US09060928B2
A tacrolimus injection preparation comprising tacrolimus, polyoxyethylene castor oil (35), and non-aqueous solvent is disclosed. Preferably the weight ratio of polyoxyethylene castor oil (35) to tacrolimus in the injection preparation is 10-20:1. The injection preparation significantly decreased the clinical risk.
US09060927B2
Injectable insulin formulations with improved stability and rapid onset of action are described herein. The formulations may be for subcutaneous, intradermal or intramuscular administration. In the preferred embodiment, the formulations are administered via subcutaneous injection. The formulations contain insulin in combination with a chelator and dissolution agent, and optionally additional excipients. In the preferred embodiment, the formulation contains human insulin, a zinc chelator such as EDTA and a dissolution agent such as citric acid or sodium citrate. These formulations are rapidly absorbed into the blood stream when administered by subcutaneous injection. In the preferred embodiment, the insulin is provided as a clear liquid, neutral pH, in a multi-use sterile vial. In an alternative embodiment, the insulin is provided as a powder in a sterile vial. This is mixed with a diluent containing a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier, such as water, a zinc chelator such as EDTA and a dissolution agent such as citric acid shortly before or at the time of administration. In another embodiment, the insulin is stored as a frozen mixture, ready for use upon thawing.
US09060913B2
A instrument holder is disclosed that is adapted to be attached to a side edge of a surgical table in an operating room and that includes a magnet by which metallic instruments are attachable to the holder for staging during performance of a medical procedure in the operating room. The magnet further may assist in retaining and/or stabilizing the holder in its attachment to the side edge of the table. The holder may include grooves for receiving certain types and/or sizes of instruments. During performance of a medical procedure the holder may be moved to a different side edge of the table. The holder preferably is contained within a plastic, transparent, pliable sleeve for maintaining sterility of the holder, whereby the holder is reusable in subsequent procedures.
US09060893B2
Delivery system for a medical device and method for operating a delivery system for a medical device
The invention relates to a delivery system for a medical device and a method for operating a delivery system for a medical device, in particular a stent having a proximal end and a distal end, an inner shaft enclosing an inner lumen and an outer shaft surrounding the inner shaft in at least some areas and enclosing an intermediate lumen. One or more openings are provided in the inner shaft establishing a fluid connection between the inner lumen and the intermediate lumen.
US09060886B2
A vascular remodeling device has a plurality of sections, sized for deployment in a blood vessel, that is radially expandable from a collapsed state to an expanded state. Each section has a plurality of interconnected struts that define a waist, a proximal face, and a distal face. Each face comprises (i) a plurality of distal strut portions extending proximally from a distal side of the face, (ii) a plurality of proximal strut portions extending distally from a proximal side of the face, and (iii) a plurality of sub-struts, wherein, from each proximal strut portion, two of the sub-struts each extend to a different one of the distal strut portions.
US09060880B2
In a sleep posture alerting method or an apparatus therefor, the sleep posture of a person is detected and the person is automatically alerted by an alerting device when the sleep posture is out of a predetermined body posture range. The detection of the sleep posture or at least the alerting of the person, when his/her body posture is out of the predefined body posture range, is deactivated during a sleep-in time period.
US09060858B2
Disclosed are devices and methods for treating regurgitation through a valve in the heart. The devices can include an expandable, fluid-tight bladder configured to be deployed between valve leaflets of the heart valve. The bladder can include an upper portion that extends into the atrium of the heart; a lower portion that extends into the ventricle of the heart; and a middle portion positionable within the line of valve leaflet coaptation that provides a sealing surface for one or more of the leaflets.
US09060857B2
A heart valve prosthesis is provided having a self-expanding multi-level frame that supports a valve body comprising a skirt and plurality of coapting leaflets. The frame transitions between a contracted delivery configuration that enables percutaneous transluminal delivery, and an expanded deployed configuration having an asymmetric hourglass shape. The valve body skirt and leaflets are constructed so that the center of coaptation may be selected to reduce horizontal forces applied to the commissures of the valve, and to efficiently distribute and transmit forces along the leaflets and to the frame. Alternatively, the valve body may be used as a surgically implantable replacement valve prosthesis.
US09060854B2
A knitted prosthetic device has at least two knitted sections, where each knitted section has at least one row of fiber. The knitted prosthetic device also has at least one intra-articular section disposed between the at least two knitted sections. In addition, the at least one intra-articular section has at least one single continuous fiber traversing the at least one intra-articular section and the at least two knitted sections, where the at least one single continuous fiber forms a plurality of traverses extending between the at least two knitted sections. In particular, embodiments may be used as ligament prostheses by anchoring each of the at least two knitted sections to a bone section of a patient. Such embodiments may be constructed from a strong polymer, preferably, but not limited to, silk, where the polymer provides ligament support but bioresorbs as load bearing responsibilities are transferred to tissue resulting from ingrowth.
US09060849B2
An implantable lumen filter (100) is described. The implantable lumen filter includes a proximal portion (103a) having a generally-tapered outer surface defined by a plurality of outer struts (106).The implantable lumen filter may also include a distal portion (103b) having a generally-tapered outer surface defined by a plurality of outer struts (106b) coupled together at the distal end (102b) of the distal portion. The implantable lumen filter may also include an apex (105) comprising the connection between the proximal and distal portions. The apex may define an outer dimension of the implantable lumen filter. The outer surface of the proximal portion is dimensioned to direct particulates towards the outer dimension.
US09060829B2
The present invention provides systems and methods of managing delivery of an orthodontic treatment plan using treatment guidelines, instructions and appointment planning tools customized to the individual patient being treated. A method includes, e.g., generating a treatment plan for a patient, generating a customized set of treatment guidelines, providing the set of customized treatment guidelines to the practitioner; and providing a set of orthodontic appliances to the practitioner.
US09060827B2
A tool for drilling bone tissue, which has the advantage of having a cutting tip with a flat effective shape that prevents perforation of the Schneider membrane or injury to the dental nerve when drilling close to them. The tool is disposed along an longitudinal axis and includes a non-cutting main body, a narrowed area for retaining bone and a cutting tip, which includes cutting blades, each one of which is provided with a front cutting edge substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis and a substantially lateral cutting edge that forms an angle of between 0 and 10° with the longitudinal axis. Spaces for receiving bone are disposed between the cutting blades and are connected to the narrowed area.
US09060819B2
A bone fixation device (1) comprising: A) a first bone implant (2) with at least one through hole (11) having an upper opening (3) with the area A and a lower opening (4) in the case of a bone plate (10) as the first bone implant (2); or an outer opening with the area A and an inner opening in the case of a hollow intramedullary nail as the first bone implant (2); B) at least one second bone implant (5) with a head (6) and a shaft for insertion into one or more of said through holes (11); and C) at least one closing cover (7) for closing said upper opening (3) or outer opening of said through hole (11) for preventing bone and soft tissue ingrowth and/or bacterial invasion into said through hole (11) and into said second bone implant (5) wherein said closing cover (7) is D) removably attachable to said first bone implant (2); and E) dimensioned and shaped in such a way that upon attachment to said first bone implant (2) it is apt to cover at least the entire area A of said upper opening (3) or outer opening and of any of said second bone implants (5) if inserted into said through hole (11).
US09060813B1
Occipital-cervical stabilization using occipital condyle fixation with a polyaxial screw-rod construct.
US09060807B2
A lesion identification system for surgical operations has a light marker adapted for placement in the vicinity of a lesion inside an organ of an organism, and a location-identifying device detecting a light emitted from the light marker at an outside of the organ for identifying a location of the lesion. The marker includes a light emitter and an engagement member associated with the emitter to be engageable with a wall of the organ. The engagement member includes a clip. The light emitter emits light with a wavelength in a near-infrared range. The device includes an endoscope comprising an inserter section having an image pickup element picking up a reflected light, involving the light from the light marker, at an outside of the organ, and an image pickup unit allowing the reflected light, picked by the image pickup element, to be generated as an image for display on a monitor.
US09060799B2
A clamp is provided for attachment to the left atrial appendage (LAA). The clamp can be locked in a closed position so as to remain in place on the LAA. After being attached to the LAA, the clamp can be moved to a desired position such that the LAA can be retracted to a desired extent. The clamp can be held in any desired position, preferably by being connected to a thoracic retractor that is being used to retract the patient's sternum or ribs. A movable member is connected between the clamp and a stationary portion of the retractor. By locking the movable member in a fixed position relative to the stationary portion, the clamp can be maintained in a desired position and the LAA can be retracted as desired.
US09060795B2
The present invention relates to a surgical robot for performing surgery of the minimally invasive type, comprising an instrument manipulator having a manipulator front end which is provided with an instrument receiver for receiving therein one of a number of surgical instruments, and manipulating means for, at least in use, manipulating the manipulator front end with respect to a patient body. The manipulator front end further comprises a container having a number of container holders for receiving therein the number of surgical instruments, and switching means for switching the instrument present in the instrument receiver by an instrument present in a container holder. The invention further relates to an instrument manipulator, a combination of an operating table and a surgical robot, and a master-slave operating system.
US09060784B2
According to some embodiments, a method of treating a subject having diabetes or symptoms associated with diabetes is provided. The method includes delivering a neuromodulation catheter within a vessel (e.g., hepatic artery) having surrounding nerves that innervate the liver (e.g., sympathetic nerves of the hepatic plexus). The method may also include modulating (e.g., disrupting, ablating, stimulating) the nerves by mechanical compression, energy delivery, or fluid delivery.
US09060783B2
A surgical sagittal saw for use with a complementary blade assembly that includes a static bar. The saw includes a head over which the blade assembly bar is seated. A clamp rod is able to mounted to the head to move along the longitudinal axis of the rod. The rod has a head that, as result of the longitudinal movement of the rod is moved towards and away from the head. A blade assembly is disposed on the saw head adjacent the rod. The rod can be positioned in a run state so that the rod head abuts the bar of the blade assembly so as to hold the blade assembly to the saw head. Alternatively, the rod can be repositioned in a load state the rod head is spaced from the saw head. This allows the blade assembly to be removed and replaced. A control member mounted to the saw head controls the movement of the rod. When the rod is moved from the load state to the run state, a biasing member places a force on the rod to hold the rod in the run state.
US09060782B2
A tissue ablation system including numerous components and methods is described herein for encircling target tissue and generating tissue ablation volumes in various biological tissues. The biological tissue includes tissue of a variety of organs of the human body including the liver, spleen, kidney, lung, breast and other organs, but is not so limited. The tissue ablation device comprises an energy source and at least one trocar coupled to the energy source, the trocar having a body, a proximal end, and a distal end. The trocar carries an electrode array that comprises a plurality of electrodes, each electrode of the plurality of electrodes is configured to extend from the trocar when moved from a retracted state to a deployed state, and to have at least one radius of curvature in the deployed state so that the electrode array forms a series of shaped electrodes in the deployed state.
US09060775B2
A method for determining motional branch current in an ultrasonic transducer of an ultrasonic surgical device over multiple frequencies of a transducer drive signal. The method may comprise, at each of a plurality of frequencies of the transducer drive signal, oversampling a current and voltage of the transducer drive signal, receiving, by a processor, the current and voltage samples, and determining, by the processor, the motional branch current based on the current and voltage samples, a static capacitance of the ultrasonic transducer and the frequency of the transducer drive signal.
US09060768B2
The present disclosure relates to a needle for attaching a fixator to a soft tissue graft. The needle includes a pointed distal end and a proximal end, the proximal end including a suture coupler, the suture coupler including a hook and a pocket formed by the hook, wherein the needle is curved along an entire length of the needle. A fixator for use with the needle and method of fixating a soft tissue graft to a bone is also disclosed.
US09060767B2
In one embodiment, a hook fastener has a plurality of hooks and a loop fastener has a plurality of loops to secure tissues sections to one another. At least one of these fasteners has a porous surface to allow tissue ingrowth to secure the fastener to the tissue. In another embodiment, only a single fastener is used, with a section of tissue being treated to engage and mate with the fastener. The disclosed tissue fastening systems can be used for a number of applications. One such example includes fastening tissue sections by wrapping a tissue fastener around the tissue and securing the fastener on itself. A suture may also be secured with the tissue fastener.
US09060758B2
Described is a needle assembly storage device comprising a housing having an opening adapted to receive an injection device, an array of needle assembly storage compartments moveably disposed within the housing, and an actuator adapted to cause movement of the array, wherein actuation of the actuator aligns a given needle assembly compartment with the opening.
US09060754B2
Neuromodulation cryotherapeutic devices and associated systems and methods are disclosed herein. A cryotherapeutic device configured in accordance with a particular embodiment includes an elongated shaft and a cooling assembly at a distal portion of the shaft. The shaft can be configured to locate the distal portion intravascularly at a treatment site within or otherwise proximate a renal artery. The cryotherapeutic device can further include a supply lumen configured to carry liquid refrigerant toward the cooling assembly. The cooling assembly can include an applicator in fluid communication with the supply lumen and configured to deliver cryotherapeutic cooling to nerves proximate the target site when in a deployed state.
US09060740B2
The invention relates to a dental X-ray system for the creation of a radiograph (13), comprising an imaging unit (5) for surface detection. The imaging unit (5) has a light source (6), which produces a polychromatic beam of visible light (6′), a masking edge (7), which extends at least partially into the polychromatic beam of light (6′) between the light source (6) and the recording area (19) for the purpose of creating a shadow demarcation line (17) in said recording area (19), and an optical detector (8), wherein the light source (6), the masking edge (7) and the optical detector (8) are mounted directly on the supporting device (2) and/or on the X-ray source (3) and/or on the X-ray detector (4) and can be moved together therewith past the recording area (19) in circular motion.
US09060735B2
A sleep monitoring method and device classify segments of an acoustic physiological signal captured during sleep as snore and apnea segments. The method and device employ a phase-locked loop array to rapidly detect snore segments for widely variant snoring rhythms exhibited by different people or the same person over time. The phase-locked loop array integrates seamlessly with an apnea timer-thresholding mechanism that detects apnea segments.
US09060733B2
A method is disclosed for determining a motion field in an image space of a CT image data set for a partially and cyclically moving object, wherein a projection data set from a CT system covering a motion phase and a projection angle range is recorded, and an iterative determination of the motion field by minimizing a cost function from CT image data sets which are motion-compensated and reconstructed making use of motion fields and which have a first image resolution, with a first analytical reconstruction algorithm, the cost function being based on raw data or transformed into the image space. A method for generating a motion-compensated CT image data set for a partially and cyclically moving object is also disclosed, along with a computer system for image reconstruction and a CT system.
US09060714B2
Methods for classifying aggregated data in a distributed sensor system are provided and illustrated with a wearable motion sensor network. The classification is operated in a distributed fashion on individual sensor nodes and a base station computer. The method classifies actions using a set of training motion sequences as prior examples and may reject outlying actions that are not in the training categories. Acquired sensor data is processed at the node by taking projections of the data to reduce dimensionality, calculating sparse representations of features using training sequences; validating and classifying local measurements and then transmitting classified measurements to a network base station. The base station aggregates local sensor measurements and performs a global classification of the data by forming global features from the local measurements; calculating sparse representations of global features; validating and classifying valid global features; and labeling global features and their corresponding local features.
US09060712B2
Some embodiments of the present inventive concept provide optical coherence tomography (OCT) systems for integration with a microscope. The OCT system includes a sample arm coupled to the imaging path of a microscope. The sample arm includes an input beam zoom assembly including at least two movable lenses configured to provide shape control for an OCT signal beam; a scan assembly including at least one scanning mirror and configured for telecentric scanning of the OCT signal beam; and a beam expander configured to set the OCT signal beam diameter incident on the microscope objective. The shape control includes separable controls for numerical aperture and focal position of the imaged OCT beam.
US09060710B2
Improved systems and methods for ocular tomography are provided. These systems and methods can be used to improve the effectiveness of a wide variety of different ophthalmic diagnostic procedures, and various surgical and non-surgical treatments. One embodiment provides a system and method for determining ocular tomography data for the eye using a plenoptic detector. For example, an ocular tomography system can comprise a set of light sources configured to illuminate an eye, a plenoptic detector configured to receive images of the light sources reflected from surfaces of the eye and generate plenoptic image data representing the images, and a processing system coupled to the plenoptic detector. The processing system is configured to analyze the plenoptic image data to determine tomography data for the eye.
US09060709B2
An apparatus uses a steered ultrasound beam to assess microstructure of the cervix revealed by backscatter power variation at a range of angles and depth. Analysis of a distribution of power loss at different angles and depths referenced to the structure of the cervix may be used to characterize cervical tissue.
US09060705B2
An electrode assembly for electrical impedance tomography comprising a plurality of different electrode modules, each containing a support strap made of a flexible material that presents a reduced longitudinal deformability and carrying a predetermined number of electrodes, each support strap being dimensioned to be seated and retained onto a respective extension portion of a body segment of a patient. Each electrode module presents the number of electrodes and a distance “De” between each two consecutive electrodes predetermined as a function of a specific operational pattern to be obtained from each electrode module. The assembly can further comprise an electrical conducting cable having an end connected to a monitoring apparatus and a free end provided with a connector to be coupled to a respective electrode of an electrode module.
US09060700B2
The invention relates to a medical measuring device having an impedance measurement unit (100) for detecting an impedance measurement signal from the skin surface (200) of a patient to be examined via at least one measurement electrode pair (3). According to the invention, the distance between the electrodes of the measurement electrode pair (3) is from a few millimeters to several centimeters such that, during the measurement process, both electrodes of the measurement electrode pair (3) for locally detecting the impedance measurement signal contact the same region of the skin surface (200) of the patient at the same time.
US09060693B2
A visual function testing device includes: a visual target image presentation unit that presents a visual target image; a visual target image rendering unit that renders the visual target image to be presented on the visual target image presentation unit; a visual function test item selection unit that selects a visual function test item; a visual target image generation unit that generates a visual target image corresponding to the test item selected by the visual function test item selection unit; a viewpoint distance input unit that inputs a distance between the visual target image presentation unit and a viewpoint of an observer; and a visual angle input unit that inputs an angle to be made by the visual target image and the viewpoint of the observer. Based on the viewpoint distance and the visual angle, a display size and display position of a visual target image are calculated.
US09060690B2
An apparatus for obtaining an image of a tooth having at least one light source providing incident light having a first spectral range for obtaining a reflectance image from the tooth and a second spectral range for exciting a fluorescence image from the tooth. A polarizing beamsplitter in the path of the incident light from both sources directs light having a first polarization state toward the tooth and directs light from the tooth having a second polarization state along a return path toward a sensor, wherein the second polarization state is orthogonal to the first polarization state. A first lens in the return path directs image-bearing light from the tooth toward the sensor, and obtains image data from the portion of the light having the second polarization state. A long-pass filter in the return path attenuates light in the second spectral range.
US09060688B2
Systems, devices, methods, and software are described for biometric sensors that permit a reduction in the size of the sensing area without significant reduction in biometric functionality of the sensor. A skin site of an individual is illuminated, and light scattered from the skin site is received. An image of a locally consistent feature of the skin site is formed from the received light. The locally consistent feature is analyzed to perform a biometric function.
US09060685B2
Disclosed is a computer implemented method for fully automated tissue diagnosis that trains a region of interest (ROI) classifier in a supervised manner, wherein labels are given only at a tissue level, the training using a multiple-instance learning variant of backpropagation, and trains a tissue classifier that uses the output of the ROI classifier. For a given tissue, the method finds ROIs, extracts feature vectors in each ROI, applies the ROI classifier to each feature vector thereby obtaining a set of probabilities, provides the probabilities to the tissue classifier and outputs a final diagnosis for the whole tissue.
US09060680B2
According to a preferred embodiment of the present invention there is provided a bite block assembly adapted for capnography and oxygen delivery to a subject, the bite block assembly (50) including a first capnography passageway adapted for passage therethrough of exhaled breath from the subject to a capnograph and a second oxygen delivery passageway, separate from the first passageway, adapted for passage therethrough of oxygen from an oxygen source to the mouth of the subject.
US09060669B1
An ultrasonic imaging method includes activating a transmit aperture within a multi-element transducer array, transmitting one or more ultrasonic beams along scan direction(s) that span the region of interest, for each transmit event, receiving ultrasound echoes from each element of a receive aperture, grouping the receive channel echo data into two or more sets corresponding to different receive sub-apertures, combining each sub-aperture data set to generate partially focused echo-location data for one or more reconstruction lines, and storing all the sub-aperture echo data sets during a storage period in a format that can be retrieved for later analysis. A method includes, during a post-storage period, retrieving stored sub-aperture data, combining the sub-aperture data to form one or more selected reconstruction lines, processing echo data to extract motion information from one or more sample positions along the selected reconstruction lines, and displaying an image representative of the processed motion information.
US09060662B2
An upright type vacuum cleaner is disclosed. The upright type vacuum cleaner includes a main body provided so that a disposition angle of the main body with respect to a surface to be cleaned is variable, a suction nozzle coupled to the main body so that the suction nozzle moves along the surface to be cleaned, and a joint provided between the main body and the suction nozzle to connect the main body and the suction nozzle so that the main body and the suction nozzle are rotated about a plurality of axes.
US09060660B2
A vacuum cleaner comprising a dust-bag-housing 104 made of paper, preferably card board housing panels 104a.Thus, the vacuum cleaner is environmentally friendly, having recyclable parts in place of some typical plastic parts, and is also capable of muffling the noise of vacuum generation.
US09060656B2
A drain stopper assembly for selectively closing an outlet from a water basin includes a stopper that axially slidably interacts with a support post to move between raised and lowered positions. In a raised position, the stopper can be laterally displaced to facilitate periodic cleaning of debris trapped in the drain passage. Lateral displacement can be accomplished in a variety of ways including by way of groove and follower pin relationships, pivoting sections of the support post and/or post interface of the stopper, and by a flexible support post.
US09060646B2
A milk frothing device (1) delimiting an area (2) for mixing milk (35) from a milk reservoir (3) and gas (49), comprises a supply arrangement (4) of pressurized gas. The pressurized gas supply arrangement (4) has a propelling gas conduit (41) configured to deliver pressurized propelling gas (48) into the milk reservoir (3) to pressurize the reservoir and propel thereby pressurized milk (36) from the reservoir to the mixing area (2).
US09060642B1
A modular cooking and steaming system includes a generally rectangular open top container with a self-cooling hollow handle for measuring pasta located on the side of the container. The handle has an internal diameter adapted to receive a quantity of pasta for measuring a portion. The system has a graduated water level indicator located on a container front side. The system has a generally rectangular perforated strainer lid adapted to snuggly cover a container open top. For use, a volume of water is poured into the container. The volume of water is measured via the water level indicator. A volume of pasta is measured in the handle then placed in the container for cooking. Upon completion of cooking, the strainer lid is placed on the container for draining the volume of water via the perforated top surface.
US09060639B2
Cookware, such as a stock pot, fry pan, sauté pan, griddle, or grill, comprising a basic three-ply bonded composite includes two layers of an aluminum alloy, such as 3003 or the like, bonded on opposed sides to a core layer of higher purity aluminum, such as 1050, 1100, 1145, or the like, to define a three-ply composite cookware product. One or more additional layers of higher purity aluminum are bonded intermediate one or more additional layers of aluminum alloy to form five-ply, or seven-ply, or more, bonded composite cookware products. The exterior layers of aluminum alloy may also include a non-stick coating and/or an anodized coating.
US09060635B1
A necktie and handkerchief holding device is disclosed. The necktie and handkerchief holding device allows a user to store handkerchiefs and other accessories in vertically connected pouches. Horizontal bars located between the vertically connected pouches with spring clips on each end of the bars allow for storage of neckties. The top of the necktie and handkerchief holding device has a hanger to allow the necktie and handkerchief holding device to be hung from a hanger rod in a closet or wardrobe cabinet.
US09060634B1
A universal sleeve supporter for keeping a suit jacket sleeve from creasing or wrinkling while the jacket is mounted on a hanger. The supporter comprises a planar structure stamped out of a firm yet flexible material in a manner to include a hanger engaging opening therein for engaging the supporter about a hanger when not in use and a clip which is foldable to either side of the structure, being engaged to the supporter structure by a hinge stamped into the material thereof. The supporter has scored side edge sections along each side edge of a lower section thereof, the scored side edge sections including a plurality of score lines therein about which the side edge sections may be folded inwardly to accommodate a sleeve of lesser diameter than that of the lower section.
US09060629B2
The tea cup (1) of the invention is used with a pocket (2) that includes a sieve (3) for tea material. The tea cup (1) has a functional shape achieved with two bottom sides (6,7) enabling the tea cup (1) to be placed in two different positions. The pocket (2) is designed so that it forms a tea compartment (4), which is attached to the inner wall (5) of the cup (1). The tea compartment (4) is integrally or detachably inserted in the tea compartment (4) at the upper part of the cup (1) on the same side as one of the bottom sides (6). This arrangement enables the tea compartment (4) to be on vertically different levels with respect to a water surface (or a tea surface) (11) in the cup (1) when the tea cup (1) is tilted in said different positions constituting a tea-making position and a drinking position in order to make tea of sufficient strength. The placement of the tea compartment (4) thus enables a functionality with respect to these positions. In the tea-making position, tea material inserted in the tea compartment (4) is in contact with the water in the cup (1), whereas in the drinking position, the tea material is intended to be above the water (or tea) surface (11). In the method of the invention for manufacturing the tea cup the tea cup part and the tea department part separately, whereafter a tea sieve is fastened to the tea compartment, and the tea compartment with the metal sieve is manufactured as a part that can be placed to the inner wall of the tea cup.
US09060626B2
An anti-wrinkle pillow including a pillow casing, first recess and second recess. The pillow casing has a bottom and top and is filled with fill material. The first recess is formed by securing the bottom to the top and is disposed at a first location. The second recess is formed by securing the bottom to the top and disposed at a second location. The second location is predetermined distance from the first location, such that the first recess and the second recess define first and second raised portions delineated by a trough portion. The first and second raised portions are configured to contact first and second portions of a user's face. The trough portion and the second recess are configured to remain contactless with the one or more portions of the user's face to mitigate wrinkling of the one or more portions of the user's face along the predetermined distance.
US09060623B2
An automated system for generating large numbers of digitally-defined patterns suitable for printing on textiles wherein each pattern is individually different but shares one or more unifying design motifs with all other patterns. In the general case, each pattern is comprised of at least two components in the form of separately configurable pattern layers that are digitally superimposed to form a composite pattern that is unique but visually related to all other unique patterns that use pattern layers taken from the same pattern sources.
US09060607B1
A hanger bar for a recessed lighting fixture mounting is disclosed. The hanger bar includes a rail portion having a wall that is in a first plane. The hanger bar further includes a first end portion disposed at a first end of the rail portion and a second end portion disposed at a second end of the rail portion. Each of the first end portion and the second end portion includes a first tab extending from the rail portion in a second plane that is substantially perpendicular to the first plane. Each of the first end portion and the second end portion further includes a second tab extending from the rail portion and a notch that is substantially below the first tab. The second tab extends beyond the first tab, and the notch is partially bounded by an edge of the second tab.
US09060602B2
A furniture assembly includes at least four division plates, at least four squared beams, and at least one storage space. The division plate has a left lateral surface and a right lateral surface to respectively mount a front fastener and a rear fastener. Four division plates are adhered to the squared beam at four orthogonal directions. The front fastener and the rear fastener of the division plate are to penetrate respective anchorage holes at the squared beam. With end plugs to be inserted into the corresponding end opening of the squared beam, the end plug and the corresponding fasteners of the division plates can be buckled up firmly at the corresponding end of the squared beam.
US09060594B2
A device connectable to a power line conductor includes an electrically conductive insulated first winding of wire wound into at least two turns having a first end and a second end. The first end is configured to be attached to a first power line conductor. An electrically conductive insulated second winding of wire wound into at least one turn. The second winding of wire includes a first end connected to the second end of the first winding of wire and a second end is configured to be attached to a second power line conductor. An automatic switchable connecting device is configured to move between a first position with the first winding of wire in series with the first and the second power line conductors and a second position with the first and the second power line conductors and the first and second windings of wire in series.
US09060582B2
A hair styling system includes a driver module and a plurality of interchangeably receivable styling modules. The driver module includes a holder configured to interchangeably receive a plurality of styling modules, each configured to perform at least one styling operation, a driver gear positioned adjacent to the holder, and a power module comprising a motor configured to drive the driver gear in a first direction and a second direction. The plurality of interchangeably receivable styling modules each include a styling module gear configured to operatively engage the driver gear and be rotatable thereby to perform at least one styling operation distinguishable from a styling operation performed by at least one other styling module.
US09060568B2
An article of footwear includes an upper that at least in part defines an interior chamber for receiving a foot; an insertable interior midsole component received within the interior chamber; and an exterior sole structure engaged with the upper, wherein the exterior sole structure includes: (a) an exterior midsole component and (b) optionally an outsole component that extends under the forefoot region, wherein the insertable interior midsole component is formed from a foam material comprising a reaction product of about 10 to about 100 phr hydrogenated or non-hydrogenated acrylonitrile butadiene copolymer, 0 to about 40 phr modified hydrogenated acrylonitrile butadiene copolymer, and 0 to about 90 phr alpha olefin copolymer, and at least one additive in an amount suitable to form the foam material; wherein the density of the foam material is less than 0.25 g/cm3.
US09060564B2
An adjustable multiple bladder system for an article of footwear is disclosed. The bladder system includes an outer bladder that may be inflated using an external pump. A valve member is disposed within the outer bladder and divides the outer bladder into two distinct inflation chambers. The inflation chambers may be inflated separately.
US09060563B2
An arch support insole includes a basic body made from soft flexible material having a top surface, a palm support portion and an arch support portion, wherein the palm support portion has a rear part, a front part with a width gradually increased from said rear part, an arched lateral side conforming to an arch of human foot, a topmost planar surface and a curved side surface gradually descending from the topmost planar surface. The topmost planar area is spaced apart from the top surface of the basic body at 7 mm˜9 mm. The arch support portion surrounds the rear part and the curved side surface of the palm support portion, has an upwardly curved top surface with a topmost point which is spaced from the top surface of the basic body at 1 mm˜4 mm.
US09060555B1
A clothing pocket structure including a first sheet of fabric at least partially spaced apart from a second sheet of fabric, the first and second sheets of fabric together at least partially defining a semi-enclosed volume; and a retention device disposed between the first and second sheets of fabric, first and second side portions of the retention device being attached to one of the first and second sheets of fabric, a middle portion of the retention device being at least partially spaced apart from the one of the first and second sheets of fabric to which the retention device is attached so as to define a securement space between the retention device and the one of the first and second sheets of fabric, and the securement space being generally open at a top edge of the retention device so as to permit the passage of a device therein.
US09060554B2
A method, system, and apparatus for holding a connecting instrument comprises a first member including a first finger cup and a first needle nose tip formed on the forward end of the finger cup and a second member comprising a second finger cup and a second needle nose tip formed on the forward end of the second finger cup wherein the first needle nose tip and the second needle nose tip are configured to grip a connecting device as it is being driven into a target.
US09060552B2
A garment is constructed of a plurality of interchangeable panels. A mirror pair of side panels is selectively attached to a center panel by various attachment means, e.g., a zipper. Each panel includes two designed surfaces, an inner surface and an outer surface, where the inner surface and the outer surface are interchangeable. Accordingly, a complete garment can be configured having various color and design pattern fabric combinations in similar concepts and different designs or cuts.
US09060550B2
An article of clothing containing concealed pockets for storing and protecting smart phones, identification cards, credit cards, and other objects is provided. In some preferred embodiments, the article of clothing is sportswear or a sports bra.
US09060544B2
A system for molding three-dimensional products from a mass of one or more food starting materials which are suitable for consumption, in particular human consumption, has a production device having a frame, a mold member provided with at least one mold cavity, the frame supporting the mold member, mass feed means for feeding the mass to the one or more mold cavities of the mold member. The system also has at least one cleaning device for cleaning one or more parts of the production device which come into contact with the mass. The mold member is removable from the frame. The system has a storage device for storing a plurality of mold members, which may be provided with an identification, has recognition means for recognizing the identification of a mold member, and may have a memory for storing at least one history of a mold member.
US09060538B2
The present invention provides soy sauce that comprises significant amounts of peptides, and, in particular, hypotensive peptide Gly-Tyr and hypotensive peptide Ser-Tyr, exhibiting a high degree of angiotensin-I-converting enzyme-inhibitory activity and has hypotensive effects while containing no hypotensive agent. Target soy sauce is obtained by mixing soy sauce koji having protease activity of 20 to 300 U/g koji with an aqueous common salt solution and subjecting the mixture to heated digestion, followed by compression filtration. Target soy sauce with a good flavor is obtained by adding soy sauce lactic acid bacteria and soy sauce yeast cells to the moromi mash after heated digestion, and subjecting the resultant to fermentation and maturation, followed by compression filtration.
US09060533B2
Provided is a Wheat grain (Triticum aestivum) comprising an embryo, starch and one, two or three SBEIIa proteins, said embryo comprising two identical alleles of an SBEIIa-A gene, two identical alleles of an SBEIIa-B gene and two identical alleles of an SBEIIa-D gene, wherein the starch has an amylose content of at least 50% (w/w) as a proportion of the extractable starch of the grain, and wherein at least one of the SBEIIa proteins is produced in the developing wheat endosperm and has starch branching enzyme activity.
US09060531B2
A laminated baked snack bar includes a layer of low moisture filling laminated between two thin layers of dough. The dough layers of the snack bar have a crunchy, cracker-like texture while the filling layer remains soft. The total thickness of the baked snack bar is preferably less than 7 millimeters. The snack bar is prepared by calibrating dough sheets to a thickness of less than 1 millimeter each, followed by depositing a filling composition having a high heat resistant stability on one of the calibrated dough sheets and placing a second calibrated dough sheet on top of the filling to form a laminate. The laminate is then calibrated, cut into bars and baked, using a mild baking profile. The snack bar may have a design molded on the top surface and/or a topping composition, preferably including oats, deposited on the laminate.
US09060530B2
A transfer mechanism for transferring food product from a compartment of a food processing system includes a conduit having a first end portion configured to be in communication with the compartment and a second end portion, a fluid discharge positioned substantially within the conduit between the first end portion and the second end portion, and a pressurized fluid source in communication with the fluid discharge. The pressurized fluid source is operable to propel a fluid through the fluid discharge to move the food product from the first end portion of the conduit toward the second end portion.
US09060523B1
A thermal process used to modify the moisture content and appearance of food, primarily meat, poultry and fowl, so that the resulting product will meet the USDA label requirement as “Jerky”. The process takes place in one or more enclosed insulated chambers which have temperature and relative humidity controls and reversing horizontal air flow. The process preconditions the product and also controls the application of superheated steam to the product, thereby controlling the reduction of free and bound moisture (water activity) exiting from the product. In addition, enhanced heated vapors can be added to be absorbed into the product's surface pours, thereby changing the appearance and flavor of the product and improving the end products' yields. The completed process also has the advantages of meeting lethality treatment requirements while also reducing the thermal processing time and energy associated with existing Jerky manufacturing methods.
US09060522B2
Disclosed herein is a walnut supply apparatus including: a vibrator applying vibration to a walnut grain to move the walnut grain; a walnut discharging guide part formed at an upper portion of the vibrator to discharge the walnut grain from the vibrator; a feeder formed at one end of the walnut discharging guide part along a moving direction of the walnut grain to supply the walnut grain into a mold; a feeder driving part pivoting the feeder to drop the walnut grain disposed on the feeder into the mold; and a mold driving unit cyclically transferring the mold along a predetermined path. The walnut supply apparatus according to the present invention may accurately supply the walnut grain to the mold without using an additional sensor.
US09060520B2
The present invention comprises a device for storing and releasing one or more mixed active compositions, for intensively controlling the external parasites of domestic animals, insects and other undesirable living organisms, composed of a polymer matrix comprising an ethylene/vinyl acetate copolymer blended with a polyether block amide, said polymer matrix being charged in an active composition/matrix ratio by weight of less than 0.66. A method for manufacturing such a device is also claimed.
US09060516B2
The present invention relates to a method for the control of aquatic weeds which comprises applying a herbicidally effective amount of at least one compound of formula (I) wherein X is halogen and R is halogen or C1-C6 alkyl, and/or one or more agriculturally acceptable salts thereof to act on submersed aquatic weeds and/or their aqueous habitat containing seeds or other propagating organs of said aquatic weeds.
US09060506B2
An interchangeable hunting scent cartridge system featuring a scent cartridge which has a scent body engaged thereon. The scent cartridge is engageable with any of a plurality of mounting components which may be adapted to engage a gun or a tree or other outdoor mounting positions where a scent is desirable. The scent cartridges may also be provided with solid covers allowing for storage when not in use and sale and provision of a plurality of differently scented cartridges each of which is engageable with any of the plurality of mounting components.
US09060504B2
A device for repelling animals using acoustic waves, comprising an acoustic wave generation unit (11); first and second frequency adjusting units (12, 13) to induce the generation of resonance of the pulse signal generated from the acoustic wave generation unit (11); an acoustic wave output unit (14) to output the acoustic wave; a resonance generation-type acoustic wave output unit (15) to output the acoustic wave; a resonance generation unit (16) which forms a space in which the acoustic wave outputted from the acoustic wave output unit (14) and the acoustic wave outputted from the resonance generation-type acoustic wave output unit (15) stay at the same time, and amplifies the volume and the frequencies by inducing resonance to be generated by mutual interference; and an acoustic wave diffusing unit (17) which diffuses the acoustic waves expanded by the resonance to a free space via an induction pathway.
US09060502B1
A strike indicator attachment tool includes a tool handle, an elongated tool rod extending from the tool handle and a line or leader engaging hook in the tool rod. A method of fabricating a strike indicator on a fishing line or leader includes providing a strike indicator attachment tool having a line or leader engaging hook, snagging the fishing line or leader in the line or leader engaging hook, forming a loop in the fishing line or leader by sliding a strike indicator securing sleeve over the fishing line or leader, extending a bundle of strike indicator threads through the loop and cinching the strike indicator threads by sliding the strike indicator securing sleeve from the fishing line or leader over the bundle of strike indicator threads.
US09060497B2
The invention relates to a method for brooding or growing poultry, wherein eggs of the first 3-5 layings of young animals, preferably hens younger than 29 weeks, usually starting from about 26 weeks, are collected and are hatched together, directly after hatching the hatched chicks are provided in crates with about 10-500 animals arranged in stacks in an incubator chamber, in which incubator chamber food and drinking are provided to each crate and the temperature, humidity, CO2 level and flow rate of air are controlled.
US09060496B2
A pet grooming tool is provided with a fur ejector portion that is at least partially movable relative to the teeth of the pet grooming tool and can be manually moved into engagement with fur that is wedged or lodged between the teeth. The engagement of the fur ejector portion with the fur forces the fur from the gaps between the teeth. Preferably, the fur ejector portion can be manually moved by the same hand a person uses to support and hold the grooming tool.
US09060483B1
A soybean cultivar designated 36074412 is disclosed. The invention relates to the seeds of soybean cultivar 36074412, to the plants of soybean cultivar 36074412, to the plant parts of soybean cultivar 36074412, and to methods for producing progeny of soybean cultivar 36074412. The invention also relates to methods for producing a soybean plant containing in its genetic material one or more transgenes and to the transgenic soybean plants and plant parts produced by those methods. The invention also relates to soybean cultivars or breeding cultivars, and plant parts derived from soybean cultivar 36074412. The invention also relates to methods for producing other soybean cultivars, lines, or plant parts derived from soybean cultivar 36074412, and to the soybean plants, varieties, and their parts derived from use of those methods. The invention further relates to hybrid soybean seeds, plants, and plant parts produced by crossing cultivar 36074412 with another soybean cultivar.
US09060478B2
A novel soybean variety, designated XB13B13 is provided. Also provided are the seeds of soybean variety XB13B13, cells from soybean variety XB13B13, plants of soybean XB13B13, and plant parts of soybean variety XB13B13. Methods provided include producing a soybean plant by crossing soybean variety XB13B13 with another soybean plant, methods for introgressing a transgenic trait, a mutant trait, and/or a native trait into soybean variety XB13B13, methods for producing other soybean varieties or plant parts derived from soybean variety XB13B13, and methods of characterizing soybean variety XB13B13. Soybean seed, cells, plants, germplasm, breeding lines, varieties, and plant parts produced by these methods and/or derived from soybean variety XB13B13 are further provided.
US09060477B2
The invention relates to methods and compositions for identifying and selecting maize plants with enhanced resistance to Fusarium ear mold. Maize plants generated by the methods of the invention are also a feature of the invention.
US09060470B1
An apparatus for the support of branches and fruit during growth of plants, bushes, and shrubs includes a first rod and a second rod that cooperate for form an upright rod assembly. The first rod includes a hollow elliptical or oval shaped center and the second rod includes an elliptical or oval shaped exterior When the second rod is disposed in the first rod and is rotated, a portion of the exterior of the second rod binds against a portion of the interior of the first rod to secure the first and second rods together. During use, a bottom of the first rod is secured to an upright post and a plant is secured to the upright rod assembly. Alternately, the bottom of the first rod is attached to a soil tip which is then inserted into soil. Various clips for attachment of horizontal members, cords, and wires are provided.
US09060467B2
An apparatus for hanging of decorative or utilitarian articles such as potted plants is provided. The apparatus has a c-channel track defining an inner channel and a rolling-bearing element sized to roll therealong. A hanger is attached to the rolling-bearing element for hanging decorative or utilitarian articles. The arrangement allows for articles to positioned anywhere along the track.
US09060463B2
A lawnmower with operation protection and a safety switch mechanism. The safety switch mechanism include: an inner pipe and a pipe sleeve slidably connected with and enclosing the inner pipe, a safety switch with a contact tab mounted inside the pipe sleeve, a trigger configured to trigger the safety switch by contacting the contact tab when the inner pipe slides, and an elastomer configured to drive the trigger to keep from contacting with the contact tab. All of the safety switch, the trigger and the elastomer are arranged on the same side of the inner pipe. The safety switch mechanism functions to disable the motor upon accidental proximity of the operator to the cutter body to thereby lower the possibility of an accident.
US09060462B2
Systems and methods are disclosed for the selection and removal of seeds from containers and placement of the seeds on a seed tape. The systems include a seed extraction assembly and a seed tape assembly. The seed extraction assembly is configured to extract individual seeds from a tray and place the seeds within an accumulator. The accumulator is disposed in the extraction assembly and is rotatable within the assembly. The seed tape assembly is configured to place the seed disposed in the accumulator onto the seed tape. The method includes the steps of using the seed extraction assembly to extract seeds from the tray and place them within the accumulator. The seed tape assembly is then used to place the seed disposed in the accumulator onto the seed tape.
US09066452B2
A cooling device of a computer rack equipped with a back panel including an evacuation zone, toward the exterior of the rack, of air having circulated over electric power components arranged within the computer rack, and a rear door in the thickness of which air cooling means is arranged. The cooling device also includes a supporting frame on which the rear door is mounted, molded to surround the air evacuation zone of the computer rack, and removable positioning means of the supporting frame against the back panel of the computer rack.
US09066447B2
Systems and apparatus disclosed herein provide for heat dissipation from a chip protected by an anti-tamper material. An example electronic device includes a circuit board having electronics mounted thereon, and a security shield covering one or more electronics on the circuit board and configured to sense tampering, the one or more electronics including a chip, the security shield defining an aperture. The device also includes a heat sink extending through the aperture and thermally coupling with the chip, the heat sink extending outside of the security shield.
US09066433B2
A power module substrate includes an insulating substrate, and a circuit layer that is formed on one surface of the insulating substrate. The circuit layer is formed by bonding a first copper plate onto one surface of the insulating substrate. Prior to bonding, the first copper plate has a composition containing at least either a total of 1 to 100 mol ppm of one or more kinds among an alkaline-earth element, a transition metal element, and a rare-earth element, or 100 to 1000 mol ppm of boron, the remainder being copper and unavoidable impurities.
US09066432B2
Provided is a copper foil for a printed wiring board, the copper foil being suitable for achieving finer pitch, favorable in terms of manufacturing cost, and excellent both in etching ability and adhesion to an insulating substrate. The copper foil for a printed wiring board comprises a copper foil base material and a covering layer for covering at least a portion of a surface of the copper foil base material, wherein the covering layer is formed by an nickel-vanadium alloy layer containing nickel and vanadium, and a chromium layer, laminated in this order from the surface of the copper foil base material; the chromium layer contains chromium in an amount of 15-210 μg/dm2; the nickel-vanadium alloy layer contains nickel and vanadium in a combined covering amount of 20-600 μg/dm2; and the nickel-vanadium alloy layer contains vanadium in an amount of 3-70 wt %.
US09066426B2
A transparent conductive film includes a substrate, a transparent conductive layer, a lead electrode, and a first connecting wire, the substrate includes a first region and a second region located on the edge of the substrate; the transparent conductive layer is embedded in the first region, the lead electrode is formed on the second region; first connecting wire is formed on the substrate and located between the transparent conductive layer and the lead electrode, thereby the conductive material of the first conductive mesh and that of second conductive mesh are electrically connected; the first connecting is arranged between the transparent conductive layer and the lead electrode for electrically connecting the transparent conductive layer and the lead electrode, which can enhance the electrical connection strength between the transparent conductive layer and the lead electrode, such that the conductivity of the conductive film is great, and the yield is improved.
US09066420B2
A low profile explosion proof by containment enclosure includes a base wall having first and second edge sections that are joined with third and fourth edge sections to define a substantially planar surface. First and second side walls extend from the first and second edge sections, and third and fourth side walls extending from the third and fourth edge sections and are joined with the first and second side walls. The base wall, first and second, and third and fourth side walls define an interior zone. A cover is coupled to the first and second, and third and fourth side walls to enclose the interior zone and provide containment to any flammable events. At least one of the first and second side walls, third and fourth side walls, base wall, and cover includes one or more unobstructed openings that provide fluid drainage while also providing containment to any flammable events.
US09066419B2
To provide a multilayer wiring board that ensures sufficient close contact strength between a conformal type conductor and a resin insulating layer. A multilayer wiring board includes a multilayered construction where a plurality of resin insulating layers and a plurality of conductor layers are alternately layered. In each of a plurality of via holes formed in the resin insulating layers, a conformal via conductor is formed to electrically connect between the conductor layers. Filling up parts of the resin insulating layers layered at upper layer side inside of the conformal via conductor forms an anchor portion. The lower end side of the anchor portion bulges larger than the upper end side in the radially outward direction of the via hole.
US09066405B2
The present disclosure relates to an LED-based lighting component that can control the color rendering capability of its generated light based on the presence or characteristics of ambient light. In one embodiment, the lighting component may employ at least two different types of LEDs to generate light. Control circuitry of the lighting component is able to monitor ambient light and drive the LEDs based on an ambient light characteristic that is indicative of the CRI of the ambient light. If the ambient light characteristic is indicative of the ambient light having a lower CRI, the control system will drive the LEDs to emit light with a defined CRI. If the ambient light characteristic is indicative of the ambient light having a higher CRI, the control system will drive the LEDs to emit light with a reduced CRI, which is lower than the defined CRI.
US09066402B2
Disclosed is a light emitting diode (LED)-based lighting fixture including an LED and a voltage supply configured to provide electrical power to the LED. The LED-based lighting fixture also includes a temperature sensor configured to determine a temperature at a selected location of the lighting fixture; and a controller connected between the temperature sensor and the voltage supply and configured to determine an ambient temperature and a drive current based on the ambient temperature and to provide an input voltage to the LED based on the drive current. A method of controlling the operational lifetime of an LED, a computer readable medium and an apparatus are also described.
US09066392B2
In various aspects of the present subject matter, a light emitting diode (LED) driving device and an LED driving method using the same are disclosed.
US09066391B1
A passive peaking circuit is formed in part from a passive step-down impedance transformer that interconnects the light source driver to the light source. The step-down impedance transformer has impedance that decreases in a continuous or discrete manner in the direction from the light source driver circuit to the light source. The passive peaking circuit peaks the electrical drive signal being delivered from the light source driver circuit to the light source, thereby widening the eye opening.
US09066387B2
Embodiments of the present invention relate to methods and circuits for brightness regulation for at least one light-emitting diode in the field of general lighting, more particularly, for incandescent lamp replacement by means of a supply voltage comprising a brightness level signal, wherein the brightness level signal contained in the supply voltage is decoded and converted into a modulation signal with a duty cycle corresponding to the brightness level signal for the purpose of driving a driver circuit for the at least one light-emitting diode.
US09066385B2
One or more LED light array circuits are set to a display pattern via modulating the current via a microcontroller. A microcontroller master effects the lighting patterns by communicating display pattern settings to a plurality of slaved LED light array circuits via DC power lines and fixtures thereof.
US09066380B2
In an aspect, a light-emitting display device and a method of fabricating the same is provided. The light-emitting display device includes a display substrate which comprises a pixel region and a non-pixel region; an encapsulation member which is disposed above the display substrate; and a destructive interference unit.
US09066378B2
Polyphase alternating current power or direct current power rectified from polyphase alternating current power is used to drive a commonly-driven luminous body, or to separately drive adjacently installed individual electric-driven luminous bodies, so as to reduce pulsation of the light output.
US09066368B2
Embodiments provide systems and methods for aligning the supply voltage signal applied to a power amplifier (PA) with the radio frequency (RF) output signal of the PA in a wireless device. The RF output signal is generated by applying a transmit signal to a transmit path of the wireless device. The supply voltage is generated by applying an envelope tracking (ET) signal, based on the transmit signal, to an envelope tracking (ET) path of the wireless device. Embodiments operate by estimating the delays of the ET path and the transmit path, and then controlling a relative delay between the transmit signal and the ET signal accordingly. In an embodiment, estimation of the delays of the ET path and the transmit path is done by correlating respective signals of each path.
US09066365B2
A method of a relay node transmitting data is provided. The method includes receiving scheduling information about a backhaul link and data from a base station; receiving channel information about an access link from relay node user equipment; performing scheduling on the access link based on the scheduling information about the backhaul link and the channel information about the access link; and relaying the data to the relay node user equipment according to a result of the scheduling. The backhaul link means a link between the base station and the relay node, and the access link means a link between the relay node and the relay node user equipment.
US09066357B2
Devices and methods for reducing interference in a communication network including a first node and a first node coverage area, a second closed subscriber group (CSG) node located within the first node coverage area, and one or more user equipment (UE) devices located within the first node coverage area are provided. In one embodiment, a method includes receiving link quality measurement information from the one or more UE devices and determining if a link quality value for a UE device is below a predetermined link quality threshold value and is caused by the second CSG node. If both conditions are true, if the UE device is a member of the second CSG node, and if the first UE device does not include interference cancellation capability, the method further includes instructing the second CSG node to mute transmission causing interference for the UE device.
US09066349B2
A wireless communication device includes: a first wireless communication unit configured to receive a beacon signal when the first wireless communication unit is connected to a first wireless communication network; a second wireless communication unit configured to perform data communication through a second wireless communication network when the first wireless communication unit is not connected to the first wireless communication network; and a control unit configured to detect, from a signal from the first wireless communication network, a parameter concerning intervals at which the first wireless communication unit receives the beacon signal, and configured to perform control, based on the detected parameter, as to whether or not to disconnect connection to the first wireless communication network.
US09066348B2
A method, apparatus and system for, in a first wireless device, storing network resources in local memory for a second wireless device while the second wireless device is in an idle mode of operation, receiving a request from the second wireless device to exit the idle mode of operation, retrieving the network resources for the second wireless device from the local memory, and executing a network re-entry process using the retrieved network resources. A method, apparatus and system for, in a local memory of an active base station in a wireless network, storing network resources for an idle wireless mobile device in the wireless network, executing a network re-entry process for the idle wireless mobile device by retrieving and using the network resources for the idle wireless device, and signaling backend components of the wireless network to update the activation status of the wireless mobile device, wherein the network re-entry process is to be initiated prior to signaling the backend components.
US09066334B2
Disclosed is a method for a terminal to receive a control channel in a wireless communication system. More particularly, the present invention comprises the steps of: receiving a common control channel from a base station; determining an effective channel between the base station and the terminal according to a flag bit of the terminal being indicated in the common control channel; and receiving a terminal specific control channel from the base station on the basis of the effective channel, wherein the terminal specific control channel is space-multiplexes with terminal specific control channels of other terminals controlled by the base station.
US09066331B2
An LTE base station 10-1 reserves uplink resource blocks for urgent communications and downlink resource blocks for urgent communications, when ETWS information is transmitted from a core network 30 to mobile terminals 40. The LTE base station 10-1 releases the uplink resource blocks for urgent communications and the downlink resource blocks for urgent communications when a predetermined time elapsed from the reservation of them and when an amount of calls between the LTE base station 10-1 and the mobile terminals 40 is at or below a fourth predetermined value.
US09066324B2
A method and system for establishing a P2P communication connection between mobile stations in a cellular communication system are provided, in which a first mobile station transmits a first request message requesting setup of a P2P communication connection to a base station, receives a neighbor table including information about mobile stations capable of P2P communications with the first mobile station from the base station, selects a second mobile station with which to establish the P2P communication connection using the neighbor table, and establishes the P2P communication connection with the second mobile station.
US09066317B2
The present invention provides an Orthogonal Frequency Division Multiplexing (OFDM) symbol distributing method for Multimedia Broadcast multicast service Single Frequency Network (MBSFN) sub-frame. According to the uniform configuration rules, an OFDM symbol distributing system distributes the OFDM symbols in all MBSFN sub-frames bearing the transmission of the Multi-cell transmission Multimedia Broadcast Multicast Service (MBMS) in the MBMSFN domain. The present invention also correspondingly provides an OFDM symbol distributing system for MBSFN sub-frame. By configuring the OFDM symbols occupied by the PDCCH in the MBSFN sub-frame bearing the Multi-cell transmission MBMS, the present invention increases the frequency of the OFDM symbol that is occupied by the PDCCH bearing the MBMS in the MBSFN sub-frame, so as to effectively use the resource and avoid the interference to the PDCCH due to the MBMS data transmission to a certain extent.
US09066308B2
Techniques to support positioning for terminals in Secure User Plane Location (SUPL) are described. A SUPL Enabled Terminal (SET) may receive supported network information from a SUPL Location Platform (SLP), which is a location server in SUPL. The supported network information may indicate one or more radio access networks supported by the SLP, one or more types of measurement supported by the SLP, and/or information that the SET is allowed to send to the SLP. The SET may send network measurement information for a supported radio access network to the SLP. The network measurement information may include cell and/or access point (AP) information for one or more access points or base stations in the supported radio access network. The SLP may determine a location estimate for the SET based on the network measurement information from the SET.
US09066303B2
Embodiments described herein are directed to a power control scheme for Long Term Evolution Advanced (LTE-A) heterogeneous networks to reduce the interference from macro base stations (BS) to pico user equipment (UE). The embodiments described herein may be used to develop LTE-A heterogeneous networks to balance the achievable throughput between macro and pico UEs and may thereby improve the overall system performance.
US09066299B2
A communication device in a wireless communication system, for handling a multimedia broadcast multicast service (MBMS) service is disclosed. The communication device comprises an application module, for determining a state of a display device of the communication device; and a modem module, coupled to the application module, for receiving the MBMS service according to the state.
US09066298B2
A telematics control unit comprising a transceiver configured to receive a message from a vehicle module during a sleep mode, the message requesting the telematics control unit to output information via a telecommunications network. The telematics control unit also includes a processor configured to determine whether to output the information or delay the output of the information based upon the message, and output the information to the telecommunications network, or delay outputting the information until the telematics control unit enters a full-power mode or a wake-up cycle.
US09066293B2
Systems are provided for sequencing, delivery acknowledgement, and throttling of data packets over a network layer, such as UDP and SMS. To support devices with limited battery resources, the invention incorporates asymmetric retry logic and/or acknowledgements with overlapping ranges, to minimize the transmissions required for the device. The sender of a data-bearing frame does not need to wait for a frame to be acknowledged before sending the next, such that many frames can be “in flight” at once.
US09066291B1
An active network system for a host device with a host processor, comprises a wireless port including a first physical layer/medium access control (PHY/MAC) device. A first wired port includes a second PHY/MAC device. A secondary processor communicates with the wireless port, the first wired port and the host processor. The secondary processor, the wireless port and the first wired port support network functionality when the host processor is an inactive mode. The network functionality includes at least one of access point functionality, router functionality, repeater functionality, point-to-point functionality and point-to-multipoint functionality.
US09066286B2
A hybrid device can be configured to execute operations to select singleton coordinating functionality in a hybrid communication network. In one embodiment, a single master device (e.g., a hybrid device configured as both a registrar and a central access point (CAP)) can be selected. The hybrid device can transmit search messages to detect an existing master device and/or to identify other hybrid devices contending to become the master device. The hybrid device with the preferred device identifier is selected as the master device. In another embodiment, operations for selecting the coordinating functionality are split into two independent stages—a CAP selection stage and a registrar selection stage. In the CAP selection stage, the hybrid device with a preferred device weight (or a preferred device weight and a preferred device identifier) is configured as the CAP. In the registrar selection stage, similar operations can be executed to select the registrar.
US09066274B2
In a control apparatus, to control operations with a first base station forming a first radio section and a second base station forming a second radio section which is overlaid with the first radio section and has relatively lower transmission power, a connection change determination unit determines whether to perform connection in response to a connection destination change request from a mobile terminal, a measurement unit measures communication conditions from the first or second base station about all mobile terminals existing in the first radio section, a change value determination unit determines a change value of transmission power of the second base station, a prediction unit predicts communication conditions after transmission power of the second base station is changed based on the change value, and a power change unit changes transmission power of the second base station based on the change value.
US09066268B2
The present invention discloses a method and a system for controlling network access during HNB handover. The method comprises the following steps: a core network acquires target HNB information to determine whether to allow access of User Equipment (UE) and sends the target HNB information to an HNB GW to which the target HNB belongs if the access of the UE is allowed and the target HNB is connected with the core network via the HNB GW, and the HNB GW determines whether to allow the access of the UE according to the received target HNB information. The present invention can prevent the occurrence of illegal accesses and improve the security of network access.
US09066266B2
An apparatus and method for transmission/reception of system information in a broadband wireless communication system are provided. An operation of a Base Station (BS) in a broadband wireless communication system includes determining whether to apply a system configuration corresponding to a previous value of a Secondary-Super Frame Header (S-SFH) change count changed according to update of system information and, when applying the system configuration corresponding to the previous value of the S-SFH change count, setting a parameter representing the applied system configuration to a first value and, when applying a system configuration corresponding to a current value of the S-SFH change count, setting the parameter to a second value, and transmitting a Primary-Super Frame Header (P-SFH) including the S-SFH change count and the parameter set to the first value or the second value.
US09066258B2
Schemes for recovering D2D connections between terminals (UEs) in an LTE network are described. The schemes may be applied in situations where a D2D connection is established between two UEs but is lost by, for example, one of the UEs entering a sleep state. The schemes may be applied to either centralized or distributed D2D systems. Some of the schemes are eNB-assisted while others are performed solely by the UEs.
US09066254B2
Protocol structure of a mobile station, base station or relay station in a wireless access system is provided. The protocol structure includes a first function block configured to perform radio resource control and management as a MAC layer and to reside on a control plane, and a second function block configured to perform medium access control as the MAC layer and to reside on the control plane and a data plane. The first function block includes various function blocks for supporting high reliability.
US09066246B1
A data recognition system for a wireless device that includes a storage module that stores a first hash value and a processing module that generates a second hash value based on an incoming data stream received by the wireless device and detects a change in the incoming data stream based on a comparison between the first hash value with the second hash value.
US09066239B2
A method and apparatus for reducing spectrum interference between wireless networks. This is realized by arranging at least one sub-coordinating apparatus, namely, a monitoring apparatus, in respective wireless network, and by arranging a coordinating apparatus, namely, an allocation apparatus in the whole network. Wherein, the sub-coordinating apparatus monitors the spectrum utilization situation of the wireless network where it is located, reports it to the coordinating apparatus, and requests the coordinating apparatus for spectrum resource when new spectrum resource is needed. The coordinating apparatus maintains the spectrum utilization information of each wireless network, and allocates appropriate spectrum resource to the sub-coordinating apparatus which requests spectrum resource based on the maintained information. Therefore, the interference of inter-wireless networks is reduced or even avoided through such overall management that the coordinating apparatus allocates corresponding spectrum resources to a plurality of wireless networks capable of sharing spectrum resources.
US09066237B2
Embodiments of the invention relate to systems, methods, and computer program products for determining permission to contact. The system, method, and computer program product are configured to determine a contact for a customer; determine when a merchant has received explicit denial to communicate with the customer via the contact; determine when the contact requires permission to communicate with the customer; and determine when permission has been received to communicate with the customer. The system can be used to comply with regulations for when a contact, such as a phone number, may be contacted using automatic dialing technologies.
US09066231B2
In a method for 802.1X authentication, used in a network which comprises an access device and an access control device, a WLAN security template and a 802.1X client template is enabled at the access device, a 802.1X client template is enabled at the access device, and a 802.1X device template is enabled at a tunnel port of the access control device. The access control device establishes a 802.1X authentication tunnel with the access device, receive a packet transmitted by a client at the access control device through the 802.1X authentication tunnel, authenticates the client after receiving the packet, and assists the access device through the 802.1X authentication tunnel to obtain a session key.
US09066230B1
A system for policy and charging enforcement function on a mobile access terminal. The system comprises a radio transceiver, a processor, a memory, and an application stored in the memory. The application stored in the memory, when executed by the processor, receives policy and charging rules via the radio transceiver, and enforces the policy and charging rules when the mobile access terminal initiates a wireless communication.
US09066222B2
A repeat payment computer system includes a merchant server and mobile billing operator server that are programmed for user acquisition through carrier billing and subsequent conversion to credit card billing. An advantage of the process is that the user does not have to enter credit card information for the default billing cycles to occur. The user only enters a phone number and password. Fewer barriers are provided for the user to become a regular repeat customer of the merchant server. The fees associated with mobile billing according to the default billing cycles have to be paid by the merchant server and may be too high in the long run. The merchant server can avoid the high fees associated with carrier billing by switching the user to billing according to the credit card information provided. The user is typically switched after the user has already become a regular customer.
US09066219B2
Method for handling terminals in a network using VAMOS technology which performs a “virtual” pairing of the terminal with a simulated call. The method comprises the steps of generating a VAMOS support database with terminal information of terminals in the network; checking in the VAMOS support database for an entry corresponding to terminal information of a given terminal; if no entry is found in the VAMOS support database, pairing the terminal with a simulated call, launched by the network, in a VAMOS channel; measuring at least one indicator parameter of the terminal during the pairing with the simulated call; assigning an entry in the VAMOS support database indicating the applicability of the terminal with VAMOS technology; and allowing VAMOS channelization for the terminal in dependence upon the entry corresponding to the given terminal.
US09066209B2
A method includes receiving geo-location data collected over time period. The geo-location data is associated with a monitoring device. The method further includes receiving motion tracking data of the monitoring device. The motion tracking data is collected over time period. The method includes identifying one or more activities. The activities are identified based on inference rules that identify certain activities to have occurred when at least part of the motion tracking data is correlated to the received geo-location data. The method further includes defining a metric for one or more of the identified activities. The metric is associated to a calendar date. The method includes sending the metric to a calendar application with integration instructions. The integration instructions define the calendar date to which the metric will be added.
US09066207B2
A mobile device can be in multiple states of location determination. In each state, the mobile device can use a distinct subsystem to determine a location. A state machine of the mobile device can manage the states, including determining which state the mobile device is in and whether a transition between the states has occurred. A transition can be triggered by a sensor of the mobile device and confirmed by another sensor of the mobile device. When the state machine detects a transition, the mobile device can switch location determination from one subsystem to another subsystem, and change a map user interface to one that is best suited for the new subsystem.
US09066205B2
Methods, systems, and computer readable media for optimization of bearer resources for IMS roaming are disclosed. According to one aspect a system for optimization of bearer resources for IMS roaming includes a home media resource function controller module (HMRFC) for managing local media resources and for selecting a visited media resource function controller module (VMRFC) to provide media resources to a home subscriber that is roaming in the visited network (“visiting subscriber”), and a VMRFC for managing media resources within the visited network and for providing media resources to the visiting subscriber in response to a request to provide media resources to the visiting subscriber.
US09066175B2
A portable device includes a display module and a keyboard module. The display module includes a display casing, at least one speaker and at least one sound output opening. The speaker is accommodated in the display casing for outputting sounds. The sound output opening is used for transmitting the sounds from the speaker. The keyboard module includes a keyboard casing and a plurality of keys. The keyboard casing includes a sound guide chamber therein and at least one sound input opening for receiving the sounds from the sound output opening. The sound input opening is spatially communicated with the sound guide chamber. The keys are disposed on the keyboard casing. Two adjacent keys define a gap therebetween, and this gap is spatially communicated with the sound guide chamber.
US09066174B2
An audio system includes a housing and an acoustic exit that exits the housing, and has a configuration that facilitates the grasping of the housing with a plurality of fingers from a single human hand. The acoustic exit is located adjacent an exterior surface of the housing such that the shape of the exit together with the exterior surface facilitates grasping of the housing with a plurality of fingers and the thumb from the single human hand and the acoustic exit exits a back surface of the housing such that the plurality of fingers can be inserted into the exit while the thumb of the same hand can rest on at least one of the top surface and the front surface of the housing.
US09066170B2
A mobile platform includes a microphone array and is capable of implementing beamforming to amplify or suppress audio information from a sound source. The sound source is indicated through a user input, such as pointing the mobile platform in the direction of the sound source or through a touch screen display interface. The mobile platform further includes orientation sensors capable of detecting movement of the mobile platform. When the mobile platform moves with respect to the sound source, the beamforming is adjusted based on the data from the orientation sensors so that beamforming is continuously implemented in the direction of the sound source. The audio information from the sound source may be included or suppressed from a telephone or video-telephony conversation. Images or video from a camera may be likewise controlled based on the data from the orientation sensors.
US09066166B2
A laser system includes an array of lasers that emit light at a number of different, fixed wavelengths. A group of optical transport systems connect to the laser system. Each of the optical transport systems is configured to modulate data signals onto the light from the laser system to create optical signals and transmit the optical signals on one or more optical fibers.
US09066163B2
An optical transmission device, which transmits a first frame containing second frames, includes newly adding and allocating, when a bit rate of a specific second frame among the second frames is to be changed, a time slot corresponding to an increase in the bit rate of the specific second frame to time slots previously set for the second frames in time slots of the first frame; and inputting a dummy signal as data to the newly-added time slot while performing such a setting that both of: a data writing speed and a data reading speed; and a delay time between writing and reading of the data for the newly-added time slot are in agreement with both of: a data writing speed and a data reading speed; and a delay time between writing and reading of the data for each time slot of the previously-set time slots.
US09066160B2
A manner of providing redundancy protection for a data center network that is both reliable and low-cost. In a data center network where the data traffic between numerous access nodes and a network core layer via primary aggregation nodes, an optical network device such as and OLT (optical line terminal) is provided as a backup aggregation node for one or more of the primary aggregation nodes. When a communication path through a primary aggregation node fails, traffic is routed through the optical network device. In a preferred embodiment, a communication link is formed from a plurality of access nodes to a single port of the OLT or other optical network device via an optical splitter that combines upstream transmissions and distributes downstream transmissions. The upstream transmissions from the plurality of access nodes may occur according to an allocation schedule generated when the backup aggregation node is needed.
US09066154B2
Provided is an enhanced television system and method including a television receiver in communication with a broadcast reception tuner. The television receiver is configured to receive and display video data from a video stream and enhancement data from the reception tuner. The video stream includes embedded base programming identification metadata, and the television receiver is further configured to extract a base identification tag from the embedded base programming identification metadata, and combine enhancement data received from the reception tuner associated with the base identification tag with the video stream. The video stream may then be displayed.
US09066147B2
An interactive television program guide is provided in which advertisements may be displayed on program guide screens. Banner advertisements may be displayed above and below program listings. Panel advertisements may be provided adjacent to program listings. The advertisements may contain video. The advertisements may be used to promote television programs and conventional goods and services. When a user selects an advertisement, the program guide provides the user with an opportunity to order products or services, request information, set reminders for upcoming programs, view program descriptions, record programs, or take other such actions. Embedded advertisements may be provided within the program listings region and may be automatically displayed immediately adjacent to related program listings.
US09066143B2
A method for monitoring a monitored display monitors data to be output from a monitored display. The monitored data is analyzed to generate one or more content identifiers. The content identifiers are compared to a set of rules to determine if the monitored data should be blocked from being output or if an alert should be transmitted to a supervisor device. One or more supervisor devices may be used to respond to alerts and may also be used to control the output of the monitored display.
US09066133B2
A method and system for micro-cloud computing is described. An application serving node, which is a specifically configured piece of customer premises equipment such as a set-top box, is the server for a micro-cloud network. Various user devices that form part of the micro-cloud network, such as television sets and smart phones, communicate with the application serving node. The application serving node is configured with software that allows various heterogeneous types of data to be obtained and streamed to the user devices in multiple ways. The application serving node performs much of the processing necessary for such content streaming itself and thus represents an edge-based network architecture.
US09066131B1
A method for playing previously broadcast commercial spots from cache memory in real-time to provide a smooth and deliberate playback of an advertisement even during trick-mode playback. In one embodiment of the present invention, several versions of specific commercials are delivered to a receiver during an original commercial spot and the appropriate commercial version is displayed depending on the play back speed chosen by the consumer. When the play back speed is normal, the original advertisement version is viewed. When the fast forward trick mode is employed, a version of the advertisement having a reduced duration and a reduced content from the original version, is played at normal speed. In another embodiment of the present invention, the original production video is accompanied by one or more edit decision lists that mark segments of the original video content to be played for a specific trick-mode rate to create a modified version of the advertisement.
US09066126B2
Apparatus forming part of a home entertainment system includes an electronic device having an input accepting a signal corresponding to an externally-generated first user interface, a control module for internally-generating a signal corresponding to a second user interface, and an output for transmitting a combination of the above referenced signals for display. The control module controls an arrangement of display of the first user interface and the second user interface. The apparatus also includes a remote controller for communicating via a two-way communication link with the control module of the electronic device concerning a selection of one of the first user interface and the second user interface. The remote controller having an emitter for emitting control code signals, and the operation of the emitter is controlled by communications received by the remote controller from the control module of the electronic device. A method is also provided.
US09066122B1
A method, executed on a processor, for serving a video content segment at an online resource includes receiving a request for a video content segment having one or more playback features; identifying, by the processor, one or more candidate video content segments responsive to the request; accessing, by the processor, for each of the candidate video content segments, a score based on (i) one or more metrics related to a measure of the probability of the video content segment being played and (ii) a bid; identifying, by the processor, one or more candidate sets of candidate video segments, where, for each set, the candidate video content segments in the set collectively satisfy the one or more playback features; and selecting, by the processor, in response to the request, one of the candidate sets whose cumulative scores are higher than at least one other candidate set.
US09066117B2
A video processing device for encrypting a compressed video signal that includes a key storage device for storing at least one encryption key. An encryption processing device retrieves the at least one encryption key from the key storage device, and directly encrypts an elementary bit stream into at least one encrypted elementary bit stream.
US09066114B2
A device is configured to perform a method that detects a trigger marker for an action corresponding to a segment of a multimedia signal. A fingerprint is generated based on the segment of the multimedia signal at a trigger time point. The generated fingerprint is stored in a database and communicated to the device. During playback of the multimedia signal, fingerprints of segments of the multimedia signal are generated and matched against fingerprints in the database. When a match is found, one or more associated actions for the segment are retrieved by the device. The trigger time point may be determined as a time point near or at the segment of the multimedia signal with the matched fingerprint. In this way, trigger markers for actions may be enabled without modifying the multimedia signal.
US09066113B1
Aspects for ensuring digital media data delivery from remote sites in a digital media distributor system are presented. The aspects include receiving playout data in the remote sites from a central site in the digital media distributor system. The received playout data is then utilized in the remote site by an inventory manager to direct control of proper playout of digital media data. The playout data includes spot files, playlists, and purge lists.
US09066111B2
There is provided a method and a device for encoding a digital representation of an image into a single encoded image, comprising: generating at least two subsequent image data sequences each representing a portion of the digital representation of the image, inputting to an encoder (104) each of said subsequent image data sequences as if each image data sequence is an individual digital representations of an image, encoding each subsequent image data sequence into a variable length coded image, thereby generating at least two variable length coded images each representing a portion of the single encoded image, inserting a restart marker as terminating data of at least one of the variable length coded images, inserting an end of image marker as terminating data of one of the variable length coded images representing a final portion of the single encoded image, and associating the variable length coded images with each other by arranging them as subsequent parts of a single encoded data sequence representing the single encoded image.
US09066106B2
In one embodiment, a method for a moving picture coding system to derive at least one motion vector of a bi-predictive block in a current picture from a motion vector of a first block in a first picture includes selecting, by the moving picture coding system, a list 1 motion vector of the first block in the first picture as a motion vector for deriving list 0 and list 1 motion vectors of the bi-predictive block if the first block only has the list 1 motion vector, the first picture being permitted to be located temporally before the current picture and permitted to be located temporally after the current picture, scaling the selected motion vector and deriving the list 0 and list 1 motion vectors of the bi-predictive block by applying a bit operation to the scaled motion vector.
US09066102B2
This disclosure relates to techniques for indicating that a video frame is coded as a generalized P/B (GPB) frame in order to reduce a cost of coding and constructing a second reference picture list in video coding. For a GPB frame, which has identical reference picture lists, signaling and constructing both the first and second reference picture lists may be redundant. The techniques of this disclosure may include coding syntax elements indicating that the video frame is coded as the GPB frame, and coding syntax elements indicating a number of reference pictures and reference picture list construction commands for only a first reference picture list. The techniques also include constructing the first reference picture list based on the syntax elements, and then creating the second reference picture list as a duplicate of the first reference picture list.
US09066101B2
An area where a specific object is captured is extracted as a specific area from the image of a frame of interest, and the evaluation value of the specific area is obtained using a predetermined evaluation formula. It is determined whether the evaluation value of the specific area in a frame preceding the frame of interest has exceeded a predetermined threshold. When it is determined that the evaluation value of the specific area has exceeded the predetermined threshold, the frame of interest is encoded to set the code amount of the specific area in the image of the frame of interest to be smaller than that of the specific area in the image of the frame preceding the frame of interest.
US09066097B2
A joint optimization iterative algorithm determines optimized mode pairs. Each mode pair includes an intra-predictor and a transform pair that are iteratively modified to determine an optimized intra-predictor and an optimized transform that forms the optimized mode pair. A set of training videos and a set of quantization parameters (QPs) are used as the base data for determining the optimized mode pairs. Each video includes a plurality of pixel blocks, herein referred to as blocks. Block statistics associated with each mode pair are accumulated by separately encoding each block using each mode pair, and selecting the best mode pair for each block according to a measured characteristic of each encoding. The accumulated block statistics are used to modify the intra-predictor and the transform within each mode pair.
US09066084B2
A system and method are presented for use in the object reconstruction. The system comprises an illuminating unit, and an imaging unit (see FIG. 1). The illuminating unit comprises a coherent light source and a generator of a random speckle pattern accommodated in the optical path of illuminating light propagating from the light source towards an object, thereby projecting onto the object a coherent random speckle pattern. The imaging unit is configured for detecting a light response of an illuminated region and generating image data. The image data is indicative of the object with the projected speckles pattern and thus indicative of a shift of the pattern in the image of the object relative to a reference image of said pattern. This enables real-time reconstruction of a three-dimensional map of the object.
US09066081B2
A video encoding method and apparatus to select one combination, for each block of an input video signal, from a plurality of combinations. Each combination includes a predictive parameter and at least one reference picture number determined in advance for the reference picture. A prediction picture signal is generated in accordance with the reference picture number and predictive parameter of the selected combination. A predictive error signal is generated representing an error between the input video signal and the prediction picture signal. Encoding the predictive error signal, information of the motion vector, and index information indicating the selected combination is included.
US09066079B2
A method of storing a content of a three-dimensional image includes a processor initializing a register and a maximum number; the processor utilizing a stereo comparison algorithm to generate a depth information map corresponding to each frame of a three-dimensional image signal; the processor obtaining a depth value corresponding to each pixel of each pixel row of the depth information map from the depth information map; the processor generating at least one depth vector corresponding to the pixel row according to a depth value corresponding to each pixel of the pixel row; a counter counting a number of the at least one depth vector; the processor storing the number of the at least one depth vector in the register; the processor comparing the number of the at least one depth vector with the maximum number; and the processor executing a corresponding operation on the register according to a comparison result.
US09066076B2
Stereoscopic video content is reproduced to obtain a first pair of images with mutual parallax producing a stereoscopic effect. A first stereoscopic adjustment on the first pair of images is carried out to obtain a second pair of images. A second stereoscopic adjustment on the second pair of images is carried out to obtain a third pair of images, which are displayed on a screen to respective eyes of the viewer. The first stereoscopic adjustment is carried out differently for different video sources. The second stereoscopic adjustment is the same for all sources. The combination of the first and second stereoscopic adjustments enables content from different sources to be displayed with an appropriate stereoscopic adjustment for each source.
US09066062B2
An electronic apparatus of the present invention includes a reading section which reads moving image data stored in an external storage medium by one of a plurality of reading methods, and a decoding section which decodes the moving image data read by the reading section, in which a decoding speed at which the moving image data is decoded by the decoding section and a reading speed at which the moving image data is read by the reading section are identified, and a reading method that is used when the reading section reads the moving image data is selected based on whether the identified decoding speed and the identified reading speed identified are in a predetermined relationship.
US09066058B2
A display device includes a first interface, a second interface and a display circuit. The display device transmits a first connection confirmation signal to confirm connection, via the first interface to a playback device and receives a response signal in reply to the first connection confirmation signal, transmits a second connection confirmation signal to confirm connection, via the second interface to the playback device and receives a response signal in reply to the second connection confirmation signal, and makes a function to use the first and second interfaces between the display device and the playback device available if both response signals in reply to the first and second connection confirmation signals are received.
US09066056B2
An electronic device may have a camera module. The camera module may capture images. The electronic device may include image processing circuitry that color corrects the images. The image processing circuitry may desaturate the images globally and/or spatially based on global and/or spatial noise levels of the image. The image processing circuitry may desaturate the images substantially without changing the hue of the images. The image processing circuitry may generate a color correction matrix with constant hue in real time and may color correct images in real time as the images are captured by the camera module.
US09066054B2
A system and method for rendering an image provide for segmenting the image into a plurality of segments based on image content and, for each identified segment, identifying a rendering profile from a set of rendering profiles. The rendering profile may include a look up table for converting pixels from a first color space, such as a device independent color space, e.g., RGB, to second color space, such as a device dependent color space, e.g., CMYK. The identified rendering profile is applied to the respective segment and the segments to which the profiles have been applied are combined into a print job for rendering on print media by an associated color output device or otherwise output. The system allows different segments in the image to be processed through different rendering profiles most suited to the objects that the segments contain.
US09066052B2
An image forming apparatus includes an image forming unit configured to form a measurement image on a sheet, a measurement unit configured to irradiate light on the measurement image and measure reflected light from the measurement image, a white reference plate provided to be movable to a first position and a second position, a black member provided to be movable to a third position where the black member shields light that is irradiated on the white reference plate and to a fourth position that is retracted from the third position, and a control unit configured to, in a state in which the white reference plate is at the second position and the black member is at the third position, cause the sheet, on which the measurement image has been formed, to pass between the measurement unit and the black member and cause the measurement unit to measure the measurement image.
US09066046B2
Apparatus and methods conforming to the present invention comprise a method of controlling playback of an audio signal through analysis of a corresponding close caption signal in conjunction with analysis of the corresponding audio signal. Objection text or other specified text in the close caption signal is identified through comparison with user identified objectionable text. Upon identification of the objectionable text, the audio signal is analyzed to identify the audio portion corresponding to the objectionable text. Upon identification of the audio portion, the audio signal may be controlled to mute the audible objectionable text.
US09066031B2
A solid-state imaging device includes a plurality of pixel cells arranged in rows and columns, a plurality of vertical signal lines each of which is provided for a corresponding one of the columns, and a plurality of column circuits each of which is provided for a corresponding one or more of the columns and into each of which are input the signal voltages output to one or more of the vertical signal lines disposed in the corresponding one or more of the columns. Each of the plurality of column circuits includes an amplifier that includes a constant current source transistor, the solid-state imaging device further includes a reference current source circuit that supplies a first bias voltage to gates of a plurality of the constant current source transistors included in the column circuits, and each of the column circuits further includes a sample-and-hold circuit that holds the first bias voltage.
US09066027B2
A picture delivering system is disclosed including: a picture generating device for outputting a flat picture corresponding to an encrypted picture and for providing a picture ID corresponding to the encrypted picture; and a picture presenting device for utilizing an optical imaging device to capture an image of the flat picture to generate a captured picture, for obtaining the picture ID, and for transmitting the picture ID to the picture generating device. When the picture presenting device passed an entity identification procedure, the picture presenting device obtains a decryption information, processes the captured picture according to the decryption information to obtain a decrypted picture, and then utilizes a display device to display the decrypted picture. The decryption information comprises at least one of a seed key, a mask picture, and a transposition table corresponding to the picture ID.
US09066018B2
Disclosed is a technique for providing an image display device enabling a user to understand the entire correspondence relationship between a three-dimensional photographed image and a two-dimensional map image. According to the technique, when a photographed image and a map image in the imaging position are separately displayed on the screen of an image display unit 33, a map drawing unit 24 reads the position information (x, y) of the camera and the azimuth angle φ of the camera, reads a view angle θ of the camera, and reads map data around the imaging range of the camera using the position information (x, y) of the camera to process and draw the map image so that the view angle θ and the azimuth angle φ match the view angle θ and the azimuth angle φ of the photographed image taken by the camera.
US09066013B2
An image resizing method includes at least the following steps: receiving at least one input image; performing an image content analysis upon at least one image selected from the at least one input image to obtain an image content analysis result; and creating a target image with a target image resolution by scaling the at least one input image according to the image content analysis result, wherein the target image resolution is different from an image resolution of the at least one input image.
US09066003B2
An apparatus for adjusting an autofocus and a method of controlling the same are provided. The apparatus includes an imaging device that photographs light from a subject so as to generate an image signal; a contrast calculation unit that calculates a first contrast value of an image from the image signal; a correction unit that corrects a luminance of the image signal if the calculated first contrast value is equal to or less than a reference value; and a focus adjustment unit that adjusts a focus by using a second contrast value that is calculated from the corrected image signal, thereby providing an improved focus adjustment function.
US09065998B2
A photographing apparatus is disclosed. The photographing apparatus includes: an imaging unit to photograph a subject to acquire image data; an object detection unit to detect a predetermined object from the image data; and a detection condition setting unit to allow a user to arbitrarily set a detection condition for the object detection unit.
US09065996B2
The invention relates to a surveillance system having an image recording means for recording optically distorted images and having a transmission means for transmission of image information from the image recording means to a reproduction means which reproduces, in an undistorted form, image details of the images which have been recorded with optical distortion. In this connection, it is provided that the transmission means is designed for detail transmission of distorted images and for joint transmission of additional information, which allows image detail distortion to be corrected, in order to allow distortion correction in the reproduction means.
US09065980B2
The present invention relates to a method for retransmission of lost data, a receiving device operating according to the invented method and a retransmission server. In the absence of a unique identifier per data packet or data frame, there is obviously a problem to directly identify a specific data packet, data block or data frame in the stream and retransmission can't take place with current technologies. The object of the present invention is to offer a retransmission method and means for making said retransmission of missing data packets possible in the absence of a unique identifier.
US09065977B2
A system and method for identifying the player that leaked content encryption keys by loading a set of player keys into individual content players and determining the number of encryptions and the number of encryption keys to use in multiple encrypting critical content. The method produces copies of critical data content packets, each copy of which is separately encrypted using any one of a set of encryption keys that are related to one another through a mathematical algorithm. The related set of encryption keys and data describing key relationship and content player identity are transmitted to a previously determined license management agency. The transmitted encrypted content is written to a receiving device or file, or streamed to an individual player for non-synchronous playback. This abstract is not to be considered limiting, since other embodiments may deviate from the features described in this abstract.
US09065974B2
Disclosed herein is a method and apparatus for videoconferencing that allows video images from two or more cameras at the same site to be displayed as a single panoramic image. Accordingly, a conferencing endpoint having a single monitor can display the panoramic image of the two or more video images from an endpoint having multiple cameras, such as a telepresence endpoint. A sliding display area can be used to define manually a zoomed portion of the panoramic image to be displayed. Alternatively, the zoomed portion may be determined automatically. The zoomed portion may be changed during the course of the conference.
US09065972B1
A projector based user interface unit is described for implanting an interactive workspace. The interface unit projects a graphical workspace onto a display surface and monitors user interactions with the workspace. A mirror is placed on or near the workspace to reflect the face of the user to the interface unit. The interface unit captures the mirrored face of the user and provides images of the face of the user to other users for use in conjunction with collaborative techniques such as video conferencing or content sharing.
US09065962B2
A book readout system and method for reading out information described in a book at a high speed, while the book, in a bound form, is flipped through. A page state measuring unit (2) measures a page state of a book being flipped through. A book image acquisition unit (1) comprises a plurality of first cameras (11) which respectively acquire book images with respect to a page of the book, from mutually different directions, for a plurality of number of times. A data processing unit (3) corrects the book image acquired by the book image acquisition unit (1) using the information of the page state of the book measured by the page state measuring unit (2).
US09065952B2
A power-supply control device includes a power-supply control section, a first detection section that detects whether or not a body capable of movement is moving, a second detection section that detects whether or not the body capable of movement exists, and an instruction section. The power-supply control section receives supply of power from a mains power source section, and selectively sets a power supply mode, in which power is supplied to a processing section, and a power saving mode, in which supply of power to the processing section is stopped. The first and second detection sections and the instruction section are caused to operate at least in the power saving mode. The instruction section provides, for the power-supply control section, an instruction for switching between the power supply mode and the power saving mode.
US09065948B2
A shading device includes: a shading member to pass a conveying path for conveying a recoding medium to plural image reading sections and reach the plural image reading sections; and a moving member to move the shading member between the plural image reading sections and a retracted position on the outside of the conveying path.
US09065944B2
An information processing device may be configured to send print information to a printing device connected with a network. The information processing device may store identifying information for identifying the printing device. The information processing device may execute a print preview display processing of displaying a print preview image showing a print preview using the print information. The information processing device may send the print information to the printing device according to a user input. The information processing device may execute first connection confirmation processing of confirming that connection confirmation information has been received. The connection confirmation processing may be performed according to a first condition for starting the print preview display processing being satisfied. The information processing device may display a reception confirmation image in a case that it is confirmed that the connection confirmation information has been received.
US09065942B2
A display processing apparatus includes a display, a display control unit, and a detection unit configured to determine an inputted position of the display. The display processing apparatus includes a processing performing unit configured to determine a selected designator and to perform the processing indicated by the selected designator. The display processing apparatus further includes a judging unit configured to judge whether or not the inputted position determined by the detection unit is included in a direction selecting portion of the display. When the judging unit judges that the inputted position determined by the detection unit is included in the direction selecting range of the display, the display control unit changes a display direction of the designator in such a way that the designator orients the direction selecting portion which is judged to include the inputted position.
US09065938B2
An apparatus, system, method, and a non-transitory recording medium storing an image inspection control program, each of which is capable of inspecting a printed image based on comparison between a read image read from the printed image and an inspection image. As a portion of the read image is obtained, the size of the obtained portion of the read image is corrected to match the size of the inspection image, using a magnification ratio previously obtained. After matching the sizes of the read image and the inspection image, the read image is compared with the inspection image to inspect the read image.
US09065937B2
Disclosed are terminals having a television function and display methods thereof. The terminal comprises a display, a first port, a first hardware system, and a second hardware system, the display is connected with the first hardware system and the second hardware system, the first port is connected with the first hardware system. The first port is adapted to receive a television signal. In a first operation mode, the first hardware system is adapted to generate a first display data to be displayed by the display according to the television signal, and instruct the display to display the first display data. In a second operation mode, the second hardware system is adapted to generate a second display data to be displayed by the display according to the television signal, and instruct the display to display the second display data. A generation procedure of the second display data is different from a generation procedure of the first display data. The display is adapted to display the received first display data or second display data. What is achieved is that the problem of making a television in an all in one device of television & computer operate independently can be addressed, and thereby the stability and utility of the terminals are improved.
US09065936B2
A cellular traffic monitoring system includes: a traffic detection function (TDF) module to monitor cellular traffic associated with a cellular subscriber device, and to generate detection output which includes at least one of: a type of an application associated with the cellular traffic of the cellular subscriber device, and a type of the cellular traffic of the cellular subscriber device. The cellular traffic monitoring system further includes a policy charging and enforcement function (PCEF) module to enforce one or more charging rules to the cellular subscriber device, based on the detection output.
US09065935B2
Disclosed is a system and method for enabling personalized shared mobile phone usage when accessing data services within a wireless telecommunications network, including an illustrative example application of the invention as it relates to mobile subscribers who cannot afford a mobile phone handset in emerging markets. For instance, a prepaid wireless subscriber can have a personal phone number associated with their own billing account, which can be used to access data services on a wireless network without needing to purchase any hardware, such as a mobile handset or SIM card. Thus, the subscriber may access his account and use data services through a borrowed handset.
US09065930B2
An exemplary method for providing presence detection in a communication system includes associating the identity of a first entity participating in the communication system, with a communication link of the system, and providing access to information regarding the first entity to other entities participating in the communication system. An exemplary method can further include receiving an indication of an incident, including a class or magnitude of the incident, accessing a list of users authorized to participate in the communication system, based on the indication, and denying users absent from the accessed list, access to the communication system. The last communication mechanism or communication address used by each authorized user can also be determined, and displayed.
US09065923B2
A device and method for displaying a signal quality indicator representation on a mobile device is disclosed. Signal quality values for two different wireless networks is determined. The signal quality indicator is displayed in a banner area on a display of the mobile device providing a graphic representation displaying both of the signal quality values. One of the signal quality values is associated with a first color and the other value is associated with a second color. Where portions of the first signal quality values overlap, a combined representation associated with a third color is displayed. The signal quality indicator is at least one bar of a plurality of graduated bars.
US09065911B2
Clients connecting to a VoiceXML browser obtain a control channel. Using this channel, clients may initialize a new VoiceXML session or attach to an existing VoiceXML session. The client after obtaining a session may perform a range of actions including controlling and monitoring actions.
US09065903B2
Architecture for a communications system enabling a user to provision a telephone at a new location without network administrative pre-configuring. An input component (e.g., keypad) receives a numeric extension and PIN. The extension is a telephone extension of the user and the PIN can be administratively assigned. A location component provides location information of an enterprise communications server to the telephone based on the extension. The telephone uses the location information to send messages to the enterprise communications server. A registration component registers the telephone with the enterprise communications server based on the numeric extension. A telephony address is returned to the telephone. An authentication component authenticates the telephone based on the PIN. Upon authentication, the extension is assigned to the telephone, and telephone communications can be sent and received from that location.
US09065889B2
A telephone relay apparatus 200 receives a connection request from a first telephone terminal 100 to a second telephone terminal 300. The connection request includes phone numbers of the first telephone terminal 100 and the second telephone terminal 300. The telephone relay apparatus 200 stores phone numbers of a plurality of telephone terminals and codec information that indicates types of audio codecs of the telephone terminals so that the phone numbers and the code: information correspond to each other. When connecting to the first telephone terminal 100, the telephone relay apparatus 200 reads out codec information that corresponds to the phone number of the second telephone terminal, and then transmits the read-out codec information to the first telephone terminal 100. The first telephone terminal 100 performs a call process using an audio codec that corresponds to the codec information transmitted from the telephone relay apparatus 200.
US09065884B2
A system and method for multimedia data transmission including pooling, by a computer, at least first and second multimedia data streams together in a single channel, wherein each stream defines a respective sequence of frames and each frame includes at least a base layer and at least one enhancement layer; dynamically establishing, by the computer, first and second bit rates respectively associated with the first and second streams; and transmitting, by a transmitter, the at least first and second streams on the channel.
US09065882B2
The disclosure relates to tracking commands and data received from many sources. A device may receive a command from a user and forward the command to a network device. The device may also receive data from the network device and may determine whether the received data indicates that a previously forwarded command was received by the network device. If the received data does not indicate that the command was received, the device may perform one or more actions, such as resending the command.
US09065877B2
One aspect of the invention is a method of providing video to attendees of a live concert. Video of different views of the live concert is captured. A plurality of video streams are provided to attendees of the live concert while the live concert is occurring. The plurality of digital video streams enable an attendee of the live concert to select which of the plurality of digital video streams to view using a portable digital device associated with that attendee such that the attendee may choose from among the different views of the live concert.
US09065871B2
An information processing apparatus according to the present invention is arranged in a client terminal connected to a server storing data via a network, wherein the information processing apparatus receives requests from one or a plurality of applications in the client terminal and controls transmission and reception of information to/from the server. The information processing apparatus includes an authentication information storage unit for storing authentication information of a user for accessing the server, and a request transmission unit for attaching the authentication information of the user of the client terminal to a request based on the request given by the application of the client terminal, and transmits the request to the server.
US09065866B2
The present disclosure presents systems and methods for policy-based redirection of network traffic, by an intermediary device, to a horizontally deployed WAN device. An intermediary receives a request from a client to access a server. The request was previously modified by a first WAN device to include information in an option field of a transport layer. The intermediary may determine, responsive to a redirection policy, to send the request to a second WAN device deployed horizontally from the intermediary, instead of the server. The intermediary transmits the request to the second WAN device, while maintaining the information from the option field. The intermediary device receives the request including the information identifying the first WAN optimization device to the second WAN device. The intermediary receives a modified request from the second WAN device, the modified request determined by the intermediary to be sent to the destination server.
US09065862B2
A communication device includes a flow identification unit specifying a user corresponding to received data, a bandwidth control unit controlling transmission of the received data so as not to exceed a bandwidth corresponding to the selected communication path in two bandwidths allocated to the specified user, and a label addition unit adding the label value corresponding to the selected communication path to the data received from the bandwidth control unit and transmitting the data. The label addition unit executes, upon detecting a trigger for a change in the selection of the communication path, changing the selection of the label value and transmitting a feedback signal for giving notice of the change in the selection of the communication path to the bandwidth control unit in a given order. The bandwidth control unit executes a process of changing the setup of the bandwidth on the basis of the received feedback signal.
US09065860B2
A processor with on-chip memory including a plurality of physical memory banks is disclosed. The processor includes a method, and corresponding apparatus, of enabling multi-access to the plurality of physical memory banks. The method comprises selecting a subset of multiple access requests to be executed in at least one clock cycle over at least one of a number of access ports connected to the plurality of physical memory banks, the selected subset of access requests addressed to different physical memory banks, among the plurality of memory banks, and scheduling the selected subset of access requests, each over a separate access port.
US09065858B2
A method of assigning network addresses for ventilators (3, 4, 5) in a network. Each ventilator (3, 4, 5) has a unique serial number in a serial number memory (8) and a network address in an adjustable network address memory (9). A control unit (1) automatically assigns network addresses to a plurality of ventilators (3, 4, 5). To begin with, all ventilators are assigned an identical start-address as network address, and serial number queries with a serial number mask are sent to the start-address. The serial number mask is comprised of definite and indefinite positions, and the ventilators (3, 4, 5) respond to the serial number mask subject to their serial number. The control unit (1) assigns unique network addresses to the ventilators (3, 4, 5) independently of the responses and/or modifies the serial number mask for further serial number queries.
US09065849B1
A computer-implemented method for determining trustworthiness of software programs may include (1) determining, for at least one software program, a prevalence score that indicates a prevalence of the software program within a local network, (2) obtaining, for the software program, a reputation score that indicates a reputation of the software program, (3) determining a trustworthiness of the software program based on both the reputation score of the software program and the prevalence score of the software program, and (4) performing a security action based on the trustworthiness of the software program. Various other methods, systems, and computer-readable media are also disclosed.
US09065847B2
A method for processing network traffic data includes receiving a packet, and determining whether the packet or a session of the packet is associated with a flooding attack. Some embodiments are implemented on network switching devices.
US09065838B2
In one embodiment, a method comprises supplying, by a network node to a peer network node, a randomization seed assigned to the network node for generating a prescribed sequence of pseudorandom numbers according to a prescribed pseudorandom number generation function; encoding each data block having a corresponding position in an ordered sequence of a stream of data blocks, into a corresponding differentially-encoded data block based on applying a product of the corresponding data block and the corresponding pseudorandom number, having the corresponding position in the prescribed sequence, to a corresponding successively-preceding differentially-encoded data block from the prescribed ordered sequence, the data block recoverable solely based on a determined difference between the corresponding differentially-encoded data block and the corresponding successively-preceding differentially-encoded data block relative to the corresponding pseudorandom number; and outputting each differentially-encoded data block in a corresponding packet that identifies the network node and the corresponding position.
US09065836B1
In one aspect a machine-implemented method is provided including receiving a request from a user to share content associated with the user with a second user, the content belonging to a specific content space, wherein content belonging to the content space is categorized into two or more content categories by the system, providing a set of system-defined roles associated with the content space to the user for selection, each role being pre-associated with one or more rules defining which of the two or more content categories are accessible by user associated with the role, receiving a selection by the user of a role of the plurality of system-defined roles provided to the user to assign to the second user, associating the role with the second user in response to receiving the selection and providing the second user with access to the content according to the one or more pre-associated rules.
US09065820B2
A method begins by a processing module receiving a certificate chain and determining whether at least one of one or more signed certificates of the chain has a valid signature. When the at least one of the one or more signed certificates has a valid signature, the method continues with the processing module identifying one or more certificate authorities (CA) to produce identified CAs, accessing registry information that includes one or more realm identifiers (IDs) and a plurality of trusted CA IDs, determining whether one or more of the identified CAs is a trusted CA, and when the one or more of the identified CAs is a trusted CA, indicating that the certificate chain is valid, identifying a realm ID based on a trusted CA ID, and generating certificate chain validation information to include the realm ID, trusted CAs, and the indication of the validity of the certificate chain.
US09065817B2
Embodiments of authenticating linked accounts are presented herein. In an implementation, an authentication service provides functionality to form links between a plurality of user accounts. A client may then authenticate by providing credentials for one account in a group of linked accounts, and is permitted access to each account in the group of linked accounts based upon the linking. Thus, a single sign-in of a client to one account may permit the client to obtain services for service providers corresponding to multiple linked accounts, without an individual sign-in to each account.
US09065809B2
The present invention relates to a method and node for efficiently distributing electronic content in a content distribution network (CDN) comprising a plurality of cache nodes.Embodiments of the present invention include a virtual node logically representing a set of cache nodes. The set of cache nodes is in turn defined based on an internal communication cost between the cache nodes. In each of the cache nodes represented by the virtual node statistics regarding content requests is collected, and based on this statistics it is determined whether specific content is to be cached in the virtual node or not. If it is determined to cache specific content in the virtual node, the specific content may be caused to be cached in one or more of the cache nodes represented by the virtual node.
US09065801B2
A network connectivity device that when coupled to a mail processing machine enables a cloud application running on a personal computer or other device to interface with and control the mail processing machine without requiring any software to be installed on the personal computer other than a web browser. The network connectivity device plugs into a standard USB port on the mail processing machine to allow wired or wireless connectivity to a network. There is no software or other code required to run on the personal computer other than a standard web browser running a hosted web application. The network connectivity device allows the mail processing machine to be found and addressed by the hosted web application. This allows a user to control operations of the mail processing machine, as well as giving the mail processing machine network connectivity for outside world communication activities.
US09065797B2
A URI-redirection via machine-scannable-code system and method are provided herein.
US09065796B2
Systems, methods, and machine-readable media are described for retrieving data associated with files using input data files. Embodiments include generating input data files, which can be transformed to create data objects from input data of the input data files. The input data and the corresponding data objects can include information regarding files, such as the universal resource indicator (URI) of a file. The data objects can then be stored.
US09065795B2
Example embodiments of a system and method for providing a congestion measurement in a network are disclosed. In an example embodiment information is received at an information transfer rate, from a source network device. A sample of the information may be taken before the information is transmitted to a destination network device. In an example embodiment, a congestion measurement value is computed that corresponds to the sample and represented with at least two bits. A multi-bit indicator of the congestion measurement value is then transmitted to control the information transfer rate of information arriving in the future.
US09065794B2
Systems and methods are provided for providing domain name suggestions based on user preferences and terms extracted from one or more information sources. Terms may be continuously extracted from information sources and used to generate domain name suggestions. Generated domain name suggestions may then be delivered to customers. The systems and methods may utilize customer preferences in providing the domain name suggestions, such as preferences as to information sources or topics of interest. The systems and methods may be self-learning, taking historical domain name registration information into account to improve the domain name suggestions.
US09065790B2
The sending of mail from a restricted communications network is facilitated. A communications unit external to the restricted communications network periodically pulls the mail from the restricted communications network and forwards the mail to a receiver. The receiver may be the intended recipient of the mail or an intermediary used to further send the mail to the intended recipient.
US09065784B2
A communication system comprises one or more transmitters and a receiving station. A transmitter segments a payload to be transmitted into multiple fragments and transmits each fragment of the payload in a different transmission. The receiving station receives the fragments, reassembles the payload from the received fragments and validates the integrity of the payload. Methods are presented for efficiently rebuilding a payload from fragments of the payload and for validating the integrity of the payload.
US09065781B2
In one embodiment, a system includes a packet reception unit. The packet reception unit is configured to receive a packet, create a header indicating scheduling of the packet in a plurality of cores and concatenate the header and the packet. The header is based on the content of the packet. In one embodiment, a system includes a transmit silo configured to store a multiple fragments of a packet, the fragments having been sent to a destination and the transmit silo having not received an acknowledgement of receipt of the fragments from the destination. The system further includes a restriction verifier coupled with the transmit silo. The restriction verifier is configured to receive the fragments and determine whether the fragments can be sent and stored in the transmit silo.
US09065779B2
Systems and methods provide a weight-based scheduling system that incorporates end-user application awareness and can be used with scheduling groups that contain data streams from heterogeneous applications. Individual data queues within a scheduling group can be created based on application class, specific application, individual data streams or some combination thereof. Application information and Application Factors (AF) are used to modify scheduler weights to differentiate between data streams assigned to a scheduling group. Dynamic AF settings may adjust relative importance of user applications to maximize user Quality of Experience (QoE) in response to recurring network patterns, one-time events, application characteristics, protocol characteristics, device characteristics, service level agreements, or combinations thereof. Scheduling weights may be dynamic and incorporate the notions of “duration neglect” and “recency effect” in an end-user's perception of video quality in order to optimally manage video traffic during periods of congestion.
US09065778B2
Exemplary embodiments provide methods and systems for dynamically changing a message retrieval scheme during runtime in a client/server electronic messaging system in which the server executes a message retrieval component and incoming messages received from the client is stored in a message queue. Aspects of the exemplary embodiment include accessing messaging business rules from a memory by a message retrieval component at runtime, wherein the messaging business rules define a primary retrieval scheme and a secondary retrieval scheme, and wherein a value provided for each of the primary retrieval scheme and the secondary retrieval scheme are selected from a combination of different message retrieval types including: First In First Out (FIFO), Last In First Out (LIFO), and random. The message retrieval component subdivides the message queue into sub-queues based on at least one of a message quantity limit and a message received time limit specified in the business rules. Each of the sub-queues is then accessed using the value of the secondary retrieval scheme; and messages from each of the sub-queues are retrieved using the value of the primary retrieval scheme.
US09065777B2
Systems and methods provide a parameterized scheduling system that incorporates end-user application awareness and can be used with scheduling groups that contain data streams from heterogeneous applications. Individual data queues within a scheduling group can be created based on application class, specific application, individual data streams or some combination thereof. Application information and Application Factors (AF) are used to modify scheduler parameters such as weights and credits to differentiate between data streams assigned to a scheduling group. Dynamic AF settings may adjust relative importance of user applications to maximize user Quality of Experience (QoE) in response to recurring network patterns, one-time events, application characteristics, protocol characteristics, device characteristics, service level agreements, or combinations thereof. Scheduling parameters may be dynamic and incorporate the notions of “duration neglect” and “recency effect” in an end-user's perception of video quality in order to optimally manage video traffic during periods of congestion.
US09065768B2
A method for distributing routing instructions to a plurality of nodes within an OpenFlow Software Defined Network (SDN) using a logically centralized multi-controller that comprises a plurality of controllers, wherein the method comprises receiving a plurality of incoming data packets, storing a plurality of current flow tables, queuing the incoming data packets, wherein the incoming data packets are queued based on the order received, processing the incoming data packets based on the order the incoming data packets were queued, wherein the incoming data packets that are first to be queued are the first to be processed, generating a plurality of flow tables by processing the incoming data packets, and transmitting the flow tables to the plurality of nodes when the flow tables have not been previously generated.
US09065767B2
A an example method includes building a dictionary between an exporter and a collector by encoding a first data record of a flow according to a dictionary template and exporting the first data record to the collector via a network communication. The method can also include compressing a second data record of the flow using the dictionary, where the compressing comprises encoding the second data record according to an encoding template; and exporting the second data record to the collector to be decompressed using the dictionary.
US09065765B2
A proxy server or component associated with or residing on a mobile carrier or mobile operator side for enhancing mobile traffic management in a mobile network and system and methods therefor are disclosed. The proxy server, in some embodiments, can delay, clump, block or otherwise manage incoming traffic initiated by one or more application servers and directed to one or more mobile applications associated with the one or more applications servers installed on a mobile device. The proxy server can manage the incoming traffic based on traffic category, time criticality, priority and/or other criteria. The proxy server can further transfer the traffic that was delayed to the mobile device in response to a trigger such as promotion of a radio state on the mobile device or a start of an interval for transferring incoming to the mobile device and outgoing traffic from the mobile device.
US09065753B2
In packet-drop attacks in ad hoc networks, a malicious network node chooses to selectively drop packets that are supposed to be forwarded, which results in adverse impact on application good-put and network stability. A method and system for detection of packet-drop attacks in ad hoc networks requires network nodes to report statistics on IP flow packets originated, received, or forwarded to neighbors. These statistics are analyzed and correlated to determine nodes suspected of dropping packets.
US09065751B2
An accurate bandwidth provisioning tool for Internet Service Providers, for both Voice over IP and data traffic, which is able to predict the demand for network resources based on the network traffic characteristics and the number of subscribers after taking into account subscriber growth and other relevant factors. To predict the demand, the tool uses a Gaussian model for Voice traffic, and a Gamma model, or alternatively, a dimensioning formula, for data traffic. The tool also discloses a method of planning Cable television network capacity when converting analog channels to digital channels.
US09065749B2
System and method for selecting a transmission medium on which to transmit a first stream. At least one of the plurality of transmission media may be substantially dynamic in nature. Path characteristics of each of a plurality of transmission media may be determined. A first transmission medium may be selected from the plurality of transmission media for the first stream based on the determined path characteristics. A first plurality of packets of the first stream may be transmitted on the first transmission medium.
US09065747B2
A system having a first and second interfaces is described. At least one of the first and second interfaces has a cell engine, a first processor circuit, a second processor circuit, and a first and second transponder. The first processor circuit is coupled with the first transponder and the cell engine so as to transmit a header cell to the cell engine. The second processor circuit is coupled with the second transponder and the cell engine so as to transmit a body cell to the cell engine. The system may aggregate the processing capacity of several processor circuits to form larger capacity logical interfaces. Packets may be fragmented into a header cell including the packet header and body cells including the packet payload and then transmit and reassemble the packet. The header cells may be fully handled by the processor circuit, while body cells may be passed on without processing.
US09065746B2
A technique tests whether an integrated computing system having server, network and storage components complies with a configuration benchmark expressed as rules in first markup-language statements such as XML. The rules are parsed to obtain test definition identifiers identifying test definitions in a second set of markup-language statements, each test definition including a test value and an attribute identifier of system component attribute. A management database is organized as an integrated object model of all system components. An interpreter invoked with the test definition identifier from each rule process each test definition to (a) access the management database using the attribute identifier obtain the actual value for the corresponding attribute, and (b) compare the actual value to the test value of the test definition to generate a comparison result value that can be stored or communicated as a compliance indicator to a human or machine user.
US09065744B2
A probe receives a first packet over a network on a port. A sequence number and synchronization source identifier (SSRC) associated with the first packet are identified. The probe receives a subsequent packet and a sequence number and SSRC associated with the subsequent packet are determined. The probe determines whether the SSRC associated with first packet and the SSRC associated with the subsequent packet match. Additionally, the probe determines whether the sequence number associated with the subsequent packet is within an acceptable range of values related to the sequence number associated with the first packet. Additionally, the probe calculates the time interval between reception of the packets. The probe classifies traffic on the port as RTP or non-RTP traffic based on analysis of the SSRCs, sequence numbers and time intervals.
US09065742B2
Snooping in SAS expander networks is disclosed. Ports in a SAS expander may include snoop circuitry and a snoop tap which allows snoop data to be diverted for snooping prior to any significant transformation of the traffic by the regular port logic. Furthermore, the snoop circuitry can receive OOB signaling and convert it to K characters for transmission through the SAS network and subsequent analysis by a protocol analyzer. The ports and cascades in the expander network can be configured to create snoop paths to enable snoop data to be passed through the network to locations where a protocol analyzer can be easily attached. With SAS snoop ports, there is no disruption to the system. Because only a copy of the data is routed to the analyzer, there is no change to the original signal path and latency is identical with or without the analyzer.
US09065735B1
Methods, systems, and computer readable media can be operable to calculate modulation error ratio using feedback from error correction processing. An error correction value obtained through an error correction process can be added to a measured slicer error in order to calculate a modulation error ratio. An error correction value associated with a correctable error can be based upon the difference between a received symbol and a correct symbol. An error correction value associated with an uncorrectable error can be based upon a measured slicer error and the distance between constellation symbols in a constellation diagram.
US09065730B2
Systems, methods and interfaces are provided for the modeling of network data capacity for a network corresponding to a set of nodes interconnected via point-to-point network paths. A network capacity processing system obtains demand estimates for the nodes and network paths of the network. The network capacity processing system then identifies a set of failure scenarios for the network nodes and network paths. The network capacity processing system then generates of a set of processing results corresponding to load estimates for the network paths of the network and based on applying the set of failure scenarios to the model of network data capacity. Utilizing data capacity models, failure scenarios and set of processing results, the network capacity processing system can provide for network capacity planning or contingency planning.
US09065727B1
A computerized method and system operable to build a device identifier similarity model with online event signals and determine similar network device identifiers. A processing circuit receives a first set of network device identifiers. The processing circuit represents each network device identifier of the first set by feature data associated with each network device identifier's network activity, where the feature data is associated with the content clicked-on or converted-on. The processing circuit applies abstractions on the feature data to form concepts. The processing circuit derives at least one hierarchy of feature data based on the keywords and concepts of the feature data. The processing circuit expands the feature data based on the derived at least one hierarchy of feature data and generates the device identifier similarity model based on the expanded feature data. The processing circuit is also capable of determining long-term and short-term history events.
US09065724B2
A device may include a flow table to store, in flow table records, statistics associated with a number of data flows, and a flow type table to store, in flow type table records, information that indicates whether to store statistics in the flow table for each of a number of types of data flows, information that indicates a manner for sampling data units associated with the data flows, and/or information that indicates when to delete flow table records from the flow table.
US09065718B2
A Coded Orthogonal Frequency Division Multiplexing (COFDM) communication systems is implemented in which each subcarrier data stream is individually FEC encoded instead of FEC encoding the overall input data stream as implemented in conventional COFDM systems. Specifically, each subcarrier is independently encoded using pseudo orthogonal QPSK M-QAM FEC modulators, transmitted, and decoded using pseudo orthogonal QPSK M-QAM FEC demodulators. Multiplexers and demultiplexers randomize subcarrier symbols across all subcarriers to prevent contiguous subcarrier data errors due to fading or corruption by narrowband interference. This technology can be applied to many wireless and wired communication systems including wireless underwater RF communications.
US09065717B2
A receiver includes a transformation part configured to convert a time domain received signal to a frequency domain signal, a known signal extraction part configured to extract a known signal from the frequency domain signal, an estimation part configured to estimate a channel characteristic based upon the extracted known signal, a time direction extraction part configured to extract channel characteristic values of a particular carrier in a time direction from the estimated channel characteristic, a power spectrum acquiring part configured to acquire a power spectrum from the channel characteristic values extracted in the time direction, an error calculation part configured to calculate a carrier frequency error from the power spectrum, and a carrier correction part configured to correct for a carrier frequency of the received signal based upon the carrier frequency error.
US09065715B2
A method for operating a radio communication system involves the use of OFDM and involves a first sending station modulating a first OFDM symbol onto a first carrier frequency and sending the first OFDM symbol to a first receiving station via a first transmission channel using an air interface. The first sending station changes the first carrier frequency during a time used for sending the first OFDM symbol, the change in the first carrier frequency being made independently of a change in transmission characteristics of the first transmission channel over time. A fast frequency hopping system is disclosed.
US09065714B2
Techniques for transmitting information using cyclically shifted sequences are described. In one design, first and second sequences may be generated by cyclically shifting a base sequence by first and second amounts, respectively. The base sequence may be a CAZAC sequence, a PN sequence, or some other sequence having good correlation properties. The cyclic shifts for the first and second sequences may be determined based on a hopping pattern. A first modulated sequence may be generated based on the first sequence and a first modulation symbol and may be sent in a first time interval. A second modulated sequence may be generated based on the second sequence and a second modulation symbol and may be sent in a second time interval. Each modulated sequence may be sent on K consecutive subcarriers using localized frequency division multiplexing (LFDM).
US09065709B1
Methods and apparatus are provided for receiving a first signal and generating an output signal indicative of radio data system (“RDS”) information. A receiver circuit of the invention can include mixer circuitry, lowpass filter circuitry, downsampler circuitry, and decoder circuitry. Advantageously, the receiver circuit can operate entirely within the digital domain, promoting interoperability with digital frequency modulation (“FM”) demodulator circuitry.
US09065708B2
Apparatus and method of transmitting a preamble having additional information in differential modulation packet data communication. The apparatus includes a phase rotator that outputs a phase rotation quantity corresponding to additional information to be applied to a transmission target packet, a transmission-multiplier that multiplies the phase rotation quantity output from the phase rotator by a preamble to be transmitted, a symbol mapper that converts header and payload data to be applied to the transmission target packet into symbols and outputs the same, a multiplexer that processes an output signal of the transmission-multiplier and an output signal of the symbol mapper to be selectively output through an output end to form a symbol stream in units of packets, and a differential symbol converter that converts the symbol stream output from the multiplexer according to a predetermined differential modulation method and outputs the converted symbol stream.
US09065693B2
A radio circuit comprises an interface unit for communicating data and commands over a communication link between a digital baseband circuit and the radio circuit. Furthermore, the radio circuit comprises an event-scheduling unit, a local time-reference unit, a synchronization unit, and an execution-control unit. The event-scheduling unit is arranged to receive event-request commands specifying an event to be executed in the radio circuit and a time instant at which the specified event is to be executed, from the digital baseband circuit. Furthermore, the event-scheduling unit is arranged to, in response to receiving an event request-command, schedule the specified event to be executed on the specified time instant. The execution-control unit is arranged to issue execution of each scheduled event at the scheduled time instant based on time information from the local time reference unit. The local time-reference unit is synchronized with a time-reference unit in the digital baseband circuit in response to a synchronization command, from the synchronization unit.
US09065692B2
According to one embodiment, an information notification apparatus includes a table and a notifier. The table is configured to store information about root nodes and information related to the nodes. The notifier is configured to generate, when a communication node is a root node, new information for that root node. The notifier is further configured to read out, when the communication node is not a root node, the information from the table. The notifier is further configured to notify the communication node of the new information or the information read out from the table.
US09065688B2
A method includes determining, at an electronic device, information associated with a location of the first electronic device. An initial set of television white space channels is filtered based on the information to generate a search set of television white space channels. A passive scan of the search set of television white space channels is performed at the electronic device to identify a television white space access point.
US09065679B2
A system and method for providing land mobile radio (LMR) content using a cellular data network is provided. The method includes communicating the LMR content via at least one of an LMR network and a cellular data network. The method further includes encapsulating the LMR content using a packet switching protocol when communicating the LMR content via the cellular data network.
US09065678B2
System and method for pinning virtual machine adapters to physical adapters in a network environment
A method for pinning virtual machine adapters to physical adapters in a network environment is provided and includes capturing a first Bridge Protocol Data Unit (BPDU) from a first switch in a virtual local area network (VLAN), and a second BPDU from a second switch in the VLAN, identifying a first root bridge identifier (ID) of a first spanning tree associated with the first BPDU and a second root bridge ID of a second spanning tree associated with the second BPDU, comparing the first root bridge ID and the second root bridge ID, and communicating an alert. If the first root bridge ID is different from the second root bridge ID, the alert indicates re-pinning a virtual network interface card associated with a virtual machine from a first physical network interface card (pNIC) on the to a second pNIC.
US09065672B2
A method of communicating to a group of slaves is provided and includes storing in a slave at least one group identifier and at least one originator identifier, communicating an instruction, a group identifier and an originator identifier to the slaves, accepting the communicated instruction by the slaves, when the group identifier and the originator identifier in the communication match the group identifier and the originator identifier stored in the slave.
US09065668B1
Network devices of a particular device class can implement a distributed bandwidth control (DBC) protocol to utilize resources of a communication network in accordance with a threshold amount of resources allocated for DBC device communication. A DBC device of a plurality of DBC devices can determine a transmission cost associated with a pending DBC transmission. The pending DBC transmission is initiated. A delay time period associated with the initiated pending DBC transmission can be calculated based, at least in part, on the transmission cost associated with the initiated DBC pending transmission and a threshold transmission cost associated with DBC device communications. Subsequent transmissions of the DBC device and all other DBC devices in the communication network can be delayed by at least the delay time period associated with the initiated pending DBC transmission of the DBC device.
US09065661B2
A method is provided in one example embodiment and includes determining a route target (“RT”) membership for a network element; determining at least one attribute for the RT membership; and advertising the RT membership with the at least one attribute to other network elements. The at least one attribute may include an RT membership type attribute for indicating whether the RT membership is due to a local virtual network connection, transit support, or both. Additionally or alternatively, the at least one attribute may include a distribution tree binding attribute for indicating a distribution tree for the RT membership.
US09065660B2
Various exemplary embodiments relate to a method and related network node including one or more of the following: determining a session to roll over; determining whether usage monitoring at a usage monitoring node is currently disabled for the session; and if usage monitoring at the usage monitoring node is currently disabled for the session, sending a message from the session management node to the usage monitoring node, wherein the message includes an instruction to enable usage monitoring for the session. Various alternative embodiments additionally include one or more of the following: waiting for a length of time to receive a usage report at the session management node from the usage monitoring node; wherein the step of sending a message from the session management node to the usage monitoring node is only performed when a usage report is not received during the length of time.
US09065658B2
An Ethernet outlet senses the presence of an Ethernet signal and transmits an Ethernet ID signal in response to the restoration of an Ethernet signal that was interrupted. The sensing circuit is designed to have no detrimental effect on Ethernet signals. Using this system, the locations of Ethernet outlets and network endpoint devices connected to the outlets can be determined following the interruption and reestablishment of network communications. Outlets according to the present invention can be used in copper-based networks or in networks having fiber optic components.
US09065656B2
System and methods for managing trust in access control are based on a user identity, in a Universal Plug and Play (UPnP) network. A device has an access control list (ACL), a trusted-to-identify access control list (TIA), and a first TIA management module configured to manage the TIA. A security console is communicatively coupled to the device via the network. The security console has a second TIA management module. The first TIA management module is able to implement an add request from the security console for adding an entry to the TIA. The entry includes a control point identity for a control point communicatively coupled to the device via the network.
US09065649B2
The present invention relates to a method and apparatus for transmitting a reference signal in a wireless communication system. A terminal generates a base sequence having a length of 12, for a reference signal, and determines a cyclic shift index from among a set of a cyclic shift indices {0, 3, 6, 8, 10}. The terminal cyclically shifts the base sequence on the basis of the determined cyclic shift index to generate a cyclically shifted sequence, and transmits the cyclically shifted sequence to a base station.
US09065639B2
There is provided an authentication device in which a network access authenticating unit executes a first network access authentication process with a communication device; master key generator generates a first master key shared with the communication device in accordance with a result of the first network access authentication process; an application-oriented encryption key generator generates a first encryption key for an application, which is shared with the communication device, on the basis of the first master key; a master key identifier determiner determines an identifier of the first master key; and an application-oriented encryption key identifier determiner determines an identifier of the first encryption key for the application in accordance with the identifier of the first master key.
US09065625B2
A method of transmitting a plurality of bits via at least two carriers each having a data rate for achieving transmission despite an impaired carrier, the method includes: receiving the plurality of bits for transmission via the at least two carriers; populating the plurality of bits in a N-dimensional bit structure using an aggregation pattern; producing a coded transmit block having N dimensions, a plurality of encoded rows and a plurality of encoded bits by encoding the N-dimensional bit structure; assigning each of the plurality of encoded bits to each of the at least two carriers; and transmitting the plurality of encoded bits via the at least two carriers.
US09065622B2
A method of transmitting a signal to a base station at a user equipment (UE) in a multi-antenna wireless communication system, can include generating interleaver input vector sequences, wherein the interleaver input vector sequences comprise vectors having a predetermined bit size, mapping the interleaver input vector sequences to an interleaver matrix, generating an output bit sequence by reading the interleaver matrix column by column, and transmitting the output bit sequence to the base station, wherein the predetermined bit size is defined by a product of a modulation order Qpm and the number NL of transmission layers.
US09065615B2
A method and apparatus for transmitting and receiving a preamble having sequence information for an OFDM system is provided. The preamble transmission method includes generating a preamble block including at least one frame having a header with a known sequence and a code block containing control information and transmitting the preamble block mapped to Orthogonal Frequency Division Multiplexing (OFDM) cells by repeating in frequency axis direction.
US09065611B2
An encoding method changes an encoding rate of an erasure correcting code. One cycle is defined as 12k bits (wherein k represents a natural number) which is an encoding output using LDPC-CC with an encoding rate of 1/2, and includes information and parity. From the one cycle, only the information is arranged in the output order of the encoding output to obtain 6k bit information X6i, X6i+1, X6i+2, X6i+3, X6i+4, X6i+5, . . . , X6(i+k−1) X6(i+k−1)+1, X6(i+k−1)+2, X6(i+k−1)+3, X6(i+k−1)+4, and X6(i+k−1)+5. Known information is inserted in 3k pieces of information (Xj) among the 6k bit information, so that when 3k pieces of mutually different j is divided by 3, there is a remainder of 0 regarding k pieces, there is a remainder of 1 regarding k pieces, and there is a remainder of 2 regarding k pieces, to thereby obtain the parity from the information containing the known information.
US09065605B2
Crest factor reduction (CFR) can be performed on the various carriers of a multi-carrier multi-channel signal prior to modulation and/or beamforming operations in order to improve signal-to-noise ratios (SNRs) in the resulting wireless communication. More specifically, clipping noise is introduced into each of the individual carrier signals prior to application of the beamforming weight vectors, as well as prior to carrier modulation, thereby causing the beamforming weight vectors to be applied to both the signal and the clipping noise. As a result, variations between the signal antenna pattern and the clipping noise antenna pattern are reduced, which mitigates and/or reduces low SNR spatial locations in which the signal would have been drowned out by the clipping noise under conventional CFR.
US09065601B1
A receiver in an integrated circuit device is described. The circuit comprises a receiver having a clock and data recovery circuit coupled to receive data signals modulated with a transmitter clock signal; and a clock generator coupled to receive an output of the clock and data recovery circuit, the clock generator providing a modulated reference clock to the receiver, based upon a reference clock signal which is independent of the transmitter clock signal; wherein the modulated reference clock provided to the receiver is synchronized with the transmitter clock signal. A method of receiving data in an integrated circuit is also described.
US09065599B2
Provided is an apparatus for allocating a sequence to a synchronization channel for a node identification (ID), the apparatus including: a base node sequence generator to generate a base sequence that is a sequence for a node ID of a base node; a relay node sequence generator to generate a relay sequence that is a sequence for a node ID of a relay node by transforming the base sequence; a baseband signal generator to generate a baseband signal by mapping the base sequence or the relay sequence to a frequency domain and a time domain; and a transmitter to transmit the baseband signal.
US09065590B2
Component signal values are derived from component signals and fed to at least one fixed equalizer which generates equalizer output signals. The signals are fed to phase error detectors generating phase error signals. The phase error signals are combined with further phase error signals derived by further error detectors receiving signal values from further equalizers and/or the component signal values directly from sample units.
US09065585B2
The present invention relates to a method and apparatus for generating a reference signal sequence in a wireless communication system. User equipment receives a cell-specific sequence hopping parameter from a base station, receives, from the base station, a user equipment (UE)-specific sequence group hopping (SGH) parameter which is specific to said user equipment, and generates a reference signal sequence on the basis of a base sequence number of a base sequence, wherein the base sequence number is determined for each slot on the basis of the cell-specific sequence hopping parameter and of the use equipment-specific sequence group hopping parameter. Here, the determination of whether or not to apply sequence hopping to the base sequence number indicated by the user equipment-specific sequence group hopping parameter overrides that of whether or not to apply sequence hopping to the base sequence number indicated by the cell-specific sequence hopping parameter.
US09065579B2
Group communication service is becoming more and more popular in communications systems. The users of the group communication would benefit especially from summarized group information. A member of a group comprising at least two members can receive the summarized group information by subscribing to information on other group members; wherein information on the group is summarized at least on the basis of current information on at least one other group member whose information was subscribed to; and by showing the thus obtained summarized group member information to the member.
US09065576B2
A system, apparatus and a method for transmitting continuous audio data configured to mitigate data discontinuities in a receiving device. The method may mitigate data discontinuities by transmitting a continuous stream of audio data that has reduced changes to the audio data characteristics. The method may transmit filler audio data when no application audio data is available. The application audio data and the filler audio data are processed to reduce changes to the audio data characteristics in each stream.
US09065575B2
A method of controlling a broadcast in a mobile terminal includes receiving data including a first broadcast program of a first broadcast channel and first description information related to the first broadcast program, outputting the received first broadcast program, determining whether or not the received data includes reference time information, extracting first broadcast time information related to the first broadcast program from the first description information when the received data does not include the reference time information, setting a broadcast relevant reference time using the extracted first broadcast time information, and searching previously stored broadcast relevant information for specific broadcast relevant information corresponding to the set broadcast relevant reference time.
US09065565B2
Techniques are presented herein to setup a wavelength on a path from a source node to a destination node. Cross-talk margin information already computed for one or more installed wavelengths is obtained between the source node and destination node. A total margin as a function of the cross-talk margin information is computed. A determination is then made as to whether to perform non-linear impairment validation of the wavelength based on the total margin. These techniques may be generalized to account for coherent and non-coherent portions of a network.
US09065552B2
A method of transmitting a signal based on multi-stream CPDMA may include: allocating a plurality of data symbols to each of a plurality of data streams based on a frequency hopping pattern; applying a DFT function and a M-times repetition function to the data symbol allocated to the each of the plurality of data streams; applying a spectral weighting vector to the each of the plurality of data streams applying the DFT function and the M-times repetition function; and generating the signal based on the multi-stream CPDMA by performing an IDFT function and a cyclic prefix adding procedure with respect to the plurality of data streams to which the spectral weighting vector is applied, in which the spectral weighting vector is a vector for determining a frequency band in which the each of the plurality of data streams is used.
US09065546B2
A parallel hybrid circuit comprising a transformer, a first matching resistor, a second matching resistor and an echo cancelling circuit. The transformer comprises: a first side, comprising a transmitting coil group and a receiving coil group, wherein the transmitting coil group comprises at least one transmitting coil, wherein the receiving coil group comprises at least one receiving coil; a second side comprising at least one transceiving coil; wherein the transformer receives a transmitting signal and couples the transmitting signal from the first side to the second side via a first turn ratio, and receives a receiving signal from the transceiving line and couples the receiving signal from the second side to the first side via a second turn ratio. The first, second matching resistors are coupled with the transformer in parallel. The echo cancelling circuit is coupled between the transmitting line and the receiving line.
US09065534B2
A DSL system performs crosstalk cancellation using a plurality of vectoring cancellation chips that are partitioned into two or more groups based on DSL victim lines or DSL disturber lines or DSL tones. Embodiments of the invention include both single-criteria and double-criteria partitioning methods. In double-criteria embodiments, the vectoring cancellation VCE chips are first partitioned into two or more victim DSL line groups and then in each group the VCE chips are further partitioned by disturber DSL line processing. Alternately, the vectoring cancellation VCE chips are first partitioned into two or more disturber DSL line groups and then within each group further partitioned by victim DSL line processing. By partitioning the computation as described herein, the invention reduces the bandwidth and the number of links between the chips, without too much co-ordination complexity. This allows crosstalk cancellation across larger vectored groups.
US09065531B2
To provide a signal transmitter-receiver apparatus having simple structure and which can prevent receiving sensitivity reduction of wirelessly transmitted signal using an existing component. A signal transmitter-receiver apparatus includes a first electric wire having one end connected to an electronic device provided at a vehicle sliding seat, a second electric wire wired at a vehicle body side, a signal transmitter connected to another end of the first electric wire, a signal receiver connected to an end of the second electric wire for receiving signal wirelessly transmitted from the signal transmitter, and a protector. The signal transmitter and the signal receiver are disposed in the rail. The signal transmitter is fixed to an upper rail via the protector. The signal receiver is fixed to one end portion of the rail. The signal transmitter and the signal receiver are arranged opposed to each other in a straight line.
US09065525B1
A receiving apparatus receives a signal via a receiving antenna and quantizes the signal. The receiving apparatus includes: a gain control section that adjusts gain in the receiving apparatus in accordance with electric power of the quantized signal; an electric power estimating section that estimates electric power of the signal before quantization of the signal received by the receiving antenna on the basis of the electric power of the quantized signal and the gain in the receiving apparatus; and an error detecting section that detects a reception error in a predetermined region of the quantized signal, and the gain control section adjusts a search range for the gain on the basis of a result of detection of the reception error in the predetermined region of the quantized signal and an electric power estimated value of the signal before quantization of the signal received by the receiving antenna.
US09065524B2
The present invention relates a method, apparatus, receiver, computer program for joint detection. In the method, it is firstly determined if whether a number of original active codes is beyond a predefined threshold or not, and when the number of the original active codes is beyond the predefined threshold and a strong interference code exists in the active codes corresponding to intra-frequency adjacent cells, it is to apply an interference cancellation to a receive signal, cancel MAI caused by a strong interference signal corresponding to the strong interference code, and perform a joint detection by utilizing a matched filtering result of a remaining signal after the interference cancellation for the joint detection. According to at least one embodiment of the present invention, when there is large interference in the intra-frequency adjacent cells and the number of the active codes is beyond a maximum threshold, the joint detection performance is improved.
US09065523B2
A multiple-input multiple-output (MIMO) capable system is contemplated. The communication system may include a signal processor configured to separate an input stream into multiple signal paths to facilitate simultaneous transport through a communication medium. The capability to simultaneously transmit multiples signal paths may be beneficial in order to maximize throughput and/or minimize expense.
US09065515B2
Method and system for improving the performance of mobile communication networks. The method and system employs the additional functionality whereby an additional phase offset can be applied to one of the physical paths (one physical antenna) in order to modify and adapt the transmit polarization. In the preferred embodiment, the criterion for selecting the additional phase offset will be to maximize the energy received from the HSPA serving cell by the legacy HSDPA user equipments.
US09065513B2
A base-station apparatus (101) and a terminal apparatus (102) communicate with each other in a communication system. When reporting reception quality information together with data to the base-station apparatus via a channel for use in data transmission, the terminal apparatus reports the reception quality information using a spatial multiplexing method identical to a spatial multiplexing method of the data if the reception quality information is reception quality information that is to be nonoperiodically reported, and reports the reception quality information using a spatial multiplexing method independent of the spatial multiplexing method of the data if the reception quality information is reception quality information that is to be periodically reported. When extracting the reception quality information reported together with the data from the terminal apparatus, the base-station apparatus extracts the reception quality information based on the assumption that the spatial multiplexing method of the reception quality information is identical to the spatial multiplexing method of the data if the reception quality information is nonoperiodically reported, and extracts the reception quality information based on the assumption that the spatial multiplexing method of the reception quality information is independent of the spatial multiplexing method of the data if the reception quality information is periodically reported.
US09065503B2
Embodiments of the present invention provide a precoding processing method, a base station, and a communications system. The precoding processing method includes: implementing beamforming on an antenna array according to information about a direction of arrival of a user equipment to obtain a transformation matrix; transforming a channel matrix according to the transformation matrix to obtain an equivalent channel matrix; and obtaining a precoding matrix required for precoding processing according to the equivalent channel matrix. According to the embodiments of the present invention, after a MIMO system is implemented based on a single antenna array, signals transmitted between the UE and the base station are orthogonal in each beam direction, thereby obtaining a degree-of-freedom gain.
US09065499B2
Modulated signal A is transmitted from a first antenna, and modulated signal B is transmitted from a second antenna. As modulated signal B, modulated symbols S2(i) and S2(i+1) obtained from different data are transmitted at time i and time i+1 respectively. In contrast, as modulated signal A, modulated symbols S1(i) and S1(i)′ obtained by changing the signal point arrangement of the same data are transmitted at time i and time i+1 respectively. As a result the reception quality can be changed intentionally at time i and time i+1, and therefore using the demodulation result of modulated signal A of a time when the reception quality is good enables both modulated signals A and B to be demodulated with good error rate performances.
US09065498B1
A wireless access node to facilitate dynamic assignment of multiple-input multiple-output (MIMO) modes comprises a wireless communication transceiver and a processing system. The wireless communication transceiver is configured to receive a scattering coefficient transmitted from a wireless communication device served by the wireless access node. The processing system is configured to compare the scattering coefficient to a scattering threshold, and if the scattering coefficient exceeds the scattering threshold, select a lower order MIMO mode for the wireless communication device and assign the lower order MIMO mode to the wireless communication device.
US09065497B2
A method, a system, and a server provide context aware multiple-input-multiple-output MIMO antenna systems and methods. Specifically, the systems and methods provide, in a multiple MIMO antenna or node system, techniques of antenna/beam selection, calibration, and periodic refresh, based on environmental and mission context. The systems and methods can define a context vector as built by cooperative use of the nodes on the backhaul to direct antennas for the best user experience as well as mechanisms using the context vector in a 3D employment to point the antennas in a cooperative basis therebetween. The systems and methods utilize sensors in the nodes to provide tailored context sensing versus motion sensing, in conjunction with BER (Bit Error Rate) measurements on test signals to position an antenna beam from a selection of several “independent” antenna subsystems operating within a single node, as well as, that of its optically connected neighbor.
US09065493B2
Provided is a coordinated communication method and apparatus that may perform coordinated communication based on long-term channel information, for each sub-band. Base stations may exchange scheduling information of each sub-band with each other to determine a priority among the base stations, and may perform rescheduling for each sub-band based on the determined priority. The base stations may obtain the long-term channel information, and thus may reduce overhead occurring with exchanging of information between a base station and a terminal or between base stations, and may decrease damage due to a delay of channel information associated with a terminal.
US09065483B2
Apparatuses and methods for determining soft data using a classification code are provided. One example apparatus can include a classification code (CC) decoder and an outer code decoder coupled to the CC decoder. The CC decoder is configured to receive a CC codeword. The CC codeword includes a piece of an outer code codeword and corresponding CC parity digits. The CC decoder is configured to determine soft data associated with the piece of the outer code codeword, at least partially, using the corresponding CC digits.
US09065481B2
A technique for error detection is provided. A controller is configured to detect errors by using error correcting code (ECC), and a cache includes independent ECC words for storing data. The controller detects the errors in the ECC words for a wordline that is read. The controller detects a first error in a first ECC word on the wordline and a second error in a second ECC word on the wordline. The controller determines that the wordline is a failing wordline based on detecting the first error in the first ECC word and the second error in the second ECC word.
US09065478B1
A digital-to-analog conversion apparatus to convert a digital signal to an output analog voltage signal includes an analog-to-digital conversion processing circuit and an analog voltage signal output circuit. The analog-to-digital conversion processing circuit is configured to increase a resolution of the digital-to-analog conversion apparatus without increasing a frequency of an input clock signal. The analog voltage signal output circuit is configured to generate the output analog voltage signal based on the input clock signal at the increased resolution of the digital-to-analog conversion apparatus.
US09065477B2
A digital-to-analog (DAC) element may include a plurality of switches arranged to form two circuit branches between a current source and a first and a second outputs. The first circuit branch may include two switches defining parallel current paths between the current source and the first output terminal. The second circuit branch may include two switches defining parallel current paths between the current source and the second output terminal. A control circuit, responsive to an input signal that selects one of the circuit branches, may provide control signals to close one of switches in the selected circuit branch in a first portion of a clock cycle and to close the other of the switches in the selected circuit branch in a second portion of the clock cycle.
US09065476B2
A system for processing a signal includes a detector configured to detect a two-level stream of bits; a converter configured to generate a three-level control signal based on two adjacent values within the two-level stream of bits; and a switch configured to determine which of three different paths to couple a current source to based on a value of the three-level control signal. Thus, based on adjacent values of the output stream a three-level control signal is generated which controls coupling of the current source to one of three different paths. This type of three-level digital-to-analog converter can be, for example, part of the feedback loop of an analog-to-digital converter. Similar techniques can also be utilized in a multi-segment digital-to-analog converter in which each segment of the DAC is controlled by a 3-level control signal and the DAC is implement using PMOS devices. The current source for each DAC segment is diverted to ground, the M-node, or the P-node depending on the value of the 3-level control signal.
US09065474B2
Systems and methods can detect a relationship between portions of an analog input signal using a single sensing point, and can provide information about the detected relationship in a digital signal. A system can include an input transconductance stage, a gate circuit driven by a first control signal, a phase-select multiplexer circuit driven by a second control signal, and multiple analog-to-digital converter (ADC) channels. The ADC channels can include respective integrator circuits that receive information from the phase-select multiplexer circuit, and the ADC channels can include comparator circuits coupled to respective outputs of the integrator circuits. The outputs of the comparator circuits can be used as control signals for respective feedback multiplexers, or respective feedback current DACs, that selectively couple reference currents to the respective integrator circuit inputs. The feedback current DACs can be configured to continuously provide information to the respective integrator circuits.
US09065472B1
An interleaved digital to analog converter (DAC) includes at least a first signal path and a second signal path. The DAC further includes at least a first high speed DAC and a second high speed DAC each having an input and an output. The first signal path and the second signal path are electrically coupled to the first high speed DAC input and the second high speed DAC input, respectively. The DAC also includes a zero phase clock signal supplied to the first high speed DAC and a 180° phase shifted clock signal supplied to the second high speed DAC. A summation circuit, having at least two inputs and one output, is coupled to the outputs of the first high speed DAC and the second high speed DACs. A high-pass delta sigma modulator, a low-pass delta sigma modulator, a band pass delta sigma modulator, or notch filter delta sigma modulator is coupled between the first signal path and the first high speed DAC. A second a high-pass delta sigma modulator, a second low-pass delta sigma modulator, a second band pass delta sigma modulator, or a second notch filter delta sigma modulators electrically coupled between the second signal path and the second high speed DAC.
US09065466B2
The method includes the accumulation of electric charge in the sampling capacitor (Cn) by parallel connection of the sampling capacitor (Cn) to the source of converted voltage (UIN) and in realization of the process of charge redistribution in the array of redistribution (A) by changing states of signals from relevant control outputs and in assignment of relevant values to bits in the digital word by means of the control module (CM). After detection of the beginning of the next trigger signal (Px+1), the charge is accumulated in the additional sampling capacitor (CnA), and then the process of charge redistribution is realized and relevant values are assigned to bits of the digital word. The apparatus includes an array of redistribution (A), the section of the sampling capacitor (An), the control module (CM), two comparators (K1 and K2) and the current source (J) connected in a known way.
US09065465B2
A Power Line Communications (PLC) device includes a PLC interface, a wireless interface, a processing module, and memory. The PLC device communicates with a second PLC device via the PLC interface to establish a wireless transmission timing base, communicates with the second PLC device via the power mains to coordinate simultaneous wireless data transmissions to a client device from the PLC device and the second PLC device, wirelessly transmits data to the client device based upon the wireless transmission timing base and the coordination with the second PLC device. In combination the PLC devices' simultaneous wireless data transmissions may be Multiple Input Multiple Output (MIMO) transmissions, diversity transmissions, and/or beam formed transmissions. In another operation, the PLC device characterizes its surroundings based upon concurrent directional transmission and receipt of wireless transmissions by the PLC device.
US09065460B1
The present disclosure describes apparatuses and techniques for detection of an external oscillator. In some aspects, an integrated circuit includes an oscillator detector coupled to an external electrical connection. The oscillator detector may include a transistor having a gate coupled to the external electrical connection that is configured to detect a presence of an external oscillator.
US09065455B2
A delay locked loop (DLL) circuit having improved noise characteristics. The DLL circuit includes a first divider for generating a first divided signal by dividing an external clock; a second divider for generating a second divided signal by dividing an internal clock; a phase detector for detecting a phase difference between the first divided signal and the second divided signal; and an adjusting unit for synchronizing the internal clock and the external clock, based on the phase difference.
US09065454B2
A method for self-calibrating a phase locked loop (PLL) includes setting a frequency range setting of a voltage controlled oscillator (VCO) to a first digital value for a first output frequency. A first difference is measured between a reference frequency and a feedback frequency resulting from the first output frequency. The frequency range setting is set to an inverted digital value of the first digital value for a second output frequency. A second difference is measured between the reference frequency and the feedback frequency resulting from the second output frequency. A value of the frequency range setting is selected based on the first difference and the second difference.
US09065451B2
An integrated power-on reset circuit comprises a resistor and a capacitor, wherein the resistor is arranged to pass a current by quantum tunneling in order to charge the capacitor.
US09065450B2
An integrated circuit device comprises tuning signal circuitry for generating a tuning signal for calibrating a voltage controlled oscillator (VCO). The tuning signal circuitry is arranged to receive a target voltage signal that is representative of a target voltage across at least one passive element within a resonant tank circuit of a VCO that is being calibrated, generate a VCO simulation signal representative of an average voltage difference across at least one active component of the VCO that is being calibrated, and output a tuning signal based at least partly on the received target voltage signal and the generated VCO simulation signal.
US09065447B2
A proximity switch assembly and method for detecting activation of the proximity switch assembly is provided. The assembly includes a plurality of proximity switches each providing a sense activation field and control circuitry processing the activation field of each proximity switch to sense activation. The control circuitry monitors the signal responsive to the activation field, determines a rate of change in signal amplitude for each signal, and generates an adaptive time delay based on the control circuitry. The control circuitry further detects a peak amplitude of the signal and determines activation of the switch after expiration of the time delay following the peak amplitude detection.
US09065438B2
Data of a register in a programmable logic element is retained. A volatile storage circuit and a nonvolatile storage circuit are provided in a register of a programmable logic element whose function can be changed in response to a plurality of context signals. The nonvolatile storage circuit includes nonvolatile storage portions for storing data in the register. The number of nonvolatile storage portions corresponds to the number of context signals. With such a structure, the function can be changed each time context signals are switched and data in the register that is changed when the function is changed can be backed up to the nonvolatile storage portion in each function. In addition, the function can be changed each time context signals are switched and the data in the register that is backed up when the function is changed can be recovered to the volatile storage circuit.
US09065434B2
An I/O circuit for use with an industrial controller provides an input circuit with low power dissipation through the use of a series connected substantially nonresistance impedance. An AC waveform input activates a light emitting diode (LED) bridge to provide an optical signal which illuminates a photosensitive solid-state switch thereby providing optical isolation between the industrial controller and the controlled process or machine. By using a series connected substantially nonresistance impedance, reduced current demand by the input circuit may be realized, which allows reduced power dissipation. As a result, the same circuit allows receiving input signals over a greater range, such as 120 volts AC and 240 volts AC, and allows significantly smaller components with closer spacing for a more compact design.
US09065417B2
An oscillation device which contributes to the demand for downsizing/miniaturization and commercial production, and provides highly reliable oscillation frequency is provided. The oscillation device includes a base substrate provided with an oscillation member, a lid member that contains the oscillation member in a cavity, an adhesion layer that has a first melting point and connects the base substrate with the lid member, and a metal layer that has a second melting point higher than the first melting point and covers the base substrate, the adhesion layer and the lid member.
US09065415B1
A method of configuring a signal booster may include receiving an indication that a first interface port of a first amplifier is configured such that external signals are not introduced to the first amplifier and measuring thermal noise output by the first amplifier at a second amplifier communicatively coupled to a second interface port of the first amplifier after receiving the indication. The method may further include determining signal loss between the first amplifier and the second amplifier based on the measured thermal noise and setting a gain of the second amplifier based on the signal loss.
US09065410B2
A portable audio device that includes a motion sensor, an audio equalizer, a speaker, and a context detector. The motion sensor detects general motion, movement, or acceleration of the device and outputs a series of momentary measurements. The context detector receives these momentary measurements and determines whether the portable audio device is being held in the hand of a user. Upon determining that the device is being held in the hand of user, the audio equalizer performs upward tilt equalization on an audio signal being played by the device through the speaker. Upon determining that the device is not being held in the hand of user (e.g. it is lying flat and still on a surface), the audio equalizer performs downward tilt equalization on the audio signal. Other embodiments are also described.
US09065407B2
A high speed transimpedance amplifier includes an inverting unit, at least one gain module, and a feedback resistor. The inverting unit has an input terminal coupled to a photodiode for receiving an input voltage, and an output terminal for outputting a first voltage. The at least one gain module has an input terminal coupled to the output terminal of the inverting unit for receiving the first voltage, and an output terminal for outputting an output voltage. Each gain module includes a first gain inverting unit and a second gain inverting unit which are coupled to each other. The first gain inverting unit and the second gain inverting unit dominate bandwidth of the high speed transimpedance amplifier. The feedback resistor is coupled to the input terminal of the inverting unit and the output terminal of the at least one gain module for determining a transimpedance of the high speed transimpedance amplifier.
US09065399B2
A voltage-mode differential driver is disclosed. The differential driver includes two driver arms, each driver arm including a variable-impedance driver for driving a single-ended output signal. Each variable-impedance driver comprises multiple driver slices, where each driver slice includes a pre-driver circuit and a driver circuit. Advantageously, it has been determined that the disclosed voltage-mode driver design requires less power than conventional current-mode drivers. In one implementation, the disclosed voltage-mode driver design provides the capability of independently programming the delay of the two single-ended outputs so as to compensate for differential skew. Other embodiments and features are also disclosed.
US09065396B2
Provided is a method in which a Digital Pre-Distorter (DPD) performs digital pre-distortion on a received In-phase (I) signal, a received Quadrature-phase (Q) signal, a feedback I signal, and a feedback Q signal; a mixer mixes a signal output from the DPD with a frequency signal output from an oscillator; each of n phase shifters phase-shifts a signal output from the mixer according to a preset beamforming pattern; each of n Power Amplifiers (PAs) amplifies a signal output from an associated phase shifter according to a gain, the PAs connected to the associated phase shifter on a one-to-one basis; each of n envelope detectors detects an envelope signal from a signal output from an associated PA, the envelope detector connected to the associated PA on a one-to-one basis; and a control unit determines whether the n PAs operate normally, using the envelope signals output from the n envelope detectors.
US09065390B2
A RF front-end circuit and a low noise amplifier thereof configured for a receiver are provided. The circuit includes a low noise amplifier and a quadrature passive mixer. The low noise amplifier provides two RF output differential signals to the quadrature passive mixer. The RF signals are down-converted to the differential in-phase baseband signals and the differential quadrature-phase baseband signals. The structure of the RF front-end circuit can avoid the signal and noise interfering between in-phase channel and quadrature-phase channel without using a 25% duty cycle local oscillation generator circuit.
US09065388B2
Provided is an optical receiving circuit that reduces a distortion of an output pulse width with respect to an input signal by adjusting the division ratio for a voltage applied to resistors in a resistor network. The optical receiving circuit includes: a differential amplifier 2 that converts a current signal converted from an optical input L and outputs a non-inverting voltage V+ and an inverting voltage V− whose amplitudes are regulated; a peak detector 5 that detects a peak voltage Vp of the non-inverting voltage V+ and outputs the peak voltage Vp; a resistor network 4 performing a summation operation based on the peak voltage Vp, the non-inverting voltage V+, and the inverting voltage V− to thereby generate a non-inverting input voltage V1+ and an inverting input voltage V1− whose oscillations cross each other at the middle points of the amplitudes thereof; a discriminator 3 that discriminates a potential at which the oscillations of the non-inverting input voltage V1+ and the inverting input voltage V1− cross each other, and generates a rectangular signal in accordance with the cross potential; and an adjustment circuit 6 that, when the non-inverting voltage V+ or the inverting voltage V− is outputted with the amplitude thereof regulated in the differential circuit, adjusts a relative ratio between the voltages connected respectively to resistors of the resistor network 4, in such a way that the rectangular signal is outputted in the same waveform as the optical input L.
US09065387B2
Systems and methods for maintaining power amplifier performance are provided. A system includes a bias supply that generates a bias voltage, and at least one primary power amplifier (PA) that receives the bias voltage and a primary radio frequency (RF) input. The at least one primary PA amplifies the primary RF input based on the bias voltage. The system includes an auxiliary PA that is connected in parallel with the at least one primary PA and receives the bias voltage and an auxiliary RF input, which is a scaled version of the primary RF input. The auxiliary PA amplifies the auxiliary RF input based on the bias voltage. The system includes a detector that measures an output voltage associated with the amplified auxiliary RF input, and a comparator that compares the measured output voltage to a reference voltage. The bias supply adjusts the bias voltage based on the comparison.
US09065383B2
An oscillation circuit includes a first variable capacitance part which includes a first variable capacitance element whose capacitance is controlled on the basis of a potential difference between a first control voltage and a first reference voltage, and is connected to the oscillation circuit, a second variable capacitance part which includes a second variable capacitance element whose capacitance is controlled on the basis of a potential difference between a first control voltage and a second reference voltage, and is connected to the oscillation circuit. If composite capacitance in the first variable capacitance part excluding the first variable capacitance element is first composite capacitance, composite capacitance in the second variable capacitance part excluding the second variable capacitance element is second composite capacitance, and if the second composite capacitance is greater than the first composite capacitance, the second variable capacitance element having capacitance greater than the first variable capacitance element is used.
US09065376B2
A method for checking the plausibility of a torque of an electric machine, calculated on the basis of a machine model, in which a first value of an electromagnetic power of the electric machine is determined from the calculated torque and a rotational speed of the electric machine. Stator current components and stator phase voltage components are calculated from the stator currents and the stator phase voltages with respect to a reference system, which is fixed in relation to the stator. A second value of the electromagnetic power of the electric machine is determined from the stator current components and the stator phase voltage components. If a deviation of the first value of the electromagnetic power of the electric machine from the second value exceeds a predefined power threshold value, the torque of the electric machine, calculated on the basis of the machine model, is classified as implausible.
US09065372B2
A driving circuit comprises three switch groups, each comprising a first switch, a second switch, a third switch and a fourth switch. The first and the second switches are coupled in series. The third switch is serially coupled to the fourth switch and coupled between the first and the second switches. An ith inductor of a first driving device is coupled between the third and the fourth switches, wherein i ranges between 1˜3. In high speed mode, the first and the third switches of one of the switch groups are turned on, the second and the fourth switches are turned off, the first and the third switches of another of the switch groups are turned off, the second switch is turned on, and the fourth switch is turned on or off to raise voltage of the a driving device.
US09065371B2
A system for collecting solar energy using a plurality of energy collection elements arranged in a planar array within a stationary base structure, each comprising: an energy capture unit with optical means of focusing directional sunlight parallel to its axis onto one or more sunlight-to-electricity converters within itself, and means of sensing divergence of its axis from the sun's direction; and an angular positioning unit that orients said capture unit about two nested axes by slidably mounting two arcuate tracks in opposed and perpendicular arcuate slots, a convex track within said energy capture unit and a concave track within said base structure, each said slot equipped with a drive apparatus that engages its respective track and moves the positioner along it. The invention provides methods for determining the shapes and arrangement of such elements so as to maximize aperture efficiency while preventing collisions of adjacent elements.
US09065367B2
A method of controlling a brushless motor that includes exciting a winding of the motor until current in the winding exceeds a threshold, and then continuing to excite the winding for an overrun period. The length of the overrun period is adjusted in response to a change in one of time, motor speed and excitation voltage. Additionally, a control system that implements the method, and a motor system that incorporates the control system.
US09065366B2
In a method for operating an at least three-phase electric machine used as a drive assembly in a motor vehicle, which is actuated via an inverter, the inverter including switching elements in the form of half bridges which are in each case electrically connected to a respective phase of the electric machine, when a first switching element of a first half bridge connected to a first phase is permanently closed/opened on account of failure, a second switching element of the first half bridge is permanently opened/closed and, in a first angular range of an electrical rotation, which is uninfluenced by the first phase, all switching elements of the additional half bridges are actuated in the usual manner.
US09065361B2
In a hybrid construction machine, there is provided a drive control device which realizes in, as a simple a structure as possible, control means of a motor generator, which is capable of preventing rapid decreases in the state of charge. The control means, which calculates a motor torque command value to be output to the motor generator, is characterized by calculating the motor torque command value, based on a difference between an actual state-of-charge and a prescribed target state-of-charge and a torque margin obtained by a difference between a maximum torque of an engine determined based on an actual rotational speed of the engine and an actual torque of the engine.
US09065358B2
A microelectromechanical system (MEMS) device that reduces or eliminates stiction includes a substrate and a movable element at least partially suspended above the substrate and having at least one degree of freedom. A protrusion extends from the substrate and is configured to contact the movable element when the moving element moves in the at least one degree of freedom. The protrusion comprises a surface having a low surface energy relative a silicon oxide surface. The protrusion may be coupled to a voltage potential node to avoid or counteract electrostatic forces.
US09065350B2
Consistent with an example embodiment there is a method of controlling a resonant power converter; the power converter includes first and second series connected switches connected between a supply voltage line and a ground line and a resonance circuit, having a capacitor and an inductor. The resonance circuit is connected to a node connecting the first and second switches. The method comprises repeated sequential steps of closing the first switch to start a conduction interval; sampling a voltage across the capacitor to obtain a sampled voltage level; and opening the first switch to end the conduction interval when a voltage across the capacitor crosses a voltage level determined by addition of the sampled voltage level with a predetermined voltage difference; wherein controlling the predetermined voltage difference determines a power output of the resonant power converter.
US09065342B2
A switching power supply includes: transformer 60 which includes a primary winding and a secondary winding and outputs, through the secondary winding, an AC voltage based on the current supplied to the primary winding; switching element 61 which controls current supply to the primary winding; rectifying/smoothing circuit 65 which converts the AC voltage output from the secondary winding into a DC voltage; voltage detecting circuit 62 which detects the DC voltage converted by rectifying/smoothing circuit 65; feedback amplifier 63 which is supplied with the DC voltage detected by voltage detecting circuit 62 as one input and which is supplied with a reference voltage as the other input, so as to output a difference between the input voltage values; and control circuit 64 which controls switching element 61, so as to eliminate the difference detected at feedback amplifier 63. Upon receipt of an instruction signal from the outside, voltage detecting circuit 62 supplies to feedback amplifier 63, a voltage higher than the voltage output before receipt of the instruction signal.
US09065341B2
A DC-DC converter in which a primary side and a secondary side are insulated by a transformer, includes: two diodes having anodes respectively connected to both ends of a secondary winding of the transformer and cathodes connected to each other; a series circuit composed of a resistor and a capacitor connected in series; and a snubber circuit formed by connecting the cathodes of the diodes to the connection point between the resistor and the capacitor. Surge voltage caused on the secondary side of the transformer is clamped at the voltage of the capacitor, and surge energy stored in the capacitor is regenerated to a load via the resistor. Thus, surge voltage caused on the secondary side of the transformer is suppressed with a simple configuration, and effective use of surge energy is ensured.
US09065335B2
Circuits and related methods for artificial ramp generation for pulse-width modulators (PWM) for current control mode switch mode power supplies (SMPS) are disclosed. The artificial ramp generation is separated from a current sensing part and allows easy trimming of both paths. Artificial ramp is generated as a voltage on a capacitor biased by constant current and placed between a voltage sensing node and an input of a PWM comparator. The circuit disclosed reduces circuit complexity and susceptibility to noise and spikes from the input voltage.
US09065333B2
A DC-DC converter includes: an inductor provided between a power input node and a power output node; a plurality of switching elements which switch an input route of a power toward the inductor and a discharge route of the power from the inductor; a first pulse generation circuit which generates a first pulse based on a feed-back signal according to an output of the output node; a second pulse generation circuit which generates a second pulse having a second frequency being equal to or higher than a first frequency set as an upper limit of a human audible frequency band; a driver which drives the switching element based on one of the first pulse and the second pulse; and a control circuit which supplies the first pulse or the second pulse to the driver based on a load state of a load coupled to the output node.
US09065328B2
It is presented a power converter for converting power between a first high voltage direct current, DC, connection, a second high voltage DC connection and a high voltage alternating current, AC, connection. The power converter comprises: a first phase arrangement comprising a first converter arm, a second converter arm, a third converter arm, a fourth converter arm, a fifth converter arm and a sixth converter arm. The first, second third and fourth converter arms are serially connected in the mentioned order between two terminals of the first high voltage DC connection. The high voltage AC connection is connected between the second converter arm and the third converter arm.
US09065311B2
A linear motor cooling mechanism includes two cooling sections. Each cooling section is composed of multiple bypass heads, which are serially connected with each other. The cooling sections are additionally fixedly disposed on the linear motor. Each cooling section has a main flow way and multiple bypass flow ways in communication with the main flow way. External air is guided through the main flow way and distributed to the bypass flow ways so as to controllably flow toward the position of the mover of the linear motor for achieving an air-cooling heat dissipation effect.
US09065309B2
A magnetic levitation type vacuum pump includes an electromagnet magnetically levitating a rotor by a magnetic force, an electromagnet driving circuit supplying an electromagnet current including a magnetic levitation control current component and a carrier wave current component having a frequency band higher than the magnetic levitation control current component to the electromagnet coil, a levitated position detecting circuit detecting the carrier wave current component and generating a levitated position signal of the rotor, a magnetic levitation control circuit inputting a current command of the magnetic levitation control current component to the electromagnet driving circuit based on the levitated position signal. The electromagnet coil has a primary coil and a secondary coil connected in parallel with the primary coil. An interrupting circuit connected in series with the secondary coil for the carrier wave current component passing therethrough and interrupting the magnetic levitation control current component is further included.
US09065308B2
In addition to a bearing holder being provided with an annular groove that opens down in the axial direction, an end cap is provided with an annular projection that extends up in the axial direction, and by way of press-fitting the projection into the groove, the fitted portion of the bearing holder and the end cap is forms an axially convex labyrinthine shape extending along the entire perimeter.
US09065307B2
An apparatus and method for facilitating coupling of a fan and a flywheel, as well as an internal combustion engine and other applications for such apparatus and method are described herein. In one example embodiment, an apparatus for facilitating coupling of a fan and a flywheel includes a plurality of protrusions formed on the fan, wherein each of the protrusions defines a respective hole therewithin, a plurality of receiving structures formed in the flywheel, and a plurality of pins. The receiving structures are positioned so that, when the fan is axially aligned with and adjacent to the flywheel, the protrusions are respectively received by the receiving structures. Further, when the pins are inserted into the holes, portions of the protrusions expand outwardly so that interference is created between surfaces of the protrusions and the receiving structures, whereby due to the interference the fan and flywheel are rotationally coupled.
US09065303B2
A system for filtering harmonic frequency distortion in AC power distribution system is disclosed. The system comprises a filter configured to filter harmonic frequency from the AC power, an input sensor configured to acquire harmonic frequency level of the input AC power before filtration, an output sensor configured to acquire harmonic frequency level of the output AC power after filtration, and an interfacing module connected to the input and output sensor for acquiring signals of the harmonic frequency level of the input and output AC power measured by the input and output sensors, respectively. The interfacing module is further configured to process the acquired signals into computer readable data. The computer readable data can be accessed through remote server via IP-based communication network. A method for filtering harmonic frequency distortion of AC power and measuring power quality of the AC power is also disclosed.
US09065300B2
A system for providing power to a load of a drilling rig has a dual fuel engine/generator and an energy storage system. The load is switchably connected to one or both of the dual fuel engine/generator and the energy storage system. The dual fuel engine/generator and the energy storage system have a capacity suitable for supplying requisite power to the load. A rectifier is connected to an output line of the engine/generator so as to convert the AC power to DC power. The energy storage system is a battery. The dual fuel engine/generator can be either a dedicated duel fuel system or a fumigation system.
US09065284B2
The present invention provides an inductively powered sensor system having a primary conductive path capable of being energized to provide an electromagnetic field in a defined space. An inductive power pick-up is associated with a sensor and is capable of receiving power from the field to supply the sensor. The system includes a first sensing unit to sense the power available to the pick-up and a control unit to increase or decrease the power available to the sensor dependant on the sensed power available. A method of inductively powering a sensor, an inductively powered sensor and an animal enclosure including one or more primary conductive path of an inductive power supply are also disclosed.
US09065283B2
A charging system includes a charging cap having a cradle with first and second electrodes; and a rechargeable unit including a charging end having third and fourth electrodes arranged for engagement by the first and second electrode of the charging cap when the rechargeable unit is received in the charging cap and thereby provide electrical contact to enable charging of the rechargeable unit. At least one recess in the rechargeable unit is arranged to receive one or more clamping members of the charging cap for releasably securing the rechargeable unit to the charging cap.
US09065280B2
An energy storage system having one or more battery packs and a system controller for controlling the battery packs. Each battery pack has rechargeable storage cells and a battery pack controller in communication with the system controller. Through the operation of the system controller, battery packs with different initial charge states can be operated in parallel during a charge process and a discharge process. Discharging multiple battery packs in parallel offers not only a higher capacity and a longer run time than is available from a single battery pack, but also offers higher peak currents than available from a single battery pack, which are important in motor control applications. A battery pack design including a battery pack connector with both power and control contacts supporting user replacement of the battery packs.
US09065275B2
In various embodiments a circuit arrangement is provided, having a bridge circuit including at least two switches connected in series; a bridge node which may provide a phase voltage arranged between the at least two switches; an electric motor having at least one phase winding coupled with the bridge node; a decoupling switch; a controller, wherein in an error case the controller may be configured to switch off the at least two switches, to determine whether a predefined condition is satisfied, and to one of delayed switching off the decoupling switch; and switching off the at least two switches and the decoupling switch simultaneously, depending upon whether the predefined condition is satisfied; wherein the controller may determine that the predefined condition is satisfied when the decoupling switch may be switched off without damage from the current applied to it when the at least two switches are switched off.
US09065270B2
A ground fault protection system may include a controller that is configured to receive signals representing a ground fault detection voltage and a DC link voltage of the machine. Based on the ground fault detection voltage and the DC link voltage, the controller may determine a ground fault detection percentage value, and a worst case component insulation voltage. The controller may compare an absolute value of the worst case component insulation voltage with a rated insulation voltage of a component of the machine. When the absolute value of the worst case component insulation voltage is higher than the rated insulation voltage, the controller may determine a new DC link voltage based on the rated insulation voltage and the ground fault detection percentage value, and may operate the machine by using the new DC link voltage.
US09065264B2
The invention provides a mount for installing an electrical fixture to an electrical junction box. The mount includes a support configured for independent attachment to said junction box and said electrical fixture respectively for mounting said fixture to said junction box. The mount further includes at least one electrical quick connect member engaged to said support comprising a first connection element for forming an electrical connection with a electrical wire and a second connection element for forming an electrical connection a fixture electrical wires. The first and second connection elements are electrically connected or connectible together to form an electrical connection between the source wires and the fixture wires.
US09065248B2
In master oscillator-power amplifier (MOPA) systems for generating laser light, a fluorine concentration in each of the master oscillator and power amplifier chambers is maintained. While sensors at the chambers can measure certain values of some variables, the sensors do not directly measure fluorine concentration. As a further complication, the values received from the sensors are known to be affected by various specified variables. To estimate the effect on the received values, an RLS algorithm and covariance matrix are used. To ensure that the RLS algorithm is responsive to recent changes in a specified variable, portions of the covariance matrix are reset to more quickly and more heavily weight the more recent values.
US09065240B2
An actuation device for a laser diode includes: a first driver device which is set up to generate a high-frequency modulated actuation signal and to feed the signal into the laser diode for speckle suppression, and an evaluation circuit, which is coupled with the first driver device, and which is set up to output to the first driver device an intensity signal indicating the intensity of the light emitted by the laser diode and a control signal as a function of the intensity signal in order to regulate the high-frequency modulated actuation signal.
US09065239B2
A top emitting VCSEL array may be coupled to a separate heat spreading superstrate that may be positioned above the apertures of the array and that may be able to transmit the emitted beams through the heat spreading superstrate. The VCSEL devices in the array may be controlled by an electrical connection to a pattern of conductive elements positioned in close contact with, but electrically isolated from, the heat spreading superstrate. The conductive elements may electrically control one or more of the VCSEL devices to enable sectional control of the light output. The elements may also be arraigned in a ground-signal-ground or coplanar waveguide configuration to improve the frequency response of the array.
US09065237B2
Multi-mode diode emitters are stacked in a staircase formation to provide a spatially-multiplexed output. Improved coupling efficiency is achieved by providing tilted collimated output beams that determine an effective step height of the stepped structure. Since the effective step height is dependent on the tilt angle, a variable number of emitters can be used inside packages having a same physical step height, while still attaining high coupling efficiency.
US09065234B2
A connecting contact for SM D-components includes a metal material and the metal material at least partially comprises a coating with a different metal material. The connecting contact has a substantially laminar contact area for solderable contact to a board and comprises edge regions. At least one segment of the edge region is at a distance from the laminar contact area, so that a soldered fillet is formed for a soldered contact to a board. Also, a method for producing connecting contacts for SM D-components for solderably contacting a board includes the steps of punching metal strips, bending the metal strips so that a conducting region and a laminar contact area are produced, and forming the edge areas at the laminar contact area. At least one segment of the edge area is at a distance from the laminar contact area.
US09065231B2
Disclosed herein is a two-way plug which can be inserted into a connection port regardless of the orientation of the plug. The two-way plug includes a rectangular frame, a hard substrate and four connection terminals. The rectangular frame is inserted into a connection port such that the rectangular frame is supported by the connection port. The substrate is disposed in a central portion of the rectangular frame. The four connection terminals are formed on each of the two surfaces of the substrate to form a symmetrical structure. Regardless of the orientation of the rectangular frame inserted into the connection port, the four connection terminals formed on one surface of the substrate are each connected to one of four connection pins provided in the connection port, and the four connection terminals formed on the other surface of the substrate are prevented from coming into contact with a tension pin provided in the connection port.
US09065226B2
A tuner comprises a frame that is provided with a through-hole and a connection portion to which a connector is connected. The connection portion includes a flange portion that is able to select to pass through the through-hole or not to pass through the through-hole by the connection portion being rotated, and the frame includes a pressurization portion that pressurizes the flange portion which passes through the through-hole.
US09065215B2
An electrical connector assembly includes a first electrical connector and a second electrical connector that can be mated so as to establish an electrical connection across the electrical connectors at a mating region. One of the electrical connectors includes a perforated common ground shield at the mating region that reduces crosstalk while substantially matching impedance at the mating region to a desired impedance of the electrical connector assembly.
US09065212B2
Connector inserts and receptacles that provide a clear response to a user when a connector insert is properly inserted into a connector receptacle. One example may provide a connector system that provides a tactile response to a user when a connector insert is properly inserted into a connector receptacle. In other examples, the response provided to the user may be audible as well. The insertion of the connector insert into the connector receptacle may follow a force profile that includes an insertion profile defined by a substantially monotonically increasing resistance force from the beginning of insertion until an insertion peak is reached, followed by a click-through event leading to a final mating position.
US09065207B2
Locking electrical receptacles and methods for selectively securing an electrical connection. One or more prongs of an electrical plug may be engaged by a clamping element disposable between a clamping configuration and a release configuration. A release mechanism accessible to a user when the electrical connection between a receptacle and plug is established may dispose the clamping mechanism in the release configuration. The clamping element may include a first and second portion that undergo relative movement to impart a shear force on the one or more prongs retained by the clamping mechanism. Furthermore, a strain relief mechanism may be provided to release the plug at a predetermined level of force by moving the clamping element deflectable portion (188) to a release configuration.
US09065204B2
A smart card securing mechanism for securing a first smart card and a second smart card includes a base, a first latching member, a second latching member, and an elastic sheet. The base includes a first connector. The first latching member is positioned on one side of the base. The second latching member includes a second connector and is positioned on another side of the base. The elastic sheet is mounted to the base. The first smart card is received in a space defined between the base and the first latching member. The second smart card is received in a space defined between the base and the second latching member. The elastic sheet abuts against the second smart card.
US09065203B2
A shim for securing an electrical connection of an electrical connection assembly. The shim includes a cylindrical sleeve with opposite proximal and distal ends. The cylindrical sleeve runs from a proximal end of the shim to a distal end of the shim. An interior portion of the cylindrical sleeve is defined by an opening from the proximal end of the shim to the distal end of the shim. The opening allows a plug of the electrical connector assembly to be inserted within the opening of the cylindrical sleeve while the shim is inserted into a socket of the electrical connector assembly to hold the plug securely in the socket of the electrical connection assembly.
US09065201B2
An electrical connector module is for completing an electrical connection in a wellbore device. The module has an outer surface having at least one groove that receives and frictionally retains an electrical wire in a circuitous path that relieves strain on the wire. An electrical connector is at least partially disposed in the at least one groove and is connected to the electrical wire.
US09065189B2
A water proof crimping terminal comprises a base plate part; and a pair of core wire crimping pieces integrally formed with the base plate part to form an annular core wire crimping part during crimping process of an electric wire; wherein an end side of one of the core wire crimping pieces is folded outward to form a folded part having an outward repelling force, an end side of the other of the core wire crimping pieces is arranged outside the folded part as a covering part, and an outer surface of the folded part is allowed to come into close contact with an inner surface of the covering part by the repelling force.
US09065184B2
A feeding system is provided, and it supplies a power using conductive patterns divided into pattern groups, e.g. patterns having U shape. The feeding system includes a first substrate, first patterns disposed on the first substrate, second patterns disposed on the first substrate, and connected electrically in parallel to the first patterns, a second substrate spaced from the first substrate, at least one third pattern disposed on the second substrate, and configured to correspond to the first patterns and one or more fourth pattern disposed on the second substrate, and configured to correspond to the second patterns. Here, the third pattern connects electrically corresponding first patterns, and the fourth pattern connects electrically corresponding second patterns.
US09065183B2
A leaky coaxial cable includes: a central conductor; an insulator configured to cover the central conductor; an external conductor wound around the insulator, having a thickness of 5 μm to 44 μm, and including multiple slots formed periodically in a longitudinal direction of the cable; a plastic film attached to the external conductor, and having a thickness of 5 μm to 36 μm; and an outer sheath configured to cover the external conductor and the plastic film, as well as characterized in that the plastic film is attached to a surface of the external conductor facing the outer sheath.
US09065178B2
A mobile high-frequency antenna rapidly adjustable to minimize VSWR and maximize transmitting and receiving efficiency includes a conductive whip mounted on a coil housing containing a solenoidal loading coil electrically connected at an upper end to the whip and at a lower end to a conductive mast which supports the coil housing. A coil contactor disk at the upper end of a conductive metal shaft raised or lowered by a stepper motor-driven lead screw has protruding spring loaded balls which rollingly contact inner surfaces of coil turns to thus insert less or more inductance between the shaft and whip to tune the antenna. A pair of RF de-couplers in a coil housing base plug which electrically contacts the mast and the lower end of the coil slidably support and electrically contact the shaft, thus shorting out lower parts of the coil to suppress harmonic currents from being induced therein.
US09065166B2
Exemplary embodiments are provided of multi-band Planar Inverted-F antennas and antenna systems including the same. In an exemplary embodiment, a Planar Inverted-F antenna (PIFA) generally includes a planar radiator or upper radiating patch element having a slot. A lower surface of the PIFA is spaced apart from the upper radiating patch element. First and second shorting elements electrically connect the planar radiator to the lower surface. The PIFA also includes a feeding element electrically connected between the upper radiating patch element and the lower surface. The PIFA may be mounted on a ground plane that is larger than the lower surface of the PIFA.
US09065165B2
A communication device including a ground element, an antenna element and a switching unit is provided. The antenna element is substantially a loop antenna and includes a first part, a second part and a third part. The second part includes (N−1) bends for forming N connection sections. The third part includes (P−1) bends for forming P ground sections. The N connection sections are connected in series between a first end of a first ground section and the first part. A second end of an ith ground section is electrically connected to a first end of an (i+1)th ground section, i is an integer and 1≦i≦(P−1). A second end of a Pth ground section is electrically connected to the ground element, and a (P−1)th ground section includes at least one ground point. The switching unit is electrically connected between the at least one ground point and the ground element.
US09065158B2
A cooling module for a battery pack assembly is disclosed. The cooling module includes a frame having a plurality of legs forming an opening through a central portion of the frame, at least one of the plurality of legs including a slot formed therethrough. A cooling fin is coupled to the frame. The cooling fin includes a corrugated plate interposed between a first plate and a second plate forming a plurality of fluid flow channels between the first plate and the second plate. The cooling modules are disposed in a stack having at least one battery cell disposed between adjacent cooling modules. The battery cell is in heat transfer communication with the cooling fin of at least one cooling module, wherein the cooling fin facilitates a transfer of heat energy between the battery cell and the flow channels formed in the cooling fin.
US09065145B2
A lithium-ion battery having a wound electrode configuration includes a wound cell element that includes a positive electrode and a negative electrode, the positive electrode including a current collector and a first active material and the negative electrode including a current collector and a second active material. The second active material has a potential that is greater than 0.2 volts versus a lithium reference electrode. The wound cell element includes a region where an edge of the positive electrode is provided proximate an edge of the negative electrode and the second active material near the edge of the negative electrode does not extend beyond the first active material near the edge of the positive electrode.
US09065142B2
A process includes patterning a surface of a platinum group metal-based electrode by contacting the electrode with an adsorbate to form a patterned platinum group metal-based electrode including platinum group metal sites blocked with adsorbate molecules and platinum group metal sites which are not blocked.
US09065141B2
A catalyst support for an electrochemical system includes a high surface area refractory material core structure and boron-doped diamond. The BDD modifies the high surface area refractory material core structure.
US09065140B2
A substantially crack-free electrode layer is described. The substantially crack-free electrode layer includes a substrate; and a substantially crack-free electrode layer on the substrate, the electrode layer comprising a catalyst, an ionomer, and a layered silicate reinforcement. Methods of making the electrode layer, electrode ink compositions, and membrane electrode assemblies incorporating the electrode layer are also described.
US09065135B2
Disclosed is lithium iron phosphate having an olivine crystal structure, wherein the length in the direction [001] is greater than the length in the direction [010] when the Li+ diffusion direction is the direction [010] in the lattice structure of the crystal.
US09065134B2
The invention relates to an electrochemical lithium accumulator comprising at least one first electrochemical cell and at least one electrochemical cell separated from each other by a current collector substrate, which substrate supports on a first face an electrode of said first electrochemical cell and on a second face opposite to said first face, an electrode of opposite sign of said second electrochemical cell, each cell comprising a positive electrode and a negative electrode separated by an electrolyte, characterized in that the positive electrode comprises a lithiated compound and the negative electrode comprises elemental sulfur.
US09065132B1
Compositions, and methods of obtaining them, useful for lithium ion batteries comprising discrete oxidized carbon nanotubes having attached to their surface lithium ion active materials in the form of nanometer sized crystals or layers. The composition can further comprise graphene or oxygenated graphene.
US09065129B2
A rechargeable battery including an electrode assembly including a first electrode and a second electrode; a case having a space in which the electrode assembly is located; a cap plate coupled with the case; a terminal coupled to the electrode assembly through a current collecting tap, and protruding through the cap plate to an outside of the case; a first cover in which a lower portion of the terminal is located; and a second cover in which an upper portion of the current collecting tap is located, the second cover being coupled with the first cover to secure the terminal and the current collecting tap.
US09065126B2
The oxidant inlets of the reactant gas flow field grooves (41) of a fuel cell (11) which suffers a crossover between the fuel and oxidant flow fields, due to a leak in the seals, the maxtrix or the membrane of the fuel cell, are blocked with a liquid (50) which cures in place, hot glue, two-part epoxy, or fluoroelastomers. This prevents heating as a result of combusting fuel with oxygen near the site, which avoids excessive heating and damaging of successive fuel cells. As a result, a fuel cell power plant (8) can continue to operate with only a minor loss of voltage and power, thereby avoiding the need to tear down the stack by loosening the tie-bolts. Voltage and hydrogen levels may be used to detect the crossover. The particular cell (11) with the leak can be determined by voltage or hydrogen monitoring, or by immersing the stack in a liquid while applying gas to the fuel inlet of the stack.
US09065122B2
Embodiments of the present invention relate generally to lithium-ion batteries, and more specifically, to batteries having integrated separators and methods of fabricating such batteries. In one embodiment, a lithium-ion battery having an electrode structure is provided. The lithium-ion battery comprises an anode stack, a cathode stack, and a porous electrospun polymer separator comprising a nano-fiber backbone structure. The anode stack comprises an anodic current collector and an anode structure formed over a first surface of the anodic current collector. The cathode stack comprises a cathodic current collector and a cathode structure formed over a first surface of the cathodic current collector. The porous electrospun polymer separator is positioned between the anode structure and the cathode structure.
US09065121B2
A separator is provided. The separator includes a base layer and a surface layer, wherein the surface layer is on at least one side of the base layer, and wherein the surface layer is structured so as to collapse at time of charging to prevent damage to a negative electrode due to expansion thereof. A battery including the separator is also provided. An electric device, an electric vehicle, and an electrical storage device including the battery are further provided.
US09065117B2
Glass-fiber composites are described that include a substrate containing glass fibers and particles in contact with the glass fiber substrate. The particles may include an alkali-metal containing compound. In addition, batteries are described with an anode, a cathode, and an electrolyte. The cathode may include alkali-metal containing nanoparticles in contact with glass fibers. Also describe are methods of making a glass-fiber composite. The methods may include the steps of forming a wet laid non-woven glass fiber substrate, and contacting alkali-metal containing particles on the substrate.
US09065112B2
A secondary battery module includes a plurality of secondary batteries, and each of the secondary batteries includes an electrode assembly, a case accommodating the electrode assembly, an electrode terminal electrically connected to the electrode assembly, a first short-circuit member electrically connected to the electrode terminal, and the first short-circuit member is configured to protrude outwardly from the case when an internal pressure of the case exceeds a preset pressure. The secondary battery module also includes a connecting member electrically connecting electrode terminals of adjacent ones of the secondary batteries, and a second short-circuit member overlapping the first short-circuit member of at least one of the plurality of secondary batteries such that the second short-circuit member contacts the first short-circuit member when the first short-circuit member protrudes outwardly from the case.
US09065111B2
An embodiment of the invention relates to a battery pack having a strength-reinforced housing that accommodates a plurality of battery cells. In one embodiment, the battery pack includes one or more battery cells, a housing accommodating the one or more battery cells, and a reinforcement portion formed in the housing. The housing has a bottom portion and three sidewalls upwardly extending from three-sided perimeters of the bottom portion. The reinforcement portion surrounds surfaces of the three sidewalls.
US09065110B2
A battery assembly has circular cylindrical rechargeable/dischargeable battery cells (10) and a holding member for holding the battery cells. On the outer peripheral surface (32) of each battery cell are formed wavy irregularities (34) arranged in the circumferential direction of the battery cell and extending longitudinally. The holding member has battery cell installation holes each having grooves (28) formed in an inner peripheral surface (29) of the installation hole and engaging with the irregularities (34). The battery cells (10) are held inserted in the battery cell installation holes in the holding member, and in this state, the irregularities (34) on the outer peripheral surfaces (32) of the battery cells and the grooves (28) are fitted to each other.
US09065107B2
An article comprising: (a) a battery support containing battery lead wires, (b) an opposing battery support attached to the battery support to create a battery closure, and (c) one or more batteries; wherein the batteries are secured in the battery closure, wherein the batteries are secured to the opposing battery support, the batteries supply energy to a device, and removing the opposing battery support from the battery closure disables transmission of electricity from the batteries via the battery lead wires to the device.
US09065103B2
A battery system is provided in which the batteries are mounted between a pair of substrates, the system further including at least one cooling tube mounted next to the batteries, the cooling tube used to withdraw heat from the batteries via a circulating liquid coolant.
US09065102B2
A rechargeable battery including an electrode assembly including a positive electrode and a negative electrode; a case containing the electrode assembly; a cap plate covering an opening of the case; a terminal electrically connected to the electrode assembly; and a sealing member on the cap plate to seal between the terminal and the cap plate, the sealing member including a connection member arranged therein and electrically connecting the terminal and the cap plate.
US09065099B2
A fuel cell system has a fuel cell that includes at least one cell with an electrolyte membrane, an index value acquirer and a controller. The index value acquirer obtains a temperature index value correlated to temperature of a short circuit area in each cell. The controller controls a control parameter of the fuel cell affecting the temperature of the short circuit area, such that the temperature index value is within a predetermined range set to make the temperature of the short circuit area lower than a decomposition temperature of the electrolyte membrane.
US09065095B2
A fuel cell includes a direct liquid fuel cell and a humidifier. The direct liquid fuel cell includes an air intake channel for providing oxidant to the fuel cell and an exhaust channel for exhausting depleted oxidant. The humidifier forms a fluid connection between the air intake channel and the exhaust channel.
US09065089B2
A fuel cell includes a membrane electrode assembly, a first separator, and a second separator. The membrane electrode assembly includes a first electrode, a second electrode, a resin frame member, and an electrolyte membrane. The resin frame member includes a first surface, a second surface, a first buffer portion, and a second buffer portion. The first buffer portion is provided on the first surface of the resin frame member. The second buffer portion is provided on the second surface of the resin frame member. The second buffer portion is independent from the first buffer portion.
US09065082B2
An electric storage device includes an electrode assembly and an outer case. The electrode assembly has at least one convex portion. The outer case accommodates the electrode assembly and has an inner wall with a recess in portion thereof opposite the at least one convex portion of the electrode assembly.
US09065081B2
The present invention provides titanium material for a separator for solid polymer fuel cell use comprised of titanium which has a surface layer part where conductive compound particles are affixed, which is excellent in contact resistance between the separator surface and carbon paper and in durability, and which is low in cost and superior in recyclability and a method of production of the same. This titanium material for separator use has on the surface of the titanium base material a film comprised of the titanium compound particles made of titanium carbide, titanium nitride, or titanium carbonitride and titanium oxide. The film has a thickness of 0.1 to 1 μm, the coverage rate is an area percentage of 20% or more, and the contents of carbon and nitrogen in the film total 5 to 40 at %. The titanium material for a separator is produced by annealing or shot blasting and pickling.
US09065078B2
A method of manufacturing an organic light emitting display panel is disclosed. The method may include forming a thin film layer using an open mask. The open mask may include forming a half-etching portion disposed over at least a portion of a non-display area. The non-display area may include a portion in which a first line crosses a second line. In a final product, a distance between a substrate and a lower surface of the half-etching portion may be longer than the distance between the substrate and a lower surface of a non-opening portion. Because of the half-etching portion, lines disposed in the non-display area may be prevented from contacting the open mask.
US09065074B2
The invention provides an electro-optical device that has luminescent elements of a long lifetime by preventing oxygen or moisture from entering to luminescent layers or electrodes even in case of an electrode-optical device provided with a number of luminescent layers and an electronic apparatus provided with the electro-optical device. The invention can include an electro-optical device having first electrodes on a base body, a plurality of element areas including element layers including at least one functional layers disposed above the first electrodes, a second electrode formed above the element layers, a surrounding sections disposed on the base body so as to cover outer sides of the element layers included the element areas in the nearest proximity of the periphery of the base body, and a gas-barrier layer covering over the second electrode. Outer sides of the surrounding sections can be covered with the second electrode, and the gas-barrier layer can be in contact with the base body.
US09065070B2
An organic light-emitting display apparatus and a method of manufacturing the same are provided. The organic light-emitting display apparatus includes a substrate, an organic light-emitting device on the substrate, an encapsulation layer covering the organic light-emitting device, and a low adhesive layer covering the encapsulation layer.
US09065069B2
Method for manufacturing organic EL element including anode, hole injection layer, buffer layer, light-emitting layer, and cathode, layered on substrate in the stated order, and banks defining a light-emission region, and having excellent light-emission characteristics, due to the hole injection layer having excellent hole injection efficiency, being a tungsten oxide layer including an oxygen vacancy structure, formed under predetermined conditions to have an occupied energy level within a binding energy range from 1.8 eV to 3.6 eV lower than a lowest binding energy of a valence band, and after formation, subjected to atmospheric firing at a temperature within 200° C.-230° C. inclusive for a processing time of 15-45 minutes inclusive to have increased film density and improved dissolution resistance against an etching solution, a cleaning liquid, etc., used in a bank forming process.
US09065064B2
According to one embodiment, the manufacturing method of a functional element includes filling a solvent comprising hydrogen gas and having organic molecules dispersed therein into a gap between the first electrode and the second electrode formed facing the first electrode, and forming an organic layer containing the organic molecules mentioned above between the first electrode and the second electrode.
US09065058B2
An object is to provide a light-emitting element with high emission efficiency which includes a novel carbazole derivative that has a wide energy gap and can be used for a transport layer or a host material in a light-emitting element. A carbazole derivative in which the 4-position of dibenzothiophene or dibenzofuran is bonded to the 2- or 3-position of carbazole has been able to be provided by use of the carbazole derivative. Further, a light-emitting element having high emission efficiency has been able to be provided by use of the carbazole derivative.
US09065056B2
A semi-fluoroalkyl group substituted organic semiconductor polymer and an organic thin film transistor including the same are disclosed. A structure in which hydrogen of only a terminal of an alkyl group is substituted with fluorine exhibits significantly increased hole mobility, and significantly improved properties in terms of thermal stability and chemical stability, as compared to a structure in which all hydrogens coupled to a thiophene ring are substituted with fluorine, or a structure in which hydrogen of the terminal thereof is not substituted with fluorine and only hydrogens of the remaining portion are coupled to the thiophene ring.
US09065053B2
A donor substrate may include a base layer, a light to heat conversion layer disposed on the base layer, a buffer layer disposed on the light to heat conversion layer, an organic transfer layer disposed on the buffer layer, and a tightening member disposed on a peripheral portion of the organic transfer layer. The tightening member may include an adhesive film having an adhesion strength controlled by an irradiation of an ultraviolet ray. Process failures for manufacturing an organic light emitting display device may be prevented by the donor substrate, so that the organic light emitting display device may ensure improved performances.
US09065051B2
A liquid ejecting head includes a piezoelectric element including a first electrode, a piezoelectric layer overlying the first electrode with an orientation control layer therebetween, and a second electrode overlying the piezoelectric layer. The piezoelectric layer is made of a complex oxide having a perovskite structure including an A site containing lead and a B site containing zirconium and titanium. The orientation control layer is made of a complex oxide having a perovskite structure including an A site containing lanthanum and a B site containing nickel and titanium.
US09065048B2
Methods of forming a material include exposing a substrate to a first germanium-containing compound and a second, different germanium-containing compound; exposing the substrate to a first antimony-containing compound and a second, different antimony-containing compound; and exposing the substrate to a first tellurium-containing compound and a second, different tellurium-containing compound. Methods of forming chalcogenide materials include exposing a substrate to a first precursor comprising a reactive precursor of a first metal and a co-reactive precursor of the first metal, the reactive precursor and the co-reactive precursor each having at least one ligand coordinated to an atom of the first metal, wherein the at least one ligand of the co-reactive precursor is different from the at least one ligand of the reactive precursor. The substrate is also exposed to a reactive antimony precursor and a co-reactive antimony precursor and to a reactive tellurium precursor and a co-reactive tellurium precursor.
US09065042B2
A thermoacoustic energy converter for converting heat energy to electricity includes an annular resonator with a regenerator disposed therein. An electro-mechanical transducer is coupled to the annular resonator and in fluid communication with the working fluid. When heat is applied to one end of the annular resonator, a traveling acoustic wave is generated in the annular resonator causing vibrations in the working fluid that actuate the electro-mechanical transducer to generate electricity.
US09065035B2
A thermally assisted magnetoresistive random access memory cell, a corresponding array, and a method for fabricating the array. An example cell includes a first metal layer, a second metal layer, an interlayer, a first magnetic stack, and a first non-magnetic via. The first metal layer includes a pad and a first metal line, with the pad not in direct contact with the first metal line. The second metal layer includes a second metal line and a metal strap. The second metal line is perpendicular to the first metal line and not in contact with the metal strap. The interlayer is located between the first and second metal layers. The first metal line is not in direct contact with the interlayer. The first magnetic stack is in direct contact with the interlayer and the metal strap. The first non-magnetic via is in direct contact with the pad and the metal strap.
US09065034B2
A highly reliable light-emitting device and a manufacturing method thereof are provided. A light-emitting element and a terminal electrode are formed over an element formation substrate; a first substrate having an opening is formed over the light-emitting element and the terminal electrode with a bonding layer provided therebetween; an embedded layer is formed in the opening; a transfer substrate is formed over the first substrate and the embedded layer; the element formation substrate is separated; a second substrate is formed under the light-emitting element and the terminal electrode; and the transfer substrate and the embedded layer are removed. In addition, an anisotropic conductive connection layer is formed in the opening, and an electrode is formed over the anisotropic conductive connection layer. The terminal electrode and the electrode are electrically connected to each other through the anisotropic conductive connection layer.
US09065031B2
A low-cost and productivity-oriented surface mount light-emitting device is provided. The light-emitting device includes an insulating film 2, at least one pair of land portions 3a and 3b comprising metal film pieces formed on the top surface of the insulating film 2, external connection terminal portions 4a and 4b comprising metal film pieces formed on the bottom surface of the insulating film 2, that are opposed to the land portions 3a and 3b across the insulating film 2 in one-to-one correspondence, through-conductors 7a and 7b that connect between the land portions 3a and 3b and the terminal portions 4a and 4b corresponding to each other through the insulating film 2, and a light-emitting element 10 that is electrically connected to the pair of the land portions 3a and 3b and disposed in a unit section which contains the pair of the land portions 3a and 3b.
US09065027B2
A LED package structure includes a base portion, a light-emitting chip, a cup portion and an encapsulating glue. The base portion has an upper surface and a lower surface. The upper surface has a die-bonding area. The light-emitting chip emits a light with a first wavelength and is located on the die-bonding area. The cup portion is located on the base portion to surround the die-bonding area to form a recess having an opening. The encapsulating glue is filled into the recess. The encapsulating glue has a wavelength conversion material configured to convert part of the light with the first wavelength into a light with a second wavelength. The cup portion includes an electro chromic layer electrically connected to a first external power and a transmittance of the electro chromic layer is changed in accordance with an input voltage of the first external power to adjust the light-emitting profile of the light-emitting chip.
US09065026B2
Embodiments of a lens element have a body that incorporates geometry that defines features for surfaces that receive and transmit light, e.g., from a light emitting diode (LED) device. These features include, for example, curves, bends, arcs, and like curvilinear objects and/or shapes. These embodiments employs these features to change the direction of light that transits the body. These changes can reflect, refract, and/or re-direct light, thus rendering light that emits from the lens element with one or more light distributing characteristics. In one embodiment, the body comprises a cavity with an inner surface that has a first section and a second section that curve, respectively, with positive concavity and with negative concavity relative to the LED device.
US09065018B2
A semiconductor light-emitting device having an electrode that can be manufactured by a simple method and is unlikely to deteriorate, and a method for forming the electrode are provided. The semiconductor light-emitting device according to the present invention has a semiconductor layered structure having a light-emitting layer that emits light by supplying electric power and an electrode formed on the semiconductor layered structure. The electrode has a reflection layer that reflects light exiting from the light-emitting layer, a barrier layer formed on the upper side and side surface of the reflection layer, and a pad layer formed only on the top surface of the barrier layer.
US09065016B2
A method for manufacturing a thermoelectric generator includes the steps of replicating a structure into a flexible substrate for providing a set of cavities; providing an initiator in the cavities for growing respective piles of thermoelectric materials; growing the respective piles of thermoelectric materials from said initiator; and providing electrical connection between the respective piles of thermoelectric materials for forming thermocouples of the thermoelectric generator.
US09065014B2
A thermoelectric material includes powders having a surface coated with an inorganic material. The thermoelectric material includes a thermoelectric semiconductor powder and a coating layer on an outer surface of the thermoelectric semiconductor powders.
US09065011B2
A thermoelectric conversion element, a thermoelectric conversion module, and a method for producing a thermoelectric conversion element are provided, each of the element and the module having a low contact resistance between a p-type thermoelectric conversion material and an n-type thermoelectric conversion material and being capable of being used at high temperatures without deterioration due to oxidation. A p-type oxide thermoelectric conversion material is primarily made of a substance having a layered perovskite structure represented by the formula: A2BO4, wherein A includes at least La, and B represents at least one element including at least Cu. An n-type oxide thermoelectric conversion material is primarily made of a substance having a layered perovskite structure represented by the formula: D2EO4, wherein D includes at least one of Pr, Nd, Sm, and Gd, and E represents at least one element including at least Cu. The p-type oxide thermoelectric conversion material, the n-type oxide thermoelectric conversion material, and a composite insulating material are co-sintered. A glass having a softening point of about 550° C. to about 750° C. is used as a glass defining the composite insulating material.
US09065003B2
According to one embodiment, a semiconductor light emitting device includes a first semiconductor layer of a first conductivity type, a second semiconductor layer of a second conductivity type, and a light emitting layer provided between the first semiconductor layer and the second semiconductor layer and configured to emit a light having a peak wavelength of 440 nanometers or more. Tensile strain is applied to the first semiconductor layer. An edge dislocation density of the first semiconductor layer is 5×109/cm2 or less. A lattice mismatch factor between the first semiconductor layer and the light emitting layer is 0.11 percent or less.
US09065001B2
The present invention discloses a light-emitting display backplane, a display device and a manufacturing method of a pixel define layer. A light-emitting display backplane according to the present invention comprises: a substrate and a pixel define layer provided thereon, wherein said pixel define layer comprises: a first photosensitive resin layer, a first transparent define layer and a second transparent define layer sequentially provided on said substrate from bottom to top, each of the first photosensitive resin layer, the first define layer and the second define layer is provided with openings corresponding to respective pixels, and the openings in said second define layer are smaller than those in both said first define layer and said first photosensitive resin layer, so as to form luminescent material filling regions which are wider at bottom and narrower at top.
US09065000B2
A method of fabrication of barrier diode based infrared detectors, utilizing the growth of unstrained, not relaxed III-V compound semiconductor material layers having a lattice constant over 6 Angstrom, is provided. The growth is performed by the means of Molecular Beam Epitaxy (MBE) or Metal-Organic Vapor Phase Epitaxy (MOVPE). The method comprises the use of bulk crystalline substrates and the growth of a transitional layer of GaInAsSb with graded composition, followed by an optional thick layer of GaInAsSb of constant composition, lattice matched to the said III-V compound semiconductor material layers, the said optional layer of GaInAsSb of constant composition serving as a virtual substrate. The method provides high crystalline quality layers suitable for semiconductor device fabrication that can effectively interact with electromagnetic radiation of the mid-infrared spectral range with a wavelength between about 2 micrometers to about 16 micrometers.
US09064997B2
According to one embodiment, a semiconductor light emitting device includes a first semiconductor layer of a first conductivity type and having a major surface, a second semiconductor layer of a second conductivity type, and a light emitting layer provided between the first and second semiconductor layers. The major surface is opposite to the light emitting layer. The first semiconductor layer has structural bodies provided in the major surface. The structural bodies are recess or protrusion. A centroid of a first structural body aligns with a centroid of a second structural body nearest the first structural. hb, rb, and Rb satisfy rb/(2·hb)≦0.7, and rb/Rb<1, where hb is a depth of the recess, rb is a width of a bottom portion of the recess, and Rb is a width of the protrusion.
US09064996B2
The object of the present invention is to improve extraction efficiency of light of a Group III nitride-based compound semiconductor light-emitting device of a multiple quantum well structure. The device comprises a multiple quantum well structure comprising a well layer comprising a semiconductor including at least In for composition, a protective layer which comprises a semiconductor including at least Al and Ga for composition and has a band gap larger than a band gap of the well layer and is formed on and in contact with the well layer in a positive electrode side. And also the device comprises a barrier layer comprising a band gap which is larger than a band gap of the well layer and is smaller than a band gap of the protective layer, and formed on and in contact with the protective layer in a positive electrode side and a periodical structure of the well layer, the protective layer and the barrier layer.
US09064995B2
A back-face protection sheet for a solar cell module exhibits excellent adhesion strength and tensile strength even under a high-temperature and high-humidity environment, by using a plastic film that has excellent characteristics such as electrical insulation characteristic, heat resistance, dimension stability, mechanical strength, weatherability, and water resistance, and using a two-part type lamination adhesive having excellent weatherability. The back-face protection sheet is made to have excellent adhesion strength and tensile strength for a long period of time, even under a high-temperature and high-humidity environment, by improving weatherability (hydrolysis resistance) as base material films, and giving weatherability (hydrolysis resistance) to the two-part type lamination adhesive to be used in pasting together the base material films.
US09064994B2
Self-corrugating laminates useful in the manufacture of thermoelectric devices are disclosed. The laminates include an upper and a lower shrinkable film layer and a non-shrinkable core with a thermoelectric pattern formed thereon bonded between said upper and lower shrinkable film along bond lines arranged parallel, substantially parallel, radially, or annularly. The bond lines that bond the upper shrinkable film layer to top surface of the nonshrinkable core are staggered relative to the bond lines that bond the lower shrinkable film layer to the bottom surface of the non-shrinkable core such that upon shrinkage of the shrinkable film layers, structural corrugations are formed in the non-shrinkable core. Thermoelectric modules or devices and methods for forming them from the self-corrugating laminates are also described.
US09064992B1
A dual-band infrared detector structure based on Type-II superlattices (T2SL) has been developed and experimentally validated. The structure according to the principles of the present invention is designed for a single Indium bump architecture and utilizes a T2SL barrier design that omits the traditional p-n junction region. The barrier design comprises multiple periods where each period comprises multiple monolayers doped P type. By selecting the composition, number of monolayers per period and number of periods, a transition region is created in the conduction band between a first absorber layer and a second absorber layer that allows operation at low biases (<100 mV for both bands) and exhibits a dark current density in the longer wavelength band comparable to that obtained with single-color detectors.
US09064988B2
A photoelectric device package and a detachable package structure are provided. The photoelectric device package includes a bottom-plate, a top-plate, at least one photoelectric device, and at least one light-guiding element. The bottom-plate has a first carrying part and a first substrate part on the first carrying part. The first carrying part has first alignment portions. The first substrate part has second alignment portions. The top-plate has a second carrying part and a second substrate part on the second carrying part. The second carrying part has third alignment portions. The second substrate part has fourth alignment portions. The top-plate and the bottom-plate are assembled by the first and third alignment portions. The first and second substrate parts are positioned by the second and fourth alignment portions. Each photoelectric device is disposed on the first substrate part. Each light-guiding element is disposed between the first and second substrate parts.
US09064986B2
A method for forming a photo diode is provided. The method includes: forming a first bottom electrode corresponding to a first pixel and a second bottom electrode corresponding to a second pixel over a substrate; forming a dielectric layer over the substrate; patterning the dielectric layer over the substrate; forming a photo conversion layer over the substrate; and forming a top electrode over the photo conversion layer; forming a color filter layer over the top electrode, wherein at least a portion of the dielectric layer separates a first portion of the color filter layer corresponding to a first pixel from a second portion of the color filer layer corresponding to a second pixel, and a refractive index of the dielectric layer is lower than a refractive index of the color filter layer.
US09064975B2
In one embodiment, a shift register memory includes first and second control electrodes extending in a first direction parallel to a surface of a substrate, and facing each other in a second direction perpendicular to the first direction. The memory further includes a plurality of first floating electrodes provided in a line on a first control electrode side between the first and second control electrodes. The memory further includes a plurality of second floating electrodes provided in a line on a second control electrode side between the first and second control electrodes. Each of the first and second floating electrodes has a planar shape which is mirror-asymmetric with respect to a plane perpendicular to the first direction.
US09064973B2
Methods and systems for adhering microfeature workpieces to support members are disclosed. A method in accordance with one embodiment of the invention includes disposing a first adhesive on a surface of a microfeature workpiece, and disposing a second adhesive on a surface of a support member. The method can further include adhesively attaching the microfeature workpiece to the support member by contacting the first adhesive with the second adhesive while the second adhesive is only partially cured. In further particular embodiments, the first and second adhesives can have different compositions, and the second adhesive can be fully cured after the microfeature workpiece and support member are adhesively attached.
US09064960B2
Methods of selectively and epitaxially forming a silicon-containing material on a substrate surface contained within a process chamber are provided. In one or more embodiments, the pressure in the process chamber is reduced during deposition of material on the substrate and increased during etching of material from the substrate. According to an embodiment, process gases are flowed into the chamber through first zone and a second zone to provide a ratio of the amount of gas flowed to the first zone and the amount of gas flowed to the second zone. In one or more embodiments, the first zone is an inner radial zone and the second zone is an outer radial zone, and ratio of inner zone gas flow to outer zone gas flow is less during deposition than during etching. According to one or more embodiments, the selective epitaxial process includes repeating a cycle of a deposition and then an etching process, and an optional purge until the desired thickness of an epitaxial layer is grown.
US09064955B2
A semiconductor device includes a source region, a drain region, and a drift region between the source and drain regions. A split gate is disposed over a portion of the drift region, and between the source and drain regions. The split gate includes first and second gate electrodes separated by a gate oxide layer. A self-aligned RESURF region is disposed within the drift region between the gate and the drain region. PI gate structures including an upper polysilicon layer are disposed near the drain region, such that the upper polysilicon layer can serve as a hard mask for the formation of the double RESURF structure, thereby allowing for self-alignment of the double RESURF structure.
US09064941B2
A semiconductor device includes a substrate including a first surface and a second surface opposite to each other, a through-via electrode extending through the substrate. The through-via electrode has an interconnection metal layer and a barrier metal layer surrounding a side surface of the interconnection metal layer. One end of the through-via electrode protrudes above the second surface. A spacer insulating layer may be provided on an outer sidewall of the through-via electrode. A through-via electrode pad is connected to the through-via electrode and extends on the spacer insulating layer substantially parallel to the second surface. A first silicon oxide layer and a silicon nitride layer are stacked on the second surface. A thickness of the first silicon oxide layer is greater than a thickness of the silicon nitride layer.
US09064936B2
A semiconductor device has an encapsulant deposited over a first surface of the semiconductor die and around the semiconductor die. A first insulating layer is formed over a second surface of the semiconductor die opposite the first surface. A conductive layer is formed over the first insulating layer. An interconnect structure is formed through the encapsulant outside a footprint of the semiconductor die and electrically connected to the conductive layer. The first insulating layer includes an optically transparent or translucent material. The semiconductor die includes a sensor configured to receive an external stimulus passing through the first insulating layer. A second insulating layer is formed over the first surface of the semiconductor die. A conductive via is formed through the first insulating layer outside a footprint of the semiconductor die. A plurality of stacked semiconductor devices is electrically connected through the interconnect structure.
US09064916B2
A substrate holder has two holder constituting bodies, each having a plurality of columns arranged on an imaginary circle, and substrate holding sections that hold circumferential portions of respective substrates. The holder constituting bodies hold the substrates so that either their front surfaces or their back surfaces face upward with a substrate having an upward facing front and a substrate having an upward facing rear being alternately arranged in a vertical direction. At least one of the holder constituting bodies moves in the vertical direction to change the positions of the holder constituting bodies relative to each other. A distance between a first pair of vertically adjacent substrates with their respective front surfaces facing each other is set to ensure treatment uniformity, and to be larger than a distance between a second pair of vertically adjacent substrates with their respective back surfaces facing each other.
US09064914B2
A substrate subjected to a pattern exposure process is transported to a flash bake unit. The flash bake unit performs a post-exposure bake process in which flashes of light are directed from flash lamps onto a surface of the substrate held on an upper surface of a cooling plate to momentarily heat the surface of the substrate, thereby causing crosslinking, deprotection or decomposition and the like of resist resin to proceed by using active species produced in a resist film by a photochemical reaction during the pattern exposure process as an acid catalyst, so that the solubility of only the exposed portion of the resist film in a developing solution is locally changed. The flash heating treatment performed by the irradiation with flashes of light requires extremely short treatment time of not greater than one second. This reduces the diffusion length of acid during the post-exposure bake process.
US09064907B2
A highly reliable semiconductor device which includes a transistor including an oxide semiconductor is provided. In the semiconductor device including a bottom-gate transistor including an oxide semiconductor layer, a stacked layer of an insulating layer and an aluminum film is provided in contact with the oxide semiconductor layer. Oxygen doping treatment is performed in such a manner that oxygen is introduced to the insulating layer and the aluminum film from a position above the aluminum film, whereby a region containing oxygen in excess of the stoichiometric composition is formed in the insulating layer, and the aluminum film is oxidized to form an aluminum oxide film.
US09064903B2
An analog floating-gate electrode in an integrated circuit, and method of fabricating the same, in which trapped charge can be stored for long durations. The analog floating-gate electrode is formed in a polycrystalline silicon gate level, doped n-type throughout its length, and includes portions serving as gate electrodes of n-channel and p-channel MOS transistors; a plate of a metal-to-poly storage capacitor; and a plate of poly-to-active tunneling capacitors. The p-channel MOS transistor includes a buried channel region, formed by way of ion implantation, disposed between its source and drain regions. Silicide-block silicon dioxide blocks the formation of silicide cladding on the electrode, while other polysilicon structures in the integrated circuit are silicide-clad.
US09064899B2
An object is to reduce to reduce variation in threshold voltage to stabilize electric characteristics of thin film transistors each using an oxide semiconductor layer. An object is to reduce an off current. The thin film transistor using an oxide semiconductor layer is formed by stacking an oxide semiconductor layer containing insulating oxide over the oxide semiconductor layer so that the oxide semiconductor layer and source and drain electrode layers are in contact with each other with the oxide semiconductor layer containing insulating oxide interposed therebetween; whereby, variation in threshold voltage of the thin film transistors can be reduced and thus the electric characteristics can be stabilized. Further, an off current can be reduced.
US09064896B2
An LDMOS (laterally diffused metal oxide semiconductor) structure connects the source to a substrate and also the gate shield while utilizing a reduced area for such contacts. The structure includes an electrically conductive substrate layer, a source, and a drain contact; the drain contact is separated from the substrate layer by at least one intervening layer. An electrically conductive trench-like feed-through element passes through the intervening layer and contacts the substrate and the source to electrically connect the drain contact and the substrate layer.
US09064890B1
One method disclosed includes, among other things, forming an initial fin, covering a top surface and a portion of the sidewalls of the initial fin structure with etch stop material, forming a sacrificial gate structure above and around the initial fin structure, forming a sidewall spacer adjacent the sacrificial gate structure, performing at least one process operation to remove the sacrificial gate structure and thereby define a replacement gate cavity, performing at least one etching process through the replacement gate cavity to remove a portion of the initial fin structure so as to thereby define a final fin structure and a channel cavity positioned below the final fin structure, and substantially filling the channel cavity with an insulating material.
US09064888B2
Methods for forming stacking faults in sources, or sources and drains, of TFETs to improve tunneling efficiency and the resulting devices are disclosed. Embodiments may include designating areas within a substrate that will subsequently correspond to a source region and a drain region, selectively forming a stacking fault within the substrate corresponding to the source region, and forming a tunneling field-effect transistor incorporating the source region and the drain region.
US09064885B2
A diode and a method for an electrostatic discharge resistant diode. The method includes, for example, receiving a wafer. The wafer includes a silicon layer electrically isolated from a silicon substrate by a buried oxide (BOX) layer. The BOX layer is in physical contact with the silicon layer and the silicon substrate. An N-type well is implanted in the silicon substrate. Furthermore, a vertical column of P+ doped epitaxial silicon and a vertical column of N+ doped epitaxial silicon are formed over the N-type well and extend through the BOX layer and the silicon layer. Both vertical columns may form electrical junctions with the N-type well.
US09064878B2
In a preferred embodiment, a wiring board with embedded device and electromagnetic shielding includes a semiconductor device, a core layer, a shielding lid, shielding slots and build-up circuitry. The build-up circuitry covers the semiconductor device and the core layer. The shielding slots and the shielding lid are electrically connected to at least one ground contact pad of the semiconductor device by the build-up circuitry and can respectively serve as effective horizontal and vertical electromagnetic shields for the semiconductor devices.
US09064876B2
A semiconductor device has a substrate with a cavity formed through first and second surfaces of the substrate. A conductive TSV is formed through a first semiconductor die, which is mounted in the cavity. The first semiconductor die may extend above the cavity. An encapsulant is deposited over the substrate and a first surface of the first semiconductor die. A portion of the encapsulant is removed from the first surface of the first semiconductor die to expose the conductive TSV. A second semiconductor die is mounted to the first surface of the first semiconductor die. The second semiconductor die is electrically connected to the conductive TSV. An interposer is disposed between the first semiconductor die and second semiconductor die. A third semiconductor die is mounted over a second surface of the first semiconductor die. A heat sink is formed over a surface of the third semiconductor die.
US09064855B2
A semiconductor device in which a semiconductor chip, a lead frame and metal wires for electrically connecting the lead frame are sealed with sealing resin. The lead frame has a plurality of lead terminal portions, a supporting portion for supporting the semiconductor chip, and hanging lead portions supporting the supporting portion. Each of the lead terminal portions adjacent to the hanging lead portion is a chamfered lead terminal portion having, at its head, a chamfered portion formed substantially in parallel with the hanging lead portion so as to avoid interference with the hanging lead portion.
US09064853B2
A semiconductor device including an oxide semiconductor and including a more excellent gate insulating film is provided. A highly reliable and electrically stable semiconductor device having a small number of changes in the film structure, the process conditions, the manufacturing apparatus, or the like from a mass production technology that has been put into practical use is provided. A method for manufacturing the semiconductor device is provided. The semiconductor device includes a gate electrode, a gate insulating film formed over the gate electrode, and an oxide semiconductor film formed over the gate insulating film. The gate insulating film includes a silicon nitride oxide film, a silicon oxynitride film formed over the silicon nitride oxide film, and a metal oxide film formed over the silicon oxynitride film. The oxide semiconductor film is formed over and in contact with the metal oxide film.
US09064852B1
A thermally conductive composite material, a thermal transfer device made of the material, and a method for making the material are disclosed. Apertures or depressions are formed in aluminum or aluminum alloy. Plugs are formed of thermal pyrolytic graphite. An amount of silicon sufficient for liquid interface diffusion bonding is applied, for example by vapor deposition or use of aluminum silicon alloy foil. The plugs are inserted in the apertures or depressions. Bonding energy is applied, for example by applying pressure and heat using a hot isostatic press. The thermal pyrolytic graphite, aluminum or aluminum alloy and silicon form a eutectic alloy. As a result, the plugs are bonded into the apertures or depressions. The composite material can be machined to produce finished devices such as the thermal transfer device. Thermally conductive planes of the thermal pyrolytic graphite plugs may be aligned in parallel to present a thermal conduction path.
US09064842B2
A semiconductor device includes a substrate, first plural contacts formed in the substrate, a graphene layer formed on the substrate and on the first plural contacts and second plural contacts formed on the graphene layer such that the graphene layer is formed between the first plural contacts and the second plural contacts.
US09064837B2
A monitoring method of a three-dimensional integrated circuit (3D IC) is provided, wherein the method includes: providing a plurality of TSVs, providing a plurality of inverters; connecting the inverters with the plurality of TSVs as a circuit loop; enabling the circuit loop to oscillate; measuring an output signal on an output end of one of the plurality of inverters; and determining the manufacturing state of the plurality of TSVs of the 3D IC based on the output signal and apparatus using the same.
US09064829B2
An organic light-emitting display device is disclosed. The organic light emitting display device includes a display panel including sub-pixels emitting light of at least three colors, and a driver supplying a driving signal to the display panel, wherein each of the sub-pixels emitting at least three colors includes an opening region emitting its own color and a light-emitting participation region additionally emitting the same color as or different color from the its own color.
US09064825B2
An organic light-emitting display apparatus includes a substrate, a thin film transistor (TFT) on the substrate, the TFT including an active layer, a gate electrode, a source electrode, and a drain electrode, an uneven pattern unit on the substrate and spaced apart from the TFT, the uneven pattern including an insulating film, a pixel electrode on the uneven pattern unit, an intermediate layer on the pixel electrode and including an organic light-emitting layer, and a counter electrode on the intermediate layer.
US09064817B2
An integrated circuit structure includes a semiconductor chip having a die side and a non-die side, the die side having one or more trenches formed therein. The integrated circuit structure further includes at least one die bonded onto the die side of the semiconductor chip. The integrated circuit structure further includes a protecting material encapsulating the at least one die and substantially filling the one or more trenches.
US09064812B2
Embodiments of methods for etching a substrate include exposing the substrate to a first plasma formed from an inert gas; exposing the substrate to a second plasma formed from an oxygen-containing gas to form an oxide layer on a bottom and sides of a low aspect ratio feature and a high aspect ratio feature, wherein the oxide layer on the bottom of the low aspect ratio feature is thicker than on the bottom of the high aspect ratio feature; etching the oxide layer from the bottom of the low and high aspect ratio features with a third plasma to expose the bottom of the high aspect ratio feature while the bottom of the low aspect ratio feature remains covered; and exposing the substrate to a fourth plasma formed from a halogen-containing gas to etch the bottom of the low aspect ratio feature and the high aspect ratio feature.
US09064811B2
A method and system for improved planar deprocessing of semiconductor devices using a focused ion beam system. The method comprises defining a target area to be removed, the target area including at least a portion of a mixed copper and dielectric layer of a semiconductor device; directing a precursor gas toward the target area; and directing a focused ion beam toward the target area in the presence of the precursor gas, thereby removing at least a portion of a first mixed copper and dielectric layer and producing a uniformly smooth floor in the milled target area. The precursor gas causes the focused ion beam to mill the copper at substantially the same rate as the dielectric. In a preferred embodiment, the precursor gas comprises methyl nitroacetate. In alternative embodiments, the precursor gas is methyl acetate, ethyl acetate, ethyl nitroacetate, propyl acetate, propyl nitroacetate, nitro ethyl acetate, methyl methoxyacetate, or methoxy acetylchloride.
US09064808B2
A structure such as an integrated circuit device is described having a line of material with critical dimensions which vary within a distribution substantially less than that of a mask element, such as a patterned resist element, used in manufacturing the line of material.
US09064805B1
Systems and methods are described for combining two or more thin-film electronic devices use a hot-press method. Two or more thin-film batteries, electrochromic devices, and/or a fuel cells may be combined. A thin-film conductive substrate is positioned between the thin-film electronic device. Sufficient heat is applied to the thin film conductive substrate and/or the connecting surface of the one or more devices to cause a material, such as lithium, to flow and bind the thin-film electronic devices together.
US09064803B2
A split gate memory cell is fabricated with a dielectric spacer comprising a high-k material between the word gate and the memory gate stack. Embodiments include memory cells with a dielectric spacer comprising low-k and high-k layers. Other embodiments include memory cells with an air gap between the word gate and the memory gate stack.
US09064799B2
A method includes forming a first plurality of fingers over an active area of a semiconductor substrate. Each of the first plurality of fingers has a respective length that extends in a direction that is parallel to width direction of the active area. The first plurality of fingers form at least one gate of at least one transistor having a source and a drain formed by a portion of the active area. A first dummy polysilicon structure is formed over a portion of the active area between an outer one of the first plurality of fingers and a first edge of the semiconductor substrate. A second dummy polysilicon structure is over the semiconductor substrate between the first dummy polysilicon structure and the first edge of the semiconductor substrate.
US09064793B2
Methods and devices associated with phase change cell structures are described herein. In one or more embodiments, a method of forming a phase change cell structure includes forming a substrate protrusion that includes a bottom electrode, forming a phase change material on the substrate protrusion, forming a conductive material on the phase change material, and removing a portion of the conductive material and a portion of the phase change material to form an encapsulated stack structure.
US09064788B1
A statistical process control method for monitoring and controlling semiconductor manufacturing processing operations is provided. For a chosen processing operation, multiple measurement sites are used to generate data of a measurable characteristic that is impacted by and associated with the processing operation. The data from the sites is compared over time and one or more outlier sites are identified. The outlier sites are the sites at which the data values are most divergent from the rest of the data. Algorithms are used to mathematically compare the outlier sites to the other sites to produce a comparative index. The comparative index is monitored graphically or otherwise to identify changes in the processing operation, and corrective actions are taken.
US09064785B2
An electronic device can include electronic components and an insulating layer overlying the electronic components. The electronic device can also include a capacitor overlying the insulating layer, wherein the capacitor includes a first electrode and a second electrode. The second electrode can include an opening, wherein from a top view, a defect lies within the opening. In another aspect, a process of forming an electronic device can include forming a first capacitor electrode layer over a substrate, forming a dielectric layer over the first capacitor electrode layer, and forming a second capacitor electrode layer over the dielectric layer. The process can also include detecting a defect and removing a first portion of the second capacitor electrode layer corresponding to the defect, wherein a second portion of the second capacitor electrode layer remains over the dielectric layer.
US09064768B2
A light receiving section is provided with a plurality of light receiving elements. A light source section is arranged in a subject side of the light receiving section, and is provided with a light emitting section that illuminates the subject and a plurality of transmissive sections that transmits incident light to the light receiving section side. The light emitting section is provided with a first translucent layer, which includes a light emitting layer, and a reflection layer and a semi-transmissive reflection layer, which are opposed each other interposing the first translucent layer, so that a resonance structure that resonates irradiation light from the light emitting layer is formed. Each of the transmissive sections is provided with a second translucent layer, and a first semi-transmissive reflection layer and a second semi-transmissive reflection layer, which are opposed each other interposing the second translucent layer, so that a resonance structure that resonates incident light from the subject side is formed. A resonance length between the reflection layer and the semi-transmissive reflection layer in the light emitting section is more than a resonance length between the first semi-transmissive reflection layer and the second semi-transmissive reflection layer in the transmissive section.
US09064762B2
A solid-state imaging device includes, on a semiconductor substrate, a pixel portion having a plurality of pixels provided with a photoelectric conversion portion, which photoelectrically converts incident light to obtain a signal charge and a pixel transistor portion, which converts the signal charge read from the photoelectric conversion portion to a voltage, wherein an element isolation region disposed in the pixel portion includes an insulating film buried in a trench disposed in the semiconductor substrate, and the insulating film includes an insulating film having a negative charge.
US09064761B2
A method of manufacturing a semiconductor device according to the present invention includes, in a silicon substrate of the semiconductor chip, providing two TSVs (Through-Silicon-Vias) that are formed such that interfaces with the silicon substrate are covered with insulating films and bottom surface sides thereof do not penetrate through the silicon substrate, providing a high concentration impurity region in a peripheral region of the bottom surface sides of the TSVs in the silicon substrate, connecting a test circuit to the TSVs, inputting a test signal from one of the TSVs and detecting the test signal output via the high concentration impurity region and the other TSV, thereby evaluating a failure of the semiconductor chip, thinning a bottom surface of the semiconductor chip and removing the high concentration impurity region.
US09064755B2
An organic light-emitting display device having a thin film transistor including an active layer, a gate electrode, a lower gate electrode, an upper gate electrode, an insulating layer covering the gate electrode, source and drain electrodes that are formed on the insulating layer and contact the active layer. An organic light-emitting diode is electrically connected to the thin film transistor and includes a pixel electrode formed at the same layer level as the lower gate electrode, an intermediate layer including an emission layer, and a counter electrode. A lower pad electrode is formed at the same layer level as the lower gate electrode and an upper pad electrode is formed at the same layer level as the upper gate electrode.
US09064753B2
An object is to suppress change of a threshold voltage of a transistor in a shift register and to prevent the transistor from malfunctioning during a non-selection period. A pulse output circuit provided in the shift register regularly supplies a potential to a gate electrode of a transistor which is in a floating state so that the gate electrode is turned on during a non-selection period when a pulse is not outputted. In addition, supply of a potential to the gate electrode of the transistor is performed by turning on or off another transistor regularly.
US09064748B2
Transistor devices having a self-aligned gate structure on transparent substrates and techniques for fabrication thereof are provided. In one aspect, a method of fabricating a transistor device includes the following steps. A channel material is formed on a transparent substrate. Source and drain electrodes are formed in contact with the channel material. A dielectric layer is deposited on the channel material. A photoresist is deposited on the dielectric layer and developed using UV light exposure through the transparent substrate. A gate metal(s) is deposited on the exposed portions of the dielectric layer and the undeveloped portions of the photoresist. The undeveloped portions of the photoresist are removed along with portions of the gate metal over the source and drain regions to form a gate of the device on the dielectric layer over the channel material which is self-aligned to the source and drain electrodes.
US09064746B2
Disclosed are devices and methods related to field-effect transistor (FET) structures configured to provide reduced per-area values of resistance in the linear operating region (Rds-on). Typical FET devices such as silicon-on-insulator (SOI) device require larger device sizes to desirably lower the Rds-on values. However, such increases in size result in undesirably larger die sizes. Disclosed are various examples of shapes of source, drain, and corresponding gate that yield reduced Rds-on values without having to increase the device size. In some implementations, such FET devices can be utilized in high power radio-frequency (RF) switching applications.
US09064741B1
A method for patterning a wafer includes performing a first patterning on a wafer, and after performing the first patterning, calculating a simulated dose mapper (DoMa) map predicting a change in critical dimensions of the wafer due to performing a second patterning on the wafer. The method further includes performing the second patterning on the wafer. Performing the second patterning includes adjusting one or more etching parameters of the second patterning in accordance with differences between the simulated DoMa map and desired critical dimensions of the wafer.
US09064735B2
A nonvolatile semiconductor memory device that has a new structure is provided, in which memory cells are laminated in a three dimensional state so that the chip area may be reduced. The nonvolatile semiconductor memory device has a plurality of memory strings, in which a plurality of electrically programmable memory cells is connected in series. The memory strings comprise a pillar shaped semiconductor; a first insulation film formed around the pillar shaped semiconductor; a charge storage layer formed around the first insulation film; the second insulation film formed around the charge storage layer; and first or nth electrodes formed around the second insulation film (n is natural number more than 1). The first or nth electrodes of the memory strings and the other first or nth electrodes of the memory strings are respectively the first or nth conductor layers that are spread in a two dimensional state.
US09064725B2
Embodiments of the present disclosure are a semiconductor device, a FinFET device, and a method of forming a FinFET device. An embodiment is semiconductor device including a first FinFET over a substrate, wherein the first FinFET includes a first set of semiconductor fins. The semiconductor device further includes a first body contact for the first FinFET over the substrate, wherein the first body contact includes a second set of semiconductor fins, and wherein the first body contact is laterally adjacent the first FinFET.
US09064723B2
A semiconductor device includes a substrate including a first region and a second region, a first gate dielectric layer, a first lower gate electrode, and a first upper gate electrode sequentially stacked on the first region, a second gate dielectric layer, a second lower gate electrode, and a second upper gate electrode sequentially stacked on the second region, a first spacer disposed on a sidewall of the first upper gate electrode, a second spacer disposed on a sidewall of the second upper gate electrode, a third spacer covering the first spacer on the sidewall of the first upper gate electrode, and a fourth spacer covering the second spacer on the sidewall of the second upper gate electrode. At least one of a first sidewall of the first lower gate electrode and a second sidewall of the first lower gate electrode is in contact with the third spacer.
US09064721B2
A semiconductor light emission device includes a substrate, and semiconductor light emission elements mounted on the substrate and each including an anode connection pad and a cathode connection pad. At least one of the anode connection pad and the cathode connection pad has a fine shaped portion. An image formation apparatus and an image display apparatus are described using the semiconductor light emission device.
US09064714B2
An N type diffusion layer in which a high-side circuit region is disposed is formed from a surface of a P type epitaxial layer covering a surface of a P type semiconductor substrate to reach the surface of the semiconductor substrate. An N type high breakdown voltage isolation region is formed with a prescribed width to surround high-side circuit region. High breakdown voltage isolation region includes a corner portion located along a corner pattern of rectangular high-side circuit region, and a linear portion located along a linear pattern thereof. The concentration of an impurity in an N type diffusion layer of corner portion is set to be higher than the concentration of an impurity in an N type diffusion layer of linear portion.
US09064712B2
Low Q associated with passive components of monolithic integrated circuits (ICs) when operated at microwave frequencies can be avoided or mitigated using high resistivity (e.g., ≧100 Ohm-cm) semiconductor substrates (60) and lower resistance inductors (44′, 45′) for the IC (46). This eliminates significant in-substrate electromagnetic coupling losses from planar inductors (44, 45) and interconnections (50-1′, 52-1′, 94, 94′, 94″) overlying the substrate (60). The active transistor(s) (41′) are formed in the substrate (60) proximate the front face (63). Planar capacitors (42′, 43′) are also formed over the front face (63) of the substrate (60). Various terminals (42-1′, 42-2′, 43-1, 43-2′,50′, 51′, 52′, 42-1′, 42-2′, etc.) of the transistor(s) (41′), capacitor(s) (42′, 43′) and inductor(s) (44′, 45′) are coupled to a ground plane (69) on the rear face (62) of the substrate (60) using through-substrate-vias (98, 98′) to minimize parasitic resistance. Parasitic resistance associated with the planar inductors (44′, 45′) and heavy current carrying conductors (52-1′) is minimized by placing them on the outer surface of the IC where they can be made substantially thicker and of lower resistance. The result is a monolithic microwave IC (46, 58) previously unobtainable.
US09064706B2
Group-III nitride crystal composites made up of especially processed crystal slices, cut from III-nitride bulk crystal, whose major surfaces are of {1-10±2}, {11-2±2}, {20-2±1} or {22-4±1} orientation, disposed adjoining each other sideways with the major-surface side of each slice facing up, and III-nitride crystal epitaxially present on the major surfaces of the adjoining slices, with the III-nitride crystal containing, as principal impurities, either silicon atoms or oxygen atoms. With x-ray diffraction FWHMs being measured along an axis defined by a <0001> direction of the substrate projected onto either of the major surfaces, FWHM peak regions are present at intervals of 3 to 5 mm width. Also, with threading dislocation density being measured along a <0001> direction of the III-nitride crystal substrate, threading-dislocation-density peak regions are present at the 3 to 5 mm intervals.
US09064698B1
Thin film gallium nitride structures are fabricated by providing a semiconductor-carbon alloy substrate having a dielectric layer on a surface of the substrate, forming trenches in the dielectric layer to expose surface portions of the surface of the substrate, and forming an epitaxial graphene layer on the exposed surface portions of the surface of the substrate. A buffer layer of rare earth metal oxide material is grown epitaxially on the graphene layer. Gallium nitride structures are formed epitaxially on the metal oxide/graphene layers and within the trenches of the dielectric layer, limiting defects by aspect ratio trapping. A stressor layer is formed over the nitride structures. Removing the substrate below the graphene layer allows the nitride structures to be placed on a surrogate substrate.
US09064695B1
There is provided a substrate processing apparatus that alternately supplies a first processing gas and a second processing gas in plasma state to a processing container and processes a substrate. The apparatus includes a first gas supply system configured to supply the first processing gas, a second gas supply system configured to supply the second processing gas, a plasma unit arranged at an upstream side of the processing container to plasmatize at least the second processing gas, and a controller configured to control the first gas supply system and the second gas supply system to alternately supply the first processing gas and the second processing gas and control the plasma unit to apply an electric power to plasmatize the second processing gas before a supply of the second processing gas starts.
US09064679B2
An ion spectrometer is provided, comprising: an ion source, arranged to generate ions continuously with a first range of mass to charge ratios; and an ion trap, arranged to receive ions from the ion source along an axis, and to eject ions with a second range of mass to charge ratios orthogonally to that axis, the second range of mass to charge ratios being narrower than the first range of mass to charge ratios. In some embodiments, ions generated by the ion source continuously flow into the ion trap. Additionally or alternatively, ion optics receive ions ejected from the ion trap and cool the ions without substantial fragmentation. An ion analyzer receives ions ejected from the ion trap or ion optics and separates the ions in accordance with at least one characteristic of the ions.
US09064675B2
A method of manufacturing microchannel plate according to an embodiment of the present invention includes: a first step of fabricating a multifiber having a polygonal cross-section by bundling a plurality of fibers; a second step of fabricating a microchannel plate base material by use of a plurality of the multifibers; and a third step of fabricating a microchannel plate out of the microchannel plate base material. The plurality of fibers include: a first fiber whose predetermined-thickness outer circumferential part surrounding a center part including a core is formed of a predetermined-component glass material; and a second fiber whose both center part including a core and outer circumferential part surrounding the same are formed of the predetermined-component glass material. The second fiber is arranged at, at least, one corner of a polygonal cross-section of the multifiber.
US09064674B2
The present invention generally relates to a low temperature plasma probe for desorbing and ionizing at least one analyte in a sample material and methods of use thereof. In one embodiment, the invention generally relates to a low temperature plasma probe including: a housing having a discharge gas inlet port, a probe tip, two electrodes, and a dielectric barrier, in which the two electrodes are separated by the dielectric barrier, in which application of voltage from a power supply generates a low temperature plasma, and in which the low temperature plasma is propelled out of the discharge region by the electric field and/or the discharge gas flow.
US09064669B2
A field emission cathode comprises at least one electron emitting parcel, and at least one ion absorbing parcel each being electrically connected with each of the at least one electron emitting parcel. The electron emitting parcel includes a first substrate and a nano emission component disposed on the first substrate for emitting electrons in an electric field. The ion absorbing parcel is constituted by a second substrate, in which the electric conductivity of the first substrate is less than that of the second substrate. A field emission light comprises the said field emission cathode, a field emission anode and a power supply. Thus the positive ions in an electric field can be absorbed by ion absorbing parcels to suppress an ion bombardment in the electric field. The efficiency of the electric field of the field emission is then maintained, and the lifetime of the field emission light is enhanced.
US09064666B2
A circuit breaker, including a circuit breaker body, a handle, a bottom box, and a bearing plate. The circuit breaker body includes an upper cover, and a notch groove is formed on the upper cover. Two ends of the notch groove are positioned in the on/off position corresponding to the circuit breaker. The handle extends out of the notch groove. A circuit breaker actuating mechanism, a wire inlet end, and a wire outlet end are arranged on the bottom box. The circuit breaker actuating mechanism is triggered by the handle. The bearing plate is arranged between the upper cover and the bottom box and combined with an electrical operating mechanism. The handle is switched in the on/off state during the operation of the electrical operating mechanism under the control of an automatic closing control unit.
US09064659B2
A circuit interruption device includes at least one constriction zone. The constriction zone provides for interference with arcing of an electrical signal. The device may include at least one expansion zone. The device may include at least one movable component to assist in creation of the at least one constriction zone. A method of fabrication is provided.
US09064652B2
The switch includes a printed circuit, of generally plane shape, and comprising a first face bearing a first contact pad, a second face, opposite the first, bearing a second contact pad, and a through-orifice allowing access between the first face and the second face. The switch also includes a conductor, having a first part, which cooperates with the first contact pad, and a second part, which extends between a first end, fixed to the first part, and a free second end, passing through the orifice. The second part is elastically deformable between a rest position, in which its second end cooperates with the second contact pad, and a stressed position, in which its second end is moved away from the second contact pad.
US09064646B2
An electrical switch for use in an electrical actuation system is provided including a switch box having an upper surface with an opening. A stem guide is coupled to the switch box adjacent the opening. A lock out mechanism is received within a central bore of the stem guide and the opening. The lock out mechanism is configured to move between a first position and a second position to selectively break a flow of power through the electrical switch. A pin is configured to couple the lock out mechanism to the stem guide in one of the first position or the second position.
US09064642B2
A keyswitch mechanism having reduced key rattle and a keyboard having reduced key rattle. A rattle suppression mechanism may be formed on a portion of the scissor mechanism or on a portion of the keycap. The rattle suppression mechanism is configured to maintain force on the portion of the scissor mechanism abutting the keycap.
US09064640B2
An EMI filtered terminal assembly including at least one conductive terminal pin, a feedthrough capacitor, and a counter-bore associated with a passageway through the capacitor is described. Preferably, the feedthrough capacitor having counter-drilled or counter-bored holes on its top side is first bonded to a hermetic insulator. The counter-drilled or counter-bore holes in the capacitor provide greater volume for the electro-mechanical attachment between the capacitor and the terminal pin or lead wire, permitting robotic dispensing of, for example, thermal-setting conductive adhesive.
US09064638B2
A dielectric ceramic enabling low-temperature firing and exhibiting good dielectric characteristics, and a stack ceramic electronic component using the same are provided. The dielectric ceramic containing (Ba1-x-yCaxSry)m(Ti1-zZrz)O3 (1.005≦m≦1.2, 0≦x+y≦0.2, and 0≦z≦0.2) as a major component and an amount of Bi relative to 100 parts by mol of the major component which is 1.0 part by mol or more and 40 parts by mol or less.
US09064634B2
A capacitor holder comprising a body part formed in a shape into which a tip end of a capacitor can be fitted; and a lead part which is fixed to the body part and can be soldered to a predetermined fitting location. The body part has an opening through which the tip end of the capacitor is exposed, and an end surface abutment portion which abuts a tip end surface of the capacitor in a vicinity of a pressure valve, when the tip end of the capacitor is fitted into the body part. The lead part is fixed to the body part at a position opposite to the capacitor with respect to a reference plane, which is a plane includes the tip end surface of the capacitor abutting the end surface abutment portion.
US09064632B2
Rotating power transformer having stationary and rotating parts. At least one of these parts includes a plurality of transformer segments preferably made of plastic material. Rectangularly shaped soft magnetic cores are held within the transformer segments together with at least one winding located in the soft magnetic cores, thereby facilitating simple and efficient assembly of the rotating power transformer.
US09064626B2
There is provided a thin film-type coil component having a size equal to or less than 0806 and including a ceramic main body, external electrodes including a plurality of first external electrodes formed on one surface of the ceramic main body and a plurality of second external electrodes formed on the other surface facing one surface of the ceramic main body, and a coil unit including a plurality of coil layers stacked in the ceramic main body, thereby obtaining low direct current (DC) resistance.
US09064625B2
Methods for sequentially laminating rare earth permanent magnets with suflide-based dielectric layer
Methods of manufacturing laminated, rare earth, permanent magnets with dielectric layers having increased electrical resistivity and improved mechanical strength suitable for use in high performance, rotating machines comprising sequentially laminating permanent magnet layers with transition and/or diffusion reaction layers; wherein the transition and/or diffusion reaction layers surround sulfide-based dielectric layers, thereby avoiding direct contact between the dielectric layers with permanent magnet layers.
US09064624B2
A controlling device includes a controlling device main unit and a terminal block attached removably to the controlling device main unit. The terminal block is provided with first through Nth (N≧2) permanent magnet placement portions. The controlling device main unit includes first through Nth magnetism detecting portions that, in a state wherein the terminal block is attached, are positioned in positions in proximity to the first through Nth permanent magnet placement portions, to detect the respective magnetism of the permanent magnets that are placed selectively in the placement portions. The controlling device further includes a terminal block type identifying portion that identifies a type of terminal block attached to the controlling device main unit based on detection signals, indicating whether or not there is magnetism, from the first through Nth magnetism detecting portions.
US09064621B2
A parallel foamed coaxial cable includes one or more pairs of inner conductors aligned in parallel, a foamed insulation covering together the inner conductors and having a cross sectional shape including an elliptical shape, a rounded-rectangular shape or a quasi-elliptical shape formed by combining a plurality of curved lines, a non-foamed skin layer covering the foamed insulation and having a maximum thickness in a major axis direction of the cross sectional shape of the foamed insulation and a minimum thickness in a minor axis direction of the cross sectional shape of the foamed insulation, an outer conductor covering the non-foamed skin layer, and an insulation jacket covering the outer conductor. The maximum thickness of the non-foamed skin layer is not less than 1% of a major axis of the cross sectional shape of the foamed insulation.
US09064618B2
An electrical power cable has an outer semi-conductive layer extruded around and in contact with an outermost layer of a cable jacket. The jacket may have a plurality of polymeric layers. The semi-conductive layer is distinguishable from the outermost layer of the jacket immediately underneath it by at least color and possibly also texture. The distinguishable characteristics between the semi-conductive layer and the outermost layer of the jacket decrease the risk of inadvertent damage to the jacket when removing the semi-conductive layer for jacket integrity tests.
US09064608B2
A device is provided to inspect welds in nozzles located in water within a containment vessel of a nuclear power plant. A computer connected to the device controls movement by use of thrusters located along a main rail while buoyancy packs regulate the depth. After the device is navigated to a weld needing inspection, feet extend radially outward from the main rail to secure the device in the nozzle. Then transducer clusters are moved along the main rail to be radially inside the weld to be inspected. Thereafter, the transducer clusters are extended radially outward and rotated adjacent to the weld while simultaneously emitting test signals and receiving reflected signals to indicate the condition of the weld.
US09064600B2
A computer system includes a memory controller coupled to a memory module containing several DRAMs. The memory module also includes a non-volatile memory storing row addresses identifying rows containing DRAM memory cells that are likely to lose data during normal refresh of the memory cells. Upon power-up, the data from the non-volatile memory are transferred to a comparator in the memory controller. The comparator compares the row addresses to row addresses from a refresh shadow counter that identify the rows in the DRAMs being refreshed. When a row of memory cells is being refreshed that is located one-half of the rows away from a row that is likely to loose data, the memory controller causes the row that is likely to loose data to be refreshed. The memory controller also includes error checking circuitry for identifying the rows of memory cells that are likely to lose data during refresh.
US09064595B2
A first read threshold associated with a first page in a block and a second read threshold associated with a second page in the block are received, where the first page has a first page number and the second page has a second page number. A slope and a y intercept are determined based at least in part on the first read threshold, the second read threshold, the first page number, and the second page number. The slope and the y intercept are stored with a block identifier associated with the block.
US09064591B2
A semiconductor device with OTP memory cell includes a first switching unit for transferring a first bias voltage, a first MOS transistor having a first gate coupled to a first gate signal and a first terminal coupled to the first bias voltage by the first switching unit, and a second switching unit for coupling a second terminal of the first MOS transistor to a first bit line.
US09064589B2
A two-transistor one-MTJ (2T1MTJ) three port structure includes two separate pin layer structures coupled to one free layer structure. The pin layer structures may include an anti-ferromagnetic layer (AFM) layer coupled to a pin layer. The free layer structure includes free layer coupled to a barrier layer and a cap layer. The free layer structure may include a thin barrier layer coupled to each of the pin layer stacks. The three port MTJ structure provides separate write and read paths which improve read sensing margin without increasing write voltage or current. The three port MTJ structure may be fabricated with a simple two step MTJ etch process.
US09064585B2
Programmer's data that is transferred from a programming device to a storage device is initially stored in a memory device of the storage device by using a durable data-retention storage setup. After the storage device is embedded in a host device, the programmer's data is internally (i.e., in the storage device) read from the memory device and rewritten into the memory device by using a conventional storage setup. Using a durable data-retention storage setup may include temporarily (i.e., before the storage device is embedded in a host) operating selected memory cells of the memory device as conventional SBC cells or as unconventional MBC cells. After the storage device is embedded in a host device, the programmer's data, or selected parts thereof, is read from the memory device and rewritten into it by operating selected memory cells of the memory device as conventional MBC cells.
US09064574B2
To provide a semiconductor device in which power consumption can be reduced and operation delay due to a stop and a restart of supply of power supply voltage can be suppressed and a driving method thereof. A potential corresponding to data held in a period during which power supply voltage is continuously supplied is saved to a node connected to a capacitor before the supply of power supply voltage is stopped. By utilizing change of channel resistance of a transistor whose gate is the node, data is loaded when the supply of power supply voltage is restarted.
US09064572B2
Methods, devices, and systems associated with multilevel phase change memory cells are described herein. One or more embodiments of the present disclosure include operating a phase change memory device by placing a phase change memory cell in a reset state and applying a selected programming pulse to the phase change memory cell in order to program the cell to one of a number of intermediate states between the reset state and a set state associated with the cell. The selected programming pulse includes an uppermost magnitude applied for a particular duration, the particular duration depending on to which one of the number of intermediate states the memory cell is to be programmed.
US09064555B2
Systems, methods, and other embodiments associated with bit line equalization are described. Systems and methods described herein provide secondary bit line equalization for embedded memory systems to reduce equalization time and improve memory performance. The reduction in equalization time is accomplished by adding a secondary equalizer in addition to a standard primary equalizer for a column of memory cells.
US09064552B2
A word line driver includes a first transistor electrically connected to a first voltage supply node and a word line, a second transistor electrically connected to a second voltage supply node and the word line, a first switch electrically connected to the first voltage supply node and a bulk electrode of the second transistor, and a second switch electrically connected to the second voltage supply node and the bulk electrode of the second transistor.
US09064546B2
A memory device may be provided which includes a memory cell array including a plurality of sub arrays each sub array having a plurality of memory cells connected to bit lines; an address buffer configured to receive a row address and a column address; and a column decoder configured to receive the column address from the address buffer and, for each of the sub arrays, to select a column selection line corresponding to the column address, from among a plurality of column selection lines, based on different offset values applied to the sub arrays, respectively. The selected column selection lines correspond to bit lines having different physical locations, respectively, according to the different offset values.
US09064545B2
A method of programming a nonvolatile memory device comprises determining a temperature condition of the nonvolatile memory device, determining a program pulse period according to the temperature condition, supplying a program voltage to a selected word line using the program pulse period, and supplying a pass voltage to unselected word lines while supplying the program voltage to the selected word line.
US09064532B2
A method according to one embodiment includes computing a radius value of a tape on an outgoing reel during unwinding of the tape from the outgoing reel, adjusting the computed radius with an offset calculated from a direct measurement of velocity from the tape position, and outputting the adjusted computed radius. A method according to another embodiment includes computing a radius value of a tape on an incoming reel during winding while the tape is being wound onto the incoming reel, adjusting the computed radius with an offset calculated from a direct measurement of velocity from the tape position, and outputting the adjusted computed radius.
US09064531B2
A rotating apparatus includes a hub, a shaft housing portion having a center through-hole, a base plate, and a shaft with a cylindrical section housed in the through-hole. At a joint between the shaft housing portion and the hub is formed a bonding region for bonding the shaft housing portion and the hub by a hardening resin, and a narrow-gap region more toward the base plate than the bonding region. A gap between the shaft housing portion and the hub in the narrow-gap region is narrower than a gap between the shaft housing portion and the hub in the bonding region. The hub includes a fourth circumferential recessed portion recessed in the axial direction and a lower circumferential raised portion projecting in the axial direction on a radially inner side of the fourth circumferential recessed portion. The narrow-gap region is located inside the lower circumferential raised portion.
US09064523B2
A method of controlling a content recording device, by generating control commands in a uniform resource identifier (URI) format and controlling the content recording device according to the generated control command(s), is provided.
US09064522B2
A stamper of an embodiment includes: a base portion having a main surface; and a plurality of guides arranged on the main surface in mutually different first and second directions and serving as references of arrangement of a plurality of self-assembled dots. A distance between the guides in a third direction is within a range of an integer m1 ±0.05 times of a pitch of the plural self-assembled dots. The third direction corresponds to a third vector obtained by combining a first vector corresponding to the arrangement of the guides in the first direction and a second vector corresponding to the arrangement of the guides in the second direction. A distance between the plural guides in the first direction falls out of a range of an integer m2 ±0.15 times of the pitch of the plural self-assembled dots.
US09064520B2
According to the present invention, a magnetic recording medium is provided including a disk-shaped non-magnetic substrate and at least a perpendicular magnetic layer formed on the disk-shaped non-magnetic substrate, wherein the perpendicular magnetic layer has a structure in which an FePt or CoPt nanoparticle array is formed on a formation surface, on which a plurality of striations each having a circumferential directional component are formed, by a texturing treatment; a manufacturing method thereof; and a magnetic record/reproduction apparatus including the magnetic recording medium or a magnetic recording medium manufactured according to the manufacturing method.
US09064519B2
A soft magnetic under layer has a low antiferromagnetic coupling force and a high saturation magnetic flux density. The soft magnetic under layer includes two soft magnetic layers and a spacer layer. The soft magnetic layers are expressed by a composition formula as (Fe100-XCoX)100-Y-MY by atomic ratio, wherein 15≦X≦30, 10≦Y≦30, and an element M is at least one element selected from a group of Ta, Ti, Zr, Nb, Cr, and B; are composed of residual incidental impurities; and each have a thickness of 10 to 50 nm. The spacer layer is composed of one element selected from a group of Ru, Cr, Cu, Re, and Rh and has a thickness of 0.10 to 0.50 nm. The soft magnetic layers are antiferromagnetically coupled through the spacer layer inserted therebetween. An antiferromagnetic coupling force between the soft magnetic layers is 100 to 4,000 A/m.
US09064517B1
Systems and techniques relating to servo systems include, according to an aspect, a method includes: causing writing of a band of spirals including a first spiral set and a second spiral set onto a storage medium; determining one or more characteristics associated with the band of spirals; identifying one or more spirals of the band of spirals that meet the one or more determined characteristics; and determining an end of the band of spirals based on the one or more identified spirals. The method can further include causing writing of servo information onto the storage medium while track following on the band of spirals; causing terminating of the writing of the servo information upon determining the end of the band of spirals; and causing writing of another band of spirals starting at the end of the previous band of spirals.
US09064516B2
A flexure tail is provided in a flexure including a metal base and a conductive circuit portion. The flexure tail includes a tail pad portion. In the tail pad portion, tail electrodes to are arranged. At the tail pad portion, a stub which remains after a test pad portion is cut off is formed. The stub includes conductors to which are left uncut. The conductors to which are left uncut are electrically connected to the tail electrodes to, respectively. The stub includes a bent portion. The bent portion is formed by bending a frame portion of the tail pad portion, and forms an angle of 30° or more with respect to a circuit board. The tail electrodes to are joined to terminals to of the circuit board.
US09064514B2
A near-field transducer includes an enlarged transducer portion of plasmonic material extending from an input end to an output end, a surface of the transducer portion including a trench running between two raised portions of the plasmonic material, the trench extending at least partially from the input end to the output end. A peg of the plasmonic material is disposed on the output end of the transducer portion and extends from the output end toward the air bearing surface of a heat assisted magnetic recording slider.
US09064509B2
A data reader may be configured at least with detector and injector stacks that each has a common spin accumulation layer. The detector stack may positioned on an air bearing surface (ABS) while the injector stack is positioned distal the ABS. The injector stack can have a diffusive layer with a larger spin diffusion length than mean free path.
US09064501B2
A speech processing device which can accurately extract a conversation group from among a plurality of speakers, even when a conversation group formed of three or more people is present. This device (400) comprises: a spontaneous speech detection unit (420) and a direction-specific speech detection unit (430) which separately detect, from a sound signal, uttered speech from the speakers; a conversation establishment level calculation unit (450) which calculates a conversation establishment level for each separated segment of the time being determined, for all of the pairings of two people, on the basis of the detected uttered speech; an extended-period characteristic amount calculation unit (460) which calculates an extended-period characteristic amount for the conversation establishment level of the time being determined, for each pairing; and a conversation-partner determination unit (470) which extracts a conversation group which forms a conversation on the basis of the calculated extended-period characteristic amount.
US09064497B2
Method and apparatus for audio intelligibility enhancement and computing apparatus are provided. The method includes the following steps. Environment noise is detected by performing voice activity detection according to a detected audio signal from at least a microphone of a computing device. Noise information is obtained according to the detected environment noise and a first audio signal. A second audio signal is outputted by boosting the first audio signal under an adjustable headroom by the computing device according to the noise information and the first audio signal.
US09064495B1
In some embodiments, a user device receives a voice signal corresponding to a user utterance. The user device may set a time marker corresponding to a point in time in the voice signal. The voice signal and the time marker may be transmitted to a server device. The server device may perform speech recognition using the voice signal. The server device may determine a time offset corresponding to a difference in time between an end point of the user utterance and a time associated with the time marker. The server device may determine a response to the user utterance. The server device may transmit the time offset and the response to the user device. The user device may use the time offset to determine a user-perceived latency between the end of the user utterance and a beginning of the response.
US09064491B2
Some aspects include transforming data, at least a portion of which has been processed to determine frequency information associated with features in the data. Techniques include determining a first transformation based, at least in part, on the frequency information, applying at least the first transformation to the data to obtain transformed data, and fitting a plurality of clusters to the transformed data to obtain a plurality of established clusters. Some aspects include classifying input data by transforming the input data using at least the first transformation and comparing the transformed input data to the established clusters.
US09064489B2
Recorded or synthesized speech segments of text-to-speech (TTS) systems may be compressed though the use of both time domain compression and perceptual compression techniques. The twice-compressed recording may be separated into speech segments corresponding to words or subword units for use in a TTS system. The compression rate of time domain compression, and the ratio of time domain compression to perceptual compression, may be modified for any speech segment. The compression amount or ratio may be determined based on linguistic or acoustic features of the word or subword unit that the speech segment represents. Differing compression amounts and ratios may be applied to portions of a single speech segment.
US09064487B2
A sound pickup device includes a detector configured to detect attachment of an external apparatus, a sound pickup unit configured to pick up a sound and output a sound signal, and a noise processor configured to, in response to the detection of attachment of an external appliance, add a noise signal to the sound signal output from the sound pickup unit and output the sound signal including the noise signal added thereto.
US09064484B1
A method and system for providing a feedback on a performance of a karaoke song is provided. Musical data elements of a music track input feed are compared with musical data elements of a performance input feed. Based on the comparison, the feedback on the performance of the karaoke song is generated on a display. Accordingly, lyrical data elements of a music track of the karaoke song and lyrical data elements of the performance are represented on the display. Moreover, differences between the performance and the music track are represented by altering the representation of the lyrical data elements of the performance relative to the representation of the lyrical data elements of the music track on the display.
US09064479B2
A tuning device is provided for properly tuning two sounds that are produced simultaneously. According to the invention, a notification means is provided for notifying the user of information about a relative pitch difference value of a first pitch corresponding to a first pitch name and a second pitch corresponding to a second pitch name, which are among the pitches detected by a pitch detection means. Through the notification of the notification means, the user can check the relative pitch difference value of the two sounds that is displayed by a pitch name display means to properly tune the two sounds that are produced simultaneously.
US09064477B2
A sprite capture and reproduction system for a gaming machine is disclosed. The system includes a sprite capture component and a sprite reproduction component. The sprite capture component enables capture of a sprite in video memory for use as another sprite. The sprite reproduction component enables reproduction of independent animated images that are combinable in a larger animation. The system does not require a discrete texture for each and every image that is loaded. In some cases, images may be compresses, further reducing video memory requirements. Additionally, the system dramatically increases likelihood that desired images are resident and available for use in video memory, thereby saving texture memory. Further, the system minimizes shadow RAM usage.
US09064473B2
A method of reducing power consumption of an electro-optical display device which can display a still image with the use of analog signals. A circuit in which a small amount of leakage current flows between a source and a drain of a selection transistor when the selection transistor is off; the source of the selection transistor is connected to a gate of an N-channel driving transistor, a gate of a P-channel driving transistor, and one electrode of a capacitor; and a source of each of the N-channel driving transistor and the P-channel driving transistor is connected to one electrode of a display element is provided in each pixel. The longest time of one frame is set to 100 seconds or longer with the use of such a circuit, whereby power consumption at the time of rewriting is reduced.
US09064468B2
A method for the display of compressed supertile images is disclosed. In one embodiment, a method for displaying an image frame from a plurality of compressed supertile frames includes: reading the compressed supertile frames; expanding the compressed supertile frames; and combining the expanded supertile frames to generate the image frame. The expanding can include generating an expanded supertile frame corresponding to each of the compressed supertile frames by inserting blank pixels for tiles in the expanded supertile frame that are not in the corresponding compressed supertile frame. Corresponding system and computer program products are also disclosed.
US09064466B2
A liquid crystal display (LCD) and a shift register device thereof are disclosed. The shift register device includes a plurality of serially connected shift registers for sequentially generating a plurality of scan signals. Each of the shift registers generates one of the scan signals according to a predetermined activating signal and a plurality of clock signals. The shift registers are categorized into a first group, a second group, and a third group. The first group of shift registers and the second group of shift registers have different circuit structures. The second group of shift registers and the third group of shift registers have different circuit structures. The first group of shift registers and the third group of shift registers have different circuit structures.
US09064464B2
Systems, methods, and devices are provided to reduce or eliminate mura artifacts on electronic displays. For example, pixels may be programmed to a uniform gray level before all or a substantial number of gates of the pixels are activated. The voltages on some or all source lines that supply the pixels may be measured. A mura artifact may be seen when voltage differences on the source lines are present. As such, operational parameters of the electronic display may be adjusted to reduce or eliminate the mura artifact by reducing the voltage differences.
