US09648786B2
Apparatuses and methods are provided for preventing removal of an air-moving assembly from a chassis when in operating state. The apparatus includes an interlock assembly having a slide element and one or more interlock elements. The slide element is slideably coupled to the air-moving assembly and resides in a first position when the air-moving assembly is in the operating state, and is slidable to a second position when the air-moving assembly is in a quiesced state. The slide element prevents removal of the air-moving assembly from the chassis in the first position, and allows removal of the air-moving assembly from the chassis in the second position. The interlock element(s) is associated with the slide element and prevents sliding of the slide element from the first position to the second position when the air-moving assembly is in the operating state.
US09648772B2
There is described a control peripheral post of railway field devices, comprising: —at least one row of control modules operatively connected or connectable by electric cables to field devices; —a support frame having a front side and housing said row of control modules; wherein said support frame comprises at least one anti-extraction bar positioned on the front side of the support frame, said bar being adapted to selectively take an extraction configuration, wherein said bar is positioned in such a way as to permit the extraction of the control modules from the front side of the support frame, and a blocking configuration, wherein said bar is positioned in front of said row of control modules so as to prevent the extraction of the control modules (4, 5) of said row from the front side of the support frame.
US09648770B1
A high-voltage, AC power supply for an electrostatic discharge system comprises a chassis shaped to define an interior cavity, a high-voltage transformer for increasing the voltage received from an external power source, and an output connector module in electrical connection with the transformer for delivering the increased voltage to a high-voltage load, such as one or more anti-static bars. The transformer and the output connector are independently mounted onto the chassis within the interior cavity in a spaced apart relationship and are electrically coupled through one or more flying lead connectors in order to facilitate assembly. During operation, a resistive damping component in the output connector module regulates the output voltage and secondary current delivered to the load in order to render the power supply less susceptible to dielectric breakdown from partial discharge.
US09648767B2
A lighting equipment enclosure comprises a front plate assembly and a back plate assembly. The back plate assembly comprises a back plate including a partition that defines an area of the back plate, wherein the area includes a first access point and a second access point. The back plate assembly also comprises a snap electrical connector, a set of wires that extend from the snap electrical connector, and a partition cover that is attachable to the back plate, wherein when the partition cover is in a closed position, the partition cover covers a substantial portion of the area. The partition and the partition cover form a space in which electrical wires from independent power supplies may be attached to the sets of wires.
US09648759B2
The present invention is a multilayer wiring board and a method for manufacturing the same, the multilayer wiring board having a hole for interlayer connection penetrating a metal foil and an insulating layer; an overhang of the metal foil formed at an opening of the hole; lower space formed between the overhang and an inside wall of the hole; and interlayer connection in which the hole is filled with electrolytic filling plating layers, wherein the electrolytic filling plating layers are formed as at least two or more layers, the lower space is filled with any electrolytic filling plating layer except for an outermost layer of the two or more layers of electrolytic filling plating layers, and a diameter in the inside of the interlayer connection formed by any electrolytic filling plating layer except for an outermost layer is equal to or larger than a diameter of the opening.
US09648753B2
The present invention relates to a method for manufacturing a flexible printed circuit board and a flexible printed circuit board manufactured by using the same. A circuit pattern is formed with a conductive paste on one surface of a base material, and the circuit pattern is sintered at a temperature of 290° C. to 420° C. to manufacture the flexible printed circuit board. As such, manufacturing costs can be reduced and productivity can be improved through a simple yet convenient process. Also, the circuit pattern is formed without a plating process, such that the problem of circuit pattern separation occurring during the plating process can be addressed and product reliability can be improved.
US09648749B1
A circuit card assembly includes a substrate having longitudinally spaced first and second substrate end edges and transversely spaced top and bottom substrate surfaces. The top and/or bottom substrate surface has first, second, and third substrate regions. The first substrate region is directly laterally adjacent the first substrate side edge. The third substrate region is directly laterally adjacent the second substrate side edge. The second substrate region is located between the first and third substrate regions. At least one circuit trace is located on the selected substrate surface. The portion of the circuit trace in the first substrate region is made of only a first material. The portion of the circuit trace in the third substrate region is made of only a second material. The portion of the circuit trace in the second substrate region is made of both the first and second materials.
US09648747B2
A companion integrated circuit (IC) and a mobile device having the same are provided. The companion IC may include a decoupling capacitor that stably supplies voltage to an application processor, at least one auxiliary semiconductor device that communicates with the application processor, and a multi-chip package that includes the decoupling capacitor and the auxiliary semiconductor device.
US09648744B2
Electronic devices are provided with ejectable component assemblies. Each ejectable component assembly may include a tray that can be loaded with one or more types of removable module, such as a mini-SIM card and a micro-SIM card, and inserted into the device. Each assembly may also include a cover coupled to a circuit board. The tray may be inserted through an opening in the electronic device and into a space between the cover and the circuit board. A portion of the space is contained within the pocket. A portion of the tray may be contained within the pocket when the tray is inserted into the device for holding the module at a functional insertion position within the device.
US09648738B2
An electrical conductor includes a first conductive layer including a plurality of metal oxide nanosheets, wherein a metal oxide nanosheet of the plurality of metal oxide nanosheets includes a proton bonded to a the surface of the metal oxide nanosheet, wherein the metal oxide is represented by Chemical Formula 1: MO2 Chemical Formula 1 wherein M is Re, V, Os, Ru, Ta, Ir, Nb, W, Ga, Mo, In, Cr, Rh, or Mn, wherein the plurality of metal oxide nanosheets has a content of hydrogen atoms of less than about 100 atomic percent, with respect to 100 atomic percent of metal atoms as measured by Rutherford backscattering spectrometry, and wherein the plurality of metal oxide nanosheets includes an electrical connection between contacting metal oxide nanosheets.
US09648734B2
Glass treatment methods, wafer, panels, and semiconductor devices are disclosed. In some embodiments, a method of forming a wafer or panel includes forming an opening through a glass substrate, forming a composite film on the glass substrate and on sidewalls of the opening, and filling the opening.
US09648728B1
A coreless organic substrate in which a mounting hole is formed near each corner of the substrate and is used during assembly processes to secure the substrate so as to prevent flexing.
US09648723B2
A circuit apparatuses include at least one circuit feature formed from patterning a conductive sheet. The conductive sheet includes an irregular surface and a planarized surface. Conductive sheet roughness is minimized in first regions of the circuit apparatus and is maintained in second regions of the circuit apparatus. Selectively planarizing portions of the conductive sheet allows for the utilization of lower cost rougher conductive sheets. The planarized surface allows for increased signal integrity and reduced insertion loss and the irregular surface allows for increased adhesion and enhancing reliability of the circuit apparatus.
US09648719B2
A high-frequency input voltage and a high-frequency input current to a series resonant circuit are detected by a voltage detection unit and a current detection unit, respectively, and plasma input power is detected by a plasma input power detection unit based on the detected high-frequency input voltage and high-frequency input current. By directly detecting the plasma input power in this manner, the plasma input power may be accurately controlled regardless of the state of a plasma-generating gas or an analysis sample. Also, use of a switching circuit including a semiconductor device allows an inexpensive configuration compared with a configuration where a vacuum tube or the like is used.
US09648707B2
The present invention concerns a projection system for providing a distributed manifestation within an environment. The projection system includes a data generator for generating a plurality of data sets of associated state data and spatial coordinate data. The projection system also includes a projector in communication with the data generator for receiving the data sets. The projector is provided with a signal generating module for generating a plurality of electromagnetic signals, and a projecting module for projecting each of the electromagnetic signals towards a target location within the environment. The projection system also includes a plurality of receiving units distributed within the environment, each receiving unit having a receiver for receiving one of the electromagnetic signals when the receiving unit is positioned in the corresponding target location, each receiving unit being adapted to perform a change of state in response to the state data.
US09648695B2
An apparatus includes a bus configured to be coupled to a controlled current source and at least one light emitting device coupled to the bus. The apparatus further includes a voltage regulator circuit configured to regulate a voltage at the bus and a current regulator circuit configured to control a current through the at least one light emitting device. In some embodiments, the current regulator circuit is used to control a color output of the apparatus.
US09648694B2
A light fixture includes a dimmable light source that emits light downwardly, and a downward-looking rangefinder proximate and operatively coupled with the light source. When the rangefinder detects an object at a measured height that exceeds a first threshold, the light source dims according to the measured height. A light fixture that provides illumination for a lighted area includes one or more first light sources that emit high-angle light, and one or more dimmable second light sources that emit low-angle light, into the lighted area. The system also includes a camera that captures images of the lighted area, and an controller that is (a) operable to identify one or more activity locations within the lighted area from the images, and (b) operatively coupled to dim one or more of the light sources that illuminate the one or more activity locations.
US09648693B1
A planar light illumination device contains: a light guiding plate, an ambient light sensor (ALS), and a controller. The light guiding plate includes a first light emitting unit and a second light emitting unit. The first light emitting unit has a first light emitter and a second light emitter, a color temperature of which is different from the first light emitter, and the second light emitting unit has a third light emitter and a fourth light emitter, a color temperature of which is different from the third light emitter. The ALS senses a color temperature of ambient lights, transforms the color temperature into a first color-temperature signal, and transmits the first color-temperature signal. The controller is electrically connected with the first and second light emitters of the first light emitting unit, the third and fourth light emitters of the second light emitting unit, and the ALS.
US09648687B2
An apparatus includes a plurality of series-connected current control circuits configured to control a current therethrough responsive to at least one current reference signal and to be coupled in parallel with a load, such as a string of LEDs. The apparatus further includes a voltage control circuit configured to control respective voltages across respective ones of the current control circuits. In some embodiments, the voltage control circuit may be configured to individually adjust responses of the current control circuits responsive to the voltages across the current control circuits. In further embodiments, the voltage control circuit may include respective voltage limiters coupled across respective ones of the current control circuits.
US09648686B2
An LED lamp is placed in service on an automotive vehicle to enhance nighttime visual ability or anywhere where increased lighting is needed. The LED lamp utilizes a multi-stage power and control design, where the LED drive current is managed by an LED constant current controller that is coupled to a microprocessor that commands the intensity value of an LED array. The microprocessor manages the light intensity of the LED array using well known pulse-width modulation control methods. The microprocessor measures the voltage of the DC power source and to detect when DC power is removed. Once this detection has occurred, the microprocessor signals the LED current controller to change the current operational mode being delivered to the LED array to the next available operational mode, or alternatively, to the next appropriate operational mode to be used as determined by software stored within the microprocessor.
US09648676B2
A bleeder circuit emulator for use in a power converter to compensate and increase the current demand from the Triac dimmer above its holding current. The circuit includes an input voltage modifier and a leading edge dimming detection circuit. The input voltage modifier receives an input voltage signal that is representative of a magnitude of an input voltage of the power converter and selectively provides a modified input voltage signal to an input of a controller in response to receiving a control signal. The modified input voltage signal is representative of a value that is less than the magnitude of the input voltage. The leading edge dimming detection circuit generates the control signal to engage the input voltage modifier to generate the modified input voltage signal in response to detecting leading edge dimming at an input of the power converter.
US09648651B2
Various systems, methods, apparatuses, and computer-readable media for communicating from device to device are described. Device to Device (D2D) communication may bypass use of a network when devices are in communicable proximity of each other. Knowledge of the relative locations of devices that either are already in D2D mode or are not yet in D2D mode but are capable of using D2D mode may be useful. Therefore, various techniques are described for determining distance between two or more devices. Relative locations may also be used to determine the proximity of two devices for some proximity service of common interest.
US09648644B2
Methods and systems are described for determining a physical location for a voice over packet (VoP) device engaging in voice communication via an access point. Associations between one or more physical locations and access points may be stored in a profile associated with the VoP device or a user. If the VoP device is connected to a particular access point, the profile and associations may be used to determine a current physical location for the VoP device, and for voice communications involving the VoP device.
US09648643B2
A wireless device receives a control message comprising configuration parameters of a plurality of cells grouped into a plurality of cell groups. The wireless device transmits a first sounding reference signal (SRS) in a first cell group overlapping in time with transmission of a first random access preamble in a second cell group. Transmission of a second SRS in the first cell group is dropped if: the second SRS transmission and a second random access preamble transmission in the second cell group overlap in time and the wireless device has insufficient transmission power.
US09648635B2
Embodiments described herein relate to systems and methods for scheduling subscriptions in a user equipment (UE) having at least a first receive radio and a second receive radio, including receiving, by the first receive radio, a broadcast activity for a first subscription and receiving, by the second receive radio, a reception activity for a second subscription. A trigger event is detected while the broadcast activity for the first subscription is being received by the first receive radio and the reception activity for the second subscription is being received by the second receive radio. In response to detecting the trigger event, the reception activity for the second subscription is received by the first receive radio and the broadcast activity for the first subscription is received by the second receive radio.
US09648627B2
Beacon transmissions by access points (e.g., femtocells) are controlled in an attempt to increase the number of beacons seen by the access terminals in the vicinity of the access points. In some aspects, interference between beacons is reduced by, for example, scheduling beacon transmissions of neighboring access points at different times. In some aspects, beacon transmissions are scheduled in a manner (e.g., allocated in substantially contiguous timeslots and/or allocated to different frequencies) that enables access terminals to acquire all relevant beacons in a relatively short time frame.
US09648625B2
A system and method for facilitating resource management in OFDM systems is provided. The system permits different and flexible resource cell metric operations levels (e.g. uplink load management, admission control, congestion control, signal handoff control) for different sub-bands. For the uplink load management, there are multiple distinct load operation points (e.g. IoT, RoT) per sub-band group instead of the same operation level across the entire available band. The sub-band groups encompass the entire band. The facilitation system also comprises a variety of transmitting protocols, command increment variable stepsize methods and robust command response methods. The system thus provides more flexible reverse link resource management and more efficient utilization of the bandwidth.
US09648624B2
In a network (700, 800) with a plurality of cells (715, 815, 825), there may be interference couplings among the cells (715, 815, 825). This may be particularly true for heterogeneous networks (800). For radio resource scheduling in such network (700, 800), a semi-decentralized scheduling is proposed in which radio resource scheduling issue is reformulated as load scheduling issue. In the proposed semi-decentralized scheduling, portions of the total load or available headroom are centrally allocated to each local node (710, 810, 820) subject to the stability of the network (700, 800). At each local node (710, 810, 820), radio resources are granted to users (740, 840) of that local node (710, 810, 820) subject to the portion of the load or headroom allocated to that local node (710, 810, 820).
US09648621B2
A wireless communication apparatus is provided that performs wireless communication using a specified wireless channel and forms part of an ad hoc wireless network. The device includes a recording portion that records country ID information and recording-time information in to a storage medium, where the recording-time information indicates the time at which the country ID information was recorded in to the storage medium, a time determination portion that uses the recording-time information to determine whether a predetermined time period has elapsed from the time at which the country ID information was recorded, and a channel setting portion that, when the predetermined time period has not elapsed from the time at which the country ID information was recorded in the storage medium, sets a wireless channel to a frequency channel that can be used in the country indicated by the country ID information recorded in the storage medium.
US09648618B2
A bandpass filter includes a plurality of parallel paths. Each path includes a first mixer, a low-pass filter, and a second mixer. The first mixer in each path receives the input signal and mixes the input signal with a periodic mixer sequence. The low-pass filter in each path is operable to filter an output of the associated first mixer. The second mixer in each path is coupled to receive an output of the associated low-pass filter and mixes said filter output with a periodic mixer sequence having a period that is divided into a plurality of time slots, wherein again the mixer value is constant during each time slot. A summer sums the outputs of the second mixers of each of the paths to generate an output of the bandpass filter.
US09648612B2
A method, computer-readable storage device, and apparatus for allocating a plurality of timeslots of each channel of a plurality of channels in a wireless network are disclosed. For example, the method determines a location and a velocity for each user endpoint device of a plurality of user endpoint devices, estimates a future data rate for each user endpoint device at the location, estimates future timeslot allocations of each channel of the plurality of channels in the wireless network in accordance with the future data rate that is predicted for each user endpoint device, and allocates each timeslot of the plurality of timeslots of each channel of the plurality of channels in the wireless network to a user endpoint device of the plurality of user endpoint devices in accordance with the future timeslot allocations that are estimated for each channel.
US09648610B2
A service transmission method is provided. A first base station, which establishes an RRC connection with a UE, sends a request message to a second base station which is at least one of base stations serving the UE, where the request message includes service information, where the service information includes QoS information of a service and/or configuration information of an RB, and the request message instructs the second base station to perform resource configuration according to service information. The first base station sends a configuration message to the UE, where the configuration message includes configuration list information of the RB and/or cell information of the offload base station.
US09648606B2
The invention relates to a method, apparatus and system for configuring control channels in a mobile communication network and a mobile station. In order to suggest another improved scheme for configuring control channels, in particular control channels related to the transmission of user data the invention suggests aligning the size of the control channel information of different formats to an equal number of coded control channel information bits and/or modulation symbols for each control channel. The control channels may comprise scheduling related control information. According to another aspect of the invention, the size of the control channel information is aligned by means of modulation and/or coding, however the control channel information is aligned to one out of a set of numbers of coded control channel information bits and/or modulation symbols for each control channel.
US09648603B2
The present invention relates to a method for receiving control information by a UE in a wireless communication system, and an apparatus for same. More specifically, the method includes a step of receiving reconfiguration downlink control information (DCI), wherein the reconfiguration DCI includes a plurality of reconfigurations relating to a UE group including the UE and is configured so as to be received on the basis of a radio network temporary identifier (RNTI) defined for the reconfiguration DCI.
US09648599B2
A method for signaling control information in a communications system includes identifying a first subframe to carry first control information, and determining whether the first subframe is configured as a device-to-device (D2D) subframe. The method also includes transmitting the first control information in the first subframe to an evolved NodeB (eNB) when the first subframe is not configured as a D2D subframe, wherein the first control information is encoded with a first encoding rule in accordance with a first subframe, and transmitting the first control information in a second subframe when the first subframe is configured as a D2D subframe, wherein the first control information is encoded with a second encoding rule in accordance with the second subframe.
US09648597B2
A transmission/reception method and apparatus for a mobile communication system supporting uplink MIMO is provided. In the transmission method, a User Equipment (UE) transmits two transport blocks according to a predetermined number of layers and respective precoding indices, an evolve Node B (eNB) transmits, when one of the transport blocks is lost, a negative acknowledgement for the lost transport block, and the UE sets a precoding index for the lost transport block to a predetermined value to retransmit the lost transport block while maintaining the number of layers.
US09648595B2
An apparatus and a method for transmitting/receiving a Physical Uplink Shared CHannel (PUSCH) signal in a cellular radio communication system supporting a Carrier Aggregation (CA) scheme are provided. In the PUSCH transmission method, a User Equipment (UE) transmits a PUSCH signal to a Base Station (BS) based on an UpLink (UL)/DownLink (DL) Configuration, wherein, for a Time Division Duplexing (TDD) scheme, if the UE is configured with more than one serving cell, UL/DL Configurations of at least two serving cells are different, and a serving cell is one of a primary cell and a secondary cell, a UL/DL Configuration for the serving cell is set as a UL-reference UL/DL Configuration based on a pair formed by a UL/DL Configuration for another serving cell and the UL/DL Configuration for the serving cell.
US09648591B2
In an LTE (Long Term Evolution) system, a radio access network (RAN) is configured to detect and report congestion radio congestion to a core network. RAN congestion may be indicated by lost, discarded, or retransmitted data packets. In response to being notified of congestion at the RAN, the core network of the system modifies properties of data bearers and data flows between the core network and the RAN, such as by modifying QoS commitments where possible and remapping data flows.
US09648590B2
A communication device includes a receiver, a transmitter and an interruption module. The receiver receives an allocation signal indicating a first period usable by the communication device and a second period usable by a plurality of communication devices including the communication device. The transmitter transmits a transmission signal in the first period. If the transmission of the transmission signal is completed within the first period, the interruption module interrupts at least a part of power supply to the receiver in the second period. If the transmission of the transmission signal is not completed within the first period and directivity of radio waves used by a second communication device includes a direction of the communication device in a communication period allocated before the second period, the transmitter transmits the transmission signal in the second period.
US09648589B2
A system and method are provided to implement dynamic spectrum access with individual multi-mode devices that incorporate multiple radios in a single device. A multi-mode device is configured to make use of the incremental spectrum by maintaining a data communication link via a base station that is operated by a primary operator to support communications in the primary operator's exclusively-licensed spectrum. This data communication link is maintained by a first radio, the data communication link being used to support a first level of data communication as well as to signal an availability of additional spectrum to the multi-mode device. The multi-mode device may request access to additional spectrum. A second radio may facilitate access to received additional spectrum with the multi-radio multi-mode device.
US09648586B2
A method for wireless communication supporting uplink and downlink multi carriers Includes performing initial access through one of at least two downlink component carriers among multiple downlink component carriers including the at least two downlink component carriers through which the user equipment is allowed to perform the initial access; and transmitting via an uplink component carrier allocated to the user equipment by using a carrier identifier, wherein the carrier identifier is applied to the uplink component carrier and is obtained from the downlink component carrier through which the initial access is performed, and wherein the system pre-defines one-to-one correspondence between multiple downlink component carriers and multiple uplink component carriers, and wherein the downlink component carrier through which the initial access is performed and the uplink component carriers allocated to the user equipment do not match the one-to-one correspondence pre-defined by the system.
US09648583B2
A method, an apparatus, and a system for paging a User Equipment (UE) are provided. The method for paging a UE includes: sending a downlink data notification message inclusive of paging range indicator information to a core network control plane entity; receiving a paging message sent by the core network control plane entity and inclusive of a raging range; and initiating a paging to a UE corresponding to a user ID in the paging range. The apparatus for paging a UE includes: a first sending module, a first receiving module, and a paging initiating module. A system for paging a UE is further provided. With the method, apparatus, and system for paging a UE, the UE can be paged in only a set paging range.
US09648577B1
Described here is a wireless network management system and methods that may include the use of Authorized Device Specific SSIDs (ADSSs), Access Point Managers, Registries, and Wireless Enabled Devices (WEDs) for providing a roaming service. Systems described here may include access points which may establish connections with WEDs using suitable SSIDs and credentials, where WEDs may attempt to connect to access points broadcasting suitable SSIDs automatically when in range. Access point hardware of use in systems described in the present disclosure may be able to broadcast multiple SSIDs, publicly or hidden, and may form one or more virtual access points (VAPs) perceivable by WEDs in range of the access point. Multi-region access point systems described here include a registry used to store information about services associated with WEDs, and are able to return the information to Access Points in multiple regions to provide service to the WEDs.
US09648572B2
An apparatus for regulation of the signal power of a transmitter includes a control loop. The control loop includes a controlled module, a voltage detector, an evaluation circuit and an input amplification module. A decoupling module decouples the output of the control loop from a downstream electrical load.
US09648569B2
A method is provided in one example embodiment and may include calculating, by one or more of a plurality of small cell radios, one or more sets of candidate power control parameters using a first interference constraint for uplink user equipment (UE) transmissions for UE served by the one or more of the plurality of small cell radios; determining, at a central management entity, whether an average of a sum of an expected interference for UE associated with the plurality of small cell radios violates a second interference constraint for any of the one or more sets of candidate power control parameters; and generating one or more messages for each of the plurality of small cell radios identifying one or more particular sets of power control parameters that provide for meeting the second interference constraint.
US09648558B2
A network for facilitating wireless radio communication. The network includes a first access area, wherein the access area includes one or more transmission/receive points. At least one transmission/receive point includes a base station that supports wireless communication between a network and user equipment (UE), such as, a mobile device. The network includes a dedicated connection signature (DCS) that is assigned to a UE. The DCS provides for and is used by the UE to maintain active, unified access to the wireless network. More particularly, the DCS provides for active, contention free, and fast access for the UE to the network through transmission/receive points within the first access area, which is of significance to present and future UE centric virtual radio access networks having high densities of mobile and non-mobile users and with high populations of different types of traffic patterns and applications.
US09648555B2
Techniques for wireless network discovery and selection support are described. In one embodiment, for example, an evolved packet core (EPC) node may comprise a processor circuit to implement an access network discovery and selection function (ANDSF) according to a management object that includes a branch comprising one or more policies to select a wireless local area network (WLAN), the processing circuitry to receive capabilities information and location information for a user equipment (UE) and determine access network information for the UE based on the capabilities information and the location information. Other embodiments are described and claimed.
US09648554B2
Methods and apparatuses are provided for cell reselection at a mobile terminal. A first cell measurement is performed with respect to a serving cell and a first set of one or more cells included in a neighbor cell list. A second cell measurement is performed to detect a second set of one or more cells that are not included in the neighbor cell list, based on the first cell measurement. One or more candidate cells that satisfy cell reselection criteria are determined from among the first set of one or more cells and the second set of one or more cells. One of the one or more candidate cells is reselected.
US09648548B1
A wireless mesh network is configured. Each node is configured to function as either a gateway node or a relay node. To configure itself as a gateway node, an access node selects an SSID for each of its wireless interfaces that indicates it is an access node. When a relay access node is configuring itself, it scans for the SSIDs of available networks. The SSIDs of the mesh network are selected to indicate the number of other access points between a given access node and a direct wired connection (which is zero in the case of a gateway node.) The relay access node connects to the network having an SSID that indicates the fewest number of hops between itself and a direct wired connection. The SSID that is broadcast by the relay access node indicates the number of other access points between itself and a direct wired connection.
US09648535B2
In accordance with an example embodiment of the present invention, a method comprises configuring an autonomous mode for traffic offloading; and indicating the autonomous mode towards at least one terminal, wherein said autonomous mode supports local area radio access connectivity by internet protocols to reduce control from a core network. Related apparatus and computer program product are also described.
US09648533B2
The present invention provides a method and system for facilitating efficient handoff and data throughput in mobile broadband communication systems. Methods implemented by a system constructed in accordance with the principles of the present invention include selectively enabled soft handoff, performing Layer 2 bearer functions at the base station and using the mobile device to coordinate soft handoff and interference avoidance without the need for a centralized coordination function.
US09648528B2
A method and apparatus for supporting a handover through the Internet. A source proxy performs receiving, through an eNB from a UE, a connection request to a server, establishing a first TCP session with an anchor proxy designated for the server, and transferring data received from the server through the first TCP session, receiving a handover preparation notification including an IP address of the UE from the eNB, as the UE is handed over to a target eNB; transferring session information associated with the first TCP session and information associated with a target proxy related with the target base station; transferring, to the target proxy, the session information associated with the first TCP session, and when a handover start notification is received from the eNB, freezing the first TCP session, and transferring, to the target proxy, state information associated with data being transmitted through the first TCP session.
US09648524B2
Embodiments of the present invention relate to the field of communications technologies, provide a method, node, and system for selecting a target cell, which are capable of selecting a candidate cell with signal quality meeting a predetermined standard as a target cell for a UE. The method of the present invention includes: transmitting a detection instruction to a candidate cell, where the detection instruction is used to instruct the candidate cell to detect uplink signal quality of a user equipment (UE); receiving a detection result transmitted by the candidate cell, and determining a target cell according to the detection result. The embodiments of the present invention are mainly implemented in a process of UE handover.
US09648523B2
In a handover operation an access terminal is handed over from a source access point to a target access point. To facilitate efficient identification of a target access point, a handover operation may be initiated by the target access point. A candidate frequency search also may be invoked to confirm that an access terminal identified by a target access point for a handover is in the vicinity of the target access point. A source access point may verify whether an access terminal is in a vicinity of a target access point to determine whether to perform a handover operation. A source access point may handle potential ambiguity between several target access points by sending handover commands to each of these target access points. An access terminal also may assist in the determination of whether to perform a handover operation.
US09648522B2
A method for voice call fallback to a circuit switched (CS) domain disclosed in the present invention includes: receiving a Service Request message from a calling user equipment (UE), where the Service Request message includes called number information of a voice call in a CS domain, instructing an evolved NodeB (eNB) to initiate circuit switched fallback (CSFB) handover; receiving a Handover Request message from the eNB, where the Handover Request message includes information required for CS handover, selecting a mobile switching center (MSC) and sending a packet switched (PS) to CS Handover Request message to the MSC, where the PS to CS Handover Request message carries information required for the CS handover and a called number so that the MSC calls a called UE. The corresponding apparatuses and systems are also disclosed. The technical solution of the present invention can reduce the connection delay.
US09648514B2
A method at a first wireless network element, the method receiving, from a second wireless network element, a plurality of packet data units (PDUs) for a user equipment; transmitting the PDUs to the user equipment (UE); compiling a PDU delivery status report in response to the transmitting of the PDUs; and sending the compiled PDU delivery status report to the second wireless network element.
US09648513B2
A base station subsystem (BSS) and a method are described herein for performing a procedure to increase an Access Grant Channel (AGCH) capacity by minimizing an amount of mobile station specific information carried within an immediate assignment message. Plus, a mobile station (MS) and a method are described herein for performing a procedure to increase an Access Grant Channel (AGCH) capacity by minimizing an amount of mobile station specific information carried within an immediate assignment message.
US09648509B2
Methods and apparatuses are provided that facilitate providing access point measurements to restricted access points. Restricted access points can lessen restrictions to allow devices to register with the restricted access point for providing measurements thereto. Additionally or alternatively, access point measurements can be provided to a minimization of drive tests (MDT) server for providing to the restricted access points. Thus, restricted access points can obtain the access point measurements for performing enhanced interference management or other functionality based at least in part on the measurements.
US09648497B2
A login control method and apparatus is provided for facilitating usage right authentication of a mobile terminal, when the user unlocks the mobile terminal. The login control method includes determining, when a lock image is displayed on a screen, a posture of a mobile terminal, detecting unlock information, comparing the unlock information with a pre-registered unlock information, selecting, when the unlock information and the pre-registered unlock information are identical, an operation mode corresponding to the matched unlock information, from a plurality of operation modes, as the current operation mode, and displaying an image representing the current operation mode.
US09648490B2
Automatically discovering and re-establishing wireless connections to other devices in a mobile computing environment (MCE) may be achieved by monitoring connections of different devices with the UE, correlating the connections of the different devices, determining an MCE based on the correlations, and storing information associated with the MCE. A known MCE may accordingly be automatically detected based on an identification of at least one of the different devices, for example, and connection with one or more of the different devices may be automatically re-established to re-establish the MCE based on the stored information.
US09648487B2
A method for grouping user equipments (UEs) in proximity services restricted discovery, used in a communications system, including: broadcasting, by a first user equipment (UE), a UE discovered signal for being discovered, wherein the UE discovered signal includes a first group code corresponding to the first UE; receiving, by a second UE, the UE discovered signal and comparing the first group code with a second group code corresponding to the second UE; and transmitting, by the second UE, a comparing report to a network when the first group code and the second group code are the same.
US09648483B2
The invention relates to methods, apparatuses, systems and computer program products for discovery of nearby devices (510, 520, 525, 540, 545). To facilitate discovery of nearby, i.e. proximal, devices, a discovery control signal (570, 572, 574, 576, 578) from a control device (530) may be used to control the discovery, e.g. how or when the discovery is carried out. The devices may send status information of their status to be used by the control device or the control system for forming the discovery control signal. The control device, e.g. a server, may form the discovery control signal based on this status information. Discovery of proximal devices may then be carried out based on the received discovery control signal.
US09648477B2
A method and system for providing emergency call (e-call) services is disclosed. A third-party service center receives a voice call from a vehicle. Signaling is automatically sent to the vehicle from the third-party service center over the voice call. Location information is received from the vehicle at the third-party service center in response to the signaling. Information is forwarded from the voice call and the location information to a public safety answering point (PSAP) determined by the third-party service center.
US09648473B1
An Internet Protocol Multimedia Subsystem (IMS) network uses the Session Initiation Protocol (SIP) to provide communication services to mobile nodes. A short message service gateway (SMS-GW) in the IMS network receives a request to deliver a message to a mobile node. The SMS-GW determines whether the mobile node is IMS registered. If the mobile node is IMS registered, the SMS-GW may transmit a SIP MESSAGE request to a call session control function (CSCF) serving the mobile node in order to deliver the message to the mobile node. If the mobile node is SIP-capable but is not IMS registered, the SMS-GW may instead transmit a SIP MESSAGE request to the mobile node's IP address. To obtain the mobile node's IP address, the SMS-GW may query a domain name server (DNS) that stores associations between hostnames and IP addresses of mobile nodes.
US09648472B1
A method for transferring information indicative of a voicemail to a recipient includes receiving a message via a voicemail system transmitted from a remote device. The method also includes storing the message in a memory associated with the voicemail system. The method further includes transmitting a voicemail notification indicator to a recipient via a designated radio frequency band for receipt by a recipient having access to a radio receiver.
US09648470B2
Facilities are provided herein for backing up messages and related activities. An active telephone call is initiated to a voicemail server and recording of the audio stream of the active telephone call is initiated to record a voicemail message being played back during the telephone call. The recorded voicemail message may then be edited, tagged, enhanced, organized with other messages, and shared, as examples. In another aspect, backup of messages is facilitated by an intermediary system that establishes an active telephone call between a voicemail server and a client. The intermediary system passes a request from the client to the voicemail server to commence playback of a voicemail message, and the intermediary system records a portion of the audio stream of the active telephone call.
US09648462B2
A method for tracking the movement and trajectory of objects associated with wireless devices, located in a predefined area, wherein transceiver nodes communicating with the monitored wireless communication devices are formed, the objects associated with wireless communication device entering or located in the range of the transceiver nodes are detected by said transceiver nodes and relevant collected data are processed by measuring the strength of the signal emitted by the object during communication by at least two access points, converting the measured signal strength data into a vector set, selecting and filtering out the objects that are communicating but make no movement by evaluating the vector set, and analyzing the movement of the communicating objects changing their place by applying a pre-defined mathematical model. Access points operating according to a small-range “peer-to-peer” (P2P) type wireless communication standard are used as transceiver nodes.
US09648458B2
Methods, systems, computer-readable media, and apparatuses for labeling crowd sourced data are presented. In some embodiments, a method for labeling crowd sourced data may include: receiving an atmospheric pressure signal from a mobile device associated with a venue, the mobile device comprising an atmospheric pressure sensor; clustering a plurality of atmospheric pressure signals from a plurality of mobile devices associated with the venue into a plurality of clusters; assigning a label to each of the plurality of clusters; receiving signal measurements from one or more of the plurality of mobile devices; and applying the label to the signal measurement.
US09648456B2
This invention comprises a mobile asset cellular device transmission detector equipped, a wireless processing unit, an event recorder, and a digital video recorder. The wireless processing unit includes event recorder interface software, digital video recorder interface software that obtains data from the digital video recorder, Wi-Nav software that obtains data from the Wi-Nav, GPS software that obtains data from the GPS and geo-fence software. The cellular device transmission detector continually checks for cellular device transmissions within the mobile asset and if those transmissions were associated with an impact, rollover, operator action or geo-fence defined location or boundary. When a cellular device transmission was made, the wireless processing unit triggers an episode and sends event recorder information, GPS location and speed, audio and video recordings, and impact and rollover information to a back office.
US09648452B1
Information about the real-time location of an object (e.g., a football) within a venue (e.g., a sport stadium), as determined by an object tracking system, may be used to generate communications that are then transmitted via wireless transmitters to one or more user devices (e.g., smartphones of venue spectators) located within the venue. The communications may be triggered by particular event triggers (e.g., the football enters a goal area, the football travels a particular distance, the football reaches a particular velocity, the football reaches a particular height), and the communication may be based on the event trigger that was reached. The wireless transmitter may be a local wireless transmitter, so that only user devices within the venue receive the communication.
US09648448B2
A power outlet for controlling power to an external device and transmitting data to the external device, the power outlet including: a housing containing at least one alternating-current power input connection; a power output connection; a data connector; a sensor module; a wireless communication module, including an antenna; a processing unit configured to receive data and control an electrically connected device through the power output connection and/or data connector based on the received data.
US09648440B2
Embodiments are directed to speakers and circuits that reflect sound off a ceiling to a listening location at a distance from a speaker. The reflected sound provides height cues to reproduce audio objects that have overhead audio components. The speaker comprises upward firing drivers to reflect sound off of the upper surface and represents a virtual height speaker. A virtual height filter based on a directional hearing model is applied to the upward-firing driver signal to improve the perception of height for audio signals transmitted by the virtual height speaker to provide optimum reproduction of the overhead reflected sound. The virtual height filter may be incorporated as part of a crossover circuit that separates the full band and sends high frequency sound to the upward-firing driver.
US09648431B1
A method includes recording, at an electronic device utilizing a microphone of the electronic device, ambient noise of an environment the electronic device is disposed in; electronically analyzing, utilizing one or more processors, the recorded ambient noise of the environment to determine one or more frequency bands to avoid; dynamically adapting, based on the electronic analysis, an auditory alert to be played at the electronic device, such adaptation including frequency equalization adjustments based on the determination of one or more frequency bands to avoid; and playing, at the electronic device utilizing one or more speakers of the electronic device, the adapted auditory alert.
US09648425B2
A MEMS device. The device includes a membrane, and a reinforced backplate having a plurality of openings. The reinforced backplate include a first layer, and a second layer coupled to the first layer.
US09648422B2
An example implementation may involve a control device detecting a trigger condition that initiates calibration of a plurality of playback devices. The control device may send, to the playback devices of the plurality, respective commands that instruct the playback devices to repeatedly emit the calibration sound according to a sequence. The commands may instruct the one or more playback devices to stagger emission of the calibration sounds such that each emitted calibration sound is delayed relative to a preceding calibration sound in the sequence. The control device may detect the emitted calibration sounds via a microphone.
US09648418B2
Provided is an active noise cancellation apparatus capable of reliably reducing road noise by reducing vibration of a vehicle component part which generates road noise by using a vibration generator. A plurality of reference signal detectors are placed respectively on right and left knuckles for respectively supporting right and left wheels. A vibration generator and an error signal detector are placed on a vehicle component part. A controller performs respective adaptive controls based on each of reference signals and an error signal so as to reduce the error signal, and controls the vibration generator based on a sum of respective output values of the adaptive controls.
US09648409B2
An electronic device may be coupled to an accessory such as a pair of earphones. The earphones may have ear presence sensor structures that determine whether or not the ears of a user are present in the vicinity of the earphones. The earphones may contain first and second speakers. When both the first and second speakers are located in the ears of the user, the electronic device may perform functions such as playing audio content. When one of the speakers has been removed from the ears of the user while the other of the speakers remains in the ears of the user, the electronic device can take actions such as pausing the playback of audio content, switching from stereo to monophonic playback, or stopping the playback of content. Suitable actions such as increasing audio drive strength may be taken when both speakers have been removed from the ears.
US09648405B2
A speaker is disclosed. The speaker including a first cover, a second cover forming a receiving space, a first steel strap assembled with the first cover, a second steel strap assembled with the second cover, a sounding element accommodated in the receiving space and located between the first strap and the second strap, and a flexible printed circuit board accommodated in the receiving space. The flexible printed circuit board includes a grounding pin, a positive pin and a negative pin for transmitting audio signal. The positive pin and the negative pin are electrically connected to the sounding element. The ground pin is respectively connected to the first steel strap, the second steel strap and the sounding element. The speaker is not only simple in structure, but also has low cost.
US09648403B2
There is provided an acoustic element for placement in a sound path of a loudspeaker device, the acoustic element comprising a container and an acoustic volume increasing material located in the container. In an embodiment, the container comprises wall portions with different physical characteristics. In other embodiments, the walls of the container are made of the same material.
US09648394B2
Techniques for delivering content, such as videos, over a network are described. A core server and an edge server are provided. The core server has local storage. The edge server has local storage. A set of video frames is partitioned into a first group and a second group. Video frames in the first group are encoded into a scalable encoded stream. The scalable encoded stream is sent to the local storage at the edge server. The second group of video frames is encoded into a set of supplemental encoded streams using the scalable encoded stream as a reference. The supplemental encoded streams are encoded such that the bit rate and/or resolution of any two supplemental encoded streams is different. The set of supplemental encoded streams is stored in the storage of the core server.
US09648379B2
A particular method includes receiving search criteria and storage criteria associated with a user. Based on the search criteria, a search of program content metadata associated with programs is performed. The method further includes identifying, based on the search, one or more particular programs that satisfy the search criteria. The method includes determining whether the storage criteria would be satisfied if the one or more particular programs were recorded. The method includes, in response to determining that the storage criteria would not be satisfied if the one or more particular programs were recorded, sending a notification to the user indicating that the storage criteria would not be satisfied. In response to determining that the storage criteria would be satisfied if the one or more particular programs were recorded, automatically scheduling recordings of the one or more particular programs.
US09648376B2
A system that incorporates teachings of the present disclosure may include, for example, a system that generates an avatar having a first behavior determined by a user profile of a user. An avatar profile is received from a content source for modifying the avatar according to a second behavior. The avatar is modified to generate an adaptive avatar based on the avatar profile. The adaptive avatar has, at least in part, the second behavior determined by the avatar profile, while retaining, at least in part, the first behavior determined by the user profile of the user. Other embodiments are disclosed.
US09648375B2
A display apparatus and a method of controlling the display apparatus are provided. The display apparatus includes: an image processor configured to process an image of a predetermined content; a display configured to display the processed image of the content; a communicator configured to communicate with a remote controller configured to receive a user command and display information related to the content; and a controller configured to control the display to display the image of the content in accordance with the received user command, store information related to a use history that the user has used the content, and transmit information to the remote controller related to the stored use history of the user so that the information related to the content can be displayed on the remote controller based on the use history of the user.
US09648373B1
The present technology concerns cell phones and other portable devices, and more particularly concerns use of such devices in connection with media content (electronic and physical) and with other systems (e.g., televisions, digital video recorders, and electronic program directories). One particular aspect of the technology concerns complementing primary content viewed on one screen (e.g., a television screen) with auxiliary content displayed on a second screen (e.g., a cell phone screen). Different auxiliary content can be paired with the primary content, depending on the profile of the user (e.g., age, location, etc.). Some embodiments make use of location information provided by the primary screen device. Other embodiments make use of content identification data provided by the primary screen device. A great number of other features and arrangements are also detailed.
US09648372B2
Described are methods and apparatuses, including computer program products, for personalizing media content. A server determines content data likely to be requested by users, and generates common sets of information using the content data. The server receives a request for a digital media stream from a client device, and generates a first set of frames which include content data specific to the user and keys corresponding to a selected common set of information. The server combines the first set of frames and the requested stream to generate a personalized stream. The server transmits the personalized stream to a downstream device, which generates a second set of frames using content data corresponding to the one or more keys. The downstream device combines the second set of frames and the personalized stream to generate an updated stream, and transmits the updated stream to the client device.
US09648365B2
In one aspect, an example method for outputting an alert indicating a functional state of a back-up video-broadcast system involves: a computing device receiving a first video-stream that represents first video-content; the computing device generating a first signature based, at least in part, upon an extent of aspect-ratio transitions included within the first video-content; the computing device receiving a second video-stream that represents second video-content; the computing device generating a second signature based, at least in part, upon an extent of aspect-ratio transitions included within the second video-content; the computing device making a determination that the generated first-signature and the generated second-signature lack a threshold extent of similarity; and responsive to the determination that the generated first-signature and the generated second-signature lack the threshold extent of similarity, the computing device outputting an alert.
US09648364B2
An interactive, multi-user media delivery system having a number of media storage mediums, each of containing a particular media selection, and a number of media players structured to selectively deliver the media selection to users. Each of the media players includes a control assembly structured to selectively control and regulate delivery of the media selection to the user, and at least one of the media players is selectively designatable as a slave unit. A master control assembly is further provided and is operatively associated with the media players, a connectivity assembly being included to establish a communicative link at least between the slave unit(s) and the master control assembly. The master control assembly is further structured to receive synchronization data from each of the media players, and to simultaneously and uniformly control the delivery of the media selection by the media players.
US09648362B2
Systems and methods for synchronizing the playback of OTT or other time sensitive content on multiple playback devices is disclosed. The systems and methods include receiving time information based on a network time source in the playback devices. The playback clock in each playback device is set based upon the time information. Stream initiation information derived using the time information from the network time source is received by each of the playback device from the media provider. The playback devices use the stream initiation information to adjust the presentation time stamps of the frames of the media content in the stream.
US09648359B2
A method (600) for a system (200) for delivering a content offering (102) containing one or more advertisements (331) includes identifying one or more triggers (115,321,117,118) indicating that one or more advertisement avails (326,327,328) occur in the content offering. After advertisements are obtained, portions (332,333) of the advertisements are multiplexed with portions (334,335) of the content offering occurring between a trigger and a corresponding advertising avail. The portions of the advertisements are delivered to subscriber devices (206) such that all portions are delivered prior to the advertising avail occurring or completing at the subscriber device.
US09648341B2
A portion of an image, belonging to a current encoding unit, is encoded by motion compensation with respect to a reference image portion indicated by an item of motion information. A motion information predictor is selected from among a set of motion information predictors and the item of motion information is encoded with respect to said motion information predictor. The set of motion information predictors used is permitted to include at least one temporal motion information predictor associated with an image portion of a previous image of said sequence but is not permitted to include any spatial motion information predictor that is unobtainable from encoded data of said current encoding unit, for example a spatial motion information predictor that was itself encoded with respect to a temporal motion information predictor.
US09648340B2
A method performed by a motion vector encoding apparatus for encoding a motion vector includes: determining a first motion vector and a second motion vector relating to a current block to be encoded; determining predicted motion vectors of the first motion vector and the second motion vector, respectively; calculating a first differential motion vector and a second differential motion vector; the first differential motion vector corresponding to a difference between the first motion vector and the predicted motion vector of the first motion vector, the second differential motion vector corresponding to a difference between the second motion vector and the predicted motion vector of the second motion vector; and encoding the first differential motion vector and the second differential motion vector, wherein the first motion vector and the second motion vector have different resolutions.
US09648336B2
An encoding unit encodes moving image data so that it has a temporal hierarchical structure in which a frame rate in a case of decoding up to a layer that is one above a predetermined layer is higher than a frame rate in a case of decoding up to the predetermined layer. A first acquisition unit acquires a frame rate of encoded first moving image data. A second acquisition unit acquires second moving image data targeted for encoding and a recording frame rate that is designated by a user operation. The encoding unit encodes the second moving image data so that it has a temporal hierarchical structure including a layer corresponding to the frame rate of the first moving image data and a layer corresponding to the recording frame rate.
US09648326B2
A method of coding video data includes receiving one or more layers of video information. Each layer may include at least one picture. The method can include processing an indicator within at least one of a video parameter set (VPS), a sequence parameter set (SPS), or a picture parameter set (PPS) that indicates whether all direct reference layer pictures associated with the at least one of the video parameter set (VPS), the sequence parameter set (SPS), or the picture parameter set (PPS) are added to an inter-layer reference picture set. Based on the indicator, the method can further include refraining from further signaling inter-layer reference picture information in any video slice associated with the at least one of the video parameter set (VPS), the sequence parameter set (SPS), or the picture parameter set (PPS). Alternatively, based on the indicator, the method can further include adding to the inter-layer reference picture set all direct reference layer pictures for any video slice associated with the at least one of the video parameter set (VPS), the sequence parameter set (SPS), or the picture parameter set (PPS).
US09648321B2
In general, techniques are described for coding picture order count values identifying long-term reference pictures. A video decoding device comprising a processor may perform the techniques. The processor may determine least significant bits (LSBs) of a picture order count (POC) value that identifies a long-term reference picture (LTRP). The LSBs do not uniquely identify the POC value with respect to the LSBs of any other POC value identifying any other picture in a decoded picture buffer (DPB). The processor may determine most significant bits (MSBs) of the POC value. The MSBs combined with the LSBs is sufficient to distinguish the POC value from any other POC value that identifies any other picture in the DPB. The processor may retrieve the LTRP from the decoded picture buffer based on the LSBs and MSBs of the POC value, and decode a current picture of the video data using the retrieved LTRP.
US09648305B2
At a first point in time, the amount of opening of a diaphragm is controlled in such a manner that parallax is obtained in a plurality of images that are output as a result of imaging, whereby a parallax image is acquired. At a second point in time, the diaphragm is controlled in such a manner that the amount of opening thereof is made smaller than at the first point in time, whereby a planar image is acquired. Parallax information is calculated based upon the plurality of images acquired at the first point in time, and the planar image acquired at the second point in time is created. This stereoscopic imaging apparatus creates a stereoscopic image comprising parallax information and a planar image.
US09648303B1
Scenes reconstruction may be performed using videos that capture the scenes at high resolution and frame rate. Scene reconstruction may be associated with determining camera orientation and/or location (“camera pose”) throughout the video, three-dimensional coordinates of feature points detected in frames of the video, and/or other information. Individual videos may have multiple frames. Feature points may be detected in, and tracked over, the frames. Estimations of camera pose may be made for individual subsets of frames. One or more estimations of camera pose may be determined as fixed estimations. The estimated camera poses for the frames included in the subsets of frames may be updated based on the fixed estimations. Camera pose for frames not included in the subsets of frames may be determined to provide globally consistent camera poses and three-dimensional coordinates for feature points of the video.
US09648295B2
The invention provides for a system and method for the simultaneous capturing and storage of digital audio data in association with still image data. The captured audio clip is instantaneously associated and embedded with the photographic image, and allows for the user to digitally play back, view, and share the still image embedded with the audio clip.
US09648291B2
Provided is a light source device where the number of optical components is reduced without lowering an efficiency for light utilization. The light source device includes an excitation light source which generates blue laser light as excitation light, a phosphor wheel including a phosphor which is excited by the excitation light from the excitation light source to generate yellow fluorescent light, and a mirror which guides the excitation light from the excitation light source to the phosphor wheel and transmits the fluorescent light from the phosphor wheel, wherein the mirror includes a first region which reflects the excitation light and transmits the fluorescent light and a second region which transmits the fluorescent light and diffused excitation light which is diffused and reflected in the phosphor. The yellow fluorescent light and the diffused excitation light passing through the mirror are mixed to generate white light.
US09648286B2
It is an objective of the present invention to reduce processing loads for video analysis utilizing information throughout the facility. A video monitoring system according to the present invention simulates a flow of a moving object within a video captured by multiple monitoring cameras, calculates a parameter correlated with a processing load for movement analysis of the moving object according to the simulation result, and specifies a processing scheme that is capable of reducing the processing load according to a correspondence relationship between the parameter and the simulation result (refer to FIG. 2).
US09648285B2
A scene is monitored by receiving image data representing a thermal image captured by a thermal image sensor (13) and a visual image captured by a visual image sensor (15), the thermal image and the visual image depicting a same view of the scene. Objects (9) are detected in the visual image and in the thermal image. A mask (17a) is defined in the view of the scene, and it is determined if an object (9) or an object part, inside the mask (17a), is present in both the thermal image and the visual image. If so, a modified mask (17b) is provided by excluding an area occupied by the object (9) or the object part from the mask (17a).
US09648281B2
Several ways are provided for a viewer of a movie to create a deep tag, that is, a bookmark for a segment of the movie. The deep tag can be associated with descriptive text and sent to an address provided by the viewer, either an e-mail address or an instant messaging address. Additionally, before the deep tag is created, it can be checked whether the content owner of the movie is known. If known, the content owner's rules, if any, regarding deep tagging are followed. If unknown, a set of registered content owners can be alerted of the presence of new content. When ownership of the new content is established, the already-created deep tags can be updated in accordance with the content owner's rules, if any, regarding deep tagging.
US09648280B2
A TV apparatus according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure includes a TV body configured to display an image, and a camera module configured to be driven, in a case the TV body is protruded.
US09648278B1
A communication apparatus includes: an area dividing unit that divides, of an output image which is an image that the communication apparatus has output and includes at least a shot image obtained by shooting the surroundings of another communication apparatus which communicates with the communication apparatus, a display area indicating an area where the shot image is displayed into as many unit areas as the number of people captured in the shot image; a transmission control unit that controls transmitting coordinate information which indicates, of the output image, a unit area corresponding to a position pointed by a user to the other communication apparatus; and an output control unit that, when the communication apparatus has received output information including a voice subjected to directivity control according to, of the shot image, an area corresponding to the coordinate information from the other communication apparatus, controls outputting the received output information.
US09648277B2
A headband camera device which transmits streaming video, images, GPS location data and voice communications via a smart phone app or transmit and store data independent of the smart phone app. A Bluetooth module or other short range transmission module in the headband facilitates voice communication by interfacing with a user's Bluetooth enabled smartphone or within a Wifi location. Alternatively, the camera headband device transmits streaming video, sends images and 2-way communications independently of a smartphone over a wireless network by use of an internal SIM card.
US09648274B2
Disclosed is a system and method for rendering a video from a video phone system to a monitor associated with a computing device such a PC. A chroma-key color is utilized to define a video window in the monitor and the video phone system will overlay video content in the window. A mouse pointer will continue to be visible even when it is in the video overlay location and continue to be able to manipulate and control content in the monitor, including the video layout.
US09648259B2
An imaging apparatus that forms an image of a light beam transmitted through an imaging lens on an imaging element includes a laminated material that is provided on the imaging element, the light beam being transmitted through the laminated material, the laminated material being provided at a position at which an end portion of an upper surface of the laminated material allows an outermost light beam out of light beams to be transmitted therethrough, the light beams entering a pixel in an outer end portion of the imaging element in an effective pixel area, the position having a width Hopt.
US09648255B2
The disclosure relates to assemblies, kits and methods for multi-mode optoelectronic observation and sighting system with cross-platform integration capability. More particularly, the disclosure relates to assemblies, kits and methods facilitating the analog fusion of VNIR and LWIR image sensors' data to a single, coherent display.
US09648248B2
Systems, methods, and media for high dynamic range imaging are provided, the systems comprising: an image sensor; and a hardware processor configured to: cause the image sensor to capture first image data having a first exposure time, second image data having a second exposure time, and third image data having a third exposure time that is substantially equal to the sum of the first exposure time and the second exposure time; generate combined image data using the first image data and the second image data.
US09648246B2
The present disclosure provides a Complementary Metal Oxide Semiconductor (CMOS) video camera and method for filling light. The method includes: acquiring a frame interval and an exposure time of each line of pixels; determining a strobe period according to the acquired frame interval and exposure time of each line of pixels; and filling light for each frame of an image by using a light-filling lamp according to the determined strobe period and a predetermined duty cycle, wherein the predetermined duty cycle is larger than 0 and lower than 1. According to the present disclosure, the light-filling efficiency is improved, and the working life of the light-filling lamp is prolonged.
US09648245B2
An image capture method includes performing light metering with respect to a subject in response to a first control signal, setting an ISO value and a shutter speed value based on result of the light metering, increasing the ISO value by a first amount and decreasing the shutter speed value by a second amount in response to a second control signal to capture a plurality of images, where the second amount is greater than the first amount, performing gamma correction with respect to the plurality of images to increase brightness of each image, and synthesizing the plurality of gamma corrected images to obtain a single image with improved brightness.
US09648244B2
The zoom lens according to the present invention includes, in order from an object side to an image side: a first lens unit having a positive refractive power that does not move for zooming; a second lens unit having a negative refractive power that moves during zooming; a third lens unit having a negative refractive power that moves along a locus convex toward the object side during zooming from a wide angle end to a telephoto end; a fourth lens unit having a positive refractive power that moves during zooming; an aperture stop; and a fifth lens unit having a positive refractive power that does not move for zooming, in which the fourth lens unit has a lens surface having an aspherical shape with which the positive refractive power is weakened.
US09648241B2
A shake detection sensor detects the shaking of an imaging device attached to a telescopic pole. An extraction filter selector selects any extraction filter from a plurality of extraction filters, and extracts a signal component of a predetermined frequency band in a detection signal, which is outputted from the shake detection sensor, by the selected extraction filter. A shake corrector corrects the shaking of video captured by the imaging device, based on the signal component outputted from the extraction filter selector. An extraction filter selection controller controls the extraction filter selector to select any extraction filter among the plurality of extraction filters in response to the length of the pole.
US09648238B2
An image processing device that is capable of synthesizing a plurality of images by accurately correcting an image shift even in a photographing scene with a lot of external disturbances, such as noise. An image processing device synthesizes a plurality of images obtained by photographing an object that moves at a predetermined speed to thereby obtain a synthesized image. Each of the plurality of images is divided into a plurality of blocks, and a motion vector is detected from each of the blocks. Selection from the motion vectors is performed based on a focal length and an exposure interval applied when the plurality of images are obtained. Synthesis processing is performed by aligning the plurality of images based on the selected motion vectors, whereby the synthesized image is obtained.
US09648234B2
A 360 degree camera system includes a support structure, a plurality of image capture devices, a plurality of lens systems, and an image processing system. The image capture devices are positioned such that their height is greater than their width. The image processing system includes a rotation module for remapping the pixel addresses of the image data to join the captured images along their long edges.
US09648231B2
An image pickup apparatus which is capable of reducing erroneous shooting when a third party other than a photographer has come within the field of view. A first detection unit detects a subject from first image data obtained as a result of shooting by a first image pickup unit. A second detection unit detects a subject from second image data obtained as a result of shooting by a second image pickup unit. When the first detection unit detects, from the first image data, the subject detected by the second detection unit, a shooting process is carried out in which a shooting operation is performed using the first image pickup unit, and image data obtained by the shooting operation is recorded.
US09648229B2
Provided is an image processing device including a global motion detection unit configured to detect a global motion indicating a motion of an entire image, a local motion detection unit configured to detect a local motion indicating a motion of each of areas of an image, and a main subject determination unit configured to determine a main subject based on the global motion and the local motion.
US09648227B2
A focus estimating device has an area setting unit which sets an area in which focusing of an image is determined and divides the area into a plurality of blocks, a block selecting unit which selects a block to be used for focus determination, a block focus determination unit which performs focus determination for each block from an edge in each color component of the block selected by the block selecting unit, and a focus determination unit which determines focusing of the area based on the focus determination.
US09648225B1
Methods, apparatuses, systems and software for focusing a camera are disclosed. The camera focusing system includes a distance measuring device, a video receiver that receives video/images, a graphics overlay unit, and a monitor. The distance measuring device includes an emitter that emits a radiation beam, a detector that detects reflected radiation, and logic that determines and processes distance information for subject(s) or object(s) in detection zones from the reflections. The graphics overlay unit receives video/image information from the video receiver and the distance information from the distance measuring device, and includes a video overlay and data processing unit that generates graphics indicating a field of detection and position for each detection zone and a direction and/or magnitude of a change in focus setting(s) to bring subjects or objects within each detection zone into focus. The monitor displays the video/image and the graphics overlaid thereon.
US09648224B2
Image processing apparatus and method of calculating distance information and size information of an object within an image frame are provided. The method of processing an image includes: sequentially moving a focus lens from infinity to a short distance; overlapping and storing frames including an object focused at each movement location of the focus lens; and displaying a synthesis frame that synthesizes the overlapped frames in one frame, and simultaneously, calculating relative distance information of objects focused at different locations of the focus lens based on an object focused at an arbitrary location of the focus lens, and displaying the relative distance information in the synthesis frame.
US09648219B2
A web camera and an operation method thereof are provided. The web camera includes a photographic unit, an infrared (IR) transmitter, a network communication unit and a processing unit. The photographic unit captures an image. The network communication unit establishes a connection with a remote host via a communication network. The processing unit sends the image captured by the photographic unit to the remote host via the network communication unit. The processing unit receives a control command from the remote host via the network communication unit. The processing unit transmits an IR control code corresponding to the control command to a target device via the IR transmitter. The processing unit determines whether the target device responds to the IR control code based on the image.
US09648200B2
An image processing system includes a memory unit configured to store an address book to be used for setting a transmission destination of image data, a receiving unit configured to receive the image data, an acquisition unit configured to acquire a name that is registered in the address book in association with information of a transmission source of the image data received by the receiving unit, a setting unit configured to set a folder path for a plurality of hierarchies which includes a folder with the name acquired by the acquisition unit, and a storage unit configured to store the image data received by the receiving unit in a folder indicated by the folder path that is set by the setting unit.
US09648195B2
There is provided an image capturing apparatus. A first image capturing unit captures an image of a subject to generate image data. A second image capturing unit captures an image of a user who captures the image of the subject, for a predetermined period before and after the image of the subject is captured. An obtainment unit obtains first classification information by analyzing, in the image captured by the second image capturing unit, each of a state of the user before the image of the subject is captured and a state of the user after the image of the subject is captured. A recording unit records the first classification information in association with the image data.
US09648188B2
An image forming apparatus that causes a user's will concerning which of a communication speed and power saving efficiency is given priority to be reflected on determination of a power saving mode. In shifting the apparatus to a power saving mode, a first setting inhibits disconnection of a communication link and a second setting indicates changing communication speed to a lower speed. One of the first and second settings is made according to a user's instruction. In the first setting, the apparatus is shifted to a first power saving mode. In the second setting, the apparatus is shifted to a second power saving mode. When the apparatus is shifted to the first power saving mode, the communication link is not disconnected. When the apparatus is shifted to the second power saving mode, the communication speed of the apparatus is changed to the lower speed.
US09648180B2
An information processing system comprising an information processing device and a portable terminal. The information processing device includes: a first wireless communication part that establishes wireless communication with the portable terminal; a screen controller that updates a screen displayed on a display part based on a user operation; a tag information storage that stores therein tag information which is sent to the portable terminal; and a tag information updating part that updates the tag information depending on the screen displayed on the display part. The portable terminal includes: a second wireless communication part that establishes wireless communication with the information processing device; and a controller that performs an operation depending on the screen displayed at the information processing device based on the tag information.
US09648162B2
Method and apparatus for effecting a voice communication between user terminals connected via a communication network include displaying a menu of country options to a user and receiving a number in local form. Formatting rules are recalled for a destination country selected by the user from the country options. A country prefix for the destination country is prepended to the number in accordance with the formatting rules to generate a formatted number. The formatted number is supplied to a client installed at the user terminal for effecting the voice communication using the formatted number.
US09648149B2
Disclosed are method and device for indicating a PLCP header transmission mode. A method for generating a physical layer convergence protocol (PLCP) of a data frame can comprise the following steps: demodulating PLCP header mode information based on a scrambling sequence of the received frame or information elements included in the received frame; and generating a data frame including the PLCP header generated based on the PCLP header mode information. The PLCP header mode information comprises at least one indication from a space time block coding mode indication, a guard interval mode indication, and a repetition mode indication. The invention is capable of improving data transmission efficiency by adaptively determining a transmission mode of a PCLP header to a channel situation.
US09648142B2
Methods and systems are provided for identifying unique devices and/or unique users of a web-based system within constraints of an external application. In some embodiments the process comprises receiving request information from a client device at an application server, using such information to form a device fingerprint, and attempting to match the newly-formed fingerprint with exactly one fingerprint stored in a database of previously-formed fingerprints. Some embodiments utilize a two-stage Locality-Sensitive Hash query technique. The client device fingerprint may be converted into a series of LSH values which may be used to find a matching fingerprint. A first stage may query input LSH values against LSH values in a data store, and a second stage may query LSH values temporarily held in volatile memory, thereby minimizing network traffic and reducing a total process time.
US09648139B2
In some embodiments, a server application can provide a web document to a development application. The web document is dynamically generated from source files. The web document includes element code segments for rendering respective elements of the web document in a browser. Each element code segment includes respective metadata for identifying a respective source file used to generate the element code segment. The server application can receive a breakpoint request from the development application to insert at least one breakpoint in at least one source file identifiable using the metadata in the web document. The server application can insert the breakpoint in the source file responsive to the breakpoint request. The server application can provide an updated web document to the development application. The updated web document includes a subset of the element code segments dynamically generated by executing source code up to the breakpoint in the source file.
US09648135B2
The invention is applicable to network technologies and provides a method for network resource management, a server and a client end, which includes: receiving, an error report from a client end, wherein the error report includes a data source of a data fragment that does not pass the validation of the client; obtaining, a category of the data source; shielding, the data source when the data source belongs to a first category; and instructing, the data source to update network resources to which the data fragment belongs, when the data source belongs to a second category. The invention avoids the situation that the client end is unable to download a complete file due to an error of an original source of network resources, and improves the success rate of downloading.
US09648126B2
A method for caching objects at one or more cache servers of a content delivery network (CDN) includes: determining, by a processor, attributes of objects of a set of objects; calculating, by the processor, an efficiency metric for each object of the set of objects based on the attributes of each object, wherein the attributes of each object include an expected future popularity associated with the object; selecting, by the processor, a subset of objects from the set of objects for caching based on calculated efficiency metrics; and caching the subset of objects at the one or more cache servers.
US09648123B2
Technologies are generally described for distributing displayed content elements among devices. In some examples, a system for moving and redistributing controls or other elements among web capable devices is presented using gateway managed redirection and injection of web page code. Injection capabilities of advertising gateways may be managed with a web application type interface for allowing a user to instruct the gateway to copy elements out of the web interface on one device and inject the elements into the interface on another device. Thus, transport of control or other elements may be enabled as suitable for various device capabilities.
US09648118B1
A system, method and computer readable medium for distributed intelligent rich presence comprising filtering presence information of at least one presence source at the at least one presence source, distributing the filtered presence information to at least one presence watcher, and aggregating the filtered presence information at the at least one presence watcher.
US09648104B2
A management computer configured to manage one or more storage apparatuses managing a plurality of resources transmits requests to the one or more storage apparatuses to, based on one or more basic information pieces for identifying the one or more storage apparatuses, acquire as a priority configuration information on, out of the plurality of resources, resources logically closer to a host computer of the one or more storage apparatuses. The management computer receives the configuration information corresponding to the requests from the one or more storage apparatuses, and incorporates the received configuration information into configuration management information for managing the configuration information on the resources managed by the one or more storage apparatuses.
US09648102B1
A method is performed by a first server on a chip (SoC) node that is one instance of a plurality of nodes within a cluster of nodes. An operation is performed for determine if a second one of the SoC nodes in the cluster has data stored thereon corresponding to a data identifier in response to receiving a data retrieval request including the data identifier. An operation is performed for determining if a remote memory access channel exists between the SoC node and the second one of the SoC nodes. An operation is performed for access the data from the second one of the SoC nodes using the remote memory access channel after determine that the second one of the SoC nodes has the data stored thereon and that the remote memory access channel exists between the SoC node and the second one of the SoC nodes.
US09648096B2
A distribution control system is connected to a plurality of communication terminals that output image and/or sound data indicating at least either one of an image and sound and transmits the image and/or sound data to the communication terminals. The distribution control system includes a browser management unit is configured to start up a browser appropriate for the communication terminals; a browser configured to generate the image and/or sound data by rendering content data; a transmitter configured to transmit the image and/or sound data to the communication terminals; and a receiver configured to receive input information from the communication terminals. The transmitter is configured to transmit the image and/or sound data updated by the browser in accordance with the input information to the communication terminals.
US09648090B2
A dynamic medical object information base (DMOIB) is used with a communication protocol. A medical object information base (MOIB) may generally define rules of creation and modification of data defined for use in medical products. A dynamic version of the MOIB adapts to changing data classifications. DMOIB is preferably compatible with non-dynamic MOIB systems. DMOIB preferably reduces code space and simplifies management of software projects. DMOIB may allow for an entirely dynamic system using a discovery/negotiation process for determining full features of a device. DMOIB may also allow for generation of a dynamic interface to handle data from devices.
US09648088B1
This disclosure is generally directed to providing access to media content for travelers during a trip, where the trip may include lodging, transit, and/or activities. A service provider may obtain information about a user and a trip. The service provider may determine information about the user, such as account information that may identify media content that is typically accessible by the user. An amount of available space on a device may be determined that can be used to store prefetched content for the trip. Recommended content may be selected to fill the amount of space on the device. The recommended content may be based on information about the user, information about the trip, and/or other information. The recommended content may be downloaded onto the device prior to the trip so that the user has access to the content from the device during the trip.
US09648085B2
Signalling messages in an Internet Protocol, IP, communications network comprising a chain of at least two entities (21; 23; 29) applying object oriented processing (22; 28; 42) of signalling messages are exchanged between the at least two entities (21; 23; 29) of the IP communications network comprising object oriented based data items. Parsing and inverse parsing of text based signalling messages are effectively avoided, thereby reducing system resources and increasing processing speed of the system as a whole.
US09648073B2
Dynamic control of transport protocols utilized in the streaming of media content based in part on the type of content, latency requirements, network conditions and/or device capabilities is described. The techniques provide a source device to dynamically switch between User Datagram Protocol (UDP) and Transmission Control Protocol (TCP) to stream media content to a sink device. For example, during a Wi-Fi peer-to-peer remote display session associated with real-time media content (e.g., live streaming sporting event, or gaming applications), the source device may utilize Real-time Transport Protocol (RTP) over UDP to transmit the media stream to the sink device. Conversely, when the media content is not latency critical, such as playback of stored media (e.g., movie), the source device may dynamically switch to RTP over TCP in order to provide reliable data transmission.
US09648066B2
Systems and methods are provided for flight simulators that share video via peering networks. One embodiment includes a flight tracking controller and connection controller. The flight tracking controller receives static images that represent video feeds from a plurality of flight simulators, transmits the static images to a monitoring entity, and receives a response from the monitoring entity selecting a video feed represented by a static image from a flight simulator. The response identifies multiple candidate paths for streaming the selected video feed from the flight simulator to the monitoring entity across a packet switched network. The connection controller forwards the response to the flight simulator, receives a confirmation from the flight simulator that confirms one of the candidate paths, and forwards the confirmation to the monitoring entity in order to establish a peer-to-peer connection for streaming the selected video feed directly between the flight simulator and the monitoring entity.
US09648065B2
A method of transmitting a broadcast signal in a transmitter is provided. First data is encoded by adding parity data, and second data is encoded by adding parity data with different code rates, respectively. Signaling data is encoded. The encoded first data, the encoded second data, and the encoded signaling data are arranged in a frame among frames. The frames are modulated and transmitted. The frame among frames includes known data for channel estimation. The frames include a plurality of subframes that include a plurality of data units. The frame among frames includes the encoded first data unit and the encoded second data unit. The signaling data includes information for fast service acquisition which allows a receiver to locate upper layer signaling information. The signaling data further includes information on encoding type of data in a data unit, and information on a number of data units carried within a subframe.
US09648056B1
Disclosed are various embodiments for a geographic content discovery application. The geographic location of a client device is determined. Opportunities to obtain content are communicated to the client responsive to the client device being located in a defined geographic boundary. The content may be determined as a function of relevance, incentives associated with the geographic boundary, or nearby clients.
US09648044B2
A method for securing communication over a network is disclosed. A trust broker system receives a request to connect to applications and resources from a client system. The trust broker system determines whether the client system is authorized to connect to the requested applications and resources. In response to determining the client system has authorization to connect to the requested applications and resources, the trust broker system determines, from a plurality of potential proxy servers, a proxy server associated with the requested server system and transmits an identification value for the client system to the requested server system. The trust broker system then transmits the identification value to the client system and transmits contact information for the determined proxy server to the client system, wherein all communication between the client system and the requested server system passes through the proxy server.
US09648043B2
Embodiments of the invention provide techniques for processing messages transmitted between computer networks. Messages, such as requests from client devices for web services and other web content may be transmitted between multiple computer networks. Intermediary devices or applications such as proxy servers may receive, process, and transmit the messages between the communication endpoints. In some embodiments, a reverse proxy server may be configured to dynamically generate Representational State Transfer (REST) services and REST resources within the reverse proxy server. The REST services and REST resources within the reverse proxy server may handle incoming requests from client devices and invoke backend web services, thereby allowing design abstraction and/or enforcement of various security policies on the reverse proxy server.
US09648040B1
An authorization check web service request is disclosed. The web service request can include a parameter controlling whether or not to perform the action associated with the web service request. The parameter can be included in the web service request itself, or it can be separated therefrom, such as being included in a customer account. Using this parameter, the requestor can perform an authorization check without actually performing the action. Thus, customers can determine the authorization result of a request without actually processing the request itself. Customers and other services can use this parameter to determine their effective permissions.
US09648032B2
Disclosed are exemplary aspects of systems and methods for blocking execution of scripts. An exemplary method comprises: intercepting a request for a script from a client to a server; generating a bytecode of the intercepted script; computing a hash sum of the generated bytecode; determining a degree of similarity between the hash sum of the bytecode and a plurality of hash sums of malicious and clean scripts stored in a database; identifying a similar hash sum from the database whose degree of similarity with the hash sum of the bytecode is within a threshold of similarity; determining a coefficient of trust of the similar hash sum; determining whether the requested script is malicious based on the degree of similarity and the coefficient of trust of the similar hash sum; and blocking the execution of the malicious script on the client.
US09648030B2
A system for identifying an imposter account in a social network includes a monitoring engine to monitor user accounts of a social network, an identifying engine to identify attributes associated with each of the user accounts of the social network, a matching engine to match the attributes associated with each of the user accounts of the social network, a determining engine to determine when one of the user accounts is an imposter account associated with identity theft of a victim account, a calculating engine to calculate a threshold, and an executing engine to execute an action against the identity theft of the victim account by the imposter account.
US09648029B2
A system and method for active remediation and/or passive protection against cyber attacks includes an active remediation and passive protection server computer for monitoring at least a portion of network data between at least one first network and at least one second network to detect one or more attacks and/or unauthorized access to at least one first agent in the at least one first network by at least one second agent in the at least one second network. The active remediation and passive protection server computer executes at least one of (i) one or more active remediation mechanisms to actively respond to the one or more detected attacks and/or unauthorized access and (ii) one or more passive protection mechanisms to passively protect against the one or more detected attacks and/or unauthorized access.
US09648028B2
Methods, apparatus, and systems are disclosed for, among other things, secure passphrase handling for computing devices. In one respect, a method is provided. The method includes receiving a plurality of passphrase elements from an input device. The method also includes performing a sequence of secure delay processing operations, each operation generating a delayed output value from an initial value. The passphrase is verified upon completion of the sequence of secure delay processing operations. Further, initial values of respective secure delay processing operations are based on respective passphrase elements and, for each secure delay processing operation after a first secure delay processing operation, a delayed output value from at least one other secure delay processing operations.
US09648023B2
Updating, protecting, diagnosing and/or otherwise managing a server, module or other analogous device(s) included on a vehicle for the purposes of facilitating a vehicle related operation is contemplated. A local controller physical connected or otherwise associated with to the vehicle may be employed to implement the contemplated processes, optionally at the direction of a remote controller or other master controller having capabilities sufficient to provide corresponding instructions thereto.
US09648013B2
The invention provides systems, methods and devices for performing passcode authentication. In one embodiment of the invention, a method of performing passcode authentication conducted at a mobile device is provided which comprises the steps of: receiving an authentication request from a security gateway; receiving a passcode entered by a user of the mobile device; comparing the entered passcode to a passcode offset securely stored in a hardware security module (HSM) coupled to the mobile device; and, if the entered passcode corresponds with the passcode offset, generating a secure authentication confirmation message and transmitting the confirmation message to the security gateway; or, if the entered passcode does not correspond with the passcode offset, generating a secure authentication denial message and transmitting the authentication denial message to the security gateway.
US09648005B2
A method, system, and computer readable medium is disclosed which utilizes the LISP control plane to increase communications and access to enterprise resources in a network with multiple subnetworks, such as a university setting. As a result, the various embodiments of the present invention provide a routing and services dimension to enterprise discovery protocol traffic, such as Apple Bonjour traffic. A LISP instance ID, which is carried in the LISP header, is used to associate one or more end user devices with specific enterprise resources in a particular subnetwork or a service domain, wherein these resources may be accessed by the end user device even if the end user device migrates to another subnetwork. Another embodiment of the invention limits routing services advertisements from enterprise services to a subset of end user devices associated with particular user EIDs by using L2-LISP multicast techniques.
US09647992B2
A protected memory source device including removable non-volatile memory durably stores a signature such as a serial number or identifier, which is used to mark protected multimedia content legally stored on the protected memory device. The protected multimedia content is moved from the source device to another device, such as a target device used to aggregated protected content in a library. Moving the protected multimedia content involves replacing a source-specific header, comprising digital rights management metadata and/or other security metadata allowing only a device having the source device signature access to the content, with a target-specific header comprising digital rights management metadata and/or other security metadata allowing only a device having the target device signature access to the content. The transfer is done using one of a variety of transfer methods with either a trusted or un-trusted host system connecting the source device to the target device.
US09647986B2
According to one aspect, the subject matter described herein includes a system for Diameter routing and firewall filtering. The system includes a Diameter signaling router comprising a network interface for receiving, from a first Diameter node, a first Diameter message having Diameter information. The Diameter signaling router also includes a firewall module for determining whether the first Diameter message satisfies a firewall policy. The firewall policy is based on at least a portion of the Diameter information in the first Diameter message. The Diameter signaling router further includes a routing module for forwarding at least a portion of the first Diameter message towards a second Diameter node in response to the first Diameter message satisfying the firewall policy.
US09647985B2
A network component has a set of one or more rules, each of which has a match component and an action component. If an incoming packet maps to the match component of a rule, then the packet is handled according to the rule's action component. If the rule also includes a limit component, then if the packet maps to the rule's match component, a family history of the rule is updated, and the packet is handled according to the rule's action component only if the rule's family history satisfies the rule's limit component.
US09647976B2
A method and device for implementing end-to-end Hardware Message Passing (HMP) are disclosed. The device includes: a message memory, a controller, a message input interface and a message output interface. The message memory is configured to temporarily store a message. The controller is configured to perform management on a message in the form of hardware, store a message obtained from the message input interface into the message memory, and read a message from the message memory and transmit the message to a message user via the message output interface. The message input interface is directly connected with a message creator and is configured to obtain a message created by the message creator under the control of the controller. The message output interface is directly connected to the message and is configured to provide a message to the message user under the control of the controller. The disclosure can improve the efficiency of message passing and reduce software management overhead.
US09647971B2
Computer program products and methods for the secure delivery of a message in a communication system. The method includes identifying a best method for delivery of a message including considering preferences of a sender and a recipient and sending the message from the sender to the recipient using the identified method.
US09647957B2
A computing device provides a first server. The first server receives a primary request associated with a client. In response to receiving the primary request, the first server processes the primary request to generate a response message. As part of processing the primary request, the first server sends a secondary request to a second server after a delay period expires. The second server accesses a resource as part of processing of the secondary request. The duration of the delay period depends at least in part on a recent latency level of the client with regard to the resource. In this way, the first server throttles access to the resource.
US09647956B2
Methods and systems for dynamic allocation of network resources for optimized voice capacity and quality management are provided herein. In some embodiments, a method for dynamic allocation of network resources for optimized voice capacity and quality management may include providing; monitoring real-time call metrics and real-time network traffic capacity usage of a plurality of network devices having a network traffic capacity; and adjusting the network traffic capacity based on at least one of an analysis of historical network traffic, an analysis of the real-time call metrics, or an analysis of the real-time network traffic capacity usage, wherein adjusting network capacity comprises one of activating additional network devices to increase the network traffic capacity or deactivating one or more of the plurality of network devices to decrease the network traffic capacity.
US09647952B2
A method of improving the performance of an access network for coupling one or more user devices to an application server, the method comprising encoding, using one of one or more encoders, data using a network performance enhancing coding (NPEC); transmitting the encoded data; receiving the encoded data; decoding, using one of one or more decoders, the encoded data using the NPEC; and receiving the decoded data at either of the application server or the one or more user devices.
US09647940B2
A method and apparatus for performing a lookup in a switching device of a packet switched network where the lookup includes a plurality of distinct operations each of which returns a result that includes a pointer to a next operation in a sequence of operations for the lookup. The method includes determining a first lookup operation to be executed, executing the first lookup operation including returning a result and determining if the result includes a pointer to another lookup operation in the sequence of operations. If the result includes a pointer to another lookup operation, the lookup operation indicated by the result is executed. Else, the lookup is terminated.
US09647938B2
A method for providing value added services (VAS) in a software defined network (SDN). The method comprises determining which value added services and their order should be assigned to an incoming traffic; determining for each of the one or more value added services their respective servers providing the value added services and assigning a unique diversion value to each server; instructing at least one peer network element to set a diversion field in each packet in the incoming traffic with a diversion value corresponding to a server providing a first value added service of the one or more value added services; and instructing each edge network element to set the diversion field of each packet output by the server to designate a destination node for the packet, wherein the destination node is any one of the destination server and a server providing a subsequent value added service.
US09647923B2
According to one example embodiment, an EID-NOTIFY packet is defined for use with the Location/Identifier Separation Protocol (LISP). A first-hop network element may send EID-NOTIFY responsive to decoding a data packet from a previously undetected host on its subnetwork. A site network element may receive EID-NOTIFY, and send a MAP-REGISTER message to a mapping system. EID-NOTIFY may have substantially the same format as MAP-NOTIFY. This may enable the site network element to be removed more than one hop from the subnetwork.
US09647920B2
Embodiments herein provide geolocation notifications to increase collaboration between users. Specifically, a collaboration tool is configured to receive, from a social media application, an indication of a geolocation of a first user, as well as information about an availability of the first user. A second user is notified about the geolocation of the first user and the availability of the first user, which is used to generate a collaborative meeting event for the first user and the second user according to the geolocation of the first user, the availability of the first user, an availability of the second user, and a location of the second user. The second user is automatically notified about the collaborative meeting event, which may be automatically scheduled in a calendar application. As such, the collaboration tool unifies user geolocation and availability information in order to connect interested users with one another in a mutually beneficial way.
US09647919B1
Methods, systems, and computer-readable media for determining the maximum throughput of a service are disclosed. A first sequence of load tests is initiated for a service host. Individual ones of the load tests comprise determining a respective throughput at the service host for a respective number of concurrent connections to the service host. The number of concurrent connections increases nonlinearly in at least a portion of the first sequence of load tests. The first sequence of load tests is discontinued when the throughput is not increased by a threshold from one of the load tests to the next. An estimated maximum throughput for the service host is determined based at least in part on the first sequence of load tests. The estimated maximum throughput corresponds to a particular number of concurrent connections to the service host.
US09647916B2
Channel traffic in Internet Protocol (IP) networks may be placed in priority queues upon receipt. Providing an efficient way for operators to use the channel may enable the operator to better make decisions for configuring the priority queues, maximizing effectiveness. For example, measuring a queue latency and making a queue latency visible to an operator may enable a better configuration of priority queues. Further, an improved latency metric may assist an operator to judge a relative effect that priority assignments have on traffic over a channel. Such techniques may be applied to an out-of-band (OOB) channel to include an assessment of parameters important for optimizing the configuration of priority queues in a downstream channel. For example, an improved latency metric for assisting an operator to judge the relative effect that priority assignments have on traffic is a parameter assessed for better use of an OOB channel.
US09647913B2
A system for measuring aspects of a network having a plurality of network components, includes a monitor configured to gather operational characteristics of at least one of the plurality of network components and an analyzer. The analyzer is configured to analyze the gathered operational characteristics received from the monitor and estimate characteristics of an unmonitored one of the plurality of network components based on the gathered operational characteristics.
US09647907B1
A system, method, and computer readable medium that facilitate diagnosing a conference call are provided. A tap is deployed at the ingress side and the egress side of one or more processing systems that handle each leg of a conference. When a conference is disrupted by noise, loss, or the like, an operator may initiate a command to systemically record each leg of the conference for a predetermined period of time. Each leg may then be analyzed to determine if it is the source of the disruption.
US09647899B2
A framework supporting content delivery includes a plurality of devices, each device configured to run at least one content delivery (CD) service of a plurality of CD services. The plurality of CD services include services supporting content delivery.
US09647896B1
A distributed execution environment provides resources such as computing resources, hardware resources, and software resources. Resource action rules (“rules”) may be defined and associated with resources in the distributed execution environment. The rules may be evaluated based upon resource state data defining the state of one or more resources. The results of the evaluation of the rules may be utilized to take various actions. For example, the results of the evaluation of rules may be utilized to generate a user interface (UI) object for providing information regarding the evaluation of the rule, to initiate a workflow, and/or perform another type of action. The results might also be utilized to prohibit certain types of operations from being performed with regard to a resource. The results might be propagated to other resources. A UI might also be provided for use in defining the rules.
US09647889B1
A computing resource service provider may provide computing instances organized into logical groups, such as auto-scaling groups. Computing instances assigned to an auto-scaling group may be place into standby. Standby instances may still be managed by the auto-scaling group but may not contribute to the capacity of the auto-scaling group for auto-scaling purposes.
US09647885B1
Customization of a plurality of servers in a computer network. A server customizer module is generated that includes a server customizer initialization file containing a plurality of arguments for populating and running a plurality of standardized applications, scripts and utilities on each server. The server customizer module is installed on each of the plurality of servers for subsequent execution as part of the server build/customization process. A server unattended install launch module, cooperative with the server customizer module is generated that includes an unattended install launch initialization file for launching a plurality of standardized processes on each server. The server unattended install launch module is installed on each of the plurality of servers for subsequent execution as part of the server build/customization process. The server customizer module and server unattended install launch module are executed on each of the plurality of servers to complete customization of each server.
US09647884B2
Systems, methods, and/or devices for enabling configuration of NFC devices acting in a listening operation mode are disclosed. In some examples, an NFC-enabled device may select a listening mode profile from a list of listening mode profiles that define parameters for configuring the NFC-enabled device. In some aspects, the list of listening mode profiles may include a set of configuration parameters and corresponding parameter values for peer-to-peer (P2P) listen mode profile, a Type 3 Tag (T3T) listen mode profile, a Type 4A Tag (T4AT) listen mode profile, and a Type 4B Tag (T4BT) listen mode profile.
US09647882B1
Systems and methods for managing configuration of network devices are provided. In one embodiment, a network device management service can obtain relevant device-specific information, deployment information, and network topology data associated with a network device to be provisioned. The network device management service can enable generating, identifying or obtaining configuration metadata based on relevant network topology data as well as other applicable information. The network device management service can further generate configuration instructions to facilitate configuration of network devices based on configuration metadata.
US09647864B2
A method and apparatus provide reception of control signaling in a wireless communication network. A preamble transmission can be detected from a second device in a first set of at least one Orthogonal Frequency Division Multiplexing (OFDM) symbol starting with a first OFDM symbol in a subframe received on a secondary serving cell operating on an unlicensed carrier, the first OFDM symbol having a first Cyclic Prefix (CP). A second OFDM symbol in the subframe can be determined such that the second OFDM symbol immediately follows the first set of OFDM symbols. Downlink Control Information (DCI) containing a Physical Downlink Shared Channel (PDSCH) resource assignment can be decoded in a second set of OFDM symbols beginning with the second OFDM symbol, the second set of OFDM symbols having a second CP. The duration of the first CP is larger than the duration of the second CP.
US09647859B2
A system and method for link training of a backplane physical layer device operating in simplex mode. In one embodiment of the present invention, a backplane training system includes a backplane device coupled to a first end of a backplane and at least one retimer device at a second end of the backplane. During a training process, a receiving device is configured to forward a training frame (e.g., DME frame) to a second device for use by a transmitter in the second device.
US09647843B2
Disclosed are a system and method of performing secure computations on a protected database. Embodiments of the method provide, in a secure processor, a database of cryptographically hashed values based on a database of cleartext values, receive a cryptographically hashed query value as input into the secure processor wherein the query value is a hash of a cleartext value that corresponds to a cleartext query, perform a comparison operation within the secure processor to determine the presence of the hashed query value within the database of cryptographically hashed values and provide the results of the comparison operation to an external interface of the secure processor, wherein the contents of the database of cryptographically hashed values and the comparison operations are encapsulated within the secure processor and unexposed externally therefrom.
US09647837B2
Embodiments include method, systems, and computer program products for filtering trust services records. Embodiments include receiving a trust services record that includes a plurality of security components and that is usable to secure data that is stored in an untrusted location. It is determined whether the trust services record has been tampered with, including verifying each of the plurality of security components of the trust services record. The trust services record is filtered based on the determination of whether the trust services record has been tampered with. The filtering includes, when the trust services record is determined to have not been tampered with, allowing performance of at least one task with respect to the secured data; and, when the trust services record is determined to have been tampered with, disallowing performance of any task with respect to the secured data.
US09647834B2
Provided is an arbitrary automation system for secure communications. The system includes a utility device configured for processing critical data associated with the arbitrary automation system, the critical data being structured in accordance with utility device access levels. A key management module (i) provides a data protection key (DPK) for protecting the critical data in accordance with each of the utility device access levels and (ii) generates a user key encryption key (UKEK) for encrypting the DPK based upon the device access levels. The system additionally includes a software module configured for masking an execution state of software within the utility device and the key management module via principles of evasion and resistance.
US09647833B2
A system and method for identity (ID)-based key management are provided. The ID-based key management system includes an authentication server configured to authenticate a terminal through key exchange based on an ID and a password of a user of the terminal, set up a secure channel with the terminal, and provide a private key based on the ID of the user to the terminal through the secure channel, and a private-key generator configured to generate the private key corresponding to the ID of the terminal user according to a request of the authentication server.
US09647824B2
An apparatus includes analog or mixed-signal circuitry that operates in response to a first signal, and digital circuitry that operates in response to a second signal. The apparatus further includes a signal retiming circuit. The signal retiming circuit retimes an output signal of a digital signal source to reduce interference between the digital circuitry and the analog or mixed-signal circuitry by retiming edges of the output signal of the digital signal source to fall on cycle boundaries of the first signal.
US09647818B2
Embodiments of wireless communication devices and methods for device discovery is generally described herein. Some of these embodiments describe an apparatus having processing circuitry arranged to configure a single-tone discovery signal for transmission in a symbol in a transmission opportunity based on an assignment pattern. The assignment pattern may define frequency positions, for a set of transmission opportunities, at which the apparatus shall transmit discovery signals in the corresponding transmission opportunity. The apparatus may have physical layer circuitry arranged to transmit the single-tone discovery signal in the corresponding transmission opportunity. Other methods and apparatuses are also described.
US09647814B2
The present invention relates to a method in a network control node for transmission of control channel signals in a wireless communication system, the wireless communication system employing scheduling of physical resource blocks (PRBs) used for each new transmission of a control channel signal, wherein each control channel signal is related to one or more control channel elements (CCEs); the method comprising the steps of: removing user specific reference signals in associated physical resource blocks (PRBs) if the associated physical resource blocks (PRBs) comprises at least one control channel signal; inserting control channel signals in the associated physical resource blocks (PRBs); and transmitting the associated physical resource blocks (PRBs). Furthermore, the invention also relates to a computer program, a computer program product, and a network control node device thereof.
US09647811B2
A method and base station for transmitting user equipment specific reference signals to a user equipment. The method includes applying a set of Walsh codes to the UE-RSs; and transmitting the Walsh code applied UE-RSs on resource block (RB) pairs allocated to the UE. The applying includes: applying the set of Walsh codes to the UE-RSs in a forward direction of a time domain on a first subcarrier of a first RB pair, in a reverse direction of the time domain on a second subcarrier of the first RB pair and in the forward direction of the time domain on a third subcarrier of the first RB pair so as to be a first UE-RS pattern.
US09647809B2
A method for spreading a plurality of data symbols onto subcarriers of a carrier signal for a transmission in a transmission system provides a data vector, including the plurality of data symbols. The provided data vector is transformed, and based on the transformed data vector and a spreading matrix subsequent to the transform, a spread data vector is being created, having a length which corresponds to the number of the subcarriers.
US09647808B2
Definition of a combined bandwidth is disclosed. Bandwidths for components of a combined bandwidth can be defined by selecting configurations for the bandwidths from a group of available bandwidth configurations. The bandwidths are combined to define a contiguously combined bandwidth in a resource block unit. At least one set of coefficients corresponding to the available bandwidth configurations are used. The contiguously combined bandwidth shall not exceeds a predefined maximum bandwidth. A transmission bandwidth can be defined. A channel bandwidth can be defined based on the defined transmission bandwidth.
US09647803B2
The invention proposes a method for the transmission of data in a cooperative network comprising a source terminal (S), a destination terminal (D) and a relay terminal (R), comprising: in a first transmission (T1), the transmission of the data of a packet by the source terminal (S) to both the relay terminal (R) and the destination terminal (D); in the event of failure (N1) of the destination terminal (D) to successfully decode the data in the packet of the first transmission, and in the case of the data of the first transmission being successfully (O2) decoded by the relay terminal (R), the relay terminal transmits the data of the packet to the destination terminal in a second transmission (T2); in the event of failure (N3) of the destination terminal to successfully decode the data in the packet of the second transmission (T2), selection of the source terminal and/or relay terminal to retransmit the data of the packet to the destination terminal in a third transmission (T3), where the selection may be based on an assessment of the reliability of the transmission channel between the source terminal and the destination terminal and of the transmission channel between the relay terminal and the destination terminal.
US09647801B2
With the introduction of orthogonal frequency division multiplexing (OFDM) technology to communication channels in a cable network, cable modems that receive data downstream over subcarriers of the OFDM channel are grouped into modulation tiers based on at least one metric. Modulation tiers are generated at a subcarrier group level such that network elements can use different profile tiers depending in the subcarrier group in use. A scheduler facilitates the scheduling of modulation tiers for network element destination groups across subcarrier groups, where the modulation tier for a network element may vary between subcarrier groups. The scheduler also facilitates scheduling multiple network element destination groups for transmission of a plurality of subcarrier groups for optimal transmission to the network elements.
US09647798B2
A decoding method applied to a convolutionally coded signal is provided. The method includes: adjusting first input information according to a first scaling factor to generate first a-priori information; b) decoding the convolutionally coded signal according to systematic information and the first a-priori information to generate first extrinsic information; c) adjusting second input information according to a second scaling factor to generate second a-priori information, wherein the second scaling factor is generated according to the first extrinsic information and the first a-priori information; and d) decoding the convolutionally coded signal according to the systematic information and the second a-priori information to generate second extrinsic information. One of step (b) and step (d) further generates a-posteriori information as a decoding result.
US09647797B2
Systems and methods for detecting collisions in radio frequency tags in accordance with embodiments of the invention are disclosed. In one embodiment, a receiver system includes a receiver configured to receive and sample a phase modulated input signal, and a multiple symbol noncoherent soft output detector configured to receive the sampled input signal and to generate a soft metric indicative of the reliability of a detected symbol based upon observations over multiple symbols, a collision detector configured to calculate a decision metric from a set of soft metrics generated by the multiple symbol noncoherent soft output detector and detect a collision when the decision metric satisfies a predetermined criterion.
US09647785B2
In a communication system incorporating a communication apparatus that transfers/receives a TS packet using MPEG-2-TS to synchronize a video signal with an audio signal includes a communication circuit to pad the TS packet with a null frame to reach a prescribed frame size when storing the TS packet that includes a PCR value in a frame. In the communication apparatus, the communication circuit deletes the null frame in the TS packet when receiving the TS packet. The communication apparatus further includes an encoder that outputs a PCR report signal that indicates that the generated TS packet includes the PCR value to the communication circuit. In the communication apparatus, the size of the frame is set in multiples of the size of the TS packet. The communication apparatus further includes an input device to configure whether the TS packet is padded automatically or manually.
US09647784B2
Configuring a node (410, A-I, L-O) of a synchronization network, involves determining information about synchronization sources of a plurality of synchronization trails for passing synchronization information from the synchronization source (A, L, O, PRC) to the node to provide a synchronization reference. After determining automatically (210, 230, 330, 335, 340) synchronization transmission characteristics of trails (EF, FG, GH, HM, MN, OF, FI, IH) which use packet-based communication, the trails are compared automatically (240, 370), using their source information and their synchronization transmission characteristics, for selecting which of these trails to use for providing the synchronization reference for the node (N). Compared to selections made based on source alone, using the synchronization transmission characteristics of the packet based parts can enable a better choice of trail, and can enable comparison with synchronous type trails, and so enable hybrid synchronization networks to be configured and maintained.
US09647779B2
Systems, methods, and apparatus to identify media devices are disclosed. An example method includes determining an internet protocol address of a requesting device of a received network communication. A first lookup is performed to identify a media access control address of the requesting device based on the internet protocol address. Data identifying the network communication is stored in association with the media access control address.
US09647777B2
Systems, devices, and methods are provided for conducting a social interaction. A first user account may be associated with a first beverage container. A second beverage container may be detected as being proximate to the first beverage container. A second user account associated with the second beverage container may be accessed to identify a commonality between the first and second user accounts. The commonality may be objective and/or subjective information or data about the users of the first and second beverage containers. Information indicative of the commonality may be displayed on an electronic display of at least one of the beverage containers. The electronic display may be flexible such that it conforms to a curvature of the beverage container.
US09647767B2
A signal processing method including obtaining, using an optical receiver, a data signal that comprises one or more pairs of pilot tones and a plurality of subcarrier signals, identifying the one or more pairs of pilot tones, determining a local oscillator frequency offset estimation for the data signal using the one or more pairs of pilot tones, wherein the local oscillator frequency offset estimation indicates a frequency offset, and compensating the data signal in accordance with the local oscillator frequency offset estimation. A signal processing method including obtaining, using an optical receiver, a data signal that comprises one or more pairs of pilot tones and a plurality of subcarrier signals, identifying the one or more pairs of pilot tones, determining a chromatic dispersion estimation for the data signal using the one or more pairs of pilot tones, and compensating the data signal in accordance with the chromatic dispersion estimation.
US09647756B2
A Cable Television (CATV) node circuit has a forward pathway having a fiber optic input and a forward output. The first pathway passes a forward signal to the forward output in a first frequency range. A return pathway is coupled to the forward pathway. The return pathway has a fiber optic output. The return pathway passes a return signal to the fiber optic output in a second frequency range, wherein the first frequency range is higher than the second frequency range. A cancellation circuit is coupled to the forward pathway and the return pathway. The cancellation circuit separates and isolates the forward signal from the return signal.
US09647748B1
An antenna system for a vehicle. The antenna system includes at least one antenna, wherein each of the at least one antenna is configured to send signals to and receive signals from one or more non-geostationary satellites. Additionally, the antenna system includes at least one directional antenna, wherein each of the at least one directional antenna is configured to receive signals from one or more geostationary satellites. Furthermore, the at least one antenna and the at least one directional antenna are configured to be communicatively coupled to a computing device on-board the vehicle.
US09647745B2
In general, this disclosure describes techniques for beamforming using limited feedback that exploit the spatio-temporal channel correlation and avoid the limitations of codebook-based feedback and Markov chain modeling. In one example, a receiving device includes a plurality of receive antennas for receiving communication information, a memory for storing the communication information, and one or more processors for processing the communication information. The one or more processors are configured to receive, through a wireless communication channel, a pilot signal transmitted by a transmitting device, determine, based on the received pilot signal, channel state feedback comprising a quantized representation of the pilot signal as received at the receiving device, and send, through the wireless communication.
US09647742B2
A method and system configures a wireless communication device to support various radio frequency test modes. A controller determines whether an RF test cable is connected between test equipment and a test connector while a corresponding transceiver(s) is operating. In response to determining that the RF test cable is connected between test equipment and the test connector while the corresponding transceiver is operating, the controller provides an antenna tuner configuration(s) corresponding to the operating transceivers to support a test mode which, for example, can include any of a carrier aggregation (CA) test mode and a diversity transmission test mode. However, if the RF test cable is not connected between test equipment and the test connector while the corresponding transceiver(s) is operating, the controller determines an antenna tuner configuration corresponding to a normal/non-test device communication mode. The controller configures the antenna tuner(s) using the determined antenna tuner configuration(s).
US09647734B2
Efficient algorithms for estimating LSFCs with no aid of SSFCs by taking advantage of the channel hardening effect and large spatial samples available to a massive MIMO base station (BS) are proposed. The LSFC estimates are of low computational complexity and require relatively small training overhead. In the uplink direction, mobile stations (MSs) transmit orthogonal uplink pilots for the serving BS to estimate LSFCs. In the downlink direction, the BS transmits either pilot signal or data signal intended to the MSs that have already established time and frequency synchronization. The proposed uplink and downlink LSFC estimators are unbiased and asymptotically optimal as the number of BS antennas tends to infinity.
US09647730B2
According to one embodiment, a method of transmitting at least one broadcasting signal having PLP (Physical Layer Pipe) data and preamble data includes: encoding the PLP data; encoding the preamble data; mapping the encoded PLP data to PLP data symbols by QAM (Quadrature Amplitude Modulation) modulations; mapping the encoded preamble data to preamble data symbols by QAM modulations; building a signal frame including the PLP data symbols and the preamble data symbols, wherein the preamble data symbols include first signaling information and second signaling information, wherein the first signaling information is for the second signaling information and includes size information of the second signaling information, and wherein the second signaling information is for the PLP data symbols; modulating the signal frame by an Orthogonal Frequency Division Multiplexing (OFDM) method; and transmitting the modulated signal frame.
US09647727B2
An example of information processing system includes a storage device; and an information processing device for performing near field communication with the storage device. The storage device includes a storage unit storing application data usable in a predetermined application program and shared data usable in an application program regardless of whether the application program is the predetermined application program. The information processing system receives an instruction regarding data read and/or data write from/to the storage device from an application program to be executed by the information processing device. Under the condition that the instruction is from the predetermined application program, the application data is passed to the predetermined application program. Regardless of whether the instruction is from the predetermined application program, the shared data is passed to the application program that issued the instruction.
US09647717B2
The present application relates to the field of digital pre-distortion processing. Disclosed in an embodiment of the present application are a pre-distortion parameter obtaining method and pre-distortion system for simplifying calculating complexity of a model while achieving good signal processing effect. The method comprises: after the beginning of periodic filtering processing, obtaining a pre-distorted signal after pre-distortion processing and a first feedback signal after power amplification (S101); obtaining a second feedback signal by eliminating the rated linear gain of the first feedback signal (S102); determining a pre-distortion parameter according to a matrix formed by the second feedback signal and a matrix formed by the pre-distorted signal (S103); updating the pre-distortion parameter index table according to the determined pre-distortion parameter (104).
US09647713B2
A smart ultra box adapting to a protective case is disclosed. The protective case can be assembled with a power bank to form a mobile phone protective case. The power bank provides an identification unit. The ultra box includes a main body, a conversion unit, a flexible printed circuit board, a processing unit and a memory unit. The processing unit connects to the conversion unit. The memory unit, connected to the processing unit, stores at least one PIN information. When the protective case assemble with the power bank, the ultra box according to the PIN information determines whether the identification unit is a real identification code of the processing unit; if not, the power bank stops power supply by the processing unit controlled; on the contrary, if yes, the power bank starts power supply by the processing unit controlled.
US09647706B2
A system for tuning an impedance network for optimal signal strength is disclosed. The system includes a test tone generator, a radio frequency (RF) receiver, a received signal strength indicator (RSSI) coupled to the RF receiver and a controller coupled to the RSSI. The controller is configured to output a control signal based on a RSSI value measured by the RSSI.
US09647697B2
Systems, methods, and/or devices are used to improve decoding of data read from a storage device with one or more memory devices. In one aspect, the method includes obtaining, in response to a read request, a codeword with two or more codeword portions from distinct memory portions of the storage device. When a decoding iteration on the codeword fails to satisfy predetermined decoding criteria, the method includes, for the two or more codeword portions of the codeword: determining a bit-flip count between raw read data for a respective codeword portion and a decoding result for the respective codeword portion after the decoding iteration; determining a soft information offset for the respective codeword portion based on the bit-flip count for the respective codeword portion relative to bit-flips counts for other codeword portions; and adjusting soft information for the respective codeword portion based on the soft information offset.
US09647696B2
A forward error correction and differentially encoded signal obtained via a communication channel is supplied to a soft-input soft-output (SISO) differential decoder that is bi-directionally coupled to a SISO forward error correction decoder. Over a first portion of a plurality of decoding iterations of the differentially encoded signal, the SISO differential decoder and the SISO forward error correction decoder are operated in a turbo decoding mode in which decoded messages generated by the SISO differential decoder are supplied to the SISO forward error correction decoder and forward error correction messages are supplied to the differential decoder. Over a second portion of the plurality of decoding iterations of the differentially encoded signal, the SISO forward error correction decoder is operated in a non-turbo decoding mode without any messages passing to and from the SISO differential decoder. Decoder output is obtained from the SISO forward error correction decoder.
US09647689B2
A system and method for detecting and correcting bit errors in received packets is disclosed. The presence of bit errors in a received packet are detected using CRC bits carried in the received packet. One or more erroneous bits may be identified in a header of the packet. The erroneous bits are corrected by setting the erroneous bits to match the expected bit settings. The corrected packet is then error-checked using the CRC bits. Errors may be detected in two sequential packets where a second packet is a retransmission of a first packet. Differing bits are identified in the two sequential packets. A packet is modified to include additional combinations of the differing bits and then error-checked with each combination of the differing bits. If a modified packet passes error checking, then process the modified packet.
US09647676B2
The disclosure provides a successive approximation register analog to digital converter (SAR ADC). The SAR ADC includes a charge sharing DAC that includes an array of MSB (most significant bit) capacitors, an array of LSB (least significant bit) capacitors, and an error correction capacitor. A zero crossing detector is coupled to the charge sharing DAC. The zero crossing detector generates a digital output. A successive approximation register (SAR) state machine is coupled to the zero crossing detector and operates the charge sharing DAC in a sampling mode and a conversion mode. During the sampling mode an input voltage is provided to the array of MSB capacitors and the error correction capacitor.
US09647671B2
A phase frequency detector with two stages of operation; each stage containing two D flip-flops. Each D flip-flop is interconnected to eliminate detection dead zone while avoiding glitches and incorrect output conditions for fast phase locked loop convergence and wide-band applications.
US09647664B2
A semiconductor apparatus may include an output driver configured to output an internal signal to an external device. The output driver may include a pad coupled to the external device, a pull-up driver coupled to the pad at an end thereof, a first resistance element coupled to the pull-up driver at an end thereof, and configured to receive a first source voltage at the other end thereof, a pull-down driver coupled to the pad at an end thereof, and a second resistance element coupled to the pull-down driver at an end thereof, and configured to receive a first ground voltage at the other end thereof.
US09647661B2
Disclosed are a temperature compensation circuit for a display panel, a temperature compensation method and a liquid crystal display. The temperature compensation circuit comprises: a temperature detection unit configured to detect a variation in the temperature; a temperature conversion unit configured to convert the detected variation in the temperature into a voltage compensation value; and a compensation signal generation unit configured to process the voltage compensation value to generate a compensation signal. According to the embodiments of the present disclosure, the common electrode voltage of the display panel can be adjusted in real-time when the temperature varies, so that an amount of flickers presented on the display panel with an polarity inversion can be maintained at minimum, and thus a displaying of picture can be more stable and a visual experience of a viewer can be enhanced.
US09647657B1
A fully integrated circuit configuration that can be used to control the power path of a pair of PMOS load switches is described. The circuit also integrates a programmable slew rate for the second PMOS load switch in order to control the power path from the input system voltage (battery or power supply) or from a backup source of power. The integrated circuit configuration also contains a charge pump circuit which can be used to charge the backup source of power to a voltage that is greater than the input voltage.
US09647656B2
An integrated circuit includes a transistor, and an impedance matching circuit coupled with the transistor. The impedance matching circuit includes a signal line to transmit a high-frequency signal and a power supply line that is a short stub branched from the signal line and supplies current to the transistor. The power supply line includes a bent line and a shortcut line to shortcut the bent line.
US09647644B2
An integrated circuit includes a plurality of positive edge-triggered master-slave flip-flop circuits sharing a clock signal. At least one of the positive edge-triggered master-slave flip-flop circuits includes; an input stage that provides a first output signal generated from an input signal in response to the clock signal and an inverted clock signal, a first inverting circuit that generates the inverted clock signal by delaying the clock signal, a transmission gate that receives a second output signal and generates a final output signal, and a second inverting circuit that receives the first output signal and generates the second output signal from the first output signal. The clock signal is applied to an NMOS transistor of the transmission gate and a PMOS transistor of the input stage, and the inverted clock signal is applied to a PMOS transistor of the transmission gate and an NMOS transistor of the input stage.
US09647636B1
Embodiments of the invention include delay line circuitry that is integrated with an organic substrate. Organic dielectric material and a plurality of conductive layers form the organic substrate. The delay line circuitry includes a piezoelectric transducer to receive a guided electromagnetic wave signal and to generate an acoustic wave signal to be transmitted with an acoustic transmission medium. An acoustic reflector is communicatively coupled to the acoustic transmission medium. The acoustic reflector receives a plurality of acoustic wave signals from the acoustic transmission medium and reflects acoustic wave signals to the piezoelectric transducer using the acoustic transmission medium. The transducer converts the reflected acoustic signals into electromagnetic waves which are then transmitted back through the antenna and decoded by the reader.
US09647634B2
In an elastic wave filter device, a package substrate is provided with an elastic wave filter chip defining a ladder circuit including a plurality of series arm resonators and a plurality of parallel arm resonators, and a first inductance connected in parallel with at least one of the series arm resonators and a second inductance connected between at least one of the parallel arm resonators and a ground potential. The first inductance and the second inductance provided in the package substrate, and the first inductance is magnetically coupled to the second inductance to shift a frequency position of an attenuation pole.
US09647631B2
A tunable impedance matching network comprising shunt (e.g. parallel) tunable capacitors and other fixed reactive elements is presented. The tunable impedance matching network can be used as one component of an SPTM (scalable periphery tunable matching) amplifier.
US09647630B2
The present invention provides an antenna impedance matching apparatus, semiconductor chip, and method. The apparatus includes: a semiconductor chip, including multiple adjustable capacitors and multiple switches; and at least one impedance component, located outside the semiconductor chip, where the semiconductor chip is coupled to the at least one impedance component through multiple terminals and coupled to an input terminal and an output terminal of the antenna impedance matching apparatus, the input terminal and the output terminal of the antenna impedance matching apparatus are respectively coupled to a radio frequency circuit and an antenna, the multiple switches are configured to, under control of a control signal, switch a connection between the multiple adjustable capacitors and the at least one impedance component, and values of the multiple adjustable capacitors are adjusted by an adjustment signal, so as to tune impedance matching of the antenna.
US09647626B2
An LC composite component includes one or more inductors, one or more capacitors, a magnetic layer, and a substrate. The substrate has a first surface, and a second surface opposite to the first surface. The magnetic layer is disposed to face the first surface of the substrate. The one or more inductors are disposed between the first surface of the substrate and the magnetic layer. The substrate has a thickness greater than that of the magnetic layer in a direction perpendicular to the first surface of the substrate. The substrate has a complex permeability having a real part and an imaginary part that are respectively smaller than the real part and the imaginary part of the complex permeability of the magnetic layer.
US09647625B2
A method for manufacturing a wafer on which are formed resonators, each resonator including, above a semiconductor substrate, a stack of layers including, in the following order from the substrate surface: a Bragg mirror; a compensation layer made of a material having a temperature coefficient of the acoustic velocity of a sign opposite to that of all the other stack layers; and a piezoelectric resonator, the method including the successive steps of: a) depositing the compensation layer; and b) decreasing thickness inequalities of the compensation layer due to the deposition method, so that this layer has a same thickness to within better than 2%, and preferably to within better than 1%, at the level of each resonator.
US09647616B2
A power amplifier module includes a first bipolar transistor configured to amplify a radio frequency signal and output an amplified signal and a second bipolar transistor. A base of the second bipolar transistor is supplied with a control voltage for controlling attenuation of the radio frequency signal, and a collector the second bipolar transistor is supplied with a source voltage. The power amplifier module also includes a first resistor, where one end of the first resistor is connected to a supply path of the radio frequency signal to the first bipolar transistor, and a capacitor, where one end of the capacitor is connected to the other end of the first resistor and the other end of the capacitor is connected to the collector of the second bipolar transistor.
US09647611B1
A reconfigurable Doherty power amplifier includes a packaged power splitter device, main and peaking amplifiers, and a combiner circuit. The power splitter device includes a power divider, input terminals coupled to first and second ports of the power divider, and output terminals coupled to third and fourth ports of the power divider. One of the input terminals is coupled to an RF signal input terminal, and the other input terminal is terminated. The power divider receives an input RF signal, and produces main and peaking RF signals at the third and fourth ports of the power divider, respectively. The main and peaking amplifiers amplify the main and peaking RF signals, respectively. The combiner circuit includes a summing node and a phase delay element between outputs of the main and peaking amplifiers. An RF signal output terminal is coupled to the summing node.
US09647603B2
To provide controller and control method for an electric motor including plural energization systems composed of an inverter and coils corresponding to plural phases. According to the present invention, if any abnormality is detected in one energization system being energized through first diagnosis processing, second diagnosis processing is executed on the energization system having the abnormality detected, which is switched to an unenergized state. Then, if the second diagnosis processing reveals occurrence of a short-circuit, a control gain of a normal energization system is lowered. In addition, a threshold used in the first diagnosis processing on the normal energization system is changed so as to make it difficult to detect an abnormality, hereby keeping the energization control on the normal energization system. Hence, if a short-circuit occurs in at least one of the energization systems, it is possible to avoid stopping the output from the normal energization system.
US09647599B2
An electronic apparatus includes a rotating electric machine that has a plurality of multi-phase winding sets, each of which has a plurality of phase windings; a plurality of inverter circuits that are connected to the plurality of multi-phase winding sets respectively; and a control circuit that controls the plurality of inverter circuits such that a multi-phase alternating current is supplied to each of the plurality of multi-phase winding sets from each of the plurality of inverter circuits. The control circuit determines that a short circuit occurs when i) a plurality of phase current added values obtained by adding each phase current flowing through each of the plurality of phase windings calculated at each of the plurality of multi-phase winding sets; and ii) an absolute value of a total phase current added value obtained by adding all of the plurality of phase current added values is smaller than a predetermined value.
US09647598B2
A method for electrically connecting a converter to an electrical machine supplied with current by the converter by closing a separate electrical connection between the converter and the machine. The connection includes multiple phases. In order to close the electrical connection without causing undue wear to the material, at least two phases of the connection are closed at different times.
US09647589B2
An alternator is described that is configured to provide a current for powering one or more loads. The alternator includes an output port configured to output the current for powering the one or more loads, and one or more current sensors configured to measure a current level of at least a portion of the current being output via the output port to the one or more loads. The alternator further includes one or more communication ports configured to transmit information based on the current level measured by the one or more current sensors.
US09647573B2
A low-power power supply for an electronic circuit uses an existing current input and converts the current to a higher voltage sufficient for supplying an electronic circuit. The input current generates a defined input voltage, which input voltage is initially generated by voltage drop by the input current passing at least one diode in the open direction of the diode. The input voltage, through a transistor, charges a plurality of switched capacitor networks in a first mode of operation, and in a second mode of operation, the switched capacitor networks are coupled in series for multiplying the input voltage to second higher voltage that is supplied to a oscillating circuit. The oscillating circuit drives the input current via a transformer and half bridge driver to convert a low voltage current supply from a low voltage current into a low current and higher voltage useable for supplying a small electronic circuit.
US09647567B2
A power converter controller and methods for its operation are provided that can control a self-oscillating power converter that uses a Bipolar Junction Transistor (BJT) as a switch by manipulating the current flowing in a control winding. The controller is able to determine the optimum time to remove a short circuit applied to the control winding, as well as being able to determine the optimum time to pass current through the control winding. The controller can further draw power from the power converter using the control winding. The controller is capable of maintaining the midpoint voltage of the power converter in the case that the converter has more than one switch. The controller estimates the output power of the converter without requiring a connection to the secondary side of the converter transformer. The controller further controls entry and exit into a low-power mode in which converter oscillations are suppressed.
US09647566B2
A switching power supply apparatus includes: a dead time circuit that receives an output control signal and generates dead time signal to specify a time width when both first and second switching elements are turned OFF; an output signal generation circuit that generates first and second output signals which specify the ON time of the first and second switching elements respectively in accordance with the output control signal and the dead time signal; and a dead time adjustment circuit that adjusts the turn ON timings of the first and second switching elements by changing the time width of the dead time signal in accordance with the change of voltage of the DC input power or the change of the output voltage of the capacitor.
US09647565B2
A driving module of a resonant converter receives an enabling signal and a voltage across a switch of a secondary side, and generates a control signal for first and second switches of the secondary side. The driving module cyclically controls switches of a primary full-bridge switching stage and both switches of the secondary side. After a fixed time, the driving module turns off the low-side switch and turns on the high-side switch, waits for a rising edge of the enabling signal, waits for zero current in the secondary side switches, turns off the first switch via the control signal after a variable delay relative to the rising edge of the enabling signal, keeps the second switch on, waits for zero voltage across the first switch, switches back on the first switch via the control signal when the voltage measured across the first switch drops below a variable threshold.
US09647561B2
A control circuit of a power supply is provided. The control circuit includes a circuit and a PWM circuit. The circuit generates a limit signal in response to an output voltage of the power supply for limiting a switching current of a transformer of the power supply. The PWM circuit generates a switching signal in response to a feedback signal and the limit signal for switching the transformer and regulating the output voltage of the power supply. A level of the feedback signal is related to a level of the output voltage of the power supply. The output voltage of the power supply is programmable.
US09647560B2
A switching power converter provides regulated voltage to a load. The switching power converter comprises a transformer including a primary winding coupled to an input voltage and a secondary winding coupled to an output of the switching power converter. The switching power converter further comprises a power switch coupled to the primary winding and a rectifier coupled to the secondary winding. Current is generated in the primary winding responsive to the power switch being turned on and not generated responsive to the power switch being turned off. A detection circuit measures a voltage across the rectifier. If the detection circuit detects a decrease in the voltage across the rectifier outside of a blanking period, the detection circuit generates a current pulse in the secondary winding of the transformer.
US09647559B2
A power supply circuit includes a control switch, a synchronous switch, an inductor, and a voltage ramping circuit. A common node in the power supply serially connects the control switch to the synchronous switch. The common node is further coupled to the inductor that supplies current to a load based on switching the control switch and the synchronous switch to respective ON/OFF and OFF/ON states. The voltage ramping circuit generates and controls ramping of a gate voltage of the control switch based at least in part on a magnitude of a feedback voltage received on a circuit path from the common node. The multi-stage ramping of a switch control voltage reduces one or more of the following: i) QRR losses, ii) switching losses, and/or iii) a dead time of the power supply.
US09647538B2
Provided herein are a voltage regulator, a memory system having the same and an operation method thereof. The memory system includes a memory device configured to store data, a controller configured to control the memory device, and a voltage regulator configured to supply a pump-out voltage to the memory device or the controller so that the memory device or the controller is operated in the following manner: until a level of the pump-out voltage is increased to a second reference voltage lower than a first reference voltage, the pump-out voltage is output using a clock having a first frequency; when the pump-out voltage exceeds the second reference voltage and does not exceed the first reference voltage, the pump-out voltage is output using a clock having a second frequency lower than the first frequency; and when the pump-out voltage exceeds the first reference voltage, the pump-out voltage is output using the clock having the first frequency.
US09647535B2
A power-supply apparatus is provided which includes a transformer, a primary semiconductor unit, a secondary semiconductor unit, and a secondary electronic device. Each of the primary semiconductor unit and the secondary semiconductor units has a plurality of semiconductor devices installed therein. The transformer, the primary semiconductor unit, the secondary semiconductor unit, and the secondary electronic device are electrically joined through connecting conductors. The transformer is laid on the primary semiconductor unit to make a first stack. Similarly, the secondary electronic device is laid on the secondary semiconductor unit. This permits the power-supply apparatus to be reduced in overall size thereof and minimizes adverse effects of electromagnetic noise to ensure the high efficiency in power supply operation.
US09647531B2
A soft-start switching power converter includes a voltage converting circuit and a soft-start circuit. The voltage converting circuit includes a transformer, and a first switch which includes a first terminal connected to the transformer, a second terminal providing a trigger signal, and a control terminal receiving a control signal, and which is controlled to switch between conduction and nonconduction, such that the transformer generates a feedback voltage. The soft-start circuit receives the trigger signal, generates the control signal according to the trigger signal, and determines whether or not to clamp the control signal at a preset voltage level based on the trigger signal.
US09647530B2
A switching power supply is designed so that a switching frequency deviates from a predetermined range before an output voltage deviates from a predetermined voltage range due to degradation of a choke coil and an output capacitor. The switching power supply designed in that manner is provided with a switching frequency monitoring unit which monitors a switching waveform. By checking if the operating frequency is within a predetermined tolerance, it is determined whether the switching power supply is normally operating or not.
US09647526B1
Methods and systems for a startup self-test for bidirectional power converters. Voltage levels across bidirectional switches in a bidirectional power converter can be compared at various points in a circuit to determine whether a given switch is operating correctly.
US09647518B2
In a method for manufacturing a laminated iron core from a thin sheet, the method includes coining the thin sheet from below to form a thinned bridge portion on an outer peripheral portion of an iron core piece, blanking the iron core piece from the thin sheet from above or below after forming the bridge portion, and laminating the iron core piece on another iron core piece to manufacture the laminated iron core.
US09647499B2
An electric machine, especially a transversal flux machine, the stator being composed of a stack of phase segments, each phase segment having at least one stator segment and one stator winding, especially a single winding, each stator segment having an annular stator bridge, on which pole shoes are premolded, which in particular extend radially inward, and/or which extend in the direction of the rotor and/or which are situated between the rotor and the annular stator bridge, the pole shoes having the same shape, in particular, the axial width of the pole shoe decreasing with increasing radial clearance, the associated profile being disposed between a first and a second profile, the first profile being a linear function of the radial clearance, the pole back associated with the first profile being a planar area, in particular, the second profile being a circular function, in particular a circular segment function, the pole back associated with the second profile being a cylindrical section area, in particular.
US09647488B2
A method of supplying power from a solar cell module to a load includes measuring the output of the solar cell module, and controlling a power converter having a preset duty ratio to start operating in accordance with the measured output. Additionally, a power supply apparatus and a power supply system include a solar cell module having at least one solar cell to absorb sunlight, a power converter which converts power output from the solar cell module and supplies the converted power to a load, and a driving controller which measures the output of the solar cell module and controls the power converter having a preset duty ratio to start operating according to the measured output. Thus, electrical stress on the power converter is significantly decreased even though incident solar energy and/or the load is largely varied, so that the power converter may be stably driven to output the power.
US09647487B2
In one illustrative embodiment, a wind-driven charging system includes a wind-driven rotation device coupled to a rotatable shaft, and a plurality of electric generators disposed at different longitudinal locations along the rotatable shaft and each of the plurality of electric generators are rotationally driven simultaneously by the rotatable shaft. By having the electric generators disposed at different longitudinal locations, more electric generators may be simultaneously driven by a common shaft. In some instances, a controller may be configured to enable more of the electric generators to provide electrical current to recharge a battery when the speed of rotation of the rotatable shaft increases, and may disable more of the plurality of electric generators to not provide electrical current when the speed of rotation of the rotatable shaft decreases.
US09647486B2
An automotive vehicle may include a battery charger that receives electrical energy, via an electrical connection including a ground wire, from an electrical source remote from the vehicle, and outputs the electrical energy to at least one electrical load. The vehicle may also include at least one controller that commands a change in the electrical energy output by the battery charger. The battery charger, in response to the command, may control a rate of change in the electrical energy output such that a coupling current to the ground wire resulting from the change in the electrical energy output by the battery charger has a magnitude less than a predetermined threshold.
US09647480B2
Disclosed is a wireless power receiver for transferring power received from a wireless power transmitter to a load. The wireless power receiver includes a reception coil to receive AC power from the wireless power transmitter; a rectifying unit to rectify the received AC power into DC power; and a charging management unit to control DC power applied to the load by comparing the DC power with a threshold value.
US09647479B2
A charging control device includes a control unit and a monitoring unit. The control unit performs at least one of controlling charging to a rechargeable battery and monitoring a state of a rechargeable battery, while outputting a state signal which indicates an operation state of the control unit. The monitoring unit determines whether or not the operation state of the control unit is a predesignated specified operation state based on the state signal outputted from the control unit.
US09647471B2
A battery management system (BMS) monitors and reports on an operational state of a battery. In some embodiments the BMS can be part of a battery assembly. In at least one embodiment the BMS can monitor battery voltage, charge and discharge current, temperature and (via a measurement utilizing magnetism) chemical change in a battery. In some embodiments, a permanent magnet is placed within the battery and a magnetoresistance sensor on the battery management system circuit board is employed to measure the affected magnetic field from the chemical change within the battery as it moves from a discharged state to a charged state and back to a discharged state. This measurement provides for an accurate statement of the battery's present day state of charge and state of health.
US09647468B2
A charge control device including: a charge control unit configured to select a power storage device to be charged from a plurality of power storage devices in accordance with degrees of subsequent deterioration of the power storage devices, the degrees being calculated based on battery information of the power storage devices each having a secondary battery; and a transmission unit configured to transmit a charge command to a power storage device selected by the charge control unit.
US09647463B2
The invention relates to a cell balancing module, particularly for voltage balancing of a stack of batteries. The cell balancing module comprises an interface (SPI, VrefH, VrefL) to input a coded reference voltage (Vref) and input nodes (In1, . . . , InN) for connecting a stack of energy storage cells (BAT1, . . . , BATn). A switching unit (SW) is connected to each of the input nodes (In1, . . . , InN) and a local balancing unit (loc) coupled to the switching unit (SW) and the interface (SPI, VrefH, VrefL). The local balancing unit (loc) is designed to compare the coded reference voltage (Vref) with cell voltages (VBAT1, . . . , VBATn) of the stack of energy storage cells (BAT1, . . . , BATn) to be connected and to charge balance the stack of energy storage cells (BAT1, . . . , BATn) to be connected depending on the comparison of coded reference voltage (Vref) and cell voltages (VBAT1, . . . , VBATn). The invention also relates to a voltage balancing device and method for cell balancing, particularly for voltage balancing of a stack of batteries.
US09647456B2
A power management circuit and a method for operating a power management circuit are described. In one embodiment, a power management circuit includes power switching modules. Power is supplied to each of the power switching modules by at least one of multiple power sources. Each of the power switching modules includes a latch circuit configured to have a definite state at power-up of a corresponding power source and a logic circuit configured to control power supplied from the corresponding power source in response to the definite state of the latch circuit, where the logic circuit includes a cross-coupled circuit. Other embodiments are also described.
US09647455B2
A system and method for providing power to a vehicle is disclosed. The system can include a plurality of parallel module converter for prioritizing and allocating each electrical load to one or more parallel module converter modules. The centralization of power distribution can enable the reduction of components. The system can enable fewer power controllers, filters, and other components to be used, saving weight and time. The system can enable the controllers, inverters, and filters, among other things, to be utilized at a higher level reducing unnecessary redundancy. The system can enable the use of a single input EMI filter, for example, reducing the number of filters in the system significantly. Methods for designing EMI filters for each electrical load are also disclosed.
US09647451B2
A discharge circuit includes a discharge switch trigger unit, a discharge switch unit and a discharge resistor unit. The discharge switch unit is coupled connected to the discharge switch trigger unit. The discharge resistor unit is coupled connected to the discharge switch unit. The discharge switch trigger unit and the discharge resistor unit are coupled connected to a voltage output side. When the output voltage of a power supply reaches a predetermined rated limitation, an over voltage protection circuit is activated, and the discharge switch unit is turned on by the discharge switch trigger unit, then the output voltage starts to decrease through the discharge resistor unit.
US09647438B2
A sealing grommet assembly for use with a panel and a wire bundle includes first and second grommets, a cable guide, and an annular retainer. The first grommet defines a first conduit and a first set of sealing lips. The second grommet defines a second conduit and a second set of sealing lips. The cable guide is positioned within the first and second conduits, and receives and supports the wire bundle. The annular retainer is encapsulated by the first and second grommets, and has a first set of axially-projecting latch fingers that secures the first and second grommets to each other. The retainer also has a second set of axially-projecting latch fingers that secures the first and second grommets to the panel. The sealing lips form a seal against opposite sides of the panel when the sealing grommet assembly is secured to the panel via the annular retainer.
US09647433B2
In various representative aspects, an assembly for securing array skirts and solar panel modules in an array on a roof by providing a leveling system that utilizes a barrel bolt and barrel nut to vertically adjust the assembly. Improved electrical bonding by utilizing bonding pins installed in mounting plates of a support clamp are also provided. Additionally, an improved array skirt design that is installed on the outer row of the array, as well as improved designs in the support clamp and splice mechanisms are also provided. Finally, an improved wire management system is included as well as a method of installation of the array assembly.
US09647429B2
A method of protecting an exposed switch mounted on a structural frame in an electrical power transmission system, the switch having one or more insulators extended from the structural frame, first and second conductor connectors supported on the one or more insulators, and a blade connected to pivot to close and open an electrical path between the first and second conductor connectors, the method including mounting a barrier wall adjacent the switch and on the structural frame.
US09647426B1
Embodiments of the invention describe polarization insensitive optical devices utilizing polarization sensitive components. Light comprising at least one polarization state is received, and embodiments of the invention select a first optical path for light comprising a first polarization state or a second optical path for light comprising a second polarization state orthogonal to the first polarization state. The optical paths include components to at least amplify and/or modulate light comprising the first polarization state; the second optical path includes a polarization rotator to rotate light comprising the second polarization state to the first polarization state. Embodiments of the invention further describe optical devices including a polarization mode converter to convert light comprising a first and a second polarization state to light comprising different spatial modes of the first polarization state; light comprising the different spatial modes of the first polarization state is subsequently amplified and modulated.
US09647425B1
A refractive index of the active layer is obtained by a photoluminescence inspection and an equivalent refractive index of the optical semiconductor element is computed. A refractive index of the optical waveguide layer is obtained by a photoluminescence inspection and an equivalent refractive index of the optical waveguide is computed. A film thickness of the refractive index adjustment layer is adjusted by etching the refractive index adjustment layer so that the equivalent refractive index of the optical semiconductor element and the equivalent refractive index of the optical waveguide are matched to each other. After adjusting the film thickness of the refractive index adjustment layer, a contact layer is formed on the second cladding layer and the refractive index adjustment layer. The optical waveguide is a passive waveguide to which no electrical field is applied and no current is injected.
US09647419B2
An integrated photonic module includes a semiconductor substrate configured to serve as an optical bench. Alternating layers of insulating and conducting materials are deposited on the substrate and patterned so as to define electrical connections. An optoelectronic chip is mounted on the substrate in contact with the electrical connections. A drive chip is mounted on the substrate so as to provide an electrical drive current to the optoelectronic chip via the electrical connections.
US09647417B2
A laser beam combining and power scaling device and method. A first highly reflective mirror residing perpendicular to the first optical axis reflecting radiation emitted from the first laser head. A first Q-switch in alignment with the first optical axis interposed between the first highly reflective mirror and the first laser head. A second highly reflective mirror residing perpendicular to the second optical axis reflecting radiation emitted from the second laser head. The second Q-switch in alignment with the second optical axis is interposed between the second highly reflective mirror and the first laser head. A third optical axis is coincident with the first optical axis. A third highly reflective mirror residing perpendicular to the third optical axis in alignment therewith. The third optical axis may include a third diode pumped laser head and Q-switch. A beam splitter resides at the intersection of the axes.
US09647408B2
A control circuit for generating an optical output at a target frequency using a single-frequency laser is provided. The control circuit includes a micro-ring resonator configured to generate a frequency comb of a plurality of comb frequencies based on a source frequency, a carrier-envelope offset interferometer configured to determine a carrier-envelope offset frequency of the frequency comb, a tunable filter configured to select a subset of comb frequencies of the frequency comb based on the target frequency, and a spectrometer configured to resolve ambiguities in overlap between the subset of comb frequencies and the frequency comb, and refine the subset of comb frequencies to a single comb frequency for output.
US09647387B1
A connector includes a first contact module, a second contact module, a shielding shell and a latching member. The contact modules each include a number of contacts and an insulator retaining the contacts. The contact has a fastening portion assembled in the insulator, a contacting portion extending from the fastening portion, and a terminal portion extending from the fastening portion opposite to the contacting portion. The shielding shell covers around the first and the second contact modules. The latching member assists to secure the connection between the electrical connector with a complementary connector. The first contacts and the second contacts each have a pair of grounding terminals and the latching member connects with the pair of grounding terminals.
US09647385B2
A magnetic connection device including a first connector including a first housing and a plurality of first electrodes mounted on the first housing in a state of being partially exposed and having magnetic substances; and a second connector including a second housing, a plurality of second electrodes mounted on the second housing and having magnetic substances, and elastic members for elastically supporting the plurality of second electrodes, wherein an end portion of each of the plurality of second electrodes is located in the second housing due to an elasticity of the elastic members in a state where a magnetic attraction is not applied from the plurality of first electrodes, and protrudes out of the second housing to be electrically connected to each of the plurality of first electrodes when there is the magnetic attraction applied from the plurality of first electrodes.
US09647373B2
A power connector for a vehicle includes a receptacle with a central opening that can receive a cylindrical connector. Within the central opening are a center contact and a number of electrical contacts arranged in a generally circular configuration around the center contact. The receptacle further includes an extension area on either side of the central opening that hold one or more additional electrical contacts. A pair of covers are configured to open to expose the additional contacts and the center contact with the surrounding circular configuration of contacts. With both covers open, all the contacts in the receptacle are exposed. In one embodiment, the receptacle includes a generally hexagonal faceplate surrounding the receptacle.
US09647371B2
A multipole electrical plug-in connector part includes a connector housing, a protective cap, and a clamping body. The protective cap is lockable to the connector housing and has an inlet opening. The protective cap further has a fixing section. The fixing section and the connector housing are connected together. The clamping body has elastically resilient clamping surfaces and is connected to the fixing section. Electrical connecting lines extending through the inlet opening toward the fixing section are mechanically fixed in a force-fit manner between the clamping surfaces of the clamping body and inner wall sections of the connector housing.
US09647361B2
A connector comprises a housing and a terminal. The housing has a terminal accommodation portion and a bottom portion. The terminal accommodation portion opens upward in an up-down direction. The bottom portion is positioned under the terminal accommodation portion. The terminal has a base portion, a spring portion and a contact portion. The base portion is embedded in and held by the bottom portion. The spring portion extends upward from the base portion and is accommodated in the terminal accommodation portion. The contact portion is supported by the spring portion. The base portion is enclosed by the bottom portion in a predetermined plane perpendicular to the up-down direction and is in contact with the bottom portion with no gap in the predetermined plane. When the connector is seen from below, the base portion is partially visible, but the terminal accommodation portion is invisible.
US09647358B2
An electrical plug connector includes an insulated housing, a plurality of terminals, a metallic shell, and a positioning plate. The insulated housing includes a base portion, an upper portion, and a lower portion. The upper portion and the lower portion are extending from one side of the base portion. A mating room is between the upper portion and the lower portion. The terminals are held in the insulated housing. The metallic shell includes a tubular portion and a receiving cavity defined in the tubular portion. The insulated housing is received in the receiving cavity. The positioning plate is at the rear of the metallic shell to enclose the base portion. The positioning plate includes a first leg and a second leg respectively located at two sides of the base portion, so that the positioning plate can be assembled with a circuit board stably.
US09647355B1
The invention aims at providing an automobile start supply voltage detection alligator clip with a pull-off function, including: a positive alligator clip structure; a negative alligator clip structure; a male contact head; and a positive pull-off end and negative pull-off end arranged on the male contact head; the positive/negative alligator clip structure includes a positive/negative upper cover, positive/negative upper cover contact piece, positive/negative pull-off contact piece, positive/negative pull-off spring, positive/negative lower cover contact piece, positive/negative lower cover, and positive/negative upper and lower covers pressure spring; an internal positive/negative silica gel wire is sleeved in an external positive/negative silica gel wire by an internal silica gel wire sleeving process; and the positive/negative pull-off contact piece is connected to a positive/negative pull-off detection end by the internal positive/negative silica gel wire. The male contact head, positive pull-off detection end and negative pull-off detection end are wrapped together by encapsulation.
US09647348B2
A method is provided for preparing a wire for installation of a terminal. The method comprises removing an insulating layer from a conductor to expose a portion of a conductor. The method further includes attaching a conductive foil layer to a portion of the exposed portion of the conductor by applying pressure to the conductive foil layer.
US09647344B2
The invention relates to an antenna comprising a resonant cavity deliminated by a partially reflecting surface comprising an array of resonant cells, each resonant cell forming a micro-antenna, a totally reflecting surface facing said partially reflecting surface, a radiating source disposed in said resonant cavity and configured so as to radiate a wave between the partially reflecting surface and the totally reflecting surface, said wave illuminating resonant cells of the partially reflecting surface, the partially reflecting surface being curved and resonant cells being individually configured to introduced upon the passage of the incident wave radiated by the source a phase shift dependent on the curvature of the partially reflecting surface at the level of the corresponding resonant cell.
US09647343B2
Systems and methods for assembling different multi-element items with different specifications using a reconfigurable apparatus are provided. One embodiment includes a base plate, a back plate coupled to the base plate in a predetermined angle relationship. The exemplary back plate comprises a plurality of alignment pins adapted to engage with alignment locations of multiple element assembly items. The exemplary base plate and alignment mounting structures couple to end cap parts disposed on opposing ends of the multiple element assembly items holding the items together. A clamping mechanism maintains/releases pressure on the multiple element assembly items against the back plate. The back plate holds alignment pins in a first back plate location in a first orientation for one type of multiple element assembly items and hold the alignment pins in a second location when the back plate is in a second orientation for a different type of multiple element assembly items.
US09647341B2
One embodiment discloses an antenna structure. The antenna structure may comprise a transmit antenna element comprising a first transmit antenna sub-element and a second transmit antenna sub-element. The antenna structure can comprise a receive antenna element comprising a first receive antenna sub-element and a second receive antenna sub-element. At least one electronic component of the antenna structure may be coupled with a ground plane. The first transmit antenna sub-element, the second transmit antenna sub-element, the first receive antenna sub-element, and the second receive antenna sub-element may each comprise a first portion and a second portion. The second portion may be larger than the first portion. The first portion can be closer to a center position of an arrangement of the sub-elements than the second portion. In one embodiment, the arrangement of the sub-elements about the center position forms a four-leaf clover-like arrangement.
US09647340B2
A three-axis antenna containing: a bobbin for housing a core, made of a resin having an top flange and a bottom flange both of which include four flange pieces at both ends of the winding column in the thickness direction of the core; a first coil and a second coil wound in the spaces between the flange pieces to cross each other at the upper and lower surfaces of the core; and a third coil wound at the side surface of the core and between the top flange and the bottom flange.
US09647336B2
A radiating phase-shifting cell is designed to favour the excitation of an equivalent resonance of the “slot” type in a first part of the phase cycle, and to favour an equivalent resonance of the “microstrip” type in a second part of the phase cycle. This property notably allows the bandwidth of the phase-shifting cells to be optimized. A phase range of 360° can in effect be segmented into two sub-ranges of around 180°. This segmentation into two sub-ranges is made possible by the complementarity of the resonant modes of the slot or microstrip type. The radiating phase-shifting cell is notably applicable to reflector arrays for an antenna designed to be installed on a space craft such as a telecommunications satellite or on a terrestrial terminal for satellite telecommunications or broadcasting systems.
US09647334B2
A steerable antenna configuration having all actuators and the feed source mounted on a stationary side of the antenna thereby eliminating the need of having to supply power and/or communication signal through, a rotation mechanism. A first actuator rotates a reflector assembly about a first axis, and a second actuator rotates at least a main reflector of the reflector assembly about a second axis perpendicular to the first axis. The second axis is rotatable about the first axis via the first actuator.
US09647329B2
An encapsulated integrated circuit has transceiver circuitry operable to produce and/or receive a radio frequency (RF) signal, wherein bond pads on the IC die are coupled to the transceiver input/output (IO) circuitry. An antenna structure is coupled to the IO circuitry via the bond pads. Mold material encapsulates the IC die and the antenna structure, wherein the antenna structure is positioned so as to be approximately in alignment with a core of a dielectric waveguide positioned adjacent the encapsulated IC.
US09647328B2
A patch radiator has a radiator surface designed as an annular and/or frame-shaped radiator surface, extending around a recess area. The radiator surface is extended so as to transition into the lateral surfaces or lateral walls. On the lateral surfaces or lateral walls, a lateral surface radiator structure electrically connected to the radiator surface is formed. In the peripheral direction of the lateral surfaces or lateral walls, there are lateral radiator surface sections, between which electrically non-conductive recess areas are provided.
US09647324B2
An aircraft traffic system is provided that includes a primary antenna operable to generate interrogation signals and receive interrogation replies from other aircraft. The system additionally includes a secondary antenna configured as a tuned absorber having a matched impedance to at least partially absorb reflections of the interrogation signals or interrogation replies utilized by the primary antenna.
US09647316B2
A transmission line and an electronic component including a resonator using the transmission line are provided. The transmission line is capable of transmitting electromagnetic waves of at least one frequency ranging from 1 GHz to 10 GHz and is composed of a first dielectric with a first relative permittivity and a surrounding dielectric portion composed of a second dielectric with a second relative permittivity, wherein, the first dielectric is represented by a formula of {XBaO.(1−X)SrO}TiO2 (0.25
US09647311B2
A millimeter wave transmission device, the millimeter wave transmission device having (a) a first signal processing board for processing a millimeter wave signal; (b) a second signal processing board signal-coupled to the first signal processing board to receive the millimeter wave signal and perform signal processing with respect to the millimeter wave signal; and (c) a viscoelastic member provided between the first signal processing board and the second signal processing board and having a predetermined relative dielectric constant and a predetermined dielectric dissipation factor. The member constitutes a dielectric transmission path via which the millimeter wave signal is transmitted between the first signal processing board and the signal processing board.
US09647310B2
A microwave structure having an input section for receiving both a common mode signal and a CPW differential mode signal; an output section; and a CPW transmission line, having a center conductor disposed between a pair of coplanar ground plane conductors, connected between the input section and the output section. The conductors of the CPW transmission line are configured to provide the common mode signal a different attenuation in passing to the output section than the CPW transmission line provides to the differential mode signal passing between the input section and the output section.
US09647309B2
Systems and methods for using power dividers for improved ferrite circulator RF power handling are provided. In one embodiment, a method for switching RF power using a high power circulator switch comprises: operating a ferrite circulator switch to direct RF power to either a first output port or a second output port, the ferrite circulator switch comprising at least three ferrite circulators arranged as a triad switch, wherein a first circulator is coupled to the first output port, a second circulator is coupled to the second output port; and using a waveguide power divider coupled between the first circulator and the second circulator, distributing reflected RF power received at the first output port or the second output port between a plurality of waveguide loads.
US09647305B2
An electrode includes a plant-derived porous carbon material having an ability to catalyze oxygen reduction.
US09647299B2
A betavoltaic power source. The power source comprises a source of beta particles, one or more regions for collecting the beta particles and for generating electron hole pairs responsive thereto, and a secondary power source charged by a current developed by the electron hole pairs.
US09647296B2
An anhydrous electrolyte for a magnesium battery. The anhydrous electrolyte includes a magnesium salt having the formula Mg(BH4)2. The electrolyte also includes a solvent, the magnesium salt dissociating in the solvent. Various solvents including aprotic solvents and molten salts such as ionic liquids may be utilized. The magnesium salt dissociates in the solvent to Mg electroactive species BH4− and Mg2+.
US09647294B2
The present invention provides an excellent nonaqueous electrolytic solution capable of improving low-temperature and high-temperature cycle properties and load characteristics after high-temperature charging storage, an electrochemical element using it, and an alkynyl compound used for it.The nonaqueous electrolytic solution of the present invention comprises containing at least one alkynyl compound represented by the following general formula (I) in an amount of from 0.01 to 10% by mass in the nonaqueous electrolytic solution. R1(O)n—X1—R2 (I) (In the formula, X1 represents a group —C(═O)—, a group —C(═O)—C(═O)—, a group —S(═O)2—, a group —P(═O) (—R3)—, or a group —X3—S(═O)2O—. R1 represents an alkenyl group, a formyl group, an alkyl group, an acyl group, an arylcarbonyl, an alkanesulfonyl group, an alkynyloxysulfonyl group, an arylsulfonyl group, a dialkylphosphoryl group, an alkyl(alkoxy)phosphoryl group, or a dialkoxyphosphoryl group; R2 represents an alkynyl group or an alkynyloxy group; R3 represents an alkyl group, an alkenyl group, an alkynyl group, an aryl group, an alkoxy group, an alkenyloxy group, an alkynyloxy group, or an aryloxy group; n indicates 0 or 1.
US09647291B2
A heater includes a heater housing with a support plate secured to one end. A fuel cell stack assembly is disposed within the heater housing and includes a plurality of fuel cells which convert chemical energy from a fuel into heat and electricity through a chemical reaction with an oxidizing agent. The fuel cell stack assembly includes a fuel cell manifold for receiving the fuel and distributing the fuel to the plurality of fuel cells and for receiving the oxidizing agent and distributing the oxidizing agent to the plurality of fuel cells. A fuel supply conduit supplies the fuel to the fuel cell manifold and an oxidizing agent supply conduit supplies the oxidizing agent to the fuel cell manifold. The fuel cell stack assembly is supported on the support plate by one of the fuel supply conduit and the oxidizing agent supply conduit.
US09647285B2
As integrated fossil fuel power plant and a method of operating the power plant is provided. The integrated fossil fuel power plant includes a gas turbine arrangement and a carbonate fuel cell having an anode side and a cathode side. The operating method for the integrated fossil fuel power plant includes partially expanding combustion gases in the gas turbine arrangement so that the temperature of the partially expanded combustion gases is optimized for reaction in the cathode side of the carbonate fuel cell, and feeding the partially expanded combustion gases at the optimized temperature to the cathode side of the carbonate fuel cell for reaction in the cathode side of the carbonate fuel cell.
US09647276B2
A biasing mechanism for pressurizing an electrolytic solution of a reserve battery cell, the biasing mechanism containing a compressed spring and a trigger operatively associated with the compressed spring. The trigger is configured to release the compressed spring to pressurize the electrolytic solution.
US09647262B2
The present invention relates to a core-shell type anode active material for a lithium secondary battery, a method of preparing the same, and a lithium secondary battery comprising the same. The anode active material for a lithium secondary battery according to the present invention comprises a carbon based material core portion; and a shell portion formed outside of the carbon based material core portion by coating the carbon based material core portion with a spinel-type lithium titanium oxide. The anode active material for a lithium secondary battery according to the present invention has the metal oxide shell portion, and thus has the improved conductivity, a high output density, and consequently excellent electrical characteristics.
US09647251B2
A device for cooling batteries includes a cooling plate for receiving at least one battery thereon and at least one heat transfer element in heat transfer relationship with the cooling plate. A mechanical stress produced by a contact force causes the at least one heat transfer element to thermally abut the cooling plate.
US09647245B2
A flexible organic electroluminescent device is disclosed which includes: a flexible substrate; a buffer layer entirely formed on the flexible substrate; a thin film transistor formed on the buffer layer and configured to include an active layer; a planarization film formed to cover the thin film transistor; an organic light emitting diode formed on the planarization film and configured to include a first electrode, an organic emission layer and a second electrode; and at least one silicon nitride layer formed above the active layer of the thin film transistor but under the planarization film and patterned into a plurality of island patterns.
US09647238B2
A first light-emitting element and a second light-emitting element that have a resonance structure that causes output light from a light-emission functional layer to resonate between a reflective layer and a semi-transmissive reflective layer, and a pixel definition layer, and in which an aperture part is formed to correspond to each of the first light-emitting element and the second light-emitting element, are formed on a base. A first interval between the reflective layer and the semi-transmissive reflective layer in the first light-emitting element and a second interval between the reflective layer and the semi-transmissive reflective layer in the second light-emitting element are different, and a film thickness of the pixel definition layer is less than a difference between the first interval and the second interval.
US09647228B2
Provided are a light-emitting element capable of reducing power consumption by increasing its light extraction efficiency and a light-emitting device using the light-emitting element. A light-emitting element includes a composite material, which contains an organic compound having a high hole-transport property and an electron acceptor and in which the spin density measured by an electron spin resonance (ESR) method is less than or equal to 1×1019 spins/cm3, the spin density is less than or equal to 3×1019 spins/cm3 when the molar ratio of the electron acceptor to the organic compound is greater than or equal to 1, or the spin density is less than or equal to 5×1019 spins/cm3 when the molar ratio is greater than or equal to 2.
US09647225B2
Disclosed is a stacked organic light emitting device and a display apparatus including the stacked organic light emitting device. The stacked organic light emitting device includes an anode connected to an external power source, a cathode connected to the external power source, at least two light emitting sections aligned between the anode and the cathode, including a light emitting layer, and an internal electrode aligned between the light emitting sections. The internal electrode is a single-layered internal electrode which is made from one selected from the group consisting of a metal, alloys of the metal, and metal oxides thereof, having a work function below 4.5 eV, each light emitting section includes an organic material layer containing an organic material having an electron affinity above 4 eV, and the organic material layer is formed between the light emitting layer of the light emitting section and the electrode facing the anode connected to the external power source in two electrodes which make contact with the light emitting section.
US09647223B2
A photoresponse device comprising a nanocomposite photoactive material is provided. The photoactive layer comprises a nanocomposite material of metal oxide nanoparticles dispersed within a photosensitizing organic semiconductor formed on a substrate. Methods of characterizing the nanocomposites are provided and demonstrate commercially relevant electrical and photodetection properties, particularly the ability to operate as a photodiode, photoconductor or photocapacitor. An economical process for preparing the nanocomposite and the photoresponse device is also provided as well as applications.
US09647218B2
A compound having the structure of Formula 1, as well as, a first device and a formulation including the same are disclosed. In the structure of Formula 1: R5 is and (a) at least one of R1-R4 is or (b) R1 is In addition, R1, R2, R3, R4, A1, A2, A3, A4, A5, A6, A7, A8, A9, A10, B1, B2, B3, B4, B5, B6, B7, B8, B9, B10, Y1, Y2, Y3, Y4, Y5, Y6, Y7, Y8, Z1, Z2, Z3, Z4, Z5, Z6, Z7, and Z8, are each independently selected from a variety of substituents, where adjacent A, B, Y, and Z groups are, optionally, joined to form a fused ring structure. Finally, X includes an acceptor group selected from —CmF2m+1, —SimF2m+1, —NCO, —NCS, —OCN, —SCN, —OCmF2m+1, and —SCmF2m+1.
US09647216B2
A novel organic compound and an organic light emitting diode device using the same. The organic compound is represented by Chemical Formula 1: The organic compounds can provide improved electrical stability, high charge transport capability, a high glass transition temperature and may be capable of preventing crystallization. Also disclosed is an organic light emitting diode device including the compound of Chemical Formula 1 in the organic layer.
US09647212B2
A mask plate, a method for packaging an OLED device and an OLED device are disclosed, the mask plate includes at least one opening for forming a pattern of a package layer; the side of the mask plate close to the OLED device to be packaged has an etching layer which is used to etch the material of a package layer.
US09647208B2
Low voltage embedded memory having conductive oxide and electrode stacks is described. For example, a material layer stack for a memory element includes a first conductive electrode. A conductive oxide layer is disposed on the first conductive electrode. The conductive oxide layer has a plurality of oxygen vacancies therein. A second electrode is disposed on the conductive oxide layer.
US09647205B2
An integrated circuit shielding technique utilizing stacked die technology incorporating top and bottom nickel-iron alloy shields having a low coefficient of thermal expansion of especial utility in conjunction with magnetoresistive random access memory (MRAM) and other devices requiring magnetic shielding.
US09647202B2
The present invention is directed to an MRAM element comprising a plurality of magnetic tunnel junction (MTJ) memory elements. Each of the memory elements comprises a magnetic reference layer structure, which includes a first and a second magnetic reference layers with a tantalum perpendicular enhancement layer interposed therebetween, an insulating tunnel junction layer formed adjacent to the first magnetic reference layer opposite the tantalum perpendicular enhancement layer, and a magnetic free layer formed adjacent to the insulating tunnel junction layer. The first and second magnetic reference layers have a first fixed magnetization direction substantially perpendicular to the layer planes thereof.
US09647201B2
The inventive concepts provide magnetic memory devices. The device includes a first magnetic pattern provided in one united body on a substrate and having a plurality of through-holes, a plurality of second magnetic patterns spaced apart from each other on the first magnetic pattern, a tunnel barrier between the first magnetic pattern and the second magnetic patterns, top electrodes disposed on the second magnetic patterns, respectively, and a plurality of plugs electrically connecting the top electrodes to the substrate through the through-holes, respectively.
US09647200B1
Encapsulation of magnetic tunnel junction structures in organic photopatternable dielectric material
Methods and devices are provided to construct magnetic devices, such as magnetic random access memory devices, having MTJ (magnetic tunnel junction) structures encapsulated in organic photopatternable dielectric material. For example, a method includes forming an MTJ structure on a semiconductor substrate, encapsulating the MTJ structure in a layer of organic photopatternable dielectric material, patterning the layer of organic photopatternable dielectric material to form a contact opening in the layer of organic photopatternable dielectric material to the MTJ structure, and filling the contact opening with metallic material.
US09647194B1
An electrical module having electrically interconnecting substrates, each having a corresponding set of preformed electrical contacts, the substrates comprising an electronic circuit, and the resulting module, is provided. A liquid curable adhesive is provided over the set of contacts of a first substrate, and the set of electrical contacts of the second substrate is aligned with the set of electrical contacts of the first substrate. The sets of electrical contacts of the first and second substrate are compressed to displace the liquid curable adhesive from the inter-contact region, and provide electrical communication between the respective sets of electrical contacts. The liquid curable adhesive is then cured to form a solid matrix which maintains a relative compression between the respective sets of electrical contacts. One embodiment of the module comprises a high-speed superconducting circuit which operates at cryogenic temperatures.
US09647188B2
In accordance with certain embodiments, semiconductor dies are at least partially coated with a conductive adhesive prior to singulation and subsequently bonded to a substrate having electrical traces thereon.
US09647175B2
The present disclosure provides a light emitting element, wherein each of first and second semiconductor layers has first and second pits disposed therein, wherein the first pit has a first depth and the second pit has a second depth smaller than the first depth, and the first and second pits are coupled to each other, wherein a density of the second pits in an upper portion of the second semiconductor layer is lower than a density of the second pits in an upper portion of the first semiconductor layer, wherein a density of the first pits in the upper portion of the second semiconductor layer is equal to a density of the first pits in the upper portion of the first semiconductor layer.
US09647174B2
An optoelectronic semiconductor chip includes a semiconductor layer sequence having an active layer that generates radiation and at least one n-doped layer adjoining the active layer, the semiconductor layer sequence is based on AlInGaN or on InGaN, one or a plurality of central layers composed of AlGaN each having thicknesses of 25 nm to 200 nm are grown at a side of the n-doped layer facing away from a carrier substrate, a coalescence layer of doped or undoped GaN having a thickness of 300 nm to 1.2 μm is formed at a side of the central layer or one of the central layers facing away from the carrier substrate, a roughening extends from the coalescence layer as far as or into the n-doped layer, a radiation exit area of the semiconductor layer stack is formed partly by the coalescence layer, and the central layer is exposed in places.
US09647166B2
According to example embodiments, an electronic device includes a substrate, an insulating layer on the substrate, and a diode layer on the insulating layer. The diode layer includes a two dimensional (2D) material layer. The 2D material layer includes an N-type region and a P-type region. According to example embodiments, a method of manufacturing an electronic device includes forming an insulating film on a substrate, forming a 2D material layer on the insulating film, and dividing the 2D material layer into an N-type region and a P-type region.
US09647165B2
Various particular embodiments include a method for forming a photodetector, including: forming a structure including a barrier layer disposed between a layer of doped silicon (Si) and a layer of germanium (Ge), the barrier layer including a crystallization window; and annealing the structure to convert, via the crystallization window, the Ge to a first composition of silicon germanium (SiGe) and the doped Si to a second composition of SiGe.
US09647161B2
According to one embodiment, the present invention relates to a method for manufacturing a photovoltaic device comprising a photovoltaic cell or a plurality of photovoltaic cells (PV cells) connected to an electronic integrated circuit having at least one electrical contact area. A stack comprising the PV cell(s) is produced separately from the electronic integrated circuit, the electronic integrated circuit is then transferred to said stack comprising the PV cell(s). During this transfer, connection areas carried by the PV cell(s) are brought into contact with matching connection areas carried by the electronic integrated circuit.
US09647160B2
Provided are novel methods of fabricating photovoltaic modules using pressure sensitive adhesives (PSA) to secure wire networks of interconnect assemblies to one or both surfaces of photovoltaic cells. A PSA having suitable characteristics is provided near the interface between the wire network and the cell's surface. It may be provided together as part of the interconnect assembly or as a separate component. The interconnect assembly may also include a liner, which may remain as a part of the module or may be removed later. The PSA may be distributed in a void-free manner by applying some heat and/or pressure. The PSA may then be cured by, for example, exposing it to UV radiation to increase its mechanical stability at high temperatures, in particular at a, for example the maximum, operating temperature of the photovoltaic module. For example, the modulus of the PSA may be substantially increased during this curing operation.
US09647159B2
A photovoltaic panel (10) comprising a back plate (12), a front sheet (20) and a photovoltaic cell (30) disposed between the back plate (12) and the front sheet (20), wherein the photovoltaic panel (10) comprises a protective element (22, 24) which extends along an edge of the front sheet (20) without extending beyond an uppermost surface of the front sheet (20).
US09647154B2
Ordered superstructures of octapod-shaped nanocrystals, their process of fabrication and use thereof
This invention relates to the controlled realization of ordered superstructures of octapod-shaped colloidal nanocrystals, formed either in the liquid phase or on a solid substrate. These structures can be applied in many fields of technology.
US09647143B2
A non-volatile memory unit and method of manufacturing the same are disclosed. The non-volatile memory unit includes a substrate with a source region and a drain region. A first dielectric layer forms on the substrate. An erase gate, a floating gate and couple control gate are forms on the first dielectric layer. The coupled dielectric layer are formed among and above the erase gate, the floating gate and the selective gate, and formed on the couple gate of the coupled dielectric layer.
US09647131B2
The semiconductor device includes a first conductive layer over a substrate; an oxide semiconductor layer which covers the first conductive layer; a second conductive layer in a region which is not overlapped with the first conductive layer over the oxide semiconductor layer; an insulating layer which covers the oxide semiconductor layer and the second conductive layer; and a third conductive layer in a region including at least a region which is not overlapped with the first conductive layer or the second conductive layer over the insulating layer.
US09647130B2
According to one embodiment, a display device includes a thin-film transistor. The thin-film transistor includes a gate electrode, an insulating layer disposed to superpose the gate electrode, and a semiconductor layer disposed on the insulating layer. The gate electrode is opposed to at least the semiconductor layer in part. The gate electrode includes a laminate including a first layer containing silicon as a main component and a second layer which contains titanium as a main component and which is in contact with the first layer, and is in contact with the insulating layer.
US09647127B2
Provided are a semiconductor device and a method for manufacturing the same. The semiconductor device comprises an insulating layer and a metal oxide semiconductor layer which are adjacent to each other, and the insulating layer is formed by steps of: forming a first silicon oxide film; and stabilizing the first silicon oxide film by filling a silicon dangling bond therein with a filling atom capable of being bonded to the silicon dangling bond.
US09647120B1
A method for forming features of a vertical FET device, starting with a semiconductor substrate that includes fins and a horizontal surface. The fins also have a base, a top, and sidewalls. An etch process is performed to create bottom lateral recesses at the base of the fins. The method continues with growing a bottom source/drain region in the bottom recesses which forms PN junctions, and etching the fins to form top lateral recesses at the top of the fins. The method continues with growing a top source/drain region in the top recesses of the fins, therefore forming PN junctions.
US09647118B2
The present disclosure provides a method of fabricating a semiconductor device that includes providing a semiconductor substrate, forming a trench in the substrate, where a bottom surface of the trench has a first crystal plane orientation and a side surface of the trench has a second crystal plane orientation, and epitaxially (epi) growing a semiconductor material in the trench. The epi process utilizes an etch component. A first growth rate on the first crystal plane orientation is different from a second growth rate on the second crystal plane orientation.
US09647111B2
Embodiments of the invention provide a semiconductor fabrication method and a structure for strained transistors. A method comprises forming a stressor layer over a MOS transistor. The stressor layer is selectively etched over the gate electrode, thereby affecting strain conditions within the MOSFET channel region. An NMOS transistor may have a tensile stressor layer, and a PMOS transistor may have compressive stressor layer.
US09647109B2
According to one embodiment, the fifth semiconductor region contacts the first semiconductor region. The metal region is provided on the fifth semiconductor region. The first insulating film extends in a thickness direction of the semiconductor layer. The first insulating film is adjacent to the fourth semiconductor region, the third semiconductor region, the second semiconductor region, and the first semiconductor region. The second insulating film extends in the thickness direction of the semiconductor layer. The second insulating film is provided between the fourth semiconductor region and the first conductive unit, between the third semiconductor region and the first conductive unit, and between the second semiconductor region and the first conductive unit.
US09647105B2
A semiconductor device includes: a substrate; nitride semiconductor layers disposed over the substrate; a source electrode and a drain electrode disposed over the nitride semiconductor layers; a first insulating layer disposed over the nitride semiconductor layers, the source electrode and the drain electrode; a second insulating layer disposed over the first insulating layer; a first opening disposed in the second insulating layer and the first insulating layer and between the source electrode and the drain electrode, a portion of the nitride semiconductor layer being exposed in the first opening; a second opening disposed in the second insulating layer and between the source electrode and the drain electrode, a portion of the first insulating layer being exposed in the second opening; and a gate electrode disposed over the second insulating layer to bury the first opening and at least a portion of the second opening.
US09647103B2
The current invention introduces a modulated field element incorporated into the semiconductor device outside the controlling electrode and active areas. This element changes its conductivity and/or dielectric properties depending on the electrical potentials of the interface or interfaces between the modulated field element and the semiconductor device and/or incident electromagnetic radiation. The element is either connected to only one terminal of the semiconductor device, or not connected to any terminal of a semiconductor device nor to its active area(s). Such an element can be used as modulated field plate, or a part of a field plate, as a passivation layer or its part, as a guard ring or its part, as a smart field or charge control element or its part, as a feedback element or its part, as a sensor element or its part, as an additional electrode or its part, as an electromagnetic signal path or its part, and/or for any other functions optimizing or modernizing device performance.
US09647101B2
Provided are silicene material layers and electronic devices having a silicene material layer. The silicene material layer contains silicon atoms in a 2-dimensional honeycomb structure formed as one of a monolayer and a double layer. The silicene material layer includes a doping region doped with at least one material from the group of Group 1, Group 2, Group 16 and Group 17 and at least one of a p-type dopant or an n-type dopant.
US09647090B2
The present disclosure provides a method forming a semiconductor device in accordance with some embodiments. The method includes receiving a substrate having a fin protruding through the substrate, wherein the fin is formed of a first semiconductor material, exposing the substrate in an environment including hydrogen radicals, thereby passivating the protruded fin using the hydrogen radicals, and epitaxially growing a cap layer of a second semiconductor material to cover the protruded fin.
US09647089B2
Thin film transistor substrate includes: a substrate; a crystalline silicon layer on the substrate; and a capping layer covering the crystalline silicon layer and including a first portion having a first thickness and a second portion having a second thickness that is greater than the first thickness.
US09647085B2
A transistor device includes a semiconductor substrate having a first surface and a second surface opposite the first surface, a gate structure disposed on the first surface and configured to form a channel region, and source and drain regions disposed on opposite sides of the channel region. The device also includes a source terminal and a drain terminal disposed on the second surface. The source and drain terminals are connected to the respective source and drain regions. The transistor device further include a body terminal disposed on the second surface and configured to connect the highest or lowest voltage supply to the semiconductor substrate.
US09647084B2
A semiconductor device includes: a first electrode; a second electrode; an interlayer insulating film made of a porous insulating material and formed above the first electrode and the second electrode; and connection parts electrically connected to the first electrode and the second electrode respectively, wherein a cavity is formed between the interlayer insulating film and a surface of the first electrode, a surface of the second electrode, and parts of surfaces of the connection parts.
US09647073B2
Transistor structures and methods of fabricating transistor structures are provided. The methods include: fabricating a transistor structure at least partially within a substrate, the fabricating including: providing a cavity within the substrate; and forming a first portion and a second portion of the transistor structure at least partially within the cavity, the first portion being disposed at least partially between the substrate and the second portion, where the first portion inhibits diffusion of material from the second portion into the substrate. In one embodiment, the transistor structure is a field-effect transistor structure, and the first portion and the second portion include one of a source region or a drain region of the field-effect transistor structure. In another embodiment, the transistor structure is a bipolar junction transistor structure.
US09647070B2
Most semiconductor devices manufactured today, have uniform dopant concentration, either in the lateral or vertical device active (and isolation) regions. By grading the dopant concentration, the performance in various semiconductor devices can be significantly improved. Performance improvements can be obtained in application specific areas like increase in frequency of operation for digital logic, various power MOSFET and IGBT ICS, improvement in refresh time for DRAM's, decrease in programming time for nonvolatile memory, better visual quality including pixel resolution and color sensitivity for imaging ICs, better sensitivity for varactors in tunable filters, higher drive capabilities for JFET's, and a host of other applications.
US09647069B2
In an embodiment of the invention, a semiconductor device includes a first region having a first doping type, a channel region having the first doping type disposed in the first region, and a retrograde well having a second doping type. The second doping type is opposite to the first doping type. The retrograde well has a shallower layer with a first peak doping and a deeper layer with a second peak doping higher than the first peak doping. The device further includes a drain region having the second doping type over the retrograde well. An extended drain region is disposed in the retrograde well, and couples the channel region with the drain region. An isolation region is disposed between a gate overlap region of the extended drain region and the drain region. A length of the drain region is greater than a depth of the isolation region.
US09647065B2
A bipolar transistor includes a substrate and a first well in the substrate, the first well having a first dopant type. The bipolar transistor further includes a split collector region in the first well. The split collector region includes a highly doped central region having a second dopant type opposite the first dopant type; and a lightly doped peripheral region having the second dopant type, the lightly doped peripheral region surrounding the highly doped central region. A dopant concentration of the lightly doped peripheral region is less than a dopant concentration of the highly doped central region.
US09647063B2
A method of fabricating templated semiconductor nanowires on a surface of a semiconductor substrate for use in semiconductor device applications is provided. The method includes controlling the spatial placement of the semiconductor nanowires by using an oxygen reactive seed material. The present invention also provides semiconductor structures including semiconductor nanowires. In yet another embodiment, patterning of a compound semiconductor substrate or other like substrate which is capable of forming a compound semiconductor alloy with an oxygen reactive element during a subsequent annealing step is provided. This embodiment provides a patterned substrate that can be used in various applications including, for example, in semiconductor device manufacturing, optoelectronic device manufacturing and solar cell device manufacturing.
US09647060B2
A method for fabricating isolation device is disclosed. The method includes the steps of: providing a substrate; forming a shallow trench isolation (STI) in the substrate, the STI includes a first STI and a second STI, and the first STI surrounds a first device region and the second STI surrounds a second device region; forming a first doped region between and contact the first STI and the second STI; and forming a first gate structure on the first doped region, the first STI and the second STI.
US09647049B2
The present invention provides an OLED pixel structure, comprising red, green, blue sub pixel areas, and the red, the green, the blue sub pixel areas respectively comprise a substrate, an anode formed on the substrate, a flat layer formed on the anode, an organic light emitting layer formed on the flat layer and a cathode formed on the organic light emitting layer, and an aperture area is formed on the flat layer, and the organic light emitting layer contacts the anode through the aperture area, and the anode comprises a positive electrode and a positive electrode compensation area coupled to the positive electrode, and the cathode, the positive electrode compensation area and a sandwiched layer between the cathode and the positive electrode compensation area constitute a compensation capacitor, and the compensation capacitor respectively makes total capacitance values of the red, green, blue sub pixel areas are equivalent to reach the capacitance value required by an drive circuit of the OLED element.
US09647047B2
A pixel includes an organic light emitting diode and a pixel control circuit. The pixel control circuit includes a first transistor, a second transistor, and a third transistor. The first transistor controls an amount of current to the organic light emitting diode from a first power source based on a voltage applied to a first node. The second transistor is coupled between the first node and a data line and turns on when a scan signal is supplied to a scan line. The third transistor is coupled between the first power source and a second node that is a common terminal of first and second capacitors, which are coupled in series between the first node and the first power source. In operation, the third transistor turns on when a first control signal is supplied to a first control line.
US09647046B2
An organic light emitting diode (OLED) display includes a substrate in which an emission area and a non-emission area are defined, an OLED disposed in the emission area. The OLED display further includes a thin film transistor disposed in the non-emission area, a first insulation layer overlapping the thin film transistor in the non-emission area, a first storage capacitance electrode disposed in the emission area on the first insulation layer, a second insulation layer disposed to cover the first storage capacitance electrode and the thin film transistor except a portion of the thin film transistor, said portion of the thin film transistor being exposed through the second insulation later. The OLED display further includes an organic protective layer disposed on the second insulation layer, and an anode electrode of the OLED disposed on the second insulation layer, the anode electrode electrically connected to the thin film transistor.
US09647043B2
A display panel includes a flexible substrate, a first display region, a second display region, and a third display region. The first display region has a quadrangle outline and includes a first side and a second side forming a first corner portion of the outline. The second display region is in contact with the first side and the width of the second display region in a direction parallel to the first side coincides with the length of the first side. The third display region is in contact with the second side and the width of the third display region in a direction parallel to the second side coincides with the length of the second side. The substrate includes a notch portion corresponding a region facing the first display region with the first corner portion provided therebetween.
US09647038B2
A solid-state imaging device includes: a semiconductor substrate; a pixel unit formed on the semiconductor substrate; and a peripheral circuit unit formed on the semiconductor substrate, at a periphery of the pixel unit, in which the pixel unit includes: a photoelectric conversion film which converts incident light into charges; and a floating diffusion which holds the charges, the peripheral circuit unit includes a transistor including a gate electrode and two source and drain diffusion regions, and the two source and drain diffusion regions have a higher impurity concentration than an impurity concentration of the floating diffusion.
US09647018B2
An imaging device includes a first pixel electrode, a second pixel electrode adjacent to the first pixel electrode, and a photoelectric conversion film continuously covering the first pixel electrode and the second pixel electrode, in which an insulating film is provided between the first pixel electrode and the photoelectric conversion film, and between the second pixel electrode and the photoelectric conversion film, and an intermediate electrode is provided in a position between the first pixel electrode and the second pixel electrode, the intermediate electrode being in contact with a surface of the photoelectric conversion film, the surface being on a side where the first and second pixel electrodes are arranged.
US09647017B2
A curved image sensor includes a supporting substrate, a bonding pattern provided over the supporting substrate a sensing substrate provided over the supporting substrate and in contact with the bonding pattern, and having a curved surface receiving incident light, and a fixing pattern provided over the supporting substrate and surrounding a periphery of the sensing substrate.
US09647014B2
A complementary thin film transistor driving back plate and a preparing method thereof, and a display device are disclosed. The preparing method comprises: forming a lower electrode (102) on a base substrate (101); sequentially disposing a continuously grown dielectric layer (103), a semiconductor layer (104), and a diffusion protection layer (105); sequentially forming a no-photoresist region (107), an N-type thin film transistor preparation region (108), and a P-type thin film transistor preparation region (109); removing a photoresist layer (114) of the N-type thin film transistor preparation region (108); removing a diffusion protection layer (105) of the N-type thin film transistor preparation region (105); removing a photoresist layer (114) of the P-type thin film transistor preparation region (109); performing an oxidation treatment to the base substrate (101); disposing a passivation layer (111) on the base substrate (101); and forming an upper electrode (113) on the passivation layer (111).
US09647009B1
A TFT array substrate structure includes a patterned metal light-shielding layer that includes a plurality of metal light-shielding blocks arranged in an array and a narrowed metal strip connected between two adjacent ones of the metal light-shielding blocks. The metal light-shielding layer and a common electrode are connected to and receive a common voltage signal. For each of TFT, the pixel electrode is connected to a drain electrode of the TFT; the pixel electrode has a portion overlapping the common electrode to form a first storage capacitor; and the metal light-shielding layer has a portion overlapping the drain electrode and the pixel electrode to form a second storage capacitor. The first storage capacitor and the second storage capacitor are connected in parallel to increase the capacity of the storage capacitor. The metal light-shielding layer is arranged in a light-shielded area and thus the modification thereof does not affect aperture ratio.
US09647005B2
A display device includes: a gate electrode, a gate line, and data lines on a substrate, the data lines in a same layer as the gate line; a gate insulating layer on the gate line; a semiconductor member on the gate insulating layer; an etch stopper layer on the semiconductor member and the gate insulating layer; a first passivation layer on the etch stopper layer; a source electrode on the first passivation layer and the etch stopper layer and connected to the data lines; a drain electrode on the etch stopper layer; a common electrode on the first passivation layer and separated from the source electrode and the drain electrode; a second passivation layer on the source electrode, the drain electrode and the common electrode; and a pixel electrode on the second passivation layer and connected to the drain electrode.
US09646996B2
A thin film transistor array panel includes a first substrate, a gate line disposed on the first substrate and includes a lower layer including titanium, a middle layer including a transparent conductive material, and an upper layer including copper, a pixel electrode disposed on the first substrate and includes a lower layer including titanium, and an upper layer including the transparent conductive material, a gate insulating layer disposed on the gate line and the pixel electrode, a semiconductor layer disposed on the gate insulating layer, a data line and a drain electrode disposed on the semiconductor layer, a passivation layer which covers the data line and the drain electrode, and a common electrode disposed on the passivation layer.
US09646994B2
Semiconductor devices and methods of manufacture thereof are disclosed. In some embodiments, a semiconductor device includes a first fin field effect transistor (FinFET) disposed over a substrate, and a second FinFET device disposed over the first FinFET. A junction isolation material is disposed between a source of the first FinFET and a source of the second FinFET.
US09646992B2
According to one embodiment, a semiconductor memory 100 includes a memory cell array 100A composed of a plurality of SRAM cells 10 including NMOS transistors and PMOS transistors, and a bias circuit 100B connected to a ground GND1 or power supply voltage VDD1 of the memory cell array 100A. The bias circuit 100B includes NMOS transistors 121, 122, 133 and 134 that are same as the NMOS transistors of the SRAM cells 10 in terms of channel length and channel width and in terms of dopant and dose amount at a channel portion, and PMOS transistors 111 and 112 that are same as the PMOS transistors of the SRAM cells 10 in terms of channel length and channel width and in terms of dopant and dose amount at a channel portion. Diffusion regions of the NMOS transistors and the PMOS transistors are formed in a same semiconductor layer.
US09646988B2
According to one embodiment, a semiconductor memory device includes a substrate; a stacked body provided on the substrate, the stacked body including a plurality of electrode layers and a first step portion, the first step portion having the plurality of electrode layers provided stepwise; a column provided in a region of the stacked body other than a region in the first step portion provided; and a plurality of insulating portions provided in the first step portion. The stacked body includes a metal silicide portion provided between the plurality of insulating portions and the plurality of electrode layers, a plurality of terraces provided on a top surface of each of the plurality of electrode layers of the first step portion, and a plurality of contact portions provided on the plurality of terraces.
US09646976B2
Structure of F-RAM cells are described. The F-RAM cell include a contact extending through a first dielectric layer on a surface of a substrate. A barrier structure is formed over the contact by depositing and patterning a barrier layer. A second dielectric layer is deposited over the patterned barrier layer and planarized to expose a top surface of the barrier structure. A ferro-stack is deposited and patterned over the barrier structure to form a ferroelectric capacitor. A bottom electrode of the ferroelectric capacitor is electrically coupled to the diffusion region of the MOS transistor through the barrier structure. The barrier layer is conductive so that a bottom electrode of the ferroelectric capacitor is electrically coupled to the contact through the barrier structure. In one embodiment, patterning barrier layer comprises concurrently forming a local interconnect (LI) on a top surface of the first dielectric layer.
US09646974B1
A dual-port static random access memory (SRAM) cell includes first through third power lines, a storage unit connected to the first through third power lines, a first port having first and second pass-gate transistors controlled by a first wordline, a second port having third and fourth pass-gate transistors controlled by a second wordline, and first through fourth bitlines coupled to the storage unit through the first through fourth pass-gate transistors, respectively. The first through fourth bitlines and the first through third power lines each extend in a first direction and are formed of a first metal layer. The first wordline extends in a second direction substantially perpendicular to the first direction and is formed of a second metal layer above the first metal layer. The second wordline extends in the second direction and is formed of a upper-level metal layer above the second metal layer.
US09646972B2
Methods of forming passive elements under a device layer are described. Those methods and structures may include forming at least one passive structure, such as a capacitor and a resistor structure, in a substrate, wherein the passive structures are vertically disposed within the substrate. An insulator layer is formed on a top surface of the passive structure, a device layer is formed on the insulator layer, and a contact is formed to couple a device disposed in the device layer to the at least one passive structure.
US09646971B2
Semiconductor devices and fabricating methods thereof are provided. A semiconductor device may include a substrate, a metal layer on the substrate, a seed layer on the metal layer, a nanowire including a pillar shape on the seed layer, a dielectric film conformally covering the nanowire, and an electrode film on the dielectric film.
US09646969B2
A method of forming a gate structure for a semiconductor device that includes forming first spacers on the sidewalls of replacement gate structures that are present on a fin structure, wherein an upper surface of the first spacers is offset from an upper surface of the replacement gate structure, and forming at least second spacers on the first spacers and the exposed surfaces of the replacement gate structure. The method may further include substituting the replacement gate structure with a functional gate structure having a first width portion in a first space between adjacent first spacers, and a second width portion having a second width in a second space between adjacent second spacers, wherein the second width is greater than the first width.
US09646962B1
A semiconductor device includes an electrostatic discharge (ESD) device formed adjacent to a first fin field effect transistor (finFET). The device includes a substrate, the first finFET and the ESD device. The first finFET is formed such that it includes finFET fins extending from the substrate. The ESD device includes two vertically stacked PN diodes including vertically stacked first, second, third and fourth layers. The first layer is an N doped layer and is disposed directly over the substrate, the second layer is a P doped layer and is disposed directly over the first layer, the third layer is an N doped layer and is disposed directly over the second layer and the fourth layer is a P doped layer and is disposed directly over the third layer.
US09646958B2
An integrated circuit includes a core area. The core area has at least one edge region and a plurality of transistors disposed in the edge region. A plurality of dummy structures are disposed outside the core area and adjacent to the at least one edge region. Each channel of the transistors in a channel width direction faces at least one of the dummy structures.
US09646946B2
Fan-out wafer-level packaging (WLP) using metal foil lamination is provided. An example wafer-level package incorporates a metal foil, such as copper (Cu), to relocate bonding pads in lieu of a conventional deposited or plated RDL. A polymer such as an epoxy layer adheres the metal foil to the package creating conductive contacts between the metal foil and metal pillars of a die. The metal foil may be patterned at different stages of a fabrication process. An example wafer-level package with metal foil provides relatively inexpensive electroplating-free traces that replace expensive RDL processes. Example techniques can reduce interfacial stress at fan-out areas to enhance package reliability, and enable smaller chips to be used. The metal foil provides improved fidelity of high frequency signals. The metal foil can be bonded to metallic pillar bumps before molding, resulting in less impact on the mold material.
US09646944B2
Embodiments of the present disclosure include interconnect structures and methods of forming interconnect structures. An embodiment is a method of forming an interconnect structure, the method including forming a first post-passivation interconnect (PPI) over a first substrate, forming a second PPI over the first substrate, and forming a first conductive connector on the first PPI. The method further includes forming a second conductive connector on the second PPI, and forming a molding compound on top surfaces of the first and second PPIs and surrounding portions of the first and second connectors, a first section of molding compound being laterally between the first and second connectors, the first section of molding compound having a curved top surface.
US09646943B1
Connector structures and methods of forming the same are provided. A method includes forming a first patterned passivation layer on a workpiece, the first patterned passivation layer having a first opening exposing a conductive feature of the workpiece. A seed layer is formed over the first patterned passivation layer and in the first opening. A patterned mask layer is formed over the seed layer, the patterned mask layer having a second opening exposing the seed layer, the second opening overlapping with the first opening. A connector is formed in the second opening. The patterned mask layer is partially removed, an unremoved portion of the patterned mask layer remaining in the first opening. The seed layer is patterned using the unremoved portion of the patterned mask layer as a mask.
US09646940B2
The gas barrier film including, on a base, a first gas barrier layer which is formed by a physical vapor deposition method or a chemical vapor deposition method and contains Si and N; and a second gas barrier layer which is formed by coating a solution containing a polysilazane compound, wherein the second gas barrier layer is subjected to conversion treatment by being irradiated with a vacuum ultraviolet ray; and, when the composition of each layer is represented by SiOxNy, the distribution of the composition SiOxNy of the second gas barrier layer in a thickness direction satisfies a condition specified in the following (A): (A) the second gas barrier layer includes 50 nm or more of a region of 0.25≦x≦1.1 and 0.4≦y≦0.75 in the thickness direction.
US09646908B2
In a method for manufacturing a semiconductor device, a resin layer including an inorganic filler is molded on a surface of a substrate which includes semiconductor elements attached thereto by an adhesive, and terminals electrically connected to the semiconductor elements on another surface thereof. The molded substrate is cut so as to expose a conductive body electrically connected to an external terminal maintainable at ground potential. The surface of the resin layer of the substrate is sputter-etched in a vacuum environment, in a state where a plurality of the cut substrates is provided in a tray so that the surface of the substrate faces the tray. A metal layer is sputtered so as to be electrically connected to the conductive body on the surface and the cut surface in a state where the substrate is provided in the tray while maintaining the vacuum environment after sputter-etching.
US09646903B2
Dendrimer/hyperbranched materials are combined with polyimide to form a low CTE material for use as a dielectric substrate layer or an underfill. In the alternative, ruthenium carbene complexes are used to catalyze ROMP cross-linking reactions in polyimides to produce a class of cross-linkable, thermal and mechanical stable material for use as a dielectric substrate or underfill. In another alternative, dendrimers/hyperbranched materials are synthesized by different methods to produce low viscosity, high Tg, fast curing, mechanically and chemically stable materials for imprinting applications.
US09646901B2
Provided is a semiconductor device having a pad on a semiconductor chip, a first passivation film formed over the semiconductor chip and having an opening portion on the pad of a probe region and a coupling region, a second passivation film formed over the pad and the first passivation film and having an opening portion on the pad of the coupling region, and a rewiring layer formed over the coupling region and the second passivation film and electrically coupled to the pad. The pad of the probe region placed on the periphery side of the semiconductor chip relative to the coupling region has a probe mark and the rewiring layer extends from the coupling region to the center side of the semiconductor chip. The present invention provides a technology capable of achieving size reduction, particularly pitch narrowing, of a semiconductor device.
US09646892B2
A transistor device is provided that includes a substrate, a first channel region formed in a first portion of the substrate and being doped with a dopant of a first type of conductivity, a second channel region formed in a second portion of the substrate and being doped with a dopant of a second type of conductivity, a gate insulating layer formed on the first channel region and on the second channel region, a dielectric capping layer formed on the gate insulating layer, a first gate region formed on the dielectric capping layer over the first channel region, and a second gate region formed on the dielectric capping layer over the second channel region, wherein the first gate region and the second gate region are made of the same material, and wherein one of the first gate region and the second gate region comprises an ion implantation.
US09646880B1
A method is provided for forming a monolithic three-dimensional memory array. The method includes forming a first vertically-oriented polysilicon pillar above a substrate, the first vertically-oriented polysilicon pillar surrounded by a dielectric material, removing the first vertically-oriented polysilicon pillar to form a first void in the dielectric material, and filling the first void with a conductive material to form a first via.
US09646876B2
A method of forming features in a dielectric layer is described. A via, trench or a dual-damascene structure may be present in the dielectric layer prior to depositing a conformal aluminum nitride layer. The conformal aluminum nitride layer is configured to serve as a barrier to prevent diffusion across the barrier. The methods of forming the aluminum nitride layer involve the alternating exposure to two precursor treatments (like ALD) to achieve high conformality. The high conformality of the aluminum nitride barrier layer enables the thickness to be reduced and the effective conductivity of the subsequent gapfill metal layer to be increased.
US09646873B2
A method for producing SOS substrates which can be incorporated into a semiconductor production line, and is capable of producing SOS substrates which have few defects and no variation in defects, and in a highly reproducible manner, or in other words, a method for producing SOS substrates by: forming an ion-injection region (3) by injecting ions from the surface of a silicon substrate (1); adhering the ion-injection surface of the silicon substrate (1) and the surface of a sapphire substrate (4) to one another directly or with an insulating film (2) interposed therebetween; and then obtaining an SOS substrate (8) having a silicon layer (6) on the sapphire substrate (4), by detaching the silicon substrate in the ion-injection region (3). This method is characterized in that the orientation of the sapphire substrate (4) is a C-plane having an off-angle of 1 degree or less.
US09646872B2
A multilayer semiconductor device structure having different circuit functions on different semiconductor device layers is provided. The semiconductor structure comprises a first semiconductor device layer fabricated on a bulk substrate. The first semiconductor device layer comprises a first semiconductor device for performing a first circuit function. The first semiconductor device layer includes a patterned top surface of different materials. The semiconductor structure further comprises a second semiconductor device layer fabricated on a semiconductor-on-insulator (“SOI”) substrate. The second semiconductor device layer comprises a second semiconductor device for performing a second circuit function. The second circuit function is different from the first circuit function. A bonding surface coupled between the patterned top surface of the first semiconductor device layer and a bottom surface of the SOI substrate is included. The bottom surface of the SOI substrate is bonded to the patterned top surface of the first semiconductor device layer via the bonding surface.
US09646871B2
A semiconductor structure includes a semiconductor substrate and a shallow trench isolation (STI). The STI includes a sidewall interfacing with the semiconductor substrate. The STI extrudes from a bottom portion of the semiconductor substrate, and the STI includes a bottom surface contacting the bottom portion of the semiconductor substrate; a top surface opposite to the bottom surface. The bottom surface includes a width greater than a width of the top surface.
US09646870B2
A method of forming a semiconductor structure includes implanting neutral dopants in a first region of a substrate to form a first etching stop feature, the first etching stop feature having a depth D1. The method further includes implanting neutral dopants in a second region of the substrate to form a second etching stop feature, wherein the second etching stop feature has a depth D2, and D1 is different from D2. The method further includes etching the substrate to form a first trench and a second trench, wherein the first trench and the second trench expose the first etching stop feature and the second etching stop feature, respectively. The method further includes filling the first trench and the second trench with a dielectric material.
US09646865B1
In some embodiments, an interconnection structure, an exposure alignment system, and a fabricating method thereof are provided. The method comprises: providing a wafer, forming a first to-be-connected member and multiple first alignment members in a first conductive layer; form a first opening and multiple second alignment members in a first mask layer, the first opening is used to define a position of a second to-be-connected member; based on reference and measurement coordinates of the first alignment members, and reference coordinates and measurement coordinates of the second alignment members, obtaining wafer coordinates for characterizing a position deviation of the wafer; obtaining adjustment compensation values according to stacking offsets of a preceding wafer; adjusting a position of the wafer; forming the interconnection structure in a first dielectric layer and a second dielectric layer to electrically interconnect the first to-be-connected member and the second to-be-connected member.
US09646854B2
Embodiments describe the selective electroless plating of dielectric layers. According to an embodiment, a dielectric layer is patterned to form one or more patterned surfaces. A seed layer is then selectively formed along the patterned surfaces of the dielectric layer. An electroless plating process is used to deposit metal only on the patterned surfaces of the dielectric layer. According to an embodiment, the dielectric layer is doped with an activator precursor. Laser assisted local activation is performed on the patterned surfaces of the dielectric layer in order to selectively form a seed layer only on the patterned surfaces of the dielectric layer by reducing the activator precursor to an oxidation state of zero. According to an additional embodiment, a seed layer is selectively formed on the patterned surfaces of the dielectric layer with a colloidal or ionic seeding solution.
US09646852B2
A process for a substrate having a component-disposing area is provided, and includes the following steps. A core layer including a first surface, a metallic layer and a component-disposing area is provided. The metallic layer is disposed on the first surface and patterned to form a patterned metallic layer including pads located in the component-disposing area. A first dielectric layer is formed on the first surface and covers the patterned metallic layer. A laser-resistant metallic pattern is formed on the first dielectric layer and surrounds a projection area of the first dielectric layer. A release film is disposed on the projection area and covers a portion of the laser-resistant metallic pattern within the projection area. A second dielectric layer is formed on the first dielectric layer and covers the release film and the laser-resistant metallic pattern. A first open hole and a plurality of second open holes are formed.
US09646847B2
A method for manufacturing an array substrate, a film-etching monitoring and a film-etching monitoring device. The monitoring method comprises: monitoring and recording the transmittance reference value of a film after a film pattern is formed; and monitoring the transmittance present value of the film in real time in the process of etching an overcoating layer to form a through hole after the overcoating layer is formed on the film pattern, and monitoring the etching degree of the film by determining the variation between the transmittance present value and the transmittance reference value. The device comprises a plurality of light sources (3) and a plurality of light-sensitive probes (4) disposed in the chamber. The light sources (3) are configured to irradiate the film on a substrate; and the light-sensitive probes (4) are configured to sense the transmittance of the film.
US09646843B2
Implementations described herein provide a magnetic ring which enables both lateral and azimuthal tuning of the plasma in a processing chamber. In one embodiment, the magnetic ring has a body. The body has a top surface and a bottom surface, and a plurality of magnets are disposed on the bottom surface of the body.
US09646841B1
A chemical mechanical planarization for a Group III arsenide material is provided in which at least one opening is formed within a dielectric layer located on a substrate. A Group III arsenide material is epitaxially grown within the at least one opening of the dielectric layer which extends above a topmost surface of the dielectric layer. The Group III arsenide material is planarized using at least one slurry composition to form coplanar surfaces of the Group III arsenide material and the dielectric layer, where a slurry composition of the at least one slurry composition polishes the Group III arsenide material selective to the topmost surface of the dielectric layer, and includes an abrasive, at least one pH modulator and an oxidizer, the at least one pH modulator including an acidic pH modulator, but lacks a basic pH modulator, and where the oxidizer suppresses generation of an arsine gas.
US09646824B2
To form a MOSFET over a silicon carbide substrate, when a heat treatment accompanied by nitration is carried out to reduce the interface state density in the vicinity of the boundary between a gate insulating film and a silicon carbide substrate, CV hysteresis occurs due to the relationship between the capacitance and gate voltage of the MOSFET, thereby reducing the reliability of a semiconductor device.To solve the above problem, a heat treatment accompanied by nitration is carried out on the insulating film formed over the silicon carbide substrate (step S7). Then, the insulating film is heated in an inert gas atmosphere (step S9). Thereafter, a field effect transistor having a gate insulating film which is composed of the insulating film is formed over the silicon carbide substrate.
US09646819B2
The invention provides a method for forming a surface oxide layer on an amorphous silicon including steps: using a HF acid to clean a surface of the amorphous silicon; using a water to clean the surface of the amorphous silicon being cleaned by the HF acid; drying the surface of the amorphous silicon after being cleaned by the water; using an extreme ultraviolet lithography to form a first oxide layer on the surface of the amorphous silicon after being dried; using an oxidizing solution to clean the surface of the amorphous silicon with the first oxide layer to thereby form a second oxide layer; and drying the surface of the amorphous silicon with the second oxide layer. By using the extreme ultraviolet lithography to form the first oxide layer, the surface of the amorphous silicon is given with strong hydrophilicity and therefore the distribution of water would be uniform.
US09646812B2
The present invention is concerned with a method of preparing a MALDI sample, the method comprising the steps of: (a) mixing a solid sample precursor comprising sample and matrix to form a solid sample mixture; (b) applying the solid sample mixture to a sample cavity of a MALDI target; and (c) compressing the solid sample mixture in the sample cavity so as to form a MALDI sample surface for laser desorption. The present invention also provides a MALDI target comprising a sample cavity for receiving a MALDI sample, the sample cavity having (a) a desorption end portion comprising an aperture, such that a portion of the MALDI sample exposed at the aperture is in use subjected to laser desorption; and wherein the sample cavity also has (b) a compression end portion adapted to permit compression of a solid sample mixture towards the desorption end portion in the sample cavity by applying a compression force to the solid sample mixture via the compression end portion.
US09646805B2
A focused ion beam system is offered which can make a focal adjustment without relying on the structure of a sample while suppressing damage to the sample to a minimum. Also, a method of making this focal adjustment is offered. The focused ion beam system has an ion source for producing an ion beam, a lens system for focusing the beam onto the sample, a detector for detecting secondary electrons emanating from the sample, and a controller for controlling the lens system. The controller is operative to provide control such that the sample is irradiated with the ion beam without scanning the beam and that a focus of the ion beam is varied by varying the intensity of the objective lens during the ion beam irradiation. Also, the controller measures the intensity of a signal indicating secondary electrons emanating from the sample while the intensity of the objective lens is being varied. Furthermore, the controller makes a focal adjustment of the ion beam on the basis of the intensity of the objective lens obtained when the measured intensity of the signal indicating secondary electrons is minimal.
US09646804B2
A calibration method for a CD-SEM technique, includes determining a match function converting at least one parameter obtained by modelling a measurement supplied by the CD-SEM technique into a function of at least one parameter representative of a measurement supplied by a characterisation technique different from the CD-SEM technique, the match function being characterised by a plurality of coefficients; performing measurements on a plurality of patterns chosen to cover the desired validity range for the calibration, the measurements being done using both the CD-SEM technique to be calibrated and the reference technique; determining, from the measurements, a set of coefficients of the match function minimising the distance between the functions of the parameters measured using the reference technique and applying the match function to the parameters obtained by modelling measurements supplied by the CD-SEM; using the set of coefficients during the implementation of the calibrated CD-SEM technique.
US09646803B2
A method of making a Transmission Electron Microscopy support comprising depositing a sacrificial layer to the top side of a lacey or holey carbon structure or support or wire mesh, depositing an Atomic Layer Deposition layer to the bottom side of the sacrificial layer, removing the sacrificial layer, forming a Transmission Electron Microscopy support. The Transmission Electron Microscopy support comprises an Atomic Layer Deposition layer which is carbon-less, thin, flexible, can be thermally cleaned, can be plasma cleaned, and contains chemical functionalities to immobilize particles.
US09646802B2
Disclosed is an apparatus in a semiconductor lithography system. The apparatus comprises a multiplexer and a plurality of imaging elements. The plurality is configured into a shift chain and an output of the shift chain is coupled to a data input of the multiplexer.
US09646799B1
Provided is an apparatus for sealing an arc-tube including a jig body including an electrode pin hole into which an end part of the electrode pin inserted into a bypass tube part of the arc-tube is inserted and a connection path connected with the electrode pin hole; and a pressurizing means inserted into the connection path to pressurize and fix the electrode pin positioned at the electrode pin hole. Therefore, the apparatus for sealing an arc-tube can more easily and stably fix the electrode pin during a sealing process.
US09646796B1
A method of manufacturing carburized Lu2O3 doped Mo cathodes for thermionic emission for magnetrons is described. The Lu2O3 doped Mo powder is prepared by sol-gel method. The powder is reduced thoroughly in hydrogen atmosphere. Afterwards, the powder is die-pressed into pellets, followed by sintering in hydrogen and carburization in activated carbon powder to obtain the carburized Lu2O3 doped Mo cathode.
US09646790B2
A crossbar structure of an electromagnetic contactor is provided, specifically, a crossbar structure of an electromagnetic contactor in which consistent performance is attained by preventing a moving mount from being flipped. The electromagnetic contactor includes a crossbar configured to move up and down and a moving contact point disposed on an installation groove, which is formed on the crossbar in a vertical direction, and brought in contact with or separated from a fixed contact point. The installation groove includes an insertion part into which the moving contact point is inserted and assembled and an operating part closely formed enough to prevent the moving contact point from being flipped when the moving contact point moves up and down.
US09646789B2
An electrical relay (2) includes an electromagnetic drive system for providing bi-directional drive. The electrical relay (2) includes a first a coil (212) and a second coil (213). A current is supplied to the coils (212) and (213) in opposite directions. The two coils (212) and (213) can be used to accelerate the armature in either direction in relation to the two contacts. This can be used to drive the armature to either one of the contacts and to accelerate and decelerate the armature during a single transit. In the latter regard, the armature can be accelerated and decelerated to shorten the transit time, reduce bounce, reduce wear on the contacts, and allow for different contact material options.
US09646784B2
The present invention relates to an arc chamber to extinguish electric arcs for a contactor with an extinguishing system, a blowing device which blows electric arcs into the extinguishing system, and a plurality of lamellar electric arc extinguishing elements between which flow channels are formed, wherein the flow channels each have a scattering section and wherein the scattering sections of adjacent flow channels are formed with different inclinations so that the blown air is deflected into different directions by the flow channels. The invention further relates to a contactor with such an arc chamber.
US09646782B2
A metallic button includes a metallic keycap and an annular buffer member. The metallic keycap has a peripheral side surface, and defines an annular receiving groove and a notch communicating with the annular receiving groove on the peripheral side surface. The annular receiving groove extends around the peripheral side surface. The buffer member is composed of flexible material, sleeved on the keycap, and partially received in the annular receiving groove and the notch.
US09646776B1
The present invention relates to an on-off lever of a disconnecting switch for a power distribution line that can connect or disconnect lines through easy and safe manipulation of the on-off lever. According to an embodiment of the present invention, the on-off lever of the disconnecting switch for the power distribution line, the on-off lever having: a lever body mounted to an end part of a movable member; a shaft hole formed on a first portion of a middle part of the lever body; a locking step provided on a lower part of the lever body such that the locking step is locked to a locking end; a guide hole formed on a second portion of the middle part of the lever body; and a manipulation means provided on an upper part of the lever body.
US09646769B2
A multilayer ceramic component including a multilayer ceramic capacitor including first and second external electrodes disposed on a mounting surface of a ceramic body; and first and second terminal electrodes each including an upper horizontal part disposed on a lower surface of the respective external electrode, a lower horizontal part disposed below the upper horizontal part and spaced apart from the upper horizontal part, and a connecting part connecting the upper horizontal part and the lower horizontal part, the connecting part having a plurality of openings alternately facing opposite end surfaces of the ceramic body.
US09646759B1
An integrated circuit having a resonant circuit is provided. The resonant circuit may include an inductor and a capacitor coupled in parallel. The inductor may be formed in a dielectric stack on a semiconductor substrate. An inductor shielding structure may be interposed between the inductor and the semiconductor substrate in the dielectric stack. The inductor shielding structure may be a closed loop structure that is electrically floating. The inductor shielding structure may also be formed using a figure 8 routing arrangement that is symmetrical to help cancel out any induced current from the inductor. A resonant circuit formed in this way may exhibit an enhanced Q factor.
US09646758B2
Methods of coupling inductors in an IC device using interconnecting elements with solder caps and the resulting device are disclosed. Embodiments include forming a top inductor structure, in a top inductor area on a lower surface of a top substrate, the top inductor structure having first and second top terminals at its opposite ends; forming a bottom inductor structure, in a bottom inductor area on an upper surface of a bottom substrate, the bottom inductor structure having first and second bottom terminals at its opposite ends; forming top interconnecting elements on the lower surface of the top substrate around the top inductor area; forming bottom interconnecting elements on the upper surface of the bottom substrate around the bottom inductor area; forming solder bumps on lower and upper surfaces, respectively, of the top and bottom interconnecting elements; and connecting the top and bottom interconnecting elements to each other.
US09646756B2
The present invention provides a powder magnetic core which has a low iron loss and an excellent constancy of magnetic permeability and is suitably used as a core for a reactor mounted on a vehicle. The powder magnetic core is a compact of a mixed powder containing an iron-based soft magnetic powder having an electrical insulating coating formed on its surface and a powder of a low magnetic permeability material having a heat-resistant temperature of 700° C. or higher than 700° C. and a relative magnetic permeability of not more than 1.0000004. The density of the compact is 6.7 Mg/m3 or more, and the low magnetic permeability material exists in the gap among the soft magnetic powder particles in the green compact.
US09646751B2
A die apparatus for molding an arcuate magnet having polar-anisotropic orientation in a magnetic field, which comprises a die made of non-magnetic cemented carbide, which is arranged in a parallel magnetic field generated by a pair of opposing magnetic field coils; an arcuate-cross-sectional cavity having an inner arcuate wall, an outer arcuate wall and two side walls, which is disposed in the die; a central ferromagnetic body arranged on the side of the outer arcuate wall of the cavity; and a pair of side ferromagnetic bodies symmetrically arranged on both side wall sides of the cavity; the cavity being arranged such that its radial direction at a circumferential center thereof is identical with the direction of the parallel magnetic field; the width of the central ferromagnetic body being smaller than the width of the cavity in a direction perpendicular to the parallel magnetic field; and a pair of the side ferromagnetic bodies being arranged such that the cavity is positioned in a region sandwiched by a pair of the side ferromagnetic bodies.
US09646741B2
The disclosure generally relates to nested shielded ribbon cables that form an electrical cable assembly. The electrical cable assembly includes features that can facilitate bending and movement of the cable.
US09646740B2
A shielded electrical cable includes one or more conductor sets extending along a length of the cable and being spaced apart from each other along a width of the cable. Each conductor set has one or more conductors having a size no greater than 24 AWG and each conductor set has an insertion loss of less than about −20 dB/meter over a frequency range of 0 to 20 GHz. First and second shielding films are disposed on opposite sides of the cable, the first and second films including cover portions and pinched portions arranged such that, in transverse cross section, the cover portions of the first and second films in combination substantially surround each conductor set, and the pinched portions of the first and second films in combination form pinched portions of the cable on each side of each conductor.
US09646739B2
There is provided a silver-plated product which has a good bendability and which can restrain the rise of the contact resistance thereof even if it is used in a high-temperature environment, and a method for producing the same. In a silver-plated product wherein a surface layer of silver is formed on the surface of a base material of copper or a copper alloy, or on the surface of an underlying layer of copper or a copper alloy formed on the base material, the percentage of an X-ray diffraction intensity on {200} plane of the surface layer with respect to the sum of X-ray diffraction intensities on {111}, {200}, {220} and {311} planes of the surface layer is 40% or more.
US09646728B2
Disclosed is a plasma welding apparatus for a guide thimble and guide thimble end plug of a nuclear fuel assembly, which includes: a welding chamber (100) includes an end-plug inserting part (110) into which the end plug (10) is inserted, a guide-thimble inserting part (120) which is provided on the same axis as the end-plug inserting part (110) and into which the guide thimble (20) is inserted and fixed, a torch assembling part (130) to which a plasma welding torch (131) is assembled so as to make a right angle with the end-plug inserting part (110) and the guide-thimble inserting part (120), and argon inflow and outflow ports (141, 142) through which argon is supplied or discharged; an end-plug transfer unit (210) supplying the end plug (10) to the end-plug inserting part (110); and an guide-thimble transfer unit (220) transferring the guide thimble (20) to the guide-thimble inserting part (120).
US09646725B2
A method is provided for operating a nuclear reactor. The method includes operating the nuclear reactor for at least one plutonium equilibrium cycle during which the core contains plutonium-equilibrium nuclear fuel assemblies; subsequently, operating the reactor for transition cycles, at least some of the plutonium-equilibrium nuclear fuel assemblies being progressively replaced with transition nuclear fuel assemblies and then with uranium-equilibrium nuclear fuel assemblies; and then operating the nuclear reactor for at least one uranium equilibrium cycle.
US09646721B1
A system, computer program product, and computer-executable method of managing a solid state drive (SSD) in a data storage system, the system, computer program product, and computer-executable method including initializing the SSD to enable the SSD to request memory for bad block replacement, querying the SSD to determine a size of memory on the SSD reserved for dynamic over provisioning, and allocating a portion of the size of memory for bad block replacement.
US09646718B2
A semiconductor memory device having a selective error correction code (ECC) function is provided. The semiconductor memory device divides a memory cell array into blocks according to data retention characteristics of memory cells. A block in which there are a plurality of fail cells generated at a refresh rate of a refresh cycle that is longer than a refresh cycle defined by the standards of the semiconductor device is selected from among the divided blocks. The selected block repairs the fail cells by performing the ECC function. The other blocks repair the fail cells by using redundancy cells. Accordingly, a refresh operation is performed on the memory cells of the memory cell array at the refresh rate of the refresh cycle that is longer than the refresh cycle by the standards of the semiconductor device.
US09646714B2
The invention provides a semiconductor device and a shift register, in which low noise is caused in a non-selection period and a transistor is not always on. First to fourth transistors are provided. One of a source and a drain of the first transistor is connected to a first wire, the other of the source and the drain thereof is connected to a gate electrode of the second transistor, and a gate electrode thereof is connected to a fifth wire. One of a source and a drain of the second transistor is connected to a third wire and the other of the source and the drain thereof is connected to a sixth wire. One of a source and a drain of the third transistor is connected to a second wire, the other of the source and the drain thereof is connected to the gate electrode of the second transistor, and a gate electrode thereof is connected to a fourth wire. One of a source and a drain of the fourth transistor is connected to the second wire, the other of the source and the drain thereof is connected to the sixth wire, and a gate electrode thereof is connected to the fourth wire.
US09646710B2
Embodiments relate to a semiconductor device, including a channel area; a gate line extending along the channel area so that the channel area can be set into a conductive state by activating the gate line; a plurality of terminals including an electrical connection to the channel area, so that the plurality of terminals is connectable to a predetermined voltage by activating the gate line.
US09646703B2
A method of programming a memory system includes repetitively performing N program loops for a selected memory cell (where N is a natural number equal to or greater than two). Each of the N program loops includes a program operation and a program verify operation. At least one of the N program loops includes performing the program operation on the selected memory cell and on at least one additionally selected memory cell by applying a program voltage to at least one word line to which the selected memory cell and at least one additionally selected memory cell are connected, and performing the program verify operation on the selected memory cell by applying a program verify voltage to a selected word line to which the selected memory cell is connected.
US09646702B2
Methods of biasing in memory devices facilitate memory device programming operations. In at least one embodiment, a first string of memory cells comprising a selected memory cell and a second string of memory cells are coupled to a common data line and a common source, where the data line is biased to a potential greater than a potential to which the source is biased during a programming operation performed on the selected memory cell.
US09646701B2
Provided herein are semiconductor memory devices and operating methods thereof. A semiconductor memory device may include a memory cell array including a plurality of cell strings, and a peripheral circuit. The peripheral circuit may include a voltage generating unit configured to perform a program loop for alternately performing a program operation and a verification operation on the memory cell array. The peripheral circuit may include a control logic configured to control the voltage generating unit to perform the program loop. Wherein, in performing the program loop, a second pass voltage applied to an unselected word line adjacent to a selected word line among a plurality of word lines connected with the memory cell array is lower than a first pass voltage applied to a remaining unselected word line during the program operation.
US09646693B2
A semiconductor memory cell, semiconductor memory devices comprising a plurality of the semiconductor memory cells, and methods of using the semiconductor memory cell and devices are described. A semiconductor memory cell includes a substrate having a first conductivity type; a first region embedded in the substrate at a first location of the substrate and having a second conductivity type; a second region embedded in the substrate at a second location of the substrate and have the second conductivity type, such that at least a portion of the substrate having the first conductivity type is located between the first and second locations and functions as a floating body to store data in volatile memory; a trapping layer positioned in between the first and second locations and above a surface of the substrate; the trapping layer comprising first and second storage locations being configured to store data as nonvolatile memory independently of one another; and a control gate positioned above the trapping layer.
US09646690B2
A method of operation of a non-volatile memory system includes: providing a resistive storage element having a high resistance state and a low resistance state; coupling an analog multiplexer to the resistive storage element for applying a bias voltage; and switching between a verification bias and a read bias through the analog multiplexer for increasing a read margin between the high resistance state and the low resistance state.
US09646686B2
According to one embodiment, a reconfigurable circuit includes circuit blocks arranged with a matrix of A rows and B columns. Each of the circuit blocks includes M row conductive lines, N column conductive lines crossing the row conductive lines, output inverters each having input and output terminals, the input terminal of each output inverter connected to corresponding one of the row conductive lines, input inverters each having input and output terminals, the output terminal of each input inverter connected to corresponding one of the column conductive lines, and resistance change elements between the row conductive lines and the column conductive lines, each of the resistance change elements including a first terminal and a second terminal, the first terminal being connected to corresponding one of the row conductive lines, the second terminal being connected to corresponding one of the column conductive lines.
US09646684B1
A differential PCM memory may include first and second PCM elements, and a sense amplifier circuit configured to sense a difference between first and second sense currents passing through the first and second PCM elements, respectively, during a sense operation. The differential PCM memory may include a first margin current branch coupled in parallel with the first PCM element and configured to selectively add a first margin current to the first sense current, and a second margin current branch coupled in parallel with the second PCM element and configured to selectively add a second margin current to the second sense current.
US09646678B2
Prior known static random access memory (SRAM) cells are required that a diffusion layer be bent into a key-like shape in order to make electrical contact with a substrate with a P-type well region formed therein, which would result in a decrease in asymmetry leading to occurrence of a problem as to the difficulty in micro-patterning. To avoid this problem, the P-type well region in which an inverter making up an SRAM cell is formed is subdivided into two portions, which are disposed on the opposite sides of an N-type well region NW1 and are formed so that a diffusion layer forming a transistor has no curvature while causing the layout direction to run in a direction parallel to well boundary lines and bit lines. At intermediate locations of an array, regions for use in supplying power to the substrate are formed in parallel to word lines in such a manner that one regions is provided per group of thirty two memory cell rows or sixty four cell rows.
US09646676B1
A semiconductor system includes a first semiconductor device and a second semiconductor device. The first semiconductor device outputs commands, a test address, addresses and a precharge signal. The second semiconductor device enters an auto-precharge operation according to a combination of the commands after a read operation or a write operation and receives the test address and the precharge signal to perform an auto-precharge operation of one bank selected from a plurality of banks by the addresses.
US09646665B2
A look-up table circuit of an embodiment includes: first wiring lines; second wiring lines; resistive change elements disposed to intersection regions of the first and second wiring lines, each resistive change element including a first electrode connected to a corresponding one of the first wiring lines, a second electrode connected to a corresponding one of the second wiring lines; and a resistive change layer disposed between the first electrode and the second electrode; a first controller controlling voltages applied to the first wiring lines; a second controller controlling voltages applied to the second wiring lines; and a multiplexer including input terminals connected to the first wiring lines and an output terminal.
US09646664B2
A memory device may include a plurality of memory banks, a row control signal input unit suitable for receiving a plurality of row control signals, a column control signal input unit suitable for receiving a plurality of column control signals, a row control unit suitable for selecting a memory bank and a row in response to the row control signals, and controlling a row operation for the selected row, and a column control unit suitable for selecting a memory bank and column in response to the column control signals, and controlling a column operation for the selected column.
US09646659B2
A memory apparatus may include a bit line sense-amplifier coupled to first and second bit lines; a first precharge unit suitable for coupling the first and second bit lines in response to a bit line equalization signal; a sense-amplifier power control unit suitable for providing a plurality of powers to the bit line sense-amplifier in response to a power control signal; and a second precharge unit suitable for individually changing each voltage level of the first and second bit lines based on a precharge control signal.
US09646656B2
One embodiment sets forth a technique for time-multiplexed communication for transmitting command and address information between a controller and a multi-port memory device over a single connection. Command and address information for each port of the multi-port memory device is time-multiplexed within the controller to produce a single stream of commands and addresses for different memory requests. The single stream of commands and addresses is transmitted by the controller to the multi-port memory device where the single stream is demultiplexed to generate separate streams of commands and addresses for each port of the multi-port memory device.
US09646648B2
A method and apparatus for creating video clips is provided herein. During operation, a processing device will receive multiple video feeds from multiple video sources. In order to reduce the difficulty in producing multiple clips from the multiple video sources, thumbnails of the captured content is displayed and one-click selection of start and stop points of each clip is allowed. An operator can then pick an annotation (metadata) from events in the game or enter a new one and apply it to any or all of the video clips. Suggested content is then displayed based on the metadata of this annotation and can be bundled with the video clips by choosing from the list of related content. All of this content is then bundled together in the database.
US09646646B2
A system for providing digital video recorder options for editing content is disclosed. In particular, the system may include receiving requests for a first version of media content and providing access to the first version of the media content. A user that accesses the first version of the media content may select a portion of the media content, and indicate whether, for example, the portion should be skipped, modified, or emphasized when the media content is accessed on a subsequent occasion. The system, based on the selection and indication, may edit the first version of the media content to create a second version of the media content. When a subsequent attempt is made to access the first version of the media content, the system may provide the user with the option to access the second version of the media content.
US09646643B2
A method of fabricating a magnetic recording medium sequentially forms a magnetic recording layer, a protection layer, and a lubricant layer on a stacked body. The lubricant layer is formed on a surface of the protection layer by vapor-phase lubrication without exposing the stacked body to atmosphere after forming the protection layer on the stacked body. Nitrogen atoms or oxygen atoms are injected onto the surface of the protection layer after forming the protection layer and before forming the lubricant layer.
US09646642B2
A method and apparatus for forming magnetic media substrates is provided. A patterned resist layer is formed on a substrate having a magnetically susceptible layer. A conformal protective layer is formed over the patterned resist layer to prevent degradation of the pattern during subsequent processing. The substrate is subjected to an energy treatment wherein energetic species penetrate portions of the patterned resist and conformal protective layer according to the pattern formed in the patterned resist, impacting the magnetically susceptible layer and modifying a magnetic property thereof. The patterned resist and conformal protective layers are then removed, leaving a magnetic substrate having a pattern of magnetic properties with a topography that is substantially unchanged.
US09646636B2
A method of manufacturing a magnetic read-write head, including the steps of presenting a row bar to a processing location, the row bar including an air bearing surface, at least one read-write head, at least one electronic lapping guide, and at least one trigger device, wherein each electronic lapping guide is positioned at a different distance from the air bearing surface than each trigger device, and wherein the read-write head and at least one of the trigger devices include a multi-layer stack of materials; lapping the air bearing surface while measuring the electrical resistance of at least one electronic lapping guide and at least one trigger device until the resistance measurement of the trigger device provides an open circuit reading, and measuring an offset resistance value of the at least one electronic lapping guide concurrently with the measurement of the open circuit reading by the trigger device.
US09646634B2
Methods, systems, and apparatus, including computer programs encoded on computer storage media, for training a deep neural network. One of the methods for training a deep neural network that includes a low rank hidden input layer and an adjoining hidden layer, the low rank hidden input layer including a first matrix A and a second matrix B with dimensions i×m and m×o, respectively, to identify a keyword includes receiving a feature vector including i values that represent features of an audio signal encoding an utterance, determining, using the low rank hidden input layer, an output vector including o values using the feature vector, determining, using the adjoining hidden layer, another vector using the output vector, determining a confidence score that indicates whether the utterance includes the keyword using the other vector, and adjusting weights for the low rank hidden input layer using the confidence score.
US09646630B2
An apparatus, system, and computer readable media for data pre-processing and processing for voice recognition are described herein. The apparatus includes logic to pre-process multi-channel audio data and logic to resolve a source location. The apparatus also includes logic to perform wide range adaptive beam forming, and logic to perform full voice recognition.
US09646629B2
In accordance with an embodiment of the present invention, a noise/interference reduction method for speech enhancement processing includes selecting one of the microphones as a main microphone wherein the signal from the main microphone is used as a target signal, the selection of the main microphone is adaptive for mono output case, and the selection of the main microphone is fixed for stereo output case. The noise/interference component signal is estimated by subtracting voice component signal from a first microphone input signal wherein the voice component signal is evaluated as a first replica signal produced by passing a second microphone input signal through a first adaptive filter. A noise/interference reduced signal is output by subtracting a second replica signal from the target signal, wherein the second replica signal is produced by passing the estimated noise/interference component signal through a second adaptive filter.
US09646614B2
A method and system for training a user authentication by voice signal are described. In one embodiment, a set of feature vectors are decomposed into speaker-specific recognition units. The speaker-specific recognition units are used to compute distribution values to train the voice signal. In addition, spectral feature vectors are decomposed into speaker-specific characteristic units which are compared to the speaker-specific distribution values. If the speaker-specific characteristic units are within a threshold limit of the speaker-specific distribution values, the speech signal is authenticated.
US09646601B1
In delivering text-to-speech (TTS) results to a user, the time between the user request and delivery of initial TTS results is reduced using one or more of various techniques. Caching of TTS results may be reconfigured to cache unit indices rather than full speech synthesis results. More powerful computing resources may be dedicated to early TTS processing. A user may be notified of TTS results prior to complete processing of a TTS request. Early TTS processing may be performed by a local device and then passed to a remote device.
US09646586B2
To a first analog signal that has been inputted, a first channel effect is added by an analog process that can be controlled with controls provided in a first channel strip. To a second analog signal that has been inputted, a second channel effect is added by a digital process, the second channel effect being controlled by a fourth control provided in a second channel strip. The second channel effect is preferably performed by a digital effect DSP.
US09646585B2
An apparatus is provided for determining a lyric importance level, comprising a memory and a processor executing instructions stored in the memory. The processor executes instructions stored in the memory to acquire lyric information, the lyric information identifying: lyrics of a song; and lyric location information indicating locations of the lyrics within the song. The processor further executes instructions stored in the memory to acquire section information, the section information identifying: sections of the song; section importance levels corresponding to the sections; and section location information indicating locations of the sections within the song. The processor still further executes instructions stored in the memory to identify, based on the lyric location information and the section location information, one or more sections corresponding to a subset of the lyrics; and determine, based on the section importance levels, a lyric importance level of the subset.
US09646582B2
The present invention is a percussion instrument comprising a body enclosed on all sides by one or more walls. Internal to the body is a matrix comprising two or more compartments. One or more solid masses are located within at least one of the two or more compartments, and are used to produce sound.
US09646573B2
Head-mounted display systems and methods of operation that allow users to couple and decouple a portable electronic device such as a handheld portable electronic device with a separate head-mounted device (e.g., temporarily integrates the separate devices into a single unit) are disclosed. The portable electronic may be physically coupled to the head-mounted device such that the portable electronic device can be worn on the user's head. The portable electronic device may be operatively coupled to the head-mounted device such that the portable electronic device and head mounted device can communicate and operate with one another. Each device may be allowed to extend its features and/or services to the other device for the purpose of enhancing, increasing and/or eliminating redundant functions between the head-mounted device and the portable electronic device.
US09646572B2
An image processing apparatus determines a transparency percentage of each of plural portions of a cabin image of a vehicle, causes the plural portions to be semi-transparent or to be transparent at the determined transparency percentages and displays the cabin image. Thus, the user can intuitively understand a positional relationship between the vehicle and a surrounding region and does not miss an obstacle in a course of traveling of the vehicle.
US09646571B1
In one embodiment, an augmented view is provided utilizing a panorama. A panorama of the physical environment is captured with a panoramic camera. The panorama has a panoramic field of view and is embodied as a sequence of video frames. An initial pose of the panoramic camera is determined. The panoramic camera is tracked to update the initial pose to subsequent poses to account for movement of the panoramic camera about the physical environment. The tracking utilizes features dispersed across the panoramic field of view of video frames. The panorama is augmented by merging computer-generated elements with the panorama based on the updated pose of the panoramic camera. A sub-portion of the panorama, along with the computer-generated elements, is displayed as an augmented view. The displayed augmented view may have a field of view that is less than the panoramic field of view.
US09646558B2
A scan line driver is disclosed. In one aspect, the scan line driver includes a driving signal generation circuit, an output line driving circuit, and a carry transfer circuit. The driving signal generation circuit is configured to generate first and second driving signals based on a plurality of clock signals and a carry signal from a previous scan line driver. The output line driving circuit is configured to generate a scan line enable signal based on the first and second driving signals. The carry transfer circuit is configured to generate a carry signal based on the first and second driving signals.
US09646555B2
A display device includes: a display panel including gate lines, a data lines crossing the gate lines, and pixels connected to the data lines and the gate lines; a data driver configured to drive the data lines; a gate driver configured to drive the gate lines in synchronization with a vertical sync start signal; and a timing controller configured to control the data driver and the gate driver in response to an image signal and a control signal inputted thereto from an outside, where the timing controller outputs the vertical sync start signal to the gate driver, and changes a frequency of the vertical sync start signal when an image signal of a current frame is identical to an image signal shifted from an image signal of a previous frame in a first direction.
US09646553B2
A display device according to an exemplary embodiment of the inventive concept includes: a first insulation substrate; gate lines disposed on the first insulation substrate to transmit a gate signal; data lines crossing and insulated from the gate lines to transmit a data voltage; a first switching element and a second switching element which are connected to the corresponding gate and data lines; a dividing switching element connected to the corresponding gate lines, second switching element, and a reference voltage line; a first pixel electrode connected to the first switching element; and a second pixel electrode connected to the second switching element and the dividing switching element. A reference voltage applied to the dividing switching element from the reference voltage lines varies according to the polarities of the data voltage with respect to the common voltage.
US09646550B2
The liquid crystal display device includes a display panel for displaying a picture thereon, first to (n)th upper data drive ICs for supplying pixel voltages to one side of each data line in the display panel, first to (n)th bottom data drive ICs for supplying pixel voltages to the other side of each data line, a first timing controller for generating an upper data control signal and for controlling operation of the upper data drive ICs, and a second timing controller for generating a bottom data control signal and for controlling operation of the bottom data drive ICs wherein at least one of the first and second timing controllers analyzes the picture data applied thereto and controls the polarities of the pixel voltages to be forwarded from the upper data drive ICs and the bottom data drive ICs with reference to the result of the analysis.
US09646544B2
Embodiments of a backlight module for illuminating a liquid crystal display (LCD) and sensing ambient light are provided herein. The backlight module includes a light-emitting diode (LED) array and a backlight controller. The backlight controller is configured to forward bias the LED array to backlight the LCD and reverse bias the LED array to sense the ambient light level. The backlight controller is configured to adjust the brightness of the LED array based on the current ambient lighting conditions sensed.
US09646540B2
An organic light emitting diode (OLED) display device including a first transistor configured to supply a data voltage to a first node according to a scan signal; a first capacitor connected to the first node at one end of the first capacitor, and connected to a second node at the other end; a second transistor configured to supply a reference voltage to the second node according to a sensing signal; a driving transistor including a drain electrode receiving a high-level source voltage or an initial voltage, a gate electrode connected to the second node, and a source electrode connected to a third node; and an OLED including a cathode electrode receiving a low-level source voltage and an anode electrode connected to the third node.
US09646536B2
A pixel circuit for an organic light emitting display includes first, second, third, fourth, fifth, and sixth MOS transistors, a first capacitor, and an organic light emitting diode. The gate electrode of the first MOS transistor receives a first scanning signal. The first electrode of the first MOS transistor receives a data signal. The gate electrode of the third MOS transistor receives a control signal. The gate electrode of the fourth MOS transistor receives the first scanning signal. The gate electrode of the fifth MOS transistor receives the control signal. The first electrode of the fifth MOS transistor receives a reference voltage. The gate electrode of the sixth MOS transistor receives a second scanning signal. The first electrode of the sixth MOS transistor receives the reference voltage.
US09646530B2
An organic light-emitting display apparatus includes: a plurality of emitting pixels coupled to a plurality of scan lines extending in a row direction and a plurality of data lines extending in a column direction; a plurality of dummy pixels arranged in the row direction; a plurality of first repair lines extending in the column direction, that are coupled to the plurality of dummy pixels, and that are adapted to be coupled to the plurality of emitting pixels; a plurality of second repair lines extending in the column direction, and that are coupled to the plurality of dummy pixels; and a plurality of repair switching devices arranged in a matrix array and adapted to be coupled to the plurality of scan lines and the plurality of second repair lines and adapted to be coupled to the plurality of data lines.
US09646529B2
Disclosed are an organic light emitting diode (OLED) display device and a method for driving the same, which are capable of simplifying the configuration of an overcurrent prevention circuit while preventing overcurrent generation at an image display panel, and achieving a reduction in production costs. The OLED display device includes an image data converter for analyzing input image data, to reduce the possibility of overcurrent generation and to prevent overcurrent generation, modulating image data and a grayscale voltage level (or a gamma voltage level) of a next frame when overcurrent is generated, and outputting the modulated image data and the modulated grayscale voltage (or the modulated gamma voltage), and a timing controller for arranging the image data from the image data converter to match a size of an image display panel, supplying the arranged image data to a data driver, and generating a data control signal to control the data driver.
US09646521B2
It is an object to provide a specific driving method for reduction in power consumption in displaying a 3D image with field sequential driving. A driving method of a liquid crystal display device is a method in which a stereoscopic image can be perceived with a liquid crystal display device switching an image for a left eye and an image for a right eye to display the image for the left eye or the image for the right eye, and a pair of glasses having a switching means with which the image for the right eye and the image for the left eye are switched in synchronization with display of the image for the left eye or the image for the right eye in order that the left or right eye of a viewer may selectively perceive the image for the left eye or the image for the right eye; the image for the left eye and the image for the right eye are perceived by the left eye or right eye in a mixed color by switching light which is emitted from a backlight portion and which corresponds to a plurality of colors, within a predetermined period, and the light which is emitted from the backlight portion are continuously emitted in accordance with an image signal of each of a plurality of colors which forms the image for the left eye and the image for the right eye.
US09646520B2
A vertically oriented support member has a circumference. A flag has an interior edge and an exterior edge separated by a length. The flag has an upper edge and a lower edge separated by a height. The flag has a first surface and a second surface. First fasteners are on the first surface adjacent to the interior edge of the flag. Second fasteners are on the first surface parallel with and laterally spaced from the interior edge. The second fasteners are spaced from the first fasteners by a distance at least equal to the circumference of the support member. A portion of the flag between the first fasteners and second fasteners is secured to and encompasses the support member. Indicia is provided on the flag. The indicia is closer to the exterior edge than to the interior edge.
US09646512B2
Disclosed are systems, methods and computer program products for automated teaching of languages. In one example, a method includes receiving a text content in a natural language; parsing the received text content into one or more sentences; determining a syntactic model of the each sentence; determining a frequency of occurrence for each syntactic model based on a number of sentences associated with each syntactic model in the text content; sorting the one or more syntactic models based on each respective frequency; and generating one or more language teaching exercises, wherein an exercise includes one or more sentences selected based on the frequency of associated syntactic model.
US09646511B2
A see-through, head mounted display and sensing devices cooperating to provide feedback on food items detected in the device field of view. Feedback can include warnings based on personal wearer needs, general nutrition information, food consumption tracking and social interactions. The system includes one or more processing devices in communication with display and the sensors which identify food items proximate to the apparatus, determine feedback information relevant to a wearer of the apparatus; and render feedback information in the display.
US09646501B2
The embodiments described herein can provide systems and methods for combining traditional navigational data with temporary updates. Such a system and method can facilitate the inclusion of temporary navigational events into the navigational data made available on aircraft flight management system (FMS). For example, the systems and methods can be used to combine Aeronautical Information Regulation and Control (AIRAC) navigational data that is traditionally updated on 28 day cycles, with temporary navigational data changes, such as those typically indicated in “Notices to Airmen” (NOTAM). The combined navigational dataset can then be provided to the FMS.
US09646500B2
A method for safely and efficiently requesting transportation services through the use of mobile communications devices capable of geographic location is described. Individual and package transportation may be provided. New customers may be efficiently serviced, and the requester and transportation provider locations may be viewed in real time on the mobile devices.
US09646498B1
Systems and methods for live utilization and tracking of vehicular movement producing a fluid representation of the movement of vehicles and means to evaluate vehicle movement/activities relative to response requirements may be provided. Accordingly, real-time evaluations and/or corrections may be made based on this improved tracking of movement/activities. Replay analysis of movement/activities that have already occurred may be provided to evaluate and make adjustments for future responses and activities. Colors and other unique display items may be used to highlight different activities, movements and/or timing for completion within an online mapping application. Layering of different mapping displays also may be provided.
US09646497B1
Aspects of the invention relate generally to autonomous vehicles. The features described improve the safety, use, driver experience, and performance of these vehicles by using ground markers to determine the position of the surrounding objects. In particular, the autonomous vehicle is capable of detecting nearby objects, such as vehicles and pedestrians, and is able to determine the position of these objects based on whether they have passed over ground markers.
US09646493B2
A system comprising a plurality of mobile object servers respectively assigned to a plurality of regions in a geographic space, the plurality of mobile object servers including at least one mobile object server including a mobile object agent assigned to a moving object in the assigned region; and a plurality of event servers operable to manage events occurring in the geographic space; wherein each mobile object server is operable to transfer the mobile object agent to one of the plurality of mobile object servers assigned to a neighboring region in response to the moving object moving to the neighboring region, and execute the mobile object agent to collect information of events from at least one event server, and provide the moving object with information that assists the moving object with traveling in the geographic space.
US09646475B2
A protective cover for a buckle of a latching system has a base plate having a base plate retaining area for housing the buckle. A cover is hingly coupled to the base plate and has a cover retaining area for housing the buckle when the cover is closed onto the base plate. A locking mechanism is provided for securing the cover to the base plate. An alarm circuit is housed within the base plate for sending an alarm signal when the cover is unlocked and opened prior to deactivating the alarm circuit.
US09646464B2
A gaming system for play of a base game, and arranged to detect a trigger condition during the base game. A feature game is implemented when a feature game frequency criterion is met. The feature game frequency criterion may be based on the number of base games having been implemented since the last implementation of a feature game.
US09646452B2
A computerized method includes presenting a community game on a display device of a wagering game system that comprises a wagering game machine associated with a handheld device for use in conducting the community game, wherein the presenting of the community game comprises presenting movements of a game element in response to movements of the handheld device. The computerized method includes, at periodic time intervals during the community game, storing, in a memory device, data indicating a current position of the handheld device.
US09646445B2
An input authentication method includes a processing unit generating a lead code according to a predetermined character string, wherein the predetermined character string includes a plurality of randomly arranged characters, the lead code is composed of N characters selected from the predetermined character string, and N is a positive integer; displaying the lead code on an input interface; the input interface receiving a first input; and when the first input corresponds to the N characters of the lead code, the processing unit performing a predetermined operation.
US09646434B2
The present disclosure describes techniques for controlling access a restricted location (114) as well as a system (100) for doing so. According to various implementations, a potential entrant to the restricted location needs to transmit two values to an access authorization device (108) located at the perimeter (112) of the restricted location in order to gain access. In one implementation, the system provides an authentication code to a first device (116) (e.g., a smartphone) via wireless communication link (120) (e.g., over a cellular network) and displays a visual image (127) with an embedded access code at a display device (104). The second device (118), which is securely paired with the first device, captures the image and sends the image data to the first device. Using the authentication code and the access code, the first device derives the two values to gain access to the restricted location.
US09646432B2
A diagnostic scan tool is provided including a connect/configure module for establishing a communication link between the scan tool and a vehicle electronic control unit (ECU). A vehicle specification module operates to identify a vehicle under test in response to receipt of a vehicle identification number (VIN). A trouble code module retrieves digital trouble codes (DTCs) from the ECU. A freeze frame data module retrieves freeze frame data from the ECU, the retrieved freeze frame data being functionally associated with a highest priority DTC. A database lists possible vehicle defect solutions, indexed to the VIN and the DTCs. A digital signal processor is operative to derive the highest priority DTC from analysis of the retrieved freeze frame data. The digital signal processor further being operative to regulate selection of a most likely vehicle defect solution associated with the VIN and the highest priority DTC.
US09646428B1
Methods and systems are provided for monitoring use of a vehicle having one or more autonomous (and/or semi-autonomous) operation features to determine and respond to incidents, such as collisions, thefts, or breakdowns. According to certain aspects, operating data from sensors within or near the vehicle may be used to determine when an incident has occurred and determine an appropriate response. The responses may include contacting a third party to provide assistance, such as local emergency services. In some embodiments, occurrence of the incident may be verified by automated communication with the vehicle operator.
US09646423B1
In one embodiment, a method for providing augmented reality in minimally invasive surgery includes capturing pre-operative image data of internal organs of a patient, capturing intra-operative image data of the internal organs with an endoscope during a surgical procedure, registering the pre-operative image data and the intra-operative data in real time during the surgical procedure, tracking the position and orientation of the endoscope during the surgical procedure, and augmenting the intra-operative image data captured by the endoscope in real time with a rendering of at least a portion of an internal organ of the patient that is in registration with the real time intra-operative image data from the endoscope but outside of the field of view of the endoscope.
US09646420B2
An information processing apparatus includes circuitry configured to: control an imaging device to stop a first focus adjustment when a specific object is detected from a first image captured by the imaging device while the first focus adjustment is in execution, the first focus adjustment being performed at each first time interval by the imaging device, and control the imaging device to start a second focus adjustment when the specific object is not detected from a second image captured by the imaging device after the imaging device is controlled to stop the first focus adjustment.
US09646414B2
Systems and methods for modeling a three-dimensional (3D) geological structure to improve maximum continuity interpolation. An integration method describes local anisotropic effects and introduces interpolation techniques to perform the interpolation between two points of interest along a direction of maximum continuity and across fault surfaces.
US09646410B2
A three-dimensional (3D) scene is computationally reconstructed using a combination of plural modeling techniques. Point clouds representing an object in the 3D scene are generated by different modeled techniques and each point is encoded with a confidence value which reflects a degree of accuracy in describing the surface of the object in the 3D scene based on strengths and weaknesses of each modeling technique. The point clouds are merged in which a point for each location on the object is selected according to the modeling technique that provides the highest confidence.
US09646403B2
An image processing apparatus inputs an image and then reads out, from a memory, to perform image processing for an image of a second region of the input image, an image of a region superimposed on the second region, and an image of a part of a first region adjacent to the second region, and controls a position of padding, wherein the padding results from image reduction of the first region, performed before the image processing for the image of the second region, so that the padding that results from the image reduction of the first region is not read out for the image processing for the image of the second region.
US09646397B2
An image processing apparatus which composes a plurality of images captured while changing an exposure amount, includes a displacement detection unit which detects a displacement amount between the plurality of images, a correction unit which corrects a displacement between the images based on the displacement amount detected by the displacement detection unit, a moving object region detection unit which detects a moving object region from the plurality of images for which the displacement has been corrected, an image composition unit which composes the plurality of images for which the displacement has been corrected, and a moving object processing unit which replaces a region corresponding to the moving object region of the composite image composed by the image composition unit by an image obtained by performing weighted addition of the plurality of images.
US09646392B2
A method and an associated device construct a uniform color space from raw RGB data without going through any intermediate color space, such as CIEXYZ. A direction and a scale of each of first, second and third perceptual color axes may be determined based at least in part on the characteristics related to the imaging device, such that a first perceptual color axis correlates with lightness, a second perceptual color axis correlates with yellow-blue color variations, and a third perceptual color axis correlates with red-green color variations. The second perceptual color axis may be substantially aligned with typical daylight variation.
US09646390B2
Methods, apparatus, and computer readable media are provided for image compression. Edge elements of an image comprising pixels are established by analyzing pixel values associated with the pixels of the image. The edge elements are organized in an edge data structure having at least two dimensions. The edge data structure is compacted along a first dimension by arranging the established edge elements adjacent to each other along the first dimension in a compacted edge data structure. Compressed edges in a second dimension in the compacted edge data structure are determined by: determining edge elements to be joined along a second dimension in the compacted edge data structure based on pixel values of neighboring edge elements, along the second dimension, in the compacted edge data structure; and compressing the image by encoding formed edges, the edges being formed by joining the determined edge elements.
US09646387B2
According to some aspects, methods and systems may include receiving, by a computing device, metadata identifying an event occurring in a video program, and determining an expected motion of objects in the identified event. The methods and systems may further include analyzing motion energy in the video program to identify video frames in which the event occurs, and storing information identifying the video frames in which the event occurs.
US09646386B2
A method and an apparatus for generating superpixels for a sequence of frames. A feature space of the sequence of frames is separated into a color subspace and a spatial subspace. A clustering is then performed in the spatial subspace on a frame basis. In the color subspace a clustering is performed on stacked frames. An erroneous temporal consistency of a superpixel associated to a frame is detected by performing a similarity check between a corresponding superpixel in one or more past frames and one or more future frames using two or more metrics. The affected superpixels is future frames are corrected accordingly.
US09646377B2
Arrangements, apparatus, systems and systems are provided for obtaining data for at least one portion within at least one luminal or hollow sample. The arrangement, system or apparatus can be (insertable via at least one of a mouth or a nose of a patient. For example, a first optical arrangement can be configured to transceive at least one electromagnetic (e.g., visible) radiation to and from the portion. A second arrangement may be provided at least partially enclosing the first arrangement. Further, a third arrangement can be configured to be actuated so as to position the first arrangement at a predetermined location within the luminal or hollow sample. The first arrangement may be configured to compensate for at least one aberration (e.g., astigmatism) caused by the second arrangement and/or the third arrangement. The second arrangement can include at least one portion which enables a guiding arrangement to be inserted there through. Another arrangement can be provided which is configured to measure a pressure within the at least one portion. The data may include a position and/or an orientation of the first arrangement with respect to the luminal or hollow sample.
US09646373B2
A method for counterfeit IC detection includes: providing a computer, an optical and an X-ray imager; optically imaging a package of one or more ICs; pattern matching the package image to identify an IC type; selecting one or more reference images from a reference library; X-ray imaging one or more ICs; performing in any order: comparing an internal lead frame structure of the one or more ICs to images from the reference library to determine a first numerical indicator; and determining a composition of the lead frame of the one or more ICs and to a corresponding composition from the reference library to determine a second numerical indicator; calculating an indication of authenticity based on the first numerical indicator and the second numerical indicator; and accepting or rejecting the one or more ICs based on the indication of authenticity. A system for counterfeit IC detection is also described.
US09646366B2
A method, apparatus and computer program product are provided to enhance medical images by utilizing an enhancement function in order to permit a user to more efficiently and effectively read the medical images and provide diagnostic or other information based upon the enhanced images. In the context of a method, a medical image is received that has a plurality of pixels with respective pixel values. The method also enhances the medical image utilizing an enhancement function. The enhancement function varies depending upon the pixel value of a respective pixel. For example, the enhancement function of one embodiment may be a piecewise function. As such, the method enhances the medical image by modifying a representation of the medical image in accordance with the enhancement function.
US09646355B2
Electronic signatures are authenticated utilizing near field communication (NFC) devices as proof of identity. An identification service collects an identification of a NFC device associated with a signer of a contract. The identification may be utilized as an access control mechanism that enables the signer to receive, view, or sign the contract. An electronic signature associated with the signer is received. The identification of the NFC device and the electronic signature of the signer are recorded in the contract and/or audit information associated with the contract.
US09646345B1
To determine a treatment facility for repairing a damaged vehicle, a display allows a user to select from several treatment facilities assigned to the same treatment complexity level category as the damaged vehicle. The display may also include availability information for each treatment facility, an estimated amount of time for completing the treatment, and/or an estimated cost of repair. Once the user selects a treatment facility for performing the treatment, a request to transport the damaged vehicle to the treatment facility may be sent to the selected treatment facility or to a vehicle transporter.
US09646342B2
Disclosed is a system and associated method of using a customer's mobile device as an online banking remote control for another customer device. The system typically includes a processor, a memory, and an online banking module stored in the memory. The module is typically configured for (i) associating the mobile device with the customer's online banking account and (ii) binding the mobile device to another computing device. In addition, the module is typically configured for subsequently receiving a remote access command associated with the customer's online banking account and associated with the computing device from the mobile device. The remote access of the computing device to the customer's online banking account can then be modified based on the remote access command and determining that (i) the mobile device is associated with the customer's online banking account and (ii) the mobile device is bound to the computing device.
US09646330B2
A method, system and computer-readable medium for managing usage of storage tank consumables in a storage tank are provided. This is achieved by receiving and storing by a central server comprising a processor and a storage device, measurements of storage tank consumables from a remote system associated with a storage tank; periodically calculating by the processor usage-based data for generating invoices for storage tank consumables based on sensor measurements representative of an estimated usage of the storage tank consumables; receiving and storing by the central server a fill value representing an actual usage reported to the central server when the storage tank is filled; and reconciling the estimated usage with the actual usage by the processor by summing all estimated usages since a last fill of the storage tank, calculating a difference between the sum of the estimated usages and the fill value, and issuing a debit or credit based on the difference for reconciliation.
US09646315B2
An approach is provided for identifying and utilizing user experience differential information to improve a user's experience for a given application. The analytics platform determines one or more user experience ratings associated with at least one application, at least one subcomponent of the at least one application, at least one application category, or a combination thereof with respect to one or more device types. The analytics platform processes and/or facilitates a processing of the one or more user experience ratings to determine user experience differential information between the one or more device types.
US09646314B2
Embodiments of the invention can include systems and methods for providing a promotion for a combined product dispensed from a product dispenser. In one embodiment, a system can provide a promotion for a combined product dispensed from a product dispenser. The system can include a code generation module operable to receive data associated with a plurality of product recipes; and generate a machine readable item with a promotion identifier, and a combined recipe including the plurality of product recipes, wherein the machine readable item configures a product dispenser to promote and dispense the combined recipe.
US09646312B2
An enhanced method of Casino and hotel probable customer and customer demographic identification, game selection, advertising and customer service based on the identification.
US09646311B2
A method, apparatus, questionnaire, and system for evaluating student(s), teacher(s), and a course(s). A participant enters data into a device. A participant is a student or a teacher. The data reflect a response by the participant to at least one item that is presented to the participant. The at least one item relates to at least one session of the course. The at least one session is taught to the participant by a teacher. The data may include teacher data relating to the teacher(s), student data relating to the student(s), course data relating to the course(s), or combinations thereof.
US09646310B2
A method includes printing a readable and writeable memory on an object, using a seed to generate an original value, writing the original value to the memory, and sending the object to a recipient. The method may also include receiving the object at the recipient, determining the seed from a characteristic of the object, generating an authentication value using the seed value, and comparing the authentication value and the original value.
US09646306B1
A method for encrypting a passcode is disclosed. In one embodiment, the method includes: receiving an indication of a portion of the passcode from a user; encoding the portion of the passcode; encrypting the encoded portion into ciphertext using a homomorphic encryption system; updating a cumulative encryption string by executing a cumulative operation to aggregate the ciphertext corresponding to the encoded portion into the cumulative encryption string computed for a previous portion of the passcode, wherein the cumulative operation is dictated by a homomorphic property of the homomorphic encryption system; and generating a passcode message based at least in part on the cumulative encryption string, wherein the passcode message includes a message authentication code.
US09646305B2
Provided are a payment service system, a payment service apparatus and method thereof. A personal barcode is issued for each user, an integrated barcode is generated by mapping the personal barcode with a product barcode, and the integrated barcode is changed for a preset period by setting the integrated barcode to only be valid during a preset period when performing a payment using the integrated barcode. Accordingly, security can be improved.
US09646298B2
Techniques for detecting the presence of a tag are described. According to one aspect of the present invention, a plurality of devices are deployed around an establishment, each of the devices is executing a client module to communicate with a server and receive a broadcast from a tag attached to an object (e.g., a human being or an item). As the object approaches to a device, the broadcast from the tag is received by a device that reports to the server. As a result, the server executing a server module can determine a movement trajectory of the object from those devices that have received the broadcast from the tag. One embodiment of the present invention can be used to track an asset or facilitate a location-based service to a user wearing the tag.
US09646297B2
An application providing method including: storing, at a memory of a cloud-based computing resource, at least two web-based applications; allowing a computing device of a user, after the user has gained access to a website of a financial institution of which the user has an account, to access the application offering page identifying the at least two web-based applications that are stored on the cloud-based computing resource; receiving, in the cloud-based computing resource, a selection of an application from the application offering page; transmitting, from the cloud-based computing resource to the computing device, data that allows the selected application to be displayed on the computing device, the selected application being stored on the cloud-based computing resource; and transmitting, from the cloud-based computing resource to the computing device, data that allows data pertaining to the user that was previously stored by the financial institution to be displayed on the computing device.
US09646292B2
A method and system for distributing digital content to customers at a plurality of points of transaction that allows each content provider to use its own method of digital rights management. A master digital catalog is used to load product data from a plurality of different content providers. The catalog contents are provided to retailers and other points of transaction. A digital activation broker processes customer orders from the points of transaction and provides information that allows the customer access to the content. The content may be provided by the digital activation broker or through a third-party website. In some embodiments, a payment processor is used to process payments submitted by the customers. The digital activation broker may also void transactions and look up lost authorization codes.
US09646286B2
A system and method including collecting image data of a purchase receipt; converting image data to machine readable data; generating a receipt model including at least one line item from the machine readable text data; selecting a product profile to associate with a line item through one of a tiered set of receipt heuristics, that includes: through a direct identifier heuristic, searching for a product identifier from a line item that corresponds to a product profile, and through an approximate match heuristic, calculating a score for the line item compared to at least one product profile of a master product list; and accounting for the selected product profile of the line item.
US09646280B2
A system and method for managing the delivery of goods. The system and method particularly provides for manifesting and controlling route-based delivery of orders or packages from a vendor to one or more locations accessible by customers. The locations may include automated, self-service vending machines and/or will-call lockers, under the control of a system (ideally centralized and automated) that can receive and actively manage manifest information.
US09646277B2
A quality management system for products including a multiplicity of product unit specific indicators, each operative to provide a machine-readable indication of exceedence of at least one threshold by at least one product quality determining parameter, an indicator reader operative to read the product unit specific indicators and to provide output indications and a product type specific indication interpreter operative to receive the output indications and to provide human sensible, product unit specific, product quality status outputs.
US09646274B2
A BPM system is described for modeling, management and execution of business processes. A process designer component is used to graphically design a business process, which includes a set of activities linked by transitions. The business process is stored and executed using one or more engines. A mobile device can be used to access the business process instance executing on the engine. The mobile work portal can be generated to render information for the process instance onto the mobile device. A process application programming interface can be used to access and manipulate the process instance from the mobile device.
US09646269B1
A system, method, and computer program product are provided for centralized guided testing. In use, at least one software testing project is identified. Additionally, data associated with the at least one software testing project is accessed from at least one of a plurality of knowledge repositories that are capable of being dynamically and constantly updated, the plurality of knowledge repositories including: at least one first repository including official testing methodology associated with a plurality of testing processes; at least one second repository including test project management information; at least one third repository including test knowledge information provided by users; and at least one fourth repository including historical testing project information and ongoing testing project information. Further, the data associated with the at least one software testing project is presented utilizing at least one user interface.
US09646259B2
A Josephson junction (JJ) quantum bit (qubits) arranged on a substrate is provided. In one embodiment, each qubit comprises a dielectric layer, a superconductor base layer portion underlying the dielectric layer and a first dielectric diffused region adjacent a dielectric layer/superconductor base layer portion junction. The qubit further comprise a superconductor mesa layer portion overlying the dielectric layer and having a second dielectric diffused region adjacent a dielectric layer/superconductor mesa layer portion junction, the first and second dielectric diffused regions mitigating further diffusion from other semiconductor processes on the plurality of qubits.
US09646258B2
Embodiments are generated directed to method, medium, and system including processing circuitry to generate records including randomly selected events for each of one or more subjects having one or more of the same category parameters as a subject of a particular event. The processing circuitry may also present, on a display device, a computer-generated model based on the records, the model having a decision tree data structure having decision tree nodes corresponding with historical events from the records, each of the decision tree nodes having an indication of a likelihood of occurrence for the particular event based on whether a corresponding history event of the decision tree node occurred or did not occur within a specific time period. Embodiments of the real-time distributed nature of the systems and processing discussed herein can solve big data analytics processing problems and facilitate data anomaly detection.
US09646251B2
A computer processor determines a first span of a communication, wherein a span includes content associated with one or more dialog statements. If the content of the first span contains one or more topic change indicators which are identified by at least one detector of a learning model, the computer processor, in response, generates scores for each of the one or more indicators. The computer processor aggregates scores of the one or more indicators of the first span, which may be weighted, to produce an aggregate score. The computer processor compares the aggregate score to a threshold value, wherein the threshold value is determined during training of the learning model, and the computer processor, in response to the aggregate score crossing the threshold value, determines a topic change has occurred within the first span.
US09646247B2
A mechanism is provided, in a data processing system comprising a processor and a memory configured to implement a question and answer system (QA), for utilizing temporal indicators to weight semantic values. A set of temporal characteristics is identified of a set of initial candidate answers. For each initial candidate answer in the set of initial candidate answers: a distance value is generated for each of the set of temporal characteristics of the set of initial candidate answers, a multiplier value is determined with which to weight an initial confidence score associated with the initial candidate answer using the distance value; a sentiment value is determined of the initial candidate answer, and a final weight value is determined using the multiplier value, the sentiment value, and the initial confidence score associated with the initial candidate answer. A set of temporally refined candidate answers is then provided using the determined final weight values.
US09646246B2
A system and method for associating a character string with one or more defined entities of a contact record. An input character string is received. The string is first evaluated to see if the structure of the string is recognized. If not, then the string is compared to entries in a look up table. If the string format is not recognized, and the string is not found in the look up table, then a posterior probability is calculated for a set of defined entities over a limited set of string processing features. The result of probabilistic scoring determines which of the defined entities to associate with the character string.
US09646245B2
When using Web intelligence (“Webint”) to collect information regarding a target social network user, one of the most valuable pieces of information is the target user's List-Of-Friends (LOF). In some cases, however, the LOF of the target user is not accessible in his profile. Herein are described methods and systems for identifying the LOF of a target user. An analysis system crawls the profiles of social network users, other than the target user, and reconstructs the LOF of the target user from the crawled profiles.
US09646239B2
Transponders are disclosed that are configurable to operate in an HDX mode and/or an FDX-B mode and that use a switchable load impedance across the transponders' resonant antenna circuit to induce amplitude and/or frequency modulation. One embodiment of the invention includes an inductive antenna including two terminals connected to tag circuitry, where the inductive antenna forms a resonant antenna circuit tuned to resonate at the frequency of the activation signal. The tag circuitry and the resonant antenna circuitry are configurable as an oscillator, the tag circuitry is configured to be powered by electric current induced in the resonant antenna circuit, includes at least one switchable load impedance connected across the antenna resonant circuit, configured to amplitude modulate the activation signal appearing at the resonant antenna circuit terminals using a switchable load impedance, and to frequency shift key modulate the oscillator signal appearing at the resonant antenna circuit terminals.
US09646230B1
Neural-network-based image segmentation techniques are provided herein. An input image that includes a plurality of characters can be received. Boundaries between the characters can be identified using a trained neural network. The input image can be segmented along the boundaries identified between the characters. The neural network can be trained using a training image and a training target vector. The training target vector can indicate one or more boundaries between characters in the training image. Neural-network-based segmentation can be used alone or in conjunction with other segmentation techniques to improve overall segmentation accuracy.
US09646229B2
A method and system for automatic bone segmentation and landmark detection for joint replacement surgery is disclosed. A 3D medical image of at least a target joint region of a patient is received. A plurality bone structures are automatically segmented in the target joint region of the 3D medical image and a plurality of landmarks associated with a joint replacement surgery are automatically detected in the target joint region of the 3D medical image. The boundaries of segmented bone structures can then be interactively refined based on user inputs.
US09646225B2
A defocus estimation algorithm is described herein. The defocus estimation algorithm utilizes a single image. A Laplacian of Gaussian approximation is determined by computing a difference of Gaussian. Defocus blur is able to be estimated by computing a blur difference between two images using the difference of Gaussian.
US09646213B2
A determination unit determines, on images of video data where a road set as a survey target was shot in different times, whether or not the shooting position of the image is within a tolerance value with the shooting position of any of the images as a reference, for each image having a corresponding shooting position. When the shooting position is determined to be within the tolerance value, a creation unit creates screen information of a screen where images that has been determined to be within the tolerance value is displayed in synchronization. Moreover, when the shooting position is determined to be beyond the tolerance value, the creation unit creates screen information of a screen where an image that has been determined to be beyond the tolerance value is undisplayed.
