WCD) in a given sub-frame, to help ensure receipt of such multiple DCI messages by the WCD. As disclosed, a base station will include in at least one such DCI message an indication that there is in the sub-frame at least one other such DCI message. When the WCD receives and reads the one such DCI message, the WCD may thereby learn from the indication that there is at least one other such DCI message in the sub-frame. The WCD may then search for and find the at least other such DCI message in the sub-frame and/or may use the indication as a basis to verify receipt of all such DCI messages in the sub-frame.
US09642158B2
A scheduling method includes: determining whether a valid time interval is shorter than a first time interval; and when the valid time interval is smaller than the first time interval, performing a search for a time length of N predetermined search cycles. In each of the predetermined search cycles, N consecutive TD-SCDMA sub-frames are regarded as a group, and one fixed sub-frame in the group is selected for the search. In the N predetermined search cycles, the fixed sub-frames selected from the group in respective predetermined search cycles are different. N is a natural number greater than or equal to 2.
US09642157B2
Certain aspects of the present disclosure relate to techniques and apparatus for efficient support of variable bit rate (VBR) voice traffic on LTE uplink. In an aspect, a base station may periodically schedule transmission resources for use by a user equipment (UE) for transmitting data on a logical channel, wherein the periodically scheduling grants the UE a fixed first transport block (TB) size of transmission resources at regular intervals, receive an indication from the UE of an amount of data for transmission on the logical channel, and adjust the fixed first TB size of the periodically scheduled transmission resources to a fixed second TB size based on the indicated amount of data. In another aspect, a base station may configure a UE to enable scheduling request masking (SR-masking) on a logical channel, and configure the UE with a threshold amount of data for the logical channel to dynamically disable SR-masking on the logical channel. In another aspect, a UE may receive a configuration to enable scheduling request (SR) masking (SR-masking) on a logical channel, receive a configuration of a threshold amount of data for the logical channel to dynamically disable SR-masking on the logical channel, and decide whether to transmit an SR based on the amount of data to transmit and the threshold amount.
US09642152B2
A resource allocation method and base station. The resource allocation method comprises: within a current scheduling period, determining priorities of users in a cell for sub-carriers in available frequency resources, and among the available frequency resources of the cell, allocating a corresponding available frequency resource for each user in the cell according to the priorities of all users for the sub-carriers, so that the frequency resources that can be used by the edge users cover all available frequency ranges of the cell. Therefore, when frequency selectivity fading occurs in the channel, a decline in communication quality caused by allocating carrier resources for the edge users in the limited frequency resources is avoided, the probability that the edge users use deeply fading frequency resources is reduced, and interruption in the communication process is decreased, thereby improving system throughput.
US09642151B2
The present invention discloses a radio resource adaptation method between UL and DL for two-way communications between a first communication device and a second communication device, comprising steps of: receiving, by the first communication device, fed-back information in an unused part of radio resource allocated to a second communication link (UL or DL) from the second communication device to the first communication device, the fed-back information enabling utilization efficiency enhancement of radio resource allocated to a first communication link (DL or UL) from the first communication device to the second communication device; and performing, by the first communication device, resource-efficient information transmission and/or retransmission on the radio resource of the first communication link, based on the received fed-back information. The present invention further provides associated wireless communication devices.
US09642150B2
Mobile station, reception method, base station, and method of controlling an operation of a receiver
In one aspect of the present invention, a mobile station includes a receiver type control signal reception unit configured to receive a receiver type control signal indicating whether to allow an operation of a receiver in association with at least one receiver type; and a receiver configuration unit configured to configure the operation of the receiver based on the received receiver type control signal.
US09642146B2
A system and method for agile wireless access network is provided. A method embodiment for agile radio access network management includes determining, by a network controller, capabilities and neighborhood relations of radio nodes in the radio access network. The network controller then configures a backhaul network infrastructure for the radio access network in accordance with the capabilities and the neighborhood relations of the radio nodes.
US09642144B2
In an aspect, a method of receiving a data unit, performed by an Access Point (AP), in a Wireless LAN (WLAN) system is provided. The method includes transmitting a signal protection frame, the signal protection frame comprising a group ID field indicating a Multiple Input Multiple Output (MIMO) transmission STA group including a first station (STA) and a second STA; and, a spatial stream field indicating a number of spatial streams allocated to each of member STAs included in the MIMO transmission STA group; receiving a first preamble for a first data unit from the first STA; receiving a second preamble for a second data unit from the second STA; and simultaneously receiving the first data unit from the first STA and the second data unit from the second STA.
US09642132B2
A communication device is provided in a wireless multi-hop network. The communication device receives a sequence number, a divided time acquired by dividing a time width allocated for transmitting detected usage data by a division number, and the division number. The communication device calculates a remainder by dividing the received sequence number by the division number and calculates a transmission offset time based on the remainder and the divided time. The communication device transmits the usage data based on the calculated transmission offset time.
US09642128B2
The present invention provides a method and apparatus for performing device-to-device communication in a wireless communication system. The method includes generating identification information of a D2D user equipment that supports the D2D communication as identification information for D2D discovery using a hash function, the identification information for discovery includes information of a first length for indicating a division region of the beacon signals and information of a second length included in the beacon. The information of a first length and the information of a second length are smaller than identification information of the D2D user equipment. Accordingly, by performing discovery for the D2D user equipment through the identification information having shorter length than prior art, and performing discovery in a range where the discovery is available through the region in which the beacon signals are allocated, advantages of performing the D2D discovery effectively are provided.
US09642126B2
The present invention relates to a method by which a terminal receives a downlink data channel in a wireless communication system. In detail, the method includes the steps of receiving from a network information on one or more settings defining large scale properties of a terminal-specific reference signal through a higher layer; detecting from the network one of either the first scheduling information or the second scheduling information on a downlink data channel based on a terminal-specific reference signal; and receiving the downlink data channel based on the terminal-specific reference signal on the basis of the detected scheduling information, wherein the first scheduling information includes an indicator indicating one or more of the settings, and the large scale properties of the terminal-specific reference signal are defined according to the setting indicated by the indicator during the detection of the first scheduling information, and a preset setting from among the one or more settings set during the detection of the second scheduling information.
US09642125B2
The present invention relates to a method for transmitting and receiving data in a wireless access system and a terminal therefor. The method comprises the steps of: receiving an instruction message which instructs transmission of uplink resource allocation information via a physical downlink shared channel (PDSCH) from a base station; determining whether the resource allocation information is a first downlink resource allocation information based on the instruction message, upon receiving resource allocation information set to a flag value that indicates uplink resource allocation information, from the base station via a physical downlink control channel (PDCCH); receiving uplink resource allocation information via the PDSCH according to the first downlink resource allocation information from the base station; and transmitting uplink data to the base station via a physical uplink shared channel (PUSCH) according to the uplink resource allocation information.
US09642122B2
Mechanisms for determining a cluster set of mobile devices are disclosed. A controller node identifies a primary mobile device that has a scheduled transmission for the controller node at a first time. The controller node identifies, from a plurality of mobile devices, a set of eligible assistant (EA) mobile devices. Each EA mobile device in the set is directed to determine a corresponding mobile device-to-mobile device (MD-MD) channel indicator that identifies a quality of a channel between the each EA mobile device and the primary mobile device. The controller node receives from at least one EA mobile device in the set the corresponding MD-MD channel indicator. The controller node then determines a cluster set that includes the primary mobile device and the at least one EA mobile device.
US09642114B2
Technology for uplink power control in a wireless network is disclosed. Receiving a component carrier list at a User Equipment (UE) is disclosed where the component carriers grouped in the list have one or more common characteristics relative to the power necessary for uplink transmission on those component carriers. A path-loss estimation performed on the downlink of a component carrier in the component carrier list can, therefore, be used to control uplink transmission for other component carriers in the list. Additionally, a UE can receive a path-loss difference parameter providing an offset for one or more factors related to the power necessary for uplink transmission between a component carrier with certain characteristics relative to those factors and a component carrier with different characteristics relative to those same factors.
US09642113B2
System, methods, nodes, and computer program products for handling paging of a user equipment for delivery of a terminating transaction are described. A user equipment is located in a radio coverage area, wherein the radio coverage area is controlled by the control node. The method includes initiating a paging request broadcast in the radio coverage area and opening, triggered by the initiating of the paging request broadcast, a paging response reception window. The method further includes storing, while the paging response reception window is open, all received paging responses. Furthermore, authenticating, if more than one paging response has been received, at least one user equipment which has provided a paging response, and continuing delivery of the terminating transaction to the user equipment which could be successfully authenticated.
US09642106B2
Systems and methods are provided for resolving Primary Scrambling Code (PSC) ambiguity. A radio link having the same PSC as that reported by user equipment (UE) may be created on some or all internal cells which are chosen based on radio frequency (RF) proximity to a serving cell of the UE or one or more iterations of a PSC resolution set selection process. If the UE is reporting the PSC of one of these cells, the UE and a Node Bs will be able to successfully complete a synchronization procedure to add one of the radio links to the UE's active set, while any remaining created radio links can be deleted. After a certain number of successful radio link additions, the combination of the PSC and active set may be considered to be resolved, therefore, negating a need to resolve the PSC in subsequent soft handover requests.
US09642101B2
A system and method for uplink multi-antenna power control in a communications system are provided. A method for user equipment operations includes determining a transmit power level for transmit antennas of the user equipment having at least two transmit antennas, and setting a power amplifier output level for each of the at least two transmit antennas in accordance with a respective transmit power level.
US09642095B2
When a status of communication between a first transmission module and a second transmission module that is located downstream of the first transmission module on a predetermined transmission path is output, received signal strength information is output for each piece of send target information in order of transmission, and regarding this output, an interval between output of received signal strength information associated with send target information transmitted immediately before transmission of one piece of send target information and output of received signal strength information associated with the one piece of send target information corresponds to a transmission period of the one piece of send target information from the first transmission module to the second transmission module. This makes it easy to grasp a status of communication between arbitrary transmission modules in a network in which information is transmitted sequentially via a plurality of transmission modules along a predetermined transmission path.
US09642085B2
A transmission-source radio communication apparatus includes a transmission-time-sum integrating unit integrating transmission time per unit time of a radio frame, a transmission-time estimating and integrating unit estimating and integrating the transmission time per unit time in the future of a radio device number frame, a transmission-limit-time-of-day estimating unit estimating, using two integration results, a sum-limit-exceeding estimated time of day and a less-than-sum-limit estimated time of day, and a transmission control unit notifying a destination radio communication apparatus of the two estimated times of day. The destination radio communication apparatus includes a reception control unit determining, using the two estimated times of day, whether reception of a radio frame from the transmission-source radio communication apparatus is stopped and a transmission control unit determining, using the two estimated times of day, whether transmission of a radio frame to the transmission-source radio communication apparatus is stopped.
US09642075B2
An example method for network selection involves discovering network capabilities by performing an Access Network Query Protocol (ANQP) query at a wireless terminal, and receiving a subsequent ANQP response from an access point of a wireless local area network. The network capabilities are indicated in the subsequent ANQP response. The example method also involves comparing the network capabilities with configured capabilities, finding a match between at least a portion of the network capabilities and at least a portion of the configured capabilities, and joining the wireless terminal with the access point based on the at least the portion of the network capabilities matching the at least the portion of the configured capabilities.
US09642071B2
Methods, apparatuses, and systems are described that implement techniques and protocols to enable a station to receive a neighbor query request from a first associated access point that is associated with the station. The station may wirelessly communicate a neighbor report of a second access point to the first access point while the station is unassociated with the second access point.
US09642069B2
A method is performed in a network device for accepting or rejecting a request associated with a mobile device wirelessly connecting to a network. The method includes: receiving a request from a mobile device, wherein the request is associated with the mobile device wirelessly connecting to a network; and determining an expected connection duration for the mobile device, which is calculated using collected historical connection data that identifies a plurality of previous wireless connections to the network and identifies a corresponding duration of each previous wireless connection. The method further includes determining whether to accept or reject the request based on the expected connection duration for the mobile device.
US09642064B2
Data is routed in a mesh network of devices that can communicate wirelessly through a plurality of technologies. One or more of such devices receive broadcast message(s) from a destination device intended to receive the data, and generate a first radio link quality metric (RLQM) value based on the broadcast message(s). A source device originates and delivers a quantum of data with an embedded first RLQM value. A set of intermediate devices relays the quantum of data if a forwarding criterion is fulfilled; the forwarding criterion is based in part on the first RLQM value and a second RLQM value generated by an intermediate device in the set of intermediate devices based on the broadcast message(s). The intermediate device exploits an optical interface to transmit the quantum of data. The destination device broadcasts an acknowledgement signal in response to receiving intended data.
US09642058B2
Systems and methods for facilitating the mitigation of interference in the uplink of a small cell caused by macrocell user equipment in the case where the macrocell cannot identify the interfering macrocell user equipment because the user equipment cannot detect and report the small cell's downlink due to the small cell's uplink/downlink coverage imbalance. In an embodiment, the smell cell provides the macrocell with a notification of the interference, the configuration information about its Physical Random Access Channel (PRACH), and a plurality of unique preambles and transmission times for non-contention-based transmissions on the small cells PRACH. The macrocell orders each of one or a plurality of macrocell user equipment to transmit one of the unique preambles on the small cell's PRACH. The small cell reports to the macrocell the detected preamble transmissions, which allows the macrocell to identify interfering user equipment and perform corrective actions.
US09642054B2
Methods and systems for re-establishing radio contact include, for example, a method for performing a wireless handoff for user equipment (UE) as the UE performs a handoff from a source extended Node-B (e-NB) to a target e-NB is disclosed. The method includes detecting a radio link failure (RLF) between the UE and the source e-NB by the UE, and maintaining an active communication service at a service layer of the UE after detecting the RLF and as the UE performs the handoff from the source e-NB to the target e-NB such that the communication service remains continuously active during the handoff, the communication service supporting a first communication between the UE and a third party.
US09642053B2
The present invention relates to devices, methods and computer program products concerning a communication link in, for example, a so-called unlicensed band. The invention proposes an apparatus, comprising: a control module configured to control a transceiver being controllable to use at least one of at least two transmission resources for communication with a respective other apparatus, wherein a first transmission resource is useable for a direct communication with another apparatus of a first type and a second transmission resource is useable for a communication with one of plural other apparatuses of a second type each linked to the other apparatus of the first type, determine whether communication is setup via one of the plural other apparatuses of the second type, and, in response thereto, obtain information for deciding to switch the communication to another one of the apparatuses of the second type, evaluate the information obtained, and, cause to decide to switch the communication to one other apparatus of the second type.
US09642039B2
In one embodiment, a method of wireless load balancing includes receiving, by a communications controller from a device, a plurality of messages including a plurality of demands of a plurality of UEs and a plurality of locations of the plurality of UEs, where the plurality of demands includes a demand of a UE of the plurality of UEs, where the plurality of locations includes a location of the first UE, and where the location of the UE is in a cell and determining a utility map in accordance with the plurality of demands and the plurality of locations. The method also includes determining a recommendation of user behavior of a user of the first UE in accordance with the utility map, the location of the first UE, and the demand of the UE and transmitting, by the communications controller to the UE, the recommendation of user behavior.
US09642037B2
Approaches are provided for a congestion detection algorithm for detection of congestion in outroute port queues (associated with respective satellite downlink beams), of a Layer 2 switch on-board a processing satellite, before the congestion reaches the point of dropping packets. Such approaches employ congestion notification protocols to inform all inroute sources of the congested ports. The on-board Layer 2 switch sends congestion notifications to the on-board system controller. The system controller broadcasts a notification reflecting the report of contested ports/beams to source terminals. The source terminals then segregate bandwidth requests regarding traffic destined for congested beams from traffic destined to all uncongested beams, and categorize such requests based on respective traffic priority levels. The system controller makes bandwidth grants according to congestion (for example allowing only higher priority traffic on congested beams) to alleviate the congestion conditions of the respective ports/beams.
US09642026B2
The invention relates to a method (90) in a user equipment (4) for reporting a downlink channel quality in a communication system (1) comprising a first radio access technology system (2) and a second radio access technology system (3). The user equipment (4) is in connection with a primary serving cell on the first radio access technology system (2) and with a secondary serving cell on the second radio access technology system (3). The method (90) comprises: determining (110) channel quality for the second radio access technology system (3) using an indicator format of the radio access technology of the second radio access technology system (3); mapping (120) an indicator of the channel quality having the indicator format of the second radio access technology to an indicator format used for channel quality indicators in the first radio access technology system (2); and transmitting (130) the indicator of the channel quality for the second radio access technology system (3) to the communication system (1) using the indicator format of the first radio access technology on an uplink carrier of the first radio access technology system (2). The invention also relates to a user equipment, methods in a network node and a network node.
US09642023B2
A communications network comprises performance determination circuitry and link control circuitry. The performance determination circuitry is operable to determine performance of a microwave backhaul link between a first microwave backhaul transceiver and a second microwave backhaul transceiver. The microwave backhaul link backhauls traffic of a mobile access link. The link control circuitry is operable to, in response to an indication from the performance determination circuitry that the performance of the microwave backhaul link has degraded, adjust one or more signaling parameters used for the mobile access link. The link control circuitry is operable to, in response to the indication that the performance of the microwave backhaul link has degraded, adjust one or more signaling parameters used for the backhaul link in combination with the adjustment of the parameter(s) of the access link.
US09642014B2
An apparatus for testing, inspecting or screening an electronic device for electrical characteristics, modified or unmodified hardware, or firmware modifications including Malware, Trojans, improper versioning, and the like, includes a transmitting antenna positioned at a distance from the electronic device and a electromagnetic energy receiver or sensor for examining a resulting unintentional derived electromagnetic energy from the electronic device. The receiver collects unintentional RF energy components emitted by the device and includes a processor and executable instructions that perform analysis in a response to the acquired electromagnetic energy input. The characteristics of the collected RF energy may be compared with RF energy characteristics of an exemplary device. The analysis determines one of a modified, unmodified or score of certainty of discerned condition of the device.
US09642012B1
An approach is provided for controlling access to contents displayed on a mobile device. A security rule specifies time periods during which a first user is and is not permitted to access items in the contents. Based on the security rule, the contents are divided into first and second sets. The first set is displayed on a first, physical, transparent display layer of a display of the mobile device. The first layer has touch functionality enabled. The second set is displayed on a second, physical layer of the display and is viewed by the first user through the first layer. The second layer is a transparent or opaque display that does not have touch functionality. Based on a second level of security determined for a second user, the divider contents are modified by switching item(s) between the first and second sets.
US09642011B2
A mobile terminal is disclosed. The mobile terminal includes a touch panel and an input detection part, a display part, a determination part, and an execution part. The input detection part is configured to detect inputs to the touch panel. The display part is configured to display an object corresponding to a lock state in which predetermined processing based on inputs detected by the input detection part is not executed. The determination part is configured to determine whether or not a predetermined input to the object is detected by the input detection part. The execution part is configured to release the lock state and execute predetermined processing if the determination part determines that a predetermined input to the object is detected.
US09642006B2
An embodiment includes a method executed by at least one processor of a member computing node comprising: establishing a communication channel with a verifier computing node, the member computing node and the verifier computing node each coupled to a respective charging coil; determining a group of devices approved for charging with the verifier computing node; determining the member computing node is a member of the group of devices; authenticating the member computing node to the verifier computing node; in response to authenticating the member computing node to the verifier computing node, inductively charging the member computing node based on a magnetic field produced by the verifier computing node. Other embodiments are described herein.
US09642002B2
A cellular communication device has one or more access modes which allow reading and writing of data, for example to change its settings, for example passwords and even the entire operating system and also permitting access to personal information such as the user's telephone book. To prevent cloning and like illegal access activity, the device is configured by restricting access to such data access modes using a device unique security setting. The setting may be a password, preferably a one-time password, or it may be a unique or dynamic or one time configuration of the codes for the read and write instructions of the data mode. There is also disclosed a server, which manages the security settings such that data mode operates during an active connection between the device and the server, and a secure communication protocol for communicating between the server and the cellular device.
US09642001B2
A method and a device for controlling external data network use via a mobile Access Point (AP) are provided. A host device set as the mobile AP determines whether a data-less mode is set, blocks a client device from using the external data network via the mobile AP, if the data-less mode is set, and permits the client device to use the external data network via the mobile AP, if the data-less mode is released. A client device connected to a mobile AP determines whether a data-less mode is set for a host device set as the mobile AP, if the client device is connected to the host device in a state of being connected to a wireless data network, maintains the connection to the wireless data network, if the data-less mode is set, and releases the connection to the wireless data network, if the data-less mode is released.
US09641968B2
A system for sharing moment experiences is described. A system receives moment data from an input to a mobile device. The system receives geographic location information, time information, and contextual information that is local to the mobile device. The system creates a message about the moment data based on the geographic location information, the time information, and the contextual information. The system outputs the moment data with the message.
US09641966B2
A method and system for provision of a notification based on location of a target device and heuristic information, the method maintaining, in a storage module, a location profile of a target mobile device based on heuristic information for the target mobile device; receiving the current location of the target mobile device; verifying whether the current location deviates from the location profile; and if the current location deviates from the location profile, triggering a notification to an observer device.
US09641963B2
A wireless communication system plays multimedia content using Bluetooth communication. The wireless communication system includes receiving a request message related to allowing streaming of second multimedia content of a second source device from the sink device by a first source device streaming first multimedia content; determining whether to allow streaming of the second multimedia content of the second source device; transmitting a response message including a determination result for whether to allow streaming of the second multimedia content to the sink device in response to the request message; transmitting a message for stopping streaming of the second multimedia content to the sink device, when the first source device allows streaming of the second multimedia content; and receiving a streaming stop response message from the sink device responsive to the streaming stop message. The request message includes one of a name, MAC address, and ID of the second source device.
US09641957B2
A mobile device has a cellular network modem and a memory to store pre-activation credentials and permanent credentials. A processor is configured to, in an ambient access mode that uses the pre-activation credentials, provide network access control according to a pre-activation service policy that controls access to a first carrier access network. In this mode, an allowed network service activity is an activation sequence that connects the device to an Internet-connected activation server through the first carrier access network. The activation sequence presents carrier selections obtained from the activation server to a user, allows the user to select one of several carriers, and then negotiates with the activation server to obtain permanent credentials for the selected carrier.
US09641956B2
A device and method comprises receiving a network request, and provides a dynamic flow management and a conditional logic provisioning command driver in the form of a computational instruction in response to the network request. The network request is received by a processor accessible in a network from at least one requesting subscriber unit subscribing to a first network service configuration. A conditional logic provisioning command driver is provided in response to the network request by the processor to reconfigure the first network service configuration to a second network service configuration according to the received network request. The conditional logic provisioning command driver may be implemented conditionally according to at least one business rule associated with at least one value defined by the network request.
US09641952B2
Devices and methods are adapted to characterize a multi-channel loudspeaker configuration, to correct loudspeaker/room delay, gain and frequency response or to configure sub-band domain correction filters.
US09641949B2
A MEMS device and a method for manufacturing a MEMS device are disclosed. In an embodiment the MEMS device comprises a support having a cavity therethrough and a membrane extended over the cavity of the support, wherein the membrane is at least partially reinforced by graphene.
US09641948B2
A method for audio calibration of an audio device is provided. The method comprises: registering, by a microphone, a representation of an audio signal; processing, by a data processing unit, the registered representation of the audio signal into feedback image data; displaying on a display, the feedback image data; capturing, by a camera, the feedback image data displayed on the display; altering a setting affecting audio of the audio device based on the feedback image data captured by the camera. A system for audio calibration of an audio device is further provided.
US09641946B2
A hearing device is proposed comprising at least one microphone (1), at least one analog-to-digital converter (2), a signal processing unit (3), a communication unit (6) for establishing and/or maintaining a communication link to a second hearing device, and a detection unit (7) for determining a communication link quality. The at least one microphone (1) is operationally connected to the signal processing unit (3) via the at least one analog-to-digital converter (2), and the communication unit (6) is operationally connected to the signal processing unit (3). By providing said detection unit (7), which is operationally connected to the communication unit (6), together with a processing scheme selectable in the signal processing unit (3) in accordance to a determined communication link quality, a binaural hearing system with two hearing devices is for able to adjust its mode in line with the communication link quality, and therewith its capacity.
US09641941B2
Transducers and methods for converting acoustic signals into electrical signals. A device (100) includes an interferometer (106) including two mirrors (108) adapted for reflecting electromagnetic radiation (112) coupled into a space (110) between the mirrors (108). The acoustic signal (102) is to be coupled into the space (110) for influencing the electromagnetic radiation (112) in accordance with this acoustic signal. An electromagnetic radiation detector (112) is adapted for detecting the influenced electromagnetic radiation (112) and for converting the detected influenced electromagnetic radiation (112) into the electric signal (104) being indicative for the acoustic signal (102). An operation point stabilization unit stabilizes an operation point of the device (100).
US09641933B2
An acoustic noise canceling microphone arrangement and processor that uses a principal microphone and other microphones that may be incidentally or deliberately located in the vicinity of the principal microphone in order to derive an audio signal of enhanced signal-to-background noise ratio. In one implementation, the principal and incidental microphones comprise the microphone built into a mobile phone and the microphone built into a Bluetooth headset.
US09641932B2
An audio signal adapter device detects whether a sequence of a microphone pin and a ground pin of an apparatus with an audio plug matches a detecting device into which the audio plug is inverted. The device includes a first interface having an audio signal receiving pin, a microphone pin and a ground pin, and a second interface having an audio signal output pin. An audio signal amplifying circuit is configured to amplify an audio signal received by the audio signal receiving pin and to output the amplified audio signal to the audio signal output pin. The audio signal received by the audio signal receiving pin flows to the microphone pin or ground pin via an impedance equivalent part of an audio signal amplifying circuit. The impedance circuit is coupled between the microphone pin and ground pin. An interface detecting system and an electronic signature token are also provided.
US09641930B2
A waterproof piezoelectric ceramic speaker includes a ceramic composite and a vibration membrane. The ceramic composite includes a ceramic plate and a driving electrode assembly arranged on the ceramic plate and supplying a driving voltage to the ceramic plate to generate vibration for the ceramic plate. The vibration membrane includes a first vibration layer and a second vibration layer respectively adhered to two opposite surfaces of the ceramic composite. The first vibration layer and the second vibration layer respectively have a resonance member adhered to the ceramic plate and resonating with the ceramic plate synchronously, a waterproof member connecting with the resonance member to seal the driving electrode assembly, and a bonding member extending from a perimeter of the resonance member to seal the resonance member.
US09641925B2
A headphone wireless expansion device for switching among multiple targets is connected to an information device to receive audio data which is then transmitted to a headphone for playing. The headphone wireless expansion device includes multi-target connection data and an audio control mechanism. The multi-target connection data includes a plurality of device identification codes, a plurality of device authorization codes corresponding to a plurality of information devices respectively, and a plurality of audio tags corresponding to the device identification codes and the device authorization codes respectively. The audio control mechanism searches the audio tag having audio features same as that of the unrecognized audio signal, and reads the corresponding device identification code and device authorization code. The headphone wireless expansion device enables a conventional wired headphone to wirelessly connect with the information device and switch among multiple information devices via a voice control method through identifying the audio tag.
US09641922B2
An apparatus and method wherein the apparatus comprises: a covering portion configured to cover at least part of an electronic device; and an audio transducer; and a flexible portion comprising at least one conductive trace wherein the flexible portion is configured to connect the audio transducer to the covering portion and the at least one conductive trace is configured to electrically connect the audio transducer to circuitry within the electronic device.
US09641914B2
This specification relates to a remote meter reading system using a plurality of master devices and a remote meter reading method thereof, and more particularly, a remote meter reading system using a plurality of master devices, capable of allowing for communication with another electricity meter modem which can replace one electricity meter modem when there is a trouble in communication between the one electricity meter modem and the master devices, allowing for fast and flexible reaction with respect to changes in communication network between the electricity meter modem and the master devices, and constructing a network path for communication with an optimal communication performance, all by way of enabling network connection and information sharing among master devices through communication between electricity meter modems and the plurality of master devices, and a remote meter reading method thereof.
US09641911B2
The disclosure introduces a method and a system of searching and collating video files, a method for establishing a semantic group, and a program storage medium therefor. In the method of searching and collating video files, program information in an electronic program guide (EPG) may be used for searching matching candidate video files, and titles of the candidate video files are reformatted or amended for selection. Some of the candidate video files are integrated to be a complete program, and these candidate video files may be grouped into a channel set for users to watch.
US09641908B2
A method and system for transferring real-time audio/video stream (AVS) is provided. The method for transferring real-time AVS includes the following steps of: first, receiving a real-time AVS by a server; transforming the real-time AVS into a fragmented media data (FMD) and storing the FMD in a storage module of the server, wherein the FMD comprises a starting-point, an overall fragment information and at least one media fragment (MF); next, generating a segmented media data (SMD) by encapsulating the FMD when the server receives a playback command. The step of generating the SMD comprises encapsulating the starting-point and the overall fragment information into an initial segment information of the SMD. Each playable segment of the SMD has multiple MFs and a segment index recording segment order to indicate each MF. The final step is to transfer the SMD to browser software for playback.
US09641905B2
A first instance of a reference video is stored. A primary video and a second instance of the reference video are simultaneously received. At least one quality of experience value that infers a perceptual quality of the primary video as received by a system is generated by comparing the first instance of the reference video to the second instance of the reference video on a pixel-by-pixel, frame-by-frame, basis and determining whether each pixel and each frame contained in the first instance of the reference video are contained in the second instance of the reference video.
US09641895B2
A system and method is disclosed for processing viewer profiles and program metadata from a number of sources to provide viewing suggestions and recommendations to one or more viewers.
US09641886B2
According to an illustrative embodiment, a data transmission device is provided. The device includes a communication unit for transmitting data to a receiver and transmitting data having a changed characteristic to the receiver, wherein when transmitting the data the device transmits timing information to the receiver indicating a time that the device will begin transmitting the data having a changed characteristic.
US09641873B1
Method and apparatus for allowing viewers to control broadcast programming content includes a programming uplink facility, a satellite relay and a plurality of receiver stations. The receiver stations each include a satellite dish antenna, a low-noise-block (LNB) converter coupled to the antenna, an integrated receiver/decoder (IRD) coupled to a the LNB, and a conventional television display coupled to the IRD. In addition to primary programming, the uplink facility broadcasts special subordinate programming that is received by the IRD and made available for display on viewer command. The viewer can control programming content by instructing the IRD to either switch from the primary programming to the special subordinate programming, or to incorporate the special subordinate programming into the primary programming content. Preferably, the special subordinate programming has a direct relation to the substantive content of the program.
US09641870B1
A processing device and method are disclosed to manage content of a content feed is disclosed. The method can include receiving, from a content provider, media content. The method can also include analyzing the media content to determine targeting information. The method can further include receiving, from a client device, an overlay request requesting a media content overlay, where the overlay request includes a targeting parameter and an overlay parameter. The method can further include comparing the targeting parameter with overlay content stored in an overlay database to determine targeted overlay content. The method can further include retrieving, from the overlay database, the targeted overlay content. The method can further include comparing the overlay parameter with the targeted overlay content to identify an overlay configuration of the targeted overlay content. The method can further include delivering, to the client device, the targeted overlay content within the overlay configuration.
US09641868B2
A moving image decoding apparatus which enables reduction in the memory bandwidth and the memory access latency for the motion compensation filter coefficients for use in inter-picture prediction involving motion compensation using variable coefficients includes: a decoding unit (101) which decodes, from a coded stream, a plurality of motion compensation filter coefficients; a memory (109) for holding the motion compensation filter coefficients included in the coded stream; a filter coefficient storage unit (103) for holding at least one of the motion compensation filter coefficients which is required for the motion compensation; a motion compensation unit (107) which performs motion compensation using the required motion compensation filter coefficient held in the filter coefficient storage unit; and a filter coefficient transfer control unit (102) which writes, in the memory, the motion compensation filter coefficients decoded by the decoding unit, and transfers the required motion compensation filter coefficient from the memory to the filter coefficient storage unit, only when the required coefficient is not yet stored therein.
US09641861B2
An integrated circuit capable of video processing and a method thereof is disclosed. The integrated circuit comprises an image information generator, an adaptive motion vector (MV) candidate generator, and a block matching unit. The image information generator receives reference and current video data to determine image information. The adaptive MV candidate generator, coupled to the image information generator, receives the reference and current video data to generate spatial and temporal MV candidates, and generates an updated MV candidate based on the image information. The block matching unit, coupled to the adaptive MV candidate generator, receives the spatial and temporal MV candidates and the updated MV candidate and performs block matching to determine an output MV therefrom.
US09641860B2
Provided is a method derives a reference picture index and a motion vector of a current prediction unit, generates a prediction block of the current prediction unit using the reference picture index and the motion vector, generating a residual block by inverse-scan, inverse-quantization and inverse transform, and generates reconstructed pixels using the prediction block and the residual block. Prediction pixels of the prediction block is generated using an interpolation filter selected based on the motion vector. Accordingly, the coding efficiency of the motion information is improved by including various merge candidates. Also, the computational complexity of an encoder and a decoder is reduced by selecting different filter according to location of the prediction pixels determined by the motion vector.
US09641859B2
A moving picture coding method includes: coding a coding target block using a motion vector; generating motion vector predictors; and coding the motion vector using one of the motion vector predictors generated in the generating of the motion vector predictors. In the generating of the motion vector predictors, a replacement vector which replaces a temporal motion vector predictor is added to the motion vector predictors when it is impossible to obtain the temporal motion vector predictor from a block which is included in a coded picture different from the coding target picture and corresponds to the coding target block.
US09641856B2
A method and apparatus for frame coding in adaptive raster scan order. The method includes encoding at least one of image or video utilizing input frames and at least one of a data related to the input frame to produce bitstream with raster scan order information and displacement information for producing compressed video bitstream, at decoding time, decoding at least one of the encoded bitstream with raster scan order information and displacement information for producing compressed video bitstream.
US09641842B2
There is disclosed and described a decoder and decoding method for decoding at least one picture corresponding to at least one of at least two views of multi-view video content from a bitstream, wherein in the bitstream at least one of coding order information and output order information for the at least one picture is decoupled from the at least one view to which the at least one picture corresponds. Furthermore, there is disclosed and described an encoder and encoding method for encoding at least one picture corresponding to at least one of at least two views of multi-view video content to form a resultant bitstream, wherein in the resultant bitstream at least one of coding order information and output order information for the at least one picture is decoupled from the at least one view to which the at least one picture corresponds.
US09641840B2
An image processing device including a decoding section that decodes an encoded stream and generates quantized transform coefficient data, and an inverse quantization section that, taking transform coefficient data as transform units to be used during inverse orthogonal transform, inversely quantizes the quantized transform coefficient data decoded by the decoding section, such that in a case where a non-square transform unit is selected, the inverse quantization section uses a non-square quantization matrix, corresponding to a non-square transform unit, that is generated from a square quantization matrix corresponding to a square transform unit.
US09641835B2
A system is provided for determining a binary codeword for a symbol representing a transform coefficient within transform units (TUs) that divide up coding units (CUs) in a High Efficiency Video Coding (HEVC) system. The system determines a truncated rice prefix and, when a parameter variable is greater than zero, determines a truncated rice suffix for the symbol. The system determines a main prefix either from the truncated rice prefix alone, or from a combination of the truncated rice prefix and the truncated rice suffix. When the main prefix is the same as a comparison string, the system also determines a main suffix. The system determines the final binary codeword for the symbol either from the main prefix alone, or from a combination of the main prefix and the main suffix.
US09641831B2
A method of transmitting a Moving Picture Experts Group (MPEG) Media Transport (MMT) signaling message for Measurement Configuration (MC) processing in an MMT sending entity. The method includes generating an MC message with header information by setting a measurement mode (measurement_mode), which indicates information on a measurement start time (measurement_start_time) of a measurement item in an MMT receiving entity, to one of: an immediate measurement start, a measurement start at a predetermined time, a measurement start based on a predetermined condition, and an immediate measurement stop; and transmitting an MMT packet including the generated MC message to an MMT receiving entity.
US09641823B2
An embedded light field display architecture to process and display three-dimensional light field data in a light field display is provided. The light field display architecture includes a plurality of hierarchical modules to decode compressed light field data associated with a light field and a plurality of tile modules embedded directly in the light field display to process light field data for display. A plurality of networking modules is also provided to transmit light field data among the hierarchical modules and the tile modules.
US09641818B1
A digital camera is configured to display a continually updated preview image of an observed scene, wherein kinetic objects that appear in the observed scene do not appear in the continually updated preview image. An observed scene includes static objects and kinetic objects. The observed scene is recorded using a digital imaging sensor which forms part of a smartphone. A live camera feed results, the live camera feed comprising a plurality of frames, each depicting the observed scene at a specific time. A median color value is evaluated over m non-consecutive frames captured from the live camera feed. The median color values are used to generate an output feed that is displayed at a reduced frame rate as compared to the live camera feed. The resulting displayed scene includes the same static objects which appeared in the observed scene, but does not include the kinetic objects.
US09641815B2
The disclosure extends to methods, systems, and computer program products for producing an image in light deficient environments and associated structures, methods and features. The features of the systems and methods described herein may include providing improved resolution and color reproduction.
US09641811B2
An operation, communication, and executions facilitation system includes at least one modular system device including at least one onsite fixed-base camera configurable at an onsite location directed at job equipment for remote live operation viewing by at least one offsite actor. At least one onsite hand-held camera directable by at least one onsite actor at selected equipment for remote live viewing of custom images by the at least one offsite actor. At least one audio communication device usable by the at least one onsite actor, and at least one personal computer configurable to receive data from onsite equipment. A secured or dedicated network connected to one or more of the at least one modular system device. A data center in communication with the secured or dedicated network; and, at least one operations center at an offsite location configured to be manned by the at least one offsite actor and configured to receive data via the data center from the at least one modular system device. Wherein two-way communication between the at least one offsite actor and the at least one onsite actor is accomplished through one or more of the at least one onsite hand-held camera, the at least one audio communication device, and the at least one personal computer. A method of providing and facilitating real-time equipment maintenance, trouble-shooting, and targeted remote operational process assurance of an operation.
US09641809B2
The present invention relates to a circuit arrangement for processing a digital video stream, the circuit arrangement comprising: an input interface for receiving a digital video stream, a processing circuit which is arranged to process the digital video stream, a hang-up detecting circuit for detecting a fault in the processed digital video stream, the hang-up detecting circuit comprising: a checksum generating circuit which is arranged to generate checksums for the frames of the processed digital video stream, a memory for storing generated checksums and an analyzing device arranged to compare a currently generated checksum to a plurality of corresponding checksums of preceding frames stored in the memory and to generate an error signal if at least one predefined amount of compared checksums are matching. The present invention also relates to a digital video system, a method for processing a digital video stream and a computer readable program product.
US09641808B2
A method for presenting image data, in which an optical implement captures the position and positional information is obtained thus and, with the aid of the positional information, image data are determined and displayed or processed further. The image data to be displayed are at least in part based on virtual image data, not real image data captured directly by the optical implement. These virtual image data represent an object or body part situated in the field of view of the optical implement. Within the scope of the method, real image data are recorded by means of the optical implement, the position and/or alignment of the optical implement is captured simultaneously and positional information is derived therefrom.
US09641806B2
An average speed detection system includes a first automatic license plate reader (ALPR) camera having an infrared camera for capturing identification information from a vehicle passing an entrance point. A first communication module is coupled to the first ALPR camera for transmitting the identification information and either an entrance timestamp or an exit timestamp for the vehicle. A second ALPR camera includes an infrared camera and an overview camera is coupled to a second communication module. The second communication module receives the vehicle identification information and the reference time stamp from the first communication module. The infrared camera of the second ALPR camera captures identification information from the vehicle as it passes the exit point, and if the time at which the vehicle passes an exit point is prior to an exit timestamp for the vehicle, the overview camera flash illuminates the vehicle and captures an image of the vehicle.
US09641801B2
Embodiments of the present invention provide a method for presenting communication information in video communication, including: controlling collection of audio information and video information of a video communication site; determining a position of a speaker in the video communication site according to the audio information, where the speaker is a person of participants in the video communication site that speaks; acquiring speech video information from the video information according to the position of the speaker, where the speech video information is video information of the speaker within a speaking period; and controlling presentation of the speech video information.
US09641800B2
Three-dimensional video is presented on a two-dimensional display. The view of the video is driven by user interaction. In one example, a two-dimensional (2D) video sequence in real time with a first view is synthesized from a video image sequence with depth captured by a first device. The 2D video sequence with the first view is provided to a second device in real time. A command is received from the second device to change a view of the 2D video sequence as the video sequence is rendered. The view of the 2D video sequence is changed as it is rendered to a 2D video sequence with a second view, and the 2D video sequence with the second view is provided to the second device in real time.
US09641797B2
A portable unit is for video communication to select a user name in a user name network. A transceiver wirelessly accesses a communication network through a wireless connection to a general purpose node coupled to the communication network. A user interface can receive user input to log on to a user name network through the communication network. The user name network has a plurality of user names, at least one of the plurality of user names is associated with a remote portable unit, logged on to the user name network and available for video communication.
US09641795B2
Reframing is used to re-size an image or video content, e.g. for displaying video signals with a given aspect ratio on a display having a different aspect ratio. Window cropping parameters (position and size over time) are constrained in order to optimise the rate/distortion of the encoded output video signal. Initial reframing is improved by computing a saliency map representing a user attention map which considers the video coding context and by providing a macroblock coding efficiency cost map and then taking the saliency map or a combined saliency/coding cost map into account so that the coding cost for said reframed video signal is smaller than the coding cost for other candidate reframing windows' sizes and positions.
US09641791B2
A scheduler is used to identify a schedule conflict that affects a client device receiving multiple media programs over a network. The scheduler is associated with the client device or a head-end source from which the programs are received. The scheduler accesses a schedule, which specifies a scheduled time at which multiple media programs are to be received by the client device. The scheduler obtains the actual bitrate to be consumed by each of the media programs as they are to be streamed to the client device. Based at least in part on the bitrates obtained for each of the media programs, the scheduler identifies a conflict that prevents at least one of the media programs from being streamed to the client device over the network. The scheduler enumerates at least one solution to the conflict to thereby resolve the conflict.
US09641785B2
A controlling device is automatically configured to issue a communication directly to a first controllable appliance to control a functional operation of the first controllable appliance in the event that the first controllable appliance is determined to be unresponsive to a command communication transmitted to the first controllable appliance via a digital communications link or to issue a communication to a second controllable appliance to control the functional operation of the first controllable appliance via a digital communications link in the event that first controllable appliance is determined to be responsive to a command communication transmitted to the first controllable appliance via a digital communications link.
US09641783B2
A solid-state image pickup device includes an optoelectronic conversion unit, a first optical signal accumulation unit, a second optical signal accumulation unit, and a combining unit, in which the first optical signal accumulation unit accumulates a first optical signal obtained by the optoelectronic conversion by the optoelectronic conversion unit in a first period, the second optical signal accumulation unit accumulates a second optical signal obtained by the optoelectronic conversion by the optoelectronic conversion unit in a second period, the second period being shorter than the first period, and the combining unit combines the second optical signal with the first optical signal when a noise in the first optical signal is equal to or larger than a noise in the second optical signal.
US09641782B2
Expansion of the dynamic range was difficult in conventional amplifying photoelectric conversion devices designed to have a large gain because, when used for high input light intensity, the electric current exceeds the electric current capacity of a near-minimum sized transistor obtained with the design rules. Also, in conventional photoelectric conversion devices, techniques for varying the electric signal outputs in real-time at the device level are necessary for real-time import of observation targets or images having a high contrast ratio and for visualization of local areas in real-time. In order to solve this problem, the present invention provides a gain varying method, a variable gain photoelectric conversion device, a photoelectric conversion cell, a photoelectric conversion array, a read-out method thereof, and a circuit therefor in which amplifying photoelectric conversion devices and field-effect transistors are combined.
US09641770B2
The algorithm of the present disclosure works in conjunction with a user device (e.g., a mobile phone) capable of acquiring and displaying an image, and a server. First and second portions of the algorithm can be resident on the user device and the server, respectively. The algorithm can receive the image, as well as other information from the device such as the location and compass heading of the device, and time of day. The algorithm can obtain information relating to an object in the image, and display the data set on or near the object in the image. The data set can contain information relevant to or about the object. The algorithm can automatically detect whether the data set is in the right location, and if not, calculate and apply an offset to the data set. The algorithm can also store data from multiple users and analyze this data over a period of time to determine the accuracy of the same.
US09641769B2
An image capture apparatus can execute automatic focus detection of an imaging optical system, using a signal obtained from an image sensor. First image-forming position information is obtained by performing, using first weights, weighted addition on information regarding image-forming positions of the imaging optical system, the information corresponding to different spatial frequencies. In addition, second image-forming position information is obtained by performing, using second weights, weighted addition on the information. A result of the automatic focus detection is corrected based on a result of a comparison between the first and second image-forming position information. The first weights correspond to an evaluated band at the time of appreciating an image, and the second weights correspond to an evaluated band of the signal used in the automatic focus detection.
US09641765B2
The image capture device includes an image capture element which is formed of a plurality of pixels and acquires a captured image by detecting light from a subject and converting the light into an electric signal, an optical path changing unit which changes an optical path of light incident on an image capture element and displaces a position of light incident on the image capture element, a state change determining unit which obtains a deviation of a brightness value per pixel in a captured image, determines whether or not a subject temporally changes its state based on the deviation, and outputs an optical path change instruction to an optical path changing unit when it is determined that the subject does not change its state, a correction value calculating unit which performs a predetermined correction value calculating process on captured images of the same subject before and after a state change by an image capture element and calculates a noise image contained in the captured image as a correction value, and a correction executing unit which eliminates noise from a captured image by use of a correction value.
US09641764B2
Adaptive optical zoom systems and methods are described herein. One example of a system for adaptive optical zoom includes a number of variable focal length elements aligned to receive an image through an aperture, wherein the aperture is smaller than at least one of the number of variable focal length elements, a focal plane array aligned to receive the image, and a computing device coupled to the number of variable focal length elements.
US09641763B2
A system and method for object tracking and timing across multiple camera views includes local and global tracking modules for tracking the location of objects as they traverse particular regions of interest within an area of interest. A local timing module measures the time spent with each object within the area captured by a camera. A global timing module measures the time taken by the tracked object to traverse the entire area of interest or the length of the stay of the object within the area of interest.
US09641760B2
A method of taking an image of a scene that includes an item of interest, includes providing a digital imaging device having an imaging lens and a viewing screen and electronically providing an alignment feature on the viewing screen. The alignment feature is configured to allow a viewer to see both the alignment feature and an image of the item of interest on the viewing screen. The method includes adjusting at least one parameter from the group consisting of angular position of the digital imaging device with respect to the item of interest and angular orientation of the digital imaging device to achieve alignment of the image of the item of interest on the viewing screen with the alignment feature wherein the alignment feature has a structure so that the adjusting to achieve alignment restricts to exclusively one angular position of the digital imaging device with respect to the item of interest and exclusively one angular orientation of the digital imaging device. The method also includes capturing the image of the item of interest.
US09641759B2
A mobile terminal and controlling method thereof are disclosed, by which a sharp and clear photo can be composed using a plurality of photos taken by burst shooting. The present invention includes a camera, a sensing unit configured to detect a surrounding brightness, a user input unit configured to receive a photographing command, and a controller, if the photographing command is received, taking a first number of photos by burst shooting, the controller outputting a shaking eliminated photo based on a second number of photo(s) selected from the first number of the taken photos, wherein the second number is determined based on the detected surrounding brightness.
US09641751B2
An electronic device including an imaging device that captures an image of an object and generates image data of the object, a tilt angle detector that detects a tilt angle of the imaging device with respect to a horizontal plane, an azimuth detector that detects an azimuth angle between a reference orientation based on a preset orientation and an optical axis of the imaging device, and a display controller that causes a display to display target information indicating a direction to a target position for instructing a position of a capturing area of the imaging device in an image corresponding to the image data, with the optical axis of the imaging device being a reference, based on the tilt angle detected by the tilt angle detector and the azimuth angle detected by the azimuth detector.
US09641746B2
A mobile phone includes a display, a capturing module configured to obtain a photographed image, a touch detection module configured to receive a touch operation, a main storage module and an auxiliary storage module, and a control module. The control module temporarily stores in the main storage module successively photographed images photographed at a predetermined time interval by the capturing module, and displays a postview screen for allowing a user to select a predetermined photographed image from a successively photographed image group stored in the main storage module when the touch detection module receives a touch operation with respect to a shutter icon. The control module stores a selected photographed image in the auxiliary storage module when the touch detection module receives a touch operation with respect to a photographed image.
US09641744B2
An image pickup apparatus controls in such a manner that if a touch applied to a touch operation member is detected by a detection unit arranged to detect a touch operation applied to the touch operation member, a photographic preparation unit makes an adjustment of a photographic setting, and after the touch, if the detection unit detects a predetermined touch operation and thereafter detects that the touch operation member loses the touch applied thereto, a photographic processing unit does not execute a photographic processing, while after the touch, if the detection unit detects that the touch operation member loses the touch applied thereto without detecting the predetermined touch operation, the photographic processing unit executes the photographic processing.
US09641742B2
An imaging device includes an acquisition unit acquiring a defocus amount for an optical image which is obtained by an imaging element, a recording unit recording a driving speed of lens with the defocus amount in response to an instruction from a user, wherein the lens is controlled, for adjusting a position at which the optical image is focused, by a lens driving unit, an information generating unit generating lens driving information specifying a relation between the defocus amount and the lens driving speed, and a control unit controlling the lens driving unit so as to move the lens to a position at which the optical image is in-focused to the object at a predetermined speed specified in the lens driving information as a driving speed corresponding to the defocus amount acquired by the acquisition unit.
US09641739B2
An imaging apparatus including an image sensor, an evaluation value calculation unit, and an in-focus position calculation unit. The image sensor performs photoelectric conversion on a subject image formed by an image optical system including a focus adjustment unit. The evaluation value calculation unit calculates a first and a second focus evaluation values with spatial frequency components of first and second frequency bands extracted from image signals output from the image sensor. The second frequency band includes a spatial frequency component higher than the spatial frequency component of the first frequency band. The in-focus position calculation unit defines a position at which a third focus evaluation value reaches its peak value as an in-focus position of the focus adjustment unit. The third focus evaluation value is obtained by calculating a ratio of the first and the second focus evaluation values.
US09641732B2
A plurality of lenses constituting a lens unit (1) are fixed to each other with use of an adhesive (20) applied between the plurality of lenses. The lens unit (1) is incorporated into an actuator (30) through an opening (26) of the actuator (30) and is held inside the actuator (30) so as to face directly an inner wall surface of the actuator (30).
US09641729B2
Embodiments are provided herein to achieve video or image sequence encoding with an improved denoising algorithm that is both efficient computationally and has acceptable overhead cost in comparison to other denoising schemes for video encoding. The embodiments include using recursive bilateral filtering as part of the denoising algorithm, which is integrated into a video encoder to overcome limitations of other encoder-integrated denoising algorithms. An embodiment method includes receiving, at a filtering and residual computation function at the encoder, a macro block comprising a plurality of pixels. The filtering and residual computation function also receives, from a motion estimation function at the encoder, a reference block. The reference block comprises a plurality of reference pixels corresponding to the macro block. The filtering and residual computation function further applies a recursive bilateral filter function to each of the pixels of the macro block using the reference pixels of the reference block.
US09641727B2
A printing apparatus includes a color measurement portion which applies a spot of light to a color chart in which a plurality of patches are arranged in the X direction and in the Y direction, and measures a color of each of the plurality of patches using reflected light from the spot, a carriage that includes the color measurement portion mounted thereon, and a moving mechanism which relatively moves the carriage with respect to the color chart in the X direction, and a width of each of the plurality of patches in the X direction is obtained using a predetermined expression.
US09641724B1
A method and a system for image compression are disclosed. An image is converted to a halftoned image. The one or more halftoned lines in the halftoned image comprise one or more pixels. A first transformed image is generated from the halftoned image based on shifting of the one or more pixels, associated with the one or more halftoned lines in the halftoned image, by a first value. A second transformed image is generated from the first transformed image based on shifting of the one or more pixels, associated with the one or more halftoned lines in the first transformed image, by a second value. Further, a compressed image is generated based on compression of the second transformed image. The compressed image is stored in a storage device. Another method and system for image conversion are disclosed that converts the compressed image back to the first transformed image.
US09641711B2
In a printing system capable of supplying a sheet of a job having undergone print processing by the printing unit of a printing apparatus to a post-processing unit capable of executing at least a specific type of post-processing among a plurality of types of post-processes, when the target job requires the specific type of post-processing, the printing apparatus is inhibited from executing print processing of the job without explicitly determining a sheet necessary for the print processing of the job by a user using a user interface unit. When the target job does not require the specific type of post-processing, the printing apparatus is permitted to execute print processing of the job without explicitly determining a sheet necessary for the print processing of the job by the user using the user interface unit.
US09641709B2
An electronic apparatus includes a display device, a storage device, and a display control circuit. The storage device stores data for screens to be displayed on the display device. The display control circuit controls the display of the screens by the display device based on the data stored in the storage device. The display control circuit enables switching between a first mode in which data for a plurality of types of screens can be stored in the storage device and a second mode in which data for a single type of screen can be stored in the storage device. The first mode displays a screen on the display device based on only data permitted to be displayed on the display device among the data for the plurality of types of screens in the storage device.
US09641700B2
A method for automatically selecting test parameters for an image inspection system using a computer, includes digitizing a reference image or a scanned printed image to determine target values, categorizing the image elements that are present, determining tolerances for the target values based on the categorization, calculating the inspection sensitivity based on target values and the respective tolerances thereof, setting the parameters of the image inspection system based on the inspection sensitivity, and configuring the image inspection using these parameters. An image inspection system for implementing the method is also provided.
US09641673B2
Embodiments of the present invention disclose a method, a network element, and a system for assessing voice quality, which relates to the communications field and solves a problem that user perception cannot be reflected according to a voice quality assessment result. The method includes acquiring a voice code stream, and collecting statistics on a transmission parameter in each short-time assessment period; decoding the voice code stream, and collecting statistics on a source parameter according to the decoded voice code stream; and calculating a comprehensive voice quality assessment result according the transmission parameter and the source parameter. The present invention is used for voice quality assessment.
US09641670B2
A method of controlling answering a call in a system including a service server, a plurality of mobile terminals including a sender terminal and a receiver terminal, and a network configured to allow a communication between the service server and the mobile terminals includes displaying, when receiving a call, an incoming call icon and an incoming call screen, which are set in advance at the sender terminal, on the receiver terminal, receiving, upon the incoming call icon being displayed, an input of a predetermined operation on the incoming call screen at the receiver terminal, and permitting answering the call based on the predetermined operation at the receiver terminal.
US09641669B2
A processor-based personal electronic device (such as a smartphone) is programmed to automatically respond to data sent by various sensors from which the user's activity may be inferred. When one or more alarms on the device are temporarily disabled or ignored, they may be automatically restored when sensor data indicates a change in the user's activity. The restoration of alarm functionality may be accompanied by a repeat of notifications missed or not responded to during a certain period prior to the sensed change in user activity.
US09641667B2
In an information terminal device, tap information in accordance with a pattern of a tapping operation of a user is acquired, and unlocking information is acquired in which unlocking tap information items, each of which functions as an unlocking key for each of applications, are associated with the corresponding applications. If a predetermined condition is satisfied, the present device is changed from a normal state to a locked state. If the present device is in the normal state and the acquired tap information coincides with any one of the unlocking tap information items, the present device is changed from the locked state to a limited unlocked state in which at least the application associated with the relevant unlocking tap information item is operable.
US09641663B2
Web content is formatted to show an icon adjacent identified phone numbers to enable select-to-call, e.g., click-to-call functionality from within a web platform. The select-to call functionality can enable the user's web platform context to be maintained during the call. In some instances, details associated with the phone number that is called using the select-to call functionality can be retrieved from a database and surfaced to the user, by way of the web platform, to enrich the user's call experience.
US09641662B2
The present invention provides an information processing system including a portable information terminal having a plurality of functions and a wireless terminal which wirelessly communicates with the portable information terminal. The wireless terminal includes an acquisition unit for acquiring function information indicating a plurality of programs contained in the portable information terminal from the portable information terminal and a launch instruction unit for, in response to selection of a program of a plurality of programs indicated by the function information acquired by the acquisition unit, transmitting to the portable information terminal a launch instruction signal for instructing to launch the selected program. The portable information terminal includes a processing unit for starting execution of a program whose launch is instructed by the launch instruction signal following reception of the launch instruction signal from the wireless terminal.
US09641656B2
Portable communication devices and related methods for use in supporting voice and/or data communication are provided. One example portable communication device includes a housing, an interface connector disposed at the housing. The interface connector is configured to couple to an accessory module configured to provide at least one accessory function. The example portable communication device also includes a processor disposed at least partially within the housing. The processor is coupled to the interface connector and is configured to determine whether a coupled accessory module is an approved module for use with the portable communication device, based on an identity of the accessory module, and if the accessory module is an approved module, enable power at the interface connector such that communication between the portable communication device and the accessory module is permitted.
US09641654B2
Embodiments described herein relate to a system and method for improving a rate of success in receiving response packets, such as 802.11 Acknowledge (ACK), Block Acknowledge (BACK), and Clear-To-Send (CTS) packets. In one embodiment, a wireless device may transmit one or more first packets according to a wireless communication protocol, and may then receive a second packet. The wireless device may determine that the receiving follows the transmitting by a specific duration of time that is specified by the wireless communication protocol for a response packet to follow one or more communication packets to which it responds. Based at least in part on this determining, the wireless device may further determine that the second packet is a response packet responding to the one or more first packets, without decoding a portion of the second packet that identifies a packet type of the second packet.
US09641651B2
A backward compatible L-LTF design that can provide control information in addition to channel estimation information in conjunction with Wi-Fi communication techniques. A wireless transmission may be received by a wireless device. The wireless transmission may include a physical layer (PHY) preamble and PHY data. The PHY preamble may include a field that has a training sequence configured for channel estimation and control information. The control information may be determined by the wireless device, and the wireless device may configure reception parameters for the wireless transmission based on the control information.
US09641647B2
A communication protocol and system is disclosed for network communications between a data service residing on a client that provides network communications between one or more mobile applications on a mobile computing device and a network based on a process number. The shared data service communicates with a data service plug-in on the server side associated with the process number, in order to handle requests from the mobile applications that access a plug-in associated with the process number through the data service. The communication connection between the mobile application and the data plug may be managed by a set of rules defined for that network communication.
US09641646B1
A method, system, and computer-readable media are provided for facilitating communication of multimedia data across a distributed network. When the invention is employed for facilitating intra-communication between mobile network carriers, the invention can be configured to utilize a plurality of distribution sites. A first distribution site of a sender can receive an item of multimedia data and an identifier from a sender. The first distribution site may then transmit the identifier to a look-up server in order for the look-up server to identify the location of a recipient's distribution site. Once the look-up server identifies the recipient's distribution site for the first distribution site, the first distribution site can transmit the multimedia data to the recipient's distribution site.
US09641637B1
Systems and methods for the generation and management of content requests generated by client computing devices are provided. A client computing device initiates a browse session with a content provider by establishing a remote browse session between the client computing device and a network computing provider. The network computing provider can utilize optimization information corresponding to the content provider to modify the request or identify optimized content. The network computing provider and the client computing device exchange browse session state data and client interaction data.
US09641621B2
Providing sensor collected data. The data is related to sensor collected data. The method includes collecting sensor related data. The method further includes determining a state of an anticipated recipient of the collected sensor related data. The method further includes, based on the state of the anticipated recipient, determining a representation of the sensor collected data. The method further includes sending the sensor collected data in the determined representation.
US09641620B2
A system and method of using a combination of portable devices including wearable devices and tags and fixed devices including plug-in readers that are able to communicate using a short range wireless technology is described. The environment in which the fixed devices are disposed include residential, vehicle and commercial/work areas. The environment is able to detect the presence and absence of particular portable devices, determine whether personalized triggers exist and act accordingly based on information stored in a server or cloud-based storage. The actions in the environment include security, environmental controls, and alert transmission.
US09641613B2
In one embodiment, a solution is provided wherein a volume hierarchy may be received at a network device in a storage area network. Once the network device is ready to apply the volume hierarchy, a message so indicating may be sent. Later, a command to apply the volume hierarchy may be received and the volume hierarchy may be applied so that the network device processes IOs using the volume hierarchy.
US09641611B2
A networking system, and more particularly an interface management subsystem, offers logical interface abstraction for networking system software. The networking system generally transmits data via a hardware interface. All software components in the control and forwarding plane use a Logical Interface (LIF) that is a logical representation of the hardware interface. A mapping occurs between the LIF and hardware interface used to transmit the data. Each LIF is represented by an LIF identifier used to store and retrieve logical interface records to and from shared memory accessible to all protocols and applications in the control and forwarding plane. The efficient storage and retrieval of such logical interface records allows for a global unique view of network interfaces, avoidance of data replication in each networking system software application's memory space, etc.
US09641608B2
A feature selection of a feature of an application may be received, where the application is designed for partial execution on a server and for partial execution on a client computer connected to the server by a network. A current location of application code implementing the feature may be identified as being at either the server or the client computer. Then, implementation of the feature may be relocated from the current location to a modified location, where modified application code, obtained from the application code, is re-assigned between the server and the client computer.
US09641604B1
Selecting a destination host for a data transfer includes transmitting, by a computer where data for the data transfer is locally stored, an inquiry message to a plurality of potential destination hosts, wherein the inquiry message requests that each of the plurality of potential destination hosts evaluate their current utilization load; and receiving a respective reply message from at least one of the plurality of potential destination hosts. Selecting, based on the respective reply message from the at least one of the plurality of potential destination hosts, of one of the plurality of potential destination hosts to be the destination host for the data transfer can then occur.
US09641598B1
Random numbers or unique identifiers may be generated up receiving an API call from a remote system requesting such numbers or identifiers. The API call may specify characteristics desired in the provided number or identifier, such as numeral system, length, character types, lifespan, etc. The number or identifier generation system may track the numbers to ensure that each requesting system receives numbers or identifiers unique to that system.
US09641597B2
Systems and methods for managing an application on a computing system are described herein. According to the present subject matter, the system(s) implement the described method(s) for this purpose, where the method(s) include monitoring a user-defined criteria by a managing module for the application. Further, the method includes generating a trigger when a user-defined time-point corresponding to the user-defined criteria is determined. The method also includes performing a user-defined action by the managing module on the application, in response to the trigger generated in accordance with the user-defined criteria. The user-defined includes at least one of an action of deleting the application, an action of moving the application to a location out of the computing system, and an action of de-emphasizing the application.
US09641595B2
A system management apparatus includes a processor configured to function as a collecting unit that collects communication records of functional components to be managed; an extracting unit that extracts communication links between the functional components from the collected communication records; a closed-path eliminating unit that removes one or more of the communication links to eliminate closed paths from the communication links; and an order determining unit that determines an order in which the functional components are started or stopped based on the communication links from which the closed paths have been eliminated.
US09641590B2
Providing state information to a server includes accessing a document object model (DOM) for a web application, the DOM corresponding to a tree structure which represents a first state of the web application. An indication of the first state of the web application is provided to a server based on the DOM. A determination is made that a predetermined event has occurred at the system, the predetermined event indicating that a second state of the web application, different than the first state of the web application, is to be provided to the server. In response to the determination, an indication of the second state of the web application, corresponding to an updated version of the DOM, is provided to the server.
US09641586B2
Two or more tuples to be processed by a processing element operating on one or more computer processors may be received by the processing element. The processing element may have a windowing operator performing a windowing operation to determine a first value at the conclusion of a windowing condition. It may be determined from one or more tuples received within the windowing condition whether a condition to end the windowing operation before the windowing condition concludes is met. In addition, the windowing operation may be ended before the windowing condition concludes when the condition to end the windowing operation is met.
US09641585B2
In one embodiment, a method includes receiving at a network device, video and activity data for a video conference, automatically processing the video at the network device based on the activity data, and transmitting edited video from the network device. Processing comprises identifying active locations in the video and editing the video to display each of the active locations before a start of activity at the location and switch between the active locations. An apparatus and logic are also disclosed herein.
US09641572B1
Implementations generally relate to generating a group photo collection. In some implementations, a method includes determining a plurality of users in a specified group of users of a social network system. The method also includes receiving photos associated with the users. The method also includes providing an interface enabling the plurality of users to collaborate in creating a group photo collection, where the group photo collection includes the plurality of photos. The method also includes providing one or more recommendations to create a photo album based on one or more themes, where the one or more themes are based on patterns of objects recognized in the plurality of photos.
US09641560B2
Exemplary embodiments of the present invention relate to a telepresence service providing method and an apparatus thereof. The telepresence service providing method according to the present invention comprises: receiving at least one of current location information, peripheral device information acquired at the current location, and noise information acquired at the current location from a user device; generating or updating a service profile which specifies a service mode corresponding to the user device and a device profile which specifies functions which the user device and the peripheral devices can provide, based on the received information; and transmitting data for telepresence services to at least one device of the user device and the peripheral devices based on the profiles. According to exemplary embodiments of the present invention may provide a telepresence service with consideration of user's surrounding environment.
US09641559B2
Methods and systems for maximizing the quality perceived by the user in a software-based, multi-point video conference or collaboration session between devices that are potentially different (e.g., devices from different vendors, devices with different operating systems, devices on different networks, devices that function as servers, clients or both) and maintaining the quality over time.
US09641550B2
Systems and methods for protecting at least one client from becoming part of at least one botnet by monitoring and analyzing botnet communications to and from criminal servers and identifying at least one botnet attack on at least one client. The system may comprise virtual machines deliberately infected with malicious content and operable to record botnet communications to and from criminal servers. The virtual machines are in communication with a processing unit configured to index data collected. Data related to the prevalence of cyber threats may be presented to users in response to queries.
US09641546B1
In communication with security appliances, an electronic device for providing a holistic view of a malware attack is described. The electronic device features one or more processors and a storage device. The storage device includes aggregation logic, correlation logic, consolidation logic, and display logic: The aggregation logic is configured to receive input attributes and analysis attributes from each of the security appliances. The correlation logic attempts to find relationships between analysis attributes provided from each security appliance. The consolidation logic receives at least (i) a first analysis attribute from a first security appliance and (ii) a second analysis attribute from a second security appliance in response to the first analysis attribute corresponding to the second analysis attribute. The display logic generates display information including the consolidated input attributes.
US09641544B1
Techniques for automated insider threat prevention are disclosed. In some embodiments, a system, process, and/or computer program product for automated insider threat prevention includes monitoring network communications at a network device; detecting an anomalous activity based on the monitored network communications associated with a user based on a behavior profile for the user; and performing an action in response to the detected anomalous activity based on a policy.
US09641533B2
A system for and method of protecting a resource is presented. The system and method include a trusted pair consisting of an initiator and a receiver. The receiver faces outward and is connected to a network, such as the Internet. The initiator is connected to the protected resource. In establishing a connection between the initiator and the receiver, the initiator initiates all communications. This configuration simplifies environment management, improves security including access controls, and facilitates deployment of internet-facing resources by changing the traditional model of component-to-component connection.
US09641531B2
The embodiments herein relate to a method in an AAA server (103) for enabling authorization of a wireless device (101) to access a first network (100a) while simultaneously accessing a second network (100b). The AAA server (103) retrieves information identifying a current SGSN (108) currently serving the wireless device (101) in the second network (100b). When the AAA server (103) retrieves authorization information for the wireless device's (101) access to the first network (100a) from a HLR (105), the AAA server (103) indicates the current SGSN (108) as a new SGSN to the HLR (105). The indication is to be interpreted by the HLR (105) as an update of location information or a refresh procedure from the current SGSN (108).
US09641522B1
A centralized policy management may allow for one set of credentials to various applications and services offered by a computing resource service provider or other third-party servers. Systems, methods, and computer readable medium can be configured to receive a request to access a first computing system service provided by the computing resource service provider, generate an encrypted data bundle including at least a user identifier and a data type, and transmit the encrypted data bundle to a recipient, wherein the encrypted data bundle is configured to be returned to the one or more computing devices to facilitate access to the first computing system service provided by the computing resource service provider.
US09641512B2
One or more methods of translating identity protocols and a device and a system implementing such methods are described herein. One such method comprises configuring a gateway to communicate with a first identity protocol and a canonical representation, with the canonical representation being different than the first identity protocol. The method may further comprise: including the first identity protocol in a first communication between a first computing device and the gateway, and translating at least a portion of the first communication from the first identity protocol to a canonical representation. The gateway may then translate the at least a portion of the first communication from the canonical representation to a second identity protocol and sending the first communication to a second computing device, including the first identity information in the second identity protocol in the communication.
US09641511B2
Systems and methods for deploying rich internet applications in a secure computing environment. An example computer system comprises: a hardware processor and a run-time environment executing a first rich internet application in a first application container and a second rich internet application in a second application container. The run-time environment is configured to: determine, by querying an administration server, whether at least one of the first rich internet application or the second rich internet application is allowed to be executed within the run-time environment, determine whether at least one of the first rich internet application or the second rich internet application is allowed to access a certain function exposed by an application-programming interface (API) of the run-time environment, implement a client-side messaging bus to facilitate communications between the first rich internet application and the second rich internet application, and prevent at least one of the first rich internet application or the second rich internet application from terminating the run-time environment.
US09641510B2
A control system includes a control device, a controller, a plurality of user mobile devices, and a manager mobile device. An initial first identification information picked up by each user mobile device is sent to the manager mobile device, is authenticated, and is encoded together with a control device identification number corresponding to the control device. Every time a user mobile device is connected to the controller for opening the control device, a holder of the user mobile device is requested to input an instant first identification information. After decoding by a decoding key, the controller identifies whether the instant first identification information is identical to the authenticated initial first identification information and identifies whether the obtained control device identification number is identical to that of the control device. The identification result is used to decide whether the control device should be set to be an open state.
US09641505B2
An authentication server transmits a random number to and receives a other information from a service provider. Later, the first random number is received from a requester and a provider identifier, the received other information and provider authentication policy requirements are transmitted to the requester. A user identifier and validation information are received from the requester. The received validation information is determined to correspond to the provider authentication policy requirements, and compared with stored user validation information associated with the received user identifier to authenticate the requester. A message, including both the random number and other information, signed with a credential of the requesting user is received and transmitted to the first provider.
US09641494B2
A method and an arrangement for providing keys for protecting communication between a terminal (300) and service points in a communication network. A basic key (Ik) is first established with a service control node (304) when the terminal has entered the network. An initial modified key (Ik1) is then created in both the service control node and the terminal, by applying a predetermined first function (f) to at least the basic key and an initial value of a key version parameter (v). The initial modified key is sent to a first service point (302), such that it can be used to protect communication between the terminal and the first service point. When the terminal switches to a second service point (306), the first service point and the terminal both create a second modified key (Ik2) by applying a predetermined second function (g) to the initial modified key, and the first service point sends the second modified key to the second service point.
US09641492B2
A link is a software abstraction that represents a direct connection between two CoCo nodes. The link layer detects the presence of neighboring devices and establishes links to them. A protocol abstraction layer converts data frames that arrive on network interfaces into packet objects used by the COCO Protocol Suite.
US09641474B2
Product order and shipping information received via email messages is automatically aggregated for ready user review. Once the user is authenticated, authorization to access their email mailbox is obtained and the email message headers of their emails are analyzed to identify those messages of interest. The bodies of the email messages of interest are parsed to extract the product order and shipping information which is stored and presented for display to the user typically grouped by individual product thus greatly simplifying user review of orders.
US09641467B2
An intelligent notification filtering method is disclosed. The intelligent notification filtering method is suitable for a handheld communication device performing a wireless projection. The intelligent notification filtering method includes following steps: establishing a high-priority list automatically; in response to the handheld communication device receiving an incoming notification event, determining whether the incoming notification event is listed in the high-priority list or not; interrupting the wireless projection on the handheld communication device and displaying contents of the incoming notification event, if the incoming notification event is listed in the high-priority list; and, keeping on performing the wireless projection by the handheld communication device and setting the incoming notification event pending, if the incoming notification event is not listed in the high-priority list. In addition, a handheld communication device is also disclosed herein.
US09641454B2
A number of users interface with a network via a multiplex module, on a communication path established between the multiplex module and a point of presence. Some users may be served by one or more first channels of the communication path while one or more remaining users may be served by one or more additional channels of the communication path. Users having a basic service level agreement may be served by the first channels while users having an extended service level agreement may be served by the one or more additional channels. Allocation of users to distinct channel types based on their service level agreements may apply at a primary point of presence or may apply at a redundant point of presence.
US09641451B2
A dynamic planning method for server resources of a data center is provided. The data center includes multiple pods and each pod includes multiple racks configurable with multiple servers. In the method, a rack having a remaining space larger than or equal to d is searched from the pods and used for configuring d servers. If the rack cannot be configured with the d servers, a single pod reallocation is executed on one of the pods to empty a rack so that the remaining space of the rack is larger than or equal to d and configurable with the d servers. If there is no rack that can be emptied, a cross-pod reallocation is executed to empty corresponding server positions of corresponding racks in the pods so that the remaining space of the corresponding server positions is larger than or equal to d and configurable with the d servers.
US09641445B2
A communication apparatus includes a packet output unit that performs normal transmission of a normal packet and retransmission of at least one retransmission packet, a feedback receiver that receives a retransmission request that designates a retransmission packet to request retransmission, and a controller that determines that the retransmission packet for the received retransmission request is to be transmitted or is scheduled to be transmitted based on an amount of data scheduled to be transmitted for a predetermined period.
US09641436B1
An integrated circuit includes an input port, a first Characterize/Classify/Table Lookup and Multiplexer Circuit (CCTC), a second CCTC, and an exact-match flow table structure. The first and second CCTCs are structurally identical. The first and second CCTs are coupled together serially. In one example, an incoming packet is received onto the integrated circuit via the input port and packet information is supplied to a first characterizer of the first CCTC. Information flow passes through the classifier of the first CCT, through the Table Lookup and Multiplexer Circuit (TLMC) of the first CCT, through the characterizer of the second CCT, through the classifier of the second CCT, and out of the TLMC of the second CCT in the form of a Flow Id. The Flow Id is supplied to the exact-match flow table structure to determine whether an exact-match for the Flow Id is found in the flow table structure.
US09641435B1
In one example, a server executes a virtual router configured to receive an inner packet output by a virtual machine associated with a virtual network. The virtual router is further configured to offload, to a physical network interface card of the server that executes the virtual router, segmentation of the inner packet into a plurality of outbound tunnel packets each having a tunnel header for output by the physical network interface card to a physical network underlying the virtual network.
US09641433B2
The present invention discloses a method, routing bridge, and system for sending a packet, which are applied to the field of communications technologies, and are invented to reduce a signaling overhead of a TRILL network. The method includes: receiving, by a first transit RB, a Nickname of an edge RB sent by a second transit RB; constructing, an address advertisement message, where the address advertisement message includes a virtual IP address and a virtual MAC address of the first transit RB; and sending, the address advertisement message to the edge RB according to the Nickname of the edge RB, so that the edge RB sends, after receiving the address advertisement message, a free ARP packet to a server that accesses the TRILL network through the edge RB, where the free ARP packet includes a correspondence between the virtual MAC address and the virtual IP address.
US09641431B1
Systems and methods for, among other things, a utilization based load balancing system which controls the distribution of queries to an information retrieval system made up of a network of server clusters. In one embodiment, a server cluster allocates computational resources among computational tasks. These computational tasks are replicated across a given server cluster, typically such that those computational tasks requested more frequently have more replicas, and more resources allocated to them to fulfill the requests. The system applies a utilization metric to determine how much capacity a given task has available and uses this determination to determine the capacity available for the cluster as a whole. Load balancing is achieved by re-directing queries to another cluster in response to the utilization value for a given cluster reaching a threshold.
US09641430B2
In one embodiment, a plurality of packets is sent from an origin device along a communication path toward a destination device. Each packet includes a lifespan indicator which is incrementally increased for each subsequently sent packet. A plurality of response messages are received at the origin device from a plurality of intermediate devices, respectively. A plurality of secure path objects included in the plurality of response messages, respectively, is determined. Additionally, the plurality of secure path objects are validated based on validation information accessible by the origin device. Validation results of the plurality of secure path objects are checked to determine whether a packet that is sent from the origin device and received by the destination device travels along a particular communication path as dictated by control plane information.
US09641421B2
Message transmitting method, message receiving method, openflow controller and first openflow switch
A message transmitting method is provided, comprising: receiving a first message sent from a first OpenFlow switch by an OpenFlow controller; transmitting a first response message to the first OpenFlow switch by the OpenFlow controller when the OpenFlow controller determines that the first OpenFlow switch is under the management of the OpenFlow controller, wherein the first response message comprises type information and parameters related to the OpenFlow controller, the first connection is a connection to be established between the first OpenFlow switch and the OpenFlow controller, and the first response message corresponds to the first message. Furthermore, other message transmitting methods, message receiving methods, OpenFlow controllers and first OpenFlow switches are provided in embodiments of the present invention. With the technical solutions provided in embodiments of the present invention, the OpenFlow switch or the OpenFlow controller can automatically acquire parameters of a connection to be established.
US09641419B2
Methods, systems, and computer readable media for background testing of communications or storage network equipment are provided. One method includes receiving a control plane definition from a user. The control plane definition may specify emulated network equipment and network protocols run by the emulated network equipment. The method further includes, after receiving the control plane definition, automatically performing at least one background test during an idle time period by sending traffic from the emulated network equipment to at least one device under test and outputting results of the at least one background test to the user.
US09641411B1
Aspects and implementations of the present disclosure are directed to methods of and systems for estimating latent demand with user prioritization. The estimated latent demand may be used to identify potential increases in usage of a networked computer service that could be realized by provisioning additional resources. A sub-set of the user base is provided a communication quality of service enhancement simulating provisioning of additional resources. Estimated latent usage demand is then determined by comparing the networked computer service usage by the user base receiving the enhancement with usage by a user base not receiving the enhancement.
US09641399B1
Embodiments of the present invention are directed to a computer implemented web based application and infrastructure performance analysis and forecasting system and method for improving the performance of at least one application and infrastructure and reducing complexity of analyzing the performance of the application and infrastructure. The system and method receive infrastructure input from a user regarding application and infrastructure configuration, as well as performance objective(s). Based on the infrastructure input received from the user, a modeling engine determines at least one application and infrastructure performance model. The system and method then receive model specific input from the user for each model. Based on the information received from the user, a model computation engine computes output for the models which is then displayed to the user.
US09641380B2
In one embodiment, a method for providing virtual link aggregation (vLAG) includes forming a third logical port using a first logical port and a second logical port; determining first networking protocol state information corresponding to the third logical port using the first networking system, where the first networking protocol state information includes an indication of whether the first networking system is capable of communicating with the second networking system via an interswitch link (ISL) The method also includes storing a first networking protocol state information corresponding to the third logical port using the first networking system; communicating the first networking protocol state information to the second networking system via the and storing the first networking protocol state information using the second networking system.
US09641370B2
A method and an apparatus for transmitting broadcast signals thereof are disclosed. An apparatus for transmitting broadcast signals comprises an encoder for encoding service data corresponding to each of a plurality of data transmission path, wherein each of the data transmission path carries at least one service component, a mapper for mapping the encoded service data onto constellations, an encoder for encoding physical signaling data, a frame builder for building at least one signal frame including preamble data, the encoded physical signaling data, the mapped service data, wherein the preamble data is located before the encoded physical signaling data and the encoded physical signaling data is located before the mapped service data, a modulator for modulating the at least one signal frame by an OFDM (Orthogonal Frequency Division Multiplex) scheme and a transmitter for transmitting the broadcast signals carrying the at least one modulated signal frame, wherein the broadcast signals includes channel information data, wherein the channel information data includes binding information between the service data and the data transmission path.
US09641367B2
A signal converter 100 includes, for at least two-phase signals detected by a resolver excited by a carrier signal having a carrier frequency fc, a first phase shifter 101 that shifts a phase of a first phase signal of the resolver with a pole at a frequency f1 lower than the carrier frequency fc, a second phase shifter 102 that shifts a phase of a second phase signal of the resolver with a pole at a frequency f2 higher than the carrier frequency fc, and a synthesizer 103 that combines the phase-shifted first phase signal with the phase-shifted second phase signal.
US09641364B2
Various aspects of the present disclosure involve communications, and more specifically wireless communications with modulation. As may be implemented in accordance with one or more embodiments, a rectifier having a plurality of active circuits operates in first and second modes to modulate signals communicated via an antenna as follows. The first mode is at least a half-active mode in which at least one of the active circuits passes the signal, and the second mode consumes less power than the first mode. A modulator modulates a waveform of the signal by selectively operating at least one of the plurality of active circuits, therein setting an impedance of the rectifier and modulating an amplitude of the signal.
US09641361B2
Provided is a wireless signal receiver including: an analog-digital converter (ADC) converting an analog RF signal into a digital baseband signal; and a sub-sampling block dividing and processing the digital baseband signal into a first path signal and a second path signal, and extracting a complex baseband signal by using a relative sample delay difference between the first and second path signals, wherein the first path signal is a signal obtained by adjusting a sample delay and sampling rate of the digital baseband signal, and the second path signal is a signal obtained by filtering without adjusting the sampling rate of the digital baseband signal.
US09641358B2
A wireless communication system includes first and second transceivers operable to transmit and receive signals over a communication channel using a plurality of modulation modes. A first signal is received which has been transmitted using a first modulation mode over the communication channel from the first transceiver to the second transceiver, and a first channel equalization characteristic for an equalizer of a first type for receiving the first signal at the second transceiver is determined from measurements of the communication channel. From the first channel equalization characteristic, a second channel equalization characteristic is determined for an equalizer of a second type for a second modulation mode. A measure of a difference between the second and the first channel equalization characteristics is determined, and the second modulation mode is selected for transmission over the communication channel from the first transceiver at least in part in dependence on the measure.
US09641349B2
The technology disclosed relates to identifying and notifying a user of nearby attendees at a mega attendance event who are in user's social graph by comparing the user's social graph to a list of event attendees. The identified attendees can be stratified into social graph tags that annotate, categorize and prioritize other users in the user's social graph. The technology disclosed also relates to identifying and notifying the user of nearby attendees of sessions at the event who meet introduction preferences of the user by finding matches between introduction preference attributes specified by the user and attributes of the attendees provided by the list of event attendees.
US09641347B2
One embodiment of the present invention is a method whereby a network node selects a packet data network gateway (P-GW) in a wireless communication system, the method for selecting a P-GW comprising the steps of: receiving, from user equipment, an attach request including information on a group; determining whether or not the attach request is a first request from the group; and selecting a P-GW to perform a policy and charging enforcement function (PCEF) on the group including the user equipment, wherein the selected P-GW is the same P-GW selected for the group in case the attach request is a third or later request from the group.
US09641345B2
There is described herein a method and apparatus for providing a telecommunications link between a first user and a second user in a telecommunications network. A request is received from the first user to provide a telecommunications link to the second user. The system then determines from a server hosting a networked community of users in which users interact over a communications network independent of the telecommunications network whether the first user and the second user have a specified relationship in the community of users. At least one setting for the telecommunications link is specified based on whether the first user and the second user have a specified relationship in the community of users.
US09641344B1
Multiple factor authentication in an identity certificate service is disclosed. A certificate including a cryptographically-obscured identifier associated with the end entity is sent from an end entity to a service node. The service node uses both the certificate and the identifier to authenticate the end entity at least in part by comparing the identifier to a reference identifier. A service associated with the service node is accessed based at least in part on the authentication.
US09641343B1
Systems and methods for generating a unified certificate revocation list (UCRL) are provided. A method for generating a unified certificate revocation list includes identifying revocation servers associated with public key certificates. The method also includes aggregating server information of the identified revocation servers into revocation server lists (RSLs). The method further includes combining revoked certificates of the RSLs into a unified certificate revocation list (UCRL). The method also includes compressing the UCRL into a compressed UCRL. Lossy compression may be used. Compressed UCRLs may be used to test for revocation status. A system for generating a unified certificate revocation list includes a revocation server identifier, a revocation server list generator and a UCRL filter.
US09641336B2
Methods and apparatus to collect distributed user information for media impressions and search terms
An example method includes facilitating installation of a data collector on a media device; collecting, via the data collector, a media identifier indicative of media presented at the media device; encrypting a user identifier that identifies the user of the media device, the encrypting of the user identifier based on a first encryption key corresponding to a first database proprietor having first user information associated with the user identifier; encrypting a device identifier that identifies the media device, the encrypting of the device identifier based on a second encryption key corresponding to a second database proprietor having second user information associated with the device identifier; sending the media identifier to a data collection server; sending the encrypted user identifier to a second server associated with the first database proprietor; and sending the encrypted device identifier to a third server associated with the second database proprietor.
US09641331B2
A method is disclosed for converting a conditional access content. This method includes receiving, by a cryptographic module of a first receiver, the content encrypted according to the first encryption mode; choosing a first entry data of the combination of the first encryption mode choosing a second entry data of the combination of the second encryption mode inverting the first and second input data in order to process the content received by the cryptographic module of the first receiver, this processing including a decryption operation according to the first encryption mode, by using the entry data corresponding to the second encryption mode, and to process the content obtained during the previous processing step, this processing including an encryption operation according to the second encryption mode, by using the entry data corresponding to the first encryption mode.
US09641325B1
A server system for implementing a distributed cryptographic protocol includes a machine management server which comprises a current virtual machine configured to implement the protocol using a set of communication keys and state information for the protocol. The system further includes a memory and a refresh server. The system is configured, for each of successive new time periods in operation of the protocol, to perform a refresh operation wherein: the refresh server retrieves the state information from the memory, generates a new set of communication keys, and sends the state information and new set of keys to the machine management server; the machine management server configures a new virtual machine for implementing the protocol, whereby the new virtual machine receives the new set of keys and state information sent by the refresh server; and the new virtual machine assumes operation as the current virtual machine for the new time period and stores state information for that time period in the memory.
US09641322B2
A video processing device for decrypting a compressed video signal includes a key storage device for storing at least one decryption key. An decryption processing device retrieves the at least one decryption key from the key storage device, and decrypts an encrypted elementary bit stream into at least one elementary bit stream, wherein first portions of the encrypted elementary bit stream are encrypted and second portions of the encrypted elementary bit stream are unencrypted.
US09641316B2
Embodiments of the present invention disclose a frequency divider and a radio communications device. The frequency divider includes a shift register unit and an output frequency synthesizing unit; the shift register unit includes multiple cyclically cascaded basic units; a basic unit at each level includes 2N D flip-flops connected in series and a multiplexer, outputs of the 2N D flip-flops connected in series are separately connected to the multiplexer; an output of the multiplexer is connected to an input of a next-level basic unit; the output frequency synthesizing unit superposes an output signal of the first D flip-flop of the basic unit at each level to generate a frequency division output signal.
US09641291B2
A base station, a terminal, a band allocation method, and a downlink data communication method are disclosed, with which bands can be efficiently allocated. In a base station in which a plurality of unit bands can be allocated to a single communication, when a data receiver acquires terminal capability information transmitted by a terminal in the initial access unit band and the bandwidth available for communication indicated by the terminal capability information can accommodate a plurality of unit bands, a unit band group which includes the initial access unit band as well as the unit bands adjacent thereto is allocated to the terminal, and a communication band movement indication, which indicates the movement of the center frequency in the communication band of the terminal toward the center frequency in the unit band group, is transmitted to the terminal using the initial access unit band.
US09641284B2
A method for receiving information for interference cancellation of a user equipment (UE) includes detecting downlink control information including interference control information for a specific resource block (RB) scheduled for the UE by using an index of the specific RB, wherein the interference control information for the specific RB includes control information related to interference signal in the specific RB and indicates that the interference control information for the specific RB is the same as interference control information for one or more RBs having a series of indices subsequent to the index of the specific RB, and performing cancellation of interference signal corresponding to the interference control information in the specific RB and the one or more RBs using the interference control information for the specific RB.
US09641276B2
An optical line terminal (OLT) in a time and wavelength division multiplexed (TWDM) passive optical network (PON). The OLT comprises a first optical port, a second optical port, and a processor. The first optical port is configured to couple to a plurality of optical network units (ONUs) via an optical distribution network (ODN). The second optical port is configured to couple to the ONUs via the ODN. The processor is coupled to the first optical port and the second optical port and is configured such that, responsive to receiving information indicating that the first optical port has experienced a greater power loss over time than the second optical port, the OLT assigns to the first optical port a first wavelength with a power greater than the power of a second wavelength assigned to the second optical port.
US09641272B2
Methods, systems, and devices are described for eliminating interference from a convoluted signal comprising several signals of different radio access technologies (RATs), such as a Long Term Evolution (LTE) signal and wireless local area network (WLAN) signal, in an unlicensed or shared radio frequency spectrum band are described. In accordance with the present disclosure, a dual-radio mobile device may utilize a multiple radios to assist in the operation of interference cancellation. Specifically, in some examples, a first radio (e.g., WLAN radio) may process the received convoluted signal to reconstruct a first signal (e.g., WLAN signal). The reconstructed first signal may be utilized by a second radio (e.g., LTE radio) to identify a second signal (e.g., LTE signal) in the received convoluted signal by cancelling or removing the reconstructed first signal from the convoluted signal.
US09641269B2
A packet transmission device includes first and second clocks, a communication unit, and first and second synchronization processing units. The communication unit transmits and receives a synchronization packet to and from an external time source device. The first synchronization processing unit synchronizes the first clock with the external time source device in accordance with time information of the synchronization packet. The second synchronization processing unit synchronizes the second clock with the first clock.
US09641267B2
In a logging system (100), multiple receiver units (106) are synchronized over a control area network (CAN) bus (110) without use of separate differential lines. A ready for synchronization command is received over the CAN bus (110). In response to receiving the ready for synchronization command, a start synchronization interrupt is enabled. A start synchronization command is then received over the CAN bus (110). In response to receiving the start synchronization command, the start synchronization interrupt is triggered for capturing formation signals which are produced responsive to excitation signals from a transmitter unit (104).
US09641265B2
The invention relates to a use of an apparatus for improving signal to noise ratio in a cable modem system. The apparatus comprises a processor, an attenuator and a cable modem termination system unit for providing access to a communication network.
US09641263B2
An improved, adaptive and uniformly applicable estimation of the percentage or fraction of a broadband communication system (BCS) plant that is monitored for signal egress during a given period of time is provided by generating and collecting polygons along all possible routes traversed by BCS service vehicles within a service area, preferably by comparison with a roadway map, to define the service area with improved accuracy. The number of polygons generated and collected is then limited by the number of polygons in which DCS service vehicles have been reported in a given period of time or inspection interval. The limited number of polygons is then divided by the number of polygons generated and collected to determine a fraction or percentage of the BCS system which has been monitored during the given time period and can be used in a computation of a cumulative leakage index (CLI) value.
US09641253B2
A Data Over Cable Service Interface Specifications (DOCSIS) Passive Optical Network (PON) system (DPON) makes optical subscribers appear as cable subscribers. In one embodiment, a Cable Modem (CM) proxy is located in an Optical Line Termination (OLT). The OLT implements a cable modem protocol stack that operates as the CM proxy and communicates with a back office system. The OLT translates the data retrieved by the CM proxy into Optical Network Unit (ONU) recognizable commands, and sends the translated data to the ONU. In a second embodiment, the CM proxy is located in the ONU. The ONU implements the cable modem protocol stack that operates as the CM proxy and communicates with the back office system. The ONU translates the data retrieved by the CM proxy into ONU recognizable commands and sends the translated data to the ONU.
US09641251B1
A transimpedance amplifier includes a first and a second power supply terminal for receiving a positive constant supply voltage, wherein the second power supply terminal represents a ground, and an input terminal adapted to be connected to a current source. The transimpedance amplifier further comprises a transistor comprising a control terminal and two further terminals, wherein the input terminal is connected to the control terminal of the first transistor. An inductor is connected between the first of the two further terminals of the transistor and the first power supply terminal, and a bias network is connected between the second of the two further terminals of the transistor and ground. Specifically, the transimpedance amplifier is configured such that the resistance between said first of said two further terminals of said first transistor and said first power supply terminal is small enough, such that said transimpedance amplifier operates as a differentiator.
US09641250B2
A data communication system is disclosed including a cable medium and modulator adapted to carry data and power between a high speed data source and a high speed data sink. Relatively high speed data (e.g. the TMDS data of an HDMI interface) may be carried on optical waveguides in the cable medium. Relatively low-speed data (e.g., DDC data and clock, and CEC of an HDMI interface) may be carried on a separate set of optical waveguides or wire mediums. The optical waveguides allow for substantially less signal distortion of the high-speed data, thereby allowing the cable medium to achieve much higher lengths without significantly affecting the high-speed signaling.
US09641249B2
Support for converged fiber channel over ethernet (FCoE) traffic on software defined networks (SDNs)
In one embodiment, a system includes a software defined network (SDN) controller connected to SDN-capable switch(es), the SDN controller being configured to communicate with and program the SDN-capable switches, wherein each of the SDN-capable switches is configured to communicate with the SDN controller, one or more fiber channel forwarders (FCFs) connected to the SDN-capable switches, storage area network (SAN) fabric(s), and local area network (LAN) fabric(s), and at least one end node connected directly or indirectly to the SDN-capable switches and/or the one or more FCFs, wherein the SDN controller is configured to collect information from the one or more FCFs that corresponds with each of the one or more FCFs via fiber channel initialization protocol (FIP) advertisement frames, and create and manage a FCF database, the FCF database including the information that corresponds with each of the one or more FCFs.
US09641248B1
A signal extender and method for extending signals of a satellite is disclosed. The apparatus includes a terminal device interface, an antenna interface and a controller in communication with the terminal device interface and the antenna interface. The terminal device interface is configured for communicating with at least one terminal device. The antenna interface is configured for communicating with an antenna to facilitate communication with the satellite. Upon receiving a downlink signal from the satellite via the antenna interface, the controller processes the downlink signal to identify an intended terminal device among the at least one terminal device and transmits the downlink signal to the intended terminal device via the terminal device interface, and upon receiving an uplink signal from a particular terminal device via the terminal device interface, the controller transmits the uplink signal to the satellite via the antenna interface.
US09641246B2
A communications network element comprises a network element input, a network element output and a monitoring port. An optical splitting device taps a portion of an input optical signal or an output optical signal to form a first signal. An optical signal transforming apparatus applies an optical transfer function to the first signal to form the optical monitoring signal applied to the monitoring port. The optical transfer function preserves the spectral property of the first signal and applies a time-domain obfuscation to the tapped signal. The optical signal transforming apparatus comprises an optical through signal path, an optical splitting device positioned in the optical through signal path and an optical combining device positioned in the optical through signal path. An optical feedback path is connected to the optical splitting device and the optical combining device. The optical splitting device is arranged to tap off a portion of a signal passing along the through signal path and apply it to the feedback path, and the optical combining device is arranged to recombine at least part of the tapped portion of the signal with the signal passing along the through signal path.
US09641245B2
Systems, methods, and apparatuses for protecting daisy chain networks from node malfunction or power outage are disclosed. One or more communication nodes in a daisy chain network can be bypass-capable communication nodes. Bypass-capable communication nodes can include a sensing and switching subsystem, embedded in the node or external to the node in a fiber optic cable running along the daisy chain network. In embodiments, the sensing and switching subsystem can responsively switch the bypass-capable communication node from communication node primary circuitry to primary circuitry responsive to node malfunction or node power outage. The sensing and switching subsystem also can switch back from bypass circuitry to primary circuitry responsive to restoration of node function or node power. In embodiments, switching occurs responsive to excitation or de-excitation of the node itself.
US09641242B2
An optical communication system, a method and a network device for an optical network are provided, wherein the device comprises a first port coupled with a first optical fiber link, a second port coupled with a second optical fiber link, the first port and the second port being configured to be coupled with respect to each other in case of a failure of the first optical fiber link or in case of a failure of the second optical fiber link.
US09641241B2
A method of controlling a function of a mobile terminal is provided. The method includes placing the mobile terminal within a communication range of a Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE) device previously registered in the mobile terminal, receiving identification information of the BLE device from the BLE device, extracting function information corresponding to the received identification information of the BLE device, and performing a previously set function corresponding to the extracted function information.
US09641239B2
Biometric monitoring devices, including various technologies that may be implemented in such devices, are discussed herein. Additionally, techniques, systems, and apparatuses are discussed herein for utilizing two different Bluetooth communications interfaces, one that provides Bluetooth classic (base rate/enhanced data rate) communications functionality and one that provides Bluetooth low-energy communications functionality, in a common device. The techniques, systems, and apparatuses may elect to use a particular Bluetooth interface based on various criteria.
US09641238B1
Systems, methods, and software described herein provide enhancements for deploying applications in satellites. In one example, a satellite may receive software applications capable of execution as virtual nodes on the satellite, and receive a resource schedule associated with the software applications. The satellite may further execute the software applications on the satellite based on the resource schedule, wherein the resource schedule allocates processing resources and user sensor resources to the software applications.
US09641236B2
Some embodiments provide a method in a wireless device for reporting channel state information, CSI, for a CSI process. The CSI process corresponds to a reference signal resource and an interference measurement resource. According to the method, the wireless device obtains an adjustment value associated with the CSI process. The wireless device estimates an effective channel based on one or more reference signals received in the reference signal resource, and applies the adjustment value to the estimated effective channel, thereby obtaining an adjusted effective channel. Furthermore, the wireless device determines channel state information based on the adjusted effective channel, and on interference estimated based on the interference measurement resource. Finally, the channel state information is transmitted to a network node.
US09641233B2
An apparatus and a method of measuring a reference signal for efficient downlink transmission in a mobile communication system are provided. The system includes plural base stations, each having a plurality of antennas distributed in the service area thereof based on a Distributed Antenna System (DAS). A method for a base station to notify a terminal of reference signal measurement information in a mobile communication system comprises determining whether the terminal is in a Rank Indicator/Precoding Matrix Indicator (RI/PMI) disabled mode, selecting, when the terminal is in the RI/PMI disabled mode, the reference signal to be measured by the terminal between a Cell-specific Reference Signal (CRS) and a Channel Status Information Reference Signal (CSI-RS), notifying the terminal of the reference signal measurement information with the selection result, and receiving channel information generated based on the reference signal measurement information from the terminal.
US09641226B2
A mobile device and method for performing a function using a short-range communication tag are provided. In the method, the mobile device inputs function-related information into a short-range communication tag, and recognizes proximity to or contact with the short-range communication tag. Then the mobile device reads the function-related information from the short-range communication tag, and performs a function correlated with the function-related information. This allows performing various functions of the mobile device, only depending on a user's action to bring the mobile device in proximity to or contact with the Near Field Communication (NFC) tag.
US09641225B2
A transmitting system and a receiving system for multi-carrier broadband simultaneous information and energy transfer are provided, the transmitting system comprising: a signal management control system, a baseband signal generating unit, an encoding unit, a serial-parallel conversion unit, a mapping unit, a modulation unit and a parallel-serial conversion unit. By adopting the transmitting system for simultaneous information and energy transfer, separate energy signals are transmitted simultaneously while the information signals are transmitted to the receiving end, and sufficient energy can be provided for the receiver. Besides, by optimizing information signal and energy signal through the optimization algorithm, not only the energy transfer efficiency but also the information transfer rate can be improved.
US09641220B2
A relay for control of a network protector located on a low voltage side of a transformer with a set of three phases, the relay having at least one route for power to be provided to the relay from at least one of the set of three phases taken from a transformer side of the network protector so that the relay may have power and be functional before the network protector is closed to provide power into a dead network.
US09641213B2
Provided is a transceiver. The transceiver includes: a transmission unit modulating at least one of a plurality of baseband transmit signals to an RF band and amplifying the modulated at least one; a duplexer transmitting transmit signals outputted from the transmission unit to an antenna by selecting a signal in a downlink frequency band or an uplink frequency band or filtering a receive signal received from the antenna by the downlink frequency band or the uplink frequency band; a reception unit demodulating the receive signals in the downlink frequency band or the uplink frequency band from the duplexer into at least one baseband signal; a first switch delivering a transmit signal provided from the transmission unit to a first RF band filter of the duplexer in a first communication mode and a second communication mode; and a second switch delivering a first receive signal delivered from a second RF band filter of the duplexer to the reception unit in the first communication mode and a third communication mode, wherein each of the transmission unit and the reception unit includes one power amplifier and one low noise amplifier.
US09641189B2
When reservoir capacitors are moved on-chip for individual bit decisions, a successive approximation register analog-to-digital converter (SAR ADC) has an addition source of error which can significantly affect the performance of the SAR ADC. Calibration techniques can be applied to measure and correct for such error in an SAR ADC using decide-and-set switching. Specifically, a calibration technique can expose the effective bit weight of each bit under test using a plurality of special input voltages and storing a calibration word for each bit under test to correct for the error. Such a calibration technique can lessen the need to store a calibration word for each possible output word to correct the additional source of error. Furthermore, another calibration technique can expose the effective bit weight of each bit under test without having to generate the plurality of special input voltages.
US09641181B2
An electronic device for implementing digital functions comprising a first and a second electrode regions, separated by an interposing region comprising a dielectric region, is described. The first and the second electrode regions comprise at least one first electrode and at least one second electrode, respectively, configured to generate in the interposing region an electric field depending on an electric potential difference applied thereto. In the interposing region, a molecular layer is comprised, which is composed of a plurality of molecules, each being capable of assuming one or more states, in a controllable manner, depending on a sensed electric field. The dielectric region has a spatially variable dielectric profile, to determine a respective spatially variable field profile of the sensed electric field at the molecular layer.
US09641175B2
To decrease the circuit scale necessary for the calibration of the output circuit and to decrease the time required for the calibration operation. The invention includes a first output buffer and a second output buffer that are connected to a data pin, and a calibration circuit that is connected to a calibration pin. The first output buffer and the second output buffer include plural unit buffers. The unit buffers have mutually the same circuit structures. With this arrangement, the impedances of the first output buffer and the second output buffer can be set in common, based on the calibration operation using the calibration circuit. Consequently, both the circuit scale necessary for the calibration operation and the time required for the calibration operation can be decreased.
US09641168B2
A method for controlling a first switch and a second switch is suggested, wherein each switch is an RC-IGBT and wherein both switches are arranged as a half-bridge circuit. The method includes: controlling the first switch in an IGBT-mode; controlling the second switch such that it becomes desaturated when being in a DIODE-mode; wherein controlling the second switch starts before and lasts at least as long as the first switch changes its IGBT-mode from blocking state to conducting state.
US09641167B2
A current mirror circuit includes a first transistor connected to a voltage source, a gate of the first transistor being connected to a drain of the first transistor, a current source connected to the drain and the gate of the first transistor, the current source being configured to generate a predetermined first output current, a sample and hold circuit having an input connected to the gate of the first transistor, a second transistor connected to the voltage source, a gate of the second transistor being connected to an output of the sample and hold circuit, and a controller operatively connected to the sample and hold circuit, the controller being configured to operate the sample and hold circuit at a predetermined sampling frequency to attenuate bias noise from the first transistor in a second output current from the second transistor.
US09641157B2
A method and device are provided for filtering digital audio signals using at least one ARMA filter, particularly during a filter change. The method includes the following steps: a step of receiving a first request to change filtering to or from filtering by a first ARMA filter; and, in response to the first request, a step of gradually switching, at each of a plurality of cascaded first filtering blocks, between digital-signal filtering by a first basic filtering cell and digital-signal filtering by another associated basic filtering cell, the first basic filtering cells of the plurality of first filtering blocks factorizing the first filter.
US09641152B2
An acoustic wave device includes: a piezoelectric substrate; and an IDT formed on the piezoelectric substrate, wherein an anisotropy coefficient is positive, an overlap region where electrode fingers of the IDT overlap each other includes a center region and an edge region, the electrode fingers in the center and edge regions are continuously formed, the electrode finger in the edge region is inclined with respect to the electrode finger in the center region so that a pitch in a width direction of the electrode finger in the edge region is greater than a pitch in a width direction of the electrode finger in the center region, and an angle between the width direction in the center region and a crystal axis orientation of the piezoelectric substrate is less than an angle between the width direction in the edge region and the crystal axis orientation.
US09641148B2
A resonator and a filter including the same are provided. The resonator includes a body formed of a dielectric material and including a through-hole formed in one direction, and a conductive film coupled to at least one of both side cross-sections of the body in a lengthwise direction and a wall surface of the through-hole.
US09641143B2
An electronic device includes a transimpedance amplifier stage having an amplifier end stage of the class AB type and a preamplifier stage coupled between an output of a frequency transposition stage and an input of the amplifier end stage. A self-biased common-mode control stage is configured to bias the preamplifier stage. The preamplifier stage is formed by a differential amplifier with an active load that is biased in response to the self-biased common-mode control stage.
US09641135B2
A method for detecting an unbalance of a multi-port amplifier MPA intended to be on-board a satellite is presented. The MPA includes a plurality of paths, each path being configurable in gain and phase. The method includes transmitting a first test signal which is spread spectrum modulated from the first transmitting station to the first pathway, the first test signal being generated in at least the useful band of the first pathway; receiving by the second receiving station configured in frequency to receive signals transmitted by the second antenna connected to the second path of the MPA, the signals being likely to include a replica of the first test signal; detecting and measuring a power of received signals corresponding to a replica of the first test signal having leaked at the output of the second output port; computing at least one unbalance value of the MPA from the measurement of the power of the replica of the first test signal received in the second earth station.
US09641120B2
A motor control apparatus includes a voltage regulator to execute a voltage increase mode to increase a voltage applied to an induction motor from a lower limit of a first range over time. A frequency regulator executes a frequency decrease mode to decrease a frequency of the voltage from an upper limit of a second range over time. When a current through the motor exceeds a first threshold in the voltage increase mode, a mode changer changes the mode to the frequency decrease mode. When the current through the motor becomes smaller than a second threshold in the frequency decrease mode, the mode changer changes the mode to the voltage increase mode to control the motor to change from a free running state to a state in which the voltage and the frequency satisfy a relationship. A determinator determines whether the voltage and the frequency satisfy the relationship.
US09641119B2
Various embodiments are described herein for an extended-speed low-ripple torque control of a switched reluctance motor (SRM) using online torque sharing function (TSF). Two operational modes of an online TSF are defined during the commutation: In Mode I, absolute value of rate of change of flux linkage (ARCFL) of incoming phase is higher than outgoing phase; in Mode II, ARCFL of outgoing phase is higher than incoming phase. To compensate the torque error produced by imperfect tracking of phase current, a proportional and integral compensator with torque error is added to the torque reference of outgoing phase in Mode I and incoming phase in Mode II. Therefore, the total torque is determined by the phase with lower ARCFL rather than the phase with higher ARCFL as in conventional TSFs.
US09641118B2
A vehicular control apparatus that includes a switched reluctance motor and an electronic control unit is provided. The switched reluctance motor has a rotor and a stator and is mounted as a travel drive source in a vehicle. The electronic control unit executes current control of the switched reluctance motor. The electronic control unit executes first current control for causing the rotor to rotate in a reverse direction from a rotational direction in which the vehicle is started in the case where the vehicle is not started even when the switched reluctance motor outputs maximum torque within an allowable range, and executes control for causing the rotor to rotate in the rotational direction in which the vehicle is started after the rotor rotates in the reverse direction by the first current control to a rotation position at which torque for enabling a start of the vehicle can be output.
US09641113B2
In one aspect, a method for controlling a power generation system may generally include determining a phase angle error associated with the power generation system, determining a scaling factor based on the phase angle error, generating a current command for controlling the operation of a power convertor of the power generation system and applying the scaling factor to the current command such that the current command is reduced when the phase angle error exceeds a predetermined error threshold.
US09641102B2
For example, a semiconductor device has a lead connected to a second portion of a chip mounting part on which a semiconductor chip to be a heat source is mounted and a lead connected to a third portion of the chip mounting part on which the semiconductor chip to be the heat source is mounted. Further, each of the leads has a protruding portion protruding from a sealing member. In this manner, it is possible to enhance a heat dissipation characteristic of the semiconductor device.
US09641096B2
An energy-saving power supply apparatus includes a bridge rectifier, a diode bypass circuit and a control circuit. The diode bypass circuit is electrically connected to the bridge rectifier. The control circuit is electrically connected to the diode bypass circuit and the bridge rectifier. The bridge rectifier includes a plurality of diodes. After the control circuit receives a power start signal, the control circuit is configured to control the diode bypass circuit, so that a part of the diodes are bypassed to save energy.
US09641095B1
A dense and efficient output stage for a DC/DC converter includes center tapped secondary windings of a transformer having an offset core with respect to a PCB, two pairs of synchronous rectifiers configured to define two pairs of paralleled symmetrical AC loops respective to the secondary windings, and at least two bus bars disposed within a forced cooling airstream to act as heat sinks for the synchronous rectifiers, while further providing a filtering impedance between the transformer windings and an output capacitance. A split capacitance is disposed in close proximity with the synchronous rectifiers to filter out ripple current, in one embodiment characterized by first and second capacitors each respectively coupled between opposing ends of the first and second bus bars, wherein the bus bars are arranged about at least three sides of the transformer core.
US09641093B2
The invention relates to a power source (10) for providing a direct current, comprising a heavy-current transformer (12) with at least one primary winding (13) and at least one secondary winding (14) with center tapping, a synchronous rectifier (16) connected with the at least one secondary winding (14) of the heavy-current transformer (12) and comprising circuit elements (24), and a circuit (17) for actuating the circuit elements (24) of the synchronous rectifier (16), and a supply circuit (48) for supplying the synchronous rectifier (16) and the actuation circuit (17), and to a method for cooling such a power source (10). For reduction of losses and improvement of efficiency, the synchronous rectifier (16) and the actuation circuit (17) and the supply circuit (48) thereof are integrated in the heavy-current transformer (12).
US09641086B2
An oscillator applied to a control circuit of a power converter includes a compensation module and an oscillation module. The compensation module outputs or sinks an adjustment current according to a compensation voltage corresponding to a load, a direct current voltage of a primary side of the power converter, and a reference voltage. The oscillation module outputs a clock signal according to the compensation voltage, a control voltage, and the adjustment current. The control circuit generates a gate control signal to a power switch of the primary side according to the clock signal. When the compensation voltage is less than a first predetermined voltage, a frequency of the gate control signal is a first fixed value, and when the compensation voltage is between the first predetermined voltage and a second predetermined voltage and greater than the second predetermined voltage, the frequency is varied with the compensation voltage.
US09641078B2
A switching power supply device includes a switching output circuit, an error amplifier, a slope voltage generating circuit, a PWM comparator, a logic circuit, a switch driving circuit, and a reverse current detection circuit. The slope voltage generating circuit increases a slope voltage from a reset level with a gradient corresponding to an input voltage during an on period of the output transistor, and maintains the slope voltage at an offset level corresponding not to the reset level but to an output voltage during an off period of the output transistor.
US09641070B2
An integrated circuit an open pin detector includes a current source coupled to the pin, a comparator having a first input coupled to the pin, a second input responsive to a threshold voltage, and an output at which a comparator output signal is provided. A controller is responsive to the comparator output signal to provide an enable signal to the current source and an open pin signal indicative of an open pin condition at the pin. A method for detecting an open pin condition of a pin of an integrated circuit includes comparing the pin voltage to a first threshold voltage level, initiating open pin detection in response to the pin voltage falling below the first threshold voltage level, such as by providing a current to the pin, and indicating an open pin condition if the pin voltage rises to exceed a second threshold voltage level within a predetermined time interval. Also described is preventing the pin voltage from exceeding a predetermined voltage level during open pin detection.
US09641069B1
A charge pump circuit includes a plurality of stages. Each stage of the charge pump circuit includes: a first transistor, drain of the first transistor being output of the stage, source of the first transistor being input of the stage; a second transistor, gate of the second transistor being connected to source of the first transistor, drain of the second transistor being connected to drain of the first transistor, source of the second transistor being connected to gate of the first transistor, body of the second transistor being connected to body of the first transistor; and a third transistor, gate of the third transistor being connected to drain of the first transistor, drain of the third transistor being connected to source of the first transistor, source of the third transistor being connected to body of the first transistor and body of the third transistor.
US09641059B2
The present invention relates generally to a flux focusing magnetic gear assembly using ferrite magnets or the like. The present invention also relates generally to a flux focusing magnetic gear assembly using ferrite magnets or the like that incorporates an outer stator assembly that converts a variable input to a constant output. The present invention further relates generally to an axially aligned flux focusing magnetic gear assembly using ferrite magnets or the like. The improved flux focusing magnetic gear assemblies of the present invention find applicability in traction, wind, and ocean power generation, among other applications.
US09641051B2
An electromechanical flywheel machine includes a flywheel mass and a motor-generator having a rotor rotatable about a stator wherein the stator is supported by a fluid cooled stator support. The electromechanical flywheel has the rotor encircling a stationery stator and stator windings including a field winding encircling an axis of stator rotation and an armature winding that does not encircle the axis of stator rotation.
US09641049B2
This fin is intended to be installed in a protruding manner inside a discharge pipe of a hydraulic machine. The fin includes a first face which has holes and a second face which is solid. The fin defines by itself, between the first face and the second face, a cavity connecting the outside of the discharge pipe to the holes in the first face.
US09641043B1
Implementations of a portable soundproofing enclosure may include: four side panels coupled together, a top panel coupled to each of the four side panels, the four side panels and the top panel, the top panel including a fan. The panels may form a cavity sized to fully enclose a portable generator. At least two of the four side panels may include an air dam. At least one of the side panels may have a plurality of louvers configured to allow air to be drawn through the panel. The bottom edges of the sides may be configured to rest on a mat.
US09641037B2
A slot liner for a stator assembly in one embodiment includes a mesh structural member and a coating. The coating is disposed on at least one side of the mesh structural member, and includes a mixture of a filler and a polyimide resin. The filler is a high thermal conductivity electrical insulating (HTCEI) filler, and includes particles of at least one of boron nitride, aluminum nitride, or a diamond material.
US09641030B2
A method of manufacturing an electric-motor rotor may include providing a magnet of sintered magnetic material, the magnet having a first diameter; providing a sheath of composite material, the sheath having an inner diameter smaller than the first diameter; reducing the first diameter to a second diameter; fitting the sheath onto the magnet when the magnet has the second diameter; and letting the magnet with the sheath fitted thereon to interfere, allowing the sheath to exert inward pressure on the magnet. An electric-motor rotor may include a magnet of sintered magnetic material, the magnet having a first diameter; and a sheath of composite material, the sheath having an inner diameter smaller than the first diameter. The sheath may be associated with the magnet in such a way that the magnet with the sheath fitted thereon interfere so that the sheath exerts inward pressure on the magnet.
US09641024B2
The present invention relates to a redundant power supply system for wind turbine control systems, said power supply system being adapted to supply power to one or more power consumers of a wind turbine control system, the redundant power supply system comprising a first power rail, a second power rail, and switching means being adapted to select the first or the second power rail so as to provide power to at least part of a power consumer from either the first power rail or the second power rail. The invention further relates to an associated method.
US09641017B2
A method of operating a wireless power transmission apparatus includes receiving, from a wireless power reception apparatus, information on an operating power of a micro control unit (MCU) of the wireless power reception apparatus and information on an output of a direct current-to-direct current (DC/DC) converter of the wireless power reception apparatus; determining whether a charging power is to be transmitted to the wireless power reception apparatus based on the received information on the output of DC/DC converter; and transmitting, to the wireless power reception apparatus, an MCU operating power calculated based on the received information on the operating power of the MCU in response to a determination that the charging power is not to be transmitted to the wireless power reception apparatus.
US09641009B2
A charging device includes charging power detection unit and full charge determination unit. The charging device further includes charging control unit adapted to repeatedly execute a additional charging control until the number of times of the full charge determination reaches a predetermined full charge determination count. The charging device further includes unit adapted to detect the temperature of the secondary battery, and full charge determination count setting unit adapted to set a larger full charge determination count as the temperature decreases at least based on the temperature of the secondary battery when the full charge determination is made.
US09640997B2
A power grid of renewable sources is stabilized. Inverters for connecting power sources, such as wind turbines, batteries, or photovoltaics, to a grid are used to damp grid oscillations. The damping is distributed to the inverters, but based on measurements for the grid rather than local measurements. The control of the damping is based on grid wide analysis, and the damping is performed proportionately by already existing inverters distributed throughout the grid.
US09640993B2
A control unit with data analyzer is connected to database and configured to receive user inputs such as time driven mode, supply driven mode and automatic mode and operate the system with respect to the selected mode, tariff opted and user input commands, and signals the storage unit to get charged from the input source or to supply power to all the lines or to the selected lines from storage unit. The control unit during the time when energy prices are less, signals to charge the storage unit and supplies power to all appliances through the input source and during the time when energy prices are more, signals to shut off the non critical loads and utilize the charged power from storage unit to selected lines.
US09640990B2
An exemplary power supply module for distribution automation includes a manner of connecting an input power source to a power supply module and connecting an output of the power supply module to external devices, a manner of regulating, a rectification module generating output DC voltage, a transformer having a primary side connected with the regulating component and one or more power input power sources, and a secondary side connected to the rectification module, a manner of voltage feedback means for providing a voltage feedback signal to the regulating component to regulate the output DC voltage, and a load share control module having a load share signal for controlling load sharing for the power supply module. The power supply module includes a filter amplifier for conditioning the voltage feedback signal, where the filter amplifier is connected in the secondary side of the transformer for reducing noise in the power supply module.
US09640989B2
A system for controlling the operation of isolation transistors in high power Power over Ethernet (PoE) networks to achieve greater power delivery to a load is disclosed. In one or more implementations, the system includes a first power over Ethernet (PoE) powered device controller configured to control power supply to a load, and a second PoE powered device controller coupled to the load and to the first PoE powered device controller. The second PoE powered device controller is connected to the first PoE powered device controller using a shared connection interface and is configured to control power supply to the load. The shared connection interface is configured to synchronize the first PoE powered device controller and the second PoE powered device controller to deliver power at least substantially contemporaneously to the load.
US09640988B2
Approaches for a comparative ESD protection scheme are provided. An electrostatic discharge (ESD) clamping circuit includes: a discharge field effect transistor (FET) connected between a power supply node and ground; and a comparator that receives a divided power supply voltage at a first input and a reference voltage at a second input. The comparator outputs a first value that turns the discharge FET on when the divided power supply voltage is greater than the reference voltage. The comparator outputs a second value that turns the discharge FET off when the divided power supply voltage is less than or equal to the reference voltage.
US09640987B2
A discharge circuit for an electronic device includes an energy storage element, a plurality of switches and a plurality of discharge paths coupled to the energy storage element and the switches. If a system power of the electronic device is turned off, a first switch of the switches conducts a first discharge path of the discharge paths, and the energy storage element is discharged through the first discharge path. In response that a voltage of the energy storage element drops to a first threshold, a second switch of the switches conducts a second discharge path of the discharge paths, and the energy storage element is discharged through the first discharge path and the second discharge path.
US09640963B2
A terminal-provided wire (1) includes an insulated wire (10) with an insulation coating (12) made of polyolefin-based resin, an adhesive layer (30) formed on a surface of the insulation coating (12) over the entire circumference and a waterproof resin portion (40) formed by insert molding. The waterproof resin portion (40) covers an area from a part of the insulated wire (10) where the adhesive layer (30) is formed to a connected part (21) of a metal terminal (20) to a core (11). The adhesive layer 30) is made of modified olefin-based resin, which is olefin-based resin modified with a polar group. The waterproof resin portion (40) is made of aromatic nylon.
US09640959B2
One embodiment of the present invention is a unique platform. Another embodiment is a unique engine system. Another embodiment is a unique wiring harness system. Other embodiments include apparatuses, systems, devices, hardware, methods, and combinations for one or more of various types of platforms, such as aircraft, ground vehicles, water-borne vessels and stationary platforms; engine systems; and wiring harness systems. Further embodiments, forms, features, aspects, benefits, and advantages of the present application will become apparent from the description and figures provided herewith.
US09640955B2
Provided are a wire harness and a connector (40) allowing a routing path for an electrical wire (100) to be set without increasing the number of components and without requiring a complicated operation. A plurality of connectors (40) are aligned in a direction intersecting a front-rear direction. Each connector (40) is provided with a housing (41) capable of being fitted into a counterpart housing (71). The front face of the housing (41) is oriented in the direction facing the counterpart housing (71) at fitting both the housings (41, 71). The housing (41) is provided with a plurality of through portions (52A, 52B) passing through the housing (41) in the direction intersecting the front-rear direction. Each of the plurality of through portions (52A, 52B) has a space capable of routing an electrical wire (100) extended out from each connector (40).
US09640954B2
A swivel-arm with a gripper in a wire-processing machine transfers a processed wire to a collection tray. The collection tray and an unloading tray have a channel-like shape. The swivel-arm swivels the processed, trailing wire-end over the collection tray, whereby the wire, with the aid of the conveyor belt that runs in the direction of the arrow, falls into the collection tray. The collection tray serves as temporary store and collects a specified number of completed processed wires that corresponds to a production lot, and transfers the production lot to the unloading tray.
US09640951B2
A triggering circuit of an overvoltage protection device with an asymmetric element, specified for actuating a spark gap in symmetric or asymmetric arrangement of main electrode I, connected to input terminal I, of main electrode II, connected to input terminal II, and the auxiliary electrode, includes main electrode I of the spark gap, which is connected via a thermo-sensitive disconnector, and also via a parallel combination of varistor II and capacitor I to electrode I of the asymmetric three-pole lightning arrester, whose middle electrode is connected via the primary winding of the transformer to main electrode II of the spark gap, whose auxiliary electrode is connected via varistor I to electrode II of the asymmetric three-pole lightning arrester, which is connected via the secondary winding of the transformer to main electrode II of the spark gap, and at the same time, the thermo-sensitive disconnector is coupled via the thermal coupling with varistor II and, at the same time, the voltage at the asymmetric three-pole lightning arrester is as follows: static ignition voltage U1 between electrode II and the middle electrode is higher than static ignition voltage U2 between the middle electrode and electrode I.
US09640939B2
The invention relates to a short pulse laser (1) having a seed laser oscillator (2), a controllable pulse picker (4) for coupling out a laser pulse or a sequence of laser pulses, and an amplifier unit (5, 6) being mounted downstream of the pulse picker (5) and having at least one first amplifier stage (5) and a controllable first pump laser (8). The short pulse laser further includes a control unit (10) which is designed to control the pulse picker (4) and/or the first pump laser (8) such that the post-amplified laser pulses reach a predetermined power.
US09640938B2
An optical amplifier (1), and a related optical amplification method, comprising an optical path (2) having an input end (3) and an output end (4), a first erbium doped optical fiber (5) placed along the optical path, a first gain flatting filter (6) placed along the optical path downstream the first erbium doped optical fiber, a second erbium doped optical fiber (7) placed along the optical path downstream the first gain flatting filter, a second gain flatting filter (8) placed along the optical path downstream the second erbium doped optical fiber, a third erbium doped optical fiber (9) placed along the optical path downstream the second gain flatting filter, and an optical pump (10) optically coupled to the optical path so as to optically pump at least the first and the third erbium doped optical fiber.
US09640931B2
An electronic apparatus includes: a first case and a second case assembled to each other; a first cable that couples a first component provided in the first case and a second component provided in the second case; and a second cable that couples a pair of members provided in the first case, and provided with a bent section at an intermediate part of the second cable in a longitudinal direction thereof, the second cable supporting the first cable inside the bent section.
US09640924B2
In an embodiment, the present invention is a communication plug that includes a plug housing with a plurality of plug contact slots and at least one plug contact with at least two tines. The at least one plug contact is positioned in one of the plug contact slots, the one of the plug contact slots having a bridge positioned between the at least two tines.
US09640918B2
An electrical connector includes an insulative housing, a shell covering the insulative housing, and a flange mounted to the shell. The insulative housing has a front face, a number of outer faces, and a receiving cavity extending through the front face for receiving a mating connector. The shell has a front wall and a number of outer walls covering the housing front and outer faces, respectively. The flange has a mating sleeve mounted to the shell and a mating flange portion for engaging a panel along a front-to-back direction. The mating sleeve is bent from a material band, and the mating flange portion is bent from the mating sleeve. The mating flange portion is substantially perpendicular to and resiliently flexible relative to the mating sleeve.
US09640914B2
Embodiments of the present invention generally relate to the field of electronic communication, and more particularly, to techniques used to compensate for/reduce/or otherwise manipulate crosstalk in communication connectors, and apparatuses and methods which employ such techniques. In an embodiment, the present invention is a communication connector that includes a plurality of signal pairs including at least a first pair and a second pair, a first compensation stage between the first pair and the second pair, and an orthogonal compensation network between the first pair and the second pair. The orthogonal compensation network can be time delayed from the first compensation stage.
US09640907B2
A fitting adaptor is for fitting a cable connector to a device connector of an electrical device. The fitting adaptor includes a panel; an intermediate connector attached to the panel to be movable relative to the panel; a locking mechanism disposed on the panel; and an elastic member disposed on at least one of the intermediate connector and the locking mechanism, or between the panel and the intermediate connector. The intermediate connector includes a cable connector side connecting portion and a device connector side connecting portion, so that the elastic member urges the device connector side portion against the device connector.
US09640906B2
A cassette assembly which holds at least two electrical plugs which typically are connected to digital signal carrying cables. In one example, six of these plugs are positioned within a cassette, and are arranged in two rows of three plugs each for ease in connecting the plugs simultaneously to similarly arranged switch port jacks. A lever pivotally connected to the housing, when rotated, causes the release latch of the plugs held within the cassette to move from a locked to an unlocked position to simultaneously remove all of the plugs from the jacks to which they are connected.
US09640896B1
A protective module for a data transmission port includes a plugging element and an unlocking element. The plugging element includes an extension portion and an end portion. The extension portion is inserted into the data transmission port. The end portion obstructs an opening of the data transmission port and is made of a first magnetically attracting material. The unlocking element includes an attraction portion adapted to attract the end portion and made of a second magnetically attracting material. The end portion of the plugging element escapes from the data transmission port as a result of magnetic attraction between the end portion of the plugging element and the unlocking element as soon as the unlocking element approaches the plugging element plugged into the data transmission port. Therefore, the protective module prevents external devices from getting connected to the data transmission port and prevents dust intrusion.
US09640894B2
A connector (1) which has: a male connector (3) provided with a locking portion (11); an aligning plate (7) which includes an engaged portion (15), and a locked portion (17) that is provided at the base side surface of a male terminal, and which prevents, when temporarily mounted to the male connector, the movement of the male terminal towards the base side by the locked portion being in contact with the locking portion; a female connector (5); and a lever (31) which includes an engaging portion (19), and makes a prescribed limited movement relative to the female connector, and when the female connector, and the aligning plate are detached from the male connector, the engaging portion engages with the engaged portion of the aligning plate, and the aligning plate is moved away from the male connector.
US09640886B2
In a fitting confirmation construction, a lock arm is provided in a housing of a first connector. The lock arm includes a lock wall inclined and disposed at a front end of the lock arm in a direction from the first connector toward the second connector; a deflection space formed at a rear of the lock wall in the direction; and an operation plate disposed on the deflection space. A confirmation opening is provided in a rear wall of the housing, and has a height equal to a height of the deflection space. A lock projection is provided on a second connector to be brought into engagement with the lock wall. A rear end face of the operation plate is exposed to a rear outside of the housing of the first connector through the confirmation opening, only in a state where the lock arm is deflected.
US09640877B2
Herein disclosed is a connection structure including a waterproof sheet disposed in an inner surface of a wire connection section and has an opening section in a position corresponding to a conductor exposed section, in which the waterproof sheet is configured such that a front end of the waterproof sheet is positioned on a front side from a front end of a conductor crimp section and a rear end of the waterproof sheet is positioned on a rear side from a rear end of the cover crimp section.
US09640874B2
Embodiments of the present disclosure provide a single radio frequency double-stream transmission apparatus, wherein the apparatus includes: a radio frequency link, a reactance control circuit, a parasitic reactor, an active antenna and an even number M of parasitic antennas, wherein M is larger than 2; the radio frequency link is configured to generate a radio frequency signal; the active antenna is connected with the radio frequency link, the parasitic antennas are respectively connected with the parasitic reactor, the distances from the parasitic antennas to the active antenna are the same, and the radian between adjacent parasitic antennas is 360 M degrees ; the parasitic reactor may be adjusted by the reactance control circuit to make the reactance values of any pair of parasitic antennas in mirror symmetry via the active antenna be different and the reactance values of the rest pairs of parasitic antennas in mirror symmetry via the active antenna be equal respectively.
US09640864B2
A radio-frequency transceiver device capable of reducing a specific absorption rate (SAR) includes an antenna including a radiating element and a grounding element, wherein the radiating element substantially extends along a first direction on a first plane; and a SAR suppression unit, substantially extending along the first direction and an edge of the radiating element of the antenna on the first plane and apart from the edge of the radiating element by a gap, for reducing the SAR of the antenna.
US09640858B1
Apparatus includes a device housing, a device face, a printed circuit board (PCB), and an antenna array. The device housing has a shape characterized by an axis, a planar housing surface that is perpendicular to the axis, and a housing sidewall that is parallel to the axis. The housing sidewall is positioned along a periphery of a planar housing surface. The device face is positioned at an opposite end of the device housing from the planar housing surface. The PCB is positioned between and parallel to the planar housing surface and the device face. The antenna array has multiple antenna elements at least some of which are electrically coupled to the PCB. The antenna array is configured to concentrate radiation of radio waves laterally through a radiation plane that is parallel to the sidewall of the housing and that is perpendicular to the device face and the planar housing surface.
US09640856B2
A multiple antenna feed assembly including an antenna feed support having a body made of an electrically insulating material and a method of forming the antenna feed assembly. The antenna feed support may have a slot adapted to receive a connector; and a gap formed in the body having a thickness to fit a printed circuit board (PCB). The multiple antenna feed assembly may include a first connector adapted to fit in the slot of the antenna feed support; and a second connector electrically isolated from the first connector. Also provided is an antenna feed support to provide structural support and electrical isolation for the components of a multiple antenna feed assembly as above.
US09640844B2
A temperature adjustment device includes a cooling member and a connecting member. The cooling member consists of a first plate and a second plate. The first plate is thermally abutted against a heat-generating member. The second plate is stacked on a lower surface of the first plate to define a cooling space with the first plate, the cooling space a cooling medium flows through, and being configured to include an inlet and an outlet of the cooling medium on a bottom surface facing against the first plate. The connecting member is the connecting member to a temperature adjustment circuit, and that is configured with a tube member having a flat part. The connecting member includes a connecting port connected to the inlet or the outlet on the flat part, and that is laminated and arranged on the second plate such that the flat part is abutted against the second plate.
US09640843B2
An isolation apparatus includes isolation circuitry that includes multiple semiconductor switches arranged electrically in parallel to isolate, from an electrical system, a plurality of battery cells of a battery capable of providing high levels of current. The apparatus includes a microcontroller operatively coupled to the isolation circuitry, wherein the battery cells are isolated from the electrical system to which the battery is connected when the microcontroller switches off the multiple semiconductor switches. The apparatus provides cell-balancing, circuit isolation, trace matching, split columns, heat-tied use of materials and slow-speed switching to provide safety through isolation, equalization and stress reduction.
US09640840B2
A sodium secondary battery includes a positive electrode, a negative electrode, and a non-aqueous electrolytic solution including a non-aqueous solvent. The non-aqueous solvent includes a fluoro group-containing chain carboxylic acid ester represented by General Formula (1): wherein R1 is an aromatic group, an unsaturated aliphatic group or a saturated aliphatic group; R2, R3 and R4 are each a hydrogen atom, an aromatic group, an unsaturated aliphatic group or a saturated aliphatic group; and at least one of R1, R2, R3 and R4 includes one or more fluoro groups.
US09640824B2
A fuel cell electrode layer may include a catalyst, an electronic conductor, and an ionic conductor. Within the electrode layer are a plurality of electronic conductor rich networks and a plurality of ionic conductor rich networks that are interspersed with the electronic conductor rich networks. A volume ratio of the ionic conductor to the electronic conductor is greater in the ionic conductor rich networks than in the electronic conductor rich networks. During operation of a fuel cell that includes the electrode layer, conduction of electrons occurs predominantly within the electronic conductor rich networks and conduction of ions occurs predominantly within the ionic conductor rich networks.
US09640823B2
The present invention provides a manufacturing method of a membrane electrode assembly which makes it possible to produce a polymer electrolyte fuel cell at a high level of productivity. According to the present invention, it is possible to make differences in characteristics between a first catalyst electrode 11A and a second catalyst electrode 11B, which are formed on the both surfaces of a polymer electrolyte membrane 3, without changing materials of the first and the second catalyst electrode 11A and 11B. In the present invention, the first and the second catalyst electrode 11A and 11B are adhered to the polymer electrolyte membrane 3 by sticking the first catalyst electrode 11A by a first roll press 7 followed by sticking the second catalyst electrode 11B by a second roll press 8.
US09640821B2
A power generator includes a chemical hydride multilayer fuel cell stack. A flow path extends through the fuel cell stack to provide oxygen containing air to the fuel cell stack and to cool the fuel cell stack. A hydrogen generator is coupled to the flow path to receive water vapor from ambient air introduced into the flow path and water vapor generated by the fuel cell stack and to provide hydrogen to the fuel cell stack. A controller separately controls airflow past the fuel cell stack and water vapor provided to the hydrogen generator.
US09640817B2
A power generator includes a cavity to accept a hydrogen producing fuel cartridge. A channel is coupled to receive hydrogen from the fuel cartridge. A manifold is coupled to the channel to receive hydrogen from the channel, the manifold having an opening to receive oxygen and water vapor, the manifold being positioned to provide the water vapor to the cavity. An array of fuel cell membranes is supported by the manifold to receive hydrogen from the manifold and oxygen from the opening in the manifold.
US09640810B2
A power generator includes a housing, a chemical hydride fuel block adapted to be removably placed within the housing, an air conduit disposed about the chemical hydride fuel block in the housing. The air conduit includes a fuel cell portion and a water vapor permeable, hydrogen impermeable membrane portion. The housing has an air intake opening to draw air into the housing and through the air conduit to provide oxygen to the fuel cell portion and to carry water vapor generated by the fuel cell portion past the permeable membrane portion such that water vapor passes through the membrane and causes release of hydrogen from the fuel block.
US09640808B2
An operating method is provided for a fuel cell system, in particular a fuel cell system in a motor vehicle. The system includes a cooling system via which waste heat of fuel cells of the fuel cell system is ultimately dissipated into the surrounding air, and a tank withstanding an internal pressure of the order of 150 bar and more. In the tank, fuel for the fuel cell system is stored in the cryogenic state, in particular as a cryogen, which tank has a heat exchanger in its storage volume, via which, in order to compensate for the pressure reduction resulting from the removal of fuel from the tank, heat can be supplied to the stored fuel in a controlled manner by way of a heat transfer medium. At operating points or in operating states of the fuel cell system in which the waste heat of the fuel cell system cannot be dissipated to the surroundings to the required extent, at least a portion of the waste heat from the fuel cells is supplied to the heat exchanger in the tank storing the fuel until a predefined limit value for the internal pressure in the tank is reached.
US09640807B2
Disclosed is an integrated fluorine gasket manufactured by injection molding for hydrogen fuel cells. In particular, a fluorine compound having a fluorine content of about 60 to 75 parts by weight based on 100 parts by weight of a fluoroelastomer is disposed in a gasket. The resulting fluorine gasket is integrated with a thin bipolar plate having a thickness of about 200 μm or less to have a thickness of about 750 μm or less by injection molding on the thin bipolar plate and by cross-linking.
US09640806B2
A bipolar plate for a fuel cell is provided, which includes: a metal substrate having a flow field structure; a conducting adhesion layer formed on the metal substrate and having a polymeric adhesive and a plurality of conductive particles; and a pure graphite layer formed on the conducting adhesion layer and structurally corresponding to the flow field structure of the metal substrate. The graphite layer including expanded graphite powder is adhered to the metal substrate via the conducting adhesion layer, and a portion of the expanded graphite powder is embedded into the conducting adhesion layer.
US09640803B2
A solid state energy generator and storage device, comprising two layers, in contact with each other, of dissimilar materials in terms of electron density and configuration, sandwiched between an anode and a cathode. One of the layers is a stabilized mixture of carbon and an ionic material (carbon matrix) and the other layer is a stabilized manganese oxide mixed with an ionic material (oxide matrix). The built-in potential of the device is determined mathematically by integrating the electrostatic forces across the barrier and will rise or fall in direct proportion to the device temperature (in Kelvin). In addition the device can be charged and thus function as a charge storage device, with the rated voltage varying according to the temperature of the device. When a load is attached across the terminals of the device a current flows.
US09640799B2
A negative electrode active material for a non-lithium secondary battery, the negative electrode active material including a complex including a hard carbon having a specific surface area of about 50 square meters per gram or less and a ratio of a D-band peak intensity to a G-band peak intensity of 1 or less when analyzed by Raman spectroscopy; and a component including at least one selected from a Group 1 element, an oxide of a Group 1 element, a Group 2 element, an oxide of a Group 2 element, an element of Groups 13 to 16, an oxide of an element of Groups 13 to 16, and an oxide of an element of Groups 3 to 12.
US09640797B2
The present invention relates to a polymer possessing a linear backbone selected from the homopolymers belonging to the family of polyfluorenes, polycarbazoles, polyanilines, polyphenylenes, polyisothionaphthenes, polyacetylenes, polyphenylene vinylenes, and copolymers thereof, said backbone bearing at least one side group possessing at least one nitroxide function.It also relates to an electrode material, an electrode and a lithium secondary battery obtained from such a polymer.
US09640793B2
The disclosure is related to battery systems. More specifically, embodiments of the disclosure provide a nanostructured conversion material for use as the active material in battery cathodes. In an implementation, a nanostructured conversion material is a glassy material and includes a metal material, one or more oxidizing species, and a reducing cation species mixed at a scale of less than 1 nm. The glassy conversion material is substantially homogeneous within a volume of 1000 nm3.
US09640792B2
Disclosed herein is a battery assembly including at least two battery cells connected in series or in parallel. Each of the battery cells includes an electrode assembly including a cathode, an anode and a separator interposed between the cathode and the anode and a battery case in which the electrode assembly is mounted. An electrode terminal of a first battery cell and an electrode terminal of a second battery cell are formed as a single member at a series or parallel connection portion between the first and second battery cells.
US09640791B2
A battery includes: an external terminal protruding outward from a main body; a metal terminal for taking out electric power from inside the main body to the external terminal; and an insulating member for insulation between the main body, and the external terminal and the metal terminal. The metal terminal includes a base portion connected to the inside of the main body and extending along the same plane as one face of the main body from which the external terminal protrudes and an end portion which further extends from the base portion and to which the external terminal is fixed. The external terminal includes a tip end face formed as a sloping face which is low on the end portion side of the metal terminal and high on the base portion side of the metal terminal.
US09640789B2
A connecting element for a secondary battery according to the present disclosure includes a metal plate having a recess groove, a soldering pattern having a lower melting point than the metal plate and formed within the recess groove, and an insulation layer formed on at least one surface among both surfaces of the metal plate, and covering an area where the soldering pattern is formed.According to the present disclosure, it is possible to interrupt an overcurrent quickly when the overcurrent occurs, and prevent secondary damage caused by a spark that may occur when the connecting element for the secondary battery is ruptured.
US09640786B2
A safety cap assembly of power battery comprises a cap plate and a first terminal unit, a second terminal unit, a vent, an electrolyte-injection hole and a safety reverse valve provided to the cap plate; the first terminal unit is electrically connected to the cap plate; the second terminal unit is insulated from and assembled to the cap plate; the safety reverse valve is electrically connected to the cap plate; a short circuit protection conducting plate is provided above the cap plate, is electrically connected to the second terminal unit, and is positioned above the safety reverse valve; the first terminal unit comprises a first terminal body, and a metal gasket and a resistance plate around the first terminal body, the resistance plate is provided below the metal gasket and comprises a substrate and a coating on a surface of the substrate.
US09640781B2
Embodiments disclosed herein provide an organic light emitting diode (OLED) device is provided, including a high index substrate having an index of refraction of 1.5 or greater, a reflective electrode, an organic emissive layer configured to emit light having a wavelength of λ; and where an optical distance between the organic emissive layer and the reflective electrode of the OLED is between λ/4 and 3λ/4.
US09640779B2
An organic light emitting diode display device is provided, which comprises: a first substrate having a first surface with a first side; and a glass-forming sealant disposed thereon, adjacent to the first side and having a top surface, a bottom surface opposite to the top surface, and a middle surface therebetween. The middle surface has a first end connecting to the top surface, a second end connecting to the bottom surface and a third end therebetween. A first distance between a first projection of the first end on the first surface and the first side is unequal to a second distance between a second projection of the second end on the first surface and the first side; and a third distance between a third projection of the third end on the first surface and the first side is shorter than the first or second distance.
US09640777B2
An electroluminescent (EL) device is disclosed, comprising a nanostructured composite electrode, one or more functional layers and an top electrode. The nanostructured composite electrode is consisting essentially of a first layer having a nanostructure and a second layer disposed on the nanostructure. The first and second layers are transparent and conducting, and one of the refractive-indexes of the first and second layers is lower than or equal to 1.65, and the other of the refractive-indexes of the first and second layers is higher than or equal to 1.75. One or more functional layers including a light emitting layer is disposed on the second layer. The top electrode is disposed on the functional layers. Especially, each of feature pits and each of intervals between the feature pits of the nanostructure of the first layer is smaller than or equal to a major wavelength of light emitted from the light emitting layer.
US09640770B2
An thin film transistor includes an insulating substrate, an MgO layer, a semiconductor carbon nanotube layer, a functional dielectric layer, a source electrode, a drain electrode, and a gate electrode. The semiconductor carbon nanotube layer is sandwiched between the MgO layer and the functional dielectric layer. The source electrode and the drain electrode electrically connect the semiconductor carbon nanotube layer. The gate electrode is sandwiched between the insulating substrate and the MgO layer.
US09640763B2
A display screen and a method of preparing the same are disclosed. The method includes steps of: forming a flexible base layer (20) on a rigid base substrate (10), wherein the rigid base substrate (10) includes a first region (101), a second region (102), and a connection region (103) between the first region and the second region, and the flexible base layer (20) is at least formed in both the second region (102) and the connection region (103); fabricating an organic light emitting diode device on the substrate with the flexible base layer (20) formed thereon; and stripping the rigid base substrate (10) in the second region (102) along a boundary between the second region (102) and the connection region (103). By means of a flexible display technology, the above method can achieve seamless assembly between adjacent sub-screens, and therefore increases display quality of pictures.
US09640759B1
A resistive memory element is provided having a layer structure. The layer structure includes two layers forming two electrically conductive electrodes, respectively, a resistively switchable material sandwiched between the two layers forming the two electrodes, and in electrical connection therewith, and a confining material. The resistively switchable material is laterally confined within the confining material, between the two layers forming the electrodes. The confining material is sufficiently electrically insulating for an electric signal applied between the two conductive electrodes to change a resistance state of the memory element in operation. The confining material has a thermal conductivity greater than 0.5 W/(m·K), and preferably greater than or equal to 30 W/(m·K). The resistively switchable material is an amorphous compound comprising carbon, which has a maximal lateral dimension, along a direction parallel to an average plane of the two layers forming the electrodes, that is less than 60 nm.
US09640757B2
A double self-aligned phase change memory device structure, comprising spaced-apart facing phase change memory film members symmetrically arranged with respect to one another, each of the phase change memory film members at an upper portion thereof being in contact with a separate conductive element, and each of the phase change memory film members being in a range of from 5 nm to 25 nm in thickness. Also described are various methods of making such phase change memory device structure.
US09640756B2
According to one embodiment, a method for manufacturing a magnetic memory is disclosed. The method includes forming a magnetoresistive element on a substrate. The method further includes measuring an electrical characteristic of the magnetoresistive element, and applying a voltage to the magnetoresistive element which the electrical characteristic is measured.
US09640752B2
According to one embodiment, a magnetoresistive element includes a recording layer having magnetic anisotropy perpendicular to a film surface and having a variable magnetization direction, a reference layer having magnetic anisotropy perpendicular to a film surface and having an invariable magnetization direction, an intermediate layer provided between the recording layer and the reference layer, and a underlayer containing AlTiN and provided on an opposite side of a surface of the recording layer on which the intermediate layer is provided.
US09640746B2
The present invention provides a composite thermoelectric material. The composite thermoelectric material can include a semiconductor material comprising a rare earth metal. The atomic percent of the rare earth metal in the semiconductor material can be at least about 20%. The composite thermoelectric material can further include a metal forming metallic inclusions distributed throughout the semiconductor material. The present invention also provides a method of forming this composite thermoelectric material.
US09640745B2
A light emitting diode includes: at least one light emitting chip; a substrate including lead frames electrically connected to electrodes of the at least one light emitting chip; a lens disposed on the substrate and enclosing the at least one light emitting chip; and an oil disposed in the lens and the substrate.
US09640739B2
Various embodiments relate to an optoelectronic component, including a carrier element, on which at least one optoelectronic semiconductor chip is arranged, and a cover, which is mounted on the carrier element in a region extending circumferentially around the semiconductor chip and together with the carrier element forms a sealed cavity in which the at least one optoelectronic semiconductor chip is arranged in an inert gas.
US09640738B2
A light-emitting device includes a light-emitting element, a sealing material for sealing the light-emitting element, a phosphor particle having an average particle size of not more than 20 nm and dispersed in the sealing material, a dispersed particle dispersed in the sealing material and forming a three-dimensional network structure in the sealing material, and a light-scattering particle dispersed in the sealing material, having an average particle size greater than that of the phosphor particle and that of the dispersed particle, and having a refractive index greater than that of the sealing material. A concentration gradient of the phosphor particle in a height direction is formed such that a concentration thereof increases according as a position thereof decreases. An average position of the phosphor particle is lower than that of the light-scattering particle.
US09640737B2
Horizontal light emitting diodes include anode and cathode contacts on the same face and a transparent substrate having an oblique sidewall. A conformal phosphor layer having an average equivalent particle diameter d50 of at least about 10 μm is provided on the oblique sidewall. High aspect ratio substrates may be provided. The LED may be directly attached to a submount.
US09640733B2
A carrier leadframe, including a frame body and a carrier, is provided. The frame body includes at least one supporting portion, and the carrier includes a shell and at least one electrode portion and is mechanically engaged with the frame body via the supporting portion. A method for manufacturing the carrier leadframe as described above, as well as a light emitting device made from the carrier leadframe and a method for manufacturing the device, are also provided. The carrier leadframe has carriers that are separate in advance and mechanically engaged with the frame body, thereby facilitating the quick release of material after encapsulation. Besides, in the carrier leadframe as provided, each carrier is electrically isolated from another carrier, so the electric measurement can be performed before the release of material. Therefore, the speed and yield of production of the light emitting device made from the carrier leadframe is improved.
US09640732B2
Diode includes light emitting region, first metal layer, dielectric layer, and second metal layer. Light emitting diode includes n-type group III-nitride portion, p-type group III-nitride layer, and light emitting region sandwiched between n- and p-type layers. First metal layer may be coupled to p-type III-N portion and plurality of first terminals. First metal layer and p-type III-N portion may have substantially similar lateral size that is smaller than 200 micrometers. A portion of light emitting region and first metal layer may include a single via. Electrically-insulating layer may be coupled to first metal layer and sides of the single via. First terminals may be exposed from electrically-insulating layer. Second metal layer may include second terminal and may be coupled to electrically-insulating layer and to n-type III-N portion through the single via. The thickness of the diode excluding second terminal may be between 2 and 20 micrometers. Other embodiments are described.
US09640716B2
A multiple quantum well structure includes a plurality of well-barrier sets arranged along a direction. Each of the well-barrier sets includes a barrier layer, at least one intermediate level layer, and a well layer. A bandgap of the barrier layer is greater than an average bandgap of the intermediate level layer, and the average bandgap of the intermediate level layer is greater than a bandgap of the well layer. The barrier layers, the intermediate level layers, and the well layers of the well-barrier sets are stacked by turns. Thicknesses of at least parts of the well layers in the direction gradually decrease along the direction, and thicknesses of at least parts of the intermediate level layers in the direction gradually increase along the direction. A method for manufacturing a multiple quantum well structure is also provided.
US09640709B2
A wafer-level method of fabricating optoelectronic modules performing a first vacuum injection technique, using a first vacuum injection tool, to surround optoelectronic devices laterally with a transparent overmold region, performing a replication technique to form a respective passive optical element on a top surface of each overmold region, and performing a second vacuum injected technique to form sidewalls laterally surrounding and in contact with sides of each overmold region. The replication technique and the second vacuum injection technique are performed using a combined replication and vacuum injection tool.
US09640707B2
A method of manufacturing a solar cell is disclosed. The method includes forming a doping region including first and second portions having different doping concentrations by ion-implanting a dopant into a semiconductor substrate and forming an electrode connected to the doping region. In the forming of the doping region, the first and second portions are simultaneously formed by the same process using a mask that is disposed at a distance from the semiconductor substrate.
US09640705B2
Improved methods and apparatus for forming thin film layers of chalcogenide on a substrate web. According to the present teachings, a feedback control system may be employed to measure one or more properties of the web and/or the chalcogenide layer, and to adjust one or more parameters of the system or buffer layer deposition method in response to the measurement.
US09640702B2
A diode is described which comprises a light-sensitive germanium region (5) located on a waveguide (2) made of silicon or silicon germanium and which has lateral dimensions in a direction transverse to a direction of light propagation in the waveguide that are identical or at most 20 nm per side shorter in comparison with the waveguide.
US09640700B2
A light receiving sensor (1) includes: a photodiode (PD) which generates a photocurrent (Ipd) upon receipt of light; a transistor (Tr11) through which the photocurrent (Ipd) flows; a transistor (Tr12) which forms, together with the transistor (Tr11), a first current mirror circuit (CM1); a transistor (Tr9) whose channel type is different from that of the transistor (Tr11), and a resistor (R10) which converts, to a voltage, a current flowing through the transistors (Tr11 and Tr12). The first current mirror circuit (CM1) amplifies the photocurrent (Ipd), the transistor (Tr11) has a source connected with a gate of a MOS transistor (Tr9), and the MOS transistor (Tr9) has a threshold voltage that is set to be equal to or above a threshold voltage of the transistor (Tr11). This decreases a capacity of the photodiode (PD) and therefore allows the light receiving sensor (1) to operate at a high speed while the photodiode (PD) is biased.
US09640690B2
Provided are a multi-layered film, a backsheet for a photovoltaic cell, a method of forming the same and a photovoltaic module. The multi-layered film may include a primer layer and a fluoropolymer coating layer formed by coating, and thus the fluoropolymer coating layer, which is a surface layer, may have excellent durability and weather resistance due to an inter-diffusion effect between materials in the respective layers, and a high interface adhesive strength with a substrate and the primer layer. In addition, in the preparation of the multi-layered film, a production cost may be reduced, productivity may be increased, and degradation in quality of a product caused by thermal transformation or heat shock may be prevented. The multi-layered film may be effectively used as a backsheet for various photovoltaic modules.
US09640686B2
An electro-optical device can include a plurality of nanocrystals positioned between a first electrode and a second electrode.
US09640683B2
A semiconductor structure includes a silicon substrate, a protection layer, an electrical pad, an isolation layer, a redistribution layer, a conductive layer, a passivation layer, and a conductive structure. The silicon substrate has a concave region, a step structure, a tooth structure, a first surface, and a second surface opposite to the first surface. The step structure and the tooth structure surround the concave region. The step structure has a first oblique surface, a third surface, and a second oblique surface facing the concave region and connected in sequence. The protection layer is located on the first surface of the silicon substrate. The electrical pad is located in the protection layer and exposed through the concave region. The isolation layer is located on the first and second oblique surfaces, the second and third surfaces of the step structure, and the tooth structure.
US09640681B2
A window structure includes a window, a design layer structure on the window, a light shield layer on the design layer structure, and a light absorption layer. The design layer structure includes a first hole exposing a portion of the window. The light shield layer includes a second hole in fluid communication with the first hole. The light absorption layer covers at least a portion of the design layer structure exposed by the first and second holes, and includes a third hole exposing a portion of the window. By including the light absorption layer of a gray or black color to cover exposed portions of the design layer structure, a vignette about an image caused by the design layer structure is prevented.
US09640680B1
Wide-band transparent electrical contacts and interconnects for FPAS and a method of making the same
An optical device includes an optically transparent and electrically conducting conductor including graphene, a network of metal nanowires, or graphene integrated with a network of metal nanowires. The optical device includes a II VI compound semiconductor, a III V compound semiconductor, or InAsSb.
US09640679B2
A method of manufacturing a photovoltaic device may include concurrently transforming a transparent conductive oxide layer from a substantially amorphous state to a substantially crystalline state and forming one or more semiconductor layers.
US09640676B2
A method for manufacturing solar cells is disclosed. The method includes forming an insulating material in a printable suspension along the at least one side edge of a solar cell, the insulating material in a printable suspension further adapted to form a protective film which reduces cracking near at least one side edge of the solar cell and improve structural integrity against mechanical stress. The protective film has an elastic modulus of at least 3 GPa, an elongation break point of at least 13 percent and a glass transition temperature of at least 250 degrees Celsius which provides additional structural support along the side edges, increasing the overall structural integrity, providing electrical insulation along the edges and improve the flexure strength of the solar cell.
US09640672B2
A diode device including a III-N compound layer is provided. The III-N compound layer has a channel region therein. A cathode region is located on the III-N compound layer. A first anode region is located on the III-N compound layer and extends into the III-N compound layer. The bottom of the first anode region is under the channel region. A second anode region is located on the III-N compound layer between the cathode region and the first anode region, and extends into the III-N compound material layer. The second anode region includes a high-energy barrier region. The high-energy barrier region adjoins a sidewall of the first anode region. A method for manufacturing a diode device is also provided.
US09640669B2
In a semiconductor device including a transistor, the transistor is provided over a first insulating film, and the transistor includes an oxide semiconductor film over the first insulating film, a gate insulating film over the oxide semiconductor film, a gate electrode over the gate insulating film, a second insulating film over the oxide semiconductor film and the gate electrode, and a source and a drain electrodes electrically connected to the oxide semiconductor film. The first insulating film includes oxygen. The second insulating film includes hydrogen. The oxide semiconductor film includes a first region in contact with the gate insulating film and a second region in contact with the second insulating film. The first insulating film includes a third region overlapping with the first region and a fourth region overlapping with the second region. The impurity element concentration of the fourth region is higher than that of the third region.
US09640668B2
A film formation is performed using a target in which a material which is volatilized more easily than gallium when heated at 400° C. to 700° C., such as zinc, is added to gallium oxide by a sputtering method with high mass-productivity which can be applied to a large-area substrate, such as a DC sputtering method or a pulsed DC sputtering method. This film is heated at 400° C. to 700° C., whereby the added material is segregated in the vicinity of a surface of the film. Another portion of the film has a decreased concentration of the added material and a sufficiently high insulating property; therefore, it can be used for a gate insulator of a semiconductor device, or the like.
US09640666B2
An integrated circuit that includes: providing a substrate including a support structure, a dielectric layer, and a variable thickness film processed to include the dielectric layer within a recess of the variable thickness film; forming a gate over the variable thickness film; and forming a channel and a source/drain within the variable thickness film.
US09640662B2
A method for fabricating semiconductor device includes the steps of: providing a substrate having at least one fin-shaped structure thereon, wherein the fin-shaped structure comprises a top portion and a bottom portion; removing part of the bottom portion of the fin-shaped structure; forming an epitaxial layer on the substrate to surround the bottom portion of the fin-shaped structure; transforming the bottom portion of the fin-shaped structure into the epitaxial layer; and removing part of the epitaxial layer.
US09640654B2
A semiconductor device with improved characteristics is provided. The semiconductor device includes a LDMOS, a source plug electrically coupled to a source region of the LDMOS, a source wiring disposed over the source plug, a drain plug electrically coupled to a drain region of the LDMOS, and a drain wiring disposed over the drain plug. The structure of the source plug of the semiconductor device is devised. The semiconductor device is structured such that the drain plug is linearly disposed to extend in a direction Y, and the source plug includes a plurality of separated source plugs arranged at predetermined intervals in the direction Y. In this way, the separation of the source plug decreases an opposed area between the source plug and the drain plug, and can thus decrease the parasitic capacitance therebetween.
US09640648B2
A semiconductor device includes a first semiconductor layer formed on a substrate; a second semiconductor layer and a third semiconductor layer formed on the first semiconductor layer; a fourth semiconductor layer formed on the third semiconductor layer; a gate electrode formed on the fourth semiconductor layer; and a source electrode and a drain electrode formed in contact with the second semiconductor layer. The third semiconductor layer and the fourth semiconductor layer are formed in an area immediately below the gate electrode, the fourth semiconductor layer is formed with a p-type semiconductor material, and the second semiconductor layer and the third semiconductor layer are formed with AlGaN, and the third semiconductor layer has a lower composition ratio of Al than that of the second semiconductor layer.
US09640644B1
A planar MOSFET is provided on the upper surface of the N−-type semiconductor substrate in a mesa portion between the trenches. A P+-type emitter layer is provided between the trench and the planar MOSFET in the mesa portion. A P-type collector layer is provided on a lower surface of the N−-type semiconductor substrate. The planar MOSFET includes an N+-type emitter layer, an upper portion of the N−-type semiconductor substrate, a P-type base layer, and a planar gate on the foregoing with a gate insulating film interposed therebetween. The planar gate is connected to the gate trench. The P+-type emitter layer has a higher impurity concentration than the P-type base layer and has an electric potential equal to an emitter potential of the N+-type emitter layer. The N+-type emitter layer is not in contact with the trench. A trench MOSFET is not formed.
US09640639B2
A semiconductor device including a transistor in which an oxide semiconductor is used for a channel formation region and which has a positive threshold voltage to serve as a normally-off switching element, and the like are provided. Stable electrical characteristics are given to the semiconductor device including the transistor in which an oxide semiconductor film is used for the channel formation region, and thus the semiconductor device has high reliability. In a semiconductor device including a transistor in which an oxide semiconductor film including a channel formation region, source and drain electrode layers, a gate insulating film, and a gate electrode layer are stacked in this order over an oxide insulating film, a conductive layer overlapping with the gate electrode layer with the channel formation region provided therebetween and controlling the electrical characteristics of the transistor is provided in the oxide insulating film including an oxygen excess region.
US09640637B2
A method for producing a semiconductor device includes a first step of forming a first insulating film around a fin-shaped semiconductor layer; a second step of forming a first pillar-shaped semiconductor layer, a first dummy gate, a second pillar-shaped semiconductor layer, and a second dummy gate; a third step of forming a third dummy gate and a fourth dummy gate; a fourth step of forming a third diffusion layer in an upper portion of the fin-shaped semiconductor layer, in a lower portion of the first pillar-shaped semiconductor layer, and in a lower portion of the second pillar-shaped semiconductor layer; a fifth step of forming a gate electrode and a gate line around the first pillar-shaped semiconductor layer and forming a contact electrode and a contact line around the second pillar-shaped semiconductor layer; and a sixth step of forming first to fifth contacts.
US09640636B1
One illustrative method disclosed herein includes, among other things, forming an initial vertically oriented channel semiconductor structure having a first height above a substrate, forming a sacrificial spacer structure adjacent the initial vertically oriented channel semiconductor structure and, with the sacrificial spacer in position, performing at least one process operation to define a self-aligned bottom source/drain region for the device that is self-aligned with respect to the sacrificial spacer structure, forming an isolation region in the trench and forming a bottom source/drain electrode above the isolation region. The method also includes removing the sacrificial spacer structure and forming a bottom spacer material around the vertically oriented channel semiconductor structure above the bottom source/drain electrode.
US09640627B2
The present disclosure relates to a Schottky contact for a semiconductor device. The semiconductor device has a body formed from one or more epitaxial layers, which reside over a substrate. The Schottky contact may include a Schottky layer, a first diffusion barrier layer, and a third layer. The Schottky layer is formed of a first metal and is provided over at least a portion of a first surface of the body. The first diffusion barrier layer is formed of a silicide of the first metal and is provided over the Schottky layer. The third layer is formed of a second metal and is provided over the first diffusion barrier layer. In one embodiment, the first metal is nickel, and as such, the silicide is nickel silicide. Various other layers may be provided between or above the Schottky layer, the first diffusion barrier layer, and the third layer.
US09640604B2
An integrated circuit has a semiconductor die provided in a first IC layer and an inductor fabricated on a second IC layer. The inductor may have a winding and a magnetic core, which are oriented to conduct magnetic flux in a direction parallel to a surface of a semiconductor die. The semiconductor die may have active circuit components fabricated in a first layer of the die, provided under the inductor layer. The integrated circuit may include a flux conductor provided on a side of the die opposite the first layer. PCB connections to active elements on the semiconductor die may progress through the inductor layer as necessary.
US09640603B2
A semiconductor device has a trench formed in a substrate. The trench has tapered sidewalls and depth of 10-120 micrometers. A first insulating layer is conformally applied over the substrate and into the trench. An insulating material, such as polymer, is deposited over the first insulating layer in the trench. A first conductive layer is formed over the insulating material. A second insulating layer is formed over the first insulating layer and first conductive layer. A second conductive layer is formed over the second insulating layer and electrically contacts the first conductive layer. The first and second conductive layers are isolated from the substrate by the insulating material in the trench. A third insulating layer is formed over the second insulating layer and second conductive layer. The first and second conductive layers are coiled over the substrate to exhibit inductive properties.
US09640598B2
An organic light-emitting display apparatus includes a pad electrode structure having excellent reliability due to the prevention of propagation of a crack to the pad electrode. The organic light-emitting display apparatus includes further an interlayer insulating layer on the pad electrode, a conductive barrier layer, and a planarization insulating layer. The interlayer insulating layer includes a plurality of openings that expose an upper surface of the pad electrode. The conductive barrier layer is on the plurality of openings and the interlayer insulating layer. The planarization insulating layer covers an edge of the conductive barrier layer. The planarization insulating layer is in the openings and covers an edge of the conductive barrier layer. An upper portion of the planarization insulating layer may be substantially planar with an upper portion of the conductive barrier layer on convex portions of the interlayer insulating layer.
US09640596B2
A flexible display panel comprises a display element (100) and a drive unit (50) disposed on a first surface (A) of a flexible base (20) and a supporting substrate (200) disposed on a second surface (B), opposite to the first surface (A), of the flexible base (20). The position of the supporting substrate (200) corresponds to a bonding position (C) of the drive unit (50). The flexible display panel can avoid a bonding alignment deviation caused by a deformation of the flexible display panel during a bonding process.
US09640592B2
A method of forming a hole transport layer in which an amount of ink per unit surface area to be applied to a plurality of groove regions is set so as to decrease in an order R, G, B. Prior to applying the ink, a nozzle head is scanned across while applying only solvent to each of the groove regions. At this time, an amount of the solvent to be applied to the groove regions is set so as to increase in the order R, G, B.
US09640590B2
An organic light-emitting diode (OLED) display and fabrication method thereof are provided. The OLED display includes an organic light-emitting layer comprising a plurality of primary color regions and a plurality of mixed color regions, wherein the primary color regions and the mixed color regions have the same light emitting direction. A color shift prevention layer is disposed above or under the organic light-emitting layer, the color shift prevention layer comprising a plurality of opaque patterns disposed on the light emitting direction of the corresponding mixed color regions. The color shift prevention layer incorporated in the OLED display is able to block the mixed light emitted from the mixed color regions of the organic light-emitting layer. Therefore, the color shift problem can be solved.
US09640588B2
Memory cell architectures and methods of forming the same are provided. An example memory cell can include a switch element and a memory element formed in series with the switch element. A smallest lateral dimension of the switch element is different than a smallest lateral dimension of the memory element.
US09640585B1
A semiconductor device includes four or more first memory cells arranged on a row, the first memory cells each including a first pillar-shaped semiconductor layer, a first gate insulating film formed around the first pillar-shaped semiconductor layer, a first gate line formed around the first gate insulating film, and a first magnetic tunnel junction storage element formed on the first pillar-shaped semiconductor layer. The semiconductor device further includes a first source line that connects lower portions of the first pillar-shaped semiconductor layers to each other, a first bit line that extends in a direction perpendicular to a direction in which the first gate line extends and that is connected to an upper portion of the first magnetic tunnel junction storage element, and a second source line that extends in a direction perpendicular to a direction in which the first source line extends.
US09640583B2
A light emitting structure includes lower and upper semiconductor layers having different conductive types, and an active layer disposed between the lower and upper semiconductor layers. The light emitting structure is provided on the substrate. A first electrode layer provided on the upper semiconductor layer includes a first adhesive layer and a first bonding layer overlapping each other. A reflective layer is not provided between the first adhesive layer and the first bonding layer.
US09640581B2
A solid-state image pickup device capable of suppressing the generation of dark current and/or leakage current is provided. The solid-state image pickup device has a first substrate provided with a photoelectric converter on its primary face, a first wiring structure having a first bonding portion which contains a conductive material, a second substrate provided with a part of a peripheral circuit on its primary face, and a second wiring structure having a second bonding portion which contains a conductive material. In addition, the first bonding portion and the second bonding portion are bonded so that the first substrate, the first wiring structure, the second wiring structure, and the second substrate are disposed in this order. Furthermore, the conductive material of the first bonding portion and the conductive material of the second bonding portion are surrounded with diffusion preventing films.
US09640580B2
An image sensor package includes a die having an active side surface and a backside surface opposite to each other and having a bonding pad disposed on the active side surface, a through via penetrating the die and being electrically connected to the bonding pad, and a first dielectric layer disposed between the through via and the die. The first dielectric layer extends to cover the backside surface of the die. A redistribution line is disposed on the first dielectric layer and is electrically connected to the through via. The redistribution line extends onto the first dielectric layer on the backside surface of the die. A second dielectric layer is disposed on the first dielectric layer to cover the redistribution line and to extend onto an outer sidewall of the die. Related methods are also provided.
US09640570B2
A method of manufacturing a solid-state image sensor, including a first transistor for transferring charges from a charge accumulation region to a first charge holding region and a second transistor for transferring charges from the first charge holding region to a second charge holding region, the method comprising forming, on the semiconductor substrate, a resist pattern having a opening on the first charge holding region, and injecting a impurity via the opening so as to make the first charge holding region be a buried type, wherein the impurity is injected such that an impurity region, which makes the first charge holding region be a buried type, is formed at a position away from an end of the gate electrode of the second transistor.
US09640558B2
In case the size of the transistor is enlarged, power consumption of the transistor is increased. Thus, the present invention provides a display device capable of preventing a current from flowing to a display element in signal writing operation without varying potentials of power source lines for supplying a current to the display element per row. In setting a gate-source voltage of a transistor by applying a predetermined current to the transistor, a potential of a gate terminal of the transistor is adjusted so as to prevent a current from flowing to a load connected to a source terminal of the transistor. Therefore, a potential of a wire connected to the gate terminal of the transistor is differentiated from a potential of a wire connected to a drain terminal of the transistor.
US09640554B2
A pixel structure includes a semiconductor layer, an insulating layer, a first conductive layer, a second conductive layer, a passivation layer, and a first electrode layer. The semiconductor layer includes a first semiconductor pattern having a first source region, a first drain region, and a first channel region. The insulating layer is disposed on the semiconductor layer. The first conductive layer is disposed on the insulating layer and includes a first gate, a first source, a first drain, and a data line connected to the first source. The second conductive layer is disposed on the first conductive layer and includes a scan line. The passivation layer covers the first and second conductive layers and the semiconductor layer. The first electrode layer is disposed on the passivation layer and provides electrical connection to different layers.
US09640550B2
A semiconductor device includes a semiconductor pattern; conductive layers each including a first portion through which the semiconductor pattern passes and a second portion having a thickness greater than the first portion, wherein the first portion of each conductive layer includes a first barrier pattern surrounding the semiconductor pattern and a material pattern, which is formed in the first barrier pattern and has an etch selectivity with respect to the first barrier pattern, and the second portion of each conductive layer includes a conductive pattern; and contact plugs connected to the second portion of each of the conductive layers.
US09640541B2
An anti-fuse based on a Field Nitride Trap (FNT) is disclosed. The anti-fuse includes a first active pillar including a first junction, a second active pillar including a second junction, a selection line buried between the first active pillar and the second active pillar, and a trap layer for electrically coupling the first junction to the second junction by trapping minority carriers according to individual voltages applied to the first junction, the second junction and the selection line. As a result, the fuse can be highly integrated through the above-mentioned structure, and programming of the fuse can be easily achieved.
US09640534B2
A method for manufacturing a semiconductor device is provided. The method includes forming an insulation film including a trench on a substrate, forming a first metal gate film pattern along side and bottom surfaces of the trench, forming a second metal gate film on the first metal gate film pattern and the insulation film, and forming a second metal gate film pattern positioned on the first metal gate film pattern by removing the second metal gate film to expose at least a portion of the insulation film and forming a blocking layer pattern on the second metal gate film pattern by oxidizing an exposed surface of the second metal gate film pattern.
US09640525B2
Provided is an ESD protection circuit including: a power MOS transistor provided between an external connection terminal and a reference voltage terminal; a clamping circuit that is provided between the external connection terminal and a gate of the power MOS transistor and clamps a voltage between the external connection terminal and the gate of the power MOS transistor at a predetermined value or less; a first resistive element provided between the gate and a source of the power MOS transistor; and a MOS transistor that is provided in series with the power MOS transistor and has a gate and a source which are commonly connected to each other.
US09640515B2
A microelectronic package can include a substrate having first and second opposed surfaces, and first and second microelectronic elements having front surfaces facing the first surface. The substrate can have a plurality of substrate contacts at the first surface and a plurality of terminals at the second surface. Each microelectronic element can have a plurality of element contacts at the front surface thereof. The element contacts can be joined with corresponding ones of the substrate contacts. The front surface of the second microelectronic element can partially overlie a rear surface of the first microelectronic element and can be attached thereto. The element contacts of the first microelectronic element can be arranged in an area array and are flip-chip bonded with a first set of the substrate contacts. The element contacts of the second microelectronic element can be joined with a second set of the substrate contacts by conductive masses.
US09640514B1
A bonding material stack for wafer-to-wafer bonding is provided. The bonding material stack may include a plurality of layers each including boron and nitrogen. In one embodiment, the plurality of layers may include: a first boron oxynitride layer for adhering to a wafer; a boron nitride layer over the first boron oxynitride layer; a second boron oxynitride layer over the boron nitride layer; and a silicon-containing boron oxynitride layer over the second boron oxynitride layer.
US09640512B2
A wire bonding apparatus comprises an ultrasonic transducer including a capillary, a flexible connecting frame having a first side to which the ultrasonic transducer is connected and at least one electrically-driven actuator which is connected to a second side of the flexible connecting frame that is opposite to the first side thereof, the actuator having a longitudinal actuation direction. An elongated slit located in the flexible connecting frame extends substantially transversely to the actuation direction of the at least one actuator to form at least one pivot point adjacent to an end of the slit about which the flexible connecting frame is rotatable when it is driven by the at least one actuator.
US09640511B2
According to a method for producing a circuit carrier arrangement, a carrier which has a surface section formed by an aluminum/silicon carbide metal matrix composite material is provided. A circuit carrier, which has an insulation carrier with a lower side onto which a lower metallization layer is applied, is also provided. A bonding layer, which contains a glass, is generated on the surface section. A material-fit connection between the bonding layer and the circuit carrier is produced by means of a connecting layer.
US09640503B2
A package substrate and a semiconductor package are provided. The package substrate includes an insulating layer having opposing first and second surfaces; a first wiring layer formed in the insulating layer, exposed from the first surface of the insulating layer, and having a plurality of first conductive pads; a second wiring layer formed in the insulating layer, exposed from the second surface, and having a plurality of second conductive pads; a third wiring layer formed on the first surface and electrically connected with the first wiring layer; a plurality of first metal bumps formed on the first conductive pads corresponding; and at least one conductive via vertically embedded in the insulating layer and electrically connected to the second and third wiring layers. Therefore, the surfaces of first conductive pads are reduced, and the non-wetting between the first conductive pads and the solder materials formed on conductive bumps is avoided.
US09640497B1
A method of forming semiconductor devices includes providing a wafer having a first side and second side, electrically conductive pads at the second side, and an electrically insulative layer at the second side with openings to the pads. The first side of the wafer is background to a desired thickness and an electrically conductive layer is deposited thereon. Nickel layers are simultaneously electrolessly deposited over the electrically conductive layer and over the pads, and diffusion barrier layers are then simultaneously deposited over the nickel layers. Another method of forming semiconductor devices includes depositing backmetal (BM) layers on the electrically conductive layer including a titanium layer, a nickel layer, and/or a silver layer. The BM layers are covered with a protective coating and a nickel layer is electrolessly deposited over the pads. A diffusion barrier layer is deposited over the nickel layer over the pads, and the protective coating is removed.
US09640495B2
A method of removing at least a portion of a layer of material from over a semiconductor substrate that can include dispensing an etching solution over the semiconductor substrate to form a pool of etching solution on the layer of material, wherein a footprint of the pool of etching solution is less than a footprint of the semiconductor substrate. The pool of etching solution and the semiconductor substrate can be moved with respect to each other. A pool boundary of the pool of etching solution can be defined on the semiconductor substrate with at least one air-knife such that the pool of etching solution etches the layer of material over the semiconductor substrate within the footprint of the pool of etching solution. The etching solution and at least a portion of the layer of material etched by the etching solution can be removed with the at least one air-knife.
US09640494B1
An integrated circuit (IC) structure for radio frequency circuits having a grounded die seal that mitigates the effects of parasitic coupling through the die seal. Embodiments include conductive grounding ties that each electrically couple one or more of the internal grounding pads on an IC die within the magnetic loop formed by the die seal ring to an adjacent extent of an IC die seal. Induced parasitic energy within the die seal ring is quickly coupled to ground through the corresponding grounding ties and grounding pads. Accordingly, very little, if any, induced parasitic energy is propagated around the die seal ring.
US09640484B2
A semiconductor device and a method of manufacturing the same, the semiconductor device includes a fin shaped structure, a gate structure, an epitaxial layer, a germanium layer, an interlayer dielectric layer and a first plug. The fin shaped structure is disposed on a substrate. The gate structure is formed across the fin shaped structure. The epitaxial layer is disposed in the fin shaped structure adjacent to the gate structure. The germanium layer is disposed on the epitaxial layer. The interlayer dielectric layer covers the substrate and the fin shaped structure. The first plug is disposed in the interlayer dielectric layer to contact the germanium layer.
US09640473B2
Semiconductor packages are provided. A semiconductor package may include an embedding substrate including a cavity therein and a connection window in a bottom portion of the cavity. The semiconductor package may include a semiconductor chip disposed in the cavity and coupled to chip connectors, the chip connectors of the semiconductor chip inserted into the connection window. The semiconductor package may include a dielectric layer filling the cavity and the connection window and configured to expose end portions of the chip connectors and to substantially cover the semiconductor chip. Related memory cards and related electronic systems are also provided.
US09640458B2
Microelectronic devices, stacked microelectronic devices, and methods for manufacturing microelectronic devices are described herein. In one embodiment, a set of stacked microelectronic devices includes (a) a first microelectronic die having a first side and a second side opposite the first side, (b) a first substrate attached to the first side of the first microelectronic die and electrically coupled to the first microelectronic die, (c) a second substrate attached to the second side of the first microelectronic die, (d) a plurality of electrical couplers attached to the second substrate, (e) a third substrate coupled to the electrical couplers, and (f) a second microelectronic die attached to the third substrate. The electrical couplers are positioned such that at least some of the electrical couplers are inboard the first microelectronic die.
US09640457B2
A device is provided, which includes a wiring structure including a first surface and a second surface opposite the first surface. The device also includes a first semiconductor die on the first surface of the wiring structure where the first semiconductor die includes first power amplifier unit. The device further includes a second semiconductor die on the first surface of the wiring structure where the second semiconductor has a second power amplifier unit and is spaced apart from the first semiconductor die. In addition, the device includes a first input port at the second surface of the wiring structure, and a first conductor in the wiring structure to electrically connect the first input port to the first semiconductor die and the second semiconductor die.
US09640454B2
A semiconductor device includes an insulating substrate having a circuit plate on a principal surface thereof; a semiconductor element fixed to the circuit plate; an external terminal having one end fixed to the circuit plate; and a printed circuit board facing the principal surface of the insulating substrate, and having a through-hole for passing through the external terminal. A rigidity of a peripheral region of the through-hole is lower than a rigidity of other regions.
US09640449B2
Photoreflectance spectroscopy is used to measure strain at or near the edge of a wafer in a production process. The strain measurement is used to anticipate defects and make prospective corrections in later stages of the production process. Strain measurements are used to associate various production steps with defects to enhance later production processes.
US09640446B2
A method for fabricating a semiconductor structure is provided. The method includes providing a semiconductor substrate; and forming a plurality of semiconductor devices on the semiconductor substrate. The method also includes forming a dielectric layer covering the plurality of the semiconductor devices on the semiconductor substrate; and forming an optical auxiliary layer configured to reflect a portion of a levelness-detecting light and absorb a portion of the levelness detecting light transmitting through the optical auxiliary layer during a levelness-detecting process over the dielectric layer. Further, the method includes forming a photoresist layer over the optical auxiliary layer; and detecting a levelness of the semiconductor substrate and exposing the photoresist layer to form a patterned photoresist layer.
US09640442B2
A method for complementary metal oxide semiconductor (CMOS) fin integration includes recessing a fin structure buried in a dielectric fill to form a trench in the dielectric fill having a fin portion remaining at a bottom thereof. A new fin is epitaxially grown in the trench from the fin portion. The new fin included SiGe.
US09640427B2
A method for forming a semiconductor structure is provided. The method includes providing a substrate; and forming an ultra-low-dielectric-constant (ULK) dielectric layer on a surface of the substrate. The method also includes etching the ultra-low-dielectric-constant dielectric layer to form a trench in the ultra-low-dielectric-constant dielectric layer; and performing an inert plasma treatment process on a side surface of the trench. Further, the method includes performing a carbonization process on the side surface of the trench; and performing a nitridation process on the side surface of the trench to form a SiCNH layer on the side surface of the trench.
US09640426B2
A method for fabricating a semiconductor device includes forming a plurality of semiconductor structures over a substrate, forming an interlayer dielectric layer over the semiconductor structures, etching the interlayer dielectric layer, and defining open parts between the semiconductor structures to expose a surface of the substrate, forming sacrificial spacers on sidewalls of the open parts, forming conductive layer patterns in the open parts, and causing the conductive layer patterns and the sacrificial spacers to reach each other, and defining air gaps on the sidewalls of the open parts.
US09640425B2
Various embodiments provide methods and systems for making and/or cleaning semiconductor devices. In one embodiment, a semiconductor device can be formed including a metal layer and a photoresist polymer. During formation, the semiconductor device can be cleaned in a cleaning chamber by a first cleaning solution provided from a solution supply device. After this cleaning process, a second cleaning solution containing metal ions and/or polymer residues can be produced and processed in a solution processing device to at least partially remove the metal ions and/or polymer residues to produce a third cleaning solution for re-use. In an exemplary fabrication or cleaning system, the solution processing device may be configured connecting to either an inlet or an outlet of the cleaning chamber. After cleaning, the semiconductor device can be processed to include a metal plug or an interconnect wiring.
US09640414B2
In a semiconductor device formed by mounting a chip laminate including a semiconductor chip having a small diameter and a semiconductor chip having a large diameter over the top surface of a substrate, an excessive stress is prevented from being added to a joint of the two semiconductor chips. By mounting a first semiconductor chip having a large diameter over a support substrate and thereafter mounting a second semiconductor chip having a small diameter over the first semiconductor chip, it is possible to: suppress the inclination and unsteadiness of the second semiconductor chip mounted over the first semiconductor chip; and hence inhibit an excessive stress from being added to a joint of the first semiconductor chip and the second semiconductor chip.
US09640412B2
The present invention generally relates to methods and apparatus for processing substrates. Embodiments of the invention include apparatuses for processing a substrate comprising a dynamic heat sink that is substantially transparent to light from a radiant heat source, the dynamic heat sink being positioned near the substrate so the two are coupled. Additional embodiments of the invention are directed to methods of processing a substrate using the apparatuses described.
US09640400B1
Embodiments described herein generally relate to doping of three dimensional (3D) structures on a substrate. In one embodiment, a conformal dopant containing film may be deposited over the 3D structures. Suitable dopants that may be incorporated in the film may include boron, phosphorous, and other suitable dopants. The film may be subsequently annealed to diffuse the dopants into the 3D structures.
US09640399B2
A method of forming patterns includes forming a guide pattern and first peripheral patterns on an underlying layer. The guide pattern provides first openings and the first peripheral patterns provide a fifth opening used in alignment of the guide pattern. An alignment status of the guide pattern is verified using the fifth opening. A block copolymer layer is formed to fill the first and fifth openings. The block copolymer layer is annealed to provide a blocking portion sealing the fifth opening and to form first domains in each first opening and a second domain surrounding the first domains formed in each first opening. The first domains are removed to form third openings. The underlying layer is etched using the blocking portion and sidewalls of the second domains as etch barriers to form fourth openings that extend from the third openings to penetrate the underlying layer.
US09640378B2
An embodiment of the invention relates to a TOF-MS capable of performing mass spectrometry of a sample at a high throughput. The TOF-MS has an acceleration part for accelerating an ion, a detector for detecting an event of arrival of the accelerated ion, and a data processing part for performing mass spectrometry of the sample, based on a time of flight of the ion. A first structure of the detector includes an MCP, a dynode, and an anode. In the first structure, the dynode is set at a potential higher than that of an output face of the MCP. The anode is disposed at an intermediate position between the MCP and the dynode or on the dynode side with respect to the intermediate position. The anode has plural apertures and is set at a potential higher than that of the dynode.
US09640376B1
This invention relates to graphical user-interactive displays for use in MS-based analysis of protein impurities, as well as methods and software for generating and using such. One aspect provides a user-interactive display comprising an extracted mass chromatogram (XIC), an MS1 spectrum and an MS2 spectrum, all simultaneously representing a user-selected peptide. Another aspect provides a user interactive display simultaneously presenting paired spectra (XIC, MS1 and/or MS2) for a variant peptide and its corresponding wildtype counterpart.
US09640373B2
Data of a plurality of samples collected by an LC/MS, GC/MS or other systems are converted into a two-dimensional table format. After LC/MS measurement data on a plurality of samples are obtained and the respective extracted ion chromatograms (XICs) are created, a time-axis adjustment for correcting a discrepancy in the retention time is performed, followed by a process of correcting the missing of data which has occurred in the head and/or tail section of the data as a result of the time-axis adjustment.
US09640372B2
A method for extracting a shielding element from a processing chamber of a substrate processing system or inserting the shielding element into the processing chamber is provided. The substrate processing system includes the processing chamber, a first shielding element for excluding application of material onto parts of a substrate, and a substrate transportation system for transporting substrates or substrate carriers into and out of the processing chamber. The method includes transporting the first shielding element by the substrate transportation system.
US09640371B2
A system and method of identifying a selected process point in a multi-mode pulsing process includes applying a multi-mode pulsing process to a selected wafer in a plasma process chamber, the multi-mode pulsing process including multiple cycles, each one of the cycles including at least one of multiple, different phases. At least one process output variable is collected for a selected at least one of the phases, during multiple cycles for the selected wafer. An envelope and/or a template of the collected at least one process output variable can be used to identify the selected process point. A first trajectory for the collected process output variable of a previous phase can be compared to a second trajectory of the process output variable of the selected phase. A multivariate analysis statistic of the second trajectory can be calculated and used to identify the selected process point.
US09640370B2
A method is for etching the whole width of a substrate to expose buried features. The method includes etching a face of a substrate across its width to achieve substantially uniform removal of material; illuminating the etched face during the etch process; applying edge detection techniques to light reflected or scattered from the face to detect the appearances of buried features; and modifying the etch in response to the detection of the buried feature. An etching apparatus for etching substrate across its width to expose buried is also disclosed.
US09640369B2
A plasma generation process that is more optimized for vapor deposition processes in general, and particularly for directed vapor deposition processing. The features of such an approach enables a robust and reliable coaxial plasma capability in which the plasma jet is coaxial with the vapor plume, rather than the orthogonal configuration creating the previous disadvantages. In this way, the previous deformation of the vapor gas jet by the work gas stream of the hollow cathode pipe can be avoided and the carrier gas consumption needed for shaping the vapor plume can be significantly decreased.
US09640368B2
In a plasma processing apparatus, first to third RF power monitors 94, 94 and 98 are configured to monitor high frequency powers (progressive wave powers), which propagate on first to third high frequency power supply lines 88, 90 and 92 from first to third high frequency power supplies 36, 38 and 40 toward a load side, respectively, and high frequency powers (reflection wave powers), which propagate on the first high frequency power supply lines 88, 90 and 92 from the load side toward the first to third high frequency power supplies 36, 38 and 40, respectively, at the same time. A main controller 82 is configured to control the high frequency power supplies 36, 38 and 40 and matching devices 42, 44 and 46 based on monitoring information sent from RF power monitors 94, 96 and 98.
US09640365B2
Method for determining 3D primitive reciprocal basis of unknown crystal based on single EBSD pattern
A method for determining 3D primitive reciprocal basis of an unknown crystal based on a single EBSD pattern includes steps of geometrically correcting all visible Kikuchi bands with the pattern center and the detector distance used for obtaining corresponding reciprocal vectors, and determining components of the corresponding reciprocal vectors in a 3D reciprocal Cartesian coordinate system, so as to obtain a 3D primitive reciprocal basis. The method given in the present invention is able to effectively exclude fake primitive cells; correctly identify the volume of a primitive cell even though the presence of obvious errors in the width of the Kikuchi bands; and successfully determine a 3D primitive reciprocal basis of unknown crystals based on a single EBSD pattern.
US09640364B2
The present disclosure relates to a gas field ion source comprising a housing, an electrically conductive tip arranged within the housing, a gas supply for supplying one or more gases to the housing, wherein the one or more gases comprise neon or a noble gas with atoms having a mass larger than neon, and an extractor electrode having a hole to permit ions generated in the neighborhood of the tip to pass through the hole. A surface of the extractor electrode facing the tip can be made of a material having a negative secondary ion sputter rate of less than 10−5 per incident neon ion.
US09640363B2
A nano-patterned system comprises a vacuum chamber, a sample stage and a magnetic-field applying device, which comprises a power supply, a magnetic-field generation device and a pair of magnetic poles. The magnetic-field generation device comprises a coil and a magnetic conductive soft iron core. The power supply is connected to the coil, which is wound on the soft iron core to generate a magnetic field. The soft iron core is of a semi-closed frame structure and the magnetic poles are at the ends of the frame structure. The stage is inside a vacuum chamber. The poles are oppositely arranged inside the vacuum chamber relative to the stage. The coil and the soft iron core are outside the vacuum chamber. The soft iron core leads the magnetic field generated by the coil into the vacuum chamber. The magnetic poles locate a sample on the stage and apply a local magnetic field.
US09640359B2
An Inverted Cylindrical Magnetron (ICM) System and Methods of Use is disclosed herein generally comprising a co-axial central anode concentrically located within a first annular end anode and a second annular end anode; a process chamber including a top end and a bottom end in which the first annular end anode and the second annular end anode are coaxially disposed, whereby the first annular end anode, the second annular end anode, and the central anode form a 3-anode configuration to provide electric field uniformity, and the process chamber including a central annular space coupled to a tube insulator disposed about the central annular space wall; a cathode concentrically coupled to the tube insulator and a target; and a plurality of multi-zone electromagnets or hybrid electro-permanent magnets surrounding the exterior of the process chamber providing a tunable magnetic field.
US09640350B2
An insulated switchgear module is disclosed. In one example, the module comprises a vacuum interrupter, current exchange assembly, and end conductors disposed within an insulated housing. The insulated housing further comprises a tank containing an actuator mechanism for actuating the current exchange assembly. An insulating tray within the housing separates the vacuum interrupter from the components in the tank. The insulated tray has a shape that corresponds with the shape of the vacuum interrupter and the shape of the housing.
US09640347B2
An illuminated metal keycap having a legend diffuser material that may diffuse light through a legend opened in a background layer. The background layer may be opaque and the legend may be transparent. The metal keycap is adhered to a scissor mechanism positioned above electrical switch circuitry. Included within, below, or adjacent to the scissor mechanism may be one or more light sources positioned to emit light through the metal keycap, around the perimeter of the metal keycap, and/or through the background layer.
US09640343B2
A hand-switch arrangement (HSA) for an adjustable seating furniture (SF), in particular a recliner, the hand-switch arrangement (HSA) comprising an operating unit (OU) and a carrier module (CM). The carrier module (CM) comprises a body part (BP) with an opening (O) for accommodating the operating unit (OU). The carrier module (CM) is designed to be mechanically fixed to a rigid part (RP) of the adjustable seating furniture (SF). The operating unit (OU) comprises a control panel (CP) for controlling a drive unit (DU) of the adjustable seating furniture (SF). The operating unit (OU) further comprises a locking means (LM1) and the carrier module (CM) comprises a mating locking means (LM2) for engaging the locking means (LM1) of the operating unit (OU) when the operating unit (OU) is inserted into the opening (O) of the carrier module (CM), wherein a mounting depth of the operating unit (OU) is adjustable.
US09640341B2
An on-load tap changer has a load changeover switch insert having a switching tube rotatable about an axis, at least one switching module associated with the switching insert and having at least one switching segment fastened to the switching tube, an oil tank, and a resistor subassembly having a plurality of separate and identical resistors. An actuating arrangement associated with the switching module at an inner wall of the oil tank has a plurality of identical actuators associated with the switching module at the inner wall of the oil tank. The on-load tap changer is a load selector or a load changeover switch depending on the arrangement of the at least one identical switching segment, the resistor subassembly, and the mounting of the plurality of identical actuators at the inner wall of the oil tank.
US09640339B2
An on-load tap changer has a switching tube, an oil suction pipe arranged centrally and coaxially along an axis inside the switching tube, and a kerosene drain screw so mounted in a base of the on-load tap changer that it is coaxial with an axis of the oil suction pipe, with the axis of the switching tube, and with an axis of the on-load tap changer. A bearing ring is so acted on by a resilient element at one side and radially with respect to the axis of the on-load tap changer that the switching tube and the oil suction pipe both mechanically positively cooperate with the bearing ring and are centered about the axis of the on-load tap changer.
US09640337B2
A door window opening and closing switch assembly includes a vehicular door window closing switch that is a touch-sensitive sensor and for closing a vehicular door window, and a switch mount member where the vehicular door window closing switch is mounted, and the switch mount member includes a switch operation portion having an opening, an opening edge portion around the opening, and a side wall extending from the opening edge portion. The door window closing switch is mounted on the side wall.
US09640329B2
A hybrid solar cells integrated glassblock structure, includes, at least one glass shell (0) having at least a light transparent surface (2, 9, 13) intended to be exposed to solar radiations, a Dye-Sensitized Solar Cell (DSC) device (3, 8) associated to the surface (2, 9, 13) so as to receive solar radiations passing through the surface, the device having electric contacts, at least one hole (7, 11, 15, 17) allowing passage to an external area of the glassblock of electrical connections leading to the device contacts; and a prestressed and dry assembled glassblock panel for the construction of translucent building envelope even in high-rise buildings, which may also provide high performance related to energy production and saving.
US09640300B2
A cable apparatus and method for preventing discoloration to a cable is disclosed. The apparatus includes a conductor. An exterior layer surrounds the conductor. A thin film material is removably positioned over an exterior surface of the exterior layer. At least one film removal area is positioned within the thin film material, wherein the at least one film removal area is positioned along a length of the exterior layer.
US09640297B2
A process for the production of a composition comprising one or more conductive nano-filler(s), one or more polyarylethersulphone thermoplastic polymer(s) (A), one or more uncured thermoset resin precursor(s) (P), and optionally one or more curing agent(s) therefor, wherein said process comprises mixing or dispersing a first composition comprising one or more conductive nano-filler(s) and one or more polyarylethersulphone thermoplastic polymer(s) (A) with or into one or more uncured thermoset resin precursor(s) (P), and optionally one or more curing agent(s) therefor.
US09640290B2
A solid state electrical generator that is responsive to a relatively low level radiation field to power emergency equipment in a nuclear powered generating facility. The electricity is generated from materials, that are not initially radioactive, that are able to produce electrical power when placed inside a relatively low neutron and/or gamma radiation field and will essentially breed material to enhance the power produced by the device sufficiently to allow the device to provide sufficient power to the emergency equipment, even though the reactor or other source of neutron and/or gamma radiation has shut down.
US09640282B1
A method of testing a microelectronic package configured to provide memory access can include energizing terminals of the microelectronic package, the terminals including first terminals configured to carry address information and second terminals configured to carry data signals. The method can also include applying read and write test data signals simultaneously to the first and second sets of second terminals, so as to simultaneously test read and write operation in first and second microelectronic elements of the microelectronic package. The first and second microelectronic elements can be configured to provide access to memory storage array locations in the first and second microelectronic elements. The terminals can also include third terminals configured to receive a test mode input that reconfigures the first and second microelectronic elements to permit simultaneous access to memory storage array locations in the first and second microelectronic elements.
US09640265B1
According to one embodiment, the semiconductor memory device includes a first memory cell and a word line. The first memory cell is capable of storing two or more bits of data. The word line is coupled with the first memory cell. a write operation repeat a program loop. The program loop includes a program operation and a verification operation. A program voltage is applied to the word line in the program operation. The write operation includes a first program loop and a second program loop subsequent to the first program loop. Program voltage is applied a first number of times in the first program loop. Program voltage is applied a second number of times in the second program loop. The second number of times is larger than the first number of times.
US09640264B2
A method of operating a memory system includes storing data received from an external device in a buffer memory of the memory system, programming the data stored in the buffer memory to a first storage area of a nonvolatile memory of the memory system in response to a mode of the memory system being in a guarantee mode and to a second storage area of the nonvolatile memory in response to the mode of the memory system being in other than the guarantee mode, and programming the data stored in the first storage area to the second storage area during an idle time.
US09640262B2
A nonvolatile memory cell includes a semiconductor substrate, a first OD region, a second OD region, an isolation region separating the first OD region from the second OD region, a PMOS select transistor disposed on the first OD region, and a PMOS floating gate transistor serially connected to the select transistor and disposed on the first OD region. The PMOS floating gate transistor includes a floating gate overlying the first OD region. A memory P well is disposed in the semiconductor substrate. A memory N well is disposed in the memory P well. The memory P well overlaps with the first OD region and the second OD region. The memory P well has a junction depth that is deeper than a trench depth of the isolation region. The memory N well has a junction depth that is shallower than the trench depth of the isolation region.
US09640255B2
To provide a semiconductor device including a volatile memory which achieves high speed operation and lower power consumption. For example, the semiconductor device includes an SRAM provided with first and second data holding portions and a non-volatile memory provided with third and fourth second data holding portions. The first data holding portion is electrically connected to the fourth data holding portion through a transistor. The second data holding portion is electrically connected to the third data holding portion through a transistor. While the SRAM holds data, the transistor is on so that both the SRAM and the non-volatile memory hold the data. Then, the transistor is turned off before supply of power is stopped, so that the data becomes non-volatile.
US09640254B2
Memories and methods of operating memories having memory cells sharing a resistance variable material.
US09640249B2
A write-assist memory includes a memory supply voltage and a column of SRAM cells that is controlled by a pair of bit lines, during a write operation. Additionally, the write-assist memory includes a write-assist unit that is coupled to the memory supply voltage and the column of SRAM cells and has a separable conductive line located between the pair of bit lines that provides a collapsible SRAM supply voltage to the column of SRAM cells based on a capacitive coupling of a control signal in the pair of bit lines, during the write operation. A method of operating a write-assist memory is also provided.
US09640246B2
A tracking circuit for a memory includes a tracking cell. A tracking word line is connected to the tracking cell. A tracking bit line is connected to the tracking cell. A voltage generator is configured to provide a variable tracking cell power supply voltage to the tracking cell based on a control signal.
US09640233B2
A semiconductor memory device includes a plurality of memory banks in a first region, a data terminal to which an input data signal is input, the data terminal being in a second region, and an inverting circuit that inverts or non-inverts the input data signal in response to an inversion control signal indicating whether the input data signal has been inverted, wherein at least one inverting circuit is disposed for each of the plurality of memory banks.
US09640231B1
A sense amplifier (SA) and a method for operating the SA are provided. The SA includes a first differential pair of transistors configured to receive a first differential input, a second differential pair of transistors configured to receive a second differential input, and a current source configured to source a current to flow through the first and second differential pairs of transistors. The method includes receiving by a first differential pair of transistors a first differential input, receiving by a second differential pair of transistors a second differential input, and flowing a current through the first and second differential pairs of transistors. A multi-bank memory is provided. The memory includes a first bank of memory cells and a second bank of memory cells sharing the disclosed SA.
US09640213B2
A perpendicular magnetic recording medium includes a perpendicular magnetic layer provided above a nonmagnetic substrate, and a protection layer provided on the perpendicular magnetic layer. The perpendicular magnetic layer has an hcp structure, and includes stacked layers having a (0002) crystal plane oriented parallel to a surface of the nonmagnetic substrate. An uppermost layer amongst the stacked layers includes polycrystal grains selected from a CoCr-base alloy, a CoPt-base alloy, a CoCrPt-base alloy, and a CoPtCr-base alloy. The protection layer makes contact with the uppermost layer of the perpendicular magnetic layer, and includes a single graphene layer or a graphene stack, and an amorphous carbon layer. The single graphene layer or the graphene stack is bonded in parallel to a (0002) crystal plane of the polycrystal grains.
US09640211B1
A system includes a memory, a processor, an encoder, a head, and a decoder. The memory stores information. The processor processes information and controls operation of other components. The encoder encodes a first portion and a second portion of a servo track to form a first and second encoded values. The second code has a run length associated therewith. The first and second encoded values result in a Gray code. Each bit of the Gray code remains constant for at least a number of tracks corresponding to the run length. The head is configured to write the first and the second encoded values onto a media, and is configured to read the first and the second encoded values from the media. The decoder decodes the first encoded value and the second encoded value. The processor determines a servo track address from the decoded first value and the decoded second value.
US09640198B2
Apparatus, including a sensor which is configured to be fixed to a neck of an operator of equipment in a location suitable for sensing a voiceless alaryngeal speech vibration generated by the operator during operation of the equipment, The apparatus further includes a processor which is configured to receive and process a signal output by the sensor so as to measure the voiceless alaryngeal speech vibration and so as to generate a control signal for the equipment responsively to the measured voiceless alaryngeal speech vibration.
US09640196B1
Speech recognition error may be reduced or eliminated when background noise is detected at a customer's location. For example, when background noise is detected at the customer's location, the customer may be prompted to use dual-tone multi-frequency (DTMF).
US09640192B2
An electronic device is provided. The electronic device includes a reception unit configured to receive an audio signal, a bandwidth change unit configured to gradually change a bandwidth of the received audio signal from a first bandwidth to a second bandwidth during a preset time, when the received audio signal is changed, and an audio output unit configured to output the received audio signal.
US09640175B2
Systems and methods are described for adding entries to a custom lexicon used by a speech recognition engine of a speech interface in response to user interaction with the speech interface. In one embodiment, a speech signal is obtained when the user speaks a name of a particular item to be selected from among a finite set of items. If a phonetic description of the speech signal is not recognized by the speech recognition engine, then the user is presented with a means for selecting the particular item from among the finite set of items by providing input in a manner that does not include speaking the name of the item. After the user has selected the particular item via the means for selecting, the phonetic description of the speech signal is stored in association with a text description of the particular item in the custom lexicon.
US09640171B2
An acoustic lens or diffractive acoustic device, including but not limited to, a sub-wavelength thickness lens or diffuser, comprising an array of Helmholtz resonators (HRs) that provide perfect or near-perfect sound transmission through a rigid barrier. HRs are arranged in a line or an array confined within a waveguide and oriented so that one neck protrudes onto each side of the barrier. Extraordinary acoustic transmission (EAT) occurs when radiation (such as EM or acoustic radiation) incident on the barrier perforated with sub-wavelength holes is transmitted at a rate higher than expected based on the areal coverage fraction of the holes. Transmission is independent of the direction of sound on the barrier and the relative placement of the necks.
US09640163B2
There are disclosed automatic mixers and methods for creating a surround audio mix. A set of rules may be stored in a rule base. A rule engine may select a subset of the set of rules based, at least in part, on metadata associated with a plurality of stems. A mixing matrix may mix the plurality of stems in accordance with the selected subset of rules to provide three or more output channels.
US09640162B2
A musical instrument switching system includes a) a control circuit controllable for combining and routing the analog audio, the control circuit comprising a plurality of instrument pickups for transmitting analog audio, and a controller connector for allowing connection of the control circuit to a computing device, and b) a software program, installable in the computing device, for modifying the characteristics of the musical instrument.
US09640161B2
The program of the present invention is provided for an information terminal equipped with a touch panel that is used for displaying a musical score thereon, the information terminal performing music in accordance with performance sequence data corresponding to the musical score. The program displays the musical score on the touch panel, determines a start bar for a performance sequence as the start point for performing from any bar region of the musical score by sliding a touch position in the right direction on the particular bar region, and determines an end bar for the performance sequence as an end point for ending the performance in any bar region of the musical score by sliding the touch position in the left direction on the particular bar region. Thus, the user can intuitively designate a range of performance.
US09640159B1
Multiple audio files may be synchronized using harmonic sound included in audio content obtained from audio tracks. Individual audio tracks are partitioned into multiple temporal windows of a first and second temporal window length. Individual audio waveforms for individual temporal windows of the first and second window length are transformed into frequency space in which energy is represented as a function of frequency. Individual pitches and magnitudes of harmonic sound determined for individual temporal windows may be compared using a multi-resolution framework to correlate pitches and harmonic energy of multiple audio tracks to one another.
US09640158B1
In some implementations, a computing device can be configured to present a graphical user interface that enables the dynamic authoring of music by a user of the computing device. The computing device can present a grid of cells, where each cell represents a music segment. The cells can be configured to playback the music segment once or playback the music segment in a repeating loop. The user can select (e.g., touch) one or more cells in the grid to cause the corresponding music segment to play. While playing selected cells, the user can provide input selecting various musical effects to apply to the playing music. The user can record a dynamically selected sequence of cells and musical effects to create an original musical product.
US09640152B2
A musical instrument mute, a mute body, a microphone, a speaker, and a microcontroller for electronic modification of sound emitted from a musical instrument. A mute body is positionable within a bell or horn of the musical instrument, and the body has a proximal end portion and is configured to at least partially occlude the bell or horn. A microphone is positioned at the proximal end portion of the mute body and is configured to transduce a sound produced by the musical instrument. A speaker is positioned in the mute body as well. A microcontroller is configured to receive a signal from the microphone and to electronically modify the sound of the instrument when emitted through the speaker. Some mutes also provide a communication transceiver, sensors, and input devices to control and manipulate sound produced by the mute.
US09640151B2
A plectrum or pick for an instrument is provided. The pick includes: a pick body having a central portion configured to be held by a user and a tip configured to contact an instrument string; at least one sensor arranged on or embedded in the pick body and configured to sense information representative of a pluck of the string with the pick body; and at least one pressure sensor arranged on or embedded in the pick body. The at least one pressure sensor can be configured to sense pressure between the pick body and the user's hand. The pick also includes a wireless transmitter configured to obtain information from the respective sensors and to transmit the obtained information to a remote device. A system for providing feedback to a user regarding picking techniques including an instrument pick and feedback device is also provide.
US09640150B2
Methods, systems and apparatuses for selecting graphics data of a server system for transmission are disclosed. One method includes reading data from memory of the server system, checking if the data is being read for the first time, checking if the data was written by a processor of the server system during processing, comprising checking if the data is available on a client system or present in a transmit buffer, placing the data in the transmit buffer if the data is being read for the first time and was not written by the processor during the processing as determined by the checking if the data was written by the processor of the server system during processing, wherein if the data is being read for the first time and was written by the processor of the server system during processing the data is not placed in the transmit buffer.
US09640139B2
An information handling system includes a processor; a memory, a firmware, and a video agent. The memory includes a frame buffer for image data. The frame buffer accessible to an operating system. The firmware is configured to present to the operating system a graphics output protocol. The graphics output protocol includes an address of the portion of the reserved portion of the memory and soft video display parameters. The video agent is configured to retrieve image data from the reserved portion of the memory, and provide the image data to an external system for remote video display to be completed upon finalization of application.
US09640136B2
An onboard computer, included in a display device, has a sensing unit that is designed to sense the presence of at least one occupant in the motor vehicle. A control unit, also included in the display device, is coupled to the sensing unit and is designed to retrieve data from the sensing unit and also vehicle-related and surroundings-related data from the onboard computer that are suitable for characterizing a past travel behavior and/or influencing a future travel behavior. Also included in the display device is a display unit controllable by the control unit and designed to display the vehicle-related data retrieved by the control unit which is designed to control the display unit such that it displays the vehicle-related and surroundings-related data at least in part until the sensing unit senses that there is at least no longer a driver in the motor vehicle, to conveniently display a piece of information particularly for a stationary motor vehicle.
US09640135B2
A semiconductor device having a normal function means is provided, in which the amplitude of an output signal is prevented from being decreased even when a digital circuit using transistors having one conductivity is employed. By turning OFF a diode-connected transistor 101, the gate terminal of a first transistor 102 is brought into a floating state. At this time, the first transistor 102 is ON and its gate-source voltage is stored in a capacitor. Then, when a potential at the source terminal of the first transistor 102 is increased, a potential at the gate terminal of the first transistor 102 is increased as well by bootstrap effect. As a result, the amplitude of an output signal is prevented from being decreased.
US09640129B2
Disclosed are a voltage adjustment circuit for a common electrode and a display apparatus, which are capable of improving a sensitivity and a precision in an adjustment of a voltage of the common electrode. The voltage adjustment circuit for the common electrode includes a first fixed resistor, a second fixed resistor and a first adjustable resistor and the voltage adjustment circuit for the common electrode further includes an adjustment module, which is connected to an output terminal of the voltage adjustment circuit for the common electrode and an adjustable terminal of the first adjustable resistor, and is configured to cooperate with the first adjustable resistor to adjust a resistance of the voltage adjustment circuit for the common electrode in order to adjust the output voltage of the common electrode.
US09640128B2
Provided are a Gamma voltage tuning method and a Gamma voltage tuning system. The method includes: dividing a display panel into at least two display areas; and for each divided display panel, controlling a gate driving integrated circuit to drive multiple gate lines in the display area in turn and a data driving integrated circuit to drive data lines in the display area simultaneously to lighten pixels in the display area, and performing a Gamma voltage tuning on the display area whose pixels are lightened. The display panel is divided into display areas and the tuning of Gamma voltage values is performed for each divided display area respectively; therefore the tuning of Gamma voltage for large size display panels is more accurate, which can effectively improve the uniformity of the picture display.
US09640122B2
Provided is a liquid crystal display device, including a first and second substrates, the second substrate including data signal lines, gate signal lines, pixel electrodes, a plurality of common electrodes that extend in one of a column direction and a row direction, and a plurality of shield electrodes overlapping at least one of the data signal lines or the gate signal lines, the plurality of common electrodes including a first common electrode to which a first voltage is supplied and a second common electrode to which a second voltage is supplied, the first common electrode and the second common electrode being alternately arranged in one of the row direction and the column direction, in which, in plan view, each of the plurality of shield electrodes is formed to overlap at least a gap formed between the first common electrode and the second common electrode that are adjacent to each other.
US09640120B2
A virtual reality (VR) headset includes an electronic display element, a corrective element, and an optics block. The electronic display element outputs image light via a plurality of sub-pixels that are separated from each other by a dark space. The corrective element is configured to generate blur spots in the image light that mask the dark space between adjacent sub-pixels, with each blur spot corresponding to a blurred image of a sub-pixel in the image light. The optics block is configured to magnify the image light received from the corrective element and to optically correct the magnified image light. Optically corrected light is directed form the optics block to an exit pupil of the VR headset for presentation to a user.
US09640111B2
A display device includes: a plurality of light-emitting elements, each light-emitting element having a light-emitting unit and a driving circuit for driving the light-emitting unit. The driving circuit at least includes (A) a drive transistor having source/drain regions, a channel forming region, and a gate electrode, (B) a video signal write transistor having source/drain regions, a channel forming region, and a gate electrode, and (C) a capacitive unit. In the drive transistor, (A-1) one of the source/drain regions is connected to the corresponding current supply line, (A-2) the other region of the source/drain regions is connected to the light-emitting unit and connected to one end of the capacitive unit, and forms a second node, and (A-3) the gate electrode is connected to the other region of the source/drain regions of the video signal write transistor and connected to the other end of the capacitive unit, and forms a first node.
US09640109B2
The present disclosure provides a pixel driving circuit, including a first pixel driving unit and a second pixel driving unit. The first pixel driving unit includes a first driving transistor, a first storage capacitor and a first driving control unit. The first driving control unit is configured to apply a jumping voltage onto the data voltage at a first compensation stage, so as to perform jumping compensation on a threshold voltage of the first driving transistor. The second pixel driving unit includes a second driving transistor, a second storage capacitor and a second driving control unit. The second driving control unit is configured to apply a jumping voltage onto the data voltage at a second compensation stage, so as to perform jumping compensation on a threshold voltage of the second driving transistor and control the second light-emitting element to emit light.
US09640106B2
The invention provides a semiconductor device which performs a write operation of a signal current rapidly to a current input type pixel. Before inputting a signal current, a precharge operation is performed by flowing a large current. After that, a signal current is inputted to perform the set operation. A predetermined potential can be obtained rapidly as the precharge operation is performed before the set operation. The predetermined potential is approximately equal to a potential after completing the set operation. Therefore, the set operation can be rapidly performed and a write operation of a signal current can be rapidly performed. By using two transistors, a gate width W can be long or a gate length L can be short in the precharge operation or the gate width W can be short and the gate length L can be long in the set operation.
US09640103B2
Disclosed is an apparatus for converting data capable of enhancing sharpness without deterioration of picture quality, and a display apparatus using the same, wherein the apparatus for converting data is provided in the display apparatus with a plurality of unit pixels, each unit pixel with red, green, blue and white sub-pixels, and the apparatus for converting data includes a 4-color data generator for generating 4-color data of red, green, blue and white colors for each unit pixel based on 3-color input data of red, green and blue colors of an input image; and a sharpness enhancer for enhancing sharpness of the input image by correcting white sub-pixel data of the unit pixel corresponding to an edge portion of the input image by a luminance variation of adjacent unit pixels based on white sub-pixel data for each unit pixel.
US09640098B2
An image display device comprises a display panel, a casing to hold the display panel, a moving bar provided at the casing and configured to be movable in a first direction while overlapping the display panel, a calibration sensor at the moving bar to be movable in a second direction perpendicular to the first direction and to obtain calibration information related to the display panel, and a controller to control the display panel based on the obtained calibration information.
US09640097B2
An OLED pixel driving circuit is disclosed. The pixel driving circuit includes a plurality of interlaced scanning and data lines, and a first defect detection unit electrically connected to a first endpoint of at least one of the scanning lines, and the data lines. The first endpoint is located at one end of the at least one scanning line or data line.
US09640085B2
The present invention provides an automated system for multiple types of knowledge content generation for enhancing learning, creativity, insights and assessments comprising the means of: Capturing one or more contents; Storing the captured contents in raw content database; Classifying the captured content by one or more means of selected from Bookmarking or annotating, Using meta information from the content source files, Using algorithms to classify information and Receiving feedback from users and user interaction with content; Defining content template; Specifying rules and algorithms for automatic generation of knowledge content; Finally, Using the generated knowledge content by means of a display to candidate. Invention reduces the manual effort and time taken to create the multiple types of knowledge contents as well as reduce the cost for creation of the multiple types of knowledge contents.
US09640079B1
Methods and systems are provided for generating an interim route that facilitates navigating a vehicle to an intended destination. One exemplary method facilitating an aircraft landing at an intended destination involves obtaining a current position of the aircraft, obtaining one or more time constraints for the intended destination, determining an interim route from the current aircraft position to the intended destination that veers towards a conditional diversion destination based at least in part on the one or more time constraints for the intended destination, and providing indication of the interim route to an aircraft operator, for example, by displaying a graphical representation of the interim route on a navigational map on a display device.
US09640076B2
A communication device for a vehicle is described, having a recording apparatus for recording the surroundings of the vehicle and a signaling apparatus. Also included is a controller for controlling the signaling apparatus as a function of the recorded surroundings. The signaling apparatus sends a recording signal formed corresponding to the recorded surroundings, to the surroundings. Also described is a corresponding communication method, a corresponding computer program, a corresponding vehicle, and a corresponding communication system.
US09640065B2
An electronic apparatus, an external apparatus, and a method of controlling a power supply to the external apparatus are provided. The electronic apparatus includes a transceiver configured to wirelessly connect to an external apparatus, a processor configured to control the transceiver to transmit a control packet for turning off the external apparatus to the external apparatus in response to an input corresponding to a power off command of the electronic apparatus being received. The control packet may be generated according to a profile of a short range communication.
US09640059B2
This invention relates to a system and method of monitoring hygiene standards compliance in a medical facility in which there is provided a surveillance network having a monitoring unit 3 and a plurality of mobile network units 7. There may additionally be provided a plurality of fixed network units 5. The monitoring unit 3, mobile network units 7 and fixed network units 5 are connected by way of a Wireless Personal Area Network (WPAN), in this case a ZigBee network. Identification signals are sent from the mobiles network units 7 to the monitoring unit 3 and the monitoring unit stores the identification signals in memory and generates a hygiene standards compliance profile for an individual associated with a particular mobile network unit. The hygiene compliance profile may provide information relating to the number of times that a particular individual washed their hands to information regarding the patients that that individual came into contact with over the course of a shift. Reports on the behavior of individuals or groups of individuals may be generated.
US09640056B2
Disclosed are a method for sensing an emergency in response to a physical shock and a mental shock and an apparatus using the method. According to the method, whether a person is in an emergency state is determined by analyzing the physical shock and mental shock applied to the person and the emergency is automatically sensed without any effort on the part of the victim, whereby the rate at which an emergency is sensed in real time may be increased and the incidence of false determination on the emergencies may be reduced.
US09640051B2
A security loop cable assembly is attached to the distal end of the main cable of an alarm system. The assembly has an enclosure with a main electrical connector inside the enclosure. The main cable terminates at the main connector. The enclosure releasably receives a polarized plug assembly that contains the ends of a loop cable. The plug assembly includes a housing and a case that are selectively joined. Inside the case two of the wires of the loop cable are permanently joined to opposite sides of an end-of-line resistor. The housing and case can be momentarily separated to thread one of them through an aperture in the protected object or gate. The plug assembly can be removably inserted into the enclosure, whereupon the main cable connector engages a loop connector to form an electrical circuit through the first and second wires and the end-of-line resistor.
US09640050B2
A wiring harness with a number of electrical wires, each constructed and arranged to carry electrical signals, and each having a length. There is also a security cable that is not constructed and arranged to carry electrical signals. The security cable has a length that is less than the length of any of the electrical wires, and has a greater tensile strength than that of any of the electrical wires. The electrical wires and the security cable are bonded together over only a portion of their respective lengths into a reinforced multi-wire cable assembly, while over another portion of their respective lengths the electrical wires and the security cable are separate from one another.
US09640045B2
Methods, apparatuses, and computer program products are described herein that are configured to enable validation of an alert condition. In some example embodiments, a method is provided that comprises detecting an alert condition. The method of this embodiment may also include generating a set of messages based on one or more key events in a primary data channel and one or more significant events in one or more related data channels in response to the alert condition. The method of this embodiment may also include determining a validity of the alert condition based on the set of messages that express the one or more key events, the one or more significant events, a relationship between the one or more key events and the one or more significant events, an alert context and the one or causes of the alert condition.
US09640034B2
An apparatus and method allow a value of a credit balance on a gaming device to be determined. If the value is not less than a predetermined threshold, a benefit is provided to the player of the gaming device. In various embodiments, the benefit may be, e.g., an increase in the player's credit balance.
US09640027B2
Intelligent gaming tables and methods of providing game play through the gaming tables are described herein. The gaming table includes a table having a table surface, a plurality of player stations, and a common display configured to display gaming content to a plurality of players. The gaming table further includes an interface configured to communicate with a plurality of user input devices. The gaming table includes a gaming controller. The gaming controller is configured to communicate with the plurality of user input devices through the interface, receive location information relating to touches or contacts detected on the table surface, analyze the information relating to the touches or contacts, identify a user performing each of the touches or contacts with the table surface, and implement player input instructions contained within the information relating to the touches or contacts.
US09640025B2
Various embodiments of the present disclosure provide a gaming system and method providing a slot game having a surrounded symbol award evaluation. Generally, in various embodiments, for a play of the slot game having the surrounded symbol award evaluation the gaming system: (a) displays a plurality of symbols at a plurality of symbol display areas; (b) determines whether any displayed non-enclosing symbols are surrounded by a plurality of displayed enclosing symbols; and (c) if so, determines any awards based on the surrounded non-enclosing symbol(s). Thus, instead of (or in addition to) using a payline evaluation, a ways-to-win evaluation, a scatter pay evaluation, or any other evaluation of the displayed symbols to determine whether to provide any awards, the gaming system of the present disclosure does so by determining whether a particular type of symbol (such as an enclosing symbol) surrounds another type of symbol (such as a non-enclosing symbol).
US09640023B2
Provided is a gaming machine that is able to offer a variety of gaming patterns with avoidance of monotony during a free game that is a game played in a bonus game. A gaming machine, when a free game trigger is established, performs a control of shifting a game from a base game to a free game. In the free game, symbols are displayed in rotation and stopped in a symbol display region 4 in accordance with a result of a symbol lottery. When a top symbol is displayed in rotation in the symbol display region 4, the top symbol is scrolled at a speed lower than the other symbols.
US09640013B2
Methods and apparatuses for tiered RFID communication are provided, inter alia, for privacy and security in at least certain embodiments. An RFID tag includes first and second memory locations respectively storing first and second identifiers. The tag is configured to respond to an identification query with the first identifier until receipt of a command code. After receipt of the command code, the tag is configured to respond to the identification query with the second identifier. The first identifier can be permanently disabled for privacy. In a one embodiment, the first identifier is an electronic product code, and the second identifier is a recycling identifier, hazardous waste information, or regulatory disposal requirement. In another embodiment, the first and second identifiers can identify the tag's associated item with differing levels of specificity for improved security.
US09640003B2
An apparatus is provided that includes a user input of a security system receiving a respective identifier for each of a plurality of objects tracked within a secured area having a plurality of geographically separate spaces and a processor of the security system detecting entry of one of the plurality of objects into one of the plurality of geographically separate spaces via an access controller associated with the one of the plurality of geographically spaces, determining a geographic location of the one of the plurality of objects based upon detecting the entry, retrieving a map of the secured area along with a track of the one of the plurality of objects through the secured area, and displaying the geographic location of the one of the plurality of objects on the map through one of a portable handheld device, a monitoring station, and other possible human machine interface devices.
US09639997B2
The present invention relates to a test apparatus that includes a simulation signal generation portion and a test portion. Embodiments of the simulation signal generation portion include an input interface, a simulation signal generation module, and an output interface. Embodiments of the test portion include wiring extension apparatus, a Digital Flight Data Acquisition Unit and a comparison module.
US09639994B2
Parking spaces are optimized by orchestrating the movement of one or more autonomous vehicles or shared vehicles. A computing device monitors locations of multiple vehicles. The computing device receives a request for a parking space from a user at or in route to a geographic location. The computing device selects one of the monitors vehicles based on the geographic location of the parking request. The computing device generates an instruction to make available a parking space of the selected one of the vehicles. In the case of autonomous vehicles, the vehicle drives away from the parking space. In the case of shared vehicles, a rental appointment is modified to make the parking space available.
US09639990B2
In a display control apparatus configured to control image data displayed on a predetermined display medium, an information acquisition unit acquires a first information associated with the predetermined matter at a first time and acquire a second information associated with the predetermined matter at a second time after the first time. A determination unit judges whether there is a predetermined change between the first information and the second information. A control unit controls the image data such that in a case where a predetermined change is detected, at least one of parameters including a location, a size, and a shape of a restricted area, in which the displaying of display information including in the image data is limited, is changed so as to achieve the parameter defined in relation to the second information.
US09639989B2
An AR image generator 526 employs, as a marker, a subject imaged by an imaging element that images the subject existing in a region including the field of view of a user who wears an optically transmissive HMD and is provided for the optically transmissive HMD, and generates an AR image to be presented by the optically transmissive HMD. A proximity acquirer 560 acquires the distance in a virtual three-dimensional space between a first AR image associated with a first marker and a second marker or a second AR image associated with the second marker. An interaction producer 570 calculates an interaction caused with the first AR image or the second AR image based on the distance acquired by the proximity acquirer 560. The AR image generator 526 changes at least either one image of the first AR image or the second AR image according to the interaction calculated by the interaction producer 570.
US09639987B2
Systems, devices, and methods for generating proxy models obtain an image of a scene, generate a proxy model at an initial position and orientation in a world-coordinate system, and repositioning the proxy model to a second position or orientation in the world-coordinate system according to commands received from a controller.
US09639982B2
Disclosed are apparatus and methods for tessellating shapes. A computing device that has a display can receive an instruction to draw a shape. The computing device can determine a scale factor for the shape. The computing device can determine a set of polygons that tessellate the shape based on the scale factor. The set of polygons can include at least two polygons. The computing device can display the polygons in the determined set on the display.
US09639978B2
A system and method for generating and displaying a video animation or replay of a user's drive or run using data from sensors, mapping data, manufacturer data, environmental data, and/or user data. The video replay shows an avatar representing the user or the user's vehicle and may also show the surrounding environment through which the user traveled. The video replay may be used for entertainment, instruction, insurance, or law enforcement purposes, for example.
US09639968B2
One embodiment of the present invention sets forth a technique for generating an augmented view of a location of interest for a user. The technique includes determining an image capture location based on the location of interest, and determining an image capture direction based on the image capture location. The technique further includes receiving an image associated with the image capture location and the image capture direction. The technique further includes processing the image based on a line of sight associated with a location of the user to generate a processed image and displaying the processed image to the user. Advantageously, the disclosed techniques enable a user to see through obstructions in the surrounding environment to view a location of interest.
US09639962B2
An apparatus and method for encoding an image file is provided. The method includes generating an animation object according to a user input; generating animation data including the animation object; generating image data that is reproducible independently from the animation data; generating an integrated image file, which includes the image data and the animation data; and storing the generated integrated image file in a memory.
US09639958B2
A system related to synthetic colorization of real-time immersive environments is disclosed. The system discloses converting real-time camera data on-board a machine into signatures which describe the real-time camera data. The signatures are based on image properties, such as color, intensity, and illumination. The signatures, which require much less bandwidth than the real-time camera data to transmit, are transmitted to a remote operator station. The remote operator station utilizes the signatures to synthetically color and texture the environment surrounding the machine to provide an immersive environment to a user at the remote operator station.
US09639955B2
A display control device for a vehicle, which is applied to a vehicle provided with an outside camera to image scenery in front of the vehicle and a display portion visible and operable for a driver, comprises an optical-flow presumption portion which presumes an optical flow based on the front scenery imaged by the outside camera, an additive-display-line setting portion to set an additive-display line to be applied to the display portion according to the optical flow presumed by the optical-flow presumption portion, and a display control portion to conduct a display control for the display portion based on the additive-display line set by the additive-display-line setting portion.
US09639949B2
An improved algorithm for edge detection is provided that utilizes the second order derivative of the intensity distribution function of an image to provide edge orientation information for the detected edges. An exemplary embodiment of the improved algorithm includes determining the second order derivative of the intensity distribution function, identifying zero-crossings in the horizontal and vertical directions, assigning angle information to the identified zero-crossings in the horizontal and vertical directions; and identifying an edge orientation based the assigned angle information for the horizontal and vertical zero-crossing of the edge and adjacent edges.
US09639946B2
A system and method of operation of an image processing system includes: a capture image sequence module for receiving an image sequence; a calculate iteration depth map module for calculating an iteration depth map and a zero-crossing array; a calculate median depth map module for calculating a median depth map and a depth difference map; a calculate variance depth map module for calculating a variance depth map; a calculate image depth map module for calculating an image depth map based on the iteration depth map, the zero-crossing array, the median depth map, the depth difference map, and the variance depth map; and a calculate display image module for calculating a display image based on the received images and the image depth map for displaying on a display device.
US09639943B1
Techniques are provided for generating a 3-Dimensional (3D) reconstruction of a handheld object. An example method may include receiving 3D image frames of the object from a static depth camera, each frame including a color image and a depth map. Each of the frames is associated with an updated pose of the object during scanning. The method may also include extracting a segment of each frame corresponding to the object and the hand; isolating the hand from each extracted segment; and filtering each frame by removing regions of the frame outside of the extracted segment and removing regions of the frame corresponding to the isolated hand. The method may further include calculating the updated object pose in each filtered frame; and calculating a 3D position for each depth pixel from the depth map of each filtered frame based on the updated object pose associated with that filtered frame.
US09639940B2
A display apparatus (which may be included in an imaging apparatus) includes: a display unit; a guide display generation circuit which acquires an image file including image data and photographing posture data including information of an inclination and a height of an imaging apparatus performing an imaging operation when the image data was created by the imaging operation to generate a photographing posture guide display based on the photographing posture data; and a display control circuit which causes the display unit to display an image based on the image data and the photographing posture guide display. A data processing apparatus may include a signal processing circuit which creates an image file including image data and photographing posture data.
US09639938B2
The present invention relates to a medical data processing method of transforming a representation of an anatomical structure of a patient in a first imaging modality into a representation of the anatomical structure in a second, other imaging modality, the method being constituted to be executed by a computer and comprising the following steps: acquiring first modality image data describing the first modality medical image containing the representation of the anatomical structure in the first imaging modality; acquiring atlas data describing a first modality atlas image describing a general structure of the anatomical structure in the first imaging modality, the atlas data containing information about the representation of the general structure in the second imaging modality; determining, based on the first modality image data and the atlas data, a first matching transformation between the first modality medical image and the first modality atlas image; determining, based on the first matching transformation and the first modality atlas image and the information about the representation of the general structure in the second imaging modality second modality, a second modality image representation of the first modality medical image.
US09639925B2
Disclosed is a device for rapidly and comprehensively inspecting a lens actuator, the device comprising a bracket (4) for fixing the lens actuator, a cone-shaped body (2) and a camera (1), wherein the outer surface of the cone-shaped body (2) is a mirror surface, the cone-shaped body (2) is mounted on the top of the bracket (4), and the camera (1) is hung above the cone-shaped body (2). Further disclosed is a system employing the above-mentioned device for rapidly and comprehensively inspecting a lens actuator, and a method for inspecting a lens actuator by using the above-mentioned device. A rapid inspection can be realized so as to facilitate quality inspection and control in mass production, and a comprehensive inspection also can be realized, the inspection items including lens stroke, magnitude of inclination and the similar items under different control conditions.
US09639919B2
A method involving: detecting in an image a first type of artifact (A1) to generate a first artifact value (GA1) and a first confidence level (CA1); detecting in the image a second type of artifact (A2) to generate a second artifact value (GA2) and a second confidence level (CA2); and performing correction of the first type of artifact (A1) in the image based on the first and second artifact values (GA1, GA2) and the relative values of the first and second confidence levels (CA1, CA2).
US09639907B2
There are provided systems and methods for communication of orders and payments in a drive through using wireless beacons. A merchant location may include a drive through with a wireless beacon established in the drive through. The beacon may provide communication services with a device for the user. The merchant may detect that the user is in a vehicle in the drive through using either the connection between the device of the user and the beacon or a camera, sensor, or other detector located near the beacon in the drive through. Based on check-in information generated on the connection, an order for the user may be accessed. The user may pay for the order using the device and through the connection to the beacon. Further, if other devices for additional users in the vehicle connect to the beacon, the additional users may split the payment for the order.
US09639906B2
This disclosure relates to a quick service restaurant intercom communication system. The system is configured such that communication between a customer and a staff member is accomplished in wideband audio. Intercom communication systems that utilize narrow band audio for communication between drive-through customers and staff members may be considered “good enough”. However, the low fidelity sound produced by narrow band audio systems often results in misunderstandings between customers and staff members, a high amount of background noise during communication, and/or other negative effects. Wideband audio may facilitate clearer communication between customers and staff members. Wideband audio communication may be costlier and/or more complicated to implement, but may result in increased staff efficiency and/or increased customer satisfaction. In some implementations, the system may include an audio order placement sub-system, a base station, an order entry device, a mounting mechanism, and/or other components.
US09639901B2
Systems and methods are provided for matching a first user in a first geographic location with a second user in a second geographic location, and enabling the first user to find the second user in the second geographic location. The first geographic location can be the same as the second geographic location. The first user and second user can be matched based on user-specific matching criteria, including a first user profile of the first user and a second user profile of the second user. The first user can communicate with the second user.
US09639890B2
Methods, systems and computer program products for submitting a network proxy bid and replacing the network proxy bid with an actual bid associated with advertisement placement are described. In some implementations, instead of submitting a static bid, an advertiser can submit a network proxy bid to an advertising exchange. A network proxy bid can indicate to the advertising exchange that the advertiser wishes to receive a call back from the advertising exchange when an impression matching targeting criteria specified by the advertiser becomes available. The advertiser then can calculate and submit an actual static bid to replace the network proxy bid in response to the call back.
US09639885B2
Implementations for recovering e-commerce orders are described herein. An e-commerce order is submitted to an order processing system, by an order check-out module of an online transaction system. The e-commerce order includes order information that is provided to the order check-out module by a client device. The check-out module determines that the order processing is delayed or failed and, based at least on a status of the order processing being delayed or failed, initiates an order recovery action to be performed by an order recovery engine. Once the order recovery action is initiated, the order check-out module is made available to handle a new order.
US09639882B2
A method for tread selection to select a tread to attach to a tread side of a tire casing when manufacturing a tire includes the steps of: a) measuring, by a tire condition measurement unit, at least one characteristic value indicating at least one of a tire condition and a vehicle running condition; b) predicting, by a casing life prediction unit, a remaining life of the tire casing based on the at least one characteristic value measured in step a); c) selecting, by a tread selection unit, at least one recommended tread in accordance with the remaining life of the tire casing predicted in step b) from among a plurality of treads attachable to the tire casing, using wear life information calculated in advance for each of the treads; and d) displaying, by a terminal, the at least one recommended tread selected in step c).
US09639864B2
An interactive, computer network based system presents consumers with multimedia brand information via a browser-based interface called the GraffitiWall™. Consumers can use the GraffitiWall™ to modify and display a sponsor's brand information in any way desired. Consumer modifications are immediately communicated to the other member consumers and the advertiser/sponsor. Consumers can rate the GraffitiWall™, or portions thereof, and email the GraffitiWall™. An archive of GraffitiWalls™ is maintained by the system. Consumers participate in online focus groups, one-to-one interviews and discussions, as well as games and promotions pertaining to the brand. Interaction with consumers through focus groups, one-to-one interviews, discussions, games and promotions allows the hosting company to reinforce brand equities; speak directly to their target audience; test new and updated products and services; and encourage participation to a brand via purchases and signups by rewarding the participant with coupons, samples, gift certificates, and the like. An ongoing dialog between business and consumer, as well as consumer-to-consumer, nurtures customer participation, loyalty and satisfaction, and builds a community housed within the company's brand.
US09639861B2
A messaging solution that provides for creating and embedding gift cards into a text message or multi-media message. The inclusion of the gift card may be invoked when a user is sending a greeting card or, a user may directly invoke the sending of a gift card, or similarly a subscription.
US09639850B2
Systems and associated methods for incentivizing content engagement are described. Embodiments provide a recommended feature application to offer premier/recommended content. This can take place at a variety of times, for example during the primary content selection interface display, as well as offering said content interactively as an overlay during the conclusion of a piece of content. Embodiments employ a weighted process for selecting a recommended feature based on one or more stored preference files. The recommended feature application can be utilized across titles.
US09639849B2
A method of allocating shelves includes obtaining shopping paths of customers in a supermarket, classifying the plurality of customers into a plurality of customer classes based on the shopping paths of the plurality of customers, determining one or more shopping paths adopted by more customers in the plurality of customer classes as frequent shopping paths of a class of customers of the plurality of customer classes, calculating a see-buy rate of a commodity for each of the plurality of customer classes based on shopping lists and the frequent shopping paths of the plurality of customers, calculating a location for a set of commodities when total expected benefits for the set of commodities are maximized during a certain period of time. The total expected benefits include a sum of an expected benefit for each commodity in the set of commodities based on the see-buy rate and the frequent shopping paths.
US09639844B2
A method and an apparatus of identifying a website user are disclosed herein. The method includes: obtaining accounts and user identities from a database; building a connected graph by taking the accounts and the user identities as nodes and connecting account nodes and user identity nodes having association relationship therewith; finding a connected component from the connected graph, accounts corresponding to all account nodes in the connected component forming an account group that is bound to a same website user; computing an account density and a fraud account closing rate of the account group; determining whether the account density and the fraud account closing rate are within respective predetermined normal value ranges; and if affirmative, determining that the account group is a dangerous account group and a website user bound to the dangerous account group is a dangerous website user; otherwise, determining that the account group is a normal account group and a website user bound to the normal account group is a normal website user.
US09639838B2
Fraud risk is monitored in financial transactions. Biometric information is received over the communications interface configured to exchange data with multiple distinct financial institutions. The received biometric information is compared with a database of biometric information to identify an individual. A fraud-detection analysis is performed on the financial transaction information associated with the individual. The financial transaction information associated with the individual is identified as suspicious in accordance with a result of the fraud-detection analysis. The biometric parameters associated with the individual are designated as associated with suspicious financial activity.
US09639835B2
A method and system include receiving a payment authorization request that comprises payment data and a Mobile Station International Subscriber Directory Number (MSISDN) associated with a mobile device; verifying the MSISDN by comparing MSISDN to a subscriber database; generating a message to verify a payment transaction, after the MSISDN is validated; receiving the verification message at the mobile device; verifying the payment transaction by transmitting a mobile personal identification number (PIN) associated with the MSISDN in response to the verification message; generating an authorization message indicating the payment transaction is one of approved or declined; and transmitting the authorization message. Numerous other aspects are provided.
US09639831B2
A method (400, 500) and a system (100) of conducting transactions for acquisition of virtual items. The method can include receiving from a user (108) a request to acquire the virtual item. Responsive to an identity indicator (112) that is exclusively unique to an identity confirmation device (110) being communicated from the identity confirmation device, a determination can be made whether the identity indicator corresponds to the user. Responsive to determining that the identity indicator corresponds to the user, the virtual item can be provided to the user. The method also can include receiving from a user a request to acquire the virtual item, receiving from an identity confirmation device an identity indicator exclusively unique to the identity confirmation device, and communicating the request and the identity indicator from the client device to a server (104).
US09639828B2
Generally, embodiments of the invention are directed to methods, computer readable media, servers and systems for enabling merchants to use hosted order pages (HOPs) and/or silent order posts (SOPs) and thereby avoid handling payment information and the costs associated Payment Card Industry (PCI) compliance, while at the same time utilize third-party fraud detection screens and thereby avoid costs associated with fraudulent transactions.
US09639825B1
In certain embodiments, a system receives a request sent by a device to authorize an operation. The system initiates display of an image encoding a challenge code to allow the device to capture the image and extract the challenge code. The device calculates a response using the challenge code and a seed, and sends the response to the system. In certain examples, the device may send the request over a first channel and the response over a second channel distinct from the first channel. In other examples, the device displays the response and a user inputs the response into a computing system to send to the system.
US09639823B2
An electric product which includes a recognition device obtaining information about a food item to be added to a storage compartment, and a display unit displaying information about a food item stored in the storage compartment. The electric product further includes a memory unit storing the information about the food item stored in the storage compartment, and a control unit controlling the display unit. The recognition device obtains information about a food item to be added. The control unit stores the information about the food to be added in the memory unit and displays the information about the food added to the memory unit on the display unit.
US09639821B2
Systems, methods, and computer-readable media. A method includes receiving virtual mail piece data and receiving a mail piece, the mail piece having machine-readable indicia on an exterior surface. The method includes decoding the indicia to produce a mail piece identifier and identifying a recipient of the mail piece using the mail piece identifier. The method includes retrieving subscription preferences from a recipient database according to the identified recipient. The method includes electronically sending a virtual mail piece to the recipient, the virtual mail piece corresponding to the mail piece, the virtual mail piece data, and the subscription preferences.
US09639800B2
A printed radio frequency sensor structure contains: a substrate, a RF antenna arranged on a top surface of the substrate, and a protection layer covering on the RF antenna arranged, wherein plural sensing materials are directly introduced into a RF antenna mixture of the RF antenna. A method of preparing a RFID sensor tag comprising steps of: A). Printing conductive sensing ink/glue on substrate; B. Drying, curing and compressing the conductive sensing ink/glue to form a conductive antenna mixture with plural sensing materials; C). Bonding a chip on a RFID sensing antenna to form a RFID sensor tag; and D). Coating a protection layer on a top of the RFID sensor tag. Here note protection coating can fully, partially or no cover the conductive sensing antenna.
US09639798B2
A wireless identification (RFID) tag, an electronic product PCB having same, and an electronic product management system using the RFID tag. The RFID tag includes an insulating means, a pair of upper terminals provided on the upper surface of the insulating means, a tag chip connected to the upper terminals, and a pair of lower terminals provided on the lower surface of the insulating means so as to face the upper terminals. The lower terminals are connected to first and second patterns of an electronic product PCB. When a radio wave radiated from a reader-writer is received in the first and second patterns, reactive coupling through an electric field is created between the upper and lower terminals, which are then electrically connected to the upper terminals. Since the pattern already formed in the PCB is used as an antenna, there is no need to form a dedicated antenna pattern.
US09639796B2
A payment card (e.g., credit and/or debit card) is provided with a magnetic emulator operable to act as a magnetic stripe read-head detector and a data transmitter. A multiple layer flexible PCB may be fabricated to include multiple magnetic emulators. An emulator may include a coil that includes magnetic, ferromagnetic, or ferromagnetic, material in the coil's interior. Coils may be associated with zones. As a read-head is detected to move from zone-to-zone, coils may be activated to transmit information in those zones.
US09639794B2
Example secure upgrade supplies and methods are disclosed. A disclosed example upgrade supply cartridge structured includes a chamber to store a material useable by the imaging forming apparatus to form an image on media; a security device to provide an authentication credential to an image forming apparatus, the authentication credential useable to authenticate an identity of the upgrade supply cartridge; and a tamperproof data storage including upgrade data useable by the image forming apparatus to activate a capability included but disabled in the image forming apparatus, the tamperproof data storage structured to store an identifier of the image forming apparatus after the upgrade supply cartridge has been utilized by the image forming apparatus to activate the disabled capability.
US09639782B2
Techniques for providing image search templates are provided. An image search template may be associated with an image search query to aid the user in capturing an image that will be appropriate for processing the search query. The template may be displayed as an overlay during an image capturing process to indicate an appropriate image capturing pose, range, angle, or other view characteristics that may provide more accurate search results. The template may also be used in the image search query to segment the image and identify features relevant to the search query. Images in an image database may be clustered using characteristics of the images or metadata associated with the images in order to establish groups of images from which templates may be derived. The generated templates may be provided to users to assist in capturing images to be used as search engine queries.
US09639781B2
Systems and methods for training a machine vision system create geometric models. The disclosed methods can extract one or more corresponding features and one or more differentiating features from different sets of training images. The one or more differentiating features can be used to differentiate between the different work pieces. The disclosed methods can generate an alignment model using the corresponding features and a classification model using the one or more differentiating features.
US09639780B2
A system and method for improved classification. A first classifier is trained using a first process running on at least one computing device using a first set of training images relating to a class of images. A set of additional images are selected using the first classifier from a source of additional images accessible to the computing device. The first set of training images and the set of additional images are merged using the computing device to create a second set of training images. A second classifier is trained using a second process running on the computing device using the second set of training images. A set of unclassified images are classified using the second classifier thereby creating a set of classified images. The first classifier and the second classifier employ different classification methods.
US09639779B2
According to an embodiment, a feature point detection device includes a generator to generate a K-class classifier and perform, for T times, an operation in which a first displacement vector is obtained that approximates D number of initial feature points of each training sample classified on a class-by-class basis to true feature points; a calculator to calculate, from the first displacement vectors, second displacement label vectors each unique to one second displacement vector, and a second displacement coordinate vector common to the second displacement vectors; a classifier to apply the K-class classifiers to the input image and obtain a second displacement label vector associated with a class identifier output from each K-class classifier; an adder to add up the second displacement label vectors; and a detector to detect D number of true feature points based on the initial feature points, the added label vector, and the second displacement coordinate vector.
