US09949420B2
Whether or not a lead wire has been normally cut and clinched can be reliably detected. A contact pipe is arranged in lead wire insertion holes of a pair of fixed pawls in a state of being electrically insulated from the fixed pawls. In a case where the lead wire is shorter than a set length after the lead wire is inserted into the lead wire insertion holes, a clearance of the pair of lead wire insertion holes is widened by a set amount in the event of outward bending of the lead wire and is narrowed by a set amount in the event of inward bending. A cut-and-clinch operation is performed with S4 bypassed in a case where the length of the lead wire is at least the set length.
US09949419B2
A linear motion device includes: a linear motion mechanism having: a beam elongated in one horizontal direction; a guide member disposed in the beam to extend in the one direction; a moving member disposed to be movable along the guide member; and a moving mechanism that moves the moving member. The beam includes a metallic tubular body formed with an opening portion penetrating the metallic tubular body in the one direction and a tubular reinforcing portion formed of a carbon fiber reinforced plastic and formed in close contact with an inner surface of the metallic tubular body.
US09949413B2
A heat-dissipating structure for a variable speed drive (VSD), a VSD device having the heat-dissipating structure, and a method for controlling the heat-dissipating structure. The heat-dissipating structure comprises: an electronic element array, having a first end and an opposite second end, electronic elements in the array producing heat during operation; a heat-dissipating fan, disposed at the first end of the array and used to conduct cooling air to flow between the first end and the second end to cool the electronic elements in the array; and a control apparatus, for controlling operation of the fan, the control apparatus controlling the fan so that the fan rotates at a first rotation direction within a first time period to conduct the cooling air to flow from the second end to the first end, and rotates at a second rotation direction contrary to the first rotation direction within a second time period to conduct the cooling air to flow from the first end to the second end.
US09949412B2
A method of providing a cooling apparatus for cooling a heat-dissipating component(s) of an electronics enclosure includes: providing a thermal conductor to couple to the heat-dissipating component(s), the thermal conductor including a first conductor portion coupled to the heat-dissipating component, and a second conductor portion to position along an air inlet side of the electronics enclosure, so that in operation, the first conductor portion transfers heat from the component(s) to the second conductor portion; coupling at least one air-cooled heat sink to the second conductor portion to facilitate transfer of heat to airflow ingressing into the enclosure; providing at least one thermoelectric device coupled to the first or second conductor portion to facilitate providing active auxiliary cooling to the thermal conductor; and providing a controller to control operation of the thermoelectric device(s) and to selectively switch operation of the cooling apparatus between active and passive cooling modes.
US09949403B2
A device for cooling electronic boards grouped together in an electronic unit. The principle is that of providing at least one distinct cooling board that is introduced into the unit in place of one or more electronic board(s). The manufacture, use and maintenance of such a cooling device are thereby greatly optimized.
US09949396B2
An electrical connector and the buckle assembly thereof. The buckle assembly includes a stiffener for receiving a socket, a load plate for pressing the chip module, and a guide frame pivoted to the stiffener. A rear end of the load plate is pivoted to the stiffener. The guide frame has an opening for receiving the chip module, and two side arms located on two opposite sides of the opening and a rear arm connected to the two side arms. Each of the side arms is provided with a sliding rail for carrying a side plate of a clamping member. The side plate is slidable along the sliding rail. The clamping member is used for fixing the chip module. A protruding portion is formed by protruding upward from the sliding rail, making the protruding portion higher than the sliding rail.
US09949395B2
An electronic device and a method of waterproofing a key thereof are provided. The electronic device includes a body, a display device disposed in the body, a key disposed in the body, and a key-waterproof structure including an insert-injected product that includes an insert-injected sealing area, and a bonding area where a silicon-not-attached portion is formed. The method includes assembling a flexible printed circuit board, to which a key is attached, through a silicon-not-attached portion of an insert-injected product, which is made by insert-injecting a bracket and silicon rubber, and bonding the silicon-not-attached portion.
US09949391B2
A protective shell includes a casing and a rotating assembly. The casing supports an electronic device. The casing includes a first portion and a second portion. The first portion includes a first joining end, and the second portion includes a second joining end. The rotating assembly includes a shaft and a hook. The shaft protrudes from the first portion adjacent to the first joining end and extends along the first joining end. The hook protrudes from the second joining end and bends toward the second portion. The second portion is rotatably connected to the first portion when the hook is hooked on the shaft. The second portion is positioned at any position relative to the first portion, and the second portion forms any desired angle with the first portion to prop up the first portion and the electronic device.
US09949390B1
An electronic device may include a device housing and a display carried by the device housing. The electronic device may also include an actuator carried between the device housing and the display. The actuator may include an actuator body having an actuator bottom and a sidewall extending upwardly therefrom, a first guide member carried by the actuator bottom and spaced inwardly from adjacent portions of the sidewall to define a channel, and at least one coil carried by the sidewall. The actuator may also include a magnet being moveable within the channel and an actuator top coupled to the magnet and that includes a second guide member cooperating with the first guide member. The electronic device may also include a controller configured to drive the at least one coil to relatively move the actuator bottom and actuator top to thereby deform the display.
US09949389B2
An image processing board and a display apparatus having the same are provided. The image processing board includes a substrate, common input terminals installed on the substrate, and an additional input terminal selectively installed on the substrate. The additional input terminal is selectively installed on the substrate according to a type of display apparatus, and thus the image processing board may be used in various types of display apparatuses.
US09949388B2
A waterproof ventilator includes: an outer hollow body including: an internal space; a side with an outer opening adopted not to be covered with a water film at a lower portion thereof; and a bottom; and an inner hollow body including an internal space, at least a part of which is housed in the outer hollow body, and including: an outer surface disposed so as not to cause a water film to stay in a gap with an inner surface of the outer hollow body; an inner opening provided at a position not to be hit directly with water entering into the internal space of the outer hollow body through the outer opening and adopted not to be covered with a water film; an upper opening provided at an upper side than the inner opening and communicating with an exterior of the outer hollow body; and a bottom.
US09949376B2
The present invention consists of an implantable device with at least one package that houses electronics that sends and receives data or signals, and optionally power, from an external system through at least one coil attached to at least one package and processes the data, including recordings of neural activity, and delivers electrical pulses to neural tissue through at least one array of multiple electrodes that are attached to the at least one package. The device is adapted to electrocorticographic (ECoG) and local field potential (LFP) signals. A brain stimulator, preferably a deep brain stimulator, stimulates the brain in response to neural recordings in a closed feedback loop. The device is advantageous in providing neuromodulation therapies for neurological disorders such as chronic pain, post traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), major depression, or similar disorders. The invention and components thereof are intended to be installed in the head, or on or in the cranium or on the dura, or on or in the brain.
US09949365B2
Light source for an inline sensor having one or more solid state UV emitters for emitting light at single wavelengths in the range of 240 to 400 nm. The light emitted by each of the emitters has a bandwidth on the order of 10-20 nm and is directed toward a measurement detector in the inline sensor. The UV emitters are enclosed in a housing which can be attached to the inline sensor, with a reference detector and a regulator for the UV emitters also within the housing, and an aperture through which the light passes from the emitters to the measurement detector. In some embodiments, air cooling is provided for the UV emitters.
US09949361B1
A balun device comprises an input microstrip, a first output microstrip, a second output microstrip, and a junction comprising a conductive termination of the input microstrip, the first output microstrip, and the second output microstrip, whereby an input signal provided to the input microstrip will propagate through the first output microstrip as a first output signal and through the second output microstrip as a second output signal, wherein the phase of the first output signal is identical to the phase of the input signal, and wherein the junction inverts the phase of the second output signal relative to the phase of the input signal and the first output signal.
US09949358B2
A circuit board includes a base layer, a circuit layer disposed on the base layer, where an air gap is defined in the circuit layer, a heat blocking part disposed in the air gap, and an electronic element disposed on the circuit layer. The heat blocking part has a thermal conductivity lower than a thermal conductivity of the circuit layer.
US09949357B2
The embodiments relate to a method for integrating a venting system in a circuit board. Three or more interconnected accesses (VIAs) are formed in a printed circuit board (PCB). The VIAs are interconnected by routing a bi-planar channel spanning through the VIAs. The channel includes at least two sections, including a first channel section at a first plane extending from the first VIA to the second VIA and a second channel section at a second plane extending from the second VIA to the third VIA. The first and second sections are at different planar levels.
US09949353B1
A method for controlling light presentation of a light system is proposed to include steps of: (a) performing, by a media renderer, playback of a multimedia program; and (b) controlling, by the media renderer during the playback of the multimedia program in step (a), the light system to change light presentation thereof according to a light-timing file set that is prepared prior to step (a), and that indicates time points at which the light system is to change light presentation thereof during playback of the multimedia program.
US09949342B2
A backlight and a control method for the backlight, and a display device are disclosed; a backlight includes: at least two light sources with different color temperatures and a control module configured to adjust a color temperature of the backlight by respectively controlling a drive current of each light source.
US09949333B2
A semiconductor device includes: a diagnosis portion which diagnoses, when the device is started up, whether an abnormality occurs in a component for setting that is externally connected; and a control portion which stops the startup of the device when the diagnosis portion diagnoses that an abnormality occurs, the diagnosis portion diagnoses whether an abnormality occurs in which the connection of the component for setting that is a resistor is disconnected, the semiconductor device further includes an external terminal which is connected to one end of the resistor and the diagnosis portion includes a constant current circuit which passes a constant current through the resistor via the external terminal, a comparator to which a voltage produced at the external terminal is input and a transistor which switches between the connection and interruption of a path along which the constant current is passed.
US09949326B2
A light system is disclosed. The light system includes a light emitting diode (LED) and a shunt transistor having a current path connected to the LED. A ramp generator circuit generates a ramp voltage. An amplifier has a first input terminal connected to the LED, a second input terminal coupled to receive the ramp voltage, and an output terminal connected to a control terminal of the shunt transistor.
US09949324B2
A power efficient method and system for ensuring a reliable operation of dimmers in conjunction with solid state lighting devices such as LED or OLED assemblies is presented. A controller for a driver circuit of a solid state light bulb assembly is described. The solid state light bulb assembly comprises a solid state light source. The driver circuit comprises a switched-mode power converter. The controller is configured to receive an input voltage indicative of a mains electricity supply submitted to a dimmer; to determine that the dimmer is in an off-phase, based on the input voltage; and, if it is determined that the dimmer is in an off-phase, to generate a control signal for the switched-mode power converter to operate the switched-mode power converter in a switched mode for discharging one or more capacitances at an input of the switched-mode power converter.
US09949319B2
A pane having an electric heating layer is described, including: a first pane having a surface; at least one electric heating layer that is applied to at least part of the surface and has at least one uncoated zone; at least two busbars, provided for connection to a voltage source, which are connected to the electric heating layer such that a current path for a heating current is formed between the busbars; and n separating lines which electrically subdivide the electric layer into m segments. The segments are arranged in the form of strips around the uncoated zone such that the current path for the heating current is at least partially guided around the uncoated zone and the segments have equal width and the sum of widths of segments is equal to the width of the electric heating layer.
US09949306B2
In various aspects of this disclosure, a communication terminal device may be provided. The communication terminal device may include a cellular wide area radio communication technology circuit. The cellular wide area radio communication technology circuit may be configured to provide a communication according to a cellular wide area radio communication technology. The communication terminal device may further include a circuit. The circuit may be configured to provide a direct communication terminal device to communication terminal device communication bypassing a radio access network according to information received via the radio access network. The communication terminal device may further include a message generator. The message generator may be configured to generate a message to transmit to a base station. The message may include at least one message field specifying information about at least one capability to provide the direct communication terminal device to communication terminal device communication of the communication terminal device. The message may be generated for a network communication protocol.
US09949305B2
A method and device for peer-to-peer communications is provided. The method includes communication of the capabilities of a device to another device or network component. A peer to peer communication is established based on at least one of the capabilities of the device. The method may also include utilizing a control point or access point in conveying the capabilities of the device to another device.
US09949302B2
In general, this disclosure is directed to techniques for toggling communication connections based on signal strengths. A first computing device receives an indication of a user input to send data packets to a second computing device. Responsive to receiving the indication, the first computing device determines a signal strength of a first wireless communication connection, comprising one of a cellular network connection or a wireless local area network connection, to the second computing device, and determines whether the signal strength satisfies a threshold signal strength level. Responsive to determining that the signal strength does not satisfy the threshold signal strength level, the first computing device automatically establishes a second wireless communication connection, including a mesh network using a different wireless communication protocol than the first wireless communication connection, to the second computing device, and sends the data packets to the second computing device via the second wireless communication connection.
US09949294B2
A client station (STA), when operating in a wireless network, receives data sent by an access point (AP) on a first channel comprising at least one subchannel. During reception of the data on the first channel, the STA monitors channel availability of an additional set of one or more subchannels. In response to a detected availability of at least one newly-available subchannel, the STA sends at least one notification to the AP identifying STA-side availability of the newly-available subchannel(s). The STA subsequently receives data from the AP on the newly-available subchannel(s), which is sent in response to the at least one notification. The AP, when communicating data to the STA, receives the at least one notification from the STA and, in response thereto, initiates data transmission on one or more of the newly-available channel(s).
US09949292B2
Methods, systems, and devices are described contention-based channel access procedures that may enhance efficiency in communications using unlicensed spectrum. A time period may be identified during which base stations perform contention-based downlink channel access procedures for access to a channel in an unlicensed spectrum. The base stations may be coordinated such that different base stations may seek channel access during different time intervals during the time period. Contention-based uplink channel access procedures for UEs may then be modified to favor one or more UEs that are associated with a base station that has won channel access.
US09949274B2
A method controls a wireless network, which includes a controller and a plurality of network elements. The method includes determining interference in the wireless network using radio-link measurements, generating an interference matrix identifying the interference in the wireless network, and generating an adjacency matrix based on the interference matrix identifying locations having unacceptable levels of interference in the wireless network. The method also includes allocating channels and corresponding transmission powers in the wireless network to reduce the unacceptable levels of interference. The method is performed at predetermined fixed time intervals and when a new network element is added to the wireless network.
US09949271B2
A UE initiates an MMTEL service in RRC Idle mode in a mobile communication network. The UE acquires access control information from a base station. The access control information comprises SSAC configuration information, ACB parameters information, and ACB bypass information. The ACB bypass information indicates whether ACB is applicable to MMTEL service type. The UE then performs SSAC check for the MMTEL service based on the access control information. The UE also performs ACB check for the MMTEL service if ACB is applicable to the MMTEL service. Otherwise, the UE bypasses the ACB check for the MMTEL service. The selective ACB mechanism can prioritize or deprioritize services based on operator's requirement.
US09949265B2
A base station receives channel state information from a wireless device. The base station transmits to the wireless device one or more data packets on a data channel employing a first precoding matrix identifier. The base station transmits one or more control packets on a control channel to the wireless device employing a second precoding matrix.
US09949261B2
Techniques for supporting communication with user equipment (UEs) of different types on a plurality of system bandwidths are described. UEs of each type may operate on one or more available system bandwidths. Resources assigned to a UE may be conveyed by a resource allocation field of a control message sent to the UE. The resource allocation field may have different configurations (e.g., different sizes and/or interpretations) for different system bandwidths. In one design, the resource allocation field and the control message sent to the UE have different sizes for the plurality of system bandwidths. A base station may determine the size of the resource allocation field based on a system bandwidth selected for the UE. In another design, the resource allocation field may have a same size but different interpretations (e.g., different resource mappings) for the plurality of system bandwidths.
US09949258B2
Systems and methods for selecting a set of transport format schemes for a cell are provided. In one exemplary embodiment, a method may be performed by a communication device for selecting a transport format scheme. The method may include obtaining a set of transport format schemes available for a cell of a base station. Also, the transport format schemes may be associated with a guard time required in the cell. The guard time may be a time margin required to compensate for the communication device being unsynchronized for transmission to the base station. In addition, the method may include selecting a transport format scheme from the set of transport format schemes available for the cell based on at least one of an amount of data to be transmitted, a size of an allocated resource to be used for the data transmission, and an uplink radio transmission condition.
US09949254B2
A method for configuring a time division duplex (TDD) of a user equipment in a communication system, according to one embodiment of the present invention, comprises the steps of: receiving from a base station a first TDD configuration; receiving from the base station a message including information related to a dynamic TDD configuration; receiving a second TDD configuration according to the received information related to the dynamic TDD configuration; receiving from the base station an uplink grant; and determining whether to apply the first TDD configuration or the second TDD configuration based on a method by which the unlink grant is received. According to one embodiment of the present invention, the advantages of configuring a shorter cycle of the TDD to the user equipment supporting the TDD in a wireless communication system, and rapidly configuring the TDD to the user equipment variably according to a communication situation are provided.
US09949252B2
The present document relates to a wireless communication system and, more particularly, to a method for establishing a wireless channel by an AP in a high-density wireless LAN system and to an apparatus therefor. The AP configured for this purpose can establish a primary channel and one or more secondary channels, establish one or more downlink oriented channels into one or more secondary channels, but without the one or more downlink oriented channels overlapping the primary channel of an adjacent basic service set (BSS), and transmit, to a station connected to the AP, the frame including establishment information on the established one or more downlink oriented channels.
US09949245B2
Embodiments of the present invention provide a method, a base station, and a user equipment for implementing carrier aggregation. The method includes: determining, by a primary base station, to add a cell for a user equipment UE; and sending, by the primary base station, a first message to the UE, where the first message is used to instruct the UE to add the cell, the first message includes configuration information of the cell and an identifier or index of a base station to which the cell belongs, and the base station to which the cell belongs is a secondary base station. In the embodiments of the present invention, under the control of the primary base station of the UE, a cell of another base station can be added for the UE, so as to implement carrier aggregation between base stations, thereby further increasing user throughput of the UE.
US09949228B2
Methods, media, and node-enabled autonomous transport vehicles are described for navigating to a shipping location using a plurality of nodes in a wireless node network. A node associated with the autonomous transport vehicle, such as a mobile master node, detects a signal broadcast from an ID node associated with the shipping location, and instructs the ID node to lower a power level of the broadcast signal. The mobile master node identifies the signal broadcast from the ID node with the lowered power level, and determines a direction of the ID node relative to the mobile master node based upon the detected signal with the lowered power level. The mobile master node then navigates to the ID node associated with the shipping location based upon the determined direction, which may involve providing the determined direction to an input for the vehicle's control system.
US09949227B2
A method and apparatus for location determination by a WLAN station is disclosed. The method can include a first WLAN station receiving a packet sent by a second WLAN station, deriving a channel quality metric for a channel between the first WLAN station and the second WLAN station, comparing the channel quality metric to a threshold, and calculating a distance between the first WLAN station and the second WLAN station in an instance in which the channel quality metric satisfies the threshold.
US09949225B2
Methods and systems for receiving a primary and secondary synchronization signal from a cell are provided. The secondary synchronization signal may be derived from at least one of a set of sequences and received based on the timing of the received primary synchronization signal. Determining a time slot within a frame of the received secondary synchronization signal and a group of the cell is provided, wherein the time slot and the group are determined by at least one sequence of the secondary synchronization signal and at least one carrier out of a plurality of carriers used for one sequence out of the at least one sequence of the secondary synchronization signal. Determining a frame timing and a sequence used by the cell, based on the received primary synchronization signal and the secondary synchronization signal is further provided.
US09949222B2
A method of operation of a base station in a cellular communications network, in which user equipment devices in a cell served by the base station need to be synchronized with the cell on the uplink in order to transmit data, and in which Radio Resource Control, RRC, connected user equipment devices can be kept synchronized with the cell on the uplink or not synchronized. The method comprises making a determination as to whether a specified condition within the cell served by the base station is fulfilled, and, in response to the determination as to whether the specified condition within the cell is fulfilled, determining whether RRC connected user equipment devices should be kept uplink synchronized with the cell, or whether RRC connected user equipment devices should be allowed to become not synchronized on the uplink. Signals are transmitted to user equipment devices to affect whether or not the RRC connected user equipment devices are kept uplink synchronized with the cell, in response to determining whether RRC connected user equipment devices should be kept uplink synchronized with the cell, or whether RRC connected user equipment devices should be allowed to become not synchronized on the uplink.
US09949221B2
A User Equipment (UE) configured for multi-cell communications is disclosed. The UE includes a processor and instructions stored in memory that is in electronic communication with the processor. The UE determines a primary cell (PCell) with a corresponding PCell time alignment timer. The UE also determines a secondary cell (SCell) with a corresponding SCell time alignment timer. The UE further determines whether the PCell time alignment timer is expired. The UE additionally sets the SCell time alignment timer as expired if the PCell time alignment timer is expired.
US09949215B2
Embodiments of the disclosure provide a method and apparatus for resource sharing for D2D and cellular communications in a multicell network. The method comprises steps of: acquiring CSI on channels relating to D2D pair and a plurality of cellular users that potentially share resources with the D2D pair; and determining D2D transmit powers of the D2D pair on a plurality of frequency bands allocated to the plurality of cellular users and cellular transmit powers of the plurality of cellular users based on the CSI, to improve throughput of the multicell network.
US09949214B2
There is provided a method for reporting buffer status. The method may comprise: establishing a first MAC entity for a first eNodeB and a second MAC entity for a second eNodeB; identifying the first MAC entity on which an uplink data is to be transmitted among the first and second MAC entities, if the uplink data becomes available to be transmitted; and triggering a buffer status report (BSR) for the first MAC entity.
US09949212B2
A mobile communication system of an overlay configuration includes small cells that are arranged in a macro cell, in which a base station of each small cell executes shifting to a standby state in which transmission power is turned off when a mobile terminal is not in the small cell, and measuring a quality of radio waves received from the mobile terminal that is present in the macro cell, and reporting a measurement result to a base station control device, and the base station control device executes selecting one of the small cells in which the mobile terminal is to be contained, based on the measurement results reported from the base stations of the small cells, and instructing the base station of the selected small cell to shift to a communication state in which the transmission power is turned on.
US09949204B2
An example embodiment enhances power savings in a wireless network, where each wireless device has a hop count value indicating how many hops away is one or more central wireless devices. A device determines that it has information to deliver to the one or more central devices. It selects a device of the one or more other wireless devices, the selected device having a smaller hop count value, than the hop count value of the device. It enters a sleep mode based on a known repetition interval of wireless device discovery messages received from the selected device. The device awakes from the sleep mode based on the known repetition interval of wireless device discovery messages of the selected device. It then creates a connection with the selected device and transmitting to the selected device the information for delivery to the one or more central devices via the connection.
US09949194B2
A data transmission control method, apparatus and system are provided. A radio communication node receives a data packet sent by a base station, where the data packet is generated by using a Packet Data Convergence Protocol protocol data unit PDCP PDU of the base station. The radio communication node acquires the PDCP PDU, which is used as a Radio Link Control service data unit RLC SDU, in the data packet. The radio communication node sends data generated by using the RLC SDU to a user equipment, where a user plane connection is established between the radio communication node and the user equipment, and a control plane connection is established between the base station and the user equipment.
US09949173B2
The embodiments herein relate to a method in a RAN node for determining which operator that should serve a device when it has been handed over from a source network to a target shared network. When the device has been handed over to the target shared network, the RAN node transmits, to a non-registered CN node in a non-registered domain, a request for an identity of the device. The RAN node transmits a request, to CN nodes in a registered domain, for a serving operator which has registered the device. The RAN node receives information indicating the serving operator. The RAN node determines that the same serving operator which served the identified device in the registered domain should also serve the device in the non-registered domain.
US09949171B2
An Anchor Mobile Switching Center emulation (MSCe) and a Target MSCe are described herein that take part in an intersystem handoff of a Mobile Station (MS) which is in communication with a B-party. Upon the MS establishing a connection with the Target MSCe, the Anchor MSCe may perform SDP offer/answer exchange between the Target network and the B-Party for the purpose of codec renegotiation to correct a transcoding incompatibility or to enhance the voice bearer path characteristics or to minimize the number of transcodings in the bearer path, between the two parties. The Anchor MSCe and the Target MSCe both support Advanced Legacy Mobile Station Domain (ALMSD) implying that only the SIP transport is used for intersystem handoff communications.
US09949170B2
Techniques for modifying a transmission rate of a device having a plurality of transmission rate options are described herein. The techniques include a method comprising receiving data from a sensor indicating movement of an electronic device, the electronic device having a plurality of transmission rate options. Fail ratio metrics are gathered. The fail ratio metrics indicate a ratio of failed transmissions to successful transmissions for rate option during device movement. The method includes determining whether a given rate option has a fail ratio above a predetermined threshold; and, if so, disabling the given rate option while the device is moving.
US09949168B2
A method, an apparatus, and a computer-readable medium for wireless communication are provided. In one aspect, an apparatus includes a processor configured to encode user data into a set of data fragments and to transmit each data fragment of the set of data fragments in a plurality of discovery messages. In another aspect, the apparatus includes a processor configured to receive one or more discovery messages, determine whether each of the received one or more discovery messages includes an encoded data fragment of a set of encoded data fragments associated with user data, determine whether a minimum number of encoded data fragments have been received from the received one or more discovery messages to enable reconstruction of the user data, and reconstruct the user data based on the determination of whether the minimum number of encoded data fragments is received.
US09949162B2
The invention relates to an apparatus including at least one processor and at least one memory including a computer program code, the at least one memory and the computer program code configured to, with the at least one processor, cause the apparatus at least to: obtain information concerning signal quality, obtain information on location of a cell in relation to a multimedia service area, wherein the information concerning signal quality is created, and control utilizing the information concerning signal quality in a network based on the information on the location of a the cell in relation to the multimedia service area.
US09949160B2
A method for use in determining a position of a mobile device in a wireless communication network includes acquiring, by the mobile device, a first positioning signal transmitted at a first frequency and a second positioning signal transmitted at a second frequency that is different than the first frequency. The mobile device performs a first measurement of a time difference of arrival between the first positioning signal and the second positioning signal. In certain implementations, in response to a determination to not apply an inter-frequency bias compensation to the first measurement for inter-frequency related delays corresponding to the first frequency, the second frequency, or both the first frequency and the second frequency, the mobile device sends the first measurement and a first measurement description to a server to determine the position of the mobile device. The first measurement description indicates that the first measurement has not been compensated for the inter-frequency related delays.
US09949159B2
The present invention provides methods, apparatuses and computer program product relating to guaranteed periods of inactivity for network listening modes. The present invention includes configuring a measurement configuration message, the measurement configuration message including measurement gap information, and transmitting the measurement configuration message to at least two user equipments connected to the base station, wherein the measurement gap information included in the measurement configuration message is the same for each of the at least two user equipments.
US09949158B2
One embodiment of the present invention relates to a measuring method of terminal and a measurement information configuration method of a base station in a mobile communication system, and provides a measuring method and a measuring apparatus of a terminal and a configuration method and a configuration apparatus of a base station for configuring information in the terminal, the measurement method comprising the steps of: transmitting, to the base station, the terminal equipment information message including information for configuring measurement gaps with respect to a plurality of frequency bands; receiving from the base station, the measurement gap configuration information set on the basis of the information included in the terminal information message; and measuring according to the measurement gap configuration information.
US09949156B2
Aspects of the present disclosure provide techniques for efficient ranging, for example, in a neighbor aware network (NAN). According to certain aspects, an apparatus for wireless communications is provided. The apparatus generally includes a processing system configured to determine a period that at least one second apparatus is scheduled to be awake, generate a first frame for transmission to the second apparatus during the period, determine ranging information based on a time difference between transmission of the first frame and receipt of a second frame in response to the first frame, and generate a third frame including the ranging information; a transmit interface configured to output the first and third frames for transmission; and a receive interface configured to obtain the second frame. By exchanging ranging information in already scheduled wake-up periods and in existing frame, power consumption and signaling overhead may be reduced.
US09949155B2
Methods and systems for a transportation vehicle are provided. One method includes collecting by a processor connection information for a plurality of user devices accessing a wireless network on a transportation vehicle; determining by the processor available bandwidth for the plurality of user devices depending on a connection type; monitoring currently used bandwidth by the plurality of user devices; receiving a request from a user device to access content via the wireless connection; determining by the processor additional bandwidth for accessing the content by the user device; and rejecting the request for accessing the content when the additional bandwidth and the currently used bandwidth equals or exceeds the available bandwidth for the plurality of user devices.
US09949151B2
HF testing equipment for testing mobile communications terminals emulates the D2D communications capabilities of at least two mobile communications terminals. Using this equipment, interfering radio transmissions that may occur as a result of randomly selected frequency resources are replicated to test the effect thereof in a mobile communications terminal. A channel model of a transmission channel is emulated, and distortion is impressed on the data signal to be transmitted by means of the model. One baseband data signal in the frequency domain is thus obtained for each transmission channel, and this data signal contains the effects of a particular transmission channel on an undistorted data signal. The various baseband data signals are linked together, e.g., by complex multiplication, and transformed into the time domain. A receipt signal for a mobile communications terminal to be tested, produced by taking account of transmission channels and the accompanying channel distortion, is thus emulated.
US09949149B2
A method, computer program product, and computer system directed to an online and distributed optimization framework for wireless analytics. A radio network controller determines a ranking for each of a plurality of received objects using a plurality of similarity graphs. The radio network controller extracts a common structure by collaborative filtering data associated with a plurality of user devices and the plurality of received objects. The common structure is analyzed to infer usage patterns within a time slot. The radio network controller stores a subset of the ranked objects of the plurality of received objects in response to the analysis.
US09949144B2
A method and an apparatus for controlling a radio parameter, as well as a network operation management apparatus and a radio base station, are provided that enable optimization control taking a dead zone into consideration. A radio parameter control apparatus (10) for controlling a radio parameter of a radio base station (20) includes a measured data analysis section (101) that analyzes data measured by a plurality of radio terminals including a radio terminal in idle state to detect a dead zone in a radio cell, and a radio parameter control section (102) that controls the radio parameter of the radio base station based on information regarding the dead zone.
US09949141B2
According to various embodiments, a method is disclosed that includes detecting if a first cluster capable PCP/AP is within range of a non-PCP/non-AP STA; and transmitting a message to a second cluster capable PCP/AP associated with the non-PCP/non-AP STA requesting that the second cluster capable PCP/AP start or continue the use of clustering in a basic service set (BSS) of the second cluster capable PCP/AP.
US09949137B2
In some implementations, a server device can improve Wi-Fi based location availability for sparse signal locations by augmenting Wi-Fi access point location data with additional Wi-Fi scan data that was collected near the sparse signal locations. The server can receive Wi-Fi access point scans from client devices, determine the locations of the Wi-Fi access points, and generate Wi-Fi access point tiles that include data describing the locations of access points in the geographic areas corresponding to the Wi-Fi access point tiles. After the tiles are generated, the server device can augment the access point tiles by inserting additional Wi-Fi access point scan information into the access point tiles near identified sparse signal locations. The server device can deliver the augmented access point tile data to a client device. The client device can determine the current location of the client device based on the augmented access point tile data.
US09949135B2
Information about a signal device is received at a first location in a first physical environment. The signal device broadcasts a signal to a computing device. A first indication is received from the computing device. The first indication includes a first strength of signal of the signal device received by the computing device. Whether the first strength of signal is above a threshold is determined. A second location is determined. The second location is where the computing device is located when the first strength of signal is above the threshold. The second location is within the first physical environment. A first visual representation of the first physical environment is displayed. The first visual representation includes one or more of the following: the signal device at the first location, at least one physical item found in the physical environment, a broadcasting power of the signal device, and the second location.
US09949127B1
A computer implemented technique includes receiving, at a server, a request to utilize an intermediary device to establish a wireless hotspot for a mobile computing device to access a private computing network via a network device. The technique includes receiving, at the server, access information from a first user having control of the private computing network and the network device, the access information specifying users and their corresponding levels of access to the private computing network via the wireless hotspot. The technique includes receiving, at the server, identification information for a second user associated with the mobile computing device. The technique also includes transmitting, from the server and to the intermediary device, a level of access to the private computing network via the wireless hotspot causing the intermediary device to grant the mobile computing device the level of access to the private computing network via the network device.
US09949123B2
A computer-based method for real-time communication authorization includes receiving, from a first communication device, a communication request, verifying, with a verification engine, a pre-approval status of the communication request, storing the communication request in an approval queue if the communication authorization the pre-approval status is set to false, issuing an alert to the authorization device, and receiving one or more authorization parameters from an authorization device.
US09949122B2
Disclosed is a method and an audio device system comprising at least a first device for transmitting and/or receiving audio over a first protocol, where the first device is configured for securely pairing with a second device, where the first device comprises a processor configured for: —generating a random passkey comprising a number of digits; —generating an image, where the digits of the random passkey is embedded in a challenge-response test image; —transmitting the image to the second device over a second protocol; and —pairing with the second device over the first protocol, when a first criterion related to the random passkey is satisfied.
US09949121B2
A method for authenticating a circuit switched (CS) call on a virtual subscriber identity module (VSIM) includes: authenticating the VSIM for a packet switched (PS) call connection using authentication information obtained from a remote server through a software subscriber identity module (soft-SIM) connection to the remote server; initiating a call connection on a CS radio access technology (RAT) between the VSIM and a first communication network; and authenticating the VSIM CS call connection to the first communication network through the VSIM PS connection in response to an authentication request for the call connection on the CS RAT.
US09949115B2
Various features pertain to embedded key generation and provisioning systems, such as systems installed within smartphones for generating public-key/private-key pairs for use in encryption/decryption and digital signature generation. In some examples, an embedded system is provided that generates two public-key/private-key pairs—one for encryption/decryption and the other for signing/verification—where the two public-key/private-key pairs share a common modulus but are otherwise distinct or uncorrelated. This allows the two key pairs to be generated more efficiently than if two entirely separate key pairs were generated and yet, at least in the context of embedded systems, satisfactory integrity and confidentiality is achieved. Techniques for decrypting and signing messages using common modulus keys are described for use by an embedded component of a mobile device, along with techniques for encrypting and verifying messages for use by a remote system such as a key provisioning server of a partner software vendor.
US09949108B2
According to an embodiment, a method can be performed by a first active near-field communication (NFC) device. The method includes assuming a field detection mode, generating an advertisement pulse, and checking whether a predefined condition is fulfilled. If the checking determines that the predefined condition is fulfilled, the method includes assuming an active mode and communicating with an adjacent active NFC device, and, if the checking does not determine that the predefined condition is fulfilled, the method includes staying in the field detection mode and generating another advertisement pulse.
US09949107B2
System and method for detecting an input for an apparatus inside a vehicle, wherein at least one moving user device generates a changing electromagnetic field. A detection unit detects at least one field parameter of the electromagnetic field, wherein the detected field parameter is a function of the geometric arrangement of the user device relative to the detection unit. A radio signature of the user device is determined based on the detected field parameters, and a signature sequence is determined based on a sequence of time-sequentially determined radio signatures of the user device. The determined signature sequence is then assigned to an input gesture, and whereby, based on the input gesture, a signal is generated and output.
US09949104B1
A crash detection system is disclosed that utilizes a mobile computing device to detect a vehicular accident via one or more sensors integrated into the mobile computing device. The system monitors the sensor metrics measured by one or more sensors and generates an event sensor profile that may include the plurality of sensor metrics and additional status data, such as an indication of whether the mobile computing device was located within a vehicle when the event occurred. By comparing the plurality of sensor metrics to other crash sensor metrics, a determination may be made whether the event requires emergency assistance, which may be confirmed by determining whether the data included in the event sensor profile meets one or more exception conditions. If the event requires emergency assistance and an exception condition is not met, the mobile computing device may place a call to the appropriate emergency response personnel.
US09949098B2
A method and system enabling an initiator based process for preventing distracted driving is provided. The method includes continuously retrieving by a mobile device from a plurality of sensing devices, sensor data. The sensor data is analyzed and based on the analysis it is determined that a user of the mobile device is currently operating a vehicle. A message is generated indicating that the user is currently operating the vehicle. The message is transmitted to and stored by a server.
US09949093B2
A system, method, and computer program product are provided for managing a network based on feedback according to one embodiment. In use, the method includes establishing a network, and connecting at least one device to the network. Additionally, the method includes receiving feedback from the at least one device. Lastly, the network is managed based on the feedback form the at least one device. Additional systems, methods, and computer program products are also presented.
US09949081B2
An advance notification system, an advance notification method, and a mobile communication device are disclosed. In one embodiment, an advance notification system comprises a first mobile device and a second mobile device. The first mobile device stores a schedule including a scheduled time and a scheduled place and comprises a transmitter and at least one first processor. The second mobile device acquires a device position of the second mobile device itself. The at least one processor determines whether an advance notification is required on the basis of the device position and the scheduled place. The at least one processor also causes the transmitter to transmit the advance notification to the second mobile device when determining that the advance notification is required.
US09949068B2
A mobile station that is wirelessly linked to a wearable device, receives a request to initiate a location session from the wearable device, e.g., which may be in the form of an emergency call. The mobile station determines whether the location of the mobile station may be used as a location of the wearable device, e.g., by determining if the wearable device is proximate to the mobile station. For example, the mobile station may check to see if the mobile station is wirelessly linked to a wearable device through a wireless personal area network (WPAN). The mobile station initiates the location session for the wearable device with a location server. If the location of the mobile station may not be used as a location of the wearable device, the location session for the wearable device does not use position information obtained from the mobile station.
US09949064B2
An electronic device, according to various example embodiments of the present disclosure, may include: a housing; a display disposed to be exposed through one surface of the housing; at least one fastener formed on at least one surface of the housing and configured to be attached to, and detached from, an external electronic device; a communication circuit disposed inside the housing and configured to establish a communication connection with the external electronic device; and a processor disposed inside the housing, wherein the processor is configured to: determine whether the electronic device is connected with the external electronic device through the communication circuit; determine the type of the connected external electronic device when the electronic device is connected with the external electronic device; display, on the display, at least one preset function corresponding to the determined type of the external electronic device among a plurality of functions of the electronic device; and provide a function selected from the at least one function displayed on the display.
US09949059B1
A device includes a delay element that can produce from the demodulated output of a radio receiver, a delayed signal that is delayed by an adjustable amount. A processor is coupled to the delay element and to a correlation element. The correlation element can correlate an acoustic signal from a transducer with information from the delayed signal from the delay element. The processor can adjust the delay and detect from the correlation element one or more peak correlations. The delays dictated by the processor, that produce one or more peak correlations, are used to deduce a use of a portable electronic device proximal to an operator's station, and to operate a switching element for altering services at the portable electronic device.
US09949057B2
A portable electronic device includes at least four speakers spaced apart from one another. An audio processor attenuates a high frequency portion of a left audio signal and a right audio signal to provide a processed left audio signal and a processed right audio signal. An audio router directs the left audio signal to only a first speaker, the right audio signal to only a second speaker, the processed left audio signal to a third speaker, and the processed right audio signal to a fourth speaker. The audio signals may be directed according to the orientation of the device. The cutoff frequency for attenuating the high frequency portion of the audio signals may be responsive to the orientation of the device. In other embodiments, the high frequency portion of the audio signals may be decorrelated to produce signals with high frequency portions for all speakers.
US09949055B2
A signal control apparatus comprises: a first delay unit that receives a modulated signal corresponding to a positive input signal component; a second delay unit that receives a modulated signal corresponding to a negative input signal component; transducers that receive signals from the delay units and that output, as ultrasonic waves, the received signals; a microphone that detects the ultrasonic waves outputted from the transducers; a waveform characteristic detection unit that integrates the detected ultrasonic waves, thereby detecting the waveform characteristics of the positive sonic wave and of the negative sonic wave; and a delay adjustment unit that inputs, based on the detected waveform characteristics, to the first delay unit or second delay unit, the information of a delay amount being in accordance with a phase difference between the signal outputted from the first delay unit and the signal outputted from the second delay unit to reduce the phase difference.
US09949054B2
Method and apparatus for spatial mapping of two or more audio playback devices in a listening environment. Two or more playback devices may signal each other. Based on the signaling, a position of the two or more playback devices relative to each other is determined and a device map of the two or more playback devices in the listening environment is generated based on this position.
US09949052B2
An audio object including audio content and object metadata is received. The object metadata indicates an object spatial position of the audio object to be rendered by audio speakers in a playback environment. Based on the object spatial position and source spatial positions of the audio speakers, initial gain values for the audio speakers are determined. The initial gain values can be used to select a set of audio speakers from among the audio speakers. Based on the object spatial position and a set of source spatial positions at which the set of audio speakers are respectively located in the playback environment, a set of non-negative optimized gain values for the set of audio speakers is determined. The audio object at the object spatial position is rendered with the set of optimized gain values for the set of audio speakers.
US09949045B2
According to an embodiment, a hearing aid comprising a custom-fit ear mold is disclosed. The custom fit ear mold includes a retention part comprising a structure adapted to lock anatomically with at least one point at a surface of the pinna and/or ear canal when the custom-fit earmold is positioned in the pinna and/or ear canal of the user. The at least one point represents at least one retention point selected from the plurality of retention possibility points (RPPs), wherein each RPP of the plurality of the RPPs comprises a point wherein a normal, at the RPP, to a tangent plane containing the RPP intersects at another point at surface of the pinna and/or ear canal such that the another point is proximal to a tympanic membrane of the user compared to position of the RPP relative to the tympanic membrane.
US09949039B2
The present invention provides hearing systems and methods that provide an improved high frequency response. The high frequency response improves the signal-to-noise ratio of the hearing system and allows for preservation and transmission of high frequency spatial localization cues.
US09949029B2
The present invention relates broadly to a method of digitally filtering an audio signal by applying a composite audio filter. The composite audio filter may be obtained by applying one audio filter to another audio filter each having the same predetermined sample rate including neighboring sample points. The other audio filter may also include one or more intervening sample points between adjacent of its neighboring sample points. The one audio filter may be applied to the other audio filter at an adjusted sampling rate relative to the other audio filter. The adjusted sampling rate may be inversely proportional to the number of intervening sample points relative to the number of neighboring sample points for the other filter. The frequency response curve for the composite filter derived using the adjusted sampling rate may be more indicative of an idealized lowpass filter. The frequency response with the adjusted sampling rate may display a more bell-shaped characteristic compared with the frequency response without an adjusted sampling rate (shown in broken line detail).
US09949025B2
A two-scale array for detecting wind noise signals and acoustic signals includes a plurality of subarrays each including a plurality of microphones. The subarrays are spaced apart from one another such that the subarrays are configured to detect acoustic signals, and the plurality of microphones in each subarray are located close enough to one another such that wind noise signals are substantially correlated between the microphones in each subarray.
US09949012B2
A line control device of an earphone includes an upper cover; a middle cover being detachably and fixedly connected to the upper cover, wherein, an arranging space for arranging a control panel is enclosed between the upper cover and the middle cover; and a lower cover being fixedly connected to the middle cover, wherein, shielding parts are formed on the edges at both sides of the middle cover, and the shielding parts are used for sealing the gaps between the upper cover and the lower cover.
US09949011B2
An earphone keeper having a jack clip to attach to an audio jack, several earphone clips to attach to respective speaker housings of a pair of earphones, and securement features that releasably couple the earphone clips to the jack clip, is disclosed. More particularly, an embodiment includes a magnet in the jack clip to magnetically attract soft magnetic inserts in the earphone clips such that the speaker housings are releasably retained at the audio jack and cable portions of the earphones resist tangling. Other embodiments are also described and claimed.
US09949010B2
Low latency transmission systems and methods for long distances in SOUNDWIRE systems are disclosed. In an exemplary aspect, a SOUNDWIRE sub-system is coupled to a long cable through a bridge. The bridge converts SOUNDWIRE signals to signals for transmission over the long cable and converts the signals from the long cable to the SOUNDWIRE signals for transmission in the SOUNDWIRE sub-system. Conversion between signal types may include concatenating signals of a similar type into a group that is serially transmitted over the long cable. Concatenation of bit slots in this manner consumes minimal overhead in bus turnaround, thereby reducing latency. In further aspects, the functionality of the bridge may be incorporated into a headset or a mobile terminal.
US09949009B2
A headphone system including a first earpiece, a second earpiece, and a coupler. The headphone system receives a wireless signal having audio content from an external audio source and reproduces at least a portion of the audio content using the first and second earpieces. The first earpiece includes a power source connector to be removably connected to an external power source, a first energy storage device coupled to receive power from the power source connector, and a first power transfer device coupled to receive power from the power source connector. The second earpiece includes a second power transfer device for receiving power from the first power transfer device and a second energy storage device coupled to receive power from the second power transfer device. The coupler is to hold the first and second earpieces together with the first and second power transfer devices in a power transfer configuration.
US09949008B2
An ear piece for use by an individual having an external auditory canal includes an earpiece housing configured for placement within the external auditory canal of the individual, a processor disposed within the ear piece housing, at least one microphone disposed within the earpiece housing wherein the at least one earpiece is positioned to detect ambient environmental sound, and at least one speaker disposed within the earpiece housing. The ear piece is configured to detect ambient environmental sound proximate the external auditory canal of the individual using the at least one microphone and reproduce the ambient environmental sound at the at least one speaker within the earpiece housing. The processor is further configured to modify the ambient environmental sound based on shape of the external auditory canal such that audio perception of the ambient environmental sound is as if the ear piece was not present.
US09949005B2
A headset worn by workers in retail stores and similar commercial settings is disclosed. The headset includes an ornamental bezel. The bezel may be attached to the headset body to provide distinguishing characteristics to the headset.
US09948998B1
A system may receive an entity identifier for a user. The entity identifier may identify an entity that is associated with a category. The system may identify channel(s) for the category by obtaining data for the user, and analyzing the data to determine a score for each channel. The system may use the scores to select one or more of the channels. The system may provide content related to the selected channel(s) to a client device of the user, and the user may interact with the content via the client device.
US09948981B2
An upstream signal capture device includes a signal capture circuit having a first port and a second port. The first port of the signal capture circuit is arranged for coupling to a diplexer. The upstream signal capture device also includes an amplifier having a first port and a second port, the first port of the amplifier coupled to the second port of the signal capture circuit, and an analog-to-digital converter (ADC) having a first port and a second port, the first port of the ADC coupled to the second port of the amplifier. The upstream signal capture device further includes a digital threshold detector having an input and output, the input of the digital threshold detector coupled to the second port of the analog-to-digital converter, and a memory configured to capture samples of the upstream signal. When using the upstream signal capture device to capture an upstream signal, a portion of an upstream signal is diverted into an analog-to-digital converter (ADC). A portion of the upstream signal is converted into a digital signal, and when the digital signal exceeds a threshold, the signal is captured in a memory.
US09948966B1
Systems and methods are disclosed herein for detecting that a given segment in a media asset currently being consumed will be interrupted by an event and, responsively, modifying playback of the media asset such that either the start time or the end time of the given segment coincides with the start time of the interrupting event. Modifying playback of the media asset to cause the end time of the given segment to coincide with the start time of the interrupting event may entail fast-forwarding through or removing one or more segments from the playback of the media asset. Modifying playback of the media asset to cause the start time of the given segment to coincide with the start time of the interrupting event may entail inserting one or more segments of secondary content into the playback of the media asset.
US09948964B2
Methods and systems for message notification are described. A video message is received from a source access device. A selection of a target user may be received for the video message. A message notification of availability of the video message for a target access device associated with the target user may be provided.
US09948960B2
A digital broadcasting system and a method of processing data are disclosed, which are robust to error when mobile service data are transmitted. To this end, additional encoding is performed for the mobile service data, whereby it is possible to strongly cope with fast channel change while giving robustness to the mobile service data.
US09948945B2
A method for generating a prediction block in Advanced Motion Vector Prediction (AMVP) mode to reconstruct a prediction-coded video signal using a motion vector approximate to original motion information. An AMVP candidate list is generated using effective spatial and temporal AMVP candidates for a current Prediction Unit (PU). If the number of the effective AMVP candidates is smaller than a predetermined value, a motion vector having a predetermined value as a candidate to the AMVP candidate list. Then a motion vector corresponding to an AMVP index of the current PU from among motion vectors included in the AMVP candidate list is determined to be a motion vector predictor of the current PU.
US09948944B2
To use both intraframe prediction coding and interframe prediction coding, and at the same time restrict a transfer volume of reference data used in motion detection in interframe prediction coding. In a coding apparatus that compression-codes moving images, both intraframe prediction coding and interframe prediction coding are applied and prediction coding is carried out using a prediction image produced by the coding system deemed to have the higher coding efficiency.
US09948918B2
A stereoscopic control method includes: establishing a specific mapping relation between a specific disparity value and a specific set of a first focal setting value of a first sensor of a stereo camera and a second focal setting value of a second sensor of the stereo camera; and controlling stereoscopic focus of the stereo camera according to the specific mapping relation. Besides, a stereoscopic control apparatus includes a mapping unit and a focus control unit. The mapping unit is arranged for establishing at least a specific mapping relation between a specific disparity value and a specific set of a first focal setting value of a first sensor of a stereo camera and a second focal setting value of a second sensor of the stereo camera. The focus control unit is arranged for controlling stereoscopic focus of the stereo camera according to the specific mapping relation.
US09948915B2
In accordance with one or more techniques of this disclosure, a video coder may divide a current prediction unit (PU) into a plurality of sub-PUs. Each of the sub-PUs may have a size smaller than a size of the PU. Furthermore, the current PU may be in a depth view of the multi-view video data. For each respective sub-PU from the plurality of sub-PUs, the video coder may identify a reference block for the respective sub-PU. The reference block may be co-located with the respective sub-PU in a texture view corresponding to the depth view. The video coder may use motion parameters of the identified reference block for the respective sub-PU to determine motion parameters for the respective sub-PU.
US09948909B2
Apparatus and a method for modifying colors of a focal stack of a scene according to a color palette
The present invention generally relates to COLOR transfer between two images. COLOR transfer is a known technic consisting in modifying the COLORs of a source image by applying the COLOR palette of an example image without changing the source image structure. A lot of COLOR transfer method are known which consist in transferring COLORs between two images, however, those methods do not preserve the quality of the bokeh in areas of an images that are not in focus at a given depth. This results in a navigation in the depth dimension that is not smooth. It is proposed to modify the COLORs of a focal stack of a scene according to a COLOR palette by propagating the COLORs of the pixels in focus in different layers of the reCOLORed focal stack to the layers of the reCOLORed focal stack located behind the layer wherein a considered pixel is in focus.
US09948899B1
A system and method that caregivers, central monitoring companies and other persons to monitor whether individuals entering patients' rooms take appropriate steps to mitigate the spread of healthcare associated infections to the patients receiving healthcare services. In one non-limiting the system and method determine whether an individual who has entered the room of a patient has wash his or her hands prior to approaching the patient. A live video feed from the monitored rooms can be displayed on a centralized monitoring primary display which can be located remote to the monitored rooms. When it is determined that an individual in a specific room from the monitored rooms is approaching a patient and has not washed his or her hands an alert, notification and/or a live video feed for the specific room can be displayed on a centralized monitoring alert display which can also be preferably located remote to the monitored rooms.
US09948893B2
A telecommunication device includes an image capture system that captures an image of a local participant in a telecommunication session, the image comprising foreground and background images defined by plural pixels, each of the pixels having a pixel magnitude related to a sample of the image at a spatial location of the respective pixel and a background modifier that segments plural pixels of the captured image into foreground and background sets of pixels, replaces the background set of pixels with a template set of pixels to form a new background set of pixels, selected pixels in the template set of pixels having a different magnitude than a magnitude of the corresponding pixel in the background set of pixels replaced by the selected pixel, and combines the new background set of pixels with the foreground set of pixels to form modified image information for transmission to a remote endpoint. A background selector selects the template set of pixels from among multiple template sets of pixels based on an attribute of a remote endpoint or remote participant associated with the remote endpoint.
US09948889B2
A method relating to a video conference connecting a first terminal to a plurality of second terminals via a switching server is disclosed. The switching server receives a plurality of uplink video streams from the first terminal via a single transport path, and the switching server sends a downlink video stream based on the uplink video streams to each of the second terminals. The method involves the steps of collecting information relating to the use of each of the second terminals and determining an order between the uplink video streams based on the information. The method further involves the steps of generating instructions for the first terminal to adjust the plurality of uplink video streams based on the order, and informing the first terminal of the instructions. A switching server and a first terminal involved in the method are also disclosed.
US09948884B2
In a converting method for converting luminance of an input video in order to display the video on a display device, the luminance of the video is a first luminance value in a first luminance range where a maximum luminance value is defined as a first maximum luminance value that exceeds 100 nit. The method includes acquiring a first luminance signal indicating a first luminance value of the video, selecting a luminance converting process to be executed from among a plurality of luminance converting processes based on a reference luminance value corresponding to reference reflectance included in first meta data of the acquired first luminance signal, converting the first luminance value indicated by the acquired first luminance signal into a second luminance value in a second luminance range where a maximum luminance value is defined as a second maximum luminance value that is smaller than the first maximum luminance value and larger than 100 nit based on the selected luminance converting process.
US09948883B2
An information processing apparatus acquires input brightness information of input image data. A setting unit sets, based on a user's operation, a display range for displaying within a range of brightness possibly taken by the input image data, and reference brightness that is an upper limit of brightness of a display unit. A generation unit generates display image data by converting gradation characteristics of the input image data based on the display. The brightness of the display unit is controlled based on the reference brightness. A notification unit performs first notification processing when the display unit is able to display an image based on the display image data with brightness of the input image data, and second notification processing when the display unit is not able to so display the image, based on the display range, the reference brightness, and the input brightness information.
US09948878B2
Various techniques are provided to detect abnormal clock rates in devices such as imaging sensor devices (e.g., infrared and/or visible light imaging devices). In one example, a device may include a clock rate detection circuit that may be readily integrated as part of the device to provide effective detection of an abnormal clock rate. The device may include a ramp generator, a counter, and/or other components which may already be implemented as part of the device. The ramp generator may generate a ramp signal independent of a clock signal provided to the device, while the counter may increment or decrement a count value in response to the clock signal. The device may include a comparator adapted to select a current count value of the counter when the ramp signal reaches a reference signal. A processor of the device may be adapted to determine whether the clock signal is operating in an acceptable frequency range, based on the selected count value.
US09948875B2
An imaging system may include an image sensor having an array of dual gain pixels. Each pixel may be operated using an improved three read method and an improved four read method such that all signals are read in a high gain configuration in order to prevent electrical offset in signal levels. Each pixel may be operated using an improved three read, two analog to digital conversion (ADC) method in which a frame buffer is used to store calibration data. Each pixel may be operated using an improved three read, three ADC method in which no frame buffer is required. A high dynamic range image signal may be produced for each pixel based on signals read from the pixel and on light conditions.
US09948874B2
This disclosure is directed to an image sensor. The image sensor includes a two-dimensional pixel array divided into a plurality of blocks, each of the plurality of blocks comprising pixels arranged in at least two different rows and two different columns, and a shutter mechanism that exposes the plurality of blocks sequentially, with all pixels in each block being exposed synchronously.
US09948863B2
A preview image presentation method includes acquiring, by a terminal, an image captured by a camera; and presenting, on a screen of the terminal, a first preview image and a second preview image that are generated according to the image, where a size of the second preview image is less than a size of the first preview image. In the embodiments of the present disclosure, on an existing basis of displaying a first preview image in a full screen manner, a second preview image that is smaller than the first preview image may be presented additionally, so that a user can adjust photographic composition according to the second preview image, thereby enhancing a photography effect and improving user photography experience.
US09948861B2
A method and apparatus for displaying an image. The method includes: recognizing a movement of an object that approaches an image capture button; capturing a plurality of frames in response to the recognized movement of the object; and displaying a predetermined frame from among the plurality of captured frames on a display unit.
US09948853B2
A device for calculating one or more camera parameters of a camera mounted on a traveling vehicle includes a location information acquisition unit, a road width information acquisition unit, a scenery image acquisition unit, and a camera parameter calibration unit. The device calculates a height of a mount position of the camera and a direction of the camera. The device also converts a scenery image captured by the camera of a scenery including the road on which the traveling vehicle moves into an image that is displayed for navigation.
US09948847B2
A photography device, a wearable device, a photography system and an associated photographing method are provided. The method includes the following steps: establishing a wireless connection between the photography device and the wearable device; transmitting, wirelessly, a preview image captured by the photography device to the wearable device; displaying by the wearable device the received preview image to the user; transmitting a user control command received by the wearable device to the photography device through the wireless connection; performing, by the photography device, an associated operation according to the user control command. By the above means, the present disclosure can photograph an image that can meet the user's requirements, and thus enhance the user experience.
US09948842B2
A high resolution image of a CCD camera subassembly is examined to determine whether dust is present inside the subassembly. By examining the size, number, and location of the dust particles it can be determined whether the dust is likely to cause issues when the camera subassembly is integrated into a fully assembled document scanner. Other contaminants and defects, such as scratches on the glass covering, can also be detected. This method can be used as the acceptance criteria of individual camera subassemblies from the manufacturer.
US09948841B2
In order to enable the shape of the surface of a tire including the shoulder sections thereof to be detected, a tire shape testing device comprises: a first linear light application means (10) for applying linear light to the tread section (8) of the tire; a second linear light application means (12) for applying linear light to the sidewall sections (7) of the tire; a third linear light application means (13) for applying linear light to the shoulder sections (9) and to regions outside the shoulder sections (9); and image capturing means (16) for capturing the images of the linear light applied by the first linear light application means (10), the second light application means, and the third linear light applications means (13) and reflected by the surface of the tire.
US09948831B2
A color gamut cross-section acquiring method for acquiring a cross-section of a color gamut of an image forming apparatus taken on a specific plane includes: acquiring color gamut boundary line segments; acquiring intersection points between the color gamut boundary line segments and the specific plane; acquiring a shortest possible route passing through each of the intersection points exactly once; acquiring each of line segments making up the route as a provisional cross-section boundary line segment; acquiring a set of verification line segments by connecting intersection points between the color gamut boundary line segments and a plane intersecting with the provisional cross-section boundary line segment at a point other than the endpoints of the provisional cross-section boundary line segment; and acquiring the provisional cross-section boundary line segment as a cross-section boundary line segment if the provisional cross-section boundary line segment intersects with the set of verification line segments.
US09948830B2
A color estimation system provided with a correlation memory unit storing a correlation model that accepts an image or information of image, and outputting an ink-color set that is a color combination of inks used in reproducing the image by printing; and a color combination extracting unit that extracts the ink-color set corresponding to a print image, which is an image to be printed, by providing an input of the print image or image information of the print image to the correlation model. The correlation model is generated by performing machine learning that generates a correlation between the image information and the ink-color set such that the ink-color set is outputted based on the image information, using a reference image of which the ink-color set necessary for a printing is known in advance.
US09948827B2
A data processing apparatus includes a first limit unit, an acquisition unit, a registration unit, and a second limit unit. If user authentication has been performed for a user by using acquired account information, the first limit unit limits a service to be provided, in accordance with a use limit that is preset for each of authenticated users. If the user authentication has not been performed for the user, the acquisition unit acquires biological information of the user. The registration unit registers the acquired biological information and a use status of the service in association with each other in a database. The second limit unit limits the service to be provided, in accordance with the use status corresponding to the acquired biological information.
US09948817B2
In an image forming apparatus, a controller allows selection of one from a first setting mode and a second setting mode at an operating portion. The first setting mode allows operating conditions to be set at the operating portion. The second setting mode allows only some of the operating conditions to be set at the operating portion. If the second setting mode is selected at the operating portion, an operating condition settable in the second setting mode is set, and then the first setting mode is selected at the operating portion, the controller makes a setting of the operating condition having been set while the second setting mode is selected reflect in an operating condition to be set in the first setting mode.
US09948803B2
A reading apparatus which is connected to an image forming apparatus that forms an image on a recording medium, the reading apparatus including: a supporting section which forms a reading surface for reading the image on the recording medium by contacting the recording medium on which the image is formed by the image forming apparatus; a conveyance section which conveys the recording medium so that the recording medium contacts the supporting section from a leading direction at a predetermined leading angle with respect to the reading surface and moves apart from the supporting section to an ejection direction at a predetermined ejection angle with respect to the reading surface; and a reading section which reads the image on the recording medium at a position where the reading surface is formed.
US09948795B2
An image processing apparatus includes an image acquisition unit, a region specifying unit, and a partial-image recognition unit. The image acquisition unit acquires first image data representing a first image and second image data representing a second image that is an image acquired by performing additional recording on the first image. The region specifying unit specifies a region, where additional recording is performed with respect to the first image, of the second image in accordance with the first image data and the second image data acquired by the image acquisition unit. The partial-image recognition unit recognizes a partial image recorded in the region specified by the region specifying unit.
US09948785B2
A method and a resource broker are provided to control a conference session. The resource broker receives, from a conference controller, a message requesting to set up a conference communication for a participant. The message indicates whether a terminal of the participant supports selective forwarding. The resource broker verifies the availability of local selective forwarding and multipoint control resources. Based on the capabilities of the terminal and based on local resource availability, a reply is sent to the conference controller, indicating that the conference communication should be set up in selective forwarding or multipoint control mode, using local resources or resources of a network cloud. When a new participant is added or when a monitoring agent reports a change of availability of the local resources, the conference communication may be moved between the network cloud and the local resources, or change between selective forwarding and multipoint control modes.
US09948784B2
An electronic device and method are disclosed, including a first communication module configured to perform a cellular communication, a second communication module configured to perform a communication to connect the electronic device to an external electronic device, and at least one processor electrically connected to the first and second communication modules, executing the method, which includes activating the first communication module in response to detecting a preset condition, and transmitting a signal requesting call forwarding via the first communication module.
US09948772B2
A land-based or mobile phone and methods are provided for receiving inbound communications as either voice or text, and then based on the user's configuration settings, the inbound communication is provided to the user as it was received or is automatically converted into a format that is desired by the user. The phone also takes voice or text that is input by the user of the phone and converts the user's input to either voice or text based on the configuration settings stored in the user's contact list or otherwise. The outbound communication is configured according to how the intended recipient wants to receive a communication based on the configuration settings stored in the user's contact list or otherwise. The phone includes a controller that determines how the phone will handle and process inbound and outbound communications. The controller includes a speech recognition engine.
US09948770B2
An apparatus for providing sender identification information of the communication event on a display is described. In an embodiment the apparatus receives a communication event, for example, a call or a message. The mobile apparatus is caused to output a temporary indication of the communication event and the sender identification information relating to the communication event is not shown on the display. When a user of the mobile apparatus is detected with at least one sensor, the display is arranged to display the sender identification information on the display replacing the temporary indication in response to detecting the user with the at least one sensor.
US09948762B2
A system and method for providing wireless communication between a handheld mobile device and an embedded vehicle system of a motor vehicle. The system includes a communication module that utilizes at least two different short range wireless communication technologies to facilitate communication and/or pairing of an occupant's smartphone or other mobile device with an embedded vehicle system such as a vehicle infotainment system. This includes the use of a very short range communication technology, such as Near Field Communication (NFC), to communicate between the mobile device and an embedded vehicle system that is located outside of the operational range of the NFC or other very short range communication technology used by the mobile device.
US09948757B2
A field device of a room automation system or of a power management system or of a hazard detection system is disclosed. The field device includes at least one human-machine interface with at least one memory configured to store physical layer data, at least two protocol stacks, wherein the field device is configured to select at least one protocol stack based on the physical layer data stored in the memory of the human-machine interface. The field device also includes at least two physical layers, at least two pairs, wherein each compatible pair includes at least one physical layer and at least one protocol stack. The field device also includes selector switch(es) configured to connect and to disconnect physical layers and protocol stacks, such that a physical layer element and a protocol stack connected or disconnected by the selector switch(es) belong to the same compatible pair.
US09948755B1
A method of communicating header information using rateless codes, may include identifying a message to be sent to a receiver, identifying header information associated with the message, disassembling the header information into a plurality of header blocks, identifying one or more first encoded block identifiers, performing a rateless encoding operation on a selected subset of the plurality of header blocks to generate an encoded header block, disassembling the message into a plurality of source blocks, identifying one or more second encoded block identifiers, performing the rateless encoding operation on a selected subset of the source blocks using the second encoded block identifier to generate an encoded source block, and transmitting one or more of the following to the receiver: (i) one or more of the first encoded block identifiers, (ii) the encoded header block, (iii) one or more of the second encoded block identifiers, or (iv) the encoded source block.
US09948749B2
According to some embodiments, an application launcher of a media player device launches an application bundle, the application bundle including a binary code. In response, a first server is accessed based on a universal resource locator (URL) specified by the application bundle to download an executable script. The executable script is parsed to configure a script runtime environment based on a predetermined template associated with the executable script. A first application programming interface (API) and a second API are enabled, where the first API is used to access a predetermined library maintained by the media player device and the second API is used to communicate with the binary code. The executable script is executed within the script runtime environment to render content, including rendering standard content by invoking the predetermined library via the first API and rendering customized content by invoking the binary code via the second API.
US09948743B2
A memory manager reduces the impact of memory clean-up operations on server performance. The memory manager monitors local memory usage and other resource usage by the server, such as processor, storage, and network usage. When moderately high memory usage is detected, the memory manager performs memory clean-up operations during relatively low processor, storage, and network usage to reduce the impact of the clean-up operations on server performance. When excessively high memory usage is detected, the memory manager more aggressively cleans-up local memory independently of processor, storage, and network usage.
US09948730B2
A method of operation of a social network system includes: receiving a service request for accessing a peripheral device revealed through a social graph of a social platform; determining a request type for matching the service request to a device service provided by the peripheral device; authorizing the device service through the social graph for accessing the peripheral device; and generating a service command based on the request type of the device service authorized for executing the device service for the peripheral device.
US09948723B2
A method for performing an inter-user equipment (UE) transfer (IUT) of a collaborative session. The method according to one embodiment is performed by a UE and includes transmitting a subscription message to a network element for requesting notification of information regarding at least one or more other UEs; receiving a subscription acceptance message in response to the subscription message; and receiving a notification message. The notification message includes the information regarding the at least one or more other UEs and a controller UE capability of controlling the collaborative session. The method according to the embodiment further includes performing a process of transferring control with respect to the collaborative session established with a remote party to a specific UE, which is checked as capable of being a controller UE based on the received information, without transferring the collaborative session to the specific UE.
US09948721B2
Computer systems, methods and software for responding to remote clients with content selected based on when the request is made. The method may include selecting one or more interface components based on the time of day and/or date of the request, and returning a response including the selected interface components. The method may include adjusting the time for a time zone for the remote client and/or user. Interface components may be fully embedded in the response, or may be references to external components. Interface components may include data relating to a user task associated with the date and/or time of day, formatting information for displaying the task data to the user of the remote client, instructions for user interaction with the task data, etc.
US09948717B2
A vehicle-mounted communication device for transmitting uplink data as data generated in a vehicle includes a first wireless communication unit configured to establish an uplink connection to a second vehicle-mounted communication device, a second wireless communication unit configured to establish a downlink connection to a third vehicle-mounted communication device, an authentication unit configured to authenticate the third vehicle-mounted communication device, an address management unit configured to assign a network address to the third vehicle-mounted communication device, and an address translation unit configured to perform translation of the network address assigned from the second vehicle-mounted communication device and the network address used by the vehicle-mounted communication device.
US09948715B1
Methods and systems for processing machine accelerated and augmented customer data using a Web-Scale Data Fabric (WSDF). According to embodiments, the data may be received as data transfer objects from a set of business operations client applications. The data transfer objects may be analyzed using complex event processing (CEP) and, based on the analyzing, rules specific to the business operations client application may be applied. The methods and systems may semantically classify text specific to the business operations client application. A federated database (FD) may archive the receive data transfer objects as well as analysis data specific to the business operations client application.
US09948714B2
The computer detects a request from a first computer to store a data item, and determines if a volatile memory in a second computer comports with an isolation rule for the data item. In response to determining that the volatile memory in the second computer comports with the isolation rule for the data item, the computer compares access time for data in the volatile memory in the second computer with access time for data in a local hard drive in the first computer, and then selectively stores the data item in a storage location that has a lower access time. The computer establishes a threshold resource consumption rate for both the volatile memory in the second computer and the local hard drive in the first computer to further select the volatile memory in the second computer or the local hard drive in the first computer to store the data item.
US09948713B2
A storage management method, includes steps: detecting sizes of shared storage spaces of all terminal devices joined in a sharing system; dividing the all terminal devices into a number of device groups according to local area networks where the terminal devices located in; classifying the terminal devices of each group into a number of kinds of terminal devices according to the sizes of the shared storage spaces of the terminal devices; mapping the shared storage spaces of each kind of terminal devices of each device group to one corresponding virtual disk of one row of a virtual disk array card; and determining a size of a file to be stored when receiving a storing request, and selecting a virtual disk with size nearest to and greater than or equal to that of the file, and storing the file into the terminal devices mapping to the selected virtual disk.
US09948707B2
Reconnection of a client to a server in a transaction processing server cluster having a single address. A connection is established with a first server in the server cluster and units of work are requested at the first server. A failure of the connection to the first server is detected. A connection is established with a second server in the server cluster and units of work at the second server are requested. A reconnection request is received from the first server, in which the first server has unresolved units of work. The connection with the second server is terminated, including completing current units of work. The client is reconnected with the first server and the unresolved units of work with the first server are resynchronized.
US09948687B2
A system, method and device provide passive operation mode and noise management. The system, in one embodiment, includes power loss bypass and upstream noise management.
US09948686B2
A method and an apparatus for sharing a DLNA device are provided. The method includes: establishing a data channel between a first DLNA gateway in a first DLNA network and a second DLNA gateway in a second DLNA network, wherein the DLNA gateway is a DLNA device having a DMC function and capable of accessing the Internet; adding, in the second DLNA gateway, a virtual DLNA device corresponding to a DLNA device in the first DLNA network; and a DLNA device in the second DLNA network performing remote control and/or remote play for the DLNA device in the first DLNA network through the virtual DLNA device. With the provided schemes, the problem in related technologies that DLNA sharing is only limited in a local range is solved, cross-network remote control and remote play are implemented, a sharing range of the DLNA network is expanded, and the user experience is improved.
US09948681B1
A computing resource service receives a request to access the service and perform various actions. In response to the request, the computing resource service obtains a set of active policies that are applicable to the request. As a result of the service determining that the set of active policies fail to provide sufficient permissions for fulfillment of the request, the service determines if an enforcement policy is available that is applicable to the request. The service evaluates the request using the enforcement policy such that if the enforcement policy includes permissions sufficient for fulfillment of the request, the request is fulfilled.
US09948677B2
A computer implemented method and apparatus comprises detecting a file content update on a first client computer system, the file to be synchronized on a plurality of different types of client computer systems in a plurality of formats. The method further comprises associating a security policy with the file, wherein the security policy includes restrictions to limit one or more actions that can be performed with the file, and synchronizing the file to a second client computing system while applying the security policy to provide controls for enforcement of the restrictions at the second client computer system.
US09948664B2
Event processing is a vital aspect of modern information systems, but is poorly supported and homogenous in nature. The present disclosure recognizes that any detector speaks a language of events. This language of events can be translated into a “Universal Language” such that events from multiple arbitrary detectors may be compared together. The present disclosure uses regular expressions to explore possible relations and patterns across events and across time. The present disclosure further describes a hierarchical architecture such that the events from peer detectors are aggregated and collated and only conglomerate events, those events matching inter- or intra-detector behaviors, are propagated upstream in the hierarchy. Ultimately, this architecture offers a means to merge the event data from an arbitrary number of heterogeneous detectors into a meaningful stream of events that reflect wider breadth of knowledge, improved scalability, and provide a wider context for expression of patterns through the use of regular expressions.
US09948663B1
A computer-implemented method for predicting security threat attacks may include (1) identifying candidate security threat targets with latent attributes that describe features of the candidate security threat targets, (2) identifying historical attack data that describes which of the candidate security threat targets experienced an actual security threat attack, (3) determining a similarity relationship between latent attributes of at least one specific candidate security threat target and latent attributes of the candidate security threat targets that experienced an actual security threat attack according to the historical attack data, (4) predicting, based on the determined similarity relationship, that the specific candidate security threat target will experience a future security threat attack, and (5) performing at least one remedial action to protect the specific candidate security threat target in response to predicting the future security threat attack. Various other methods, systems, and computer-readable media are also disclosed.
US09948661B2
A method and an apparatus for detecting a port scan in a network are disclosed. For example, the method extracts statistics from a message, detects the port scan for a source internet protocol address, determines whether a port scan record exists for the source internet protocol address, creates a port scan record for the source internet protocol address that is extracted when the port scan record does not exist, determines an elapsed time when the port scan record does exist, wherein the elapsed time is determined as a difference between the time stamp that is extracted and a recorded time stamp, sets the recorded time stamp to be the extracted time stamp when the elapsed time is less than an intra-scan time, and determines the port scan has ended for the source internet protocol address when the elapsed time is not less than the intra-scan time.
US09948650B2
A search engine system with privacy protection, including a data indexer configured to create an index of data, a search engine configured to search the index of the data in response to a query, and create a search result set including excerpts from the data, and a privacy protector configured to identify at least one data entity within at least one excerpt of the search result set that meets at least one predefined entity extraction criterion, redact the search result set by removing the data entity from the excerpt, and present the redacted search result set on a computer output device.
US09948647B2
Provided are a method and device for authenticating a static user terminal. The method comprises: an identity request message used for acquiring a user identity of the static user terminal is sent to the static user terminal; a response message is received from the static user terminal, wherein the response message carries the user identity of the static user terminal; and, an Extensible Authentication Protocol (EAP) authentication is performed on the static user terminal according to the user identity of the static user terminal. The present disclosure solves the problem in the related art of low security in the authentication on the static user terminal access the network, thus achieving the effects of increasing the security and reliability in the authentication on the static user terminal accessing the network and improving the WLAN service using experience of the static user.
US09948632B2
Disclosed are various approaches for sharing data between sandboxed applications with certificates. A request for a certificate is received from a client device. The certificate is then generated, wherein the certificate comprises data to be shared between applications executing on the client device. A response is sent to the client device, wherein the response includes the certificate.
US09948631B2
A single sign-on is implemented in an online transaction processing system. A security token extracted from a transaction request is received. The security token is validated and, in response to a positive validation, security information is extracted. The security information is processed to validate the transaction request and a set of validation attributes is generated. The set of validation attributes is stored in a read-only data object. A transaction server is notified of the read-only data object to authorize processing of the transaction request by the transaction server.
US09948624B2
Disclosed is a key downloading method. The method comprises: sending a hardware series number (SN) and a first random number (Rnd1) to a key server; receiving a second random number (Rnd2), a first encrypted text (C1) and a key server working certificate (KSWCRT) sent by the key server; authenticating the validity of KSWCRT by using a KSRCRT; if valid, extracting a public key (PuKS) from the KSWCRT, and decrypting the first encrypted text (C1) by using the PuKS to obtain a third random number (Rnd1′); determining whether Rnd1 is consistent with Rnd1′; if consistent, encrypting the second random number (Rnd2) by using a terminal authentication public key (TKP_Pu) to generate a third encrypted text (C2′), and sending the C2′ to the key server; receiving an key encrypted text (Ctmk) sent by the key server; and obtain a master key (TMK), and storing the TMK in a security control module.
US09948623B2
A secure communication system or method are disclosed that may employ a constant level of trust between participants and a security management entity. As part of the constant level of trust, a communication policy may cause participants to request key validation every time the participant wishes to take an action that requires use of a key. In this manner, the participant may regularly communicate with the security management, and this regular communication can be further used to implement key renewal and/or rollover procedures.
US09948618B2
A network attached storage device coupled to a local network and including a network interface configured to receive digital content from a remote content provider outside the local network. The network attached storage device includes storage having a first region accessible by a user of the local network and a secure region. The network attached storage device includes a processor coupled to the storage, the processor configured to control access to the secure region of the storage based on instructions received from a remote content provider.
US09948599B2
Announcing new users of an electronic communications system includes receiving an indication of a new user of an electronic communications system. The new user has an identifier for the electronic communications system. Existing users of the electronic communications system that are known to the new user are identified. The identified existing users are sent a message notifying the identified existing users of the identifier of the new user. The identified existing users may be enabled to add the identifier of the new user to participant lists used by the identified existing users. The new user may be enabled to add identifiers of the identified existing users to a participant list of the electronic communications system used by the new user.
US09948598B2
Provided is a delivery control device, a data delivery system, and a delivery control method that enable a simultaneous data delivery to a number of reception terminals by increasing the number of reception terminals simultaneously connecting to a router. The delivery control device 100 includes an IP address-MAC address record unit 105 that associates an IP address with a plurality of MAC addresses and holds the IP address and the MAC addresses, and a transmission unit 101, 102 that specifies a destination MAC address to transmit a packet. The transmission unit 101, 102 transmits a packet addressed to a predetermined IP address to all the MAC addresses that have been associated with the IP address in the IP address-MAC address record unit 105.
US09948597B1
The invention is directed to methods and systems for facilitating access of a mobile device to web-based services. The web-based service sends identifying information, such as a public IP address and a port number, to a network interface. The network server, which has stored a mapping of the mobile device's private IP address to public IP address, is accessed to determine the private IP address of the mobile device. As the mobile device that requested access to the web-based service is now identified, the mobile device is now allowed to receive data from the web-based service.
US09948591B2
Systems and methods that facilitate messaging capabilities within a unified plant model (UPM) via employing a plurality of core messaging primitives for configuration of messages that interact with a message engine of the industrial plant. In a related aspect, initially messaging host modules can be located on a network and associated policies identified. Next, data type ID and name syntax can be defined and unique UPM system identifiers generated by the system.
US09948587B2
A method for data deduplication during execution of an application on a plurality of computing nodes, including: generating, by a first processor in a first computing node executing the application, a first message to process application data owned by a second computing node executing the application; receiving, by a first network interface (NI) of the first computing node, the first message; extracting, by the first NI, a first key from the first message; determining, by the first NI, the first key is not a duplicate; and placing, by the first NI and in response to the first key not being a duplicate, the first message on a network connecting the first computing node to the second computing node.
US09948584B2
Disclosed is a communication apparatus in which it is possible to change the size of data transmitted at one time, the data size being changed to one size in case of transmission of e-mail via a mail server and to different size in case of transmission that is not performed via a mail server. E-mail data having image data as an attached file is generated and it is determined whether a predetermined server will intervene when e-mail is transmitted to a transmission destination. When it has been decided that the destination will be a mail server, it is determined whether the e-mail data has exceeded a prescribed size. E-mail data for which it has been determined that the prescribed size is exceeded is divided into a plurality of segments and then the e-mail data is transmitted to destination decided.
US09948582B2
A system and method for follow up management comprising determining if a user has a repository record, extracting information from the repository record associated with the user, and acting on information stored in the repository record. The method may be practiced on a system for managing online interaction comprising a business rules engine a follow up repository, and a follow up engine.
US09948574B2
Methods and network devices are disclosed for multicast forwarding. In one embodiment, a method includes receiving at a node a multicast message comprising a message header, where the message header comprises an incoming message bit array and a set identifier value associated with the incoming message bit array. The method further comprises selecting a first forwarding table entry, the first forwarding table entry comprises a set identifier value matching that of the message header. The method further comprises comparing at least a portion of the incoming message bit array to a corresponding portion of a neighbor bit array of the first forwarding table entry, determining that for at least one relative bit position a corresponding destination node is both a destination for the message and a reachable destination from a first neighboring node, and forwarding a copy of the message to the first neighboring node.
US09948570B2
An input tuple including a data time stamp is assigned by a data source; a pending tuple in which a system time stamp at the time the input tuple was received is assigned to the input tuple; and the pending tuple is stored in a queue, one queue for each data source. The queues are sorted in the order of the data time stamps of the pending tuples at the head of each queue; and if, in the queue at the head of which is stored the pending tuple having the smallest data time stamp value, the value of the current system time stamp is greater than the value of a processing pending period added to the system time stamp of the pending tuple at the head of the queue, then the input tuple is acquired from the pending tuple at the head of the queue for an input stream.
US09948566B2
Exemplary methods, apparatuses, and systems a management server receiving, from a switch, an indication of network congestion at the switch. The indication includes one or more contributors to the network congestion. In response to the indication of network congestion, the management server identifies one or more hosts running the identified contributor(s) and transmits an instruction to the host(s) to restrict network traffic originated by the contributor(s). For example, the restriction may include a reduction in the contributor's I/O queue depth. If the reduction in traffic does not remedy the congestion, the management server may receive a further indication of congestion and further instruct the host(s) to restrict identified contributor network traffic. For example, the contributors may have their I/O queue depth reduced exponentially until congestion is relieved. Upon receiving an indication that the congestion is relieved, the management server instructs the host(s) to remove the restriction on network traffic.
US09948557B2
Methods and apparatuses for routing and forwarding, establishing a routing table, and acquiring content are provided. The method for routing and forwarding includes: receiving a content request packet, where the content request packet carries a content name of requested content and container information of the requested content; determining whether any forwarding entry that matches the content name of the requested content exists in a FIB; determining whether any forwarding entry that matches the container identifier in the container information exists in the FIB when no forwarding entry that matches the content name of the requested content exists in the FIB; and when a forwarding entry that matches the container identifier in the container information of the requested content exists in the FIB, sending the content request packet according to a port in the matched forwarding entry.
US09948555B2
A method of routing messages includes receiving a request message from an originating device to be forwarded to one of a plurality of target devices, the request message having a first network address as a source address identifying the originating device. The first network address of the request message is dynamically mapped to a second network address of a selected target device, and the first and second network addresses are stored in association with each other as address mapping information. The method also includes forwarding the selected target device using the second network address. The routing device receives from the target device an error message in relation to the request message, and identifies the originating device which originated the request message using the address mapping information and the second network address of the target device which issued the error message.
US09948554B2
A distributed multilayered network routing architecture comprises multiple layers including a controller layer comprising a controller, a control plane layer comprising one or more control plane subsystems, and a data plane layer comprising one or more data plane subsystems. A controller may be coupled to one or more control plane subsystems. A control plane subsystem may in turn be coupled to one or more data plane subsystems, which may include one or more software data plane subsystems and/or hardware data plane subsystems. In certain embodiments, the locations of the various subsystems of a distributed router can be distributed among various devices in the network.
US09948545B2
A first remote memory access link is established between a first communications interface card on the first computing device and a second communications interface card on the second computing device. In response to an error associated with the first remote memory access link, messages are copied from a segmented queue associated with the first communications interface card to a segmented queue associated with a third communications interface card on the first computing device. A second remote memory access link between the third communications interface card and a fourth communications interface card is activated on the second computing device, and messages are resent from the segmented queue associated with the third communications interface card to the fourth communications interface card through the second remote memory access link. The second computing device discards duplicate received messages, if any.
US09948538B2
Modifying an activity stream to display recent events of a resource includes checking-in a user to a resource to provide context about the resource, specifying a time duration for which the user is checked-in to the resource, and modifying, based on the time duration, an activity stream of the user to display recent events of the resource.
US09948530B1
A combined reach can be determined for multiple resources. Usage data, including audience duplication data, is used to generate audience duplication measurements for pairs of the resources. A child-resource pair is identified, and the audience duplication measurement for that resource pair is modified. The modified measurement is used to determine a combined reach for the multiple resources. A report is also generated based on the combined reach.
US09948524B2
A process of diagnosing and debugging a network element remotely may employ sending of performance data to a third party evaluator for processing of the data. A mobile device may interface with the network element and request evaluation of the performance by the third party evaluator. Large memory loads may be sent to the third party evaluator where intensive processing may be performed. The results of the processing by the third party evaluator may be sent to the mobile device for viewing by a user.
US09948515B2
A host networking device networking interface is automatically configured. The interface is initially configured to operate in a single-link mode in which multiple network communication lanes of the interface cooperatively provide a single communication link. If a signal is not present on any communication lane, then the interface is configured to operate in a multiple-link mode in which each lane provides a separate and different communication link, and is operated in the multiple-link mode. If a signal is present on every communication lane, and if the single communication link has been established with another networking device over all the lanes, then the interface is operated in the single-link mode. If a signal is present on every communication lane, but if the single communication link has not been established over all the lanes, then the interface is configured to operate in the multiple-link mode and is operated in the multiple-link mode.
US09948513B2
Aspects of an embodiment of the invention disclose a method, computer program product, and system for managing the energy efficiency of servers providing multi-class computing services with Quality of Service (QoS) assurance. Computing resources are clustered into at least three groups, where each group has a separate power management policy (PMP). A plurality of requests are received from a plurality of devices, and are sorted into at least three service classes based on the requests' QoS criteria. Each request is assigned to one of at least three service queues based on the request's service class, and each service group is processed by a group of computing resources. The power management policies are configured such that each group of computing resources may service requests at an energy efficient point while meeting the QoS criteria of the service class.
US09948509B1
A method and apparatus for optimizing resource utilization within a cluster and facilitating high availability for an application is described. In one embodiment, the method for optimizing resource utilization within a cluster and facilitating high availability for an application includes accessing configuration information regarding virtual machine nodes within the cluster to identify an active node and at least one passive node that are associated with the application and configuring the at least one passive node to be in a suspended state, wherein a passive node of the at least one passive node is to be in a running state and the active node is to be in a suspended state upon migration of the application to the passive node of the at least one passive node.
US09948506B2
Systems and methods described herein provide redundant functionality for multi-cloud high availability continuous service provisioning. Service rule configuration of regional internet services platforms at different geographical locations are provisioned through a multi-cloud provisioning platform. The systems and methods provide that there is no disruption of service provisioning, in the event of a failure of one cloud provisioning platform, as long as at least one other cloud provisioning platform is available. In the event of a cloud disaster outage at one cloud provisioning platform, a regional internet services platform will automatically register with another active cloud provisioning platform.
US09948504B2
This invention relates to a method for configuring a limited node in a network, said limited node being able to receive data only within limited reception opportunities, the method comprising at a first node: (a) detecting that an update of a network configuration parameter value for the limited node is required; (b) deciding on whether to change a limited node behavior from a first behavior based at least partly on communication characteristics of the limited node, said change of behavior including increasing reception opportunity at the limited node; (c) depending on decision at step (b), triggering delivery of a request of behavior change to the limited node during a first reception opportunity; (d) triggering delivery of the updated network configuration parameter value to the limited node during a second reception opportunity of the limited node.
US09948499B2
A management system includes a first management device storing information regarding: objects monitored by the first management device, objects monitored by a second management device and relationships between objects monitored by the first management device and objects monitored by the second management device. The first management device requests such information from the second management device. Using the information stored by the first management device and the information requested from the second management device, the first management device ascertains at least one relationship between at least one object monitored by the first management device and at least one object monitored by the second management device and which is stored either just by the first management device or just by the second management device.
US09948494B2
A mobile device includes a network connection device capable of forming a communication connection to a cellular network and to a wi-fi network and communicating with an application server and an application capable of communicating through the both cellular and wi-fi networks device to a remote device. The mobile device also includes a context module that records and analyzes information about a user's interactions with data provide to the device by the remote device. The context module modifies an API call between the application and the application server based on analysis of prior usage of the application and a current communication connection of the network device.
US09948491B2
An apparatus for estimating carrier frequency offset includes an Mth-power circuit, a spectrum generating circuit, a spectrum adjusting circuit, a peak frequency determining circuit and a frequency offset determining circuit. The Mth-power circuit performs an Mth-power calculation on an input signal to generate an Mth-power calculation result. The spectrum generating circuit generates a spectrum according to the Mth-power calculation result. The spectrum adjusting circuit identifies a partial energy peak value in a partial frequency range from the spectrum, and increases the partial energy peak value to be higher than any other energy in the spectrum to generate an adjusted spectrum. The peak frequency determining circuit identifies a peak frequency having a maximum energy peak value from the adjusted spectrum. The frequency offset determining circuit determines an estimated carrier frequency offset result according to the peak frequency.
US09948487B2
A plurality of cells comprise a primary cell with no configured scheduling request (SR) resources and a secondary cell with configured SR resources. A wireless device transmits an SR associated with an SR process in the SR resources. The wireless device monitors at least one downlink control channel for uplink grants. The wireless device initiates a random access procedure and cancels the SR process when in a subframe: the SR process is pending; no uplink data channel resources are available for transmission; and a time alignment timer of an sTAG comprising the secondary cell is not running.
US09948484B2
The present invention relates to a method and an apparatus for direct current offset calibration of a direct conversion receiver, a Direct Current (DC) offset calibration apparatus of a direct conversion receiver includes a plurality of variable gain amplifiers for amplifying an input signal based on a gain control value, a DC offset monitoring unit for monitoring a DC offset for an output signal of the plurality of variable gain amplifiers, a plurality of variable Digital to Analog Converters (DACs) for controlling a current applied to each of the plurality of variable gain amplifiers according to a current control code, and a DC offset cancellation unit for determining a current control code set which minimizes the DC offset value per preset gain control value, and thus the DC offset can be precisely cancelled without being affected by external factors such as a signal modulation method and heat and performance degradation of the receiver can be prevented.
US09948479B2
Apparatuses, techniques, and methods for a security and/or automation system are described. In some cases, these may include detecting a presence of a person at a location; determine a first identification datum associated with the person; calculating a first probability of identification based at least in part on the first identification datum; determining an identity of the person based at least in part on the first probability; and initiating an action based at least in part on the determined identity.
US09948475B2
In accordance with some embodiments, a user equipment or mobile station may provide assistance to the eNB or base station so that eNB or base station can more effectively provide settings to the user equipment. Because the user equipment may have more in depth knowledge about the conditions that exist at the user equipment, efficiencies may be achieved by providing information to the eNB from which the eNB can better set various settings on the user equipment, including those related to power saving and latency.
US09948473B2
An apparatus, method, program product, and system are disclosed for seamless connection handshake for a reliable multicast session. A node module detects a new node attempting to join a multicast networking session. A handshake module generates a control packet comprising session initiation data for the new node. A packet module creates a combined data packet comprising the control packet and the multicast data packet and sends the combined data packet to the new node. The node module joins the new node to the ongoing multicast networking session without disturbing ongoing data transmissions during the multicast networking session.
US09948469B2
A method for identifying an audio device, in which a mobile device starts to monitor pull out or insert of an audio device, when the mobile device connects the audio device, the mobile device starts to record, the audio device is identified as an audio smart key device in the case that characteristic data is received in a first preset time, and data is sent to the audio smart key device; turns off recording in the case that the characteristic data is not received in the first preset time; the audio smart key device is powered on and initialized, it sends audio data to the mobile device, subsequently, if the audio smart key device receives data sent from the mobile device in a second preset time, it processes the data; if the audio smart key device does not receive the data sent from the mobile device, the audio smart key device turns off; when the mobile device disconnects the audio device, the mobile device turns off recording and the audio device turns off. According to the present invention, a mobile device can identify a type of an audio device which is inserted into the mobile device, the mobile device sends data after ensuring that the audio device is an audio smart key device, thus, the method can prevent from any noise in the earphone, so the users can feel better.
US09948458B2
In response to at least one message received by a processor of a gateway server from a user device wherein each message requests that an encryption key be downloaded to the user device, the processor generates at least one unique encryption key for each message and sends the at least one generated encryption key to the user device, but does not store any of the generated encryption keys in the cloud. For each encryption key having been sent to the user device, the processor receives each encryption key returned from the user device. For each encryption key received from the user device, the processor stores each received encryption key in the cloud.
US09948457B2
An optical line terminal (OLT) including a processor coupled to a transmitter. The processor is configured to send a first encrypted fiber to coax unit (FCU) message containing an optical domain multicast key to an FCU via an optical network. The optical domain multicast key is associated with encryption in an optical domain associated with the optical network. The processor is also configured to send a second encrypted FCU message containing an electrical domain multicast key to the FCU, and to send an encrypted coax network unit (CNU) message containing the electrical domain multicast key to a CNU via the FCU and a coaxial network. The electrical domain multicast key is associated with encryption in an electrical domain associated with the coaxial network. The first and second encrypted FCU messages and the encrypted CNU message may be operations, administration and maintenance (OAM) messages.
US09948452B1
A method and system are provided for converting an enhanced Long Range Navigational (eLORAN) signal to a Precision Time Protocol (PTP) signal. Network devices can be located within buildings and not have access to a GPS signal directly from a GPS satellite. Network devices may also be located in a line of sight of a GPS satellite but may lose the GPS signal. An adapter is provided that takes an eLORAN signal, when a GPS signal is lost or not available, and converts the signal into a PTP and other signals to act as timing, synchronization, and syntonization inputs into the network devices. In some cases, the network devices can have a PTP client to receive the PTP signal, one pulse per second signal, and a ten (10) megahertz frequency signal. In other cases, the network devices do not have a PTP client, but can receive a time of day message, one pulse per second signal, and the 10 megahertz frequency signal.
US09948447B2
Provided is a communication apparatus usable for any case where a time synchronization function is necessary or unnecessary by attaching or detaching a synchronization model for realizing the time synchronization function. A clock generation unit, a logic circuit unit including a synchronization module monitoring unit, a clock selection unit, and a main circuit unit configured by a switch LSI are integrally formed on the same substrate, and the synchronization module is detachably mounted on the substrate via connectors. The connectors each have a mounting determination pin that indicates a different signal level depending on whether the synchronization module is mounted. The synchronization module monitoring unit monitors connection signals indicating signal levels of the mounting determination pin, and causes the clock selection unit to select a synchronization clock when the synchronization module is mounted, and an internal clock when the synchronization module is not mounted.
US09948446B2
The present disclosure relates to a telecommunications device. The telecommunications device includes an electrical balance duplexer connected to an output node of a transmission path, an input node of a receive path, an antenna, and a tunable impedance. The electrical balance duplexer is configured to isolate the transmission path from the receive path by tuning the tunable impedance. The telecommunications device also includes a tuning circuit for tuning the tunable impedance. The tuning circuit includes amplitude detectors for measuring voltage amplitudes, phase detectors for measuring voltage phase differences, an impedance sensor for measuring an input impedance of the electrical balance duplexer, and a processing unit operatively connected to the detectors, the impedance sensor, and the tunable impedance. The processing unit is configured to calculate an optimized impedance value. The processing unit is also configured to tune the tunable impedance towards the optimized impedance value.
US09948444B2
The apparatus for transmitting broadcast signals, the apparatus comprises an encoder for encoding service data corresponding to each of a plurality of data transmission path, wherein each of the data transmission path carries at least one service component, a frame builder for building at least one signal frame including the encoded service data, a modulator for modulating the at least one signal frame by an OFDM (Orthogonal Frequency Division Multiplex) scheme, a transmitter for transmitting the broadcast signals carrying the at least one modulated signal frame, wherein each of the at least one signal frame includes a preamble having signaling data, wherein the signaling data includes size of FFT, information of whether the signal frame including EAC message or not and information relating to the service data of the signal frame.
US09948439B2
Methods and apparatus are provided for transmission and reception of common channel information in a mobile communication system using multi-antenna-based beamforming. A number of beams to be used for transmission to a terminal is determined at a base station. The common channel information is generated corresponding to the number of beams. The common channel information is transmitted from the base station to the terminal through one of the beams.
US09948437B2
A method of performing interference management by a base station (BS) in a wireless communication system. The BS receives, from another BS, an interference management message including a silenced subframe pattern of the another BS. The BS transmits, to a user equipment (UE), a radio resource configuration (RRC) message including subframe set information for interference measurement, and receives, from the UE, channel state information (CSI) feedback including a result of the interference measurement. The subframe set information is configured based on the silenced subframe pattern of the another BS, and the subframe set information restricts the interference measurement of the UE to specific subframes.
US09948436B2
A receiver comprises a radio frequency demodulation circuit configured to detect and to recover a received signal. The received signal has been formed and transmitted by a transmitter to carry the payload data as Orthogonal Frequency Division Multiplexed (OFDM) symbols in one or more of a plurality of time divided frames, each frame including a preamble including a plurality of bootstrap OFDM symbols, one or more of the bootstrap OFDM symbols of the preamble carrying signalling data represented as a relative cyclic shift of a signature sequence which has been combined with the one or more of the bootstrap OFDM symbols. The receiver comprises a detector circuit configured to detect and to convert a useful part of the bootstrap OFDM symbols into the frequency domain, a bootstrap processor configured to detect the signalling data from the bootstrap OFDM symbols in the frequency domain, using an estimate of the channel transfer function determined from one or more of the bootstrap OFDM symbols, and a demodulator circuit configured to recover the payload data from the payload OFDM symbols using the signalling data. The bootstrap processor comprises an equalizer configured to reduce an effect of the channel transfer function in the frequency domain from the bootstrap OFDM symbols carrying the signalling data, a signature sequence remover configured to remove an effect of the signature sequence in the frequency domain from the bootstrap OFDM symbols carrying the signalling data, and a slope estimator configured to detect an average change in phase between adjacent sub-carriers of the bootstrap OFDM symbols after the effects of the channel transfer function and the signature sequence have been removed from the bootstrap OFDM symbols carrying the signalling data. A signalling data detector is configured to identify the signalling data based on the detected average change in phase, which is representative of the cyclic shift applied to the signature sequence. Accordingly, embodiments of the present technique can provide an arrangement for detecting the signalling data from the bootstrap OFDM symbols in the frequency domain.
US09948425B2
The present invention provides a method of transmitting broadcast signals. The method includes, encoding, by a first and a second encoder, data in respective first and second PLPs (Physical Layer Pipes); combining the encoded data in the respective first and second PLP by a combiner, wherein each of the first and second PLP belongs to a respective first and second layer. The code rate of the first PLP is different from the code rate of the second PLP. Time interleaving the combined data according to a first or second mode. Building at least one signal frame including the time interleaved data. Frequency interleaving data in the at least one signal frame. Modulating the frequency interleaved data in the at least one signal frame, and transmitting the broadcast signals having the modulated data by a transmitter.
US09948408B1
Apparatuses, methods, and systems for calibrating an antenna array are disclosed. One method includes selecting an antenna element of a first antenna subarray and an antenna element of a second antenna subarray, transmitting the signal through the at least one antenna element of the first subarray having a first selected phase, transmitting the signal through the at least one antenna element of the second subarray having a second selected phase, and characterizing a relative phase offset between the antenna element of the first antenna subarray and the antenna element of the second antenna subarray, including adjusting the first selected phase or the second selected phase, and monitoring a receive signal received at a calibration antenna that includes the transmitted signal of the at least one antenna element of the first antenna subarray and the transmitted signal of the at least one antenna element of second antenna subarray.
US09948403B1
A method and fiber optic coupling system are provided. The method includes establishing that a physical coupling has occurred between a fiber optic cable and a fiber optic Small Form-factor Pluggable (SFP). The fiber optic cable includes a cable magnetic connector. The fiber optic SFP includes a SFP magnetic connector having a plurality of magnetic switches. The fiber optic SFP is operably coupled to a SFP circuit board, an emitter, and a receiver. The method further includes determining that the cable magnetic connector has applied a magnetic field to the plurality of magnetic switches. The method further includes activating the emitter and the receiver, responsive to the magnetic field being applied to the plurality of magnetic switches.
US09948395B2
A system comprises a tracking electromagnetic beam generator, a retro-reflecting device, a signal generator, a communication electromagnetic beam generator and a receiver. The tracking electromagnetic beam generator transmits a tracking electromagnetic beam. The retro-reflecting device reflects the tracking electromagnetic beam toward the tracking electromagnetic beam generator. The signal generator generates a communication signal. The communication electromagnetic beam generator transmits a communication electromagnetic beam, based on the communication signal, to the retro-reflecting device. The receiver receives a portion of the communication electromagnetic beam as reflected from the retro-reflecting device.
US09948394B1
Embodiments of apparatuses and methods of power optimization in VLC positioning are disclosed. In one embodiment, a mobile device may include image sensors configured to receive visible light communication signals, a memory configured to store the visible light communication signals, and a transceiver configured to receive positioning assistance data of a venue, and a controller configured to: decode one or more light fixtures within a field of view of the mobile device to obtain corresponding light fixture identifications, determine a motion of the mobile device with respect to the one or more light fixtures based on the light fixture identifications and the positioning assistance data of the venue, and switch the image sensors of the mobile device to a reduced duty cycle state based on the motion of the mobile device with respect to the one or more light fixtures within the field of view of the mobile device.
US09948389B2
An optical carrier selector system is provided for selecting a wanted carrier signal from a multi-carrier signal comprising a plurality of carrier signals. The optical carrier selector system comprises a series of optical filter devices. Each optical filter device of the series comprises an input port for receiving a signal comprising two or more carrier signals, each optical filter device being configured to filter out an unwanted carrier signal. Each optical filter device also comprises an output port for outputting at least the wanted carrier signal and any remaining signals that have not been filtered out by that particular optical filter device, and a drop port for outputting the unwanted carrier signal that is being filtered out by the respective optical filter device. By outputting from a drop port the unwanted carrier signal that is being filtered out by the respective optical filter device, this has the advantage of enabling the operation of the optical carrier selector system to be monitored for proper operation, and controlled or adjusted if necessary.
US09948388B2
There is provided a network management device to manage a network on which an existing optical path is operated, the network management device including: a first receiver configured to receive data related to a measurement result of signal quality of a first optical signal having a first wavelength on the existing optical path; a second receiver configured to receive a request for adding a second optical signal having a second wavelength to the existing optical path; at least one memory configured to store a procedure; and at least one processor configured to execute the procedure of estimating a variation quantity in the signal quality of the first optical signal when the second optical signal is added to the existing optical path based on the data related to the measurement result, when the request is received, and determining whether to add the second optical signal based on results of the estimating.
US09948387B2
The present disclosure provides dynamic performance monitoring systems and methods for optical networks to ascertain optical network health in a flexible and accurate manner. The present invention introduces accurate estimations for optical channel performance characteristics based either on existing channels or with a dynamic optical probe configured to measure characteristics on unequipped wavelengths. Advantageously, the dynamic performance monitoring systems and methods introduce the ability to determine physical layer viability in addition to logical layer viability.
US09948386B1
Method of configuring an optoelectronic system for accommodating different fiber optic cable lengths
An optoelectronic configuration method is provided. The method includes determining a baseline link budget value for the VCSEL. The method applies a constant input value to a VCSEL and monitors the output of the VCSEL. The method calculates a first link budget value from the inputs and outputs of the VCSEL and compares the first link budget value with the baseline link budget value to determine either a pass state of the VCSEL or a fail state of the VCSEL. If a fail state of the VCSEL is determined, the method may iteratively apply modified inputs to the VCSEL until the desired relationship between the first link budget value and the baseline link budget value is obtained.
US09948374B2
A beamforming configuration is changed during a cyclic prefix that precedes a symbol period. For example, the beamforming configuration for a transmitter can be changed during an orthogonal frequency-division multiplexing (OFDM) cyclic prefix that precedes a fast Fourier transform (FFT) window. At the receiver, the cyclic prefix is reconstructed based on the chips received during FFT window. In this way, there is no loss of data signaling due to the transmitter reconfiguring its beamforming.
US09948370B2
A method of multi user multiple input multiple output (MU-MIMO) communication in a wireless local area network (WLAN) system, and a transmitting device therefore, are discussed. The method according to an embodiment includes generating an Aggregate-Medium Access Control Protocol Data Unit (A-MPDU) including an A-MPDU subframe which includes a Medium Access Control Protocol Data Unit (MPDU) delimiter field and an MPDU; and generating a Physical Layer Protocol Data Unit (PPDU) including the A-MPDU by using a guard interval. The guard interval is selected by the transmitting device among a short guard interval and a long guard interval. The guard interval used for the PPDU is selected to be the short guard interval when the PPDU is generated for a plurality of receiving devices, all of which support the short guard interval. The method according to the embodiment further includes transmitting the PPDU to the plurality of receiving devices.
US09948362B2
A method generates a three-dimensional (3D) scene image of a scene using a MIMO array including a set of antenna by first selecting a subsets of the antennas as transmit antennas and receive antennas. Radio frequency (RF) signal are transmitted into the scene using the subset of transmit antennas while the MIMO array is moving at a varying velocity. The RF signal are received at the subset of receive antennas as MIMO data, which is aligned and regularized. Then, a compressive sensing (CS)-based reconstruction procedure is applied to the aligned MIMO data to generate the 3D image of the scene.
US09948357B2
The subject technology discloses configurations for determining, at a first computing device, if a second computing device is within a predetermined distance of the first computing device. The subject technology then establishes, at the first computing device, a wireless near field communication (NFC) connection with the second computing device. Information for configuring a wireless tethering connection with the second computing device is then transmitted over the wireless NFC connection. Further, the subject technology receives, over the wireless NFC connection, confirmation that the wireless tethering connection has been configured.
US09948355B2
Aspects of the subject disclosure may include, for example, a system for modulating a first electrical signal to generate first modulated electromagnetic waves, and transmitting the first modulated electromagnetic waves on a waveguide located in proximity to a transmission medium. In one embodiment, the first electromagnetic waves can induce second electromagnetic waves that propagate on an outer surface of the transmission medium. The second electromagnetic waves can have a first spectral range that is divided into, contains or otherwise includes a first control channel and a first plurality of bands. Other embodiments are disclosed.
US09948347B2
A method of calibrating a transceiver circuit including transmission circuitry for processing an input signal to produce an output signal including the input signal modulated onto a carrier signal, and reception circuitry arranged to take a modulated signal including a signal modulated onto a carrier signal and to output the signal demodulated from the carrier signal. The method includes: selectively coupling the transmission circuitry to the reception circuitry; introducing a reference signal into the transmission circuitry, the reference signal causing a plurality of components of different frequencies to be present in a calibration signal in the reception circuitry; measuring the power, and typically the received signal strength indication (RSSI) of the calibration signal including the plurality of components; and adjusting operation of the transmission and reception circuitry to increase the amplitude of a first set of the components relative to the amplitude of a second set of the components.
US09948336B2
A communication circuit chip includes a controller, a power manager, and a memory. The controller selectively communicates, based on a reception signal that is received through an antenna, with one memory card among first and second memory cards. The power manager transfers power, in response to receiving the reception signal through the antenna, to the one memory card that is selected to communicate with the controller. The memory stores content data such that content of data stored in each of the first and second memory cards is recognized. The controller selects the one memory card that is to communicate with the controller from among the first and second memory cards, with reference to the stored content data.
US09948330B2
A Bluetooth transmitter with features to reduce the likelihood of unwitting loss includes a first housing, a second housing, a circuit board, and a button. The second housing couples to the first housing. A side of the second housing opposite to the first housing defines at least one groove for connecting to another housing or a holder. The circuit board is secured in the second housing. The button couples to the first housing and connects to the circuit board through the first housing. The button is configured to initiate a Bluetooth signal transmission.
US09948327B2
The present invention concerns a front end circuit (1) which comprising a first tunable duplexer (5) comprising a first tunable RX bandpass filter (9) and a first tunable TX bandpass filter (10), wherein the first tunable duplexer (5) is configured to support a first FDD mode in a first FDD frequency band and a first TDD mode in a first TDD frequency band. Furthermore, the present invention concerns a method of operating the front end circuit.
US09948320B1
Methods and systems are provided for the compression and decompression of data. The compression and decompression of data may include partitioning the data into chunks, analyzing the individual chunks to determine the best compression and decompression encoders to utilize for the next data chunk of a data file. In compressing and decompressing using the mentioned technique, the data is delivered to the requesting client in an efficient and speedy manner.
US09948313B1
Apparatus and methods are disclosed that utilize magnetically differential loop filter capacitor elements that are physically positioned adjacent voltage-controlled oscillator (VCO) inductor/s in the device layout of a phase locked loop (PLL) circuit. Such a PLL circuit may be employed, for example, to produce a PLL output signal for RF receivers, RF transmitters, RF transceivers and any other type of circuit configured to utilize a PLL output signal having a phase that is based on the phase of an input signal.
US09948312B2
A phase lock loop (PLL) includes a voltage-controlled oscillator (VCO) and a frequency detector to generate a FAST signal responsive to a frequency of a reference signal being greater than the frequency of a feedback signal derived from the VCO and to generate a SLOW signal responsive to the frequency of the reference signal being smaller than the frequency of the feedback signal. The PLL also includes a digital charge pump, a loop filter, and a state machine circuit. Responsive to receipt of multiple consecutive FAST signals when the digital charge pump is providing a charging current to the loop filter, the state machine circuit reconfigures the digital charge pump to increase the charging current to the loop filter. Responsive to receipt of multiple consecutive SLOW signals when the loop filter is discharging, the state machine circuit reconfigures the digital charge pump to cause the loop filter's discharge current to increase. Upon detection of a terminal condition, the state machine circuit may disable the digital charge pump and enable operation of an analog charge pump.
US09948306B2
The present invention discloses a configurable gate array based on three-dimensional printed memory (3D-P). It comprises an array of configurable computing elements, an array of configurable logic elements and a plurality of configurable interconnects. Each configurable computing element can selectively realize a math function from a math library. It comprises a plurality of 3D-P arrays storing the look-up tables (LUT) for the math functions in the math library.
US09948304B2
Disclosed is a semiconductor logic element including a field effect transistor of the first conductivity type and a field effect transistor of the second conductivity type. A gate of the first FET is an input of the semiconductor logic element, a drain of the second FET is referred to as the output of the semiconductor logic element and a source of the second FET is the source of the semiconductor logic element. By applying applicable potentials to the terminals of the field effect transistors it is possible to influence the state of the output of the logic element. Also disclosed are different kinds of logic circuitries including the described logic element.
US09948303B2
In one embodiment, a voltage level shifter includes a first p-type metal-oxide-semiconductor (PMOS) transistor having a gate configured to receive an input signal in a first power domain, and a second PMOS transistor, wherein the first and second PMOS transistors are coupled in series between a supply voltage of a second power domain and a node. The voltage level shifter also includes an inverter having an input coupled to the node and an output coupled to a gate of the second PMOS transistor, and a first n-type metal-oxide-semiconductor (NMOS) transistor having a gate configured to receive the input signal in the first power domain, wherein the first NMOS transistor is coupled between the node and a ground.
US09948302B2
Provided is a level shift circuit capable of avoiding breakdown due to level shift operation. The level shift circuit includes: a floating power supply having one end connected to an output terminal; a circuit configured to receive a voltage of the floating power supply, a voltage of a low level power supply and first and second pulse signals from a pulse generating circuit, thereof to output first and second signals; and a logic circuit configured to receive first and second signals, thereby converting a signal that is input to the pulse generating circuit into a signal that fluctuates between a voltage at the one end of the floating power supply and a voltage at the other end thereof to output the converted signal.
US09948300B1
Apparatuses and methods for partial bit de-emphasis are provided. An example apparatus includes an output driver and control circuit. The output driver includes a pull-up circuit including one or more pull-up legs, and a pull-down circuit including one or more pull-down legs. The control circuit may be coupled to the output driver and configured to receive an input signal having a first logical value and a second logical value, and in response to determining the logical transition has occurred from the second logic value to the first logic value, cause the pull-up circuit and pull-down circuit respectively to enter a first state for a duration of a first portion of a bit period and to enter a second state for a duration of a second portion of the bit period proceeding the first portion.
US09948294B2
A signal transmission system for communicating across galvanic isolation. The signal transmission system includes first circuitry referenced to a first potential, the first circuitry comprising signal transmission circuitry, second circuitry referenced to a second potential and galvanically isolated from the first circuitry, the second circuitry comprising signal reception circuitry, and a magnetic coupling between the first circuitry to the second circuitry across the galvanic isolation, the magnetic coupling comprising a transmitter-side inductor and a receiver-side inductor. The signal transmission circuitry can include a source coupled to output, to the transmitter-side inductor of the magnetic coupling, a first state representation that represents a first logic state with multiple transitions, the first state representation including at least a first upward transition, a first downward transition, a second upward transition, and a second downward transition.
US09948290B2
An apparatus includes a switch module, a sense circuit coupled to the switch module and configured to indicate an operating conduction mode of the switch module, and a drive circuit operatively coupled to the switch module to enable and disable forward conducting mode of the switch module. Once the switch module is in forward conducting mode, the drive circuit is configured to maintain enablement of the forward conducting mode even if the sense circuit indicates reverse conduction mode.
US09948285B2
A drive control device includes: an input unit of a command; and a control unit setting a period for rising a current in an inductive load to first and third periods in first and second commands, and setting a period for falling the current to second and fourth periods in the first and second commands, respectively. When the first command is changed to the second command, and at least one middle PMW pulse is disposed between a forward PWM pulse corresponding to the first command and an after PWM pulse corresponding to the second command, the control unit sets fifth and sixth periods in the middle PWM pulse corresponding to the first and second periods of the forward PWM pulse to a length between the first and second periods in the forward PWM pulse and the third and fourth periods in the after PWM pulse, respectively.
US09948279B1
An electronic device capable of bandwidth compensation includes a register unit for storing a calibration code determined by performing an on-die termination (ODT) calibration process and a data receiving circuit, wherein the calibration code is utilized for controlling a termination resistance of an ODT unit. The data receiving circuit comprises a first control circuit coupled to the register unit and the active low-pass filter for generating a first control signal according to the calibration code stored in the register unit, the first control signal being utilized for adjusting a capacitance of a first feedback capacitor unit or a resistance of a first feedback resistor unit of an active low-pass filter.
US09948278B2
Filter device having a filter connection conductor line including parallel connected conductor lines
In a filter device, a first filter and a second filter are connected to a common connection point by a filter connection conductor line including a first conductor line portion, and a parallel connection area with an electrical length shorter than that in a single conductor line is provided in the first conductor line portion.
US09948276B2
In a high-frequency module, first and second inductors that adjust attenuation characteristics of a first filter of a filter component, are separated from each other such that the first and second inductors readily magnetic field couple with each other. Consequently, an amount of wiring used to define a first wiring electrode inside the filter component is reduced and a number of layers of a package substrate and the profile of the filter component are reduced. Consequently, variations in the attenuation characteristics of the first filter caused by the first wiring electrode electromagnetic-field coupling with another wiring electrode are prevented. The attenuation characteristics of the first filter is easily adjusted and improved by adjusting the inductance value of the second inductor.
US09948274B2
A surface acoustic wave device includes a high acoustic velocity film in which a transversal wave propagates at a higher acoustic velocity than in a ScAlN film laminated on a substrate made of silicon or glass. The ScAlN film is laminated on the high acoustic velocity film, and IDT electrodes are laminated on the ScAlN film.
US09948272B2
Embodiments of a Bulk Acoustic Wave (BAW) device including a high conductivity electrode are disclosed. In some embodiments, a BAW device includes a piezoelectric layer, a first electrode on a first surface of the piezoelectric layer, and a second electrode on a second surface of the piezoelectric layer opposite the first electrode. The second electrode includes a first metal layer and a second metal layer. The second metal layer is on the second surface of the piezoelectric layer, and the first metal layer is over a surface of the second metal layer opposite the piezoelectric layer, where the first metal layer is separated from the second metal layer by an air gap. By including the air gap, the thickness of the first metal layer (e.g., a high conductivity layer) can be increased to thereby increase the electrical conductivity of the second electrode while maintaining the performance of the BAW device.
US09948269B2
A high-frequency module includes a wiring board, a first duplexer that separates a transmission signal and a reception signal in a first frequency band, and a second duplexer that separates a transmission signal and a reception signal in a second frequency band whose reception-side frequency band partially overlaps with a frequency band of a third-order harmonic of the first transmission signal. The first duplexer is disposed near a predetermined side on a first main surface of the wiring board, and the second duplexer is disposed near an opposite side opposing the predetermined side. An extended line extending from a first transmission terminal of the first duplexer and an extended line extending from a second reception terminal of the second duplexer are spaced away from each other.
US09948268B2
A multiband antenna includes a conductive connecting member, an external conductor, and a conductor frame. The conductive connecting member is disposed on a non-metallic region of an electronic device. The external conductor is disposed on an external surface of the electronic device from a first connecting terminal connected to an end of the conductive connecting member to first and second path terminals, respectively, located opposite to each other. The conductor frame is connected to the first and second path terminals and a ground of a substrate. The external conductor includes a first external radiation conductor disposed between the first path terminal and the first connecting terminal, and a second external radiation conductor integrally formed with the first external radiation conductor and disposed between the second path terminal and the first connecting terminal.
US09948267B2
A magnetoresistive effect device includes at least one magnetoresistive effect element including a magnetization fixed layer, a spacer layer, and a magnetization free layer, a first port, a second port, a first signal line which is connected to the first port and through which high-frequency current corresponding to a high-frequency signal input into the first port flows, a second signal line, and a direct-current input terminal. The magnetoresistive effect element is arranged so that a high-frequency magnetic field occurring from the first signal line is applied to the magnetization free layer. The magnetoresistive effect element is connected to the second port via the second signal line. The direct-current input terminal is connected to the magnetoresistive effect element.
US09948265B2
An inductor capacitor (LC) tank includes a first inductor and a first tunable capacitive array. The first inductor has a first terminal and a second terminal, and the first tunable capacitive array has a first terminal and a second terminal. The first tunable capacitive array is at a path branching from a first point between the first terminal and the second terminal of the first inductor, the first terminal of the first tunable capacitive array is coupled to the first point, and the second terminal of the first tunable capacitive array and the second terminal of the first inductor are coupled to a reference voltage.
US09948264B2
An electronic component includes a spiral or substantially spiral first inductor extending along a stacking direction while turning around a ring-shaped or substantially ring-shaped path. The first inductor includes first inductor conductors and a first interlayer connecting conductor connected to each other. The first interlayer connecting conductor passes through some insulating layers. A second interlayer connecting conductor passes through some insulating layers, and is connected in series and is located within the ring-shaped path. A first capacitor conductor is disposed closer to one side of the stacking direction than the first inductor is. The first capacitor conductor is at least partially superposed on the ring-shaped path to define a first capacitor between the first capacitor conductor and the first inductor, and is superposed on a portion of a region surrounded by the ring-shaped path to be connected to the second interlayer connecting conductor.
US09948254B2
A wireless Josephson-junction-based amplifier is described that provides improved tunability and increased control over both a quality factor Q and participation ratio p of the amplifier. The device may be fabricated on a chip and mounted in a waveguide. No wire bonding between the amplifier and coaxial cables or a printed circuit board is needed. At least one antenna on the chip may be used to couple energy between the waveguide and wireless JBA. The amplifier is capable of gains greater than 25 dB.
US09948252B1
Systems, methods and apparatus for practical realization of an integrated circuit comprising a stack of transistors operating as an RF amplifier are described. As stack height is increased, capacitance values of gate capacitors used to provide a desired distribution of an RF voltage at the output of the amplifier across the stack may decrease to values approaching parasitic/stray capacitance values present in the integrated circuit which may render the practical realization of the integrated circuit difficult. Coupling of an RF gate voltage at the gate of one transistor of the stack to a gate of a different transistor of the stack can allow for an increase in the capacitance value of the gate capacitor of the different transistor for obtaining an RF voltage at the gate of the different transistor according to the desired distribution.
US09948250B2
A sensor amplifier arrangement includes an amplifier having a signal input to receive a sensor signal and a signal output to provide an amplified sensor signal, and a feedback path that couples the signal output to the signal input and provides a feedback current that is an attenuated signal of the amplified sensor signal and is inverted with respect to the sensor signal.
US09948240B2
Dual-output power converter circuitry includes an input node, a first output node, a second output node, a number of capacitive elements, and a number of switching elements. The switching elements are coupled between the input node, the first output node, the second output node, and the capacitive elements. In operation, the switching elements charge and discharge the capacitive elements such that a power supply output voltage is provided asynchronously to the first output node and the second output node.
US09948239B2
A method and apparatus are disclosed for a configurable mixer capable of operating in a linear, a legacy, and a low-power mode. In the linear mode, the configurable mixer is configured to operate as a double-balanced mixer to multiply a first differential signal by a second differential signal. In the legacy mode, the configurable mixer is configured to as a double-balanced mixer to multiply a differential signal by a single-ended signal. In the low-power mode, the configurable mixer is configured to operate as a single-balanced mixer to multiply a differential signal by a single-ended signal. The operating mode of the configurable mixer may be based, at least in part, on a mode control signal. In some embodiments, the configurable mixer may be included in an analog front end of a wireless communication device.
US09948227B2
A circuit for a motor comprises at least two phase windings forming one half of motor phase windings of the circuit and at least two other phase windings forming another half of the motor phase windings of the circuit. A direct current (DC) power supply receives alternating current (AC) power transferred from one or more of the motor phase windings and converts the AC power to DC power. A first stage power switch circuit comprising at least one power switch is connected between the at least two phase windings on the one half of the motor phase windings of the circuit and between the at least two other phase windings on the other half of the motor phase windings of the circuit. A second stage power switch circuit comprising at least one other power switch is connected between the one half of the motor phase windings of the circuit and the other half of the motor phase windings of the circuit, the at least one other power switch to receive AC power from one or more of the motor phase windings. At least one non-collapsing DC power supply component prevents the DC power supply from collapsing when the at least one power switch is on.
US09948222B2
A power supply device (2) is provided with a push-type power generator (4). When a push-button (5) on the push-type power generator (4) is pushed, a variable voltage is generated by a piezoelectric element (6) that excites a primary coil (L1). A high-frequency inverter (8) is activated by the variable voltage, exciting the primary coil (L1), and an alternating field is generated from the primary coil (L1). Secondary power can be supplied by means of the alternating field even if a secondary coil (L2) of an electrical device (10), disposed on a surface of a wall (1) opposite the surface on which the charging device (2) is disposed, is not in contact with the power supply device (2). The secondary coil (L2) of the electrical device (10) causes a light-emitting diode (LED1) to illuminate using secondary power obtained by non-contact power supply.
US09948221B2
A method and system for eliminating the low-frequency oscillation between generators. By way of measuring the absolute rotor angle of a generator and controlling the rotor rotational speed, the absolute rotor angles obtained through measurement are the same when each GPS pulse per second signal arrives. The absolute rotor angles are angles of the internal potential Eq of the generator leading a GPS reference vector. Through the absolute rotor angle, zero steady state error control of the frequency and the rotor angle is achieved and the position of the generator rotor can remain unchanged in the PPS determined rotating coordinate system, thus suppressing the low-frequency oscillation better even without the need of remote measurement and achieving automatic local balance of active power during variation of loads. Accordingly, the power fluctuation on transmission lines is decreased while safe and stable operation of a large-scale interconnected power grid is achieved.
US09948205B2
An AC line filter module includes AC-to-DC rectification circuitry. The rectification circuitry includes four low forward voltage rectifiers coupled together as two high-side rectifiers and two low-side rectifiers, where each low forward voltage rectifier includes an NPN bipolar transistor and a parallel-connected diode. A current splitting pair of inductors splits a return current so that a portion of the current is supplied to the collector of an NPN bipolar transistor that is on, and so that the remainder of the current is supplied to the base of the transistor that is on. Both low-side rectifiers are driven by these current splitting inductors. A pair of base current return diodes provides base current return paths. Due to the use of NPN bipolar transistors and no PNP bipolar transistors, manufacturing cost is reduced and efficiency is improved as compared to an implementation that uses low forward voltage rectifiers having PNP transistors.
US09948203B2
A direct-current power supply device includes a reactor, one end of which is connected to one output end of an alternating-current power supply, a switching unit for short-circuiting the other end of the reactor and the other output end of the alternating-current power supply, a rectifying unit configured to rectify an alternating-current voltage supplied from the alternating-current power supply and generate a voltage equal to or higher than a double voltage, a smoothing capacitor connected to the rectifying unit via backflow preventing diodes and configured to smooth a direct-current voltage output from the rectifying unit, and a control unit configured to control the switching unit and stop the supply of the alternating-current voltage to the rectifying unit in a predetermined period after a predetermined time has elapsed from a zero cross point of the alternating-current voltage output from the alternating-current power supply.
US09948191B2
A constant output circuit is disclosed that includes a power supply circuit, a LM-FOT control circuit, a switching circuit and a transformer. Output ends of the power supply circuit are respectively connected with a first input end of the LM-FOT control circuit and an end of a primary winding of the transformer. A controlling end of the LM-FOT control circuit is connected with a controlled end of the switching circuit. A second input end of the LM-FOT control circuit is connected with an output end of the switching circuit. An input end of the switching circuit is connected with the other end of the primary winding of the transformer. An end of a secondary line winding of the transformer is configured for outputting constant voltage signals. Another end of the secondary line winding of the transformer is grounded.
US09948185B2
A circuit configured for improving the large signal response of a control stage circuit of a switch mode DC/DC power converter by increasing the differential input range of an error amplifier by segmenting and adding an offset to the error amplifier input and output. When a transient is detected, the feedback voltage is offset in multiple segments by multiple offset voltage sources to prevent saturation of the control stage circuit. Counteracting offset voltages are added to an output of an error amplifier to prevent overshoot or undershoot. A feed-forward compensation signal is generated with the amplitude of the signal being clamped to fixed voltage levels between a minimum and a maximum amplitude of the feed-forward compensation signal. The feed-forward compensation signal is added to the output of the error amplifier to produce an output error signal of the control stage circuit configured for controlling the modulating of the switch mode DC/DC power converter.
US09948183B2
A synchronous regulator controller, including a synchronous switch that is coupled between a first node and a second node. The controller also includes a first voltage divider that includes a first resistive device that is coupled between the first node and a third node, and a second resistive device that is coupled between the third node and a second node. The controller also includes a comparator having a first input that is coupled to the first node, and a second input that is coupled to a forth node. The controller also includes a current source that is arranged to provide a current to the fourth node. The controller also includes a third resistive device that is coupled between the third node and the fourth node.
US09948182B2
A DC-DC power converter having a power source, a load, and a transmission line terminated at one end. A first switch is electrically connected between the power source and a second end of the transmission line and movable between an open and a closed position. A second switch is electrically connected between the second end of the transmission line and the load and is movable between an open and a closed position. A switch control circuit switches the first and second switches between their respective open and closed positions. A pulse forming network forms the transmission line to store the charge in the transmission line.
US09948180B2
A Buck switching regulator includes first Buck switching regulator circuitry is operable to generate a first output voltage from an input voltage and operable to generate a first sensed voltage having a value that is proportional to an output current being provided by the first Buck switching regulator circuitry. The first Buck switching regulator circuitry receives an input current and operates at a first duty cycle determined by a duty cycle signal. Input current sensing circuitry includes second Buck switching regulator circuitry coupled to the first Buck regulator switching circuitry to receive the duty cycle signal and to receive the first sensed voltage as an input voltage to the second Buck switching regulator circuitry. The second Buck switching regulator circuitry is operable responsive to the duty cycle signal to generate a second output voltage from the first sensed voltage. The second output voltage has a value that is proportional to the input current being supplied to the first Buck switching regulator circuitry. Such a Buck switching regulator can be utilized in a variety of different types of electronic systems, such as laptop computer systems, and can also be used in charging systems in laptop computer and other types of electronic systems.
US09948174B2
The protection device for providing protection against short-circuits upstream from an electrical power supply module having an inlet filter with at least one capacitor and an inductor and having a converter with components associated with a plurality of freewheel diodes includes at least one auxiliary winding and a dissipator element associated with the inlet filter, thereby making it possible to provide an inlet filter of small size without over dimensioning the freewheel diodes.
US09948168B2
A manufacturing method of a stator for manufacturing a stator by mounting a concentrated winding coil wound with a square wire conductor on each of a plurality of teeth in a stator core and welding end of the concentrated winding coil to corresponding end of another concentrated winding coil, characterized in that a first set of concentrated winding coils and a second set of concentrated winding coils are mounted on the teeth, and the welding of each end in the first set of concentrated winding coils and corresponding end in the second set of concentrated winding coils is started while a third set of concentrated winding coils is mounted on the teeth.
US09948163B2
A generator comprises a stator having a center axis and a rotor. The stator is configured and adapted to be supported by a portion of conveyor belt support structure. The stator comprises an opening aligned with the center axis configured and adapted to receive at least a portion of a shaft of a conveyor belt roller. The rotor is configured and adapted to connect to the conveyor belt roller in a manner such that the rotor and conveyor belt roller can collectively rotate about the center axis. The rotor encircles the stator and comprises a plurality of permanent magnets.
US09948154B2
An electronically commutated DC motor has a stator wound with a multi-phase stator winding, a permanent magnet rotor mounted rotatably about a motor axis, a circuit board, a guide plate electrically connected to the winding and a housing component. In one implementation, a DC motor can easily be manufactured with the fewest possible process steps, which exhibits a short axial length and a low weight as well as good heat-dissipation properties. It is also an object of the invention to create a DC motor with integrated electronics, whose motor interior can be filled with oil, and which holds the electronics sealed against this oil. For reasons of logistics, an attempt is also made for partial components, such as the electronics, to be designed such that they are capable of complete prior assembly and testing.
US09948151B2
An outer rotor type brushless motor of the present invention comprises: a rotor portion having a rotor frame, a shaft, and a rotor magnet; a bearing housing; a stator portion facing the rotor magnet and having a stator core, a plurality of first salient pole portions extending toward the rotor magnet from the stator core, an insulation surrounding the first salient pole portion, and a winding around the first salient pole portion through the insulation; and a torque holding portion provided on an inner side of the outer circumference portion of the rotor frame and an outer circumference of the bearing housing, and having a plurality of second salient pole portions disposed coaxially with the stator core and extending toward the rotor magnet, where the first salient pole portions and the second salient pole portions are provided in different numbers.
US09948150B2
Systems and methods for the construction of components such as laminations for the stator core of an ESP motor wherein particles of different materials are mixed and pressed together at an elevated temperature to form a composite material in the desired lamination shape. The materials are selected to provide characteristics such as high magnetic permeability from one material and high thermal conductivity from the other material. The particles of the different materials are pressed together at a temperature that is sufficiently high to fuse the particles together and form a composite material, but is also sufficiently low that the materials are not sintered. The individual materials therefore retain their original characteristics, and the composite material benefits from the high magnetic permeability of the first material and the high thermal conductivity of the other material.
US09948144B2
A power transmission device wirelessly transmits power to a power receiving device rectifying a voltage received and supplying the voltage to a load circuit. The power transmission device includes a power transmitter that makes capacitance or electromagnetic coupling to the power receiver and transmits electric power to the power receiver, a power supply unit that generates electric power to be transmitted to the power receiving device and supplies the electric power to the power transmitter, a load impedance detector that detects a load impedance of the power receiving device based on an electric signal detected in the power transmission device, and a controller that controls the electric power to be generated by the power supply unit such that an output voltage of the rectifying circuit of the power receiving device is equal to or lower than a predetermined voltage based on a detection result of the load impedance detector.
US09948141B2
A power sending loop coil disposed in a power sending device takes out electric energy from DC power and generates periodically-varying electromagnetic field resonance energy in a space. A power receiving loop coil disposed in a power receiving device takes out, as electric energy, the periodically-varying electromagnetic field resonance energy from the space and supplies electric power to a load. The power sending loop coil and the power receiving loop coil are coupled to each other through electromagnetic field resonant coupling, whereby electric power is wirelessly transferred from the power sending device to the power receiving device.
US09948123B2
A portable solar power management system includes (i) a solar panel interface to one or more solar panels, (ii) an energy storage interface to one or more energy storage devices, (iii) a charging circuit which routes the electrical currents from the solar panels to the energy storage devices; (iv) a load interface to one or more load devices, the load devices being powered independently on primary and secondary load circuits; and (v) a controller for controlling the operations of solar panel interface, the energy storage interface, the charging circuit, and the load interface. In addition, a secondary load control circuit and a programmable controller may be provided which route the electrical currents from the energy storage devices to the load interface, wherein the programmable controller, based on the sensing signals, also activates and deactivates the secondary load circuit.
US09948119B2
Systems and methods for allocating electrical current among battery sets connected in a substantially parallel configuration. A respective state of health is determined for each respective battery set in a plurality of battery sets. The respective state of health reflects a respective present amount of total energy able to be stored by each respective battery set relative to a specification of the respective battery set. A respective allocation of electrical current for each battery set in the plurality of battery sets is determined based on the respective state of health for each respective battery set. A current flow through each respective battery set is configured to its respective allocation of electrical current based on determining the respective allocation.
US09948118B1
An apparatus has connectors to receive batteries. A power multiplexer is connected to the connectors. A processor is connected to the power multiplexer to execute a battery charge protocol including the operations of selecting at least one battery for charging, where the at least one battery is in a fast charge state that allows for substantially linear charge performance. Direct current is applied to the battery until the fast charge state is terminated. The selecting and applying operations are repeated until the fast charge state is terminated in each of the batteries. Direct current is then directed to the batteries until a full charge state is reached for each of the batteries.
US09948116B2
A power storage system includes a power storage device and a controller. The power storage device includes a plurality of power storage stacks connected in series. The controller controls a discharge processing based on voltage values of power storage elements in each power storage stack. The controller determines an abnormal state according to a voltage fluctuation after the voltage values are made uniform. The controller performs a first processing when the following conditions i) and ii) are satisfied and performs a second processing when the following conditions i) and iii) are satisfied. The condition i) is that the power storage elements included in the plurality of power storage stacks are divided into a plurality of groups, each group consists of the power storage elements included in a same power storage stack. The condition ii) is that the voltage values of the power storage elements are different in each group. The condition iii) is that, in the plurality of groups in each of which the voltage values are made uniform, the voltage values are different among the plurality of groups.
US09948115B2
The invention relates to chargers of lithium-ion batteries. The system contains a common control block and control blocks of each of the multitude of battery cells, where each cell of the multitude of cells is controlled by its own control block, which contains a micro-controller that has the capabilities to receive data about the condition of the cell, transfer the received information to the block of common control, and balance voltages of cells by high currents, where the balancing mode efficiently operates in any mode of the battery operation, where the multitude of cells of the accumulator batter are connected in series by direct current, and in parallel by alternating current through the system of DC/AC converter balancing, where the converters are synchronized by the common control signal from the common control block. The invention reduces the charging time and increases the discharging time of the battery.
US09948094B1
A power brick includes a first port configured to provide power to a first computing device, a second port configured to provide power to a second computing device, a first switch coupled to the first port and configured to select one of a first power configuration and a second power configuration based on a load associated with the second port, and a second switch coupled to the second port and configured to select one of the first power configuration and the second power configuration based on the load associated with the second port.
US09948089B2
In a DC circuit breaker device, first and second semiconductor switches are connected in series on a main circuit line such that current-carrying directions of the switches are opposite to each other. A first diode is connected in anti-parallel with the first semiconductor switch, and a second diode is connected in anti-parallel with the second semiconductor switch. First and second mechanical circuit breakers are connected in series with each other and in parallel with the whole of the first and semiconductor switches. First and second backward current generation circuits are connected in series with each other and in parallel with the whole of the first and second mechanical circuit breakers. An injection switch is connected between a node between the first and second mechanical circuit breakers and a node between the first and second backward current generation circuits.
US09948086B2
An electrical installation includes a circuit-breaker having a breaking capacity PdC and a tripping current Is, an ammeter measuring the current, and a DC voltage source comprising batteries connected in parallel and connected in series with the circuit-breaker. The sum of the short-circuit currents of the batteries connected in parallel is higher than the breaking capacity PdC of the circuit-breaker. A plurality of the batteries each includes a respective switch capable of opening a connection between the battery of the same and the circuit-breaker. The electrical installation also includes a control circuit to detect that the current passing through the circuit-breaker is higher than the tripping current Is and to control the opening of a plurality of the switches in order to apply, through the circuit-breaker, a current higher than the tripping current Is of the same and lower than the breaking capacity PdC of the same.
US09948068B2
A spark plug that includes a center electrode and a ground electrode. The center electrode is disposed providing a gap with the center electrode. At least one of the center electrode and the ground electrode includes a tip forming the gap. The tip includes a main body portion and a front surface layer. A composition of the main body portion is Pt as a main constituent and Rh of 5 mass % or more and Ni of 0 mass % or more to less than 8 mass %. The front surface layer is disposed at least at a surface radially outside of an axial line extending in a direction from a center of the main body portion to the gap. The front surface layer contains Ni of 8 mass % or more and has a thickness of 2 μm or more.
US09948065B2
The present invention proposes a semiconductor light-emitting device having an axis of symmetry, the device including two or more laser diodes, each of the laser diodes has an axis of symmetry, wherein the laser diodes are arranged in series on the axis of symmetry of the light-emitting device in such a way that their axes of symmetry coincide, wherein faces of the laser diodes are connected so that they are in electric and mechanic contact and form a bar of the laser diodes, a directional pattern of radiation thereof has an axis of symmetry coinciding with the axis of symmetry of the light-emitting device. The proposed light-emitting device can be used in laser lamps of white light for exciting phosphors since it provides a high degree of flare of cylindrical surfaces.
US09948060B2
This semiconductor laser device includes a semiconductor laser chip and a spatial light modulator SLM optically coupled to the semiconductor laser chip. The semiconductor laser chip LDC includes an active layer 4, a pair of cladding layers 2 and 7 sandwiching the active layer 4, a diffraction grating layer 6 optically coupled to the active layer 4, and a drive electrode E3 that is disposed between the cladding layer 2 and the spatial light modulator SLM and supplies an electric current to the active layer 4, and the drive electrode E3 is positioned within an XY plane and has a plurality of openings as viewed from a Z-axis direction and has a non-periodic structure.
US09948050B2
Method of assembling microwave connector with filtering properties having outer and inner conductors
A microwave connector is provided. The microwave connector includes an outer conductor, an inner conductor disposed within the outer conductor and dielectric materials interposed between the outer conductor and the inner conductor, the dielectric materials including a non-dissipative dielectric material and a dissipative dielectric material.
US09948041B2
An electrical receptacle connector includes a metallic shell, an insulated housing received in the metallic shell, receptacle terminals, and a grounding plate. The receptacle terminals and the grounding plate are at the insulated housing. The insulated housing includes a base portion and a tongue portion extending from the base portion. The grounding plate includes a plate body, extension arms, and contact regions. The front of the plate body is near to a front lateral surface of the tongue portion, and the rear of the plate body is extending to the base portion. The plate body is between the receptacle terminals. The extension arms are extending from the plate body. The contact regions are formed on the extension arms and in contact with an inner wall of the shell body. Accordingly, the grounding plate is in contact with the metallic shell for providing grounding and reducing the electromagnetic interference.
US09948024B1
A protecting cap structure of a charging gun has a cover, a push plate, a fixing seat, at least one first resilient element, and a gland. The push plate is moveably mounted in a containing groove of the cover. The fixing seat, the first resilient element, and the gland are mounted in the containing groove. The first resilient element and the gland are respectively mounted on both sides of the push plate, and the first resilient element abuts and pushes the front side of the push plate. The protecting cap structure not only improves water resistance and dust resistance by the gland which is propped by the resilient element when the cover covers the plug of the charging gun, but also is easy to use because the resilient elements push forward the cover when the cover is to be removed.
US09948023B2
A wire cover (70) is arranged to cover a rear surface of a mat seal cover (50) and includes a lock (78) to be locked to a lock receiving portion (27) of a housing (10). The lock receiving portion (27) is arranged at a position corresponding to a lever (90) covering an outer surface side of a peripheral wall (24) of an accommodating recess (23). The lock (78) is locked to the lock receiving portion (27) from an inner surface side of the peripheral wall (24) of the accommodating recess (23). The mat seal cover (50) has an assembling detection surface (55) with which the lock (78) moving toward the lock receiving portion (27) comes into contact when the mat seal cover (50) is in a semi-assembled state without being locked to the housing (10).
US09948020B1
A lid-equipped power socket structure comprises at least one or more electric power sockets and an electric power plug, wherein the electric power plug is electrically connected to the electric power sockets through a set of power line materials, and the electric power socket comprises a socket body, a lid body internally having a gasket, and an external cladding shell, in which the external cladding shell can be sleeve installed onto the outer surface of the socket body; in addition, the external cladding shell may be pivotally connected to the lid body via a torsion spring such that the lid body can be lifted up or placed down onto the surface of the socket body, in which, when the lid body covers on the surface of the socket body, the gasket of the lid body can abut against the 3-holed socket on the surface of the electric power socket thereby achieving the objective of water-proof.
US09948017B2
A device for receiving a data carrier has a receiving body that has a receiving region with a circular-cylindrical cross-section, wherein the receiving region has a circular opening on one end of the receiving body that corresponds to the cross-section of the receiving region, a data carrier which is arranged at least partially in the receiving region, and a circular-cylindrical fixing pin that is arranged on the other end of the receiving body.
US09948014B2
A connection structure of a terminal fitting includes the terminal fitting including a terminal body, and a plurality of terminal connection portions extending from the terminal body and connection terminals connected to end portions of electric wires. Each of the connection terminals includes a pair of fastening caulking pieces which erects on opposite side portions of a terminal bottom portion. The pair of the fastening caulking pieces are caulked with opposite side portions of a corresponding one of the terminal connection portions from outside so that the connection terminal is caulked and fastened to the terminal fitting. Concave-convex engagement portions are provided in opposed surfaces in which the terminal connection portion and the terminal bottom portion abut against each other. The terminal fitting is connected to the electric wires through the connection terminals.
US09948012B2
A connector includes a cable tray configured to receive and retain a cable in a stable position and couple with a top cap configured to create an electrical connection with the cable as the top cap is manipulated in a predetermined manner while coupled with the cable tray. An upper surface of the cable tray is configured to receive the cable. The cable tray also includes a finger extending beyond the first end for some distance longitudinally. The finger includes a protrusion that protrudes to some extent in a transverse direction so that a cable-accommodating gap is defined between the protrusion and the first end. The protrusion is configured to bear against the cable and retain the cable in the stable position when the cable is inserted between the protrusion and the first end (before, during and/or after an electrical connection is established).
US09948004B2
It is presented a hybrid coil circuit comprising: a transformer; a common mode choke, wherein all choke windings are magnetically coupled; an impedance matching device connected on a middle choke winding, the impedance matching device being connected to ground; a first port being provided between a first choke winding and the impedance matching device; a second port being provided between a third choke winding and the impedance matching device; a third port being provided between either end of a second transformer winding; a first inductor arranged between the impedance matching device and the first port; and a second inductor arranged between the impedance matching device and the second port, wherein the first inductor and the second inductor are magnetically coupled.
US09948003B2
There is disclosed an antenna system for mobile handsets and other devices. The antenna system comprises a dielectric substrate having first and second opposed surfaces, a conductive track on the substrate, and a separate, directly driven antenna to drive the parasitic loop antenna formed by the conductive track. Two grounding points are provided adjacent to each other on the first surface of the substrate, with the arms of the conductive track extending in generally opposite directions from the grounding points. The conductive tracks then extend towards an edge of the dielectric substrate, before passing to the second surface of the dielectric substrate and then passing across the second surface of the dielectric substrate following a path generally following the path taken on the first surface of the dielectric substrate. The conductive tracks then connect to respective sides of a conductive arrangement formed on the second surface of the dielectric substrate that extends into a central part of a loop formed by the conductive track on the second surface of the dielectric substrate.
US09947968B2
A method of producing a lithium ion secondary battery includes: selecting a positive electrode active material that has a prescribed specific surface area, and preparing a nonaqueous electrolyte solution that contains a compound with a following formula (1) at a prescribed concentration. In an xy-coordinate plane that gives a relationship between a specific surface area x [m2/g] of the positive electrode active material and a concentration y [mol/kg] of the compound in the nonaqueous electrolyte solution, a combination of the prescribed specific surface area and the prescribed concentration corresponds to a combination of values that lies within a hexagonal inner region formed by connecting 6 points (x, y)=(1.50, 0.050), (2.20, 0.05), (2.60, 0.10), (2.60, 0.16), (0.80, 0.16), and (0.60, 0.10) in this sequence with straight lines.
US09947963B2
Articles, compositions, and methods involving ionically conductive compounds are provided. The disclosed ionically conductive compounds may be incorporated into an electrochemical cell (e.g., a lithium-sulfur electrochemical cell, a lithium-ion electrochemical cell, an intercalated-cathode based electrochemical cell) as, for example, a protective layer for an electrode, a solid electrolyte layer, and/or any other appropriate component within the electrochemical cell. In certain embodiments, electrode structures and/or methods for making electrode structures including a layer comprising an ionically conductive compound described herein are provided.
US09947960B2
A lithium ion battery cell includes a housing, a cathode disposed within the housing, wherein the cathode comprises a cathode active material, an anode disposed within the housing, wherein the anode comprises an anode active material, and an electrolyte disposed within the housing and in contact with the cathode and anode. The electrolyte consists essentially of a solvent mixture, a lithium salt in a concentration ranging from approximately 1.0 molar (M) to approximately 1.6 M, and an additive mixture. The solvent mixture includes a cyclic carbonate, an non-cyclic carbonate, and a linear ester. The additive mixture consists essentially of lithium difluoro(oxalato)borate (LiDFOB) in an amount ranging from approximately 0.5 wt % to approximately 2.0 wt % based on the weight of the electrolyte, and vinylene carbonate (VC) in an amount ranging from approximately 0.5 wt % to approximately 2.0 wt % based on the weight of the electrolyte.
US09947950B2
Systems and methods for initiating voltage recovery procedures in a fuel cell system based in part on an estimated specific activity over the life of a fuel cell catalyst are presented. In certain embodiments, SA loss of catalyst and electrochemical surface area loss of a FC system may be estimated. An output voltage of the FC system may be estimated based on the estimated SA loss and the electrochemical surface area loss. An amount of recoverable voltage loss may be determined based on a comparison between the estimated output voltage and a measured output voltage. Based on the determined amount of recordable voltage loss, a FC system control action (e.g., a voltage recovery procedure) may be initiated.
US09947949B2
A system and method for controlling power of a fuel cell for a vehicle are provided. The method includes measuring a temperature of the fuel cell and when the measured temperature of the fuel cell is within a high temperature range in which a power threshold value of the fuel cell is reduced based on an increase in temperature of the fuel cell and when the measured temperature of the fuel cell is increased and then is equal to or greater than a predetermined temperature a power threshold value is reduced from a power value at the predetermined temperature. The high temperature range is a range between a third temperature at which the power threshold value starts to be reduced based on the increase in temperature of the fuel cell and a fourth temperature at which the power threshold value is reduced and then reaches the minimum power threshold value.
US09947948B2
A fuel cell system includes a compressor provided in a cathode gas supply passage configured to feed the cathode gas under pressure to the fuel cell, a bypass passage configured to discharge the cathode gas fed under pressure by the compressor to a cathode gas discharge passage while bypassing the fuel cell, a bypass valve provided in the bypass passage and configured to adjust a flow rate of the cathode gas flowing in the bypass passage, a system stopping unit configured to stop the fuel cell system by performing a predetermined stop sequence process when a request to stop the fuel cell system is made, and a stop-time bypass valve control unit configured to control a valve body of the bypass valve to a predetermined initialization position in parallel with the sequence process during the stop sequence process.
US09947943B2
A flow field plate for a bipolar plate or bipolar plate assembly of a fuel cell or a fuel cell stack has an electrode facing front side, a backside and at least a cooling fluid manifold for supplying cooling fluid to the flow field plate. The backside includes a cooling fluid flow field for substantially uniformly distributing the cooling fluid over the flow field plate. The flow field plate further includes a cooling fluid sub-manifold which is adapted to provide cooling fluid from the cooling fluid manifold to a cooling fluid flow field. The cooling fluid sub-manifold is fluidly disconnected from the cooling fluid flow field, a bipolar plate or bipolar plate assembly including a flow field plate, as well as a fuel cell or fuel cell stack including such a flow field plate and/or bipolar plate or such a bipolar plate assembly.
US09947942B2
A titanium or titanium alloy material for a fuel cell separator has a surface shape in which a plurality of projections are distributed, and a titanium oxide film on a surface of the projections. Fine projections are assumed to increase the contact conductivity remarkably. By increasing contact conductivity with carbon and durability of a titanium or titanium alloy material for a fuel cell separator, the lifetime of a fuel cell may be increased. The material has high usability in the cell manufacturing industry.
US09947937B2
A catalyst carrier, an electrode catalyst, an electrode including the catalyst, a membrane electrode assembly including the electrode, and a fuel cell including the membrane electrode assembly. The catalyst carrier includes a carbon material having a chain structure including a chain of carbon particles and an alumina-carbon composite particle in which a carbon particle encloses an alumina particle, the alumina-carbon composite particle is contained in the carbon material, and the catalyst carrier has a BET specific surface area of 450 to 1100 m2/g.
US09947931B2
Provided is a nonaqueous electrolyte secondary battery including a nonaqueous electrolyte and an electrode assembly including a positive electrode, a negative electrode, and a separator disposed between the positive electrode and the negative electrode. The electrode assembly further includes a layer containing a metal oxide powder between the positive electrode and the negative electrode. The positive electrode contains a phosphate ester compound represented by Formula (1); where X and Y each independently represent a metal atom, a hydrogen atom, or an organic group; at least one of X and Y represents a metal atom; X and Y are coincident when the metal atom is divalent; and n represents an integer of 2 or more and 10 or less.
US09947920B2
A composition for use in a lithium ion battery includes a plurality of elongate elements and a plurality of particles. The elongate elements and particles each include a metal or semi-metal selected from one or more of the group including silicon, tin, germanium, aluminum or mixtures thereof. The composition may include additional ingredients such as a binder, a conductive material and a further electro-active material, such as graphite. The compositions can be used for the fabrication of electrodes, preferably anodes in the manufacture of lithium ion batteries and optionally batteries based on magnesium ions or sodium ions. The composition is able to intercalate and release lithium during the charging and discharging cycles respectively of a battery into which it has been incorporated. Methods of fabricating the composition and electrodes including the composition are included as well as electrodes thus prepared and devices including such electrodes.
US09947916B2
A non-aqueous electrolyte secondary battery is provided that has both good safety and durability characteristics while at the same time has high charge/discharge capacity. The cathode active material for a non-aqueous electrolyte secondary battery of the present invention is a lithium nickel composite oxide to which at least two or more kinds of metal elements including aluminum are added, and comprises secondary particles that are composed of fine secondary particles having an average particle size of 2 μm to 4 μm, and rough secondary particles having an average particle size of 6 μm to 15 μm, with an overall average particle size of 5 μm to 15 μm; where the aluminum content of fine secondary particles (metal mole ratio: SA) is greater than the aluminum content of rough secondary particles (metal mole ratio: LA), and preferably the aluminum concentration ratio (SA/LA) is within the range 1.2 to 2.6.
US09947915B2
Disclosed is a manganese-based lithium secondary battery comprising a cathode containing manganese-based lithium metal oxide, an anode, and an electrolyte, wherein the anode comprises an anode active material in which a Mn scavenger capable of reducing manganese ions on a surface by conducting or semiconducting properties is coated on part or all of anode active material particles. Through the use of the Mn scavenger, manganese ion dissolved from the manganese-based cathode active material into the electrolyte is preferentially deposited on the Mn scavenger coated on the surface of the anode active material particles, such that the dissolved manganese ion is inhibited from being deposited directly on the surface of the anode active material, and a decomposition of the electrolyte with the deposited manganese component is inhibited. Accordingly, the use of the Mn scavenger can provide a manganese-based lithium secondary battery having excellent storage performance.
US09947913B2
Method for welding metal tab of electrode layer for cable battery and electrode manufactured thereby
Disclosed are a method of welding a metal tab of an electrode layer for a cable battery and an electrode manufactured thereby. This welding method, suitable for welding a metal tab to an electrode including a current collector for a cable battery, a conductive layer formed on the outer surface of the current collector, and a polymer film layer formed on the inner surface of the current collector, includes: a) removing a portion of the conductive layer using a pulse laser, thus exposing the surface of the current collector positioned thereunder, and b) welding a metal tab to the surface of the current collector, thus enabling the welding of a metal tab and an electrode for a cable battery, which has been difficult to achieve using a conventional welding process.
US09947911B2
A battery pack includes a battery assembly having a plurality of battery cells, a busbar module that includes a plurality of conductors and an insulating member which holds the conductors, a battery control unit provided at an end portion of the battery assembly in an arrangement direction of the battery cells, and an extraction conductor that connects a total electrode terminal connected to the battery assembly to a main circuit terminal of the battery control unit. The extraction conductor has a water escape portion which is located below an imaginary line connecting the total electrode terminal to the main circuit terminal, and an upper end of the water escape portion is formed at a location that is lower than a lower end of the main circuit terminal.
US09947906B2
An electronic device includes a front case including a first battery slot that detachably receives a battery, and a first protruding part protruded from a first sidewall of the first battery slot, wherein the first protruding part is disposed at a predetermined height from a bottom surface of the first battery slot.
US09947905B2
A battery includes a plurality of battery cells between first and second electrically conductive fabrics. The first electrically conductive fabric includes a first battery terminal. The second electrically conductive fabric includes a second battery terminal. The first electrically conductive fabric and the second electrically conductive fabric are framed to provide an enclosed region. The plurality of battery cells are arranged in parallel between the first electrically conductive fabric and the second electrically conductive fabric within the enclosed region. Each of the plurality of battery cells is configured to establish an electrical connection, at least temporarily, with the first battery terminal through the first electrically conductive fabric and the second battery terminal through the second electrically conductive fabric.
US09947904B2
The present invention (i) uses a mask unit (80) including: a shadow mask (81) that has an opening (82) and that is smaller in area than a vapor deposition region (210) of a film formation substrate (200) and; a vapor deposition source (85) that has a emission hole (86) for emitting a vapor deposition particle, the emission hole (86) being provided so as to face the shadow mask (81), the shadow mask (81) and the vapor deposition source (85) being fixed in position relative to each other, (ii) adjusts an amount of a void between the shadow mask (81) and the film formation substrate (200), (iii) moves at least a first one of the mask unit (80) and the film formation substrate (200) relative to a second one thereof while uniformly maintaining the amount of the void between the mask unit (80) and the film formation substrate (200), and (iv) sequentially deposit the vapor deposition particle onto the vapor deposition region (210) through the opening (82) of the shadow mask (81). This makes it possible to form a high-resolution vapor deposition pattern on a large-sized substrate.
US09947899B2
A flexible display device and fabrication method thereof are provided. The flexible display device includes a flexible substrate, a buffer layer disposed on the flexible substrate, a display unit disposed on the buffer layer covering a part of the buffer layer, and a thin film encapsulation layer disposed on the display unit and a rest part of the buffer layer. At least one of the buffer layer and the thin film encapsulation layer includes a self-healing layer comprising a self-healing polymer material.
US09947897B2
A substrate including a light-emitting element and a terminal for connection to the outside is prepared. The light-emitting element includes a light-emitting layer, an anode, and a cathode. The anode and the cathode interpose the light-emitting layer therebetween. A sealing layer is formed on the substrate so as to cover the light-emitting element and the terminal. An amorphous carbon film is formed on the sealing layer so as to cover a region above the light-emitting element and avoid a region above the terminal. The sealing layer is dry-etched so as to expose the terminal from the sealing layer using the amorphous carbon film as a mask. The amorphous carbon film is removed.
US09947894B2
Provided is a TFT substrate (substrate); a second electrode (vapor-deposited membrane) that is formed on the TFT substrate and includes a protruding portion; and a sealing membrane provided so as to cover the second electrode, wherein, when σ represents an absolute value of a stress of the sealing membrane, t represents a thickness of the sealing membrane, and P represents a sum of a product of an oblique side length and an oblique side slope in a minute region on an oblique side of the protruding portion, a value of an index N expressed by the expression (N=σ·t·P) is less than or equal to 935 MPa·μm2.
US09947889B2
A transparent electrode comprising a nitrogen-containing layer, and an electrode layer provided adjacent to the nitrogen-containing layer and having silver as a main component. The nitrogen-containing layer is configured using a compound containing nitrogen atoms, wherein the effective unshared electron pair content [n/M] is 2.0×10−3≤[n/M], n being the number of unshared electron pairs that are not involved in aromaticity and that are not coordinated with the metal from among the unshared electron pairs of the nitrogen atoms, and M being the molecular weight.
US09947881B2
Platinum compounds of Formulas I and II useful in a variety of devices, such as, for example organic-light emitting diodes (OLEDs).
US09947879B2
An anthracene derivative represented by the following formula (1): wherein in the formula (1), L1 is selected from a single bond and a linking group, and the linking group is selected from a divalent arylene group, a divalent heterocyclic group, and a group formed by linking of 2 to 4 of divalent arylene groups and/or divalent heterocyclic groups. Ar1 is selected from the following formulas (2) and (3). In the formulas (2) and (3), X is selected from an oxygen atom and a sulfur atom. In the formula (2), any one of R11 to R14 is used for bonding to L1. In the formula (3), any one of R21 to R24 is used for bonding to L1. Ar2 is selected from a substituted or unsubstituted aryl group including 6 to 50 ring carbon atoms and a substituted or unsubstituted heterocyclic group including 5 to 50 ring atoms.
US09947866B2
A method of manufacturing a nonvolatile memory device includes sequentially forming, on a first wiring layer extending in a first direction, a first layer containing a first metal and a second layer containing a second metal into which the first metal can diffuse. The method further includes oxidizing the first layer and the second layer, removing oxygen from the oxidized first layer by annealing, forming a conductive third layer on the oxidized second layer after removing oxygen from the oxidized first layer, and forming a second wiring layer on the third layer. The second wiring layer extends in a second direction crossing the first wiring layer.
US09947863B2
A method of making a magnetic random access memory (MRAM) device includes depositing a spacer material on an electrode; forming a magnetic tunnel junction (MTJ) on the spacer material that includes a reference layer in contact with the spacer material, a free layer, and a tunnel barrier layer; patterning a hard mask on the free layer; etching the MTJ and the spacer material to transfer a pattern of the hard mask into the MTJ and the spacer material; forming an insulating layer along a sidewall of the hard mask, the MTJ, and the spacer material; disposing an interlayer dielectric (ILD) on and around the hard mask, MTJ, and spacer material; etching through the ILD to form a trench that extends to a surface and sidewall of the hard mask and a sidewall of a portion of the MTJ; and disposing a metal in the trench to form a contact electrode.
US09947859B2
An electronic device that includes a first structure including a first magnetic layer, a second magnetic layer, and a tunnel barrier layer which is interposed between the first magnetic layer and the second magnetic layer; and a second structure disposed over the first structure, and including a magnetic correction layer for correcting a magnetic field of the first structure, wherein a width of a bottom surface of the second structure is larger than a width of a top surface of the first structure.
US09947857B2
The present invention provides a polymeric actuator which has excellent flexibility and elongation rate; low temperature dependability of physical properties such as an elastic modulus and high dielectric breakdown strength, and which can drive in a low electric field. The present invention relates to a polymeric actuator, wherein the polymeric dielectric has a storage elastic modulus at 20° C. [E′(20° C.)] determined by a dynamic viscoelastic measurement at a frequency of 1 Hz of not more than 0.5 MPa, a ratio [E′(−20° C.)/E′(20° C.)] of a storage elastic modulus at −20° C. [E′(−20° C.)] determined by a dynamic viscoelastic measurement at a frequency of 1 Hz to the [E′(20° C.)] of not more than 5.0, and a ratio [E′(40° C.)/E′(20° C.)] of a storage elastic modulus at 40° C. [E′(40° C.)] determined by a dynamic viscoelastic measurement at a frequency of 1 Hz to the [E′(20° C.)] of not less than 0.5.
US09947851B2
The present invention provides a LED package in which deterioration in heat radiation performance is suppressed. The LED package comprises a substrate, a light-emitting device mounted on the substrate, sealing resin sealing the light-emitting device and mixed with phosphor, a heat sink provided on a rear surface of the substrate, and a rear electrode provided on the rear surface of the substrate and electrically connected to the light-emitting device. The heat sink is provided at a distance from the rear electrode in a region except for the rear electrode. The heat sink is divided into eighteen small heat sinks by grooves formed in a rectangular lattice pattern. When the LED package is mounted on a mounting substrate, the gas generated from solder is efficiently discharged through the grooves to the outside, thereby suppressing the generation of air bubbles between the heat sink and the solder.
US09947845B2
Disclosed are a method of fabricating a light emitting diode and a light emitting diode fabricated by the same. In the method of fabricating a light emitting diode, a convex-concave pattern is formed on a light emitting structure and a nanosphere layer is transferred to the convex-concave pattern, followed by dry etching to form a stepped surface structure having a plurality of nanobumps arranged on a surface thereof, and chemical coating to reduce surface energy of the stepped surface structure. The method can easily form a stepped surface structure having a plurality of nanobumps on a surface of a convex-concave pattern periodically arranged through nanosphere lithography and dry etching, thereby simplifying the fabrication process while improving production yield.
US09947841B2
A light emitting device includes a light emitting element, a wavelength converter, a light transmissive member, a light guider, and a light transmitting layer. The light emitting element has an element upper surface, an element lower surface, and an element side surface. The wavelength converter has a converter lower surface. The wavelength is provided to be connected to the light emitting element such that the converter lower surface faces the element upper surface. The converter lower surface has an exposed region that does not face the element upper surface. The light guider guides light from the light emitting element to the wavelength converter. The light guider covers the element side surface and the exposed region. The wavelength converter has a converter upper surface. The light transmitting layer has a layer lower surface facing the converter upper surface. The converter upper surface is smaller than the layer lower surface.
US09947839B2
This disclosure discloses an LED assembly. The LED assembly includes a transparent mount with a top surface and a bottom surface opposite to the top surface, an LED chip arranged on the top surface, an electrode plate, a first phosphor layer having a first phosphor, and a second phosphor layer having a second phosphor, wherein the transparent mount and the electrode plate substantially have a same width. The electrode plate is arranged on an edge of the top surface and electrically connected to the LED chip.
US09947836B2
An electronic device mounting substrate includes: a first wiring substrate shaped in a rectangular frame, an interior of the rectangular frame constituting a first through hole; a second wiring substrate shaped in a rectangular frame or plate, the second wiring substrate being disposed so as to overlie a lower surface of the first wiring substrate and be electrically connected to the first wiring substrate; a metallic plate disposed so as to overlie a lower surface of the second wiring substrate so that the second wiring substrate is sandwiched between the metallic plate and the first wiring substrate; and a lens holder secured to an outer periphery of the metallic plate. A frame interior of the first wiring substrate, or a frame interior of each of the first wiring substrate and the second wiring substrate, constitutes an electronic device mounting space.
US09947825B2
Disclosed is a manufacturing method of a solar cell, including forming a photoelectric converter including an amorphous semiconductor layer, forming an electrode connected to the photoelectric converter, and performing a post-treatment by providing light to the photoelectric converter and the electrode.
US09947811B2
A solar cell module includes a plurality of solar cells comprising a first solar cell and a second solar cell adjacent to each other; a conductive ribbon, wherein each of the plurality of solar cells comprises: a substrate; an emitter layer of positioned on the substrate; a plurality of finger electrodes formed in a first direction, each finger electrode being electrically connected to the emitter layer; and at least one first collector formed in a second direction crossing the first direction, the at least one first collector being electrically connected to the plurality of finger electrodes, wherein the conductive ribbon is attached to the at least one first collector in the second direction by a conductive adhesive, and wherein the conductive ribbon is attached on a collector region where the at least one first collector is formed and a deletion where the at least one first collector is not formed.
US09947803B2
The present invention relates to an amorphous oxide and a thin film transistor using the amorphous oxide. In particular, the present invention provides an amorphous oxide having an electron carrier concentration less than 1018/cm3, and a thin film transistor using such an amorphous oxide. In a thin film transistor having a source electrode 6, a drain electrode 5, a gate electrode 4, a gate insulating film 3, and a channel layer 2, an amorphous oxide having an electron carrier concentration less than 1018/cm3 is used in the channel layer 2.
US09947798B2
According to one embodiment, a display device includes thin-film transistor. The thin-film transistor includes a first semiconductor layer, a first insulating film, a gate electrode, a second insulating film, a second semiconductor layer, a first electrode and a second electrode. The gap between the bottom surface of the gate electrode and the upper surface of the first channel region of the first semiconductor layer is larger than the gap between the upper surface of the gate electrode and the bottom surface of the second channel region of the second semiconductor layer.
US09947780B2
Transistors for high voltage and high frequency operation. A non-planar, polar crystalline semiconductor body having a top surface disposed between first and second opposite sidewalls includes a channel region with a first crystalline semiconductor layer disposed over the first and second sidewalls. The first crystalline semiconductor layer is to provide a two dimensional electron gas (2DEG) within the channel region. A gate structure is disposed over the first crystalline semiconductor layer along at least the second sidewall to modulate the 2DEG. First and second sidewalls of the non-planar polar crystalline semiconductor body may have differing polarity, with the channel proximate to a first of the sidewalls. The gate structure may be along a second of the sidewalls to gate a back barrier. The polar crystalline semiconductor body may be a group III-nitride formed on a silicon substrate with the (1010) plane on a (110) plane of the silicon.
US09947777B2
Provided is a semiconductor device having favorable reliability. A manufacturing method of a semiconductor device comprising the steps of: forming a first oxide semiconductor having an island shape; forming a first conductor and a second conductor over the first oxide semiconductor; forming an oxide semiconductor film over the first oxide semiconductor, the first conductor, and the second conductor; forming a first insulating film over the oxide semiconductor film; forming a conductive film over the first insulating film; removing part of the first insulating film and part of the conductive film to form a first insulator and a third conductor; forming a second insulating film covering the first insulator and the third conductor; removing part of the oxide semiconductor film and part of the second insulating film to form a second oxide semiconductor and a second insulator and to expose a side surface of the first oxide semiconductor; forming a third insulator in contact with the side surface of the first oxide semiconductor and with a side surface of the second oxide semiconductor; forming a fourth insulator in contact with the third insulator; and performing a microwave-excited plasma treatment to the third insulator and the fourth insulator.
US09947774B2
A method of forming semiconductor devices that includes forming an oxide that is doped with a punch through dopant on a surface of a first semiconductor material having a first lattice dimension, and diffusing punch through dopant from the oxide into the semiconductor material to provide a punch through stop region. The oxide may then be removed. A second semiconductor material may be formed having a second lattice dimension on the first semiconductor material having the first lattice dimension. A difference between the first lattice dimension and the second lattice dimension forms a strain in the second semiconductor material. A gate structure and source and drain regions are formed on the second semiconductor material.
US09947772B2
Stress is introduced into the channel of an SOI FinFET device by transfer directly from a metal gate. In SOI devices in particular, stress transfer efficiency from the metal gate to the channel is nearly 100%. Either tensile or compressive stress can be applied to the fin channel by choosing different materials to be used in the gate stack as the bulk gate material, a gate liner, or a work function material, or by varying processing parameters during deposition of the gate or work function materials. P-gates and N-gates are therefore formed separately. Gate materials suitable for use as stressors include tungsten (W) for NFETs and titanium nitride (TiN) for PFETs. An optical planarization material assists in patterning the stress-inducing metal gates. A simplified process flow is disclosed in which isolation regions are formed without need for a separate mask layer, and gate sidewall spacers are not used.
US09947767B1
A semiconductor devices and methods of forming the same include forming a layer of activating material on sidewalls of a stack of alternating layers of channel material and sacrificial material. The layer of activating material is annealed to cause the activating material to react with the sacrificial material and to form insulating spacers at ends of the layers of sacrificial material. The layer of activating material is etched away to expose ends of the layers of channel material. Source/drain regions are formed on the ends of the layers of channel material.
US09947766B2
A semiconductor device includes a substrate, a source/drain region, an etch stop layer, an oxide layer, an interlayer dielectric layer, and a contact plug. The source/drain region is in the substrate. The etch stop layer is over the source/drain region. The oxide layer is over the etch stop layer. The interlayer dielectric layer is over the oxide layer. The contact plug is electrically connected to the source/drain region through the interlayer dielectric layer, the oxide layer, and the etch stop layer.
US09947763B2
A method including depositing a gap fill material on top of a conformal dummy gate oxide above and in between a plurality of fins, forming one or more openings between the plurality of fins and the gap fill material by selectively removing a portion of the conformal dummy gate oxide, and forming a gate within the one or more openings, and above the plurality of fins and the gap fill material.
US09947762B2
A device includes a substrate, a gate dielectric over the substrate, and a gate electrode over the gate dielectric. A drain region and a source region are disposed on opposite sides of the gate electrode. Insulation regions are disposed in the substrate, wherein edges of the insulation regions are in contact with edges of the drain region and the source region. A dielectric mask includes a portion overlapping a first interface between the drain region and an adjoining portion of the insulation regions. A drain silicide region is disposed over the drain region, wherein an edge of the silicide region is substantially aligned to an edge of the first portion of the dielectric mask.
US09947761B2
A method for producing a semiconductor device includes an implantation step of performing proton implantation from a rear surface of a semiconductor substrate of a first conductivity type and a formation step of performing an annealing process for the semiconductor substrate in an annealing furnace to form a first semiconductor region of the first conductivity type which has a higher impurity concentration than the semiconductor substrate after the implantation step. In the formation step, the furnace is in a hydrogen atmosphere and the volume concentration of hydrogen is in the range of 6% to 30%. Therefore, it is possible to reduce crystal defects in the generation of donors by proton implantation. In addition, it is possible to improve the rate of change into a donor.
US09947759B1
A semiconductor device having semiconductor device having a multi-height structure is provided. The semiconductor device having a multi-height structure includes a semiconductor substrate. A first structure and a second structure are respectively disposed on the semiconductor substrate and connected to each other. The second structure includes a limiting layer disposed on the upper surface of the semiconductor substrate, a first polysilicon layer disposed conformally on the limiting layer and the semiconductor substrate, and a second polysilicon layer disposed conformally on the first polysilicon layer. A ridge of the second polysilicon layer is disposed near an edge of the second structure beside the first structure, vertically aligned with the limiting layer and defined as a limiting block. A bottom anti-reflection coating (BARC) layer of a low-viscosity material blanketly overlying a top surface of the second structure has an external surface substantially parallel to the top surface of the second structure.
US09947753B2
A semiconductor structure includes a semiconductor substrate, at least one dielectric layer, a dielectric spacer liner (DSL) layer, and at least one conductor. The dielectric layer is present on the semiconductor substrate. The dielectric layer has at least one contact hole exposing at least a portion of the semiconductor substrate. The semiconductor substrate has at least one recess communicating with the contact hole. The recess has a bottom surface and at least one sidewall. The DSL layer is present on at least the sidewall of the recess. The conductor is present at least partially in the contact hole and is electrically connected to the semiconductor substrate.
US09947752B2
A semiconductor device may include a semiconductor substrate, a first metal film covering a surface of the semiconductor substrate; a protection film covering a peripheral portion of a surface of the first metal film; and a second metal film covering a range extending across a center portion of the surface of the first metal film and a surface of the protection film, wherein a recess may be provided in the surface of the protection film, and a part of the second metal film may be in contact with an inner surface of the recess.
US09947742B2
A power semiconductor device includes: a substrate; an anode electrode and a cathode electrode disposed on the substrate; a well region disposed inside the substrate in a lower portion of the anode electrode, and having p-type conductivity; an NISO region disposed in a lower portion of the well region inside the substrate, and having a first n-type impurity concentration; and an n-type buried layer disposed in a lower portion of the NISO region, and having a second impurity concentration greater than the first n-type impurity concentration, inside the substrate.
US09947741B2
In a field-effect semiconductor device, alternating first n-type and p-type pillar regions are arranged in the active area. The first n-type pillar regions are in Ohmic contact with the drain metallization. The first p-type pillar regions are in Ohmic contact with the source metallization. An integrated dopant concentration of the first n-type pillar regions substantially matches that of the first p-type pillar regions. A second p-type pillar region is in Ohmic contact with the source metallization, arranged in the peripheral area and has an integrated dopant concentration smaller than that of the first p-type pillar regions divided by a number of the first p-type pillar regions. A second n-type pillar region is arranged between the second p-type pillar region and the first p-type pillar regions, and has an integrated dopant concentration smaller than that of the first n-type pillar regions divided by a number of the first n-type pillar regions.
US09947732B2
Disclosed is an organic light emitting diode (OLED) display device including a substrate including a pixel region and a boundary region outside the pixel region. The pixel region comprises an area having a short side and a long side. The pixel region comprises an array of pixels to emit light. The OLED display device includes a substrate in the pixel region and in the boundary region The OLED display device further includes a first electrode of a light emitting device in the pixel region over the substrate, a first bank covering edges of the first electrode in the pixel region on the substrate in the boundary region, wherein a width of an edge of the first bank along the short side of the pixel region is different from a width of an edge of the first bank along the long side of the pixel region, and a second bank on a portion of the first bank in the boundary region.
US09947725B2
A plurality of pixels P and a plurality of light-transmitting regions L are alternately disposed such that a light-transmitting region M1 is disposed between two pixels closest to each other in a X-direction and a light-transmitting region M2 is disposed between two pixels closest to each other in a Y-direction. Each of the light-transmitting regions is divided into a plurality of divided regions by a plurality of wirings WX and a plurality of wirings WY. The divided regions include first regions and second regions that are different from each other in widths in at least one of the X-direction and the Y-direction.
US09947719B2
Embodiments include but are not limited to apparatuses and systems including memory having a memory cell including a variable resistance memory layer, and a selector switch in direct contact with the memory cell, and configured to facilitate access to the memory cell. Other embodiments may be described and claimed.
US09947713B2
A detection substrate and a manufacturing method thereof, and a detector are provided. The detection substrate comprises a base substrate, a thin film transistor, a PIN photodiode and a scintillation layer. The thin film transistor and the PIN photodiode are provided above a first face of the base substrate and the scintillation layer is provided above a second face of the base substrate. The visible light obtained after the X-ray passes through the scintillation layer is directly irradiated on the PIN photodiode after passing through the base substrate with relative high transmittance, thus preventing intensity of the light irradiated on the PIN photodiode from being weakened, and improving light utilization efficiency of the detection substrate.
US09947709B2
A method to form a stacked CMOS image sensor includes forming a signal processing layer including a plurality of discrete signal processing circuit, an image sensor layer including a plurality of discrete image sensing units, and an intermediate capacitor layer including a dielectric layer and a plurality of capacitors. Each capacitor includes a first electrode, a V-shaped or U-shaped first electrode material layer electrically connecting to the first electrode, a second electrode material layer on the first electrode material layer having the dielectric layer there-between, and a second electrode electrically connecting to the second electrode material layer. The method further includes bonding the signal processing layer to the intermediate capacitor layer with each second electrode electrically connected to a signal processing circuit, and bonding the image sensor layer to the intermediate capacitor layer with each first electrode electrically connected to an image sensing unit.
US09947699B2
A method for manufacturing a dual gate oxide semiconductor TFT substrate utilizes a halftone mask to implement a photo process, which not only accomplishes patterning to an oxide semiconductor layer but also obtains an oxide conductor layer with ion doping. The method implements patterning to a bottom gate isolation layer and a top gate isolation layer at the same time with one photolithographic process. The method implements patterning to second and third metal layers at the same time to obtain a first source, a first drain, a second source, a second drain, a first top gate and a second top gate with one photolithographic process. The method implements patterning to a second flat layer, a passivation layer and a top gate isolation layer at the same time with one photolithographic process. The number of photolithographic processes involved is reduced to nine so as to simplify the manufacturing process.
US09947697B2
The present disclosure provides a low temperature polycrystalline silicon field effect TFT array substrate and a method for producing the same and a display apparatus. The method: using a stepped photo resist process to form a polycrystalline silicon active layer and a lower polar plate of a polycrystalline silicon storage capacitor simultaneously on a substrate in one lithographic process; forming a gate insulation layer on the polycrystalline silicon active layer and the lower polar plate of the polycrystalline silicon storage capacitor; forming a metal layer on the gate insulation layer and etching the metal layer to form a gate electrode and gate lines connected with the gate electrode, a source electrode, a drain electrode and data lines connected with the source electrode and the drain electrode; forming a passivation layer, a photo resist layer and a pixel electrode layer in sequence and patterning the passivation layer, the photo resist layer and the pixel electrode layer to form patterns of an interlayer insulation layer via hole and a pixel electrode in one lithographic process; forming a pixel definition layer on the pixel electrode. The present disclosure may reduce times of lithographic processes for the low temperature polycrystalline silicon field effect TFT array substrate, improve the yield and reduce the costs.
US09947695B2
Exemplary semiconductor devices include eight transistors and two capacitors interconnected in specific configurations. A display device may include a driver circuit having such a semiconductor device. An electronic device may also include such a semiconductor device and an input unit, LED lamp or speaker.
US09947688B2
Integrated circuits with components on both sides of a selected substrate and methods of fabrication
Novel integrated circuits (SOI ICs), and methods for making and mounting the ICs are disclosed. In one embodiment, an IC comprises a first circuit layer of the IC formed from an active layer of an SOI wafer. The first circuit layer is coupled to a first surface of buffer layer, and a second surface of the buffer layer is coupled to a selected substrate comprising an insulating material. The selected substrate may be selected, without limitation, from the following types: sapphire, quartz, silicon dioxide glass, piezoelectric materials, and ceramics. A second circuit layer of the IC are formed, coupled to a second surface of the selected substrate. In one embodiment of a mounted IC, the first circuit layer is coupled to contact pads on a package substrate via solder bumps or copper pillars. The second circuit layer is coupled to contact pads on the package substrate via wire bonds.
US09947685B2
According to one embodiment, a semiconductor memory device includes a semiconductor layer, a plurality of conductive layers, a plurality of insulating layers, an intermediate layer, and a controller. The conductive layers and the insulating layers are alternately provided. The intermediate layer is provided between the plurality of conductive layers and the semiconductor layer. The controller is configured to perform first and second operations. In first operation, the controller applies a first voltage to the semiconductor layer, applies a second voltage higher than the first voltage to a first conductive layer, and applies a third voltage to other conductive layers. In the second operation, the controller applies a fourth voltage to the semiconductor layer, applies a fifth voltage to the first conductive layer, and applies a sixth voltage to the other conductive layers.
US09947684B2
A semiconductor device includes a substrate including a cell region and a connection region. A stack is disposed on the substrate. A vertical channel structure penetrates the stack in the cell region. The stack includes electrode patterns and insulating patterns which are alternatingly and repeatedly stacked on the substrate. Each of the electrode patterns may extend in a first direction and include a pad portion. The pad portion is positioned in the connection region. The pad portion includes a first sidewall and a second sidewall that extend in the first direction on opposite sides of the pad portion. The first sidewall has a recessed portion that is recessed in a second direction crossing the first direction toward the second sidewall.
US09947662B2
A CMOS circuit comprises CMOS MOSFETs having n-type and p-type gates on the same substrate, wherein the substrate is divided into regions of n-type and p-type diffusions, and those diffusions are contained within a deeper n-type diffusion, used to junction isolate components within the deeper n-type diffusion from components outside of the deeper n-type diffusion.
US09947660B1
A semiconductor structure, such as a microchip that includes a finFET, includes fins that have a 2D material, such as Graphene, upon at least the fin sidewalls. The thickness of the 2D material sidewall may be tuned to achieve desired finFET band gap control. Neighboring fins of the semiconductor structure form fin wells. The semiconductor structure may include a fin cap upon each fin and the 2D material is formed upon the sidewalls of the fin and the bottom surface of the fin wells. The semiconductor structure may include a well-plug at the bottom of the fin wells and the 2D material is formed upon the sidewalls and upper surface of the fins. The semiconductor structure may include both fin caps and well-plugs such that the 2D material is formed only upon the sidewalls of the fins.
US09947659B2
The invention provides a semiconductor device. The semiconductor device includes a fin field effect transistor (finFET) array including finFET units. Each of the finFET units includes a substrate having a fin along a first direction. A first metal strip pattern and a second metal strip pattern are formed on the fin, extending along a second direction that is different from the first direction. The first and second metal strip patterns are conformally formed on opposite sidewalls and a top surface of the fin, respectively. A first contact and a second contact are formed on the fin. The first and second metal strip patterns are disposed between the first and second contacts. A first dummy contact is formed on the fin, sandwiched between the first and second metal strip patterns.
US09947657B2
A semiconductor device includes a fin field effect transistor. The semiconductor device includes a first gate electrode, a first source/drain (S/D) region disposed adjacent to the first gate electrode, a first S/D contact disposed on the first S/D region, a first spacer layer disposed between the first gate electrode and the first S/D region, a first contact layer in contact with the first gate electrode and the first S/D contact, and a first wiring layer integrally formed with the first contact layer. There is no interface between the first contact layer and the first wiring layer in a cross sectional view, and the first contact layer has a smaller area than the first wiring layer in plan view.
US09947652B2
A structure of connecting a panel driver to a side of a display panel and an electrostatic discharge (ESD) structure are discussed. The display device comprises a display panel including an active area where an image is displayed and a pad area corresponding to a non-display area, the display device comprising a first substrate and a second substrate which face each other and are bonded to each other to constitute the display panel. A signal pad is arranged on the first substrate, and a connection electrode is connected with one side of the signal pad. A flexible circuit film connected with the connection electrode is arranged. In this case, the signal pad includes a plurality of lines arranged by interposing an insulating film therebetween, wherein the plurality of lines are electrically connected with each other.
US09947644B2
A semiconductor package is provided. The semiconductor package may include a plurality of memory chips, which are mounted on a top surface of a package substrate, and a plurality of controller chips, which are vertically stacked on at least one of top and bottom surfaces of the package substrate.
US09947640B2
The present invention provides a method of manufacturing a package structure. An array chip including a plurality of first dies is provided. A wafer including a plurality of second dies is provided. A package step is carried out to package the array chip onto the wafer so as to electrically connect the first die and the second die. The present invention further provides a semiconductor wafer and a package structure.
US09947630B2
A method includes forming a passivation layer over a portion of a metal pad, forming a polymer layer over the passivation layer, and exposing the polymer layer using a photolithography mask. The photolithography mask has an opaque portion, a transparent portion, and a partial transparent portion. The exposed polymer layer is developed to form an opening, wherein the metal pad is exposed through the opening. A Post-Passivation Interconnect (PPI) is formed over the polymer layer, wherein the PPI includes a portion extending into the opening to connect to the metal pad.
US09947626B2
A package includes a device die, a molding material encircling the device die, wherein a top surface of the molding material is substantially level with a top surface of the device die, and a bottom dielectric layer over the device die and the molding material. A plurality of redistribution lines (RDLs) extends into the bottom dielectric layer and electrically coupling to the device die. A top polymer layer is over the bottom dielectric layer, with a trench ring penetrating through the top polymer layer. The trench ring is adjacent to edges of the package. The package further includes Under-Bump Metallurgies (UBMs) extending into the top polymer layer.
US09947621B2
A copper or copper alloy is formed in a reflow enhancement layer lined opening present in an interconnect dielectric material layer. A ruthenium (Ru) or osmium (Os) doped copper or copper alloy cap is then formed via ion implantation and annealing in an upper portion of a copper or copper alloy present in the opening. The upper portion of the copper or copper alloy containing the ruthenium (Ru) or osmium (Os) doped copper or copper alloy cap can mitigate or even present prevent preferential loss of copper which can aid in lowering the interconnect resistance of the structure.
US09947619B2
Techniques and mechanism to provide signal communication with vias variously extending in a substrate. In an embodiment, a first capacitor and a second capacitor are coupled in parallel with one another each between a first via and a second via, the first via to receive a first signal. Respective portions of the first signal are concurrently communicated from the first via to the second via with the first capacitor and the second capacitor, respectively. In another embodiment, the first signal is one signal of a differential signal pair further comprising a second signal which is received at a third via. Respective portions of the second signal are concurrently communicated from the third via to a fourth via with a third capacitor and a fourth capacitor, respectively. The third capacitor and the fourth capacitor are coupled in parallel with one another each between the third via and the fourth via.
US09947610B2
A semiconductor structure includes a semiconductor substrate, a dielectric layer, a buffer layer, at least one recess, and at least one conductor. The dielectric layer is present on the semiconductor substrate. The buffer layer is present between the semiconductor substrate and the dielectric layer. The recess extends into the semiconductor substrate through the dielectric layer and the buffer layer, in which the buffer layer has a removing rate with respect to an etching process for forming the recess. The removing rate of the buffer layer is between those of the semiconductor substrate and the dielectric layer. The conductor is present in the recess.
US09947604B2
An epoxy resin composition includes: (A) epoxy resin; (B) a curing agent; (C) 0.1 to 10 mass % of silica filler with an average particle size of 10 nm or more and 100 nm or less; and (D) 40 to 75 mass % of silica filler with an average particle size of 0.3 μm or more and 5 μm or less. The component (C) and the component (D) are contained by 40.1 to 77 mass % in total.
US09947602B2
A sensor for an integrated circuit (IC) structure is disclosed. The sensor includes a sensor layer in a layer of the IC structure, the sensor layer including: a first conductive structure disposed proximate a perimeter of the IC structure; and a second conductive structure disposed parallel to the first conductive structure and proximate the perimeter of the IC structure. The sensor also includes a set of interdigitating conductive elements including a first plurality of conductive elements electrically coupled to the first conductive structure interdigitating with a second plurality of conductive elements electrically coupled to the second conductive structure.
US09947578B2
Methods for forming metal contacts having tungsten liner layers are provided herein. In some embodiments, a method of processing a substrate includes: exposing a substrate, within a first substrate process chamber, to a plasma formed from a first gas comprising a metal organic tungsten precursor gas or a fluorine-free tungsten halide precursor to deposit a tungsten liner layer, wherein the tungsten liner layer is deposited atop a dielectric layer and within a feature formed in a first surface of the dielectric layer of a substrate; transferring the substrate to a second substrate process chamber without exposing the substrate to atmosphere; and exposing the substrate to a second gas comprising a tungsten fluoride precursor to deposit a tungsten fill layer atop the tungsten liner layer.
US09947573B2
Lateral PiN diodes and Schottky diodes with low parasitic capacitance and variable breakdown voltage structures and methods of manufacture are disclosed. The structure includes a diode with breakdown voltage determined by a dimension between p- and n-terminals formed in an i-region above a substrate.
US09947566B2
A substrate angle alignment device includes a plurality of holding sections which hold a plurality of substrates, respectively in such a manner that the plurality of substrates are placed to be oriented horizontally and arranged vertically, a first up-down unit including a plurality of first support sections, and a second up-down unit including a plurality of second support sections. The device repeats a series of angle alignment operations in which the plurality of holding sections are rotated together to perform angle alignment of selected one of the plurality of substrates, and the first support section corresponding to the aligned substrate is moved up to lift up the substrate with the first support section. The device moves the plurality of second support sections up together to lift up the plurality of aligned substrates supported on the plurality of first support sections, with the plurality of second support sections, respectively.
US09947561B2
A semiconductor encapsulation apparatus for encapsulating a semiconductor device on a substrate, the apparatus comprising a mold comprising a cavity pressure zone that is configured to be at a molding process pressure during molding, a base vacuum pump conduit connecting a base vacuum pump to the cavity pressure zone, a base vacuum valve located along the base vacuum pump conduit such that the base vacuum pump is in fluid communication with the cavity pressure zone when the base vacuum valve is open, a reservoir vacuum pump conduit connecting a reservoir vacuum pump to the base vacuum pump conduit, and a reservoir vacuum valve located along the reservoir vacuum pump conduit such that the reservoir vacuum pump is in fluid communication with the base vacuum pump conduit when the reservoir vacuum valve is open. The base vacuum pump and the reservoir vacuum pump are each operative to reduce a pressure of the cavity pressure zone to the molding process pressure when they are in fluid communication with the cavity pressure zone.
US09947556B2
There are provided first and second cleaning members which are configured to clean a central zone in a rear surface of a wafer when the wafer held by an absorption pad is horizontally held, and configured to clean a peripheral zone in the rear surface of the wafer when the wafer is held by the spin chuck. Due to the provision of the first and second cleaning members, detergency can be improved as compared with a case in which only one cleaning member is used. The first and second cleaning members are configured to be horizontally turned by a common turning shaft. When the central zone in the rear surface of the wafer is cleaned, the turning shaft is located to be overlapped with the wafer. Since the turning shaft is located by using the moving area of the wafer, a size of an apparatus can be reduced.
US09947548B2
A method of forming a semiconductor device and resulting structures having a dummy semiconductor fin removed from within an array of tight pitch semiconductor fins by forming a first spacer including a first material on a substrate; forming a second spacer including a second material on the substrate, the second spacer adjacent to the first spacer; and applying an etch process to the first spacer and the second spacer; wherein the etch process removes the first spacer at a first etch rate; wherein the etch process removes the second spacer at a second etch rate; wherein the first etch rate is different than the second etch rate.
US09947541B2
A method for forming spacers of a gate of a field effect transistor is provided, the gate including sides and a top and being located above a layer of a semiconductor material, the method including a step of forming a dielectric layer that covers the gate; after the step of forming the dielectric layer, at least one step of modifying the dielectric layer by ion implantation while retaining non-modified portions of the dielectric layer covering sides of the gate and being at least non-modified over their entire thickness; the ions having a hydrogen base and/or a helium base; at least one step of removing the modified dielectric layer using a selective etching of the dielectric layer, wherein the removing includes a wet etching with a base of a solution including hydrofluoric acid diluted to x % by weight, with x≤0.2, and having a pH less than or equal to 1.5.
US09947540B2
Various methods and structures formed by those methods are described. In accordance with a method, a first metal-containing layer is formed on a substrate. A second metal-containing layer is formed on the substrate. A material of the first metal-containing layer is different from a material of the second metal-containing layer. A chlorine-based treatment is performed on the first metal-containing layer and the second metal-containing layer. A third metal-containing layer is deposited on the first metal-containing layer and the second metal-containing layer using Atomic Layer Deposition (ALD).
US09947537B2
There is a problem that even if impurities are made to thermally diffuse in a temperature range of 700° C.-1150° C., a good ohmic contact cannot be formed in a p-type group-III nitride semiconductor layer.Provided is a semiconductor device manufacturing method having a group-III nitride semiconductor substrate and a p-type group-III nitride semiconductor layer on the group-III nitride semiconductor substrate, including forming a magnesium containing layer on and in direct contact with the p-type group-III nitride semiconductor layer; and annealing the p-type group-III nitride semiconductor layer at a temperature more than or equal to 1300° C. to form a p+-type region which contains magnesium as an impurity in the p-type group-III nitride semiconductor layer located immediately below the magnesium containing layer.
US09947534B2
A coating treatment apparatus supplying a coating solution to a front surface of a rotated substrate and diffusing the supplied coating solution to an outer periphery side of the substrate to thereby apply the coating solution on the front surface of the substrate includes: a substrate holding part holding a substrate; a rotation part rotating the substrate held on the substrate holding part; a supply part supplying a coating solution to a front surface of the substrate held on the substrate holding part; and an airflow control plate provided at a predetermined position above the substrate held on the substrate holding part for locally changing an airflow above the substrate rotated by the rotation part at an arbitrary position.
US09947532B2
A method of fabricating a semiconductor device can include the following steps: (i) providing an initial sub-assembly including a trench-defining layer having a top surface; (ii) refining the initial sub-assembly into a first trench-cut intermediate sub-assembly by removing material to form an upper tier of a trench extending downward from the top surface of the trench-defining layer, the upper tier of the trench including two lateral trench surfaces and a bottom trench surface; and (iii) refining the first trench-cut intermediate sub-assembly into a second trench-cut intermediate sub-assembly by selectively removing material in a downwards direction starting from the bottom surface of the trench to form a lower tier of the trench, with the selective removal of material leaving at least a first defect blocking member in the lower tier of the trench.
US09947520B2
A cloud of ions captured in an ion trap (2) is irradiated with a stream of hydrogen radicals cast through a radical particle introduction hole (26) bored in a ring electrode (21) at a flow rate of 4×1010 [atoms/s]. As a result, a radical induced dissociation which does not rely on the transfer or capture of electrons occurs within the ion trap (2), whereby c/z-type fragment ions are efficiently generated. After the irradiation with the hydrogen radicals, a supplemental collision-induced dissociation process may performed by introducing inert gas into the ion trap (2) and resonantly exciting the ions, in order to further promote the generation of the c/z-type fragment ions. In this manner, according to the present invention, it is possible to achieve radical induced dissociation of singly-charged ions derived from a peptide and use the thereby generated c/z-type fragment ions for mass spectrometry.
US09947516B2
Techniques disclosed herein include an apparatus for treating substrates with plasma generated within a plasma processing chamber. In one embodiment, dielectric plates, of a plasma system can include structural features configured to assist in generating a uniform plasma. Such structural features define a surface shape, on a surface that faces the plasma. Such structural features can include a set of concentric rings having an approximately non-linear cross section, and protrude into the surface of the dielectric plate. Such structural features may include feature depth, width, and periodic patterns that may vary depth and width along the concentric rings.
US09947515B2
A processing system is disclosed, having a power transmission element with an interior cavity that propagates electromagnetic energy proximate to a continuous slit in the interior cavity. The continuous slit forms an opening between the interior cavity and a substrate processing chamber. The electromagnetic energy may generate an alternating charge in the continuous slit that enables the generation of an electric field that may propagate into the processing chamber. The electric field may interact with process gas in the processing chamber to generate plasma for treating the substrate. The interior cavity may be isolated from the process chamber by a dielectric component that covers the continuous slit. The power transmission element may be used to control plasma density within the process chamber, either by itself or in combination with other plasma sources.
US09947514B2
An RF supply system in which a bias RF generator operates at a first frequency to provide a bias RF output signal and a source RF generator operates at a second frequency to provide a source RF output signal. The RF output power signals are applied to a load, such as a plasma chamber. The source RF generator detects a triggering event. In response to the triggering event, the source RF generator initiates adding frequency offsets to the source RF output signal in order to respond to impedance fluctuations in the plasma chamber that occur with respect to the triggering event. The triggering event detected by the source RF generator can be received from the bias RF generator in the form of a control signal that varies in accordance with the bias RF output signal.
US09947509B2
According to one aspect of the present invention, a multiple charged particle beam lithography apparatus includes a circuitry configured to divide a lithography region of a target object into a plurality of pixel regions having a mesh shape and being irradiated with multiple charged particle beams; a circuitry configured to group the plurality of pixel regions into a plurality of pixel blocks configured with at least one pixel region; a circuitry configured to correct position deviation in unit of a pixel block for each pixel block of the plurality of pixel blocks; a dose calculating processing circuitry configured to calculate a dose being irradiated on the pixel concerned for each pixel where the position deviation is corrected; and a mechanism configured to write a pattern on the target object by using the multiple charged particle beams so that each pixel is illuminated with the calculated dose.
US09947508B2
The present invention provides a lithography apparatus that forms a pattern on a substrate, the apparatus comprising a base, a stage configured to hold the substrate and be movable above the base with the stage supported by the base, a patterning device configured to perform patterning on the substrate held by the stage, a chamber housing the base and the stage, and supporting the patterning device, a detector configured to obtain information of relative positions between the patterning device and the base, a driving device configured to move the base, and a controller configured to control the driving device based on the information obtained by the detector such that the relative positions satisfy a predetermined condition.
US09947501B2
Disclosed herein are a high-voltage generator for an x-ray source, an x-ray gun, an electron beam apparatus, a rotary vacuum seal, a target assembly for an x-ray source, a rotary x-ray emission target, and an x-ray source. These various aspects may separately and/or together enable the construction of an x-ray source which can operate at energies of up to 500 kV and beyond, which is suitable for use in commercial and research x-ray applications such as computerised tomography. In particular, the high-voltage generator includes a shield electrode electrically connected intermediate of a first voltage multiplier and a second voltage multiplier. The electron beam apparatus includes control photodetectors and photo emitters having a transparent conductive shield arranged therebetween. The rotary vacuum seal includes a pumpable chamber at a position intermediate between high-pressure and low-pressure ends of a bore for a rotating shaft. The rotary target assembly is configured such that when a torque between a bearing housing and a vacuum housing exceeds a predetermined torque, the bearing housing rotates relative to the vacuum housing. The rotary x-ray emission target has a plurality of target plates supported on a hub, the plates being arranged on the hub to provide an annular target region about an axis rotation of the hub. The x-ray gun is provided with a shield electrode maintained at a potential difference relative to the x-ray target different to the electron beam emission cathode.
US09947499B2
A rocker switch having a housing and a rocker extending from the housing. The rocker has a first side with a first end and a second end, a second side adjacent to the first side, and a channel. The channel is disposed on the second side of the rocker and has a first end and a second end. A pivot point is disposed on a crank. A pin, disposed on the crank, is located in a first side of the channel. The depression of the first end of the rocker causes a rotational movement of the channel in a curvilinear path around the pivot point, causing a rotational movement of the crank, moving the pin from the first end of the channel toward the second end of the channel.
US09947497B2
Relays having internal connections on both sides of their switches may be used in conjunction with a connector that integrates both the normal relay switch control lines with the sensing conductors of a control module for a battery module of an energy storage device. In this manner, sensing conductors may be routed along with the switch control lines for the relay instead of separately as described above. This integration reduces the complexity and cost associated with the energy storage device, because it reduces the number of separately routed lines and also eliminates the external connections for at least some of the sensing conductors.
US09947468B2
A multilayer ceramic electronic component includes: a capacitor body including a plurality of dielectric layers and a plurality of internal electrodes; with external electrodes disposed on the capacitor body and electrically connected to the internal electrodes, wherein the capacitor body includes an active region in which internal electrodes having different polarities from each other overlap each other to form capacitance, and a margin part defined as region except for the active region. A concentration of an additive element in the margin part is higher than the concentration of the additive element in the active region, and the margin part has a concentration gradient of the additive element from a surface of the capacitor body toward the active region.
US09947461B2
Provided is a reactor having high joining strength between an end surface connecting member and an outer resin-molded portion and excellent reliability. A reactor includes a coil having a winding portion, a magnetic core having an inner core portion disposed inside the winding portion and an outer core portion disposed outside the winding portion, an end surface connecting member that is fixed to an end portion of the inner core portion and disposed between an end surface of the winding portion and the outer core portion, and an outer resin-molded portion that integrates the outer core portion and the end surface connecting member, wherein a detachment preventing portion is formed in the end surface connecting member, the detachment preventing portion being embedded in the outer resin-molded portion and having a detachment preventing shape that suppresses detachment of the outer resin-molded portion.
US09947459B2
A surface mounted electronic component includes a first frame terminal including a first end surface frame extending in a first direction and first upper and lower surface frames extending from upper and lower ends of the first end surface frame in a second direction; a second frame terminal including a second end surface frame opposing the first end surface frame and extending in the first direction and second upper and lower surface frames extending from upper and lower ends of the second end surface frame in a third direction opposite to the second direction; a first electronic component disposed between the first and second end surface frames below the first and second upper surface frames; and a second electronic component disposed on the first and second upper surface frames.
US09947458B2
A coil component includes two or more coils configuring a common mode choke coil and functions as an inductor against a normal mode AC current. A coil component includes a pot-type core formed in a box-like shape, a flat plate core, coils, and a partition core formed of a magnetic substance. The coils are accommodated inside the pot-type core and form a common mode choke coil by making the central axes thereof substantially match each other. Further, each of end portions of the coils function as outer electrodes. The partition core is provided between the coils.
US09947453B2
A stationary induction electric apparatus includes an iron core having legs of core and yokes of core; windings wound around the legs of core; coolant for cooling the windings; a cylindrical insulation structure that forms a flow of the coolant around the windings; baffle members alternately provided on the inner wall side and the outer wall side of the cylindrical insulation structure; and adjustment members for constricting the flow of the coolant. The adjustment members are provided on the same side of the respective baffle members and on the respective baffle members.
US09947445B2
A R-T-B based permanent magnet which has equivalent magnetic properties as the existing Nd—Fe—B based permanent magnet and light mass but also can be suitably used as a magnet for field system of a permanent magnet synchronous rotating machine. The magnet can be obtained in a case where the composition of the compound for forming the main phase is (R1−x(Y1−zCez)x)2T14B (R is rare earth element(s) consisting of one or more elements selected from La, Pr, Nd, Sm, Eu, Gd, Tb, Dy, Ho, Er, Tm, Yb and Lu, Y is yttrium, Ce is cerium, T is one or more transition metal elements with Fe or Fe and Co as essential element(s), B is boron, 0.0
US09947443B2
A chip resistor includes a base member, a resistive element formed on the base member, a first inner electrode held in contact with a first end portion of the resistive element, a second inner electrode held in contact with a second end portion of the resistive element, a first reverse surface electrode reaching a first end portion of the base member, and a second reverse surface electrode reaching a second end portion of the base member. The length of the first and the second reverse surface electrodes is in a range of 2/10 to 3/10 of the length of the base member. Also, the length of the first and the second reverse surface electrodes is greater than the length of the first and the second inner electrodes.
US09947442B2
A high-voltage bushing has an internal conductor and an insulating body which surrounds the internal conductor along its longitudinal direction. The internal conductor is routed out of the insulating body at a head end of the high-voltage bushing. A fastening flange is arranged on the insulating body at an end opposite the head end. An outer housing encloses the internal conductor and the insulating body from the fastening flange up to and including the head end in a moisture-tight manner. A high-voltage installation has a high-voltage conductor which is routed through a housing wall of the high-voltage installation by way of the novel high-voltage bushing.
US09947439B2
A wire harness includes at least one conductive path, and an exterior member that accommodates and protects the conductive path. The exterior member is a molded resin component made of a resin material which has a black color or a dark color close to the black color.
US09947437B2
A metal sheathed cable includes an optical unit and a control unit helically twisted together, a grounding wire unit distributed in the gaps between the optical unit and the control unit to form an inner layer cable core, a filler watertightly filled into gaps among the optical unit, the control unit and the grounding wire unit, and a taped covering arranged outside the inner layer cable core; a power unit and a filling core helically twisted around the inner layer cable core, the grounding wire unit distributed in the gap between the power unit and the filling core, the filler watertightly filled into gaps among the power unit, the grounding wire unit and the filling core, and the taped covering arranged outside the outer layer cable core; an inner protective layer wrapped outside the outer layer core, and a sheathing layer twisted outside the inner protective layer.
US09947432B2
A method of forming an electrically conductive composite is disclosed that includes the steps of providing a first dielectric material and a second conductive material that is substantially dispersed within the first dielectric material; and applying an electric field through at least a portion of the combined first dielectric material and second conductive material such that the second conductive material undergoes electrophoresis and forms at least one electrically conductive path through the electrically conductive composite along the direction of the applied electric field.
US09947427B2
A scintillation crystal can include a sodium halide that is co-doped with thallium and another element. In an embodiment, the scintillation crystal can include NaX:Tl, Me, wherein X represents a halogen, and Me represents a Group 1 element, a Group 2 element, a rare earth element, or any combination thereof. In a particular embodiment, the scintillation crystal has a property including, for radiation in a range of 300 nm to 700 nm, an emission maximum at a wavelength no greater than 430 nm; or an energy resolution less than 6.4% when measured at 662 keV, 22° C., and an integration time of 1 microsecond. In another embodiment, the co-dopant can be Sr or Ca. The scintillation crystal can have lower energy resolution, better proportionality, a shorter pulse decay time, or any combination thereof as compared to the sodium halide that is doped with only thallium.
US09947426B2
Disclosed is a radiation logging tool, comprising a tool housing; a compact generator that produces radiation; a power supply coupled to the compact generator; and control circuitry. Embodiments of the compact generator comprise a generator vacuum tube comprising a source generating charged particles, and a target onto which the charged particles are directed; and a high voltage supply comprising a high voltage multiplier ladder located laterally adjacent to the generator vacuum tube. The high voltage supply applies a high voltage between the source and the target to accelerate the charged particles to a predetermined energy level. The compact generator also includes an electrical coupling between an output of the high voltage supply and the target of the generator vacuum tube to accommodate the collocated positions of the generator vacuum tube and the high voltage power supply.
US09947420B2
In one embodiment, a fusion reactor includes a plurality of internal magnetic coils suspended within an enclosure, one or more center magnetic coils coaxial with the plurality of internal magnetic coils, a plurality of encapsulating magnetic coils coaxial with the internal magnetic coils, and a plurality of mirror magnetic coils coaxial with the internal magnetic coils. The encapsulating magnetic coils maintain a magnetic wall that prevents plasma within the enclosure from expanding.
US09947415B2
A nonvolatile semiconductor memory device according to one embodiment of the present invention includes: a memory cell array and a control circuit. The control circuit executes a first reading operation and a second reading operation. The first reading operation is an operation of reading a threshold voltage set in the selected memory cell by setting a voltage between a control gate electrode and source of the selected memory cell to a first value. The second reading operation is an operation of reading a threshold voltage set in the selected memory cell by setting a voltage between the control gate electrode and source of the selected memory cell to a second value lower than the first value. When executing the second reading operation, the control circuit keeps a voltage of the control gate electrode of the selected memory cell to 0 or a positive value.
US09947412B1
A data writing method for a rewritable non-volatile memory module is provided. The method includes recording a plurality of characteristic parameters corresponding to a plurality of data to be programmed; arranging the data according to the characteristic parameters and identifying frequently-read data among the plurality of data according to the characteristic parameters, and programming the frequently-read data into a first physical programming unit of a rewritable non-volatile memory module, wherein a time for reading data from the first physical programming unit is less than a time for reading data from a second physical programming unit of the rewritable non-volatile memory module. Accordingly, the reading performance for the data can be effectively improved.
US09947407B2
In a non-volatile memory formed according to a NAND-type architecture that has, on one or both ends of the NAND strings, multiple select gates including some with programmable threshold voltages, a structure and corresponding for efficiently programming of such select gates. On the drain side, the end most of multiple drain select transistors is individually controllable and used for biasing purposes while one or more other drain side select gates are collectively programmed to set adjust their threshold voltage. Independently, on the source side, the end most of multiple source select transistors is individually controllable and used for biasing purposes while other source side select gates are collectively programmed to set adjust their threshold voltage.
US09947406B2
Dynamic tag compare circuits employing P-type Field-Effect Transistor (PFET)-dominant evaluation circuits for reduced evaluation time, and thus increased circuit performance, are provided. A dynamic tag compare circuit may be used or provided as part of searchable memory, such as a register file or content-addressable memory (CAM), as non-limiting examples. The dynamic tag compare circuit includes one or more PFET-dominant evaluation circuits comprised of one or more PFETs used as logic to perform a compare logic function. The PFET-dominant evaluation circuits are configured to receive and compare input search data to a tag(s) (e.g., addresses or data) contained in a searchable memory to determine if the input search data is contained in the memory. The PFET-dominant evaluation circuits are configured to control the voltage/value on a dynamic node in the dynamic tag compare circuit based on the evaluation of whether the received input search data is contained in the searchable memory.
US09947388B2
Described is an apparatus which comprises: a bit-line (BL) read port; a first local bit-line (LBL) coupled to the BL read port; a second LBL; and one or more clipper devices coupled to the first and second LBLs. The apparatus allows for low swing bit-line to be used for large signal memory arrays. The low swing operation enables reduction in switching dynamic capacitance. The apparatus also describes a split input NAND/NOR gate for bit-line keeper control which achieves lower VMIN, higher noise tolerance, and improved keeper aging mitigation. Described is also an apparatus for low swing write operation which can be enabled at high voltage without degrading the low voltage operation.
US09947378B2
A method of operating a memory controller includes: receiving a data signal from a memory device, wherein the data signal has an output high level voltage (VOH); determining a reference voltage according to the VOH; and comparing the data signal with the reference voltage to determine a received data value, wherein the VOH is proportional to a power supply voltage (VDDQ).
US09947375B2
Apparatuses and methods for providing a program voltage responsive to a voltage determination are described. An example apparatus includes a memory array comprising a plurality of access lines. The example apparatus further includes a memory access circuit coupled to the memory array. The memory access circuit is configured to, during a memory program operation, provide an inhibit voltage to the plurality of access lines. The memory access circuit is further configured to, during the memory program operation, provide a program voltage to a target access line of the plurality of access lines responsive to a determination that an access line of the plurality of access lines has a voltage equal to or greater than a threshold voltage. The threshold voltage is less than the inhibit voltage.
US09947374B2
A semiconductor system includes a first semiconductor device and a second semiconductor device. The first semiconductor device outputs a power supply voltage and first data. The second semiconductor device generates a control voltage whose level is adjusted in response to the power supply voltage. The second semiconductor device also receives the first data to generate second data having a swing width different from a swing width of the first data. The second data being driven is controlled by the control voltage.
US09947371B1
A computing device with a drive slot having an ear with a vertical receiving groove, a connector for engaging a corresponding connector of a hard disk drive (HDD), and a horizontal track with a pin insertion portion and a pin retaining portion. The computing device also includes a removable a HDD carrier for insertion into the drive slot having a bracket for securing the HDD and a track pin extending therefrom and configured to be inserted into the horizontal track via the pin insertion portion and configured to restrict the removable HDD carrier to horizontal motion when the track pin engages with the pin retaining portion. The HDD carrier includes a handle pivotably attached to the bracket with a guide pin for inserting into the vertical receiving groove and configured to alternate between a loading position and a locked position.
US09947364B2
In general, the subject matter described in this disclosure can be embodied in methods, systems, and program products for identifying that a first audio stream includes first, second, and third sources of audio. A computing system identifies that a second audio stream includes the first, second, and third sources of audio. The computing system determines that the first and second sources of audio are part of a first conversation. The computing system generates a third audio stream that combines the first source of audio from the first audio stream, the first source of audio from the second audio stream, the second source of audio from the first audio stream, and the second source of audio from the second audio stream, and diminishes the third source of audio from the first audio stream, and the third source of audio from the second audio stream.
US09947362B1
A system may include an interpolator circuit configured to receive a first signal with a first rate and to generate an interpolated signal with a second rate. The system may include a cancellation circuit configured to determine an interference component signal based on the interpolated signal. The system may further comprise an adder configured to receive a second signal with the second rate and to cancel interference in the second signal using the interference component signal to generate a cleaned signal.
US09947361B2
Provided is a vibration control device mounted on a structure body of a target where vibration should be damped, including: a vibration detection unit that detects vibration of a portion of the target; a vibration generation unit that generates strain in a portion of the target; and a control unit that generates a control signal to determine drive force of the vibration generation unit based on a signal from the vibration detection unit. In the vibration control device, strain energy distribution of the target is measured or calculated, and setting positions of the vibration detection unit and the vibration generation unit are determined based on an optimization method within a range in which strain energy changes rapidly.
US09947357B2
A read/write head has a set of components that at least include: at least one clearance actuator; at least one read transducer configured to read from a magnetic recording medium; and at least one write transducer configured to write to the magnetic recording medium. A switch network is coupled to the set of components and configured to, in response to a control signal, couple a selected sub-combination of the components to a common set of signal lines. The coupling of the selected sub-combination facilitates operation in a selected mode of the read/write head.
US09947347B1
A magnetic sensor that generates a signal based on inverse spin Hall effect. The sensor includes a magnetic free layer and a non-magnetic, electrically conductive spin Hall layer located adjacent to the magnetic free layer. Circuitry is configured to supply an electrical current that travels through the magnetic free layer and the spin Hall layer in a direction that is generally perpendicular to the plane of the layers or perpendicular to a plane defined by an interface between the magnetic free layer and the spin Hall layer. The inverse spin Hall effect causes an electrical voltage in the spin Hall layer as a result of the current, and the voltage changes relative to the orientation of magnetization of the magnetic free layer. Circuitry is provided for measuring the voltage in the spin Hall layer in a direction that is generally perpendicular to the direction of the electrical current.
US09947344B2
An apparatus according to one embodiment includes an array of magnetic read transducers each having a current-perpendicular-to-plane sensor, magnetic shields on opposite sides of the sensor in an intended direction of media travel thereacross, and a stabilizing layered structure between at least one of the magnetic shields and the sensor. The stabilizing layered structure has an antiferromagnetic layer, a first ferromagnetic layer adjacent the antiferromagnetic layer, and a second ferromagnetic layer. The antiferromagnetic layer pins a magnetization direction in the first ferromagnetic layer along an antiferromagnetic polarized direction of the antiferromagnetic layer. An antiparallel coupling layer is positioned between the ferromagnetic layers such that a magnetization direction in the second ferromagnetic layer is opposite the magnetization direction in the first ferromagnetic layer.
US09947326B2
A method is described which decodes a downmix matrix for mapping a plurality of input channels of audio content to a plurality of output channels, the input and output channels being associated with respective speakers at predetermined positions relative to a listener position, wherein the downmix matrix is encoded by exploiting the symmetry of speaker pairs of the plurality of input channels and the symmetry of speaker pairs of the plurality of output channels. Encoded information representing the encoded downmix matrix is received and decoded for obtaining the decoded downmix matrix.
US09947319B1
Techniques are described herein for chatbots to achieve greater social grace by tracking users' states and providing corresponding dialog. In various implementations, input may be received from a user at a client device operating a chatbot, e.g., during a first session between the user and the chatbot. The input may be semantically processed to determine a state expressed by the user to the chatbot. An indication of the state expressed by the user may be stored in memory for future use by the chatbot. It may then be determined, e.g., by the chatbot based on various signals, that a second session between the user and the chatbot is underway. In various implementations, as part of the second session, the chatbot may output a statement formed from a plurality of candidate words, phrases, and/or statements based on the stored indication of the state expressed by the user.
US09947313B2
In an embodiment, speech is recorded and converted to digital text based on a shared vocabulary dictionary. During the session, voice recognition errors, that is, speech that could not be automatically identified (if any exists), are identified by the system and associated with digital text. When text for the voice recognition error is identified (e.g., by an editor), the shared vocabulary dictionary is updated (so that that particular voice recognition error will not occur again), thereby improving the performance of the system for all users that use the shared vocabulary dictionary. The identification of voice recognitions errors and the updated of the vocabulary dictionary are performed on an ongoing basis, so that the performance of the system for all users continually improves.
US09947304B1
The present disclosure provides a system and method for representing music in a three dimensions using contexts based around tonal centers, to form three dimensional geometric shapes. The musical notation method described herein is easy to understand and visualize. The method is based on three dimensional structures which may represent contexts. The contexts may be formed by combining diminished and augmented scales shown as symmetrical three dimensional geometric shapes. These symmetrical geometric shapes may be formed from a plurality of polygons, which may include polygons comprised of a set of related notes from a diminished or augmented scale, together forming a looped harmonic polygon. Each note in a respective scale is placed at a vertex of a harmonic polygon, wherein the vertices of the harmonic polygons are selected from notes in a twelve note chromatic scale.
US09947301B2
A musical notation for piano music includes a top line including right finger numbering denoting finger positions of fingers of the right hand on keys of a piano and a bottom line including left finger numbering denoting finger positions of fingers of the left hand on keys of the piano. Each of the right and left finger numbering includes the numbers 1, 2, 3, 4, and 5 that correspond to the thumb, the pointer finger, the middle finger, the right finger, and the pinky finger, respectively. Each of a right hand position change and a left hand position change is denoted by a symbol. A chord is denoted by stacked finger numbering.
US09947291B2
A system for a multi-computer control according to an exemplary embodiment may include: an integrated process server to receive, from one or more computer terminals, display information including video data and terminal identification information through a physical layer transceiver, multiplex and serialize the received display information, transmit the multiplexed and serialized display information to a user process terminal, and transmit a received user input signal to a corresponding computer terminal; and the user process terminal to mix the display information and the multi-control interface, display, on a display device, the execution screens of the activated computer terminals, and transmit the user input signal to the integrated process server along with corresponding terminal identification information, wherein the display information is received from the integrated process server, and the user input signal is received from an input device.
US09947288B2
The present disclosure provides a display device, a display driving method and a display system, wherein the display device includes a display panel and a polarizer disposed on the light outgoing side of the display panel. The polarizer comprises a first polarizing region and a second polarizing region having different polarizing directions from each other. The display device further includes an image processor configured to cause only a region of the display panel corresponding to the first polarizing region to display an image to be displayed if a first anti-peep mode is selected by a user; and to cause only a region of the display panel corresponding to the second polarizing region to display the image to be displayed if a second anti-peep mode is selected by a user. The display device according to the present disclosure has a significantly improved applicability.
US09947277B2
Methods and devices for reducing the power consumption of a frame buffer and timing controller of an electronic display are provided. By way of example, a method of operating an electronic display includes receiving image data from a processor of the electronic display, storing the image data to a buffer of the electronic display, reading the image data from the buffer to supply the image data to a column driver of the electronic display, determining whether an amount of image data stored in buffer is less than a threshold, and switching from reading the image data from the buffer to reading the image data directly from the processor when the amount of image data stored in buffer is less than the threshold.
US09947275B1
A method and apparatus are explained for performing white point color adjustment for a display device. This can be done by obtaining a value of an ambient light sensor, determining whether to make a white point adjustment, and, for a dynamic white point adjustment, using the value from the ambient light sensor in performing white point adjustment toward target color coordinates. A white point might be set equal to the target color coordinates, but might also remain unchanged for small ambient light changes or ambient light outside a region of interest. The white point might be changed to the target color coordinates in multiple steps. Various parameters might be used that can be varied to vary behavior of the white point adjustment.
US09947271B2
A threshold voltage detection circuit for OLED display device includes a multiplexer connected between a detection IC and each of multiple sub-pixel driver circuits of a pixel driver unit. A second DC signal having first and second levels with the first level smaller than the detection control signal and the second level larger than the detection control signal is fed to each of the sub-pixel driver circuits, such that during detection of threshold of a driver TFT, the second DC signal is switched to the second level and during detection of threshold of an OLED, the second DC signal is switched to the first level and a data signal is set at the same level as the detection control signal to achieve detection of the threshold voltages of the OLED and driver TFT of each sub-pixel driver circuit.
US09947265B2
A method for driving an electroluminescent display device includes grouping pixels in a display panel into a plurality of pixel groups, each pixel group including a plurality of rows and a plurality of columns. Accumulated block stress values are provided based on input image data. Each accumulated block stress value represents a degree of degeneration of the pixels in each pixel block. Corrected stress values are provided by correcting each accumulated block stress value based on the accumulated block stress values of the adjacent pixel blocks. Input image data is corrected based on the corrected stress values.
US09947255B2
An electronic device may have a flexible display such as an organic light-emitting diode display. A strain sensing resistor may be formed on a bent tail portion of the flexible display to gather strain measurements. Resistance measurement circuitry in a display driver integrated circuit may make resistance measurements on the strain sensing resistor and a temperature compensation resistor to measure strain. A crack detection line may be formed from an elongated pair of traces that are coupled at their ends to form a loop. The crack detection line may run along a peripheral edge of the flexible display. Crack detection circuitry may monitor the resistance of the crack detection line to detect cracks. The crack detection circuitry may include switches that adjust the length of the crack detection line and thereby allow resistances to be measured for different segments of the line.
US09947252B2
The present invention provides an array substrate and a detecting method therefor, a display panel and a display device. The array substrate comprises a plurality of data lines, a plurality of short circuit rings respectively provided at ends of the plurality of data lines, and a common wire connecting the plurality of short circuit rings in series, wherein, a switch unit is provided between the end of each data line and the corresponding short circuit ring, and the switch unit is configured to disconnect the data line with the corresponding short circuit ring in a testing stage. The present invention can improve the detection rate and accuracy rate in an array test.
US09947251B2
An active device array substrate includes a substrate, an inspection circuit, pixel structures, a passivation layer, and conductive pads. The substrate has a display area and a peripheral area outside the display area. The inspection circuit is located on the substrate and includes inspection switches, inspection control lines, and inspection traces. Each of the inspection switches is located in the peripheral area and controlled by one of the inspection control lines. Each of the inspection traces is connected to one of the inspection switches and includes a first conductive wire segment and a second conductive wire segment. The second conductive wire segment is connected between the first conductive wire segment and one corresponding inspection switch. An electric conductivity of the second conductive wire segment is lower than an electric conductivity of the first conductive wire segment.
US09947234B2
An educational teaching device for children to learn and write the letters of the alphabet, numbers, or other elements in proper sequence. The device comprises an inner board surface with plurality of cavities and a separate plurality of puzzle pieces of elements corresponding to the configuration. Upon proper placement of puzzle pieces, indicators are activated resulting in the emission of visual or audible signaling. The educational puzzle and writing device also comprises a magnetic writing sheet or writing materials using a magnetic pen or writing implement with numbered arrow instructions.
US09947232B2
A method for providing landing assistance for an aircraft is provided. The method analyzes terrain data; identifies one or more landing zones, based on analyzing the terrain data, each of the one or more landing zones comprising a flat area lacking obstacles to aircraft landing; and presents the one or more landing zones via a display element onboard the aircraft.
US09947227B1
A method and a device are disclosed for warning a driver of a first vehicle when the first vehicle is located in a blind spot of a second vehicle. The method includes recording the surrounding area in front of and alongside the first vehicle using a sensor, classifying objects in the recorded surrounding area, determining a relative position of an object classified as a second vehicle in relation to the first vehicle using the sensor, calculating the area of a blind angle on the basis of the determined relative position of the object in relation to the first vehicle, checking whether the first vehicle is located in the calculated area of the blind angle, and generating a warning signal for the driver of the first vehicle when the first vehicle is located in the calculated area of the blind angle.
US09947211B1
The personal panic alarm system is a personal domestic article that is carried or worn by an individual. The personal panic alarm system is adapted for use with a personal data device. The personal panic alarm system further comprises a panic button. When the panic button is activated, the panic button initiates a Bluetooth signal to the personal data device the personal panic alarm system is associated with initiating a predetermined automated communication link. The personal panic alarm system comprises a housing, a switch, a transceiver, a logic module, a battery, and an application.
US09947200B2
A method for monitoring an individual in a dwelling so as to know when such individual falls or indicates the need of assistance. A plurality of 3D motion and sound sensors are located in the dwelling and provide data to a computerized monitoring system. The sensors are configured to recognize one or more biometric identifiers of the individual being monitored. When the monitoring system detects that the individual has fallen or gestured, a computerized communication system contacts the individual to determine the need to send assistance to help the individual. Where assistance is required the system automatics contacts the previously designated caregiver for the individual and can also contact emergency personnel.
US09947199B2
One or more processors determine whether a hazard that is detected by a first mobile device exists based on data received from at least one second mobile device. The second mobile device is within a proximity to the first mobile device, which is determined based on a type of the hazard. One or more processors respond to a determination that the hazard does exist by determining a course of action. The course of action is configured for a user based on at least one attribute of the user. One or more processors send the course of action to the first mobile device.
US09947195B2
In conventional article management systems, a problem has been presented in that the degree of control over how articles are managed has not been adequate. An article management system having: a line constituted by an open-type transfer line; a distribution area in which articles to be managed are placed, the articles to be managed being placed in the distribution area; an RF tag provided with a tag transmission unit for electromagnetic coupling with the line of the distribution area for the articles to be managed; a signal communication unit provided to the line; an antenna for electromagnetic coupling with the signal communication unit; and an RFID reader for sending out the transmission signal to the line via the antenna, and receiving a response signal output by the tag transmission unit via the line. Any variations in the operating characteristics of the tag transmission unit caused by the articles to be managed are detected as a result of variations in the intensity or phase of the signal reflected from the RF tag, whereby the presence of an article to be managed is detected.
US09947183B2
A “no-touch” mobile checkout experience frees consumers from the need to manually locate and activate a mobile payment application in order to complete a transaction. The consumer simply brings his mobile device within close range of an interface console, which in various embodiments prompts the device to launch an application that causes display of a payment token without user action. If the consumer's device is not NFC-capable, the interface console can read a displayed token optically in the usual fashion.
US09947180B2
A pari-mutuel interleaved wagering system including an interactive controller constructed to communicate with an application controller and receive a thematic graphical display from the application controller, display the thematic graphical display to a user, receive a placement of a wager from the user, and communicate the placement of the wager to the application controller. The system further includes a wager controller that includes an abstraction module constructed to receive pari-mutuel wagering parameters for a wager from a pari-mutuel server, determine a wager outcome from the pari-mutuel gambling outcome, and communicate the wager outcome to the application controller. The application controller operatively connects the interactive controller and the wager controller, and generates the thematic graphical display using the pari-mutuel wagering parameters.
US09947174B2
A computer system includes a server computer that handles transactions with user devices to create and manage events, create and manage user accounts and process wagers. Transactions regarding wagers in connection with events can be processed in real-time. The wagers are processed using a payoff function that rewards participation and accurate information, yet does not permit arbitrage or otherwise reward splitting a wager by participating under multiple identities. To compute a payoff, a first score is computed based on the probability estimate by a participant and the outcome. A second score is computed based on an aggregate of wagers of all other participants for each participant, where the first score for the participant is no more than the second score for at least one outcome. The payoff for the participant is then computed as a function of the first score and the second score.
US09947173B2
A system and method for providing performance video content in an online casino are disclosed. Players of the online casino may be facilitated to access (e.g., viewing, browsing and/or any other types of access) the performance video content and simultaneously play casino-style games provided in the online through casino interfaces. For incentivizing the players to engage the online casino, access to the performance video content may be differentiated based on progress by the players in the online casino. The access to the performance video content may be differentiated with respect to streaming quality, video resolution, types of content available, periods of access, means to access past video on demand, and/or any other aspects of accessing the performance video content within the online casino.
US09947158B2
A system and method for enhancing the security associated with the commissioning of an access control device. According to certain embodiments, a commissioning activator is positioned to be accessible from one side of the installed access control device. Thus, the access control device may be installed such that the commissioning activator is accessible to individuals having access to a relatively secure side of the access control device. The displacement of the access control device may generate an activation signal that is detected by a processing device of the access control device. Upon detection of the activation signal, the processing device may activate an input/output device that may transmit an identification signal that is detected by a wireless configuration device. Following receipt of a connection request from the configuration device, the access control device and the configuration device can be connected such that commissioning of the access control device may proceed.
US09947152B2
The system described in this invention can be used for monitoring and analyzing real time visual and non-visual information pertaining to the occupant, vehicle, and surroundings prior to, during and post eccentric operating conditions for a given period of time. The system stores vehicle and occupant data from sensors throughout the vehicle and also makes use of existing vehicle sensors that may already be present in the vehicle. The invention also includes a video recording module that makes use of a fish-eye camera to capture video from the inside and the outside of the vehicle. Real-time data analysis is performed to detect and to recognize vehicle occupants, and recognize impending eccentric events. Vehicle, occupant, and video data are stored in circular buffers. When an eccentric event, a collision for example, has been detected, the device continues to record data and video for a fixed period of time. Once this time has elapsed, the data is transferred from volatile to non-volatile memory for later retrieval. A computer may be used to retrieve and display the vehicle and occupant data in a synchronization with the video data for the purposes of accident recreation, driver or vehicle monitoring.
US09947146B2
The present disclosure makes it possible to perform a failure diagnosis of an electric two-wheeled vehicle easily, conveniently, and immediately. The electric two-wheeled vehicle includes an electric equipment unit having an IC tag and a host unit. The host unit is capable of communicating with the IC tag, and obtains failure information of the electric equipment unit while electric power is supplied from the battery to the electric equipment unit. The information communication terminal obtains the failure information by communicating with the electric two-wheeled vehicle in a non-contact manner, and transmits the failure information to the server via the network. The server performs a failure diagnosis on the electric two-wheeled vehicle based on the failure information.
US09947130B2
A method for improving performance of generation of digitally represented graphics. The method comprises: receiving a first representation of a base primitive; providing a set of instructions associated with vertex position determination; executing said retrieved set of instructions on said first representation of said base primitive using bounded arithmetic for providing a second representation of said base primitive, and subjecting said second representation of said base primitive to a culling process. A corresponding apparatus and computer program product are also presented.
US09947126B2
A computer-implemented method includes receiving first data representing a first physical object that has three dimensions. The first data may be stored, by a computer processor, as a first digital object representing the first physical object. Storing the first data may include storing a representation of the first data in a first plurality of layers. Each layer of the first plurality of layers may include a first plurality of cells. Each cell of the first plurality of cells may have one of: a first value indicating that the first physical object exists in a physical space corresponding to a position of the cell, and a second value indicating that the first physical object does not exist in the physical space corresponding to the position of the cell.
US09947116B2
Methods and systems are provided for correcting positional errors in an image arising from gaps in a detector assembly. In one embodiment, a method comprises generating a sinogram based on a plurality of photon coincidence events, selectively inserting one or more pseudo-slices into the sinogram, and generating an image based on the sinogram including the one or more pseudo-slices. In this way, positional errors may be reduced without modifying an image reconstruction algorithm to include a full detector geometry or modifying the detector geometry itself.
US09947111B2
A method to position multiple camera using camera ordering is described herein. Based on two known camera positions, a third camera position is able to be determined using acquired information and calculations.
US09947109B2
A method and system for processing digital image data taken from a three-dimensional topographic area including terrain and a right of way including a first and a second object to establish a clearance surface to define clearance violations within a boundary area. Waypoints are located to define a centerline and the boundary area to be analyzed. Vegetation coordinate points in the scene are determined from the digital image data. Ground coordinate points are determined from the digital image data. A clearance surface segment is constructed within the boundary area between the first and second object. The clearance surface is determined from the location of the first and second object and clearance criteria. The clearance surface is used to define a violation region.
US09947108B1
Panoramic imaging systems and techniques are disclosed. In one aspect, a technique for automatic detecting and tracking of a foreground object includes the steps of: receiving a first set of raw images in an image sequence captured by a panoramic imaging system; stitching, by the panoramic imaging system, the first set of raw images to generate a panoramic image; detecting, by the panoramic imaging system, a foreground object in the panoramic image; tracking, by the panoramic imaging system, a movement of the foreground object in the image sequence; and generating, by the panoramic imaging system, a panoramic video based on the image sequence with tracking the movement of the foreground object.
US09947104B2
The invention relates to a medical data processing method for determining the position of a nerve fiber based on a diffusion image-based tracking method of tracking nerve fibers. In one example, the method encompasses comparing a set of tracked nerve fibers to a model of nerve fibers contained in atlas data.
US09947103B1
A method for improving image segmentation using a learning device including steps of: (a) if a training image is obtained, acquiring (2-K)th to (2-1)th feature maps through an encoding layer and a decoding layer, and acquiring 1st to Hth losses from the 1st to the Hth loss layers respectively corresponding to H feature maps, obtained from the H filters, among the (2-K)th to the (2-1)th feature maps; and (b) upon performing a backpropagation process, performing processes of allowing the (2-M)th filter to apply a convolution operation to (M−1)2-th adjusted feature map relayed from the (2-(M−1))th filter to obtain M1-th temporary feature map; relaying, to the (2-(M+1))th filter, M2-th adjusted feature map obtained by computing the Mth loss with the M1-th temporary feature map; and adjusting at least part of parameters of the (1-1)th to the (1-K)th filters and the (2-K)th to the (2-1)th filters.
US09947093B2
A dynamic analysis apparatus may include a setting section which sets a target region in a lung region of a chest dynamic image; a conversion section which calculates a representative value of a pixel signal value in the target region, and converts the pixel signal value; an extraction section which extracts a pulmonary blood flow signal from the image; and a calculation section which calculates a change in the pulmonary blood flow signal, and calculates a feature amount regarding pulmonary blood flow. The setting section may determine a size of the target region based on a size of a body part other than a lung blood vessel, a movement amount of a body part other than the lung blood vessel or subject information of the chest dynamic image, the subject information regarding a subject of the radiation imaging, and the setting section may set the target region.
US09947092B2
A method of processing X-ray images of a breast (B), the method comprising the steps of —generating (GEN3DV) a 3D volume from a plurality of X-ray images, —processing (DETMC) the 3D volume and/or the plurality of X-ray images, —computing (DETMC-CTR), for each region of interest in the 3D volume, a 3D characteristic position of the region of interest, —computing (CALCTGT) at least one needle target 3D position from a plurality of said computed 3D characteristic positions, —associating (SELIMG-TGT) each needle target position with a target image, —displaying (DISP-IMG) a slice image on a graphical interface, and —if the current slice image is a target image, displaying (DISP-TGT) on the graphical interface a target marker indicating each needle target position associated with the displayed current slice image.
US09947083B2
The image processing method includes acquiring an input image produced by image capturing using an optical system, acquiring a first noise amount contained in the input image, performing a resolution enhancement process on the input image, performing frequency decomposition of the input image into multiple decomposed images that are mutually different frequency band components, and calculating, on a basis of the first noise amount and a frequency characteristic of the resolution enhancement process, a second noise amount contained in each of areas of each of the multiple decomposed images. The method further includes performing a noise reduction process on each area of each decomposed image on a basis of the second noise amount calculated for that area, and combining the multiple decomposed images each subjected to the noise reduction process together.
US09947080B2
A method comprising entering a passive viewing state of an apparatus, determining occurrence of a software event, generating a visual event notification that is indicative of the software event based, at least in part, on the passive viewing state, causing display, on a display, of the visual event notification in conformance with an impaired-viewing display mode based, at least in part, on passive viewing state, receiving environmental sensor information, determining that the environmental sensor information indicates that the apparatus is actively viewed by a user, entering an active viewing state of the apparatus based, at least in part, on the determination that the environmental sensor information indicates that the apparatus is actively viewed by the user, and causing display, on the display, of different visual information in conformance with an unimpaired-viewing display mode based, at least in part, on the active viewing state is disclosed.
US09947079B1
A computer-implemented method comprises: extracting a setting from a description file of a virtual pan-tilt-zoom (PTZ) camera used to capture an original image through a wide-angle lens; determining a first set of coordinates of a pixel of the original image for each cell of a sparse conversion map represented as a first look-up table, wherein the sparse conversion map corresponds to a sparse grid of pixels of an output image; determining, via interpolating the first set of coordinates, a second set of coordinates of a pixel of the original image for each cell of a full conversion map, wherein the second set of coordinates is represented as a second look-up table, wherein the full conversion map corresponds to a full grid of pixels of the output image; instructing a display to present the output image, wherein the original image is less rectilinear than the output image.
US09947059B2
A system platform and associated methods are provided for implementing online reverse auctions in a social network platform (SNP). A fully-automated, live, reverse-auction based system is integrated into an SNP to enable buyers to initiate desired transactions and take advantage of a subscribers' network of friends, colleagues, co-workers, family members and connections by connecting buyers and sellers in a non-intrusive, targeted fashion. Sellers compete for buyers' business by providing dynamic, real-time seller-specific pricing while simultaneously optimizing the seller's target parameters such as price, inventory levels, profit, revenue and volume.
US09947056B2
Techniques for annotation-based voting for online content are provided. In one aspect, a method for voting for online content is provided which includes associating content selected by a voter from a first content set with a user profile of the voter; identifying the selected content in a second content set upon the second content set being accessed by one or more users socially connected to the voter; and visually accenting the selected content in the second content set. The method may include retrieving profile information for the voter; and associating the profile information for the voter with the selected content in the second content set. The method may further include displaying the profile information for the voter along with the selected content in the second content set.
US09947048B2
The technology performs obligations fulfillment monitoring. An input data stream of data messages is received including transaction data and reference data, obligation control logic, and a set of obligation parameters associated with the obligation control logic. An event data processor processes the input data stream using a current version of the obligation control logic and the set of obligation parameters. Subsequently, the event processor receives information to implement and execute obligation control logic that is dynamically-modified and different from the current version of the obligation control logic. The event processor generates and outputs an obligation fulfillment message based on the dynamically-modified obligation logic and transmits to an interested entity.
US09947045B1
A method and system for configuring a resource conservation program that receives information about a level of responsiveness for each of a plurality of users, receives information about resource usage for each of the plurality of users, determines an expected value, using a processor, for each of the plurality of users, using the received information about the level of responsiveness and the received information about resource usage, and configures the resource conservation program based on the determined expected value for each of the plurality of users.
US09947042B2
Methods and systems are disclosed for obtaining various digital representations and then providing and auction and/or sale of the digital representations.
US09947041B2
Bidding activity is analyzed over a duration in which multiple bids are received in the auction. A bid increment is dynamically determined for the auction in response to auction activity. An online auction system can utilize the bid increment to determine or suggest the next bid that can be received in the auction for purpose of supplanting the current bid.
US09947037B2
Computer-implemented methods and systems are provided for recommending one or more applications to users connected to one or more social networks. The computer-implemented method may include determining frequency of interaction between the users connected to the one or more social networks, analyzing behavioral patterns of the users connected to the one or more social networks, the behavioral patterns derived by considering at least the frequency of interaction between the users, and enabling at least one service provider to recommend one or more applications to one or more of the users based on the monitored behavioral patterns.
US09947035B2
A method implemented in a computer infrastructure having computer executable code tangibly embodied on a computer readable medium being operable to provide a shopping cart for a shopper, and segment items in the shopping cart based on the carbon footprint associated with each item. Additionally, the method may include displaying substitute or complementary items in the shopping cart for selection by the user to reduce total carbon values, and awarding carbon certificates.
US09947032B2
An approach is provided for indirectly connecting a customer's mobile smart device to computers located at a business when the customer is making a purchase at the business. The customer's mobile smart device and the business's computers communicate over the Internet with a customer interaction manager executing on an Internet server. This provides an easy to use interface for the customer and allows the customer to receive information and send requests to the business without having to wait for personnel working at the business to be available.
US09947029B2
A method holding an auction for impressions in an online advertising platform includes defining auction tiers, with each tier having associated attributes. The tier attributes include a tier priority, an eligible bidder list, and a minimum bid threshold. Bids for the impressions are received from impression buyers, each bid being associated with an impression bidder and a bid value. For each received bid, the highest priority tier for which the tier attributes are satisfied by the bid attributes is determined, and that tier is associated with the bid. After assigning each bid to a tier, the highest priority tier with at least one bid is selected as the active auction tier. The winner of the auction is then determined based on the bids associated with the active tier.
US09947027B2
A system is disclosed for inserting stored advertising content into broadcast content being played over an audio system. The system may have a smartphone in wireless communication with the audio system which runs an application relating to a specific broadcast station that is broadcasting the broadcast content. The audio system may have a processing system for detecting breaks in program content that forms part of the broadcast content. The audio system may further be configured to obtain predetermined advertisements and to play back the predetermined advertisements over the audio system during each break in the program content, in place of advertisements contained in the broadcast content.
US09947024B1
Provided herein are systems, methods and computer readable media for classifying user search data. An example method comprises accessing user search data, the user search data generated by a user interacting with a promotion and marketing service to identify a requested promotion, determining, using a processor, a first classification of the user search data by parsing the user search data into one or more terms, applying one or more terms within the user search data to a search index, wherein the first classification is configured to generate a mapping from the one or more terms within the user search data to at least one of a service or merchant, determining, using the processor, a second classification of the user search data, wherein the second classification identifies a requested redemption location for the requested promotion and generating an identification pair for the search data that is representative of a promotion tuple, the identification pair comprising the first classification and the second classification.
US09947012B2
Various systems and methods for secure transactions using a personal device are described herein. A system to secure transactions using a personal device, the system comprises a randomization module to randomize an initial keypad representation to produce a randomized keypad representation; a communication module to: receive from the personal device, an indication to begin a secure transaction to access a resource with an access code; and transmit the randomized keypad representation to the personal device for presentation by the personal device to a user of the personal device; a keypad to receive a series of key presses from the user, the key presses corresponding to the access code based on the randomized keypad representation; and a security module to verify that the series of key presses correspond to the access code.
US09947011B2
A method includes receiving a request for registered payment options associated with a user computing device, where the request includes an identifier uniquely identifying one of the user computing device and the user. The method includes identifying one or more payment options associated with the device identifier, where each of the one or more payment options is associated with respective payment instrument information. The method includes providing one or more codes, where each code of the one or more codes identifies a respective payment option of the one or more payment options. The method includes receiving a first code of the one or more codes and transaction information. The method includes accessing, based upon the first code, payment instrument information associated with the payment option identified by the first code, and causing the processing of the payment instrument information in relation to a transaction identified by the transaction data.
US09947007B2
A method includes maintaining first payment card information for a cardholder. The method includes processing a first card not present transaction between the cardholder and a merchant. The first transaction based at least in part on the first information. The method includes generating second payment card information for the cardholder. The second information replacing the first information for subsequent use via the cardholder. The method includes receiving an input from the cardholder. The input indicating the merchant. The input based at least in part on the second information replacing the first information. The method includes sending the second information to the merchant based at least in part on the input. The method includes processing a second card not present transaction between the cardholder and the merchant. The second transaction based at least in part on the second information after the sending.
US09947006B2
A payment-enabled mobile device receives, during a first tap of the mobile device on a proximity reader component of a point of sale (POS) terminal, first transaction context data for a current transaction, and receives during a second tap of the mobile device on the proximity reader component, second transaction context data for the current transaction. When the mobile device determines that the second tap is for the same transaction as the first tap, and that one of a customer verification method (CVM) status or a user acknowledgment status flag has been set, then it transmits a payment card account number to the POS terminal to consummate the transaction.
US09947001B2
A method and system for transmitting multiple payment accounts for use by a payment device. The method includes allocating a cryptographic personal account number (CPAN) and producing at least one cryptographic master key set relating to this CPAN and transmitting, by a transmitting device, at least one produced cryptographic master key set for storage in a payment device. Further, the method includes receiving, by a receiving device, at least one device personal account number (DPAN), wherein each of the at least one DPAN is associated with a payment account associated with a consumer; generating, by a processing device, a repersonalization script for each of the at least one DPAN, wherein the repersonalization script includes a set of data associated with the corresponding DPAN; and transmitting, by the transmitting device, at least one repersonalization script to the payment device. The payment device is configured to use the CPAN for selected cryptographic calculations, and use the DPAN and the associated set of data for other aspects of a financial transaction.
US09946999B2
An approach is provided for indirectly connecting a customer's mobile smart device to a point of sale computer located at a business when the customer is making a purchase at the business. The customer's mobile smart device and the POS computer communicate over the Internet with a customer interaction manager executing on an Internet server. This provides an easy to use interface for the customer and allows the customer to receive information and send requests to the business without having to wait for personnel working at the business to be available.
US09946993B2
A heuristically-driven platform and method for hiring based on previously-supported jobs and collected metrics solves the problem of efficiently connecting hiring agents and suitable job candidates. A portal application includes an inventory of successful placements and successful listings, allowing hiring agents to build job searches against a database of historical jobs. Leveraging the portal's inventory of placements and listings, the hiring agent may build a listing and design a candidate search based on previous listings, search venues for the same job type and metrics collected against each. An embodiment may provide the hiring agent a listing of the hiring agent's jobs, a list of applicants for each listed job and the detail for each applicant. The platform monitors applicant flow, online interviews, and site usage analytics for each position, suggesting alternatives and course corrections to the hiring agent if the performance of the job search is sub-par based on benchmarks.
US09946992B2
A request from a user to promote an item of collaborative content from a first application associated with a collaborative social interaction system to a project activity within a project management system application is detected. The item of collaborative content is transcoded to the project activity within the project management system application. Users within a collaborative environment are allowed to collaboratively advance the project activity within the project management system application. The collaboratively-advanced project activity is reverted back to an updated item of collaborative content within the first application associated with the collaborative social interaction system.
US09946989B2
Techniques are disclosed for managing development of a model set comprised of one or more object models by a plurality of model developers. Each model developer may be considered an interested party. For example, when a model developer changes an area of the model, that person becomes the most interested party in other changes made to the same area. An automated mechanism is provided to track changes made to the model set and informs interested parties as changes are made or after changes are made to the model based on a weighting system. In one embodiment, the weighting system may be based on a distance from the changed portions and on the amount of time since a party last made a change to the same area.
US09946972B2
A mechanism is provided for optimization of mixed-criticality systems. A plurality of strategies is received that are in a fixed order of criticality. For each strategy in the plurality of strategies, a multivariate objective function and a multivariate constraint in a multivariate decision variable is obtained. A number of strategies of the plurality of strategies that are feasible in combination are maximized. A solution that is feasible for the number of strategies that are feasible in combination is generated such that the objective of a least-critical strategy that is feasible in combination with the other strategies in the number of strategies is optimized.
US09946971B1
A method for the management of artifacts in knowledge ecosystems is disclosed. The management of artifacts may be performed through the interaction of project participants with a computing device which may display a project repository interface of a software module within a knowledge ecosystem. The method may include the process to retrieve an artifact from a knowledge base to store in the project repository, and the process to store a new artifact in the knowledge base. Moreover, the method may include a process for associating a retention policy, a quality rank and suitable categories and tags to each artifact stored in the knowledge base, which may facilitate the selection of a suitable artifact according to the project requirements. As a result, the method for the management of artifacts may allow leveraging human expertise, saving human efforts, improving decision-making and fostering innovation.
US09946967B2
A temporary carrier of a removable memory card (2) is in the shape of a flat card (1), where the removable memory card (2) forms an element to be released from the flat card body (1). The removable memory card (2) has at least five additional contacts (4) for temporary usage before the removable memory card is removed from the flat card (1) body. The additional contacts (4) take up a smaller surface as a contact field (5) of a standardized flat card (1). The removable memory card (2) is located within the flat card (1) in such a way that the position of additional contacts (4) corresponds to the position of a standardized flat card (1) contact field (5). The suitable sixth additional switch contact (8) can be used to switch secure elements. The temporary carrier is inserted into a standard burning device, which operates with it in the same way as it would with a common card with a contact field (5).
US09946964B2
The present invention proposes a dot pattern on which code information and x and y coordinate information can be defined even if the dot pattern is extremely small, and proposes an information reproducing method and an information reproducing device based on the dot pattern. More specifically, a medium such as a printed material on which is formed a dot pattern portion by arranging in accordance with a given rule dots generated by a dot code generating algorithm in order to recognize various kinds of multimedia information is scanned as image data by scanning means. Then, the image data is converted into code data. Multimedia information corresponding to the code data is read out of storing means to be reproduced.
US09946962B2
A method and apparatus for printer compensation is disclosed. A label stop sensor (LSS) detects a time T(1) associated with an initial label position near the beginning of a print job. The label stop sensor detects a time T(L) associated with a label position that is L labels later in the print job. From at least the times T(1) and T(L) and a printer media feed rate a processor calculates a difference between the initial label position and the later label position. A start adjustment factor is compensated by the difference between the initial label position and the later label position to account for changes in print position between the first label and the later label.
US09946955B2
An image registration method for registering a first image taken from a first viewpoint and a second image taken from a second viewpoint is disclosed. The method includes obtaining a first reference image by photographing a reference target from a first viewpoint; obtaining a second reference image by photographing the reference target from a second viewpoint; obtaining reference coordinate-difference values that indicate difference in coordinates of corresponding pixels between the first reference image and the second reference image; obtaining parallax registration-error values based on a distance of a photographing target from the first viewpoint and the second viewpoint; obtaining a registration result of a first image of the photographing target taken from the first viewpoint and the second image of the photographing target taken from the second viewpoint based on the reference coordinate-difference values; and correcting the registration result based on the parallax registration-error values.
US09946947B2
This invention provides a system and method for finding features in images that exhibit saddle point-like structures using relatively computationally low-intensive processes, illustratively consisting of an anti-correlation process, and associated anti-correlation kernel, which operates upon a plurality of pixel neighborhoods within the image. This process enables an entire image to be quickly analyzed for any features that exhibit such saddle point-like structures by determining whether the anti-correlation kernel generates a weak or strong response in various positions within the image. The anti-correlation kernel is designed to generate a strong response regardless of the orientation of a saddle point-like structure. The anti-correlation process examines a plurality of pixel neighborhoods in the image, thereby locating any saddle point-like structures regardless of orientation, as it is angle-independent. The structures are then grouped and refined (for example in a grid) in an effort to locate and decode ID topologies within the image.
US09946940B2
A vision system of a vehicle includes a camera configured to be disposed at a vehicle so as to have a field of view exterior of the vehicle. An image processor is operable to process image data captured by the camera. The image processor is operable to determine lane markers on a road on which the vehicle is traveling. The image processor processes intensity gradient information of captured image data to determine lane markers, and, responsive to processing of captured image data, the image processor is operable to detect straight or curved lane markers. The image processor is operable to adapt the processing of lane marker image data in subsequent frames of captured image data responsive to image processing of lane marker image data in previous frames of captured image data.
US09946939B2
Systems, apparatuses, and methods are provided for determining the geographic location of an end-user device (e.g., vehicle, mobile phone, smart watch, etc.). An end-user device may collect a depth map at a location in a path network. Feature geometries may be obtained from a fingerprint database in proximity to the location in the path network. The depth map may be oriented with the feature geometries of the fingerprint. Control points from an extracted feature geometry in the depth map may be compared with control points within the fingerprint. Match rates may be calculated based on the comparison, and a geographic location of the end-user device may be determined when an overall match rate exceeds a minimum threshold value.
US09946929B2
A method of generating a reliable image of an iris for subsequent optical analysis leading to identification or authentication of a mammal. The method comprises directing point light sources towards the iris, capturing a gray scale image of the iris and reflections of the point light sources, deriving a two tone image from the gray scale image, generating an image containing the true boundaries of the pupil, determining boundaries of the iris and generating an image containing the true boundaries of the iris, and generating a final image of the iris from the image containing the true boundaries of the iris. This establishes a reliable image of the iris. The process may further comprise conducting an identification or authentication process based on optical analysis of the final image of the iris and comparison with a pre-established data corresponding to a person whose identity has been confirmed.
US09946928B2
A system and related method for acquiring high quality images of the iris of an unconstrained subject comprising a camera; a controllable focusing component; a focus controller component that controls the lens to focus at successively different points within a focus range, such focus control performed without any input from measurement of whether the image is in focus or out of focus, be it based from measurements of the image or other distance metrics to the subject; and a sharpness detection component that rejects the most out-of-focus images based on measurement of focus on the image is disclosed.
US09946926B2
Systems, methods, and non-transitory computer-readable media can calculate raw scores for a plurality of media items based on a classifier model and a target concept. The plurality of media items are ranked based on the raw scores. A review set of the plurality of media items is determined, the review set comprising a subset of the plurality of media items. Each of the media items of the review set is associated with a content depiction determination. A normalized score formula is calculated based on the raw scores and the content depiction determinations for the media items of the review set.
US09946925B2
A terminal device connected to one or more output devices via a network, includes an output destination distribution control unit that reads out an output destination of output data for which outputting is requested by a user from first information in which a condition for output data and an output destination are in correspondence with each other; and a confirmation screen display determining unit that refers to second information in which a user and an output destination that is previously selected by the user to distribute output data are in correspondence with each other, and causes, when the output destination read out from the first information is not in correspondence with the user in the second information, to display a confirmation screen of the output destination.
US09946915B1
A fingerprint sensing device includes a substrate; a plurality of pixels arranged in a grid of rows and columns, each pixel having an active thermal sensing element therein; a first metal layer forming first addressing lines for addressing the active thermal sensing elements; a second metal layer above the first metal layer and forming second addressing lines for addressing the active thermal sensing elements; an electrically conductive ESD protection layer; and an insulating layer disposed between the ESD protection layer and the active thermal sensing elements. The ESD protection layer is electrically connected to a bias potential. The ESD protection layer is disposed in a pattern such that it partially overlaps each pixel, the ESD protection layer at least partially overlapping the active thermal sensing element of each pixel.
US09946913B2
An electronic device is disclosed herein and includes a multi-functional power button and a processor, where the multi-functional power button includes a power switch and a fingerprint recognition module. The fingerprint recognition module is combined on the power switch, and the processor is coupled to the multi-functional power button. The fingerprint recognition module is configured to extract a fingerprint feature information. The processor is configured to determine whether the multi-functional power button is pressed or touched to respectively cause the power switch to generate a switching signal or cause the fingerprint recognition module to extract the fingerprint feature information.
US09946909B2
An optical assembly for an electro-optical reader includes a lens mounted in a stepped barrel. The stepped barrel has a barrel step between first and second barrel portions. The optical assembly is installed along an optical axis in a stepped chassis having a first chassis section that receives the first barrel portion with a slip fit in which a mechanical clearance exists between the first chassis section and the first barrel portion, a second chassis section that receives the second barrel portion with an engagement fit in which the second barrel portion frictionally moves against the second chassis section, and a chassis step between the first and second chassis sections. The chassis step is spaced away from the barrel step after installation of the optical assembly to bound a debris compartment to trap any debris resulting from the frictional movement of the second barrel portion against the second chassis section.
US09946907B2
Objects associated with targets to be read by image capture are detected without any additional hardware in an imaging module. Return light is captured over a field of view of the module. Images are processed, during an object detection mode, to determine their image brightness from the captured return light. Illumination is emitted from an illumination light assembly at a first power level to determine a first image brightness from a first processed image, and at a different, reduced, second power level to determine a second image brightness from a second processed image. An object is determined to be in the field of view when a difference between the first image brightness and the second image brightness equals or exceeds a detection threshold value.
US09946904B2
A condition monitoring system includes a radio frequency transponder module including an RFID chip having a first memory, and an antenna; at least one sensor module that monitors data related to the condition of a product and includes a second memory for storing the monitored data; and a communication interface that couples the at least one sensor module to the RFID chip of the radio frequency transponder module so that the sensor module is operative to communicate with the RFID chip by way of the communication interface and the RFID chip first memory is operative to store data related to the product.
US09946901B2
An improved radio RFID tag and reader system comprising a reduced scale and scalable vehicle fitted with one or more electronic toll collection RFID tags and a track on which the vehicle may operate at a high rate of speed for long periods of time with minimal friction and without derailing or fatigue to the structure of either vehicle or track. The inventive testing system further utilizes a novel vehicle propulsion system comprising counter-rotating wheels adapted to maintain a variable and accurate speed of the vehicle upon each pass by the reader. The propulsion mechanism propels the vehicle down the track past the reader and returns it to a starting point to provide repeated interaction between RFID tag and reader.
US09946891B2
Utilizing an image on a computing device to serve as a template for locking/unlocking the computing device. The image includes a plurality of portions that are defined and thereafter identified and presented to a user via a touch screen. A user selects portions/zones that are defined within the image in a specified sequence and this sequence is stored as a lock/unlock code for unlocking the computing device. In an embodiment, in addition to the specified sequence of selections, a movement or sequence of movements may be also be stored as part of the lock/unlock code.
US09946887B2
A method includes determining at least one value for at least one instance of data; determining at least one privacy policy, at least one security policy, or a combination thereof based, at least in part, on the at least one value; and causing, at least in part, an application of the at least one privacy policy, the at least one security policy, or a combination thereof with respect to the at least one instance of data.
US09946878B2
In one embodiment, a computing device may execute software from a first portion of memory of the computing device. The computing device may download from a server a new version of the software. The client computing device may receive instructions from the server to request an over-the-air (OTA) download of the new version of the software. The instructions may be an out-of-band message. The new version of the software may be installed into a second portion of memory of the computing device, and the new version of the software is executed from the second portion of memory. The download of the new version of software may be pursuant to a manifest for the download to determine whether the computing device may download the new version of software.
US09946877B2
Technologies for protecting systems and data of an organization from malware include a data integrity server configured to receive a data file for import from an external source. The data integrity server analyzes the received data file with multiple anti-malware engines to determine whether the data file includes hidden malware. The data integrity server discards the data file in response to a determination that the data file includes hidden malware. Additionally, the data integrity server verifies the type of the received data file based on the file extension associated with the received data file. The data integrity server cleans the received data file in response to verification of the file type. The cleaned data file is transmitted to a computing device to be imported. Other embodiments are described and claimed.
US09946876B2
A plurality of data files is received. Thereafter, each file is represented as an entropy time series that reflects an amount of entropy across locations in code for such file. A wavelet transform is applied, for each file, to the corresponding entropy time series to generate an energy spectrum characterizing, for the file, an amount of entropic energy at multiple scales of code resolution. It can then be determined, for each file, whether or not the file is likely to be malicious based on the energy spectrum. Related apparatus, systems, techniques and articles are also described.
US09946871B2
Architecture that provides a secure environment in which data (e.g., code, instructions, files, images, etc.) can be opened and run by a client application. Once opened the data can be viewed (in a “protected view”) by the user without incurring risk to other client processing and systems. Accordingly, the architecture mitigates malicious attacks by enabling users to preview untrusted and potentially harmful data (e.g., files) in a low risk manner. Files opened in the protected view are isolated from accessing key resources on the client computer and provides the user a safer way to read files that can contain dangerous content. The protected view also provides a seamless user experience. The user is unaware that the client is operating on data in a different mode and allows for the reduction of security prompts.
US09946860B1
Systems and methods for providing services to administrative personnel and other persons using electronic devices in an institution. One method involves receiving an identifier entered as input on an electronic device and receiving a security code entered as input on the portable electronic device or transmitted to the electronic device, wherein the security code was generated by a security token and security codes generated by the security token change over time. The method further involves authenticating the person based on the identifier and the security code and allowing access to one or more administrative services based on the authenticating.
US09946856B1
On-demand application permissions is described, including obtaining one or more consents associated with one or more functions of an application, where the application does not allow using the functions without associated consents; receiving, from a user, a consent associated with a function; activating to allow that function to be executed; when a request from the user to use another function is received, determining that the another function requires an associated consent to activate; determining that there is no consent from the user associated with the another function; prompting for a consent associated with the another function; receiving the consent associated with another function; and activating to allow the another function to be executed.
US09946855B2
Method to detect cloned software being used on a client user unit. An initialization phase comprises: defining a tag value as being equal to an initial random value, opening a new record storing the tag value and introducing the tag value into the client user unit. An operating phase comprises: preparing a client message comprising the request and a value depending on the tag value; sending the client message to the server; and checking if the tag value of the client message is correct with respect to the stored tag value. If they do not match, the requested service is denied. If they do match, the method sends a server message to the user unit; updates the tag value with a new tag value; and stores the new tag value on the server and user unit.
US09946853B1
Techniques for application code obfuscation are disclosed. In one embodiment, the techniques may be realized as a method including receiving application code and testing data associated with the application; automatically generating obfuscated application code from the received application code; automatically testing the obfuscated application code by running the obfuscated application code and inputting at least the recorded inputs from the testing data while recording associated outputs; in response to determining that the associated outputs from automatically testing the obfuscation code do not match the testing data outputs, modifying the obfuscated application code and automatically testing the modified obfuscated application code against the testing data; and, in response to determining that outputs from automatically testing the modified obfuscated application code match the testing data outputs, transmitting the modified obfuscated application code as a successful obfuscation of the application.
US09946851B2
Systems and methods are disclosed for managing and protecting electronic content and applications. Applications, content, and/or users can be given credentials by one or more credentialing authorities upon satisfaction of a set of requirements. Rights management software/hardware is used to attach and detect these credentials, and to enforce rules that indicate how content and applications may be used if certain credentials are present or absent. In one embodiment an application may condition access to a piece of electronic content upon the content's possession of a credential from a first entity, while the content may condition access upon the application's possession of a credential from a second entity and/or the user's possession of a credential from a third entity. Use of credentials in this manner enables a wide variety of relatively complex and flexible control arrangements to be put in place and enforced with relatively simple rights management technology.
US09946847B2
In alternative embodiments the invention provides libraries of compounds, or drugs or drug candidates, manufactured and selected for having a desired property such as a biological or a chemical activity, and methods for making and using them. In one embodiment, the invention provides methods for identifying desirable compounds from very large compound sets using a compound fragment as the query. In alternative embodiments, the invention provides methods of making compounds, and libraries of compounds, using a “feasible reaction” growth scheme.
US09946841B2
A medical image display apparatus including a touch screen configured to display a medical image and receive input from a user; and a controller configured to acquire first information about a first region of the touch screen, the first region corresponding to a touch range of a finger of the user, to select, based on the first information, a first user interface from among a plurality of user interfaces related to the medical image, the first user interface corresponding to a size of the first region, and to control the touch screen to display the selected first user interface.
US09946828B2
A method of designing a layout of an integrated circuit (IC), which is implemented by a computer system or a processor, includes receiving input layout data, and performing a design rule check with regard to a plurality of patterns. The method includes, merging, from among a first pattern and a second pattern against the design rule, the first pattern with a third pattern connected to a same net as the first pattern, and generating output layout data.
US09946822B2
In an approach for providing simulation results of an interaction between a transducer head and a magnetic medium, a computer identifies a first raster scan of a sample via a scanning probe microscope. The computer generates a topography image based on the first raster scan of the sample. The computer identifies one or more reference features within the created topography image. The computer calculates an average height based on the one or more reference features. The computer determines a lift distance associated with a probe of the scanning probe microscope. The computer defines a uniform plane based on the calculated average height and the determined lift distance. The computer performs a second raster scan of the sample based on the defined uniform plane. The computer generates a fly-height image based on the second raster scan. The computer provides simulation results based at least in part on the second raster scan.
US09946816B2
A system and a method visualize three dimensional (3D) printability of a 3D model. A 3D printing process of the 3D model is simulated to generate a layered 3D model describing the 3D model as printed. A visual rendering of the layered 3D model is generated, and the visual rendering of the layered 3D model is displayed on a display device.
US09946806B2
Embodiments of the present invention provide tools and methods for the development and specification of a responsive graphical design. A graphical design environment allows a user to specify a design. The graphical design environment has a window for displaying a rendering of the design. A dimension specification interface allows the user to specify a dimension specification. A widget interface allows a user to add a widget to the design and specify a first state and a second state for the widget. An export interface allows a user to export the design from the tool to produce an exported design. The exported design utilizes an object model event to adjust a state of the widget from a first state to a second state.
US09946805B2
Provided is a cloud-based document link system and a method that uses a processor to provide a method for providing a service configured to paste a document stored on a cross-clipboard. The cloud-based document link system includes a storage unit configured to store, on a cross-clipboard, at least one first document associated with a first service provided through a first device, an identification unit configured to identify at least one second service linkable with each first document based on whether the at least one second service is configured to paste the at least one first document stored on the cross-clipboard, and a providing unit configured to provide a list of each second service if the cross-clipboard is accessed through a second device.
US09946804B2
The current subject matter describes displaying historical data associated with one or more data values within a business intelligence report. A graphical user interface executed by a computing device can receive, from a user, a request for display of historical data associated with a specified/selected data value in a business intelligence report. Subsequently, a representational state transfer engine (RESTful engine), which can be connected to a server system connected to the computing device, can execute a representational state transfer service (RESTful service) to fetch historical data from current and past instances associated with the data value. Then, the RESTful engine can write the fetched historical data to a file. The RESTful engine can generate or determine a uniform resource locator (URL) to the file, and can send the URL to the computing device. When the URL is selected by the user, the computing device can display the file.
US09946776B1
Computer implemented systems and methods are disclosed for importing data from electronic data files. In accordance with some embodiments, source electronic data files are received at a data importation system and managed by the data importation system. The data importation system may load detector/transformer plugins and determined whether any of the load detector/transformer plugins apply to the received source electronic data files. The data importation system may also generate transformed data using a transformer corresponding to a detector that applies to the source electronic data files. The data importation system may import the transformed data into at least one of a data analysis system and a database.
US09946773B2
A computing device may include a presence-sensitive display, at least one processor, and a memory storing instructions that, when executed by the at least one processor, cause the at least one processor to output, for display at the presence-sensitive display, a graphical keyboard including a plurality of keys and a suggestion region; determine, based on a selection of the suggestion region or one or more keys from the plurality of keys, a search query; retrieve one or more search results determined based on the search query; and output, in place of at least a portion of the graphical keyboard, a visual representation of a particular search result of the one or more search results.
