US09114100B2
Provided are methods of enhancing ex vivo proliferation of a T cell population, the methods comprising contacting the T cell population with IL-7 and anti-CD3/CD28 antibody to activate and expand the T cell population. Further provided are methods of generating an antigen-specific cytotoxic T cell population comprising priming a CD3/CD28-expanded T cell population against an antigen (e.g., a cancer cell) in the presence of at least one of IL-7, IL-12, and IL-15, or a combination thereof. Further provided are methods of treating T cell lymphopenia in a subject, comprising administering a CD3/CD28-expanded T cell population to the subject.
US09114097B1
A composition of natural toothpaste is provided which promotes the healthful effects of whitening teeth, freshening breath, sanitizing the mouth, and removing plaque and other buildup from enamel while avoiding risks associated with traditional artificial and/or synthetic ingredients. More particularly, coconut oil is provided to reduce bacteria in the mouth, whiten teeth, and freshen breath in combination with stevia and other ingredients as antioxidants, flavor enhancers, and/or anti-inflammatory agents.
US09114088B2
A hair cosmetic composition to be used for dyeing or bleaching hair or for removing dye from hair is applied to the hair in a foamy form obtained by mixing a powdery agent and a liquid agent and foaming the mixture by shaking.
US09114087B2
A process for making multi-phase liquid compositions is disclosed. For example, a plurality of liquid phases can be placed in separate vessels equipped with supply lines. Predetermined amounts of each of the liquid phase can be transferred, via the supply lines, into a combiner that aligns each of the liquid phases. The liquid phases can be transferred from the combiner to a blender. A mixing element of the blender can blend the liquid phases together to produce a multi-phase liquid composition having a visually distinct pattern formed by the liquid phases. The multi-phase liquid phase composition can be transferred to an individual product container via a delivery nozzle. When said multi-phase liquid composition is transferred to said individual product container via said delivery nozzle, the individual product container can be rotated, via a rotating platform of a bottle holding device.
US09114072B2
A rapidly dispersing dosage form is described, which releases its active ingredients within a period of less than about ninety seconds. These dosage forms exhibit a three-dimensional shape that is retained for adequate storage but is readily dispersed in the presence of excess moisture. Also disclosed are methods of administration of a medicament and a process for the preparation of rapidly dispersing dosage forms.
US09114064B2
A pacifier is presented including a nipple configured to receive a plurality of breath and saliva samples from a user, a base portion configured for attachment to the nipple, and an output mechanism attached to the base portion and configured for displaying different nutritional information values. The output mechanism may include one or more removable strips. The plurality of breath and saliva samples received from the user via the nipple are analyzed for nutritional information, preferably, continuously and in real-time, and the nutritional information includes at least one of carbohydrates, fats, minerals, protein, fiber, vitamins, water, salt, sugar, sodium, antioxidants, and phytochemicals.
US09114056B2
The present invention relates to a modular erogenous stimulation system including at least one vibratory device for stimulating the erogenous zones and at least one control module that for controlling the operation of the vibratory device; and to an embodiment of the at least one vibratory apparatus that may be worn by a female for stimulating the internal vaginal erogenous zones, the external clitoral erogenous zones, or both the internal and external clitoral erogenous zones of the female genitalia simultaneously, while allowing sufficient clearance of the vaginal canal to also permit insertion of a penis or other similarly configured and dimensioned implement, such as a dildo or vibrator, when the apparatus is being properly worn by the female to create an interaction between the partners that is pleasurable for all involved.
US09114055B2
A pressure therapy system includes an air pump; a pneumatic line pressurized by the air pump; and a cuff in fluid communication with the pneumatic line, the cuff including flaps sized and shaped to extend around a user's limb, a first chamber and a second chamber separated fluidly by the cuff from the first chamber, wherein the pneumatic line splits into first and second line segments or openings, the first line segment or opening communicating fluidly with the first separated chamber, the second line segment or opening communicating fluidly with the second separated chamber, and wherein the second line segment or opening or a pathway of the cuff leading to the second separated chamber includes a flow restricting structure that delays pressurized air from reaching the second chamber relative to the first chamber.
US09114054B2
A system for monitoring the use of a home-based medical apparatus providing medical therapy to a patient incorporates communication technology to permit communication from the operated component of the medical apparatus to a central station through one or more of Bluetooth® telephone communications, Smart Phone communications, Internet communications through a network, or other known or forthcoming communication devices. The operated medical apparatus can report any operational function to the central station for monitoring by medical professionals or caregivers, including the timing of any operation of the apparatus, the duration of operation, the effectiveness of the therapy, and malfunctions in the operation of the apparatus. The monitoring system is particularly adapted for use with inflation garment therapy and negative pressure wound therapy systems. The medical apparatus can also be provided with an RFD tag so that the medical apparatus, and perhaps the patient using the medical apparatus, can be found.
US09114051B2
A traction bed includes a frame upon which an individual is supportable, first and second lever arms pivotably coupled to the frame at a location proximate a first end of the frame and configured to be coupled to the individual's upper torso, third and fourth lever arms pivotably coupled to the frame at a location proximate a second end of the frame and configured to be coupled to the individual's pelvis or pelvic region, and a control system operable to direct a force onto each of the lever arms to pivot the lever arms relative to the frame. The force directed to the first and third lever arms is separately variable from the force directed to the second and fourth lever arms to provide differential traction on the individual's body.
US09114048B2
Provided is an air mattress capable of preventing the occurrence of decubitus ulcers in a person lying on the air mattress.The air mattress has a plurality of air cell groups made from a plurality of bladder-shaped cells and lined up with respect to the lengthwise direction of the air mattress so as to support at least a head area, shoulder area, back area, buttock, thigh area, knee area, and heel area of a person lying on said air mattress; an air supply/release pump; and an air tube connecting said bladder-shaped cells and said air supply/release pump in one or a plurality of independent first systems for each of the air cell groups out of said air cell groups and one or a plurality of independent second systems for each of specific bladder-shaped cells out of the plurality of air cell groups. Air supply/release by the air supply/release pump is controlled by a controller, and the pressure in at least air cell groups corresponding to a back area and a thigh area is greater than the pressure in an air cell groups corresponding to a buttock area.
US09114044B2
An absorbent article such as a sanitary napkin has a respective wing-shaped flap extending outward from each side of the main body of the absorbent article. Each wing-shaped flap has a front profile line and a rear profile line. The front profile line is a wave-shape formed by a repetition of convex portions and concave portions. The angle between a line connecting the vertex of the outermost concave portion of the wing-shaped flap with the origin point of the front profile line of the wing-shaped flap and another line originating at the origin point of the front profile line of the wing-shaped flap is 60-65°.
US09114035B2
An apparatus for treating cardiovascular diseases includes an expandable support member having oppositely disposed proximal and distal end portions and a main body portion between the end portions for positioning in a blood vessel. The proximal end portion of the expandable support member includes a plurality of wing members that extend from the main body portion. Each of the wing members is for engaging at least a portion of an antrum of a cardiac chamber surrounding the blood vessel. At least a portion of the expandable support member is treated with at least one therapeutic agent for eluting into the blood vessel, the cardiac chamber, and/or cardiac tissue. The expandable support member is made of wire-mesh, and at least a portion of the expandable support member may be made of a bioabsorbable material.
US09114034B2
An expandable medical device includes a plurality of elongated struts, forming a substantially cylindrical device which is expandable from a cylinder having a first diameter to a cylinder having a second diameter. A plurality of different beneficial agents may be loaded into different openings within the struts for delivery to the tissue. For treatment of conditions such asrestenosis, different beneficial agents are loaded into different openings in the device to address different biological processes involved in restenosis and are delivered at different release kinetics matched to the biological process treated. The different beneficial agents may also be used to address different diseases, such as restenosis and acute myocardial infarction from the same drug delivery device. In addition, anti-thrombotic agents may be affixed to at least a portion of the surfaces of the medical device for the prevention of sub-acute thrombosis.
US09114033B2
The present invention provides methods and devices for placement of a stent in a bifurcation or ostial lesion. The stent comprises a main body and a flaring portion. The main body is designed to expand and support a main vessel while the flaring portion deploys at least partially in response to expansion of the main body and is designed to open into and support a side branch or bifurcation ostium area. The stent may also comprise a therapeutic agent which can be delivered to a blood vessel.
US09114029B2
An ankle module for a prosthetic foot can have an adapter portion pivotally coupled to a base portion. The base portion can be coupled to the prosthetic foot. The adapter portion can have a coupling member that removably couples the prosthetic foot to a prosthetic pylon or socket. The adapter portion can also have cylinders housing pistons slidably displaceable within the cylinders. An actuator is selectively actuatable to place the cylinders in fluid communication, allowing a fluid to flow between the cylinders as an angular position of the adapter portion is adjusted relative to the base portion, thereby adjusting the dorsi-plantar position between the adapter portion and the base portion of the ankle module. The actuator can be selectively actuatable to fluidly isolate the cylinders from each other so that the angular position of the adapter portion relative to the base portion remains substantially fixed.
US09114025B2
The present invention provides methods and devices for annulus disc repair with and without the use of a patch or stent. The methods and devices are particularly suited to the repair and/or reconstruction of the spinal disc wall (annulus) after surgical invasion or pathologic rupture, with reduced failure rate as compared to conventional surgical procedures.
US09114017B2
A shoulder prosthesis kit includes a first metaglene component including (i) a first body defining an outer diameter, (ii) a first augment extending medially from the first body, and (iii) a first void defined by a portion of the first body and a portion of the first augment, and a plurality of bearing components, each of the plurality of bearing components defining a cavity configured to couple with the first body, and having a bearing surface that is sized differently from the size of another of the plurality of bearing components.
US09114015B2
A multi-component elbow joint assembly incorporated into reconditioned end surfaces established between an upper humerus bone and opposing lower radius and ulna bones. The assembly includes a first component anchored into the upper humerus reconditioned end surface and exhibits a first exposed support surface. A second component is anchored into the lower reconditioned bone end surface of at least one of the radius and ulna bones and exhibits a second exposed support surface. An intermediate component is supported in at least one of eccentric or rotational fashion between the first and second anchored components.
US09114012B2
An orthopedic surgical instrument including a femoral trial component configured to be coupled to a surgically-prepared distal end of a patient's femur. The femoral trial component has a fixation side configured to engage a posterior aspect of the surgically-prepared distal femur.
US09114007B2
An instrument for inserting an intraocular lens capable of securely and safely pushing out the lens by a simple structure. An instrument (1) for inserting comprises: a body (3) having a lens placement part (8) on which the lens (2) with a pair of loop parts (2b) at its optic part (2a) is installed, a transition part (12) deforming the lens (2), and a nozzle part (11) discharging the lens (2); and a lens push-out mechanism (4) pushing out the lens (2) placed on the lens placement part (8). The lens push-out mechanism (4) comprises a plunger (16) pushing out the lens (2) and a slider (15) having a lens contact part (20) larger than the plunger (16). The slider (15) comprises an operation part (23) projected to the outside of the body (3).
US09114004B2
An implant apparatus comprising a plurality of photo sensors, a plurality of micro electrodes and circuitry coupled to the photo sensors and the micro electrodes are described. The photo sensors may receive incoming light. The circuit may drive the micro electrodes to stimulate neuron cells for enabling perception of a vision of the light captured by the photo sensors. The apparatus may be implemented in a flexible material to conform to a shape of a human eyeball to allow the micro electrodes aligned with the neuron cells for the stimulation.
US09113999B2
A positioning anchor is provided for a stent-graft for implantation to treat a damaged body lumen. The positioning anchor is generally tubular surrounding a primary fluid conduit. Arms extend laterally from the generally tubular structure of the anchor surrounding lateral fluid conduits. The form of these arms is preferably custom configured to match a particular patient's luminal geometry. The anchor thus fits within the luminal geometry to remain in a desired fixed position for implantation of the anchor and any stent-graft coupled to the anchor. The anchor is most preferably formed with two walls having a void therebetween which can be filled with fixation media to further secure the anchor at the desired implantation site. A lumen shaper balloon and delivery catheter are also disclosed for proper delivery, expansion and inflation of the positioning anchor and stent-graft elements according to this invention.
US09113997B2
An ankle protecting device comprises: a wrapping sheath having a lower-leg sheath, a foot sheath and a loincloth that are integrated with thereof, the loincloth constricts the wrapping sheath on a sole, an ankle and a lower leg and is adjustable for tightness thereof; an internal supporting plate and an outer supporting plate fastened on the left and right sides of the wrapping sheath respectively, the shapes of the internal supporting plate and the outer supporting plate are symmetrical to each other, the internal supporting plate and the outer supporting plate 50b elongate to be over the ankle along the internal and outer sides of the lower leg and then to the two sides of the sole toward the top of the sole; and a foot bottom supporting plate fastened on the bottom of the foot sheath.
US09113996B2
An adjustable heel stabilization device comprised of first and second side plates, a union plate, a first connector plate for attaching said first side plate with the union plate and a corresponding second connector plate for connecting said second side plate with the union plate, wherein said first and second side plates are repositionable relative to the union plate and vice versa. The adjustable heel stabilization device of the present invention allows an individual to apply pressure to both sides of the heel and compress the skin and tissue along the bottom of the heel together, thereby creating a cushioning effect when the individual is walking, standing or sitting. The adjustable heel stabilization device is adjustable to accommodate various shapes and sizes of footwear, and helps to reduce swelling in the foot and provide relief for heel pain, heel spurs, plantar fasciitis and arch pain.
US09113995B2
A steerable laser probe may include a handle, and inner bore of the handle, an actuation lever of the handle, a housing tube, and an optic fiber disposed within the inner bore of the handle and the housing tube. The housing tube may have a first housing tube portion having a first stiffness and a second housing tube portion having a second stiffness. The second stiffness may be greater than the first stiffness.
US09113993B2
A mesh patch for a laparoscopic hernia surgery, which includes a flexible mesh, an adhesion layer surface, and an anti-adhesion layer surface. The flexible mesh is formed of a thin layer of filament using a biocompatible polymer. The adhesion layer surface is disposed on a front surface of the mesh. The adhesion layer surface is coated with an adhesion inducing material to be fixedly attached to a peritoneum. The anti-adhesion layer surface is disposed on a rear surface of the mesh. The anti-adhesion layer surface is coated with an anti-adhesion material so as not to adhere to intestines in an abdominal cavity. The protection film is detachably attached to the adhesion layer surface and the anti-adhesion layer surface to protect the mesh. Here, the protection film is easily detached by a laparoscopic instrument, and has an adhesive strength such that the mesh is unfolded upon detaching.
US09113990B2
An implant includes a substrate and a carrier coupled to the substrate. The carrier including a plurality of objects configured to reflect energy emitted by an ultrasound device. In some embodiments, the carrier includes a plurality of air bubbles that are configured to reflect energy emitted by an ultrasound device. In one embodiment, a method of forming a bodily implant includes forming a substrate, disposing a plurality of air bubbles within a carrier, and applying the carrier to the substrate.
US09113989B2
The present invention relates generally to dynamic support devices, methods of providing dynamic support to target tissues, and kits comprising these devices. These devices may have particular utility in providing support to the urethra. The dynamic support devices generally comprise at least one attachment member for attachment to bodily tissue, and at least one support member, where the device capable of assuming a first configuration and a second configuration. The dynamic support devices may be configured to support a target tissue when the device is in its second configuration. The support member may comprise one or more rotating components, one or more deformable components, one or more sliding components, or a combination thereof.
US09113965B2
A spinal plate having an upper surface and a lower surface, the lower surface adapted to contact bone. A plurality of holes extend from the upper surface to the lower surface through the plate which is configured and adapted to receive bone fasteners for fixing the spinal plate to bone. The lower surface of the spinal plate comprises a ridge that protrudes from the underside of the plate and encloses the plurality of holes spaced inward from the perimeter of the spinal plate.
US09113962B2
Apparatus and devices for adding an additional spinal construct in a patient are disclosed. In one arrangement the additional spinal construct extends an existing spinal construct ipsilaterally with an inline rod connector in a minimally invasive or preferably, percutaneous procedure. In another arrangement, the ipsilateral extension of an existing spinal construct uses an offset rod connector for receiving an additional spinal rod that may be placed interiorly or exteriorly of the existing spinal construct.
US09113961B2
A bone anchor including a first fastening system for fastening a support member to the anchor, and a second fastening system for fastening the anchor to a bone. The second fastening system includes first and second clamping jaws defining between them a slot for receiving a bony part of the bone. The second jaw is movable relative to the first jaw so as to clamp the bony part between the first and second jaws. A locking mechanism is provided for maintaining the second jaw in a fixed clamping position with respect to the first jaw.
US09113953B2
An obturator assembly for penetrating tissue and being at least partially positionable within a cannula assembly includes an obturator housing, an obturator shaft connected to the obturator housing and defining a longitudinal axis, a penetrating member adjacent the distal end of the obturator shaft and an obturator shield mounted about the obturator shaft and having a distal shield nose. The obturator shield is adapted for longitudinal movement between an extended position where the penetration member is substantially enclosed within the shield nose and a retracted position where the penetrating member is at least partially exposed from the shield nose. A manually manipulative member is mounted to the obturator housing and is adapted for rotational movement about the longitudinal axis and relative to the obturator housing between an initial position corresponding to a first mode of operation where the obturator shield is secured in the extended position and the shield nose is used to penetrate tissue, and a release position corresponding to a second mode of operation operatively releasing the obturator shield to permit the obturator shield to move to the retracted position thereof to expose the penetrating member for penetrating the tissue. The obturator assembly may further include a latch member disposed within the obturator housing. The preferred latch member is in operative engagement with the obturator shield to secure the obturator shield in the extended position thereof. The latch member is actuable to release the obturator shield when the obturator housing is mated with the cannula assembly to thereby permit movement of the obturator shield toward the retracted position provided the manually manipulative member is in the release position. The obturator assembly further includes a release member which is mounted to the obturator housing and operatively coupled with the latch member. The release member is positioned to engage the cannula assembly upon mating of the obturator housing and the cannula assembly to thereby displace the release member and cause actuation of the latch member.
US09113942B2
A surgical tool for use through laproscopic ports having improved haptic and tactile feedback.
US09113934B2
Optical energy-based methods and apparatus for sealing vascular tissue involves deforming vascular tissue to bring different layers of the vascular tissue into contact each other and illuminating the vascular tissue with a light beam having at least one portion of its spectrum overlapping with the absorption spectrum of the vascular tissue. The apparatus may include two deforming members configured to deform the vascular tissue placed between the deforming members. The apparatus may also include an optical system that has a light source configured to generate light, a light distribution element configured to distribute the light across the vascular tissue, and a light guide configured to guide the light from the light source to the light distribution element. The apparatus may further include a cutting member configured to cut the vascular tissue and to illuminate the vascular tissue with light to seal at least one cut surface of the vascular tissue.
US09113933B2
Optical energy-based methods and apparatus for sealing vascular tissue involves deforming vascular tissue to bring different layers of the vascular tissue into contact each other and illuminating the vascular tissue with a light beam having at least one portion of its spectrum overlapping with the absorption spectrum of the vascular tissue. The apparatus may include two deforming members configured to deform the vascular tissue placed between the deforming members. The apparatus may also include an optical system that has a light source configured to generate light, a light distribution element configured to distribute the light across the vascular tissue, and a light guide configured to guide the light from the light source to the light distribution element. The apparatus may further include a cutting member configured to cut the vascular tissue and to illuminate the vascular tissue with light to seal at least one cut surface of the vascular tissue.
US09113929B2
A renal denervation device can include an elongated catheter body extending along a longitudinal axis, and an assembly connected to the catheter body. The assembly includes a plurality of heating elements connected to the catheter body. Each heating element has a conductor and a layer of an RF dissipating material such as a polymer overlying the conductor. During operation of the device, the layer of RF dissipating material is disposed between the conductor and body tissues of a subject. The layer of RF dissipating material is substantially thicker than the Debye length within the material in order to reduce the electric field reaching the tissue and to eliminate direct contact of the electrode with the body tissue.
US09113922B2
A method of producing a drilling jig for implantation of a hearing aid involves capturing a molded imprint (14) of a patient's upper teeth (12) by solidifying an elastic material on them; connecting the teeth print to a jig (16) having a lateral beam (20) and navigation benchmarks (22); positioning the jig on the patient's head (10) using the imprint; capturing a three-dimensional image of the patient's head with the jig in place; determining a minimal invasive drilling axis (28) for hearing aid implantation based on the three-dimensional image; and manufacturing a customized jig having a drilling guide opening (24) in the lateral beam of the jig for guiding a drilling tool (26). The position and orientation of the drilling guide opening are selected to guide the drilling tool along the determined minimal invasive drilling axis when the jig is positioned on the patient's head by using the imprint (14).
US09113918B2
An orthopaedic surgical instrument assembly includes an instrument handle configured to clamp a broach and femoral stem trial assembly. A depth stop is configured to removably couple to the instrument handle. When the broach and femoral stem trial are advanced into a medullary canal of a patient's femur, a substantially planar proximal surface of the depth stop is configured to engage the distal surface of the femur, determining the depth of the broach in the medullary canal. The proximal surface of the depth stop is parallel to the joint line, defining an oblique angle to the anatomical axis of the femur. The depth stop may be attached to the instrument handle at a number of positions to control the depth of the broach. The assembly may include a spacer plate removably coupled to the depth stop that distalizes the broach in the medullary canal.
US09113915B2
A method of surgically preparing a proximal end of a tibia includes inserting an intramedullary orthopaedic surgical instrument into a medullary canal of the tibia, securing an attachment device to the intramedullary orthopaedic surgical instrument, attaching a cutting block to the attachment device, resecting the proximal end of the tibia using the cutting block to form a surgically-prepared surface, positioning a tibial base trial on the surgically-prepared surface, and inserting a keel punch through a slot defined in the tibial base trial and into the surgically-prepared surface of the tibia.
US09113907B2
An end effector assembly for use with an instrument for sealing and cutting tissue includes a pair of opposing first and second jaw members movable relative to the to grasp tissue therebetween. Each jaw member including a jaw housing and an electrically conductive surface adapted to connect to a source of electrosurgical energy such that the electrically conductive surfaces are capable of conducting electrosurgical energy through tissue held therebetween to effect a tissue seal. One of the electrically conductive surfaces including a channel defined therein and extending along a length thereof that communicates with a nozzle disposed in the jaw housing. The nozzle is configured to direct high pressure fluid from a fluid source into the channel for cutting tissue grasped between the jaw members.
US09113905B2
A bipolar forceps for sealing tissue includes an end effector assembly having opposing first and second jaw members each having a proximal end and a distal end. A first electrically conductive surface having two or more conductive sealing plates and a dielectric layer is operably coupled to the first jaw member. Each sealing plate is connected to a reactive element and positioned along the first electrically conductive surface from the proximal end to the distal end. The reactive element of the sealing plate have different impedances. A second electrically conductive surface having one or more conductive sealing plates is operably coupled to the second jaw member. Each electrically conductive surface on the jaw members connects to a source of electrosurgical energy such that the sealing plates are capable of conducting energy through tissue held therebetween to effect a tissue seal.
US09113898B2
A bipolar forceps includes a housing having a shaft extending therefrom including an end effector assembly at a distal end thereof. The end effector assembly has a wheel assembly opposing a jaw member and having a pair of opposing wheels configured to facilitate movement of the wheel assembly relative to the jaw member. A drive rod is operably coupled at a proximal end to a movable handle and at a distal end to the wheel assembly. The movable handle is movable relative to a stationary handle to move the wheel assembly relative to the jaw member. At least one electrically conductive tissue sealing plate is disposed on each of the wheel assembly and the jaw member and is adapted to connect to an electrosurgical energy source configured to deliver electrosurgical energy to tissue held between the wheel assembly and the jaw member to effect a tissue seal.
US09113892B2
A surgical clip applier is provided and includes a ratchet mechanism having a rack member connected to a drive channel such that axial translation of the drive channel results in axial translation of the rack member, the rack member defining a first set of teeth along a first side thereof and a second set of teeth along a second side thereof. The ratchet mechanism including a first pawl and a second pawl each tiltably supported in the housing and disposed on respective opposed sides of the rack member; and a buckling spring interposed between the first pawl and the second pawl and constrained in a slot formed in the rack member, wherein the buckling spring is dimensioned so as to bow in one of a proximal direction and a distal direction.
US09113887B2
An electrosurgical system for performing an electrosurgical procedure is provided and includes an electrosurgical generator and a calibration computer system. The electrosurgical generator includes one or more processors and a measurement module including one or more log amps that are in operative communication with the processor. The calibration computer system configured to couple to a measurement device and is configured to measure parameters of an output signal generated by the electrosurgical generator. The calibration computer system is configured to compile the measured parameters into one or more data look-up tables and couple to the electrosurgical generator for transferring the data look-up table(s) to memory of the electrosurgical generator. The microprocessor is configured to receive an output from the log amp(s) and access the data look-up table(s) from memory to execute one or more control algorithms for controlling an output of the electrosurgical generator.
US09113881B2
A travel clip is provided for use with a surgical staple cartridge. The travel clip includes a cover having first and second side edges which varying in distance from a centerline of the cover and a longitudinally extending rib projecting perpendicularly along the centerline of the cover. The first and second side edges include areas of maximum distance from the centerline of the cover and areas of minimum distance from the centerline of the cover. The space between adjacent areas of maximum distance from the centerline of the cover provide cutouts or openings for viewing, inspection and verification of structure retained within the surgical staple cartridge.
US09113875B2
A surgical stapler having a remote motorized staple head is provided and generally includes a handle having a control button and a highly flexible cable extending distally from the handle. A housing incorporating a staple assembly is affixed to a distal end of the flexible cable. The housing may incorporate articulating structure to position the staple assembly relative to the remainder of the housing.
US09113845B2
A sleeve for simple assembly of in-vivo devices, such as endoscopy capsules, is provided. The sleeve comprises grippers and leaf springs at either end to hold the rigid portions of a rigid-flex PCB (printed circuit board) in a folded configuration before the PCB is inserted into an in-vivo device's housing. A method of assembly of the rigid-flex PCB into the sleeve is provided.
US09113844B2
Devices and methods for non-invasive implant rupture detection are described herein. Some variations of a non-invasive implant rupture detection device comprise a single optical waveguide, such as a silicone fiber, embedded in the shell of the implantable device where one end of the optical waveguide is connected to a photo emitter and the other end of the waveguide is connected to photo detector. An optical signal successfully transmitted from the photo emitter through an intact optical waveguide to the photo detector indicates that the implant shell is intact, while an optical signal that is transmitted by the photo emitter, but not detected by the photo detector, indicates that there is a discontinuity or rupture in the shell. The status of the implant shell is wirelessly communicated to an external reader and provided to a patient and/or a practitioner.
US09113837B2
A drowsiness detection method for detecting drowsiness of a detection target is provided. The method includes a data collecting process including steps of: detecting physiological symptom information of the detection target; determining whether the detection target satisfies a predetermined drowsiness threshold condition according to the physiological symptom information; when the detection target satisfies the predetermined drowsiness threshold condition, triggering a stimulation event on the detection target; determining whether a response event is received from the detection target in response to the stimulation event; when the response event is not received, determining whether the stimulation event satisfies a threshold strength condition; and recording the physiological symptom information as a corresponding drowsiness detection condition of the detection target when the stimulation event satisfies the threshold strength condition.
US09113832B2
A sensor interface is configured to receive a sensor signal. A transmitter generates a transmit signal. A receiver receives the signal corresponding to the transmit signal. Further, a monitor interface is configured to communicate a waveform to the monitor so that measurements derived by the monitor from the waveform are generally equivalent to measurements derivable from the sensor signal.
US09113811B2
A tissue-image creating unit creates a tissue image including depth values by volume rendering from three-dimensional tissue data stored in a three-dimensional data storage unit. A blood-flow data converting unit scatters a blood flow in three-dimensional blood-flow data stored in the three-dimensional data storage unit into particles, and converts the three-dimensional blood-flow data into three-dimensional particle data. A blood-flow image creating unit creates a blood-flow image including depth values from the three-dimensional particle data. A composite-image creating unit then creates a composite image by coordinating the order of rendering particles and tissue based on the depth values of respective pixels included in the tissue image and the depth values of respective particles included in the blood-flow image. A display control unit then controls display of the composite image so as to be displayed in order onto a monitor included in an output unit.
US09113806B2
An image converter receives image data of an object and performs a kind of image conversion on the image data to generate converted image data for display. A measurement section measures at least one spatial characteristic of the object based on: the converted image data, and optical data, which relates to optical characteristics of an optical system through which the image data of the object has been obtained, and which is made to correspond to the kind of image conversion performed by the image converter. Alternatively, a measurement section measures at least one spatial characteristic of the object by relating, based on the kind of image conversion, coordinates of the converted image data to coordinates of the image data of the object before the image conversion, and by measuring the at least one spatial characteristic based on the coordinates of the image data of the object before the image conversion.
US09113791B2
Measured blood pressure data is stored in a memory in association with information related to a measurement time. In response to manipulation of a manipulation portion (memory recall switch), blood pressure data associated with the measurement time within a prescribed time period (for example, 10 minutes) from the measurement time of reference blood pressure data, among the blood pressure data stored in the memory, is retrieved as specific data. Then, an average value is calculated based on the specific data, and the calculated average value is displayed as an evaluation index.
US09113787B2
In an endoscope system, rays of different wavelength bands are sequentially projected toward a target site of a test subject, to obtain image signals from the reflected rays. Reflection spectra are calculated from the image signals and subjected to a multi-regression analysis in combination with absorption spectra of those objects which are relevant to the inspection, such as blood or hemoglobin in the target site, and absorption spectra of irrelevant objects other than the relevant objects, such as bile or staining materials. Spectral components of the irrelevant objects in the reflection spectra are determined through the multi-regression analysis, and are eliminated from the reflection spectra, providing second reflection spectra. A couple of images are produced and displayed on the basis of the first reflection spectra from which the spectral components of the irrelevant objects are not eliminated and the second reflection spectra.
US09113786B2
A device, a system, and/or a method are provided for monitoring the eye behavior of drivers of oncoming cars. A camera mounted to a car mirror may monitor the eyes of oncoming drivers. An eye recognition analyzer may recognize nystagmus symptoms exhibited by the oncoming drivers. A machine may recognize the license plate information of the oncoming cars. The license plate numbers, as well as other identifying features of the oncoming cars, may be displayed on a head-up display of a car. A driver of the car may be otherwise notified by an alarm and/or warning about the possibility of a dangerous, oncoming car. An emitter located on the car may emit signals to other nearby networked cars in order to warn their drivers about the dangerous oncoming car. Information regarding the dangerous oncoming car may be displayed on the head-up displays of the other nearby networked cars.
US09113785B2
Systems, methods, and apparatus for providing a fluid and reduced-toxicity optical media with optical analysis and therapeutic energy delivery. An aspect of the invention provides an aqueous solution of increased-salinity of between about 1% and 35%. An increasing salinity in accordance with the invention provides improved transmissive efficiency at many wavelengths and less toxicity than many existing systems and methods. A catheter having integrated fibers for probing or treating internal lumens or other tissues can include a liquid-inflatable balloon or flushing mechanism using the solution for displacing blood or other obstructions in an optical path between the fiber and targeted tissue. Methods including spectroscopy can be employed with the solution for diagnosing medical conditions associated with diseased vessels or other tissues while reducing the risk of permanent damage resulting from the diagnosis. Additional applications include the deliver of therapeutic radiation externally and internally to tissues through h the solution media.
US09113779B2
An image processing apparatus includes an analysis unit configured to obtain information regarding an order of display of a plurality of layers from a cross-sectional image, and a display control unit configured to perform control such that methods for displaying the plurality of layers are sequentially changed and the plurality of layers are displayed on a display unit on the basis of the information regarding the order of display.
US09113778B2
Methods, systems, and computer storage media are provided for predicting a probability of acute deterioration for a specific patient. Various discrete measurements are taken regarding the patient's current health. Those measurements are used to determine a PPOD score, which is displayed for clinicians.
US09113756B2
A portable toilet constructed of a sanitary and biodegradable material assembled from a multi-paneled and foldable blank material into a body having a bottom, interconnecting sides and a top with a centrally defined aperture. The blank construction includes a pair of mating flaps within which are configured carrying handle apertures. A fold over lid exhibits three interconnected edges and an inner facing engagement tab for maintaining the lid in a closed position relative to the top and upper side edges of the body. A reinforcing insert is positioned within the open interior of the body during its three dimensional assembly and includes pairs of spaced apart, length extending and opposite edge interconnecting and strength inducing panels which are arrayed in vertically extending fashion and which, in use, protect against collapse of the body.
US09113748B2
A device (24) for preparing a hot beverage, especially coffee, includes a water reservoir (4), a heating unit (11) connected to the water reservoir (4), delivery elements (16) connected to the heating unit with a delivery opening (19) for delivering hot water to a container (20) which during use contains an extract from which a beverage is to be made, water transport elements (12, 14) for transporting water from the heating unit (11) to the delivery element (16), and an air supply conduit (27) for supplying air to the hot water. The air supply conduit (27) discharges in or near the delivery element (16), upstream of the container (20), for cooling the water to be delivered by the delivery element (16) to the container (20), wherein the hot water before cooling has a temperature of at least 95° C., preferably at least 97° C., more preferably a temperature around the boiling point.
US09113740B2
The present invention relates to a multi-purpose juicer, which includes a frame assembly, a base assembly, and a drive assembly. The frame assembly includes a frame body, a head assembly fixed on the base assembly, and a function element. A terminal of the frame body matches with the head assembly to form an operation cavity for containing the function element. Another terminal thereof matches with the drive assembly such that the drive assembly drives the function element to operate in the operation cavity. The drive assembly can directly drive the function element to rotate it in the operation cavity. The function element may be altered according to different needs; however, other elements need not to be altered, thus the whole structure thereof is simple.
US09113739B2
A magnetic window valance is disclosed. The magnetic window valance can include a sheet of ferromagnetic material, and a decorative layer disposed about the sheet of ferromagnetic material. The magnetic window valance can also include a curtain rod coupling portion extending in a first direction from the decorative layer, and a tab extending in a second direction from the decorative layer and supporting a magnet configured to couple with a proximal magnetic window valance.
US09113738B2
A system device for use in assisting in the donning of hosiery by elderly or handicapped persons. The device comprises at least two releasably grasping elements configured to separately releasable grasp the sides of an article of hosiery adjacent an open end thereof. The grasping elements are solidly affixed to respective elongated pulling elements of a length to enable a donner of the article of hosiery to position the article of hosiery over a foot with minimal reaching, bending or stretching of arms, legs or body and wherein the pulling elements are configured to enable the donner to pull the article of hosiery onto the foot into a donning position.
US09113733B2
A ventilation cup lid includes a lid, a sealing portion to mount the lid onto a cup and an orifice sealing member located on the lid. The lid has a drinking orifice, a severed coupling portion extended from the lid to the drinking orifice, and a wedge notch. The orifice sealing member includes a cover sheet, a protrusive latch portion located at one side of the cover sheet remote from the cup, and a bent connecting section to bridge the cover sheet and lid. The cover sheet and lid are interposed by a ventilation gap. The severed coupling portion strides the ventilation gap to connect to the cover sheet. The ventilation gap forms an exit to release thermal pressure and enhance heat dissipation efficacy. The force applied by users to push the protrusive latch portion to open the cover sheet and expose the drinking orifice also is reduced.
US09113730B2
An integrated bedding cover system includes a article of clothing and a bed cover. The integrated bedding cover system further includes a fastening means to attach the article of clothing with the bed cover. In one embodiment, the article of clothing includes a plurality of male snaps and a plurality of female snaps, and the bed cover includes a plurality of male snaps and a plurality of female snaps. The male snaps of the article of clothing are configured to engage with the female snaps of the bed cover, and the female snaps of the article of clothing are configured to engage with the male snaps of the bed cover to attach the article of clothing with the comforter. The integrated bedding cover system provides a theme that matches with a particular theme coordinated with a child's bedroom furniture, window treatments, and color schemes.
US09113723B2
An improved bassinet frame for an infant playard comprising a plurality of structural members configured to nest within a playard top frame top and rest upon supports on corner members of the playard frame. The bassinet frame includes a pair of spaced-apart, parallel side members connected by a pair of perpendicularly aligned uplift preventing end members. The bassinet frame end members extend beneath playard frame end members when the bassinet frame is deployed for use such that the playard end frame members inhibit uplift of the bassinet frame. The side members each further include a joint positioned approximately midway along the respective lengths allowing the bassinet frame to be folded along an axis parallel to its width. Folding the bassinet frame retracts the end members from beneath the playard end frame members and allows the bassinet frame to be removed from the playard.
US09113722B1
A baby harness is designed to concentrate the infant's weight on the waist and hips rather than on the neck and shoulder area, which is typical of conventional baby harnesses. This design enables the parent to remain active in terms of being hands-free and allowing bending from the waist. The harness secures the baby to the parent's lower back/waist/buttocks area by two cooperating tapered belt components which are extensions of the harness itself. The seat component of the harness comprises a concave enclosure providing bottom, back and head support. The seat component has bilateral extensions containing four openings through which the infant's arms and legs project, thereby securing both the upper and lower body of the child while also allowing free movement of the baby's limbs. The bilateral extensions taper toward the front of the harness and transition into the two cooperating belt components that connect around the parent's waist, so that the belt also contributes to stabilizing the infant's body weight distribution.
US09113717B2
A seating attachment for a vehicle trailer hitch features two metal bars, the main shaft and the cross member, each with a square cross section and capable of fitting into a standard vehicle trailer hitch mount. The main shaft and cross member are welded together in a “T” configuration. At the ends of the cross member, two seats mounted; the seats may optionally be positioned to face directly backward or be angled inward to face one another. Swivel-mounted seats are also contemplated. Additional mounting points are provided for a table top, an umbrella, beverage coolers, or other equipment. The height of the seats may be raised or lowered relative to the trailer hitch height by an angle piece in order to reach a comfortable sitting level.
US09113714B2
The present invention relates to a device for the movement of resting components of a sofa, an armchair or the likes, such as a headrest movable between a lowered position and a raised position, a back movable between a substantially erected configuration and a downwardly inclined configuration, a seat movable between a backward position and a forward position, and a footrest movable between a lowered, substantially vertical position and a raised position. Such a device comprises a telescopic member equipped with a movable portion controlled by a motor and able, jointly with further connection members, to place in reciprocal relation and to move said headrest, back, seat and footrest.
US09113709B2
The invention is a tripod easel in which the first, second and third legs are elastically deformable in the forward and rearward directions between a first position and a second position. In the second position, the first and third legs define arcs in the forward direction and the second leg defines an arc in the rearward direction. In the second position, the three legs define a free-standing tripod. The first and third legs define rows of supporting holes that can support an artwork support apparatus, a cantilevered shelf, a palette holder, a paper towel holder or other accessories.
US09113687B2
A magnetic connection system for luggage or other bags. This invention involves a method for manufacturing and using a magnetic locking device system for attaching a bag to a pull-handle or other telescoping tubular device of a wheeled bag. This system allows two bags to easily be secured together, quickly and efficiently while a traveler is on the go. If the traveler wishes to remove the second bag from the wheeled luggage, they merely need to depress the release button on the pull-handle thus removing the magnetic force which connects the two bags together through the connection with the locking pin, the mount and the auxiliary attachment adaptor.
US09113683B2
Umbrella assemblies described herein are advantageously configured with simple yet robust arrangements for securing an umbrella in an open configuration, for example, with a runner in an elevated position. In some embodiments, the umbrella assemblies are self-opening and/or include locking devices. The locking devices can engage support structures positioned on an umbrella pole.
US09113681B2
An interchangeable jewelry setting system that allows for the insertion, removal and replacement of ornamental elements onto a jewelry piece is provided. The jewelry piece may comprise any type of or piece of jewelry onto which an ornamental setting may be fitted such as, for example, a ring, necklace, earring, bracelet, broach, pin, etc. Likewise, any ornamental element may be disposed on the interchangeable setting of the invention, such as, for example, a metallic engraving, ornamental design element, etc.
US09113680B2
A buckle includes a pair of legs on a male member, and an engagement portion provided on an end of the legs that is to be engaged with an engaged portion of a female member in a form of a recessed groove, the engagement portion being detachably engaged with the engaged portion when the male member is inserted into the female member to a predetermined position. A guide for guiding the insertion of the male member provided between the legs of the male member. A hook-shaped movement restricting portion projecting in the direction for the pair of legs to face with each other is provided on an inner side of the legs. A deformation restricting portion projecting in a form of a flange toward the leg is provided to the guide. The movement restricting portion is in contact with the deformation restricting portion when the leg is outwardly deformed.
US09113672B2
A protective helmet includes an outer shell and a controlled air dissipation (CAD) assembly installed within the outer shell. The CAD assembly includes an inner shell liner releaseably mounted to the outer shell, a primary bellows unit disposed between an outer surface of the inner shell liner and the inside surface of the outer shell, and a secondary bellows unit disposed between an inner surface of the inner shell liner and the head of a person wearing the protective helmet.
US09113665B2
A bunting bag for children, where the bunting bag for children comprises a main part which is designed to be connected to a bottom part by means of a zipper, and a hood-shaped part containing an adjusting device. The bunting bag is opened and closed by means of a central closing and opening device, where the main part is provided on each side edge with a wind flap extending along the side edge and a lower wind flap extending round the main part's circumference, which wind flaps interact with a wind flap provided in the bottom part, forming a wind flap on an inner and outer side of the closing and opening device and the zipper, in order thereby to prevent through-flow of air through them.
US09113664B2
A protective sports glove including a hand portion having a palmer and dorsal region that surround and define a cavity for receiving a player's hand. A finger portion and thumb portion extend outwardly from the hand portion. A cuff portion joins the hand along a junction and extends outwardly from the hand portion in a direction opposite the finger portion. A wrist guard is disposed proximate the junction and is attached to the hand portion. The wrist guard includes a primary member and a secondary member. The primary and secondary members articulate relative to each other and are movable relative to the dorsal portion.
US09113656B2
A device for regulating and adjusting a distance between pairs of adjacent rollers in a peeling machine for almonds and similar dried fruits is provided, wherein the rollers are horizontally aligned at both sides of a central plane through which the product to be peeled is passed, the device including a movement transmission shaft coupled to each pair of adjacent rollers, a motor for operation of the movement transmission shaft, wherein the motor is coupled to one of the ends of the transmission shaft, a torque meter for measuring torque at various positions of the rollers, wherein the torque meter is coupled to a spin axis of at least one of the rollers in the pair, and a sensor for measuring and regulating a working distance between the rollers, wherein the sensor is coupled to at least the other roller in the pair.
US09113638B2
The food product machine with a food supply, a rotary food pump connected to the food supply, a molding mechanism having a mold plate and a knockout drive, and a the mold plate configured to be driven to reciprocated between a fill and a discharge position. The knockout drive is reciprocating a knockout plunger to discharge molded food products from a cavity in the mold plate, the mold plate being reciprocated by a mold plate drive between a cavity fill position and a cavity discharge position. The machine further includes a manifold connected an outlet of the food pump and having an outlet passageway connected to an inlet of the molding mechanism for filling the cavity of the mold plate.
US09113628B2
A flowering stimulant composition with Nitrobenzene for Agricultural and Horticultural flowering crops including Nitrobenzene as an Active ingredient, with Natural/Synthetic/Ionic (or) Non Ionic chemical surfactant and base with petro (or) Non petro solvent base. A typical example of 100 kg of the composition has 5 to 10 kgs. of Linear alkyl Benzene (Acid slurry), 1 to 2 kgs. of Sodium Hydroxide, 2 to 4 kgs. of Urea, 20 kg of Nitro Benzene, and Quantum sufficientum Filler & stabilizer. In the case of 100 kgs. of granular formulation, the composition has 75 kg or 80 kg of Roasted or unroasted Bentonite clay or silica quartz sand granules, 10 kg or 15 kg Nitrobenzene and Quantum sufficientum Coating agent and De-activating Chemicals.
US09113618B2
A process where materials are applied to a plastic fishing lure surface, producing a lure that possesses chromatic vicissitude as a result of water temperature fluctuations. A non-thermochromatic base layer of one or more colors is applied to the plastic fishing lure. This layer acts as the visual appearance of the fishing lure in the absence of temperature fluctuations. Clear extender is then used as an additive to the thermochromatic ink. This addition to the ink then allows the ink to be sprayed onto the surface of the lure. This ink-extender amalgam can be applied in multiple layers however the bottom layer must have the least amount of hue saturation. Each layer thereafter would increase in hue saturation. Multiple hue combinations can be utilized. Once the desired number of thermochromatic layers has been applied, an ultra-clear super high gloss lacquer finish is sprayed on to the exterior of all layers.
US09113602B2
The disclosed hedge trimmer is provided with a main body, a blade unit supported by the main body and a chip receiver supported by the blade unit. The chip receiver is attached to the blade unit. The chip receiver is positioned at an opposite side of the blade unit from cutting edges of the blade unit and receives branches and leaves cut by the cutting edges. The chip receiver has a concavo-convex shape including a longitudinal rib, traverse rib and projections formed of a edge of the chip receiver, to prevent the received branches and leaves from dropping.
US09113599B2
A hydraulic circuit mechanically link to a tailgate of an agriculture harvester. The hydraulic circuit of the present invention can be used to facilitate the transition of hydraulic states from a quick speed to a slow speed, when opening and closing the tailgate. The hydraulic circuit includes a fluid stop valve having a restrictive orifice which, when narrowed, reduces the rate of pressurized fluid flow into a hydraulic actuator during the actuator's extension. The reduced flow of pressurized fluid into the hydraulic cylinder substantially reduces the speed at which the panel opens or closes.
US09113596B2
A turf mower has one or more electrically powered cutting units and a traction drive system that is operatively powered by an internal combustion engine. A motor generator is also powered by the engine and is operatively connected to the engine and the traction drive system. A battery pack stores electrical energy and is charged by the motor generator during normal mowing on flat ground. When mowing on hillsides with increased mechanical power requirements above that supplied by the horsepower of the engine, a control system first removes the load imposed by the cutting units by supplying the electrical energy to the cutting units from the battery pack instead of the motor generator. If that is insufficient, the control system then uses energy from the battery pack to power the motor generator as a motor to supply additional mechanical power for use by the traction drive system.
US09113595B2
A lawn care device may include a cutting deck housing at least one blade, a rotatable shaft, and a blade mount operably coupled to the rotatable shaft. The blade mount may include at least one engagement slot configured to enclose at least a portion of the at least one blade. The blade mount may further include at least one protruding member disposed within the engagement slot to secure the at least one blade within the engagement slot responsive to insertion of the at least one blade into the engagement slot.
US09113591B2
Metering devices for an agricultural implement are provided for applying a field input, for example, pneumatically delivered granular product including seed or fertilizer or sprayed liquid product including fertilizer and the like, to an agricultural field. In the applying of the field input, the rate of application of the dispensers of one section of the implement can be collectively varied in relation to the rate of application of the dispensers of a different section of the implement frame.
US09113588B2
A tracking system employs at least one parameter for use in guiding an implement attached to a work machine, and includes a first global positioning system (GPS) receiver mounted on the work machine; a second GPS receiver mounted on the implement; and a controller configured to execute program instructions to determine the at least one parameter for use in guiding the implement, including: directing the work machine along a predetermined path; obtaining first position data from the first GPS receiver during the directing the work machine; obtaining second position data from the second GPS receiver during the directing the work machine; and determining the at least one parameter based on the first position data and the second position data.
US09119333B2
A multilayer wiring board including a build-up layer, formed from one or more conductor and resin insulation layers that are layered one on top of the other, having conductive pads formed on a surface of at least one resin insulation layer so as to project from the surface are provided. The conductive pads may each include a columnar portion situated at a lower part thereof and a convex portion situated at a higher part thereof, wherein a surface of the convex portion may assume a continual curved shape. A solder layer may be formed over an upper surface of the conductive pads. Certain embodiments make it possible to minimize or eliminate the concentration of stress on the conductive pads, and may inhibit the occurrence of defective connections to a semiconductor element and infliction of damage to the conductive pads.
US09119331B2
A light emitting device which can prevent bending of the substrate member. The light emitting device includes a flexible substrate member, a plurality of light emitting elements, two first sealing members, and a second sealing member. The two first sealing members are disposed in-line on the substrate member and arranged in the longitudinal direction. The second sealing member is arranged extending in the longitudinal direction on the substrate member, and is offset in a lateral direction from the two first sealing members. The second sealing member is further arranged to extend across a first gap formed between the two first sealing members when viewed from a lateral direction, and overlap at least a portion of each of the two first sealing members. The second sealing member comprises a resin having transparency to light.
US09119327B2
A thermal management system/method allowing efficient electrical/thermal attachment of heat sourcing PCBs to heat sinking PCBs using reflow/wave/hand soldering is disclosed. The disclosed system/method may incorporate a combination of support pins, spacer pads, and/or contact paste that mechanically attaches a heat sourcing PCB (and its associated components) to a heat sinking PCB such that thermal conductivity between the two PCBs can be optimized while simultaneously allowing controlled electrical conductivity between the two PCBs. Controlled electrical isolation between the two PCBs is provided for using spacer pads that may also be thermal conductive. Contact paste incorporated in some embodiments permits enhanced conductivity paths between the heat sourcing PCB, a thermally conductive plate mounted over the heat sourcing PCB, and the heat sinking PCB. The use of self-centering support pins incorporating out-gassing vents in some embodiments allows reflow/wave/hand soldering as desired.
US09119326B2
Systems and methods for cooling an inverter of a variable frequency drive that drives a compressor in a cooling system for electronic equipment are disclosed. The system includes a first fluid circuit that cools electronic equipment using a first fluid flowing therethrough and a second fluid circuit that free cools a second fluid flowing therethrough. The second fluid circuit cools the first fluid using the free-cooled second fluid. The system further includes a third fluid circuit that mechanically cools the second fluid using a third fluid flowing therethrough as a function of the wet bulb temperature of atmospheric air. The third fluid circuit includes at least one compressor compresses the third fluid and is driven by a motor coupled to the variable frequency drive. At least a portion of the first fluid flowing through the third fluid circuit is diverted to cool the inverter of the variable frequency drive.
US09119315B2
A server for shortening development schedule is disclosed. A case has two tray receiving spaces. Each tray receiving space has a first opening and a second opening. Power sockets are disposed at the same position in the tray receiving spaces correspondingly. A storage unit includes a tray, a mother board and a storage component. The tray is inserted to the tray receiving space from the first opening and disposed extending to the opposite second opening. The storage unit is electrically connects with the power socket and fixed in the tray receiving space through a locking structure.
US09119299B2
Surface mounted ceramic capacitors (14) on printed circuit boards (10′) are subject to vibrations (18) caused by the piezo effect. Other electronic components are subject to magnetostriction and likewise generate vibrations. In prior art, the vibrations can propagate (20) on a printed circuit board (10). To suppress the propagation of the vibrations caused by the electronic component (14), the invention provides at least one slot (22) in the printed circuit board (10′). The slot (22) extends, for example, parallel to a side wall of the electronic component (14).
US09119284B2
A plasma generator 1 includes a first electrode 12 provided in a gas storage section 5, and a second electrode 13 provided in such a manner that at least a portion coupled with the first electrode 12 comes into contact with a liquid 17 in a liquid storage section 4. Electrical discharge is caused between the first electrode 12 and the second electrode 13 so that plasma is produced in a gas region in the liquid 17 in the liquid storage section 4, and hydroxyl radical is produced from water contained in the liquid 17 and oxygen contained in the gas.
US09119283B2
Systems and methods for performing chamber matching are described. One of the methods for performing chamber matching includes executing a first test within a first plasma chamber to measure a variable and executing a second test within a second plasma chamber to measure the variable. The first and second tests are executed based on one recipe. The method further includes determining a first relationship between the variable measured with the first test and power provided during the first test, determining a second relationship between the variable measured with the second test and power provided during the second test, and identifying power adjustment to apply to the second plasma chamber during a subsequent processing operation based on the first and second relationships. The power adjustment causes the second plasma chamber to perform the processing operation in a processing condition determined using the first plasma chamber.
US09119282B2
In an inductively coupled plasma processing apparatus, an RF antenna 54 provided on a dielectric window 52 is split into an inner coil 58, an intermediate coil 60, and an outer coil 62 in a radial direction. When traveling along each of the coils from a high frequency power supply 72 to a ground potential member via a RF power supply line 68, the RF antenna 54, and an earth line 70, a direction passing through the inner coil 58 and the outer coil 62 is a counterclockwise direction, whereas a direction passing through the intermediate coil 60 is a clockwise direction. Further, a variable intermediate capacitor 86 and a variable outer capacitor 88 are electrically connected in series with the intermediate coil 60 and the outer coil 62, respectively, between the first and second nodes NA and NB.
US09119281B2
A method of operating an acceleration system comprises injecting charged particles into an RF accelerator, providing RF power to the accelerator, and accelerating the injected charged particles. The accelerated charged particles may impact a target to generate radiation. The RF power is based, at least in part, on past performance of the system, to compensate, at least partially, for dose and/or energy instability. A controller may provide a compensated control voltage (“CCV”) to an electric power source based on the past performance, to provide compensated electric power to the RF source. A decreasing CCV, such as an exponentially decreasing CCV, may be provided to the electric power source during beam on time periods. The CCV to be provided may be increased, such as exponentially increased toward a maximum value, during beam off time periods. The controller may be configured by a compensation circuit and/or software. Systems are also described.
US09119278B2
An extreme ultraviolet light system and method includes a drive laser, a chamber including an extreme ultraviolet light collector and a target material dispenser including an adjustable target material outlet capable of outputting multiple portions of target material along a target material path. Also included: a drive laser steering device, a detection system including at least one detector and a controller coupled to the target material dispenser, the detector system and the drive laser steering device. The controller includes logic for detecting a location of the first portion of target material from the first light reflected from the first portion of target material and logic for adjusting the target material dispenser outlet to output a subsequent portion of target material to a waist of the focused drive laser. A system and a method for optimizing an extreme ultraviolet light output is also disclosed.
US09119277B2
A charge-neutralization system is provided. The charge-neutralization system includes a reservoir, a plasma generator and a flow-restricting transfer line. The reservoir is configured to hold matter to be ionized under pressure. The plasma generator is configured and arranged to create a neutral energy plasma on a vehicle from the matter to be ionized. The flow-restricting transfer line provides a fluid communication between the reservoir and the plasma generator.
US09119275B2
A ballast for driving a gas discharge lamp includes an inverter configured to generate a lamp supply voltage signal, and a voltage regulator coupled to the inverter and configured to generate a regulation signal. The regulation signal is used by the inverter to maintain the lamp voltage signal at a substantially constant voltage. A thermistor circuit is coupled between the lamp supply voltage signal and the voltage regulator and configured to detect a temperature of the ballast. The lamp supply voltage signal is varied by the regulation signal in accordance with the detected temperature of the ballast.
US09119273B2
A compact fluorescent lamp (CFL) ballast driver includes first, second and neutral AC voltage terminals, a full wave rectifier between the first AC voltage terminal and the neutral AC input terminal, and a separate branch between the second AC voltage terminal and the neutral AC input terminal. A resonator circuit includes at least two inductors and provides its output voltage to a CFL lamp. The driver includes a first state detector circuit to monitor the first AC voltage terminal, and a second state detector circuit to monitor the second AC voltage terminal. The first and second state detector circuits activate respective first and second switches. The first switch shunts one inductor of the resonator circuit, and the second switch shunts another inductor of the resonator circuit. The driver can be housed in a CFL having a capper, a three-way lamp base adjacent to the capper and an arc tube.
US09119271B2
A lighting device is provided with a lighting unit including a light emitting element and fluorescent bodies, which emit light of different wavelengths when excited by light from the light emitting element. When a peak output value of emitted light is 100% in a range of 440-465 nm, the lighting unit emits light having an output value at 500 nm that is 35%-55%, an output value at 550 nm that is 45%-80%, an output value at 600 nm that is 45%-75%, and an output value at 640 nm that is 50%-80%. The lighting unit emits light having a color temperature of 4500-5500 K and with the output value at 640 nm in a range of 100%-120% relative to the output value at 600 nm and in a range of 85%-130% relative to the output value at 550 nm.
US09119263B2
The present invention relates to a light controller (102) configured to control a lighting system (100) for emitting light, comprising an image sensor (202) configured to capture an image of an activity area, and a control unit (200) configured to received the image, to detecting movement within the activity area, and to provide an activation signal for switching on a light source (104, 106, 108, 110) of the lighting system (100), wherein the control unit (200) is further configured to provide a deactivation signal for switching off the light source (104, 106, 108, 110) after a computed time period if no movement is detected within the activity area, the computed time period being based on a computed distance between a predetermined position within the activity area and a position of the latest detected movement within the activity area. The present invention provides advantages in relation to e.g. optimized “on time” of the light source of the lighting system thereby providing an improvement in relation to the total energy consumption of the lighting system.
US09119251B2
According to an embodiment, an LED current control apparatus controls conduction of a switching transistor which is connected to a primary winding of a flyback convertor. The LED current control apparatus includes a pseudo sine wave generation unit, a synchronous control unit, a first comparator, a switch control unit, a crest value correction unit, and a pulse monitor control unit.
US09119244B2
An exemplary system comprises a power regulator and an emitting apparatus. The emitting apparatus is typically attached to or integrated with a display object, such as a merchandise package or container. A support structure, such as a point of purchase display, typically contains or supports one or more power regulators and display objects. The power regulator comprises a controller and a primary inductor, and the controller is adapted to provide a voltage or current to the primary inductor to generate a first primary inductor voltage. The emitting apparatus comprises an illumination source and a secondary inductor coupled to the illumination source. The illumination source is adapted to emit visible light when the power regulator is in an on state and when the secondary inductor is within a predetermined distance of the primary inductor. In exemplary embodiments, the first and second inductors are substantially planar.
US09119240B2
Lighting control system includes lighting fixture having identification information, controller for setting lighting condition for dimming level and color temperature of illumination light of lighting fixture, and dimmer for outputting dimming signal to lighting fixture. Lighting fixture includes dimmer for modulating illumination light to superpose thereon information signal containing identification information and lighting information of lighting fixture. Controller includes wireless communication unit for outputting control signal to dimmer, display unit with touch panel, for displaying image of lighting fixture, and visible light receiver for reading identification information and lighting information from information signal superposed on illumination light. Display unit is configured to associate identification information read through visible light receiver with image of lighting fixture to display image so as to reflect lighting information.
US09119233B2
A travel mug that is made of metal materials and can be used for microwave oven, including a container having a double-layered structure with an inner shell and an outer shell. The inner shell and said outer shell are joined by a joint in such a way that a cavity is provided therebetween, and a heat transfer medium is filled to at least part of said cavity. A microwave-heating plate is provided between the inner and outer shells. A handle is formed on one side of said outer shell. A pressure release device is provided at one side of said outer shell.
US09119210B2
Concepts described herein may provide available RCO information that may be used when moving from one RCO to another RCO. Range rings for the available RCOs may be calculated and adjusted based on current flight conditions. The range rings may be prioritized to provide a prioritized list of available RCOs.
US09119208B2
A user equipment implements a method of processing indication messages, such as SCRI (signaling connection release indication) messages. If upper layers indicate that there is no more packet switched data for a prolonged period, then if a count of how many indication messages have been triggered in at least one RRC (radio resource control) state is less than a maximum number, the UE increments the count, and a cause is set in the indication message, and the indication message is sent.
US09119205B2
The present application relates to of the communication field and discloses a method, device and system for implementing frequency point switch based on CR. The method comprises: determining, by a cognitive base station, a candidate working frequency point for UE deployed in a cognitive frequency band; then sending to the UE broadcast information which at least carries the candidate working frequency point and instructing the UE to switch from the working frequency point currently used thereby to the candidate working frequency point by way of a frequency point switching command. In this way, the UE deployed in the cognitive frequency band can achieve frequency point switch quickly and accurately according to the instruction from the cognitive base station when an incumbent user accesses the working frequency point currently used by the UE, effectively avoiding interference to the incumbent user and thereby ensuring the service performance and service continuity of the system. The present application also discloses a corresponding device and system.
US09119204B2
A data record server is configured to receive transmission measurement data from one or more network components containing information about one or more packet data communications and create a data record for each of packet data communications. Data records corresponding to a particular network component are identified, associated with one or more time slots in a data measurement compilation, and used to analyze the resource usage of a network component by one or more of the subscribers or mobile devices.
US09119203B2
The present invention relates to a method in which a terminal transmits channel status information in a multi-carrier system, and to a terminal which uses the method. The method comprises the following steps: receiving a reference signal from a base station; transmitting first channel information to the base station; and transmitting second channel information to the base station, wherein the first channel information includes information for indicating one or more precoding matrices estimated using the reference signal, and the second channel information includes any one precoding matrix from among one or more precoding matrices indicated by the first channel information.
US09119190B2
A method and apparatus for enhancing data retransmission to improve call performance are described. At least one protocol data unit (PDU) may be transmitted from a transmitting entity to a receiving entity. The at least one PDU may be part of a service data unit (SDU). It may be determined to perform a communication re-establishment. As such, the SDU may be retransmitted, beginning with a first PDU transmitted as part of the SDU. In an aspect, the transmitting entity may be a radio link control (RLC) transmitting device and the receiving entity may be an RLC receiving device in communication with one another across a network. In another aspect, the transmitting entity may be a radio link control (RLC) transmitting protocol layer and the receiving entity may be a radio link control (RLC) receiving protocol layer both within a protocol stack of a device.
US09119186B2
A method for generating OFDM signals is implemented in a device operating according to a communication protocol. The protocol defines non-duplicate mode data units corresponding to single component channels of a BSS channel, and non-duplicate mode data units corresponding to sets of adjacent component channels. Non-duplicate mode data units corresponding to a set of component channels have more lower-edge and/or upper-edge guard tones than non-duplicate mode data units corresponding to single component channels. The method includes determining that a duplicate mode will be utilized for an OFDM transmission in the set of component channels and, in response, generating a duplicate mode data unit. The duplicate mode data unit has fewer lower-edge and/or upper-edge guard tones than a non-duplicate mode data unit corresponding to a set of component channels, and includes one duplicate of the non-duplicate mode data unit corresponding to the single component channel for each adjacent component channel.
US09119176B2
A network access method and an apparatus are provided. The Machine to Machine (M2M) terminal in one M2M terminal group determines an access resource according to an identifier of the M2M terminal group which the M2M terminal is a member of, and The M2M terminal of the M2M terminal group uses the determined access resource to conduct network access on behalf of the M2M terminal group. The method and apparatus can ensure that numerous M2M terminals can successfully access the network at the same time.
US09119173B1
Methods and apparatuses for managing one or more radio resources of a multi-subscriber identity module user equipment (UE) are presented. For example, one such method presented by the disclosure may include determining that a wake-up cycle collision condition exists between a first subscription and a second subscription of the UE when the first subscription and second subscription are camped on a same cell. In addition, the example method may include receiving, via a first radio resource of the UE associated with the first subscription, a paging message during a paging block of the cell, wherein a second radio resource of the UE associated with the second subscription is unavailable. Furthermore, the example methodology may include determining, by the first subscription, that the paging message indicates that a page exists for the second subscription and informing the second subscription that the page exists.
US09119167B2
Various techniques are provided for Location Services (LCS) Assistance Data broadcast, for example for implementation in LTE and LTE-A systems. The embodiments described herein may use the LPP/LPPe positioning protocol, by making use of existing unsolicited Provide Assistance Data (PAD) messages. Embodiments avoid the need to define and implement a separate broadcast Assistance Data protocol. Additional exemplary embodiments for scheduling and verifying of the broadcast Assistance Data messages are described herein.
US09119166B1
An interpersonal communication and an interactive information system is disclosed, through which a user can access a wireless local area network within a facility from a compatible mobile device, obtain information specific to the user's location and communicate with other mobile devices in the facility location through the wireless local area network. The user can establish communications through the network by reading a tag specific to the facility using the mobile device, and locations of the mobile device within the facility are established by reading other tags using the mobile device, by reading radio-frequency signals, or through a GPS system.
US09119163B2
Methods and apparatus related to the sharing of wide area network (WAN) uplink bandwidth with peer to peer communication signaling usage are described. A base station transmits a signal to be used by a peer to peer wireless terminal in controlling its peer to peer transmit power level. The peer to peer wireless terminal receives and measures the strength of the base station signal. The measurement information is used in determining whether or not peer to peer signal transmission is permitted and/or in determining a peer to peer transmission power level. Current service level information and/or encoded information, e.g., an interference level indicator value, conveyed by the received base station signal are, in various embodiments, also utilized in determining a peer to peer transmission power level.
US09119160B2
A mobile communication device has a processor, a radio, a near field communication (NFC) device, a battery, and memory for storing data. The power level of the battery is measured. When the measured power level is above a first predetermined level, power is provided to the radio to allow communication. Sufficient power is provided to operate the NFC device as a reader and a tag. When the measured power level of the battery falls below the first predetermined level, battery power to the radio is shut off. Sufficient power is maintained to the NFC device to allow it to operate only as a tag. Sufficient power is maintained to the memory to retain the data stored in the memory. When the measured power level of the battery falls below a second predetermined level, the NFC device is required to harvest all of its power from the field.
US09119158B2
The present invention relates to an apparatus and method for monitoring a battery lifespan of a machine type communication device, and more particularly, to an apparatus and method for preventing a disconnection in communication due to a battery being expended by verifying a battery lifespan of the machine type communication device in a network. The present invention may include detecting a residual capacity of a battery power supply, comparing the residual capacity of the battery power supply to a threshold required for a power supply, and warning against a shortage of the residual capacity of the battery power supply when the residual capacity of the battery power supply is less than or equal to the threshold required for the power supply.
US09119156B2
Energy efficient transmission of content can be provided using a variety of techniques. In an example technique, portions of content can be transmitted from a first computing device to a second computing device for display. A wireless radio of the first computing device can be placed into a low power mode between transmissions of the portions of content. In another example technique, one or more portions of content can be decoded, displayed, encoded, and transmitted by a first computing device for mirroring on a second computing device. One or more other portions of the content can be transmitted in encoded format to the second device without being decoded and displayed by the first device. In another example technique, a wireless radio of a first device can be placed into a low power mode in between transmission of commands to a second computing device to control content.
US09119153B2
Methods and apparatus for power optimization in e.g., a wireless mobile device. In one embodiment, the optimization is effected via intelligent idle mode current drain management. In an exemplary LTE cellular network context, the user equipment (UE) only powers on its transceiver for a subset of Discontinuous Reception (DRX) cycles based on e.g., the quality of the radio environment, power considerations, location, etc. For example, if a UE has not moved, and its radio reception quality is good, the UE is likely to successfully receive a paging notification (i.e., without multiple attempts). Consequently, the UE configures itself to receive only a single paging indication.
US09119148B2
The invention relates to a method and an arrangement for reducing power consumption of a receiver in a mobile communication network comprising a sender transmitting packet data on a downlink channel to one or more receivers over a radio interface. Inactive time instants and listening time instants are defined according to provided rules. The receiver is arranged to listen for information from the sender during the listening time instants and to sleep during the inactive time instants. Thus, less power will be consumed during the inactive time instants.
US09119147B2
A method for energy saving in communication system, where a base station enters idle state if no residence of user equipment is detected in a cell, comprises: receiving, by the base station in idle state, a response signal from user equipment after receiving a paging signal sent by the base station with a period N times a length of a radio frame; switching, by the base station, to active state. An energy saving base station and a microcell access gateway are also disclosed. Since the method is independent of whether a user equipment has been sent a signal to a macro network, application scope is enlarged. Since whether to enter active state is determined according to the feedback of user terminal, whether there is residence of user equipment in the microcell can be sensed more accurately, improving accuracy of state switching and reliability of smart energy saving of the microcell.
US09119144B2
Various aspects of an approach for generating a large number of balanced weight sequences such as balanced Hamming weight preamble sequences are described herein. The approach provides for the generation of balanced weigh sequences that need to satisfy requirements such as minimal cross-correlation with delayed versions of itself and other sequences in the allowed set. The approach includes creating a set of symbol groups that include balanced properties from which a sequence may be generated by selecting therefrom.
US09119143B2
Method of routing data over a network in which contact is made with a home network to determine the reported geo-position, using this geo-position to transmit data to the device over a path through a node in which the node reads the geo-position, accesses a list of possible recipients and their geo-positions, compares its location to the positions, selects a recipient based at least in part on the proximity of the recipient to the device, and transmits the data over the best path. Eventually, the device becomes the recipient. A geo-position may be transmitted as part of an IP address, or as geo-position data or XML tagged geo-position information contained in a data packet or IP addressed message or IP addressed voice calls (VoIP). The geo-position information can be generated from a GPS receiver. This method and/or IP address may be used in a method of doing business in which the geo-position is used to identify the source and location for delivery. This information may be incorporated into a purchase order or confirmation receipt.
US09119138B2
A method of initiating a telecommunication session for a communication device include submitting to one or more telecommunication carriers a proposal for a telecommunication session, receiving from at least one of the one or more of telecommunication carriers a bid to carry the telecommunications session, and automatically selecting one of the telecommunications carriers from the carriers submitting a bid, and initiating the telecommunication session through the selected telecommunication carrier.
US09119137B1
A method includes, in response to a wireless terminal, transmitting a first binding update from an attachment point of the wireless terminal to a home agent. The method further includes selectively generating a trigger signal in response to the first binding update, and providing the trigger signal from the home agent to a proxy mobility agent. The method further includes, in response to the trigger signal, transmitting a second binding update to a home anchoring point, selecting an IP address, and transmitting a first binding acknowledgement including the IP address from the home anchoring point to the proxy mobility agent. The method further includes forwarding the IP address from the proxy mobility agent to the home agent and transmitting a second binding acknowledgement including the IP address to the attachment point. The method further includes assigning, by the attachment point, the IP address to the wireless terminal.
US09119131B2
A system, apparatus, and method are provided for connecting, configuring and testing wireless devices and applications. For example, one embodiment of wireless device for operation in a wireless network comprises a processor, a wireless module including a radio receiver and transmitter unit coupled to the processor, a graphical user interface (GUI) coupled to the processor, and a Connection Manager Module (CMM) including an Application Programming Interface (API) module, a Rules Engine Module, and a Rules Set Module, wherein the CMM manages a connection to a wireless network.
US09119125B2
Methods and arrangements (600) in a first network node (120-1) for managing handover of a user equipment (110) from the first network node (120-1), to a second network node (120-2). The method and arrangement (600) comprises transmitting (501) a handover message to the user equipment (110), which handover message is triggering the user equipment (110) to perform the handover, and to establishing (502) a limit related to the amount of retransmissions to be made. Further the method and arrangement (600) comprises interrupting (503) scheduling of resources to the user equipment (110) and inhibiting further retransmissions of the handover message, when either the established limit is reached, or an indication that the user equipment (110) has left the first cell (130-1) is received. Also, methods and arrangements (800) in a in a second network node (120-2) are disclosed.
US09119123B2
A network node receives a first connection request from user equipment to join a broadband network at a first interface. A mobility manager in the network node accepts the first connection request. The mobility manager sends data from a core network addressed to the user equipment and receives data from the user equipment through the first interface. The mobility manager receives, from a local area network, a second connection request sent from the user equipment. The second connection request is for the user equipment to communicate with the broadband network via the local area network. The mobility manager accepts the second connection request and offloads data transmitted to and received from the user equipment to a second interface on the network node. The second interface is configured to send data to and receive data from the user equipment via the local area network.
US09119122B2
It is presented a method for adjusting handover parameters of a processed base station in relation to neighboring base stations, neighboring the processed base station. The method being executed in a handover parameter determiner and comprises: obtaining (20) a list of neighboring base stations of the mobile communication network; determining (22), for each of the neighboring base stations in the list, a capability to send handover issue report messages; and adjusting (24) the handover parameters based on the determined capabilities for each of the neighboring base stations in the list.
US09119118B2
Packet data protocol (PDP) contexts are managed upon cellular-to-femto handover, wherein femto network has disparate capabilities to support applications with distinct access point names (APNs) and quality of service (QoS) profiles. Based at least on activity factors of applications associated with PDP contexts, a QoS-based ranking of PDP contexts, and subscriber input, cellular network platform selects active PDP contexts to retain and suspend upon handover. A group of active PDP contexts is handed off in accordance with femto coverage capability, with remaining active PDP contexts suspended during handover. When a suspended PDP context, and application associated therewith, is resumed through femto coverage, a PDP context modification is conducted with a new APN and the application is routed to a corresponding femto gateway node and application server. Additionally, femto network platform performs a radio access bearer reconfiguration to meet QoS requirements of the resumed PDP context.
US09119114B2
The present disclosure discloses a method and system for updating tunnel information. The method comprises: a target HeNB which a user equipment (UE) is to be handed over notifies a Mobility Management Entity (MME) of the tunnel information through a handover acknowledgement message, a handover notification message or a path converting request message; and the MME notifies a fixed network of the received tunnel information through an Evolved Packet Core (EPC) gateway and a Policy and Charging Rules Function entity (PCRF). With the present disclosure, policy interworking between a mobile network and the fixed network can be implemented, and the Quality of Service of the HeNB can be ensured.
US09119108B2
The present invention provides a method of anonymously reporting minimization of drive test (MDT) measurements. According to the method, a mobility management entity (MME) obtains MDT data anonymity configuration which indicates whether MDT measurements are to be reported anonymously at a type allocation code (TAC) level; sends a TAC of a UE to a trace collection entity (TCE) if the MDT data anonymity configuration indicates MDT measurements are to be reported anonymously at the TAC level; sends an international mobile subscriber identification (IMSI) or an international mobile equipment identity and software version (IMEISV) of the UE to the TCE if the MDT data anonymity configuration indicates other information, e.g. Trace, is adopted for anonymously reporting MDT measurements. The present invention enables an MME to send different identities of a UE to the TCE according to different requirements for anonymity to implement anonymous reporting of MDT measurements.
US09119097B2
Technology for adapting uplink-downlink (UL-DL) time-division duplexing (TDD) subframe configurations in a heterogeneous network (HetNet) is disclosed. One method can include a reference enhanced Node B (eNB) determining a preferred adaptive UL-DL configuration. The eNB can receive node configuration information for at least one neighboring node. The eNB can reconfigure an adaptive UL-DL configuration for at least one of the reference eNB and the at least one neighboring node based on the node configuration information and sounding reference signal (SRS) subframe scheduling of the reference eNB and the at least one neighboring eNB.
US09119092B1
A method and apparatus for selecting channel elements in a wireless communication system based on their performance history. Data is collected indicating the performance of various channel elements over time, preferably eliminating from consideration any performance degradation due to air interface (e.g., radio frequency) issues. The data is then used to sort the channel elements in a priority order, from best-performing to worst-performing. When a channel element is to be selected for use in connection with an air interface channel (e.g., traffic channel or control channel), the channel element is then selected in accordance with the priority order, such as by selecting the channel element that has performed best over time. The priority-based selection of channel elements can thus leave poor-performing channel elements for use as a last resort, which can be advantageous in times of heavy network loading for instance.
US09119084B2
Embodiments of the present invention disclose a method and a base station for coordinating cell interference. The method includes: receiving each backhaul signal transmitted by each cooperative base station, where the backhaul signal is determined by the cooperative base station according to strength of a signal received from a served user and strength of a signal received by a serving base station from an interfering user in the cooperative base station; and combining, at different stages of baseband processing and according to a type of each backhaul signal, a backhaul signal of a corresponding type and a user signal received from each user. An embodiment of the present invention further provides a base station. According to the embodiments of the present invention, backhaul transmission capacity is maximally utilized, backhaul transmission efficiency is improved, and relatively high performance is obtained.
US09119076B1
The invention is a system and method for registering and authenticating a user using a mobile communication device, such as a mobile phone. An authentication server has access to a stored list of authorized mobile phone numbers. Each authorized mobile phone number is associated with a string of text or numeric characters. The server provides a OTP when the user calls or sends a SMS message request from the authorized mobile phone to the server. The verbal or SMS request must contain the stored string, which the server will match against the stored list in order to confirm that the mobile phone is authorized. Once a OTP is provided to the authorized mobile phone, it must be used within a predetermined time limit, or the OTP will expire. The OTP will also be discarded once the server is notified that the OTP has been used. Further, the server will ignore a request for an additional OTP if a previously-provided OTP has not expired or been discarded, or if the server is in the process of generating an OTP for the authorized mobile phone.
US09119073B2
Mobile operation is extended to a device. An extension interface comprises a client component within a mobile that is linked to a client component within the device. Extension of mobile operation is secured via delivery of credentials associated with the mobile to the device. Delivery of credentials is temporary and typically spans the period during which mobile operation is extended to the device. Application(s) and content(s) can be conveyed to the device for utilization therein. An emulation component that can reside at least in part on the client component within the device can emulate mobile operation. Client component within the mobile can include at least in part (i) a component that downloads drivers for communication with, and utilization of, the device to which mobile operation is extended, and (ii) a component that can scan for wireless-capable devices to extend mobile service thereto.
US09119069B1
An apparatus comprises a processing device comprising a near field communication (NFC) network interface, a memory and a processor coupled to a memory. The processing device is configured under control of the processor to connect to a host device using the NFC network interface, receive an authentication request from another device through the NFC connection with the host device and authenticate the other device using information stored in the memory. A passcode is presented to the host device responsive to a successful authentication of the other device, the passcode being utilizable to authenticate to a resource protected by the other device.
US09119060B2
Service continuity is provided when a user equipment (UE), employing local breakout mechanisms at a femto access point (FAP) for a communication session, moves out of the femto coverage area. In particular, a network change detection component can be employed to detect when the UE, attached to the FAP, changes its connection from the femto network to the macro network. Further, an active communication session can exist between the UE and a device/service/application on a local Area network (LAN) connected to a FAP, and/or the Internet, which utilizes local breakout at the FAP. When the UE moves out of the femto network, a context management component can be employed to seamlessly resume the communication session, via the macro network.
US09119054B2
Communication systems and methods support communication between multiple devices. In some embodiments, a method initiates a communication session between a first device and a second device via a server. The method identifies a first user associated with the first device and identifies a second user associated with the second device. An interaction history between the first user and the second user is accessed from the server and communicated to the first device for display on the first device.
US09119047B2
A method for transmitting a dual tone multi frequency (DTMF) and an electronic device thereof. In the method, a number input event is detected during communication. When the number input event is detected, a numerical keypad is displayed. At least one number is received via the numerical keypad. The received at least one number is stored in a buffer. When a transmission event is detected, at least one DTMF corresponding to the number stored in the buffer is transmitted to a base station.
US09119037B1
A method, system, and medium are provided for locating a lost mobile device utilizing a radio frequency signal associated with the lost mobile device. One embodiment of the method includes activating a signal on a lost mobile device. An identifier associated with the lost mobile device allows a locating mobile device to receive the signal from the lost mobile device and filter out interference. The strength of the signal is determined and a location of the lost mobile device is communicated to a user based on the strength of the signal.
US09119034B2
A method, computer-readable storage device, and an apparatus for determining a probability for a particular geo-fence in a wireless network are disclosed. For example, the method receives a mobile identification, a location record, and an accuracy level, identifies a bin in a database of record, identifies one or more geo-fences in which the bin is located, identifies one or more geo-fences that are pre-associated with the mobile user endpoint device, determines an intersection of: the one or more geo-fences that are identified as being pre-associated with the user endpoint device, and the one or more geo-fences that are identified as being geo-fences in which the bin is located, and determines for each particular geo-fence in the intersection, the probability of being in the particular geo-fence, wherein the probability of being in the particular geo-fence is determined in accordance with the accuracy level associated with the location record.
US09119030B2
Method for monitoring the presence of a mobile station in at least one special area, wherein a radio communication defining device transmits one radio distinctive defining signal that define the special area by its coverage, the mobile station processes a signal received in order to determine whether or not it is defining signal and more precisly a distinctive one that defines the special area, the mobile station sends an updating signal to a mobile telephone network, the network routes the updating signal to special operating means that adapt the value of an operating parameter. According to the invention, the special area is associated to the mobile station by transmitting to the mobile station a checking data used by the mobile station for determining whether or not the defining signal received is distinctive defining signal.
US09119029B2
A system for finding friends near a friend, including a memory, housed within a mobile device, for storing a contact list including records for a plurality of friends, each record comprising a name of a friend and geographic coordinates of a location of the friend, and a locator for receiving as input the name of a designated friend in the contact list, and for generating as output a list of at least one proximal friend, each proximal friend including the name of a friend, other than the designated friend, whose location is located close to the designated friend's location.
US09119017B2
The present disclosure relates to cloud based mobile device security and policy systems and methods to use the “cloud” to pervasively enforce security and policy on mobile devices. The cloud based mobile device security and policy systems and methods provide uniformity in securing mobile devices for small to large organizations. The cloud based mobile device security and policy systems and methods may enforce one or more policies for users wherever and whenever the users are connected across a plurality of different devices including mobile devices. This solution ensures protection across different types, brands, operating systems, etc. for smartphones, tablets, netbooks, mobile computers, and the like.
US09119014B2
A system, for a vehicle, including a first wireless client station implemented in the vehicle, a wireless access point implemented in the vehicle, and a controller implemented in the vehicle. The first wireless client station is configured to transmit a first packet. The first packet includes a first command to control an operation of the vehicle. The wireless access point is configured to receive the first packet and transmit the first packet. The controller is configured to receive the first packet from the wireless access point and to control the operation of the vehicle in accordance with the first command included within the first packet.
US09119011B2
In some embodiments, a method for rendering an object based audio program indicative of a trajectory of an audio source, including by generating speaker feeds for driving loudspeakers to emit sound intended to be perceived as emitting from the source, but with the source having a different trajectory than that indicated by the program. In other embodiments, a method for modifying (upmixing) an object based audio program indicative of a trajectory of an audio object within a subspace of a full volume, to determine a modified program indicative of a modified trajectory of the object such that at least a portion of the modified trajectory is outside the subspace. Other aspects include a system configured to perform, and a computer readable medium which stores code for implementing, any embodiment of the inventive method.
US09119010B2
Various embodiments of systems, devices, components, and methods are disclosed for a magnetic hearing aid system comprising an implantable sound transmission device configured for implantation in a patient's skull. The sound transmission device is configured to receive acoustic signals generated by an EM transducer in a magnetic hearing aid that are transmitted through the patient's skin, and to transmit the received acoustic signals to the patient's cochlea via one or more sound-transmitting metal members. According to some embodiments, the sound transmission device is curved to permit optimal placement of the hearing aid and corresponding magnetic implant behind a patient's ear.
US09119009B1
A computing device can detect an event associated with an alert sound, and responsive to detecting the event, identify the alert sound associated with the detected event. The alert sound includes one or more control tones that are configured to communicate occurrence of the event to a hearing aid device within audio range of the computing device. The computing device outputs the alert sound via a speaker of the computing device, such that a hearing aid device can detect the one or more control tones and, in response, the hearing aid device can generate and output an audible indication associated with the detected one or more control tones.
US09119005B2
Connectivity of a pair of parallel electroacoustic transducers is determined by applying a first test signal on the output line at a frequency where the impedance of the transducers in parallel is less than the impedance of the higher-frequency transducer alone, and observing whether a clip signal is received. If the clip signal is not received, an error indication is output. A second test signal is applied at a frequency where the impedance of the transducers in parallel is less than the impedance of the lower-frequency transducer alone. If the clip signal is not received, the error indication is output. A third test signal is applied at a frequency where the impedance of the transducers in parallel is higher if both transducers are operational than if the higher-frequency transducer is internally short-circuited. If the clip signal is received, a third error indication is output.
US09119001B2
An electronic device includes a housing, a mounting sheet, a circuit board mounted to the housing and the mounting sheet, and a loudspeaker module mounted on the mounting sheet. The housing defines a first receiving chamber and a second receiving chamber communicating with the first receiving chamber at one end of the housing, and a first sound hole corresponding to and communicating the first receiving chamber. The loudspeaker module includes a first loudspeaker which is received in the first receiving chamber. The first receiving chamber communicates the second receiving chamber to form a resonant cavity for the first loudspeaker. The sounds emitted by the first loudspeaker transmit to the outside of the housing by the first sound hole.
US09118997B2
To provide a speaker device that can form a substantially uniform sound field over a range from a long distance to a short distance without significantly increasing a calculation load. A plurality of FIR filters 21 to 2n perform delay control of respective speakers so as to increase a delay time difference between adjacent speakers 51 to 5n in a line array speaker 5 toward one end of the line array speaker 5, and thereby over a wide range from a long distance to a short distance, a sound filed 12 is formed. Also, by adding a common shift delay time Dc to filter coefficients for the FIR filters 21 to 2n, the delay time difference between adjacent speakers 51 to 5n is made less than a sampling period of a sound signal to form a wide and uniform sound field 12.
US09118991B2
A device may store a subset of a plurality of head-related transfer functions (HRTFs) for emulating stereo sound from a source in three-dimensional (3D) space, each of the HRTFs corresponding to a direction from which the stereo sound is perceived to arrive, by a user hearing the stereo sound. The device may also obtain a first direction from which first stereo sound is perceived to arrive, by the user and determine whether the subset of the plurality of HRTFs includes a first HRTF corresponding to the first direction, wherein the plurality of HRTFs include the first HRTF. Further, the device may select two HRTFs in the subset of the HRTFs, wherein directions that are associated with the two HRTFs are closer to the first direction than directions of other HRTFs in the subset of the HRTFs.
US09118984B2
A method of controlling optical data flow in a network is provided. The method includes: receiving, by a switch controller, a data flow including a plurality of data packets used for network management and control, the network switch including at least one wavelength tunable optical data transmission interface to a wavelength division multiplexed optical network; transmitting a control signal indicating which wavelengths are in use and which wavelengths are not in use to the network switch over a control link; receiving a return signal generated by an optical filter in the switch, the return signal indicative of an available wavelength for transmission of the data flow to the switch; allocating a data traffic flow to the available wavelength, and communicating the allocation decision to the network switch; and transmitting the data flow to the switch via an optical carrier signal having the available wavelength indicated by the return signal.
US09118979B2
According to an aspect, there is provided a digital television (DTV) data stream including program and system information protocol (PSIP) data associated with content of the DTV data stream, the PSIP data including a virtual channel table (VCT) and an event information table (EIT), the EIT comprising: a source identification field identifying a source of an associated event in a DTV data stream; an event identification field indicating an identification of the event; a start time field indicating a star time of the event; a title field indicating a title of the event; and a descriptor comprising: a descriptor tag identifying the descriptor as a genre descriptor; a descriptor length indicating a total length of the descriptor; and at least one category code for an associated event in a DTV data stream, each category code specifying genre, program type, or category information of the associated event, wherein the at least one category code specifies at least one of a set of basic categories.
US09118978B2
In one embodiment, the present invention is a t-commerce platform, which is linked to the content from a video signal that the user is currently watching. At some point during the broadcast of the content, a close-up of the product is shown. Simultaneous with this, a VBI-based trigger is added to the video signal of the broadcast. This trigger causes the television, a set-top box, or a similar device to capture in a memory, a “freeze-frame” of the image being shown. This action is transparent to the user while the video being displayed on the television is continuing normally. If the user chooses to perform an interactive “buy” transaction the saved image data is used as part of the interactive screen display.
US09118977B2
A content synchronization system can be provided with which, under HTTP, a content-synchronization control device can control each content playback device so that content control is synchronized in multiple content playback devices. Inquiry reception means 82 receives an inquiry for determining presence/absence of playback control command transmitted from each content playback device 90 to the content playback device. The waiting time determination means 83 determines a waiting time from when the content playback device of the source of transmission of inquiry receives an inquiry response to when it transmits a subsequent inquiry so that the reception time of the inquiry transmitted from each content playback device 90 is at the same time, on the basis of the reference of the reception cycle of the inquiry. The inquiry response transmission means 85 returns the inquiry response including the waiting time back to the content playback device. At this occasion, when the playback control command and the start time of the control are determined, the information thereof is also included in the inquiry response.
US09118974B2
The satellite television antenna device scans the sky and locks onto a first satellite candidate by measuring microwave radiation. The antenna acquires identification (ID) of a first satellite candidate from a set top box (STB), if possible. Then, the antenna moves to a second satellite candidate and acquires the corresponding ID from the STB, if possible. Antenna dish orientation information is stored in memory for at least all satellites that were identified as corresponding to a user's television programming package. The antenna can switch directly between two or more stored dish positions in response to the user changing channels on the STB. The antenna can be powered solely by the STB. A two-way communication conduit can be established between the STB and the antenna via a single cable. The communications conduit can also be used to transmit power to the antenna.
US09118957B2
According to an aspect, there is provided a digital television (DTV) data stream including program and system information protocol (PSIP) data associated with content of the DTV data stream, the PSIP data including a virtual channel table (VCT) and an event information table (EIT), the EIT comprising: a source identification field identifying a source of an associated event in a DTV data stream; an event identification field indicating an identification of the event; a start time field indicating a star time of the event; a title field indicating a title of the event; and a descriptor comprising: a descriptor tag identifying the descriptor as a genre descriptor, a descriptor length indicating a total length of the descriptor; and at least one category code for an associated event in a DTV data stream, each category code specifying genre, program type, or category information of the associated event, wherein the at least one category code specifies at least one of a set of basic categories.
US09118956B2
A method includes receiving, at a computing device, a first selection of first video content. The method also includes adding a first element corresponding to the first video content to a list. Each element of the list corresponds to respective previously displayed video content. The method includes receiving, at the computing device, input indicating a request to view the list and sending the list to the display device in response to the request. The elements of the list are ordered based on display times of the corresponding video content.
US09118952B2
Methods and apparatus for controlling a home alarm and supporting various control functions including STB recording functions are described. In some embodiments, e.g., where the STB is a DOCSIS capable device, communications between the control panel and STB is through a gateway and/or server which allow the IP based control panel to interact with the STB via a communications network and other devices located external to the customer premise where the control panel is located. In embodiments where the STB supports IP capability, communication between the control panel and STB is via a home network. In some embodiments upon selecting an alarm activation option a user is provided an opportunity to select at least one of: recordings, which are scheduled for deletion, to be preserved, or suggestions for programs for recording. Upon alarm deactivation, a list of new recordings made in user's absence and a missed call log is presented.
US09118949B2
A content management system for managing content stored by a number of networked Personal Video Recorders (PVRs) associated with a user community is provided. More specifically, the storage space of each of the personal video recorders is physically or logically partitioned into a personal space and a community space. The content management system manages the community spaces of the PVRs such that content relevant to the user community is stored in the collective community space of the PVRs and available to the user community.
US09118948B2
An interactive television program guide system is provided. An interactive television program guide provides users with an opportunity to select programs for recording on a remote media server. Programs may also be recorded on a local media server. The program guide provides users with VCR-like control over programs that are played back from the media servers and over real-time cached copies of the programs. The program guide also provides users with an opportunity to designate gift recipients for whom programs may be recorded.
US09118947B2
A multi-vision virtualization system includes a multi-vision virtualization server and two or more scene clients. The multi-vision virtualization server includes a multi-vision virtualization server configured to generate virtual machines for decoding processes based on image content segments, generate synchronous reproduction information for synchronization between two or more scene clients, transmit the generated synchronous reproduction information to a first scene client among the two or more scene clients, and decode the image content segments to generate decoded image segments; and the two or more scene clients including the first scene client that parses the received synchronous reproduction information, and shares the parsed synchronous reproduction information with remaining scene clients, and being configured to reproduce the decoded image segments on screens based on the parsed synchronous reproduction information.
US09118941B2
A method for processing a packet-based scrambled stream, the method including receiving a plurality of scrambled packets in a packet stream, descrambling any of the scrambled packets, and transmitting a modified packet stream including at least one of the descrambled packets and at least one of the scrambled packets. Related apparatus and methods are also described.
US09118933B1
Provided are a method of interpolating an image by determining interpolation filter coefficients, and an apparatus for performing the same. The method includes: differently selecting an interpolation filter, from among interpolation filters for generating at least one sub-pel-unit pixel value located between integer-pel-unit pixels, based on a sub-pel-unit interpolation location and a smoothness; and generating the at least one sub-pel-unit pixel value by interpolating, using the selected interpolation filter, pixel values of the integer-pel-unit pixels.
US09118930B2
A motion vector coding apparatus includes a motion vector coding unit that codes a motion vector inputted from a motion vector detecting unit. A motion vector for each current block is coded based on a difference between the motion vector and a predicted vector obtained from motion vectors for previously coded neighboring blocks. The predicted vector is generated by one of: the motion vectors referring to the same picture are selected from among the motion vectors for the neighboring blocks; the motion vectors for neighboring blocks are ordered in the predetermined order and the motion vectors of the same order rank are selected; and the predicted vector for a second motion vector of the current block is the first motion vector, and when the second motion vector and the first motion vector refer to different pictures, the first motion vector is scaled based on temporal distance between the pictures.
US09118926B2
Provided is an inter prediction method including determining a collocated block of a current block of a current image from among blocks of an image that is restored prior to the current image; preferentially checking whether a first reference list from among reference lists of the collocated block is referred to and selectively checking whether a second reference list is referred to according to whether the first reference list is referred to; based on a result of the checking, determining a single collocated reference list from among the first reference list and the second reference list; determining a reference block of the current block by using motion information of the collocated reference list; and performing inter prediction on the current block by using the determined reference block.
US09118923B2
Presented herein are reconstruction and overlap transform system(s) and method(s) supporting VC-1 decoding. In one embodiment, there is presented a system for reconstructing pixels. The system comprises a first circuit and a second circuit. The first circuit reconstructs pixels from residuals, where the residuals encode video data in accordance with a first encoding standard. The second circuit reconstructs pixels from residuals, where the residuals encode video data in accordance with a second encoding standard.
US09118917B2
The image coding method according to the present invention includes the following steps. At a histogram calculation step, a histogram of pixel values included in a block image is calculated. At a plane region detection step, a size of a plane region included in the block image is detected. At an orthogonal transformation size selection step, (i) a first processing size is selected as a processing size of orthogonal transformation for the block image when the histogram is bimodal and the size of the plane region is equal to or greater than the first threshold value, and (ii) a second processing size greater than the first processing size is selected as the processing size, when that the histogram is not bimodal or the size of the plane region is smaller than the first threshold value.
US09118912B2
A method of object-aware video coding is provided that comprises the steps of: receiving a video sequence having a plurality of frames; selecting at least two frames; determing total area of at least one object of interest in each of the at least two frames; comparing the total area to a threshold area; classifying each of the at least two frames as being a low object weighted frame or a high object weighted frame, low object weighted frames being frames having the total area exceeding the threshold area and high object weighted frames being frame having the total area not exceeding the threshold area; and encoding each low object weighted frame according to one encoding mode and encoding each high object weighted frame according to a different encoding mode.
US09118911B2
A variable disparity three-dimensional (3D) display system and method of processing a variable disparity three-dimensional (3D) image shown on a display to reduce motion sickness of a person viewing the display. The system includes a motion detector configured to determine a motion value that characterizes motion of a display, and an image processor configured to adjust incrementally a disparity amount of a 3D image shown by the display based on the motion value in order to reduce motion sickness of a person viewing the display. The method includes determining a motion value that characterizes motion of a display, and adjusting a disparity amount of a 3D image shown by the display incrementally based on the motion value in order to reduce motion sickness of a person viewing the display.
US09118908B2
A two dimensional/three dimensional (2D/3D) switchable display module comprising a display panel, an optical module, a gate driver and a data driver is disclosed. The display panel comprises a plurality of sub pixels electrically coupled to a plurality of gate lines and a plurality of data lines. The optical module is disposed on the display panel for changing light path from the display panel. The gate driver provides a plurality of scan signals to the gate lines. The data driver provides a plurality of data signals to the data lines. The gate driver provides the same scan signal to more than one gate lines at a same time or the data driver provides the same data signal to more than one data lines at a same time for displaying images.
US09118905B2
Methods, systems, and articles of manufacture for generating a panoramic image of a long scene are disclosed. These include, fitting planes to 3D points associated with input images of portions of the long scene, where respective planes are fitted to a ground surface, a dominant surface, and at least one of foreground objects and background objects, and where distances from the 3D points to the fitted planes are minimized. These also include, selecting, for respective pixels in the panoramic image, an input image and a fitted plane such that a distance is minimized from the selected the fitted plane to a surface corresponding to the pixels and occlusion of the pixels is reduced in the selected input image, and stitching by projecting the selected input image using the selected fitted plane into the virtual camera.
US09118897B2
Hybrid video decoder supporting intermediate view synthesis of an intermediate view video from a first- and a second-view video which are predictively coded into a multi-view data signal with frames of the second-view video being spatially subdivided into sub-regions and the multi-view data signal having a prediction mode is provided, having: an extractor configured to respectively extract, from the multi-view data signal, for sub-regions of the frames of the second-view video, a disparity vector and a prediction residual; a predictive reconstructor configured to reconstruct the sub-regions of the frames of the second-view video, by generating a prediction from a reconstructed version of a portion of frames of the first-view video using the disparity vectors and a prediction residual for the respective sub-regions; and an intermediate view synthesizer configured to reconstruct first portions of the intermediate view video.
US09118874B2
An image capturing device includes a sensor unit that captures a predetermined range including a subject; a reference chart that is captured by the sensor unit together with the subject; an illumination light source that illuminates the subject and the reference chart; a lens member including one or more lenses arranged in an optical path of reflected light extending from the subject and the reference chart to the sensor unit; and a lens moving unit that moves at least one lens of the lens member so as to change a position thereof in a direction along the optical path.
US09118864B2
An intelligent television and methods for interactive channel navigation and channel switching are disclosed. Specifically, an input may be received at the intelligent television that prompts the display of a channel information card layout to a viewing area of an intelligent television. The display of the layout may depend on the input received. The layout may include at least one channel information card that can visually represent broadcast content available on a channel via an image, without tuning to a channel to retrieve the image. Upon receiving a navigational input, an alternate channel information card may be displayed in the channel information card layout or selection area. Upon receiving a selection input, the television tunes to the channel that is associated with a specific displayed channel information card.
US09118859B2
An image processing device includes an image scanning part that scans an image on a document and generates image data based on the image, an input part that accepts an input designation of a division number into which the image data generated by the image scanning part is divided, and an output resolution of output image data created based on the image data, a division processing part that creates divided image data by dividing the image data by the division number accepted by the input part, controller that calculates a scan resolution based on the division number and the output resolution of the output image data, and a data output part that outputs the divided image data as the output image data. The controller controls the image scanning part to scan the image at the calculated scan resolution.
US09118850B2
A camera system uses one or more image sensor IC chips each having multiple pixel arrays on the same semiconductor substrate (i.e., “multiple pixel arrays on a chip”). In one embodiment, such a camera system includes: (a) optical components that create multiple images in close physical proximity of each other (e.g., within a few millimeters or centimeters); and (b) a single sensor substrate (“chip”) containing multiple 2-dimensional pixel arrays that are aligned to capture these multiple images, so as to convert the multiple images into electrical signal. The pixel arrays can be manufactured using a CCD or a CMOS compatible process. For manufacturing reasons, such a chip is typically two centimeters or less on a side. However, large chips can also be made. Optional electronic components for further signal processing of the captured images may be formed either on the sensor chip (i.e., in a “system-on-a-chip” implementation), or in a separate back-end application specific integrated circuit (ASIC). In addition, digital storage components, display elements, and wired or wireless communication links may also be included in any suitable combination to allow review and further processing of the captured images.
US09118849B1
Systems, methods, and articles of manufacture for determining a ranges from sensor pixels to corresponding scene points.
US09118847B2
The present invention includes: LCDs (47, 48, 49) corresponding to red, green, and blue, respectively; an air duct for red, an air duct for green, and an air duct for blue provided to blow cooling air to the LCDs (47, 48, 49), respectively; air filters (43, 50) provided in each of the air duct for red, the air duct for green, and the air duct for blue; and air filters (41, 42) provided in at least one air duct of the air duct for green and the air duct for blue and having filter mesh size smaller than that of the air filters (43, 50).
US09118846B2
Provided are an apparatus and method for generating an image with a defocused background. According to various aspects, a preview image is used as the basis for extracting a background distribution and a defocused background is generated based on the extracted background distribution. Accordingly, it is not necessary to photograph two or more images to generate a defocused background effect.
US09118831B2
An image processing apparatus or camera system comprises an image sensor 1, a geometrical position calculation device 6 for performing predetermined correction of a distortion, a first address table 10 for storing information correlating an input side address based on the calculation results of the geometrical position calculation device 6 to an output side address as a reference, a sort unit 11 for sorting the output side addresses according to the input side addresses, a second address table 12 for storing information correlating the output side address to the sorted input side address as a reference, and an address matching device 13 for matching the input side address of input side image data DI with the input side address stored in the second address table 12 and outputting output side image data DO.
US09118817B2
An in-vivo imaging device including a camera may include a frame storage device. Systems and methods which vary the frame capture rate of the camera and/or frame display rate of the display unit of in-vivo camera systems are discussed. The capture rate is varied based on for example, a physical quantity experienced by the camera system, or physical measurements related to the motion of the camera. Alternatively, the frame capture rate is varied based on comparative image processing of a plurality of frames. The frame display rate of the system may be varied based on comparative image processing of a multiplicity of frames. Both the frame capture and the frame display rates of such systems can be varied concurrently.
US09118811B2
Embodiments provide an apparatus, a system, and a method. A method includes determining a characteristic of a streaming content selected by a user and currently being displayed. The method also includes identifying a concurrently available streaming content in response to the determined characteristic. The method further includes saving at least a portion of the identified concurrently available streaming content.
US09118808B2
A method and a device for providing for sharing encoder resources in an MCU without compromising with image quality and bandwidth adaption is provided. The method and device comprises dynamic allocation of encoders in a multi-party video conference of a number of endpoints, wherein the video conference endpoints are adapted to encode and transmit a media stream comprising the steps of creating a new encoder at a request for a new pad, determining whether a maximum number of encoders is reached, if the maximum number of encoders is not reached, then linking the new pad to the new encoder, if the maximum number of encoders is reached, then linking all existing pads to the new encoder, 15 and releasing all unused encoders.
US09118798B2
A method is provided for processing at least one multimedia stream pertaining to a real event, which is being acquired or has been acquired by a communications terminal. The method includes sub-dividing the stream into a plurality of consecutive sequences, on the basis of at least one distribution characteristic associated with each of said sequences. The step of sub-dividing is activated by distribution of the first stream by the communications terminal.
US09118796B2
A polarization color image capture device includes: a polarization color filter plate including a first area configured to transmit light that is polarized in a first direction and that falls within a first wavelength range, a second area configured to transmit light that is polarized in a second direction and that falls within a second wavelength range, and a third area configured to transmit incoming light at least partially; an image sensor in which a plurality of unit blocks, each including first, second and third photosensitive cells and first, second and third polarization filters that are arranged to face the first, second and third photosensitive cells, respectively, are arranged on an imaging area, the polarization transmission axis directions of the first, second and third polarization filters being different from each other; and an optical lens that produces an image on the imaging area of the image sensor.
US09118789B2
In an application management system for managing a plurality of applications that are installed in an image processing device, in the case where an instruction of execution start is received, if an application execution unit has already executed an incompatible application that would cause an unintended operation of the application whose execution is to be started if concurrently executed with another application, and a warning screen about the application execution start is output.
US09118784B2
A scanner and process for detecting a scan lid open condition. The scan lid open condition is detected by aligning two scan bars with one another, illumining one of the scan bars with a predetermined illumining pattern and during the illumining, scanning the illumined scan bar with the other scan bar. The response of the scanning scan bar is compared with an expected response for the illumining pattern with the scan lid closed. If a positive comparison occurs, the scan lid is closed. If a negative comparison occurs, the scan lid is open.
US09118783B2
The application processing unit executes an application on an application screen. The command analyzing unit analyzes a test command on the application screen received from an external apparatus, converts the test command into a plurality commands in a plurality of executable formats, and generates a command list from the commands. The command executing unit retrieves a command from the command list and executes the command on application screen processing data. The capture processing unit acquires a capture image of an application screen that is generated by executing the command if the application of the application screen is executed. The application screen test executing unit retrieves a next command from the command list, outputs the next command to the command executing unit, and stores the capture image until all the commands in the command list have been executed.
US09118777B2
The mobile phone includes an optical sensor, a display element, a pixel circuit portion where a plurality of pixels having a plurality of transistors are arranged in matrix, an optical sensor control circuit which is connected to an optical sensor driver circuit for driving the optical sensor and reads a signal from the optical sensor, a display portion control circuit which is connected to a display element driver circuit for driving the display element and outputs an image signal for displaying an image on a display portion, a gradient detection portion for outputting a signal in accordance with a gradient of the mobile phone, and an arithmetic circuit for performing display in the pixel circuit portion by switching image signals output to the display portion control circuit with a signal from the gradient detection portion.
US09118776B2
Methods, program products, and systems for baseband location monitoring and related functions are disclosed. A mobile device can monitor its own current location using its baseband subsystem and decide whether to selectively activate its application subsystem based on whether particular conditions are satisfied by the current location. The mobile device can also correlate location and cellular signal information using its baseband subsystem and provide the correlated location and cellular signal information to a server. The server can receive the correlated location and cellular signal information from the baseband subsystems of a large number of widely distributed mobile devices and generate respective profiles of cellular network base stations that transmitted the cellular signals to the mobile devices. The profiles of the cellular network base stations can be used by the server in fulfilling subsequent positioning requests from mobile devices that do not currently have the baseband location monitoring enabled.
US09118759B2
A method, a system and a computer program product for analyzing customer service quality is disclosed. A plurality of customer call service quality parameters is identified using historical data. The plurality of customer call service quality parameters is quantified and correlated. The customer service quality is analyzed using the plurality of customer call service quality parameters. A repository is generated using the historical data of a plurality of customer calls and a set of pre-defined customer call flow templates. A subset of service quality queries is identified using contextual information of the customer call from the repository of service quality queries. The subset of service quality queries is then interspersed in the customer call. The customer service quality is analyzed using responses to the subset of service quality queries.
US09118755B2
A portable radiotelephone can be shifted between a first condition wherein the radiotelephone does not receive or transmit voice communications by radiotelephone transmissions over radiotelephone channels and a second condition wherein the radiotelephone receives and transmits voice communications by radiotelephone transmissions over radiotelephone channels. The radiotelephone automatically calls a central voice-activated phone dialing system remote from the portable radiotelephone in response to producing the second condition in the radiotelephone. The radiotelephone includes a switch for producing the first and second conditions.
US09118744B2
In one example, a device includes one or more processors configured to determine that data for at least a portion of a segment of media data has been lost after a remaining portion of the segment has been received via a network transmission in accordance with dynamic adaptive streaming over HTTP (DASH), based on the determination, prior to decoding the media data, add default data to the segment to replace the data that has been determined to be lost to form a replacement segment, and output media data of the replacement segment.
US09118732B2
The disclosed subject matter relates to an architecture that can employ a control plane for managing communications with respect to a set of sensors. By utilizing a control plane, a distinction between control messages and data messages can be provided in a standardized way and the set of sensors can benefit from additional functionality and configurability. For example, the control plane can be employed to modify parameters associated with the set of sensors, which can be effectuated in real time and in situ as opposed to at the time of fabrication or deployment. Moreover, such modifications can relate to both the sensing portions of a particular sensor as well as the communication portions of a particular sensor.
US09118731B2
An Ad Hoc social networking environment enables information and device access management between social networking groups and social networking members with or without access restrictions and anonymity. Contact and access information can be exchanged and updated on the fly without requiring users to notify other contacts or contacting devices and can support underlying contact information changes, enable extemporaneous termination or modification of contact access, enable temporary access, and the like. Ad Hoc social networking can utilize unique identifiers, proxy elements, or the like to support various levels of membership anonymity and Ad Hoc social networking. Proxy elements enable SNET tear down or dissolution by retracting the proxy service from a member. Storing social group contact information in shared databases can enable sharing and updating of contact information without the need to inform affected contacts. Some social networks can include various specialized devices and related services.
US09118726B2
A network device capable of performing auto-negotiation at a proper communication speed. In the network device, a cable speed setting unit decides, based on LAN cable category information, a maximum communication speed that can be guaranteed by a LAN cable connected to a physical layer circuit of the network device, and a speed decision unit compares the maximum communication speed notified from the cable speed setting unit with each of communication speeds that can be set for the physical layer circuit and decides an upper limit communication speed for use when a communication speed is decided by auto-negotiation.
US09118725B2
In one embodiment, sensor signals corresponding to motions of a client computing device are received. The sensor signals are associated with activity periods, each activity period also being associated with a geographic location of the client computing device. For each activity period, one or more activity types are determined for the client computing device based on the sensor signals for the activity period and one or more signal parameters. A reference of the activity type and activity period is sent to the client computing device, and an indication is received regarding whether that reference is correct. The signal parameters may be adjusted based on the received indication.
US09118723B1
Computer-implemented methods for generating and providing a post in a social activity stream by using a post framework and a content framework are provided. The post framework provides clear separation of shared content, the posting user's voice, social metadata, comment discussion, and interactive actions. The content framework includes a defined content body. The content body may include content, metadata and user interface control elements to be provided in a user post within a social activity stream. Systems and machine-readable media for providing a post in a social activity stream by using a post framework and/or a content framework are also provided.
US09118718B2
Techniques for managing network connections are described. An apparatus may comprise a communications component operative to manage a connection for a client, the connection routed over a network and a traffic analysis component operative to determine one or more characteristics of the routing of the connection. Other embodiments are described and claimed.
US09118717B2
An intermediary device, which behaves as a proxy for two entities after the entities have established a connection between themselves, is disclosed, as is a method that may be performed by such a device. The intermediary device can inspect a complete message, whose parts may be spread among multiple separate packets, without engaging in handshake phases with the message's origin or destination. As a first entity negotiates connection parameters with a second entity, the intermediary device stores the connection parameters as the parameters flow through the intermediary device. After the two entities have established an original connection, the intermediary device uses the intercepted parameters to form two separate connections in the place of the original connection: one between the intermediary device and the first entity, and another between the intermediary device and the second entity. To the entities, the newly formed connections appear to be same as the original connection.
US09118707B2
An exemplary method includes an attack traffic mitigation system 1) identifying a range of ports left open by a firewall for a network element to receive network traffic provided by a computing device, 2) designating a subset of one or more ports included in the range of open ports as being included in a legitimate port range configured to receive legitimate network traffic provided by the computing device, and 3) directing the network element to drop network traffic provided by the computing device and received by each port included in the range of open ports that is not included in the legitimate port range. Corresponding methods and systems are also disclosed.
US09118702B2
A method of refining cyber threat intelligence data, comprising: sending a first version of a threat list to a first cyber threat intelligence source and to a second cyber threat intelligence source; obtaining original first cyber threat intelligence data from the first source; obtaining original second cyber threat intelligence data from the second source; creating a second version of the threat list based on at least the original first cyber threat intelligence data and the original second cyber threat intelligence data; sending the second version of the threat list to the first source and to the second source; obtaining new first cyber threat intelligence data from the first source; obtaining new second cyber threat intelligence data from the second source; and creating a third version of the threat list based on at least the new first cyber threat intelligence data and the new second cyber threat intelligence data.
US09118699B2
Methods and apparatus related to the determination of the trustworthiness of information communicated in a message and/or the exchange of trust information are described. Various described methods and apparatus are well suited to peer to peer wireless communications in an ad-hoc network. At a given time, a communications device may have a trust relationship with a first set of devices. A first communications device determines trustworthiness of a received message from a second device, which is not a member of the first set of devices, based on information received from a third device which is a member of the first set of devices. The first communications device makes an informed decision as to whether or not to act upon the first message based upon its trustworthiness determination.
US09118697B1
A system and method integrates namespace management and storage management in a storage system environment. According to the invention, an integrated management framework provides an underlying infrastructure that supports various heterogenous storage access protocols within a single, logical namespace service. The logical namespace service is based on extensions to underlying storage management processes that cooperate to create the integrated management framework. Notably, these extensions are embodied as novel library functionality.
US09118696B2
The invention relates to a method and data transfer arrangement for synchronizing information comprised by an application program in a client device. In the method, information comprised by an application program in the client device is updated from a media server maintaining up-to-date information. In addition, the data transfer arrangement comprises a separate license server, which contains two separate license files: the first license file and the second license file. The up-to-date status of information in the client device can be ensured by means of the first license file. The second license file comprises information by which the update required by the client device can be retrieved from a media server maintaining up-to-date information.
US09118691B2
A method for transferring content includes requesting the content from a serving peer and sending the content to a requesting peer. Requesting the content includes sending a request to a tracker, receiving a request token, a path identifier, and a first peer identifier from the tracker, and sending a request message to a second peer. The first peer identifier includes an identity of a first peer, and the request message includes the request token, the path identifier, and the first peer identifier. Sending the content includes receiving the request token and the path identifier from a third peer, sending a return message to a fourth peer, and transferring the content from the serving peer to the requesting peer through a transfer path. The return message includes the path identifier and a second peer identifier. The second peer identifier includes an identity of a fifth peer. The transfer path includes at least the second, fourth, and fifth peers.
US09118688B2
A method and apparatus for providing a network assisting switch function are disclosed. For example, the method receives a query for feature processing for a call from a switch deployed in a switched network, and determines if the feature processing for the call requires one or more switching services. The method determines if the switch is able to provide the one or more switching services, if the one or more switching services are determined to be required, and initiates a temporary connection to a network assisting switch function in a packet network, if the switch is unable to provide the one or more switching services.
US09118676B2
A computer recognizes a first individual address of each of one or more other devices located in a first environment in which the computer is located at a first point in time, maps each first individual address to a first individual point in a coordinate space, and recognizes a first distribution using coordinates of each first individual point. The computer recognizes a second individual address of each of one or more other devices located in a second environment in which the computer is located at a second point in time, maps each second individual address to a second individual point in the coordinate space, and recognizes a second distribution using coordinates of each second individual point. The computer judges whether the first distribution and the second distribution match in accordance with a distribution matching criterion as to whether two distributions match.
US09118675B2
In embodiments, a method of securing access to a computer memory and other computer resources includes authoring a 3D projection of data by a registering user customizing elements in the 3D projection, resulting in a registered 3D projection. The method further includes presenting to a requesting user a representation of the elements of the 3D projection in a randomized fashion. The method additionally includes receiving, from the requesting user, manipulations of the presented elements of the 3D projection toward undoing or solving the randomization. The method includes determining whether the manipulated elements of the 3D projection match the customized elements of the registered 3D projection. Then, the method includes granting, to the registered user, access to the computer memory if the manipulated elements of the 3D projection match the customized elements of the registered 3D projection. The granting may be based on the determination of whether the manipulated elements of the 3D projection match the customized elements of the registered 3D projection in the positive.
US09118665B2
A security protocol for use by computing devices communicating over an unsecured network is described. The security protocol makes use of secure data provided to a peripheral memory device from a server via a secure connection. When the peripheral memory device is coupled to a computing device that attempts to establish a secure connection to the server, the secure data is used to verify that the server is authentic. Similarly, the secure data assists the server in verifying that the request to access the server is not being made by a malicious third party.
US09118662B2
A method and a system for extending distributed logon services to an off-line computing device includes encrypting, on the off-line computing device, a one-time password (OTP), a nonce, and a unique identifier to generate an authorization request message. Using a mobile device as a proxy to forward the authorization request message to an access control server for authorization. Decrypting the authorization response message to obtain the nonce. Re-encrypting the nonce to generate an authorization response message. Using the mobile device as a proxy to forward the authorization response message to the off-line computing device. Decrypting the authorization response message to obtain the nonce. Comparing the nonce obtained from the authorization response message with the original nonce. The computing device to permit or deny access as result of comparing the nonce obtained from the authorization response message with the original nonce.
US09118642B2
A device streams assets to network-based storage, and servers administering the network-based storage operate to notify other authorized devices that the assets are available to download, including initiating the download of assets automatically or in response to user input. With streaming enabled on their device, a user is able to make assets, such as digital photograph, video or other type of media file, data file, or other type of electronic content, available immediately to all of their other devices and to other users having permission to follow assets streamed by their device. Servers secure access to the stream of assets, on both an account level and an asset level in accordance with asset metadata registered for the assets during streaming.
US09118641B1
A computer-implemented method includes producing information that characterizes a group of individuals from a set of private data representing characteristics of the individuals. The identity of the individuals is unattainable from the produced information. The method also includes providing the produced information to report the characteristics of the group.
US09118625B2
Provided are an anti-malware (AM) system, a method of processing data in the AM system, and a computing device including the AM system. The AM system includes a hardware-based AV engine configured to perform hash matching on data for AV scanning of the data, and an AV function module configured to determine whether or not the data includes a virus pattern on the basis of a result of the hash matching.
US09118621B2
The present invention provides a novel network controller that does not need extensive development resources to add and expand functions of a communications protocol with maintaining high communication quality, does not generate waste of resources, is easy to maintain, and can be applied to embedded systems. More specifically, the present invention provides a network controller that includes a network interface that communicates with a plurality of terminals via a network, an upper application interface that communicates with upper applications that utilizes a plurality of communications protocols, a protocol procedure controller that controls a plurality of protocol procedures to communicate with a plurality of terminals via a network using a plurality of communications protocols, and a protocol analyzing unit that analyzes a plurality of communications protocols and further includes a protocol header analyzing unit that analyzes a plurality of protocol headers of a plurality of communications protocols individually.
US09118620B1
Hardware-based packet editor receives a packet editing script which includes script entries indicating modifications to a data packet and a data block with data for the modified data packet. For a script entry in the packet editing script, the packet editor copies data in the data block at a block location and with a block length identified in the script entry into a packet buffer. The packet editor repeats the copying for the remaining script entries for the modified data packet. The packet editor then generates the modified data packet with the data in the packet buffer. The packet editing script is generated such that a script entry is created for data to be included in the modified data packet and data to be inserted into the modified data packet. Creation of a script entry is omitted for data to be removed.
US09118617B1
A DRM system is provided wherein a policy can be established such that the DRM system controls access to a protected content unit, wherein the policy evaluates a condition so that the DRM system adaptively varies the actions that a user is authorized to perform with the protected content unit in response to changes in the condition. The techniques described herein enable a protection level for a protected content unit to be varied in response to changes in one or more condition, such as environmental conditions and/or an historical usage conditions. The techniques described herein also enable a set of policies to be established for a DRM system such that the DRM system controls access to multiple protected content units in accordance with the set of policies. Pursuant to these policies, the DRM system can adaptively vary access to multiple protected content units in response to one or more conditions.
US09118614B1
A method to provide notifications to a user. The method includes using a software notification manager in the background to listens, according to user subscriptions, for notification messages sent through one or more messaging networks from multiple network applications. Accordingly, the notification manager gathers notifications and displays them in one place. As a result, the user is no longer required to sift through lots of notifications from his/her email folders or other message windows.
US09118612B2
A state client is configured to allow a user to specify a meeting-specific state, such as that the user is running late for a meeting, checked in to the meeting, or unable to attend the meeting. A state service stores data identifying the user's meeting-specific state. The state service also responds to requests for the state of the user. In one implementation, when such a request is received, the state service determines whether the user is an invitee to the same meeting as the user requesting the state. If not, the state service returns a general-purpose state indicator for the user. If both users are invitees to the same meeting, the state service returns the meeting-specific state indicator, which may then be displayed by a state client.
US09118609B2
In communication using TCP, since the transmission bandwidth is significantly influenced by RTT and discard rate, there was a problem that only the transmission bandwidth significantly lower than the contracted bandwidth could be obtained under the environment such as WAN causing large RTT, large hop number and many discarded segments. There is provided an apparatus connected to a receiving side terminal having a means for feeding back to notify all discarded segments to an apparatus connected to a transmitting side terminal; a means for retransmitting the discarded segments fed back to be notified to the apparatus connected to the transmitting side terminal; and a means for controlling transmission bandwidth, based on retransmission bandwidth and discard bandwidth by the apparatus connected to the transmitting side terminal.
US09118608B2
In connection establishment processing in TCP communication, a next transmission destination IP address is decided by referring to a routing table. A next transmission destination MAC address associated with the next transmission destination IP address is decided by referring to the ARP table. The transmission destination IP address and the next transmission destination MAC address are stored as the connection management information in a connection management table. A transmission packet is created using the transmission destination IP address and the next transmission destination MAC address which are managed by the connection management information stored in the connection management table.
US09118606B2
IP Multinetting on a local area network is simulated by performing VLAN translation at a port connecting to the local area network. This allows IP addresses from multiple subnets to be associated with a single VLAN on the Local Area Network (LAN), while allowing the core switch to process the packets with a one-to-one correspondence between IP Subnet and VLAN. When a packet is received from the local area network at an IP multinetting port, the VLAN ID will be read to determine if the packet contains the IP Multinetting VLAN ID. The IP Subnet address will also be checked to see if the packet is associated with an IP Subnet that is part of the Multinetting. If so, the multinetting VLAN ID will be changed to an IP Subnet specific VLAN ID before the packet is processed by the core switch.
US09118592B2
A first of a plurality of intermediate routing devices is operable to advertise to and/or receive status information from remaining one(s) of the intermediate routing devices. The intermediate routing devices may store and/or analyze the advertised and/or received status information and may make routing decisions based on it. The first routing device may advertise status information for itself and/or for one or more other intermediate routing devices. Data may be routed based on type of data, service level and/or priority associated with the data. The advertised and/or received status information comprises current status information, predicted status information and/or past status information which may be based on one or more of port status, CPU utilization, memory utilization, quality of service (QoS), bandwidth utilization, bandwidth availability, traffic load, congestion, number of connections handled and capability to provide a particular level of service.
US09118591B2
A method of integrating virtual and physical network switching components into a heterogeneous switching domain is provided. Such method including, attaching, by a switching device, a header to a packet received from a virtual machine, the header including domain information, and processing the packet by the switching device, the processing being controlled by the header. Finally, the packet is forwarded, the forwarding being controlled by the header.
US09118583B2
The disclosed embodiments include a system, computer program product, and method for routing a call over a packet network. A call request may be received from a calling party to call a called party at a network address. At least one potential call path over a packet network may be determined to connect the calling party to the called party at the network address. Network performance information associated with each potential call path may be accessed and a determination may be made that each of the call paths are impaired or congested. In response to determining that each of the call paths are impaired or congested, the call may be routed over a call path other than one of the at least one potential call paths to enable the calling party to communicate with the called party.
US09118567B2
A network device to detect large flows includes a card to receive packets of flows. The device includes a large flow detection module including a serial multiple-stage filter module including series filter modules including a lead filter module and a tail filter module. Each filter module includes counters. The serial filter module is to serially increment the counters to reflect the flows, and is to increment counters that correspond to flows of subsequent filter modules only after all counters that correspond to the flows of all prior filter modules have been incremented serially up to maximum values. The serial filter module is to detect flows that correspond to counters of the tail filter module that have been incremented up to maximum values as the large flows. The large flow detection module includes a lead filter removal module to remove the lead filter module from the start of the series.
US09118566B1
One embodiment relates to a method of determining an arrival time of a data packet which has data striped across a plurality of lanes of a multi-lane link. Word arrival times for the words of the data packet are determined, each word arrival time corresponding to an arrival time of a word of the data packet at an individual lane of the multi-lane link. The arrival time of the data packet is determined using a predetermined function of the word arrival times. Another embodiment relates to a receiver circuit that determines an arrival time of a data packet which has data striped across a plurality of lanes of a multi-lane link. Other embodiments and features are also disclosed.
US09118565B1
Tracking several open data connections is difficult with a large number of connections. Checking for timeouts in software uses valuable processor resources. Employing a co-processor dedicated to checking timeouts uses valuable logic resources and consumes extra space. In one embodiment, a finite state machine implemented in hardware increases the speed connections can be checked for timeouts. The finite state machine stores a last accessed time stamp for each connection in a memory, and loops through the memory to compare each last accessed time stamp with a current time stamp of the system minus a global timeout value. In this manner, the finite state machine can efficiently find and react to timed out connections.
US09118547B2
An entertainment system that has improved failure recovery characteristics and reduces the connection components is disclosed. In one aspect, an inflight entertainment system comprises a plurality of physically interconnected head end line replaceable units and a plurality of serially-connected networking line replaceable units physically interconnected in a serial configuration, wherein two of the serially-connected networking line replaceable units at the edge of the serial configuration are physically interconnected with two of the head end line replaceable units, respectively, wherein a loop-free head end data path is maintained between active head end line replaceable units by regulating link participation in the head end data path, and wherein one or more loop-free serially-connected networking data paths are maintained between at least one of the two head end line replaceable units and active serially-connected networking line replaceable units by regulating link participation in the serially-connected networking data paths.
US09118535B2
A method of configuring at least one frequency dependent (FD), in-phase/quadrature (I/Q), imbalance compensation filter within a radio frequency (RF) module is described. The method includes applying an input signal to an input of the RF module, receiving a filtered I-path signal for the RF module and deriving at least one I-path filtering estimate value therefrom, receiving a filtered Q-path signal for the RF module and deriving at least one Q-path filtering estimate value therefrom, and configuring the at least one FD I/Q imbalance compensation filter based at least partly on at least one ratio between the derived I-path and Q-path filtering estimate values.
US09118528B2
Methods, systems, and apparatuses, and combinations and sub-combinations thereof, for down-converting an electromagnetic (EM) signal are described herein. Briefly stated, in embodiments the invention operates by receiving an EM signal and recursively operating on approximate half cycles (½, 1½, 2½, etc) of the carrier signal. The recursive operations can be performed at a sub-harmonic rate of the carrier signal. The invention accumulates the results of the recursive operations and uses the accumulated results to form a down-converted signal. In an embodiment, the EM signal is down-converted to an intermediate frequency (IF) signal. In another embodiment, the EM signal is down-converted to a baseband information signal. In another embodiment, the EM signal is a frequency modulated (FM) signal, which is down-converted to a non-FM signal, such as a phase modulated (PM) signal or an amplitude modulated (AM) signal.
US09118525B2
Common wave and sideband mitigation communication systems and methods are provided that can be used with both wireless and wired communication links. The systems and methods provided can enable faster data rates, greater immunity to noise, increased bandwidth/spectrum efficiency and/or other benefits. Applications include but are not limited to: cell phones, smartphones (e.g., iPhone, BlackBerry, etc.), wireless Internet, local area networks (e.g., WiFi type applications), wide area networks (e.g., WiMAX type applications), personal digital assistants, computers, Internet service providers and communications satellites.
US09118524B2
A method of packetizing digital information for packet-switched communications includes placing, at a transmitting device with memory and a processor, a most significant bit of a digital voice sample into a variable-length most significant bit packet having a high transmission priority for transmission over a packet-switched network in which a node receives the packet and independently determines how to route the packet. At the transmitting device, a least significant bit of the digital voice sample is placed into a variable-length least significant bit packet having a low transmission priority for transmission over the packet-switched network. Prioritization of packets as having a high transmission priority or low transmission priority is independent of content characteristics of digital voice samples with elements contained therein.
US09118522B2
A method of operation of a media distribution system includes: streaming a media object from an external system via a first browser; receiving a media request from a viewer device; determining a confirmation of whether the media request is for the media object; and serving a portion of the media object from a sandboxed memory of the first browser for presenting on a second browser of the viewer device in response to the confirmation.
US09118521B2
A network node including a first Stream Control Transmission Protocol (SCTP) protocol instance providing redundancy of an SCTP endpoint. The first SCTP protocol instance connects to a peer SCTP protocol instance via an SCTP connection. The first SCTP protocol instance also connects to a further SCTP protocol instance providing redundancy of the SCTP endpoint via a consistency protocol for providing state consistency between the first SCTP protocol instance and the further SCTP protocol instance. The first SCTP protocol instance also connects to the further SCTP protocol instance via a connection for forwarding messages addressed to the further SCTP protocol instance to be processed by the first SCTP protocol instance or vice versa.
US09118520B1
A computer-implemented method for monitoring application resource usage on mobile computing systems may include 1) identifying a mobile computing system that is configured to execute one application at a time as a foreground application, 2) identifying a request to determine a resource consumption level of an application on the mobile computing system, 3) identifying, in response to the request, at least one frequency level at which a processor of the mobile computing system operates while the application executes as the foreground application, and 4) determining, based on the identified frequency level, the resource consumption level of the application. Various other methods, systems, and computer-readable media are also disclosed.
US09118519B2
A receiver comprises a sequence estimation circuit and a soft-input-soft-output (SISO) decoder. The sequence estimation circuit comprises circuitry operable to generate first soft bit decisions for symbols of a received inter-symbol-correlated signal. The SISO decoder comprises circuitry operable to decode the first soft bit decisions to generate corrected soft bit decisions. The circuitry of the sequence estimation circuit is operable to generate, based on the corrected soft bit decisions, second soft bit decisions for the symbols of the received inter-symbol-correlated signal, which are improved/refined relative to the first soft bit decisions.
US09118517B2
Embodiments include systems and methods of powering data communications transmitter circuitry using current sinked from biasing circuitry used to bias a transmission line between the data communications transmitter circuitry and data communications receiver circuitry. In some embodiments, the current sinked from the biasing circuitry is sourced by a power supply configured to power the data communications receiver circuitry. The current sinked from the biasing circuitry is then re-used to power the data communications transmitter circuitry. The data communications transmitter circuitry may be operated using less power overall by re-using the current first used to bias the transmission line to power the data communications transmitter circuitry. Various embodiments include HDMI transceivers, DVI transceivers, and DisplayPort transceivers.
US09118508B2
Systems and methods for service execution across legacy telecommunications networks and Internet Protocol Multimedia Subsystem (IMS) domains are described. In one aspect, a convergence gateway is deployed in an IMS network to interface between the IMS network and a legacy circuit-switched (CS) telephony network (legacy network). The convergence server extends legacy network-supported circuit-switched services (including voice supplementary services, enhanced voice services, and messaging) to IMS core network subscribers. To this end, the systems and methods rely on the legacy network to implement supported circuit-switched services and generate corresponding results. The corresponding results are adapted to a signaling protocol and state model for the IMS network and provided to one or more IMS subscribers.
US09118500B1
A communications system includes at least one telecommunications access module coupled to a plurality of communications subscriber line pairs and comprising at least one bonding engine. A module is configured to receive a provisioning request and determine the total number of communications subscriber line pairs available to form a bonding group and select at least one bonding engine for the bonding group. A data processor is configured to determine a maximum packet fragment size for the data packets based on the total number of available subscriber line pairs forming the bonding group. A maximum packet fragment size is adapted to the number of communications line pairs within the bending group and the bonding engine fragments the data packets into the packet fragments. A transmitter receives the packet fragments and transmits the packet fragments over the communications subscriber line pairs forming the bonding group.
US09118492B2
The present invention faces the issue of authorizing transactional services by a Policy and Charging Control system. To this end, the present invention provides for an apparatus carrying out a method of authorizing transactional services and comprising: an authorization requester for submitting a transactional service authorization request with a user identifier and a transactional service identifier, and an authorizer for receiving the transactional service authorization request. This authorizer comprises: a PCRF server for authorizing the transactional service based on subscription and service data, an OCS for authorizing the transactional service based on credit authorization, and a decider for deciding service authorization for the transactional service based on the authorizations respectively made by the PCRF server and OCS. The authorizer of this apparatus is also arranged for submitting a transactional service authorization response to the authorization requester with a decision on service authorization for the transactional service.
US09118481B2
A method for generating a practically infinite sequence of pseudo-random numbers that is indistinguishable from a true random source. The method utilizes a discrete set of prime numbers, converting each to a corresponding irrational sequence of numbers, i.e., a MIRP, and arranging said MIRPs into a MIRP Stack that extends into a practically infinite non-repeating MIRP Field, from which an even longer unique sequence of pseudo-random numbers are generated.
US09118478B2
In a data transfer method and system for networks having gateway-mediated asymmetric transport, data and feedback channels are established between sender and receiver, along with a gateway feedback channel between gateway and sender. Cohorts of datagrams are transformed using fault-tolerant coding to create chapters whose size correspond to the asymmetric transport's timing. The sender transmits chapters in chunks at a rate to keep the gateway at an optimum fill for maximal throughput without transmit-end packet drops. The receiver reconstructs complete cohorts of original datagrams from a received subset of the transformed datagrams. The receiver acknowledges successfully recovered cohorts and identifies missing or corrupt datagrams of a chapter whenever recovery is unsuccessful. The sender resends sufficient lost datagrams to allow cohort recovery. The sender self-tunes its transmission rate based upon gateway fill, network latency and datagram loss rate to keep datagram loss rate below an upper bound.
US09118476B2
This invention relates to signalling of control information related to retransmissions in a wireless communication network. According to one aspect of the invention, a method for controlling transmission over a wireless communication link is provided. The method comprises the step of indicating on a transmission resource control channel whether a HARQ retransmission process in a mobile station should be activated or deactivated.
US09118474B2
A method for reporting uplink control information (UCI) on a user equipment (UE) is described. A number of bits for a channel quality indicator and/or a precoding matrix index and/or a rank indication (CQI/PMI/RI) is obtained. A number of component carriers with hybrid automatic repeat request acknowledgement (HARQ-ACK) reporting is also obtained. A total number of HARQ-ACK bits is further obtained. A number of HARQ-ACK bits that can be carried on the physical uplink control channel (PUCCH) is determined. Bundling is performed on the total number of HARQ-ACK bits to be reported to fit the total number of HARQ-ACK bits to be reported into the number of HARQ-ACK bits that can be carried on the PUCH. A backward compatible PUCCH format is used to simultaneously carry the CQI/PMI/RI bits and the HARQ-ACK bits.
US09118469B2
Embodiments of methods and apparatus for reducing electromagnetic interference of a received signal are disclosed. One method includes receiving a signal over at least two conductors, extracting a common-mode signal from the at least two conductors, processing the common-mode signal, and reducing electromagnetic interference of the received signal by summing the processed common-mode signal with the received signal.
US09118460B2
A CDR circuit includes an AD converter that converts an analog input signal to a digital output signal according to an operation clock signal; a phase adjuster that subtracts a first phase from a first clock signal having a first frequency equal to a frequency of the input signal to output a second clock signal having a second frequency as the operation clock signal to the AD converter; a phase detector that detects a second phase in the output signal of the AD converter; a filter that obtains a third phase by performing a filtering process based on the first phase, the second phase, and the third phase output from the filter; an adder that adds the first phase and the third phase to obtain a fourth phase; and a decision circuit that obtains recovered data from the output signal of the AD converter using the fourth phase.
US09118455B2
Satellite communications systems, methods, and related devices are described. In one embodiment, a satellite communications system is configured to dynamically allocate bandwidth among different downlink beams. The satellite may receive and compile traffic measurements and terminal parameters. The satellite may be configured with different downlink beam coverage areas, and may dynamically allocate downlink bandwidth and particular frequency channels to different beam coverage areas based on the measurements and parameters. The satellite may also assign frequency channels and time slots based on such measurements and parameters.
US09118449B2
A method of receiving an acknowledgement (ACK) signal from at least one access terminal (AT) in a wireless communication system is disclosed. More specifically, the method includes transmitting at least one packet via a packet data channel from an access network (AN), receiving at least one ACK signal from the at least one AT using same channelization resources, wherein each AT is assigned a code specific to each AT, and identifying the ACK signal corresponding to the transmitted packet from the received at least one ACK signal.
US09118446B2
A user equipment (UE) and a method are presented. The UE comprises a receiver unit and a processing circuit, and is configured for receiving wireless signals. The processing circuit is arranged for performing pre-detection of the received signals providing an initial estimation of transmitted signals. The processing circuit is also arranged for splitting the transmitted signal into disjoint subgroups, each one covering a subgroup of all layers used for the transmitted signal such that the subgroups together cover all the layers. The processing circuit is also arranged for interference cancellation performed on the subgroups of transmitted signals based on the initial estimation of the transmitted signals. The processing circuit is also arranged for detection of the subgroups of transmitted signals by utilization of an MLD algorithm, wherein the subgroup of layers within each one of the subgroups of transmitted signals is detected simultaneously.
US09118443B2
An approach is provided for high penetration alerting in a mobile satellite system. A message is generated for transmission to a wireless terminal. The message is partitioned into a number of symbols, each symbol composed of a portion of the message. The symbols are encoded via FEC coding to generate outer coded symbols, and each outer coded symbol is encoded based on a corresponding binary orthogonal sequence. The inner coded symbols are modulated based on a binary modulation scheme, and pulse shaped to generate message bursts for transmission to the wireless terminal. Each message burst reflects a group of the inner coded symbols, wherein the grouping of the inner coded symbols facilitates joint sequence detection by the wireless terminal, and each message burst exhibits relatively low peak-to-average power ratio.
US09118439B2
Techniques for using one or multiple downconverters to receive multiple transmissions sent on multiple carriers are disclosed. In an exemplary design, an apparatus includes first and second downconverters. The first downconverter downconverts a first radio frequency (RF) signal when it is selected. The second downconverter downconverts a second RF signal when it is selected. Each of the first and second RF signals includes multiple transmissions sent on multiple carriers to a wireless device. The first downconverter is selected to perform downconversion for the multiple transmissions when at least one criterion is not met. The first and second downconverters are selected to perform downconversion for the multiple transmissions, based on different mixing frequencies, when the at least one criterion is met. The at least one criterion may relate to imbalance between the multiple carriers, received power of a received RF signal, etc.
US09118435B2
An integrated passive optical network system is disclosed. The system comprises an optical distribution network (ODN), a time-division multiplexing (TDM)-optical line terminal (OLT), a wavelength-division multiplexing (WDM)-optical line terminal (OLT), a plurality of time-division multiplexing (TDM)-optical network units (ONUs), and at least one wavelength-division multiplexing (WDM)-optical network unit (ONU) comprising a first filter. The TDM-OLT and the WDM-OLT respectively transmit a first optical signal carrying a first downstream signal and a second optical signal carrying a second downstream signal to the ONUs through the ODN, and wavelengths of the second optical signal and the first optical signal are different. The TDM-ONUs respectively retrieve the first downstream signal. The WDM-ONU uses the first filter to retrieve the second downstream signal.
US09118428B2
Geographic advertising utilizes a location of a mobile communications device to infer potential interest in a product and/or service. A scalable network protocol is utilized to provide advertisements, coupons, discounts, or the like, to mobile communications devices that are within a select geographic area or areas. A geographically addressed message is formulated based on the location of a potential customer and the content to be provided to potential customer. A message is generated at the time it is sent based on a current location of mobile communications device in the select geographic area. A protocol is utilized that replaces an IP address with a geographic location.
US09118417B2
A connector provided on a projector has an RF chip. A plug connected to the connector has an RF chip at a position opposite to the RF chip of the connector. When a protruding section of the plug is inserted and fit into an aperture section of the connector, the RF chip of the plug and the RF chip of the connector perform wireless communication with each other in a non-contact state. Thus, a connecting tool can be easily attached to/detached from a receiving tool without breaking a terminal due to contact such as in a case where a conventional contact type terminal is used.
US09118412B2
A system for performing in-band reflection analysis in a passive optical network. The system comprises an optical line terminal (OLT) that includes a transceiver for transmitting continuous downstream data modulated on a first wavelength and receiving upstream burst data modulated on a second wavelength, the OLT further includes a receiver for receiving signals reflected from the PON that are modulated on the first wavelength, wherein the continuous downstream data comprises user data and a test data pattern; and a reflection analysis unit for cross-correlating between a time-shifted version of the transmitted test data pattern and the reflected signals, wherein the test data pattern is time-shifted relatively for an optical location to be tested.
US09118409B2
A communication system for allowing personnel in a tunnel below ground to communicate with a location above ground includes a controller disposed below ground in the tunnel. The system includes an uplink portion that sends uplink messages from the controller below ground in the tunnel through earth to above ground. The system includes a downlink portion through which downlink messages are sent from above ground through earth to the controller below ground in the tunnel. The system includes a personnel communication portion through which downlink messages are sent from the controller wirelessly to the personnel as personnel messages and personnel messages are received wirelessly by the controller from the personnel below ground in the tunnel. A controller for allowing personnel in a tunnel below ground to communicate with a location above ground. A method for allowing personnel in a tunnel below ground to communicate with a location above ground.
US09118408B2
Methods and apparatus for improving operational and/or cost performance based on filter characteristics. Existing schemes for measuring filter performance are based on a worst case filter performance across a range of frequencies and temperature. Filter performance can be more accurately characterized over one or more frequency ranges. In one exemplary embodiment the frequency is characterized according to a functional (e.g., linear-average) metric. By providing more accurate representation of the reception/transmission filter performance, both network and device optimizations can aggressively manage available power and handle smaller (tighter) margins.
US09118406B2
The measurement apparatus 10 includes a transmission and reception unit 14 that receives a continuous test signal which is output from the mobile terminal 30 and in which test signals based on the plurality of communication methods continue at predetermined time intervals, an acquisition section 21 that sequentially acquires the test signals based on the plurality of communication methods included in the continuous test signal, a measurement section 22 that sequentially measures the test signals acquired by the acquisition section 21, a measurement result storage section 23 that sequentially stores the data of the measurement result of the measurement section 22, and a display unit 15 that displays the data of the measurement result stored in the measurement result storage section 23.
US09118401B1
A filter for a radio receiving device doubles a sample size of a digital baseband signal to form an enhanced data set and after widowing performs a Fast Fourier Transform (FFT) to facilitate calculation of instantaneous magnitude values and average magnitude values for each of a plurality of frequency bins. A noise floor is calculated based on the average magnitude values of a plurality of the frequency bins, and the noise floor is then used to identify frequency bins which contain an interfering signal. If it is determined that a frequency bin contains spectral energy associated with an interfering signal, then the instantaneous magnitude value of the frequency bin is selectively reduced, after which an inverse FFT operation and inverse window operation is performed.
US09118398B1
A circuit comprises a transmitter port; a receiver port; an antenna port configured to transmit a signal from the transmitter port to antenna port and receive a signal at antenna port and pass to the receiver port; and a switch configured to switch whether the transmitter port or the receiver port is communicatively coupled to the antenna port. The switch comprises a plurality of NMOS FETs configured to switch between the transmitter port and the receiver port.
US09118386B2
The present invention relates to a method and to an apparatus for transmitting reference signals in a relay communication system. The method for transmitting reference signals through a type 2 relay node in a relay communication system comprises: a step in which a base station allocates a plurality of antenna ports in a mutually exclusive manner so that the antenna port of the base station and the antenna port of the peripheral relay node do not overlap each other; a step in which the base station and the relay node transmit reference signals to user equipment through the respective antenna ports mutually exclusively allocated; and a step in which the base station receives a channel state information from the user equipment to obtain channel state information between the base station and the user equipment and channel state information between the relay node and the user equipment.
US09118368B1
A signal coupler can couple a processed version of an outgoing signal from a transmission path to a receive path in a transceiver. A connector can provide the processed version of the outgoing signal to a pre-distortion module, which can generate a pre-distortion signal to pre-compensate outgoing signals in the transmission path of the transceiver. A receive path of a transceiver can thus be utilized as a feedback path to a pre-distortion module.
US09118364B2
Differential feedback within multiple user, multiple access, and/or MIMO wireless communications. After full feedback signal(s) have been received by a communication device (e.g., one that is to be performing beamforming for use in subsequent signal transmission), differential feedback signal(s) are received. Those differential feedback signal(s) are employed to update the full feedback signal(s) thereby generating updated/modified full feedback signals. Over time, such updated/modified full feedback signals may subsequently be further updated based upon later received inferential feedback signal(s). Such differential feedback signaling takes advantage of time and/or frequency correlation in a communication channel to provide for reduced feedback overhead by feeding back a difference or delta (Δ) relative to a previous value. For example, instead of providing full feedback signals in each respective/successive communication, feedback overhead is reduced by providing a difference or delta (Δ).
US09118355B2
An apparatus and a method for connecting to a device in a wireless terminal, and more particularly, to an apparatus and method for more conveniently connecting to a desired device in a communication mode of a wireless terminal are provided. The apparatus includes a near distance communication module for exchanging device information for a communication connection through a contact with a specific device, and a controller for controlling the near distance communication module to connect communication to the specific device based on the exchanged device information.
US09118351B2
A system and method for signature-based redundancy comparison provides for receiving, by a master part, an input signal and generating, by the master part, a binary output signal, generating a delayed input signal based on the input signal, generating a first output signature based on the binary output signal, and generating a delayed first output signature based on the first output signature. The system and method further comprise generating a delayed binary output signal based on the delayed input signal, generating, by a checker part, a delayed second output signature based on the delayed binary output signal, comparing the delayed first output signature with the delayed second output signature, and generating an error signal, where the state of the error signal is based upon the comparison.
US09118349B1
Circuitry for, in p parallel streams, searching a codeword having n symbols for roots of a cyclic code polynomial having a number of terms includes a plurality of multipliers, a source of constants derived from roots of the polynomial, and at least one counter that supplies an index. For each received symbol of the codeword, the multipliers multiply respective terms of the polynomial for a previous received symbol by constants from the source of constants, the counter advances to select respective products of the constants and the respective terms for the previous received symbol.
US09118347B1
Systems and methods are provided for communicating on a cellular telecommunications network. A system includes a receiver interface configured to receive an orthogonal frequency division multiplexing (OFDM) signal that includes transmitted data encoded according to a particular coding matrix. A processing unit is configured to receive the OFDM signal, where the processing unit is configured to decode data from the OFDM signal by solving a matrix optimization. A computer-readable memory is configured to store the decoded data.
US09118344B2
A continuous-time ΔΣ-ADC (1) is disclosed, comprising a sampled quantizer (5) arranged to generate samples y(n) of a digital output signal of the ΔΣ-ADC (1) at sample instants nT. The ΔΣ-ADC (1) further comprises two or more DACs (10a-b), each arranged to generate an analog feedback signal based on the samples of the digital output signal generated by the sampled quantizer (5), and a continuous-time analog network (20) arranged to generate an analog input signal to the quantizer (5) based on the feedback signal(s) from the two or more DACs (10a-b) and an analog input signal to the ΔΣ-ADC (1). At least a first DAC (10a) of the two or more DACs (10a-b) is adapted to generate a pulsed feedback signal that, for each n, comprises a pulse, the magnitude of which is proportional to the sample of the digital output signal at sample instant nT and which lasts between the time instants (n+a1)T and (η+β1)T, wherein 0<α1<β1<1. Aí least a second DAC (10b) of the two or more DACs (10a-b) is adapted to generate a pulsed feedback signal that, for each n, comprises a pulse, the magnitude of which is proportional to the sample of the digital output signal at sample instant nT and which lasts between the time instants (n+a2)T and (η+β2)T, wherein 0
US09118341B2
A delta-sigma A/D converter having plural input channels comprises a first quantizer which quantizes and outputs a received signal; a first D/A converter which converts an output signal of the first quantizer into an analog signal, and outputs the converted analog signal; a first operation unit which outputs a signal indicative of a difference of the first analog input signal and an output signal of the first D/A converter; a first integrator which integrates an output signal of the first operation unit and outputs the integrated signal; a first dither circuit which generates a first dither signal; and a second operation unit which adds the first dither signal to the output signal of the first integrator and outputs the added signal to the first quantizer.
US09118336B2
A physical system for a chip-scale coherent population trapping (CPT) atomic clock. The physical system includes: a vertical-cavity surface-emitting laser (VCSEL) device, a first polarizing beam splitter, a first λ/4 wave plate, a chip of an atomic vapor cell, a second λ/4 wave plate, a reflection device, a lens, a second polarizing beam splitter, and a photo detector. The first polarizing beam splitter, the first λ/4 wave plate, the chip of the atomic vapor cell, the second λ/4 wave plate, and the reflection device are disposed in sequence. The lens, the second polarizing beam splitter, and the photo detector are disposed in sequence.
US09118334B2
A MEMS resonator system comprises a MEMS resonator, kick start circuitry, feedback circuitry, an oscillator, and a switch. The MEMS resonator system is configured to provide a pulsed kick-start signal having a frequency and period such that energy delivered to the MEMS resonator is optimized in a short period of time, resulting is reduced oscillator startup time. The MEMS resonator system is configured to switch out the kick-start signal when the MEMS resonator oscillation has been achieved, and switch in feedback circuitry to maintain the MEMS resonator in a state of oscillation.
US09118327B2
Disclosed are methods and devices, among which is a device that includes a finite state machine lattice. The lattice may includes a programmable Boolean logic cell that may be programmed to perform various logic functions on a data stream. The programmability includes an inversion of a first input to the Boolean logic cell, an inversion of a last output of the Boolean logic cell, and a selection of an AND gate or an OR gate as a final output of the Boolean logic cell. The Boolean logic cell also includes end of data circuitry configured to cause the Boolean logic cell to only output after an end of data signifying the end of a data stream is received at the Boolean logic cell.
US09118314B2
An adaptive body bias (ABB) circuit and a semiconductor integrated circuit (IC) having the ABB circuit include: a logic circuit performing logic calculations, a clock line through which a clock signal is transmitted to the logic circuit, and at least one bias line through which a bias voltage is applied to the logic circuit, wherein the bias voltage is applied to a body of a metal oxide semiconductor (MOS) transistor constituting the logic circuit, and the bias line is arranged at a predetermined distance from the clock line to shield the clock signal from crosstalk due to other adjacent signal lines.
US09118311B1
A system and method are present for generating a modulated waveform. A timer is configured to generate a first modulated waveform signal, and an adder module is configured to calculate a delay. The delay includes at least one of an edge fractional delay and a dead time fractional delay. A delay module is operably coupled to the timer and the adder module. The delay module is configured to delay at least one of a rising edge of the first modulated waveform signal and a falling edge of the first modulated waveform signal by the delay to generate a second modulated waveform signal that has a higher frequency resolution than a frequency resolution of the first modulated waveform signal.
US09118308B1
A duty cycle corrector includes a VCD (Voltage-Controlled Delay) circuit, an edge detector, an SR latch, a mode controller, and a CP (Charge Pump) circuit. The VCD circuit delays an input clock signal for a delay period so as to generate a delay clock signal. The delay period is adjusted according to a CP control voltage. The edge detector detects clock edges of the input clock signal and the delay clock signal so as to correspondingly generate a first clock edge signal and a second clock edge signal. The SR latch generates a toggling signal according to the first clock edge signal and the second clock edge signal. The mode controller generates a mode control voltage. The CP circuit operates in different modes according to the mode control voltage. The CP circuit generates the CP control voltage according to the toggling signal and the mode control voltage.
US09118304B2
The purpose of dynamically tuning in dense arrays is to improve power received and signal quality. In traditional phased array the inherent design procedure is to design for good matching over the frequency and scan angle of operation. Typically this is done in the overall design based on a priori knowledge of the frequency, relative phasing and amplitude distribution of all the elements. With this a priori knowledge the design can be done based on known mutual coupling.
US09118300B2
A surface acoustic wave (SAW) device comprising at least one heating element formed on the substrate; at least one temperature sensor having a first electric component on the substrate whose resistance varies with the temperature of the substrate and a second electric component whose resistance does not vary; and a temperature controller including an operational amplifier bonded in thermally conductive relationship to the substrate. The operational amplifier is responsive to the output of the temperature sensor to apply power to the heating element and thereby maintain the temperature of the substrate within a predetermined temperature range. The transducer, heating element, and first component are monolithically formed on the substrate, and only three electrical connections are on the substrate at voltage to off-SAW die points.
US09118295B2
Methods and systems for conditioning wireline communications to remove intersymbol interference are provided that used adaptive equalization. The method and systems include using a digital finite state machine to control two feedback loops that adjust the gain and power of the input signal relative to a supplied reference. The eye height of the input signal is conditioned by a gain feedback loop so that signal equalization can be performed in a known state. The digital finite state machine allows the loops to be flexibly run in sequence or concurrently. The adaptation functions can be shut off when adequate signal equalization has been achieve, thus saving power.
US09118277B2
Apparatus and methods for envelope tracking are disclosed. In one embodiment, a power amplifier system including a power amplifier and an envelope tracker is provided. The power amplifier is configured to amplify a radio frequency (RF) signal, and the envelope tracker is configured to control a supply voltage of the power amplifier using an envelope of the RF signal. The envelope tracker includes a buck converter for generating a buck voltage from a battery voltage and a digital-to-analog conversion (DAC) module for adjusting the buck voltage based on the envelope of the RF signal to generate the supply voltage for the power amplifier.
US09118276B2
One mixer circuit includes mixer elements having 3N pairs of differential inputs. There are non-overlapping clock signals provided to the mixer elements which have a duty cycle equal to or less than 33⅓ percent, and N is a positive integer. Output differential signals of the mixer elements do not contain third order harmonic content of the non-overlapping clock signals. Another mixer circuit includes a first mixer element and a signal combining device. The first mixer element has 3N pairs of differential inputs, wherein there are non-overlapping clock signals provided to the first mixer element which have a duty cycle equal to or less than 33⅓ percent, and N is a positive integer. The signal combining device combines outputs from the first mixer element wherein an output signal of the signal combining device do not contain third order harmonic content of the non-overlapping clock signals.
US09118275B1
An adaptive clock generation circuit for synthesizing Time-Average-Frequency in dynamic fashion includes (a) a timing circuit for generating a base unit of fixed time span, (b) a control circuit that takes inputs from a microelectronic system wherein the control circuit and the clock generation circuit reside, for generating a update signal and a frequency control word, (c) a direct period synthesizer for generating a plurality of types of pulses by utilizing said base unit and the frequency control word, for creating a segment of a clock pulse train by connecting electrical pulses in series that are selected from said plurality of types according to the update signal, for creating the entire clock pulse train by connecting said segment in series. The resulting Time-Average-Frequency of the clock pulse train matches a selected frequency that is required by the operation of the microelectronic system wherein the clock generation circuit resides. A method of creating such adaptive clock generation circuit is also presented.
US09118270B2
A motor control device includes a rectifier, an inverter connected to the rectifier via the DC link, a power failure detecting unit detecting power failure, a voltage detecting unit detecting a DC voltage at the DC link, an electric storage unit storing DC power, a charging unit that can make charging by boosting to a voltage higher than the DC voltage, a discharging unit discharging DC power, a resistance discharge device that performs resistance discharging of DC power at the DC link when the DC voltage after power failure is equal to or higher than a predetermined start level and that does not perform resistance discharging when the DC voltage is equal to or lower than a predetermined stop level, and a discharging operation determining unit operating the discharging unit when the DC voltage at the DC link after power failure is equal to or lower than a predetermined threshold.
US09118263B2
A piezo motor has a stator and a rotor as well as a drive finger which is held by the stator, drives the rotor and interacts with at least one piezo element. In order to improve the force transmission, the free end of the drive finger moves a driver jaw, which can be pressed against a ring surface of the rotor. The free end of the drive finger is held such that it can move in the longitudinal direction between two stops on the driver jaw, and the driver jaw can be pressed against the rotor, in time with the drive movement of the drive finger, by at least one piezo actuator during the drive movement of the drive finger, and can be pivoted in the drive direction and back about the rotor axis, together with the piezo actuator, corresponding to the magnitude of a deflection of the drive finger.
US09118257B2
A single stage PFC LLC power converter is consist of two transformer, one forward transformer, one main transformer. The first winding of the forward transformer is connected with a capacitor in series then paralleled with another capacitor and this circuit is connected with the primary winding of the main transformer in series as primary load circuit in LLC power converter, the energy through the main transformer is transferred to the secondary circuit and the energy through the first winding of the forward transformer is transferred to the second winding of the forward transformer to correct the input current waveform.
US09118256B2
A power starting circuit used in a DC power supply circuit has a double-pole, double-throw switch electrically connected to a positive pole of a DC power supply and controls a conducting state of the circuit. A first capacitor provides a voltage signal for a first switch circuit and controls the conducting state of the first switch circuit in a continuous charging and discharging process. The first switch circuit controls the conducting state of the DC power supply circuit. A maintaining signal input end provides a maintaining signal for the first capacitor. The power starting circuit can achieve an over discharge protection function for the control circuit. Moreover, when the switch is turned on, it can automatically switch the circuit off so as to save power if the electrical product does not need to continue to work.
US09118251B2
A power supply device includes a control unit performing PFM control for a switching element, a voltage detection unit detecting an output voltage of a converter, and a signal generation circuit. The control unit calculates a first control command value based on the output voltage, calculates a new first control command value adjusting the output voltage to a target voltage, calculates a difference value therebetween, and outputs a voltage, which has a polarity corresponding to the difference value, for a first output period corresponding to the difference value. The signal generation circuit generates a pulse signal in which a frequency increases or decreases in accordance with a first command value voltage corresponding to a charged voltage at a storage element according to the new first control command value. The switching element is driven by the pulse signal that has a finer adjustment unit frequency.
US09118249B2
A power conversion apparatus is disclosed. The power conversion apparatus includes a power transistor, a thermal resistor and a temperature detection circuit. A control terminal of the power transistor receives a control signal. The power transistor converts an input voltage into an output voltage according to the control signal. The thermal resistor has a negative temperature coefficient. The temperature detection circuit generates the control signal and provides a driving current to the control terminal of the power transistor according to the control signal. The temperature detection circuit further generates an over temperature protection signal according to the driving current.
US09118243B2
A power converter (14) can include a switching system (18) to convert a direct current (DC) input voltage to an output voltage based on a switching signal having a duty-cycle. A controller (16) can set the duty-cycle of the switching signal, depending on the DC input voltage, to one of a substantially constant value, such that the output voltage follows the DC input voltage in a normal mode, and a value that varies inversely with respect to the DC input voltage, such that the output voltage is substantially constant in another mode.
US09118242B2
A method is disclosed to operate a voltage conversion circuit such as a buck regulator circuit that has a plurality of switches coupled to a voltage source; a slab inductor having a length, a width and a thickness, where the slab inductor is coupled between the plurality of switches and a load and carries a load current during operation of the plurality of switches; and a means to reduce or cancel the detrimental effect of other wires on same chip, such as a power grid, potentially conducting return current and thereby degrading the functionality of this slab inductor. In one embodiment the wires can be moved further away from the slab inductor and in another embodiment magnetic materials can be used to shield the slab inductor from at least one such interfering conductor.
US09118238B2
An electronic system includes a charge pump driver for generating an output to control an electronic element. The electronic system further includes a clock generator coupled to the charge pump driver. The clock generator can generate a clock signal to control the charge pump driver and adjust a frequency of the clock signal according to a status of the electronic element.
US09118234B2
A stator includes a core and an insulator. The core has a plurality of annularly arranged tooth portions. The insulator is disposed on an end portion of the core, and has an annular wall portion extending in a direction departing from the core. A protrusion protrudes radially outward across an entire circumference of the wall portion, and the protrusion is provided on an outer circumferential surface of the wall portion.
US09118230B2
An interior permanent magnet machine includes a stator including a plurality of electrical conductors. The interior permanent magnet machine further includes a rotor concentrically disposed in relation to the stator. The rotor is configured to rotate relative to the stator about a rotational axis and includes a plurality of polar pieces arranged annularly about the rotational axis. At least one of the polar pieces includes a magnetic layer configured to magnetically interact with the electrical conductors. The magnetic layer has a substantially conic section shape.
US09118221B2
The present disclosure relates to a magnetic motor including a drive magnet, a motion magnet, and an acceleration field. The drive magnet includes magnetic shielding, typically on a portion thereof, altering the magnetic field of the drive magnet. In some embodiments, the motion magnet has a cross-section that is generally in the shape of a ‘V’ or ‘A’. The acceleration field is created by the interaction between the drive magnet and the motion magnet as the motion magnet is passed through the altered magnetic field of the drive magnet. The altered magnetic field of the drive magnet may often be near a first end of the drive magnet. In further embodiments, the motion magnet can be operably coupled to an output shaft and rotate around the central axis of the output shaft. The present disclosure, also relates to a device, including the magnetic motor, for generating energy from a turbine.
US09118206B2
In one technique of the present invention, DC electric power from a DC bus is inverted to provide AC electricity to one or more electrical loads, and AC power from a power generating device is rectified to provide a first variable amount of electric power to the DC bus. This technique also includes determining power applied to the electrical loads, and dynamically controlling the amount of power supplied from the power generating device and an electrical energy storage device in response to the power applied to the loads.
US09118202B2
A battery status indicating method for an electronic device is provided. The battery module is pluggable into the electronic device. When a residual electric quantity of the battery module is lower than a threshold electric quantity, the battery module stops outputting a battery voltage. The battery status indicating method includes steps of judging whether the battery module is in a plugged status or an unplugged status according to the battery voltage, periodically charging the battery module in a first time interval of a fixed cycle if the battery module is in the unplugged status, and judging whether the battery module is switched to the unplugged status according to a change of the battery voltage if the battery module is in the plugged status.
US09118200B2
To provide a secondary battery pack system that controls battery packs which are connected in parallel without requiring a complex system configuration, a secondary battery pack system of the present invention that supplies power to an electronic device includes a plurality of battery packs each having a controller, a main body side connection circuit which is provided on the electronic device side so as to be connected to the plurality of battery packs, and a main body side discharge control signal line which is provided in the main body side connection circuit. The main body side discharge control signal line and controllers of the plurality of battery packs are connected to each other.
US09118198B2
Systems and techniques for parallel battery balancing are described. A battery assembly comprises a first battery interface and a second battery interface; the first battery interface may connect to a first battery exhibiting a first voltage profile and the second battery interface may connect to a second battery exhibiting a second voltage profile. The battery assembly further comprises a current flow control mechanism to direct current flow to, from, and between the first battery and the second battery, with current directed to each battery being adapted so as to be compatible with the voltage profile of the battery.
US09118193B2
A bidirectional wireless charging/discharging device for the portable electronic device includes a logic control unit, a boost/buck unit, first and second reverse current suppressors, a control switch, and a receipt/transmission mode selection unit. The logic control unit includes an automatic mode selection resetting module. The reverse current suppressor provide function of reverse current prevention and switching. The boost/buck unit controls stepping up/down of voltage in a charging operation. The logic control unit detects if a load exists and controls the operations of the boost/buck unit and the reverse current suppressor and is used in combination with the control switch to control the performance of charging or discharging and is further used in combination with the receipt or transmission mode selection unit to select a desired mode of operation. The receipt/transmission mode selection unit is electrically connected to automatic mode selection resetting module.
US09118192B2
A battery pack has series-parallel connected battery cells. An inrush current limiting circuit has current limiting devices and a current limiting tracking means limits inrush current from shorted battery cells. Each current limiting tracking means is coupled to the current limiting devices such that they limit an inrush current from parallel neighbor battery cells when one battery cell on the column shorts. The current limiting devices are variable buffer resistors with a positive temperature coefficient. The current limiting tracking means are heat sinks that thermally couples the buffer resistors together such that the buffer resistors increase in resistance with a temperature increase caused by current flowing through the buffer resistor associated with the shorted battery cell. Current regulating elements are in series with columns of battery cells for preventing inrush current to the columns of the battery cells.
US09118187B1
Some examples include an energy harvester for use in an electronic device to convert mechanical energy associated with vibrations of the electronic device into electrical energy. For instance, an energy harvester including rows of piezoelectric cantilevers may be arranged around a proof mass and may be utilized to convert the vibrations into electrical energy. In some examples, the energy harvester may include an electromagnetic energy harvester in addition to, or in place of the piezoelectric energy harvester.
US09118186B2
A multiple outlet sequenced power strip with only a specific number of outlets capable of running at any one time which is comprised of at least: a housing, input and output outlets, and a form of variable motor; thus allowing for the possible use of multiple high power devices on one wall socket and any breaker.
US09118179B2
An integrated circuit device comprising at least one analog to digital converter. The at least one ADC comprises at least one input operably coupled to at least one external contact of the integrated circuit device. The integrated circuit device further comprises detection circuitry comprising at least one detection module. The at least one detection module being arranged to receive at a first input thereof an indication of a voltage level at the at least one input of the at least one ADC, compare the received indication to a threshold value, and if the received indication exceeds the threshold value, output an indication that an excessive voltage state at the at least one input of the at least one ADC has been detected.
US09118178B2
A traction motor drive system may include a plurality of armatures arranged in parallel with each other. The traction motor drive system may also include a plurality of field circuits arranged in series with one another, where each field circuit is associated with a respective one of the armatures. The plurality of field circuits may be arranged in parallel with the plurality of armatures. The traction motor drive system may also include a field isolation system. The field isolation system may include a shunt circuit associated with at least one of the field circuits. The shunt circuit may have a first and second shunt terminal. The field isolation system may also include a first field switch arranged in series with the plurality of field circuits. The first field switch may be configured to switch between the first shunt terminal of the shunt circuit and a first field terminal of at least one of the field circuits. The field system may also include a second field switch, arranged in series with the plurality of field circuits. The second field switch may be configured to switch between the second shunt terminal of the shunt circuit and a second field terminal of at least one of the field circuits.
US09118167B2
A vertical cavity surface emitting laser includes an active layer that includes a quantum well, a first cladding layer and a second cladding layer between which the active layer is interposed. A first multilayer reflector layer is arranged on a side of the first cladding layer opposite to that on which the active layer is arranged. A second multilayer reflector layer is arranged on a side of the second cladding layer opposite to that on which the active layer is arranged. At least one of the first cladding layer and the second cladding layer includes a low activity energy layer having a band gap that is smaller than a smallest band gap of an optical confinement layer for forming the quantum well of the active layer and larger than a band gap of the quantum well.
US09118164B1
A composite laser gain medium is comprised of a first rare-earth element doped core; and a second rare-earth element doped cladding, at least partially, adjacent to the core. A portion of the lasing by the cladding at one wavelength within the composite laser gain medium is absorbed by the core so as to cause lasing of the core at a different wavelength. At least two distinct rare earth element pairs may be used in embodiments: (1) thulium (Tm) as a cladding rare-earth dopant and holmium (Ho) as the core rare-earth dopant; and (2) ytterbium (Yb) as a cladding rare-earth dopant and erbium (Er) as the core rare-earth dopant. Other rare earth element pairs are also believed possible. The laser composite gain medium may be configured to have a slab, or a cylindrical geometry.
US09118159B2
An optical pulse generator and a method for using the same, where the optical pulse generator includes a source to deliver a chirped pulse and a chirped pulse compressor, and a first manipulation device and a second manipulation device capable of wavelength dependent manipulating the propagation direction of the chirped pulse and a focusing device having a predetermined focus point. The second manipulation device is arranged after the first manipulation device in propagation direction of the chirped pulse and the first and the second manipulation device are capable of manipulating the propagation direction of the chirped pulse such that the chirped pulse is transformed, after passing the second manipulation device, into a pulse, wherein different chromatic parts of the pulse are spatially spread and temporarily fully aligned.
US09118156B2
A coaxial connector includes an inner tube, an outer tube, a center connector unit and a resilient member. The inner and outer tube each have a first/second body, and each of the first and second bodies has a semi-circular first/second tubular portion. A first flange extends outward from the front end of the first tubular portion. The outer tube has a first stepped portion formed in the inside of the front end of the second tubular portion thereof. The center connector unit is securely located in the first and second bodies. The resilient member has a curved body with two legs bent from two ends thereof. The curved body of the resilient member is engaged between the first flange and the first stepped portion. The legs extend beyond the first and second tubular portions. The coaxial connector is easily assembled and has lower manufacturing cost.
US09118155B2
Disclosed are a three-way connector and a light string using the connector. The three-way connector includes first and second three-branched casing members that have joint surfaces respectively comprising mateable recesses and projections and receiving three electrical wires embedded therebetween to form a three-branched connection having a connection point where soldering is applied. Ultrasonic is then applied to fuse and bond the two casing members together as a electrical-wire-included three-branched block thereby constituting a three-way connector. The three-way connector can be used in combination with two-way sockets, electrical wires, and LED luminous elements, in series connection or in parallel connection, to form various configurations of the LED light string.
US09118152B2
An electrical connector includes an insulative housing, a plurality of terminals, and a metal shell. The insulative housing has a body portion, two tongues, and a polarizing portion, the body portion has a mating face and a rear end face opposite to the mating face, the two tongues are spaced apart from each other and protrude forwardly from the mating face and are arranged side-by-side along a horizontal direction. In an embodiment the metal shell surrounds the two tongues so as to define an inserting port and a polarizing portion is recessed downwardly from the top wall and is positioned between the two tongues, and a latching arm is bent from the bottom wall and is provided with a latching hole engaged with the retaining portion of the insulative housing. In an embodiment, the metal shell includes a strengthen tab protruding from the bottom wall.
US09118149B2
A connector element is configured in a manner of a flat connector and has a two-part connector housing extending in the longitudinal direction and a locking mechanism for forming a lockable plug-in connection with a counterpart. The locking mechanism contains a locking element having a pull tab fastened thereto. In order to enable a reliable emergency release even if the pull tab is ripped off, the locking element is led outside by a mounting part and the pull tab is irremovably fastened to the mounting part by riveting the pull tab or injection molding the pull tab onto the mounting part. This also makes it possible to easily adapt the pull element in a customer-specific manner.
US09118137B2
A connector includes a female connector and a male connector fitted in a hood of the female connector. The female connector includes: paired guide grooves either provided at opposed positions on an inside wall of the hood; and regulation projections either provided on bottom surfaces of the paired guide grooves. The male connector includes paired guide ribs provided on an outer periphery of the male connector. The paired guide ribs either positioned in the paired guide grooves with the female connector and the male connector being fitted together regulate a relative rotational movement between the female and male connector. The regulation projections either in contact with the paired guide ribs regulate a relative vertical and transverse movement between the female and male connectors.
US09118136B2
A card edge connector is used for connecting an electronic card to a printed circuit board and includes an insulative housing and a plurality of conductive terminals retained in the insulative housing. The insulative housing defines a front face, a mounting surface and a receiving slot running through the front face and extending along a longitudinal direction with a key disposed therein. Each conductive terminals defines a contacting arm extending into the receiving slot along a mating direction perpendicular to the longitudinal direction and a soldering portion extending outside of the insulative housing. Each contacting arm defines a free end portion located in the receiving slot and with a contacting portion disposed thereon, the thickness of the free end portion in a vertical direction perpendicular to both the longitudinal direction and the mating direction is smaller than the thickness of other parts of the contacting arm.
US09118134B2
The present invention generally relates to communication connectors and internal components thereof. In one embodiment, the present invention is a communication jack comprising back-rotated plug interface contacts having variable cross-sectional widths. In another embodiment, the present invention is a communication jack having back-rotated plug interface contacts where at least two of the plug interface contacts have a differing beam length. In yet another embodiment, the present invention is a communication jack having back-rotated plug interface contacts where at least two of the plug interface contacts have opposing bends in a deflection zone.
US09118133B2
Two bus bars 13 having terminal parts 19 at their one ends 17 are arranged in parallel. Right and left contact spring pieces 23a, 24a on an upper stage of the terminal parts 19 of the bus bars 13 are connected to a pair of contact parts of a semiconductor light emitting element 25 which is disposed between the two bus bars 13, and right and left contact spring pieces 23b, 24b on a lower stage of the terminal parts 19 of the bus bars 13 are connected to a pair of contact parts of a Zener diode 27 disposed between the two bus bars 13. The terminal parts 19 of the adjacent bus bars 13 are provided with first rotation restricting parts 48 which are adapted to be contacted with both side faces of the semiconductor light emitting element 25 which is disposed between the two bus bars.
US09118129B2
A mold structure includes a fixed mold and a movable mold to bury a bus bar having a main body circuit unit with a tuning-fork terminal along with molding of a resin molded product. The fixed mold and the movable mold being joined together are configured to nip a terminal base of the tuning-fork terminal between a terminal base receiving portion of the fixed mold and a terminal base abut portion of the movable mold in a state where the tuning-fork terminal is protruded outside a cavity which is formed by mold main body portions of the fixed mold and the movable mold being joined together and into which resin is injected.
US09118115B2
An interwoven spiral antenna includes a non-inverted spiral section, an inverted spiral section, and an excitation region. The non-inverted spiral section has a spiral shape and the inverted spiral section has an inverted spiral shape. The excitation region is coupled to at least one of the non-inverted spiral section and the inverted spiral section, wherein, when excited, the interwoven spiral antenna has a circular polarization.
US09118097B2
A differential mode transmission line with a weak coupling structure is presented. The differential mode transmission line with a weak coupling structure includes a first transmission line and a second transmission line. The first transmission line includes a first wiring portion, a second wiring portion, and a third wiring portion. The second transmission line also includes a first wiring portion, a second wiring portion, and a third wiring portion. The wiring portions of the present disclosure are connected through connection portions, and the connection portions are designed as a corner structure. Due to the characteristics of the corner structure of the present disclosure, a pitch between the second wiring portions is greater than that between the first wiring portions or the third wiring portions, thereby generating a weak coupling structure to suppress common mode noises.
US09118095B2
Method and apparatus for locating a low insertion loss apparatus for capacitive coupling of radio frequency (RF) signals from within the confines of a dielectric housing of a utility meter, through the dielectric cover, avoiding the need for drilling a hole in the utility meter body or meter dielectric cover, to route the coaxial RF cable from the embedded wireless modem to an external remote antenna or in-line power amplifier. Specifically the invention relates to an improved capacitive coupling method, which provides for an un-tethered or tethered integral radio frequency (RF) coupler where said RF coupler is located within and on the outer surface of a replacement dielectric cover or alternately retro-fitted on the inner surface and outer surface of an existing utility meter dielectric cover. A method and apparatus for a, standalone, alternative embodiment of the capacitive RF Coupler apparatus is also described and illustrated herein.
US09118090B2
A piezoelectric element layer is further formed as a package material of a secondary battery, so that the secondary battery can be self-charged using a voltage generated in the piezoelectric element layer according to vibration generated in an electronic device and vibration generated by movement of the electronic device itself. The secondary battery includes a battery case that accommodates an electrode assembly, the battery case having an outer coating layer and a piezoelectric element layer formed on an inner surface of the outer coating layer, and a protection circuit module mounted to an outside of the battery case and electrically connected to the electrode assembly. In the secondary battery, a voltage storage is provided to the protection circuit module, and the piezoelectric element layer converts absorbed vibration into voltage and then stores the voltage in the voltage storage so that the secondary battery is self-charged as occasion demands.
US09118080B2
A lead-acid battery of the present invention includes electrode plate units, each including a positive electrode plate, a negative electrode plate, and a separator. The positive electrode plate is a positive electrode grid filled with paste including powder of lead oxide as a main component. The negative electrode plate is a negative electrode grid filled with paste including powder of lead oxide as a main component, and including carbon black. The positive electrode plate faces the negative electrode plate. The separator is provided between the positive electrode plate and the negative electrode plate. The positive electrode grid includes gates, each being generally diamond-shaped, and being more than or equal to 50 mm2 and less than or equal to 100 mm2 in area. The carbon black has a DBP oil absorption of more than or equal to 140 ml/100 g and less than or equal to 340 ml/100 g.
US09118077B2
An object is to reduce variation in shape of crystals that are to be manufactured. Raw materials are each weighed, solutions containing the respective raw materials are formed in an environment where an oxygen concentration is lower than that in air, the solutions containing the respective raw materials are mixed in an environment where an oxygen concentration is lower than that in air to form a mixture solution, and with use of the mixture solution, a composite oxide is formed by a hydrothermal method.
US09118076B2
The present invention provides a positive electrode active material for a lithium ion battery with excellent battery characteristics can be provided. The positive electrode active material for a lithium ion battery is represented by the following composition formula: LixNi1−yMyO2+α (in the formula, M represents at least one selected from Sc, Ti, V, Cr, Mn, Fe, Co, Cu, Zn, Ga, Ge, Al, Bi, Sn, Mg, Ca, B, and Zr, 0.9≦x≦1.2, 0
US09118062B2
A coating on an anode active material that includes a metal salt with two or more sulfonates or a metal salt of oxocarbonic acid.
US09118061B2
A battery, including a housing defining an interior space, the housing including a safety vent, the safety vent having a concave shape such that a central portion of the safety vent protrudes toward the space, a region of the safety vent that protrudes farthest toward the space being about midway between peripheral edges of the safety vent.
US09118054B2
A power system for an aircraft includes a solid oxide fuel cell system which generates electric power for the aircraft and an exhaust stream; and a heat exchanger for transferring heat from the exhaust stream of the solid oxide fuel cell to a heat requiring system or component of the aircraft. The heat can be transferred to fuel for the primary engine of the aircraft. Further, the same fuel can be used to power both the primary engine and the SOFC. A heat exchanger is positioned to cool reformate before feeding to the fuel cell. SOFC exhaust is treated and used as inerting gas. Finally, oxidant to the SOFC can be obtained from the aircraft cabin, or exterior, or both.
US09118053B2
A fuel cell system according to the present invention comprises a hydrogen generator including a burner which is detachably accommodated in the hydrogen generator in a manner to allow the burner to be detached from and attached to the hydrogen generator through the top of the hydrogen generator, a stack configured to generate power by causing hydrogen generated by the hydrogen generator and an oxidizing gas to react with each other, and a main body package which includes at least a top plate and within which the hydrogen generator and the stack are disposed. Detachable piping, which is detachably configured, is provided above the hydrogen generator. Space that is formed above the burner when the detachable piping is removed from the main body package has a size larger than or equal to the size of the burner.
US09118051B2
A battery includes a power generating element, a battery container containing the power generating element, a lid plate covering a top opening of the battery container, the lid plate including a metal plate and a baffling portion including an integral portion of the lid plate that extends from the lid plate, and an insulating member provided on the lid plate. Corners of the insulating member fit to corners of the baffling portion.
US09118045B2
A battery adapted to operate at low (typically ambient) temperatures for a short initial period and thereafter at higher temperatures. A Li—Mg alloy anode is provided, including up to 25% magnesium, in a liquid thionyl chloride bath which acts as the cathode. A thin, substantially pure lithium layer is applied to a surface of the Li—Mg anode, preferably of a thickness in the range of 0.0019 to 0.0025 inch to allow obtaining of sufficiently high power and voltage output at lower temperatures for a short period where at such lower temperatures the required voltage and power would not otherwise be available from a Li—Mg anode. Thereafter, the battery may be used in, and exposed to, higher temperatures where at such temperatures the necessary voltage and power from the remaining Li—Mg alloy anode is then available.
US09118040B2
An electrochemical cell having a water/gas porous separator prepared from a polymeric material and one or more conductive cell components that pass through, or are located in close proximity to, the water/gas porous separator, is provided. The inventive cell provides a high level of in-cell electrical conductivity.
US09118037B2
Method of manufacturing flexible substrate and method of manufacturing display device using the same
A sacrificial layer is formed on a support substrate and a flexible substrate is formed on the sacrificial layer. Pixels are then formed on the flexible substrate. The sacrificial layer is heated by microwave energy, and a gas is discharged from the sacrificial layer. The flexible substrate, including the pixels formed thereon, is separated from the support substrate including the sacrificial layer formed thereon using the gas.
US09118032B2
Disclosed is an organic light emitting device that comprises first and second electrodes; first and second stacks arranged between the first electrode and the second electrode, the first and second stacks respectively emitting colors different from each other; and an intermediate layer arranged between the first stack and the second stack, wherein the intermediate layer includes a first intermediate layer arranged adjacent to the first stack to provide electrons to the first stack, and a second intermediate layer arranged adjacent to the second stack to provide holes to the second stack, and wherein the second intermediate layer includes a P-doping charge generating layer arranged on the first intermediate layer and a layer having a hole transporting characteristic and formed on the P-doping charge generating layer.
US09118025B2
A light emitting device having a plastic substrate is capable of preventing the substrate from deterioration with the transmission of oxygen or moisture content can be obtained. The light emitting device has light emitting elements formed between a lamination layer and an inorganic compound layer that transmits visual light, where the lamination layer is constructed of one unit or two or more units, and each unit is a laminated structure of a metal layer and an organic compound layer. Alternatively, the light emitting device has light emitting elements formed between a lamination layer and an inorganic compound layer that transmits visual light, where the lamination layer is constructed of one unit or two or more units, and each unit is a laminated structure of a metal layer and an organic compound layer, wherein the inorganic compound layer is formed so as to cover the end face of the lamination layer. In the present invention, the lamination layer is formed on the primary surface of the plastic substrate, so that a flexible substrate structure can be obtained while preventing the substrate from deterioration with the transmission of oxygen or moisture content.
US09118022B2
The present invention relates to organic electroluminescent devices which comprise heteroaromatic compounds.
US09118021B2
Novel heterocyclic compounds that impart improved luminescence efficiency characteristics such as low voltage, high luminance and long lifetime to organic light-emitting devices are described. Synthetic methods for the subject heterocyclic compounds are described. Methods for the construction of an organic light-emitting device comprising at least one of the subject heterocyclic compounds and comprising various hole transport layers, various electron transport layers and an emission layer are disclosed. The emission layer can comprise red, green, blue and white emission layers; one of said emission layers can comprise a phosphorescent compound. In certain embodiments, the heterocyclic compounds are useful as either fluorescent dopants or as phosphorescent hosts in the emission layer.
US09118014B2
An organic light emitting diode (OLED) display device the present invention includes a substrate, a thin film transistor formed on the substrate, a pixel electrode formed on the thin film transistor and electrically connected to the thin film transistor, a pixel defining layer formed on the pixel electrode and defining a pixel area, an emission layer formed on the pixel electrode and contacting the pixel electrode in the pixel area, and an intermediate layer formed on the pixel defining layer and contacting a portion of the emission layer.
US09118013B2
In a step of forming one or a plurality of organic layers, an object to be coated to become an organic EL element is arranged such that a surface to form the organic layer faces down, while a nozzle having a plurality of slit-shaped outlets for discharging thereabove a coating liquid containing a material to become the organic layer and downwardly depressed cutouts respectively formed at both end parts of each of the slit-shaped outlets is arranged under the object. A coating step of moving the nozzle and the object relative to each other in a predetermined coating direction while keeping the coating liquid discharged from the nozzle in contact with the object and a non-coating step of moving the nozzle and the object relative to each other in the coating direction while keeping the coating liquid away from the object are alternately repeated.
US09118007B2
A two-terminal memory cell comprises a dual mode of operation in a unipolar mode and bipolar mode for a programming or On-state and for an erase or Off-state of the cell. The two-terminal memory cell is field programmable and can be flexibly designed or integrated into existing architecture. The two-terminal memory comprises a first electrode layer and a second electrode layer with a switching layer disposed between that has an electrical insulator material. A semiconductor layer is disposed between the switching layer and at least one of the first electrode or the second electrode. The switching layer generates a conductive path that is configured to be in a program state and an erase state, based on a bipolar mode and a unipolar mode.
US09118002B2
An insulation layer is formed on a substrate. A first mask is formed on the insulation layer. The first mask includes a plurality of line patterns arranged in a second direction. The plurality of line patterns extend in a first direction substantially perpendicular to the second direction. A second mask is formed on the insulation layer and the first mask. The second mask includes an opening partially exposing the plurality of line patterns. The opening has an uneven boundary at one of a first end portion in the first direction and a second end portion in a third direction substantially opposite to the first direction. The insulation layer is partially removed using the first mask and the second mask as an etching mask, thereby forming a plurality of first trenches and second trenches. The plurality of first trenches and the second trenches are arranged in a staggered pattern.
US09117992B2
There are provided an apparatus for driving a piezo actuator and a method of driving the same. The apparatus includes: a control unit generating a digital control signal and converting the digital control signal into an analog control signal; a driving unit amplifying and not inverting the analog control signal to generate a first driving signal and amplifying and inverting the analog control signal to generate a second driving signal, with respect to a predetermined common voltage, and applying the first and second driving signals to both terminals of a piezo actuator; and an offset determining unit determining an offset in the first and second driving signals based on a voltage according to a current flowing in the piezo actuator, wherein the control unit generates the digital control signal to have an intermediate level in a predetermined offset detection section.
US09117980B2
A light-emitting device includes a light-emitting element, a first sealing unit that covers the light-emitting element and includes a light-transmissive resin, and a second sealing unit disposed on top of the first sealing unit and includes a light-transmissive resin. The light-transmissive resin of the first and second sealing units contain phosphor of the same type but at different levels of concentration.
US09117979B2
The present invention provides a phosphor sheet in which the optical properties thereof are not impaired and which exhibits excellent film thickness uniformity even when comprising large-sized phosphor particles in high concentration. In one embodiment, the invention provides a phosphor sheet in which the content of phosphor is 53 weight % or more of the total sheet, and in another embodiment, a phosphor sheet includes at least a silicone resin, a phosphor and silicone fine particles.
US09117973B2
A semiconductor light emitting element includes a semiconductor multilayer structure including a first conductive type layer, a second conductive type layer and a light emitting layer sandwiched between the first conductive type layer and the second conductive type layer, a first transparent electrode formed on the second conductive type layer, a reflecting layer formed on the first transparent electrode, and including a smaller area than the first transparent electrode, a second transparent electrode formed on the first transparent electrode so as to cover the reflecting layer, and a pad electrode formed on the second transparent electrode and in a region above the reflecting layer.
US09117969B2
A thermoelectric device includes at least a first metal foil having a first material thickness, a second metal foil having a second material thickness, an interspace between the first metal foil and the second metal foil, an electrical insulation coating on the first metal foil and the second metal foil towards the interspace and a multiplicity of first semiconductor components and second semiconductor components, which are fixed and electrically connected to one another on the insulation coating in the interspace. A thermoelectric apparatus having a multiplicity of thermoelectric devices and a motor vehicle having a thermoelectric apparatus, are also provided.
US09117966B2
A multijunction solar cell including an upper first solar subcell, and the base-emitter junction of the upper first solar subcell being a homojunction; a second solar subcell adjacent to said first solar subcell; a third solar subcell adjacent to said second solar subcell. A first graded interlayer is provided adjacent to said third solar subcell. A fourth solar subcell is provided adjacent to said first graded interlayer, said fourth subcell is lattice mismatched with respect to said third subcell. A second graded interlayer is provided adjacent to said fourth solar subcell; and a lower fifth solar subcell is provided adjacent to said second graded interlayer, said lower fifth subcell is lattice mismatched with respect to said fourth subcell.
US09117965B2
The invention is a method of forming a cadmium sulfide based buffer on a copper chalcogenide based absorber in making a photovoltaic cell. The buffer is sputtered in two steps the first being at low rates or relatively high pressures and the second at high rates or relatively low pressures. The resulting cell has good efficiency and according to one embodiment is characterized by a narrow interface between the absorber and buffer layers. The buffer is further characterized according to a second embodiment by a relatively high oxygen content.
US09117962B2
The present invention relates to a method for preparing a CIS- or CIGS-based light-absorbing layer which is included in a thin film solar cell. More particularly, the present invention relates to a method for preparing a CIS- or CIGS-based light-absorbing layer which ultimately improves the efficiency of a solar cell since the remaining carbon impurities in the formed light-absorbing layer are minimized and additional sulfurization treatment or selenium treatment is made optional, not requisite.
US09117952B2
A front sheet of solar cell, a method of manufacturing the same and a photovoltaic module are provided. The front sheet of solar cell can effectively block infrared rays (IRs) by forming an IR blocking layer including a cholesteric liquid crystal (CLC) material on a substrate. Thus, an increase in temperature of a cell can be suppressed so that the power generation efficiency of the cell can be improved. Also, the multi-layered sheet can be configured so that a UV blocking layer including a fluorine-based polymer and a wavelength conversion material can be formed on the IR blocking layer. Thus, wavelengths of a UV region can be converted into wavelengths of a VR region so that the power generation efficiency of the cell can be improved, and discoloration and deformation caused by UVs can be prevented so that the weather resistance can be improved.
US09117942B2
An electronic device including: a substrate; a bank formed above the substrate; a semiconductor layer formed within an aperture surrounded by the bank; and electrodes electrically connected to the semiconductor layer. An outline of the aperture in plan view includes a first straight edge, a second straight edge continuous with one end of the first edge via a first connector, and a straight third edge continuous with the other end of the first edge via a second connector. The area of a first connector region differs from the area of a second connector region, the first connector region being defined by a first imaginary straight line along the first edge, a second imaginary straight line along the second edge, and the first connector, and the second connector region being defined by a third imaginary straight line along the third edge, the first imaginary straight line, and the second connector.
US09117925B2
An epitaxial process includes the following steps. A substrate including a first area and a second area is provided. A first gate and a second gate are formed respectively on the substrate of the first area and the second area. A first spacer and a second spacer are respectively formed on the substrate beside the first gate and the second gate at the same time. A first epitaxial structure is formed beside the first spacer and then a second epitaxial structure is formed beside the second spacer by the first spacer and the second spacer respectively.
US09117919B2
An object is to provide a semiconductor device including an oxide semiconductor film, which has stable electrical characteristics and high reliability. A stack of first and second material films is formed by forming the first material film (a film having a hexagonal crystal structure) having a thickness of 1 nm to 10 nm over an insulating surface and forming the second material film having a hexagonal crystal structure (a crystalline oxide semiconductor film) using the first material film as a nucleus. As the first material film, a material film having a wurtzite crystal structure (e.g., gallium nitride or aluminum nitride) or a material film having a corundum crystal structure (α-Al2O3, α-Ga2O3, In2O3, Ti2O3, V2O3, Cr2O3, or α-Fe2O3) is used.
US09117917B2
A Thin Film Transistor (TFT) includes a substrate, a semiconductor layer disposed on the substrate a first source electrode and a first drain electrode spaced apart from each other on the semiconductor layer, a channel area disposed in the semiconductor layer between the first source electrode and the first drain electrode, an etching prevention layer disposed on the channel area, the first source electrode, and the first drain electrode and a second source electrode in contact with the first source electrode, and a second drain electrode in contact with the first drain electrode.
US09117909B2
A method of forming a fin structure is provided. First, a substrate is provided, wherein a first region, a second region encompassing the first region, and a third region encompassing the second region are defined on the substrate. Then, a plurality of first trenches having a first depth are formed in the first region and the second region, wherein each two first trenches defines a first fin structure. The first fin structure in the second region is removed. Lastly, the first trenches are deepened to form a plurality of second trenches having a second depth, wherein each two second trenches define a second fin structure. The present invention further provides a structure of a non-planar transistor.
US09117900B2
An RF LDMOS device is disclosed, including: a substrate having a first conductivity type; a channel doped region having the first conductivity type and a drift region having a second conductivity type, each in an upper portion of the substrate, the channel doped region having a first end in lateral contact with a first end of the drift region; a first well having the first conductivity type in the substrate, the first well having a top portion in contact with both of a bottom of the first end of the channel doped region and a bottom of the first end of the drift region; and a second well having the first conductivity type in the substrate, the second well having a top portion in contact with a bottom of a second end of the drift region. A method of forming such an RF LDMOS device is also disclosed.
US09117896B2
A semiconductor device includes: a Si substrate having first and second major surfaces facing in opposite directions; a buffer layer of AlxGa1-xN (0≦x≦1) on the first major surface of the Si substrate; an epitaxially grown crystalline layer of AlyGa1-yN (0≦y≦1, x≠y) on the buffer layer; a transistor on the epitaxially grown crystalline layer; and a filler of AlxGa1-xN and having the same x as the buffer layer. A through hole in the Si substrate extends from the second major surface to the buffer layer, and the through hole is filled with the filler.
US09117894B2
A field effect transistor, the field effect transistor includes a substrate including a surface and a gate structure including sidewalls and a top surface, the gate structure being positioned over the substrate. The field effect transistor further includes a spacer adjacent to the sidewalls of the gate structure and a first contact etch stop layer over the spacer and extending along the surface of the substrate. The field effect transistor further includes an interlayer dielectric layer adjacent to the first contact etch stop layer, wherein a top surface of the interlayer dielectric layer is coplanar with the top surface of the gate structure. The field effect transistor further includes a second contact etch stop layer over at least a portion of the top surface of the gate structure.
US09117893B1
Several embodiments of a tunneling transistor are disclosed. In one embodiment, a tunneling transistor includes a semiconductor substrate, a source region formed in the semiconductor substrate, a drain region formed in the semiconductor substrate, a gate stack including a metallic gate electrode and a gate dielectric, and a tunneling junction that is substantially parallel to an interface between the metallic gate electrode and the gate dielectric. As a result of the tunneling junction that is substantially parallel with the interface between the metallic gate electrode and the gate dielectric, an on-current of the tunneling transistor is substantially improved as compared to that of a conventional tunneling transistor. In another embodiment, a tunneling transistor includes a heterostructure that reduces a turn-on voltage of the tunneling transistor.
US09117891B2
A compound semiconductor device includes: an electron transit layer formed of a compound semiconductor; and an electrode formed so as to overlie the electron transit layer with an insulating film interposed between the electron transit layer and the electrode, wherein part of the electron transit layer below the electrode are formed such that a first compound semiconductor having a first polar face and a second compound semiconductor having a second polar face are alternately arranged, and polarization charges in the first polar face have opposite polarity to polarization charges in the second polar face.
US09117889B2
A 3D M-CNT structure with at least one tri-state CNT NEM switch comprising at least an electrode as a source, an electrode as a gate and an electrode as a drain, a conductive carbon nanotube which is able to take three positions depending on a voltage application to said electrodes.
US09117880B2
A semiconductor wafer is subjected to a protection film formation step process as a process before evaluation of electrical characteristics. In this process, after an insulating film serving as a protection film is formed, a photolithography process and an etching process are performed so as to form a protection film having a plurality of openings exposing an emitter electrode. Then, electrical characteristics are evaluated by bringing a contact probe in contact with the exposed emitter electrode through each opening.
US09117874B2
A semiconductor device, in which a first trench section is produced proceeding from a surface of a semiconductor body into the semiconductor body. A semiconductor layer is produced above the surface and above the first trench section. A further trench section is produced in the semiconductor layer in such a way that the first trench section and the further trench section form a continuous trench structure.
US09117866B2
An apparatus for processing a wafer including a reaction chamber having a reaction space for processing the wafer, a susceptor positioned within the reaction chamber and having a sidewall, at least one light source positioned outside of the reaction space, at least one window in the reaction chamber, and wherein the at least one light source is directed through the at least one window to contact the sidewall.
US09117861B2
Embodiments in accordance with the present invention provide for materials, methods for using such materials and structures that both incorporate such materials and are made using such methods that can be smoothly debonded at or near room temperature while providing a fixable bond that allows for wafer processing such as wafer thinning, anisotropic dry etching and chemical resistance during plating and etching.
US09117858B2
A heater block according to the present invention comprises a light-emitting lamp; a concave reflecting member that is placed opposite the lamp and has a concave reflecting surface at one surface faced with the lamp; a lens module that is inserted into the concave reflecting member and has at least one lens; and a flat reflecting member that is placed opposite the lens module. According to embodiments of the present invention, light emitted from the lamp is reflected by the concave reflecting member. Then, light and heat are collected from the reflected light by the flat reflecting member and the lens module and are irradiated on a substrate. That is, light having energy greater than a conventional manner is irradiated on the substrate to enhance the instant heating temperature and temperature increasing rate of substrate and to increase a heat-focusing area. Therefore, it has an advantage that the productivity of semiconductor or display device manufacture that requires a rapid thermal process is improved.
US09117854B2
A substrate processing apparatus according to the present invention comprises: a processing part configured to process a substrate; a chemical-liquid storing container configured to store a chemical liquid; a chemical-liquid supply driving part configured to supply the chemical liquid from the chemical-liquid storing container into the processing part; a circulation line configured to circulate the chemical liquid stored in the chemical-liquid storing container; and a mixture generating part provided on the circulation line. An inert-gas supply source is configured to supply an inert gas into the mixture generating part. The mixture generating part is configured to mix the chemical liquid supplied from the chemical-liquid storing container and the inert gas supplied from the inert-gas supply source with each other so as to generate a gas-liquid mixture.
US09117850B2
A semiconductor device includes a III-nitride substrate, a first III-nitride epitaxial layer coupled to the III-nitride substrate and having a mesa, and a second III-nitride epitaxial layer coupled to a top surface of the mesa. The semiconductor device further includes a III-nitride gate structure coupled to a side surface of the mesa, and a spacer configured to provide electrical insulation between the second III-nitride epitaxial layer and the III-nitride gate structure.
US09117849B2
A method and apparatus of forming a nonvolatile semiconductor device including forming a first gate insulating film on a main surface of a first semiconductor region, forming a first gate electrode on the first gate insulating film, forming a second gate insulating film, forming a second gate electrode over a first side surface of the first gate electrode, selectively removing the second gate insulating film, etching the second gate insulating film kept between the second gate electrode and a main surface of the first semiconductor region in order to form an etched charge storage layer, introducing first impurities in the first semiconductor region in a self-aligned manner to the second gate electrode in order to form a second semiconductor region, annealing the semiconductor substrate to extend the second semiconductor region to an area under the second gate electrode.
US09117847B2
A method of fabricating a semiconductor device is disclosed. The method includes the steps of: sequentially forming agate dielectric layer and a first gate layer on a semiconductor substrate, wherein the gate dielectric layer is between the first gate layer and the semiconductor substrate; forming at least an opening in the first gate layer; forming a first dielectric layer conformally on the semiconductor substrate wherein the first dielectric layer covers the first gate layer; and forming a second gate layer filling the opening and overlapping the first gate layer.
US09117845B2
In one general aspect, a method can include implanting a first dopant, simultaneously, in a portion of a laterally diffused metal oxide semiconductor (LDMOS) device and in a portion of a resistor device included in a semiconductor device. The method can also include implanting a second dopant, simultaneously, in a portion of the LDMOS device and in a portion of a bipolar junction transistor (BJT) device in the semiconductor device.
US09117841B2
A device includes a semiconductor substrate, source and drain regions disposed in the semiconductor substrate, having a first conductivity type, and laterally spaced from one another, and a composite body region disposed in the semiconductor substrate and having a second conductivity type. The composite body region includes a first well region that extends laterally across the source and drain regions and a second well region disposed in the first well region. The drain region is disposed in the second well region such that charge carriers flow from the first well region into the second well region to reach the drain region. The second well region includes dopant of the first conductivity type to have a lower net dopant concentration level than the first well region. A pocket may be disposed in a drain extension region and configured to establish a depletion region along an edge of a gate structure.
US09117836B2
A SiC MOSFET has a subject that resistance in the source region is increased when annealing for metal silicidation is performed to a source region before forming the gate insulating film, the metal silicide layer of the source region is oxidized by an oxidizing treatment (including oxynitriding treatment) when the gate insulating film is formed. When a metal silicide layer to be formed on the surface of a SiC epitaxial substrate is formed before forming a gate insulating film interface layer (oxide film), and an anti-oxidation film for the metal silicide is formed on the metal silicide layer, it is possible to suppress oxidation of the metal silicide layer by the oxidizing treatment upon forming the gate insulating film interface layer and the resistance of the source region can be decreased without lowering the channel mobility.
US09117833B2
A method for detecting an attack, such as by laser, on an electronic microcircuit from a backside of a substrate includes forming the microcircuit on the semiconductor substrate, the microcircuit comprising a circuit to be protected against attacks, forming photodiodes between components of the circuit to be protected, forming a circuit for comparing a signal supplied by each photodiode with a threshold value, and forming a circuit for activating a detection signal when a signal at output of one of the photodiodes crosses the threshold value.
US09117812B2
A semiconductor device has a substrate and first conductive layer formed over the substrate. An insulating layer is formed over the first substrate with an opening over the first conductive layer. A second conductive layer is formed within the opening of the insulating layer. A portion of the second conductive layer is removed to expose a horizontal surface and side surfaces of the second conductive layer below a surface of the insulating layer. The second conductive layer has non-linear surfaces to extend a contact area of the second conductive layer. The horizontal surface and side surfaces can be stepped surfaces or formed as a ring. A third conductive layer is formed over the second conductive layer. A plurality of bumps is formed over the horizontal surface and side surfaces of the second conductive layer. A semiconductor die is mounted to the substrate.
US09117802B2
A semiconductor substrate can be patterned to define a trench and a feature. In an embodiment, the trench can be formed such that after filling the trench with a material, a bottom portion of the filled trench may be exposed during a substrate thinning operation. In another embodiment, the trench can be filled with a thermal oxide. The feature can have a shape that reduces the likelihood that a distance between the feature and a wall of the trench will be changed during subsequent processing. A structure can be at least partly formed within the trench, wherein the structure can have a relatively large area by taking advantage of the depth of the trench. The structure can be useful for making electronic components, such as passive components and through-substrate vias. The process sequence to define the trenches and form the structures can be tailored for many different process flows.
US09117792B2
Disclosed is a chip thermal dissipation structure, employed in an electronic device comprising a first chip having a first chip face and a first chip back, comprising chip molding material, covering a lateral of the first chip; a first case, contacting the first chip back; a packaging substrate, connecting with the first chip face via first bumps; and a print circuit board, having a first surface and a second surface and connecting with the packaging substrate via solders. The chip thermal dissipation structure further comprises a second case, contacting the second surface. The thermal energy generated by the first chip is conducted toward the first case via the first chip back and toward the second case via the first chip face, the first bumps, the packaging substrate, the solders and the print circuit board.
US09117787B2
An integrated circuit device comprising at least one electrostatic discharge (ESD) clamp device. The at least one ESD clamp device comprises a first channel input, a second channel input, and a control input arranged to receive a control signal. The at least one ESD clamp device is arranged to selectively operate in a conductive state in which the at least one ESD clamp device permits current to flow between the first and second channel inputs thereof based at least partly on the received control signal. The integrated circuit device further comprises at least one biasing module. The at least one biasing module comprises at least one output operably coupled to the control input of the at least one ESD clamp device, and at least one input arranged to receive a thermal regulation signal. The at least one biasing module being arranged to apply a bias to the control signal for the at least one ESD clamp device based at least partly on the received thermal regulation signal.
US09117780B2
The present invention provides an anode connection structure of an organic light-emitting diode and a manufacture method thereof. The structure includes: a thin-film transistor (20) and an anode (40) of an organic light-emitting diode arrange don the thin-film transistor (20). The thin-film transistor (20) includes a low-temperature poly-silicon layer (24) formed on a substrate (22), a gate insulation layer (26) formed on the low-temperature poly-silicon layer (24), a gate formed on the gate insulation layer (26), a protection layer (27) formed on the gate, and a source/drain (28) formed on the protection layer (27). The anode (40) of the organic light-emitting diode is connected to the low-temperature poly-silicon layer (24). The present invention makes the anode of the organic light-emitting diode directly connected to the low-temperature poly-silicon layer of the thin-film transistor in order to shorten the distance between two adjacent switching thin-film transistors, increase the number of pixels in a unit area (each inch), and improve the resolution of a panel using the anode connection structure of the organic light-emitting diode.
US09117777B2
A method for reducing defects from an active layer is disclosed. The active layer may be part of a semiconductor in a semiconductor device. The active layer may be defined at least laterally by an isolation structure, and may physically contact an isolation structure at a contact interface. The isolation structure and the active layer may abut on a common substantially planar surface. The method may include providing a patterned stress-inducing layer on the common substantially planar surface. The stress-inducing layer may be adapted for inducing a stress field in the active layer, and induced stress field may result in a shear stress on a defect in the active layer. The method may also include performing an anneal step after providing the patterned stress-inducing layer on the common substantially planar surface. The method may additionally include removing the patterned stress-inducing layer from the common substantially planar surface.
US09117776B2
Organic light-emitting displays and methods of manufacturing the same are disclosed. An organic light-emitting display includes a substrate; a display panel provided on the substrate, the display panel having an emission area in which an organic light-emitting device is provided and a non-emission area that separates the emission area; and a color-changing material layer provided on the display panel, wherein the color-changing material layer includes a light-transmission part corresponding to the emission area and a light-blocking part corresponding to the non-emission area.
US09117773B2
Methods are provided herein for forming thin films comprising oxygen by atomic layer deposition. The thin films comprising oxygen can be deposited by providing higher concentration water pulses, a higher partial pressure of water in the reaction space, and/or a higher flow rate of water to a substrate in a reaction space. Thin films comprising oxygen can be used, for example, as dielectric oxides in transistors, capacitors, integrated circuits, and other semiconductor applications.
US09117769B2
In a plasma etching method of performing a plasma etching on an amorphous carbon layer of a substrate to be processed by using an inorganic film as a mask, the substrate being mounted in a processing chamber, the plasma etching on the amorphous carbon layer is performed by using O2 gas as a processing gas and the O2 gas to flow in the processing chamber such that a residence time of the O2 gas becomes 0.37 msec or less. The amorphous carbon layer is used as an etching mask of an etching target film formed on the substrate. The plasma etching is performed by using the O2 gas only.
US09117765B2
Embodiments of mechanisms of forming a semiconductor device structure are provided. The method includes providing a substrate, forming a first material layer on the substrate, forming a second material layer on the first material layer and forming a first PR layer on the second material layer. The method includes exposing a portion of the first PR layer to a first radiation beam and forming a second PR layer on the first PR layer. The method includes exposing a portion of the second PR layer to a second radiation beam and developing the first PR layer and the second PR layer to form a patterned first PR layer and a patterned second PR layer. The method includes etching a portion of the first material layer and the second material layer by using the patterned first PR layer and the patterned second PR layer as a mask.
US09117764B2
A fluorocarbon layer is formed on a silicon substrate that is a to-be-processed substrate (step A). A resist layer is formed on the thus-formed fluorocarbon layer (step B). Then, the resist layer is patterned into a predetermined shape by exposing the resist layer to light by means of a photoresist layer (step C). The fluorocarbon layer is etched using the resist layer, which has been patterned into a predetermined shape, as a mask (step D). Next, the resist layer served as a mask is removed (step E). After that, the silicon substrate is etched using the remained fluorocarbon layer as a mask (step F). Since the fluorocarbon layer by itself functions as an antireflective film and a harm mask, the reliability of processing can be improved, while reducing the cost.
US09117762B2
Photo mask sets and methods of fabricating fine patterns are provided. The method includes forming a first layer having a first main pattern part and a first dummy pattern part on a base layer, forming a second layer on the first layer, etching the first layer using the second layer as an etch mask to form a third main pattern part composed of a remaining portion of the first main pattern part and to remove the first dummy pattern part, and removing the second layer. The second layer is formed to have a second main pattern part exposing portions of the first main pattern part and to have a second dummy pattern part exposing the first dummy pattern part.
US09117757B2
Novel compositions and methods of using those compositions to form high refractive index coatings are provided. The compositions comprise a mixture of two silicone polymers, a catalyst, and an inhibitor for the catalyst. The preferred catalyst comprises platinum. Unlike prior art silicone systems, the inventive composition can be provided in a one-part form due to a substantially improved pot life. The compositions can be spin- or spray-applied, followed by baking to crosslink the polymers and form a cured layer. The inventive cured layers have high refractive indices and light transmissions.
US09117754B2
Methods are disclosed for extending floating gate regions within floating gate cells to form sub-lithographic features. Related floating gate cells and non-volatile memory (NVM) systems are also disclosed. In part, the disclosed embodiments utilize a spacer etch to form extended floating gate regions and floating gate slits with sub-lithographic dimensions thereby achieving desired increased spacing between control gate layers and doped regions underlying floating gate structures while still allowing for reductions in the overall size of floating-gate NVM cells. These advantageous results are achieved in part by depositing an additional floating gate layer over previously formed floating gate regions and then using the spacer etch to form the extended floating gate regions as sidewall structures and sub-lithographic floating gate slits. The resulting floating gate structures reduce breakdown down risks, thereby improving device reliability.
US09117743B2
A nitride semiconductor substrate suitable for a high withstand voltage power device is provided in which current collapse is controlled, while reducing leakage current. In a nitride semiconductor substrate, wherein a buffer layer, an active layer, and an electron supply layer, each comprising a group 13 nitride, are stacked one by one on a silicon single crystal substrate, the buffer layer has a structure where a multilayer stack in which a pair of nitride layers having different concentrations of Al or Ga are repeatedly deposited a plurality of times on an initial layer of AlxGa1−xN (0≦x≦1) is stacked, and includes a doping layer whose carbon concentration is 1×1018 to 1×1021 cm−3 and whose Si concentration is 1×1017 to 1×1020 cm−3, a thickness of the doping layer is 15% or more of the total thickness of the buffer layer.
US09117741B2
The semiconductor device 200 includes a wiring substrate 201, a lower chip 203 mounted on a surface of the wiring substrate 201, and an upper chip 205 mounted on the lower chip 203, the lower chip 203 includes a plurality of fuse opening portions 113, each of the fuse opening portions 113 is fully covered with or fully exposed from the upper chip 205.
US09117731B2
A light emitting diode package structure is provided. The light emitting diode package structure includes at least one light emitting diode unit, an encapsulating body and at least one isolation film. The encapsulating body includes a plurality of surfaces and at least one light-emitting surface, wherein one of the surfaces supports the light emitting diode unit, the other surfaces are exposed. The at least one isolation film is formed on the exposed surfaces. Wherein the isolation film blocks or reflects a portion of light emitted from the light emitting diode unit.
US09117720B2
A solid-state image pickup device 1 according to the present invention includes a semiconductor substrate 2 on which a pixel 20 composed of a photodiode 3 and a transistor is formed. The transistor comprising the pixel 20 is formed on the surface of the semiconductor substrate, a pn junction portion formed between high concentration regions of the photodiode 3 is provided within the semiconductor substrate 2 and a part of the pn junction portion of the photodiode 3 is extended to a lower portion of the transistor formed on the surface of the semiconductor substrate 2. According to the present invention, there is provided a solid-state image pickup device in which a pixel size can be microminiaturized without lowering a saturated electric charge amount (Qs) and sensitivity.
US09117718B2
A solid-state image sensor includes a plurality of pixels for focus detection by a phase difference detection scheme. The pixel includes a semiconductor region provided therein with a plurality of photoelectric converters configured so that signals therefrom are independently read out, a microlens, and a lens surface arranged between the microlens and the semiconductor region, wherein the lens surface exerts a negative power on light which passes through the microlens toward the semiconductor region.
US09117706B2
A pixel structure includes a flexible substrate, an active device, a conductive pattern, a first insulation layer, and a pixel electrode. The active device is disposed on the flexible substrate and includes a gate, a channel, a source, and a drain. The source and the drain are connected to the channel and are separated from each other. The channel and the gate are stacked in a thickness direction. The active device is disposed between the conductive pattern and the flexible substrate. The conductive pattern is electrically connected to the drain of the active device. The first insulation layer covers the conductive pattern and has first contact holes separated from one another, and the first contact holes expose the conductive pattern. The first insulation layer is disposed between the pixel electrode and the conductive pattern. The pixel electrode is electrically connected to the conductive pattern through the first contact holes.
US09117700B2
A three-dimensional (3-D) nonvolatile memory device includes a channel layer protruded from a substrate, a plurality of memory cells stacked along the channel layer, a source line coupled to the end of one side of the channel layer, a bit line coupled to the end of the other side of the channel layer, a first junction interposed between the end of one side of the channel layer and the source line and configured to have a P type impurity doped therein, and a second junction interposed between the end of the other side of the channel layer and the bit line and configured to have an N type impurity doped therein.
US09117699B2
A semiconductor memory device includes: a plurality of first channel columns including a plurality of first channel layers that are arranged in a direction and offset by their centers; a plurality of second channel columns alternately arranged with the plurality of first channel columns and having a plurality of second channel layers that are arranged in the direction and offset by their centers; first insulating layers and first conductive layers alternately stacked to surround the first channel layers; second insulating layers and second conductive layers stacked to surround the second channel layers; and spacers placed between the first channel columns and the second channel columns and interposed between the first conductive layers and the second conductive layers.
US09117697B2
The present disclosure relates to a semiconductor substrate and a method for making the same. The semiconductor substrate includes an insulation layer, a first circuit layer, a second circuit layer, a plurality of conductive vias and a plurality of bumps. The first circuit layer is embedded in a first surface of the insulation layer, and exposed from the first surface of the insulation layer. The second circuit layer is located on a second surface of the insulation layer and electrically connected to the first circuit layer through the conductive vias. The bumps are directly located on part of the first circuit layer, where the lattice of the bumps is the same as that of the first circuit layer.
US09117693B2
A passive integrated circuit formed on a substrate, including contact areas of a conductive material specifically capable of receiving bonding pads, wherein the conductive material further creates connections between regions of a lower metallization level.
US09117691B2
An integrated circuit containing an analog MOS transistor has an implant mask for a well which blocks well dopants from two diluted regions at edges of the gate, but exposes a channel region to the well dopants. A thermal drive step diffuses the implanted well dopants across the two diluted regions to form a continuous well with lower doping densities in the two diluted regions. Source/drain regions are formed adjacent to and underlapping the gate by implanting source/drain dopants into the substrate adjacent to the gate using the gate as a blocking layer and subsequently annealing the substrate so that the implanted source/drain dopants provide a desired extent of underlap of the source/drain regions under the gate. Drain extension dopants and halo dopants are not implanted into the substrate adjacent to the gate.
US09117687B2
An integrated circuit containing a first plurality of MOS transistors operating in a low voltage range, and a second plurality of MOS transistors operating in a mid voltage range, may also include a high-voltage MOS transistor which operates in a third voltage range significantly higher than the low and mid voltage ranges, for example 20 to 30 volts. The high-voltage MOS transistor has a closed loop configuration, in which a drain region is surrounded by a gate, which is in turn surrounded by a source region, so that the gate does not overlap field oxide. The integrated circuit may include an n-channel version of the high-voltage MOS transistor and/or a p-channel version of the high-voltage MOS transistor. Implanted regions of the n-channel version and the p-channel version are formed concurrently with implanted regions in the first and second pluralities of MOS transistors.
US09117676B2
Provided is an epitaxial silicon wafer with reduced metal contamination achieved by higher gettering capability and a method of efficiently producing the same.The method of producing an epitaxial wafer includes a wafer production step of pulling a single crystal silicon ingot having a COP formation region by Czochralski process, and subjecting the obtained single crystal silicon ingot to slicing, thereby producing a silicon wafer 10 including COPs; a cluster ion irradiation step of irradiating the produced silicon wafer 10 with cluster ions 16 to form a modifying layer 18 formed from a constituent element of the cluster ions 16, contained as a solid solution in a surface portion 10A of the silicon wafer 10; and an epitaxial layer formation step of forming an epitaxial layer 20 on the modifying layer 18 of the silicon wafer 10.
US09117674B2
A method of selective growth without catalyst on a semi-conducting structure. According to the method, which is applicable in electronics in particular: a semi-conducting structure is formed from first gaseous or molecular flows; at a same time or subsequently, at least one second gaseous or molecular flow is added thereto, to selectively in situ grow a dielectric layer on the structure; and then another semi-conducting structure is grown thereon from third gaseous or molecular flows.
US09117667B2
A system and method for manufacturing a carbon layer is provided. An embodiment comprises depositing a first metal layer on a substrate, the substrate comprising carbon. A silicide is epitaxially grown on the substrate, the epitaxially growing the silicide also forming a layer of carbon over the silicide. In an embodiment the carbon layer is graphene, and may be transferred to a semiconductor substrate for further processing to form a channel within the graphene.
US09117664B2
A method of producing silicon containing thin films by the thermal polymerization of a reactive gas mixture bisaminosilacyclobutane and source gas selected from a nitrogen providing gas, an oxygen providing gas and mixtures thereof. The films deposited may be silicon nitride, silicon carbonitride, silicon dioxide or carbon doped silicon dioxide. These films are useful as dielectrics, passivation coatings, barrier coatings, spacers, liners and/or stressors in semiconductor devices.
US09117659B2
The present disclosure disclosed a method of forming the buffer layer in the LTPS products. The method comprises the following steps: heating the substrate to make the alkali metal ions diffuse to the surface of the glass; washing the substrate by acid to remove the alkali metal ions on the surface of the glass; forming the buffer layer on the glass which has been heated and washed by acid, wherein the material of the buffer layer is SiOx. The method of the present disclosure based on the design of the single buffer layer, it can greatly promote the capacity and can economize the gas. Furthermore, it can avoid the cross contamination of the different layers so as to promote characteristic of the element.
US09117655B2
A semiconductor device includes a main active region provided in a semiconductor substrate and having a first side surface and a second side surface facing each other. A first auxiliary active region adjacent the first side surface of the main active region and spaced apart from the main active region by a first distance is provided. A second auxiliary active region adjacent the second side surface of the main active region and spaced apart from the main active region by the first distance is provided. A first conductive pattern crosses the main active region and includes first and second side portions facing each other. The first side portion of the conductive pattern is disposed between the first auxiliary active region and the main active region, and the second side portion of the conductive pattern is disposed between the second auxiliary active region and the main active region.
US09117647B2
An electrostatic trap such as an orbitrap is disclosed, with an electrode structure. An electrostatic trapping field of the form U′(r, Φ, z) is generated to trap ions within the trap so that they undergo isochronous oscillations. The trapping field U′(r, Φ, z) is the result of a perturbation W to an ideal field U(r, Φ, z) which, for example, is hyperlogarithmic in the case of an orbitrap. The perturbation W may be introduced in various ways, such as by distorting the geometry of the trap so that it no longer follows an equipotential of the ideal field U(r, Φ, z), or by adding a distortion field (either electric or magnetic). The magnitude of the perturbation is such that at least some of the trapped ions have an absolute phase spread of more than zero but less than 2 π radians over an ion detection period Tm.
US09117635B2
An electrode plate for a plasma etching is formed as a disc shape having a predetermined thickness, a plurality of gas holes penetrating a surface of the electrode plate perpendicularly to the surface are provided on different circumferences of a plurality of concentric circles, the electrode plate is divided in a radial direction of the electrode plate into two or more regions, types of gas holes provided in the two or more regions are different from each other by region.
US09117633B2
There is provided a plasma processing apparatus for performing a process on a substrate by generating inductively coupled plasma. The plasma processing apparatus includes an upper lid, provided to cover a top opening of the processing chamber, having a dielectric window; multiple gas inlets provided at the upper lid; a high frequency coil positioned above the dielectric window at an outside of the processing chamber; and a gas supply device supported by the upper lid and provided under the dielectric window. Here, the gas supply device includes a single sheet of plate having through holes, multiple groove-shaped gas paths are formed between the plate and the dielectric window, end portions of the groove-shaped gas paths are opened to edges of the through holes and communicate with the gas inlets, and the gas supply device is configured to supply the processing gas into the processing chamber via the through holes.
US09117628B2
An apparatus and method for characterizing a particle beam provides receiving a particle beam in a central region of a reduced pressure enclosure; impacting the received beam against a beam strike that is thermally isolated from the enclosure; measuring a temperature change of the beam strike due to the impacting beam; measuring a pressure change in the enclosure due to receiving the beam; and processing the measured temperature change and the measured pressure change to determine beam characteristics.
US09117615B2
An improved fusible element for use within a circuit protection device is provided which includes a double wound fusible element configured to withstand high surge current associated with inductive and capacitive loads. The fusible element includes an insulated core having a longitudinal axis, a first wire wound about the core along the longitudinal axis of the core, and a second wire wound substantially orthogonally about a longitudinal axis of the first wire such that the fusible element is configured to withstand an over-current surge condition.
US09117614B2
A circuit interconnect attaching apparatus is disclosed. The circuit interconnect attaching apparatus has a body adapted to couple to a circuit interconnect device, the body having a first end and a second end, one or more frame connector coupled to the first end of the body, at least one tab portion positioned on an outer surface of the second end of the body, wherein the at least one tab portion for accepting at least one fastener member, and one or more bus connector configured to connect to or disconnect from one or more bus bar that is responsive to rotation of the circuit interconnect device. The circuit interconnect attaching assemblies having the circuit interconnect attaching apparatus and methods of connecting circuit interconnect devices to one or more bus bar are disclosed, as are other aspects.
US09117612B2
A triggering unit includes a tappet having a moving bearing, a power accumulator, a holding device and a printed circuit board coil. In the normal state the power accumulator acts upon the tappet with a power accumulator force in the direction of the first stop position and the holding device holds the tappet with a holding force in the second stop position. A printed circuit board coil force can be generated by an activation of the printed circuit board coil. The power accumulator, the holding device and the printed circuit board coil are formed such that the tappet rests in the second stop position in the inactive state of the printed circuit board coil and through an activation of the printed circuit board coil, the tappet assumes the first stop position such that the triggered status is given.
US09117611B2
An electromagnetic contactor has a contact device including a pair of fixed contacts disposed maintaining a predetermined distance and a movable contact disposed to be capable of contacting to and separating from the pair of fixed contacts. The pair of fixed contacts each includes a support conductor portion supported by an upper plate of a contact housing case, and a contact conductor portion connected to an end portion of the support conductor portion. The contact conductor portion includes a contact plate portion formed with a contact portion, and a connecting plate portion formed on an outer end portion of the contact plate portion and extending to the upper plate side. The movable contact is mounted onto a connecting shaft connected to a drive portion through a contact spring on an end portion on the upper plate side, and disposed to face the contact portion of the pair of fixed contacts.
US09117603B2
An illuminated keyboard is equipped with a thin key module which includes a support frame with multiple keycap installation apertures and multiple keycaps corresponding to the keycap installation apertures. Each keycap has at least three movable arms each is connected between the first wall of one side of the keycap and the second wall of the keycap installation aperture. The support frame, keycaps and movable arms are integrally formed by injection. The movable arm has a first connecting section connected to the keycap and a second connecting section connected to the first connecting section at a first bend spot. The second connecting section is extended between the keycap and support frame and connected to the keycap installation aperture. In the illuminated keyboard, light is generated by a lighting unit and transmitted through a light guide plate or light guide circuit board to project to the keycaps for illumination.
US09117590B2
A laminated ceramic electronic component has electrode layers stacked with ceramic layers, where the thickness of each electrode layer is controlled to 0.5 μm or less and the average size of crystal grains constituting the electrode layer is controlled to 0.1 μm or less. The occurrence of structural defects in the laminated ceramic electronic component can be suppressed and high continuity of the electrode layers stacked with the ceramic layers is ensured.
US09117587B2
A noise reduction device includes a magnetic core and an elastically deformable elastic sheet. The magnetic core surrounds an outer periphery of an electric cable, and reduces noise emitted from the electric cable. The elastic sheet is wrapped around the electric cable so as to surround the electric cable, and is sandwiched between an inner peripheral surface of the magnetic core and an outer peripheral surface of the electric cable and elastically deformed.
US09117586B2
A circuit arrangement includes a coreless transformer. A trimming device is connected to the transformer and includes a variable capacitance and/or inductance.
US09117585B2
An ignition coil includes a magnetically-permeable core, a primary winding disposed outward of the core, and a secondary winding disposed outward of the primary winding and inductively coupled to the primary winding. The secondary winding includes a left secondary winding section wound clockwise around the primary winding and a right winding section wound counterclockwise around the primary winding. The left secondary winding section has i) a first left winding end distal from the right winding section and ii) a second left winding end that is proximal to the right winding section. The right secondary winding section has i) a first right winding end distal from the left winding section and ii) a second right winding end that is proximal to the left winding section. The second left winding end and the second right winding end are connected to a terminal.
US09117584B2
A solenoid device is provided which is equipped with a first and a second magnetic coil and a first, a second, and a third magnetic circuit, and designed so that when the second magnetic coil is deenergized while the first magnetic coil is kept energized following a dual-energized mode in which the first and second magnetic coils are energized, the magnetic flux Φ flowing through the second magnetic circuit disappears. The magnetic flux Φ of the first magnetic coil, thus, continues to flow though the first and third magnetic circuits, thereby creating a magnetic force to keep a first plunger and a third plunger attracted. This enables the plungers to be attracted independently from each other and results in a decrease in power consumption of the magnetic coils when the plurality of plungers are attracted simultaneously.
US09117578B2
An HTS magnet having a stack of a plurality of double-pancake (DP) coils is disclosed, with each DP coil having a first superconducting coil and a second superconducting coil. The plurality of DP coils have varying widths, with DP coils with the widest widths at the top and bottom of the stack, and DP coils with the narrowest coils located substantially at a midpoint of the stack. The DP coils omit turn-to-turn insulation, or have minimal turn-to-turn insulation.
US09117558B1
Systems and methods of the disclosure are directed toward removing moisture from, and controlling the temperature of, spent nuclear fuel stored in spent fuel containers and the containers themselves. A vacuum system may remove vapor and gas from the container to reduce pressure and stimulate moisture evaporation. The potentially radioactive gas exiting the spent fuel container can also be transported to a radioactive waste gas system. A non-reactive gas is then circulated through a circulation path, which is communicatively coupled to a spent fuel container. The non-reactive gas can absorb heat and/or moisture from the spent fuel stored within the spent fuel container. Accordingly, heat can be removed by a heat exchanger coupled to the circulation path. Condensate moisture can also be removed from the circulation path.
US09117546B2
An exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure illustrates a method for auto-refreshing memory cells in a semiconductor memory device with an open bit line architecture, wherein the semiconductor memory device comprises M memory banks, and each of the M memory banks has two particular sectors with a same index and L remained sectors with different indices. Two word lines of the two particular sectors with the same index in the memory bank and (M−1) word lines of the L remained sectors respectively in the other (M−1) memory banks are selected in one cycle. Then, memory cells of the selected word lines are refreshed.
US09117542B2
A memory device includes a per bank refresh counter applicable to multiple banks in a group. The memory device increments a row address counter only when the per bank refresh counter is reset. The memory device receives a per bank refresh command from an associated memory controller, and performs a per bank refresh in response to receiving the per bank refresh command. The memory device refreshes a row identified by a row address counter for a bank identified by the per bank refresh command. The memory device increments the per bank refresh counter in response to receiving the per bank refresh command, and increments the row address counter when the per bank refresh counter is reset, either by rolling over or by a reset condition.
US09117541B2
An apparatus and system associated with memory are disclosed herein. In various embodiments, an apparatus may include first circuitry to determine a number of queued pending refresh requests for a memory bank based on a comparison of a count from a refresh-request counter to a count from a refresh-address counter; and second circuitry to set a refresh flag in response to a determination that the number of queued pending refresh requests exceeds a predetermined number. Other embodiments may be disclosed and/or claimed.
US09117540B2
A semiconductor memory device includes memory cell strings including selection transistors and memory cells coupled between the selection transistors, a peripheral circuit configured to apply an operating voltage to the memory cell strings during a read operation or a verify operation, and a control circuit configured to control the peripheral circuit so that the operating voltage being applied to the selection transistors is controlled to reduce a potential level of a channel of the memory cell strings during the read operation or the verify operation.
US09117538B2
A semiconductor device includes a page buffer configured to read data out of a memory cell array in response to a bias enable signal, and a control logic configured to generate the bias enable signal and a bias precharge signal that are used to control the memory cell array. The control logic activates the bias enable signal and the precharge signal before a ready/busy signal activating a read operation of the memory cell array is enabled.
US09117537B2
In a pulse output circuit in a shift register, a power source line which is connected to a transistor in an output portion connected to a pulse output circuit at the next stage is set to a low-potential drive voltage, and a power source line which is connected to a transistor in an output portion connected to a scan signal line is set to a variable potential drive voltage. The variable potential drive voltage is the low-potential drive voltage in a normal mode, and can be either a high-potential drive voltage or the low-potential drive voltage in a bath mode. In the batch mode, display scan signals can be output to a plurality of scan signal lines at the same timing in a batch.
US09117533B2
A data storage device includes a memory and a controller and may perform a method that includes updating, in the controller, a value of a particular counter of a set of counters in response to an erase operation to a particular region of the non-volatile memory that is tracked by the particular counter. The method includes, in response to the value of the particular counter indicating that a count of erase operations to the particular region satisfies a first threshold, initiating a remedial action to the particular region of the non-volatile memory.
US09117532B2
The present invention is directed to an apparatus for initializing perpendicular magnetic tunnel junction. The apparatus comprises a permanent magnet for generating a magnetic flux; a flux concentrator made of a soft ferromagnetic material and having a base area in contact with the permanent magnet and an tip area that is smaller than the base area, thereby funneling and concentrating the magnetic flux to the tip area for emitting a magnetic field therefrom; and a means for supporting and conveying a substrate with an arrays of magnetic tunnel junctions formed therein to traverse the magnetic field in close proximity to the tip area. The apparatus may further include at least one of the following: a substrate heater, a flux containment structure coupled to the permanent magnet, and a magnetic imaging plate disposed in proximity to the substrate on the opposite side from the flux concentrator.
US09117529B2
Aspects of the subject technology relate to a method for reading information stored in a flash memory device. In some implementations, the method can include steps including, obtaining a first read signal of a first cell, wherein the first cell is located in a first word line and a first bit line in the flash memory device, obtaining a programming level of a second cell, wherein the second cell is located in a second word line and the first bit line, and wherein the second word line is adjacent to the first word line. In certain aspects, the method may further comprise steps for obtaining decoding information for the first cell based on the programming level of the second cell. A data storage system and article of manufacture are also provided.
US09117517B2
A non-volatile semiconductor device and a method for controlling the same are disclosed, which can increase a read efficiency of the non-volatile semiconductor device using the Low Power Double Data Rate (LPDDR) 2 specifications. The non-volatile semiconductor device includes a decoder configured to output a plurality of active control signals by decoding an active address and an active signal, and a plurality of active controls configured to be controlled by the plurality of active control signals and a plurality of active reset signals so as to generate a plurality of active enable signals that are independently activated.
US09117508B2
Methods and apparatuses that relate to an integrated circuit (IC) with adaptive power state management are described. The IC can be coupled with, and can control the operation of, a memory device. The IC and the memory device can be operated in multiple operational states, wherein each operational state may represent a tradeoff point between performance and power consumption. The IC may be capable of: (1) changing the operational state of the IC and/or the operational state of the memory device based on the occurrence of one or more conditions, and/or (2) changing the one or more conditions based on measuring one or more performance values associated with the IC and/or the memory device.
US09117505B2
A voltage generation circuit includes a charge unit and a discharge unit. The charge unit is configured for raising a level of a ramp voltage to a predetermined level in response to a control signal. The discharge unit is configured for lowering the level of the ramp voltage in response to the control signal. The discharge unit uses a constant current source to lower the level of the ramp voltage.
US09117500B2
A write assist cell includes a first pull-down circuit configured to transfer data from a first bit line to a second bit line during a write operation. The write assist cell further includes a second pull-down circuit configured to transfer data from a third bit line to a fourth bit line during a read operation, wherein the write operation and the read operation occur simultaneously. A memory device includes a memory array, the memory array comprises a first bit line and a second bit line. The memory device further includes a write assist cell connected to the memory array, wherein the write assist cell is configured to transfer data from the first bit line in a write operation to the second bit line in a read operation, and the write operation and the read operation occur simultaneously. The memory device further includes a multiplexer connected to the write assist cell.
US09117499B2
A system for using selectable-delay bipolar logic circuitry within the address decoder of a MOS-based memory includes a MOS-based memory, which includes an array of a plurality of memory cells configured to store data; an address decoder including bipolar logic circuitry, where the address decoder is configured to accept a word including a plurality of bits and access the array of memory cells using the word; where the bipolar logic circuitry includes a plurality of bipolar transistor devices, where at least one bipolar transistor device has an adjustable gate bias and is configured to accept an input, wherein the gate bias is adjusted based on the input, where the gate bias determines a selectable gate delay.
US09117485B2
According to an embodiment, a signal processing apparatus includes a first signal processor, a second signal processor and a third signal processor. The first signal processor suppresses an offset component remaining in a reproduction signal read from an optical recording medium to obtain a first signal. The second signal processor suppresses a nonlinear distortion component remaining in the first signal to obtain a second signal. The third signal processor suppresses a correlation noise component remaining in the second signal to obtain a third signal.
US09117483B2
The present invention relates to a method of dynamically creating a video composition including the steps: a) recording a first real-world event as a first video clip using a video composition creation program residing on a portable device in response to a first user record input, the portable device comprising a camera lens, a processor, a memory device, and a display device that displays an image of the first real-world event perceived by the camera lens during the recording of the first real-world event; and b) selecting a transition using the video composition creation program in response to a user transition selection input, the video composition creation program automatically combining the first video clip and the selected transition to create the video composition; and c) the video composition creation program saving the video composition on the memory device as a single file in response to a user save input.
US09117477B2
A magnetic medium for perpendicular magnetic data recording, having improved magnetic properties through use of a novel seed layer. The magnetic medium includes a substrate having a seed layer, a magnetic under-layer and a magnetic recording layer formed there-over. The seed layer includes an element selected from a first group of Cr, Co, Fe and Ni, and at least one element that is selected from the other elements of the first group or from a second group consisting of W, Mo and Ru. A buffer layer may be included between the substrate and the seed layer.
US09117466B2
A slider and microactuator elements are arranged on a gimbal portion of a flexure. A conducting member includes tongue conductive circuit portions, and unsupported conductive circuit portions which do not overlap with a metal base. The unsupported conductive circuit portions are disposed between arms of an outrigger portion. Bendable portions for reducing bending stiffness are formed in the unsupported conductive circuit portions, respectively. End portions of the microactuator elements are secured to supporting portions of a tongue, respectively. Each of bridge members is provided between the corresponding supporting portion of the tongue and the corresponding unsupported conductive circuit portion.
US09117462B2
Embodiments of the invention relate to tape drive systems having overlapped operations. In one aspect, a system includes a head for performing read and/or write operations, a first set of motors for performing positioning operations on a first tape, a second set of motors for performing positioning operations on a second tape, and a processor and logic integrated with and/or executable by the processor. The logic is configured to cause the first set of motors to pass the first tape over the head while causing the second set of motors to perform at least one of a coarse locate and a rewind operation on the second tape. Additional systems and methods are also disclosed.
US09117461B2
A coding device includes: a pitch contour detection unit which detects a pitch contour of an input audio signal; a dynamic time warping unit which determines the number of pitch nodes based on the pitch contour and generates a first time warping parameter including information indicating the determined number of pitch nodes, a pitch change position, and a pitch change ratio; a first encoder which codes the first time warping parameter; a time warping unit which corrects pitch, using the information obtained from the first time warping parameter, to approximate the pitches of the number of pitch nodes to a predetermined reference value; a second encoder which codes the input audio signal at the corrected pitch; and a multiplexer which multiplexes the coded time warping parameter and the coded audio signal to generate a bitstream.
US09117456B2
A noise suppression apparatus includes: a conversion unit to convert a recorded sound signal in a time domain into a spectrum in a frequency domain; a setting unit to set a suppression gain indicating a degree of suppression on each spectrum for each frequency spectrum on the basis of a nonstationarity-value variation in time of the respective spectrum; a suppression unit to suppress each of the spectrum on the basis of the suppression gain set by the setting unit for each frequency spectrum; and an inverse conversion unit to perform an inverse conversion to the conversion by the conversion unit on the spectrum having been subjected to the suppression processing by the suppression unit.
US09117440B2
The present document relates to audio forensics, notably the blind detection of traces of parametric audio encoding/decoding. In particular, the present document relates to the detection of parametric frequency extension audio coding, such as spectral band replication (SBR) or spectral extension (SPX), from uncompressed waveforms such as PCM (pulse code modulation) encoded waveforms. A method for detecting frequency extension coding history in a time domain audio signal is described. The method may comprise transforming the time domain audio signal into a frequency domain, thereby generating a plurality of subband signals in a corresponding plurality of subbands comprising low and high frequency subbands; determining a degree of relationship between subband signals in the low frequency subbands and subband signals in the high frequency subbands; wherein the degree of relationship is determined based on the plurality of subband signals; and determining frequency extension coding history if the degree of relationship is greater than a relationship threshold.
US09117434B2
A vibration-lead plate for a flat speaker is mounted between a voice coil plate and a vibration plate for increasing vibrational efficiency and removing the lead wire of a voice coil. The vibration-lead plate includes: a coil plate-spline, mounted between a voice coil plate having a voice coil formed in the shape of a spiral track and a vibration plate to vibrate according to the movement of the voice coil plate for generating sound, and formed in the center so as to be adhered to the voice coil plate; an edge-spline, connected to one side of the coil plate-spline and the edge of the vibration plate so as to variably correspond to vibrations; and a vibration plate outside portion, connected to one side of the edge-spline and adhered to the outside portion of the edge of the vibration plate.
US09117416B2
An exemplary active matrix display device includes a plurality of gate signal lines, a plurality of data signal lines and a plurality of pixel rows. The gate signal lines are independently driven from one another. Each of the pixel rows is electrically coupled to one of the gate signal lines and a part of the data signals lines. The pixel rows include a first pixel row and a second pixel row. The first pixel row and the second pixel row are not neighboring with each other. The gate signal line electrically coupled with the first pixel row and the gate signal line electrically coupled with the second pixel row are synchronously enabled.
US09117413B2
A touch display device including a display, a touch panel and a transparent shielding layer is provided. The touch panel is disposed on the display, and includes a substrate and touch sensors positioned thereon. The transparent shielding layer is set between the display and the touch sensors of the touch panel, and includes an edge region and a central region wherein the impedance of the edge region is less than or equal to that of the central region.
US09117411B2
An electro-optic device includes a plurality of scanning lines that are arranged in a line direction, a plurality of data lines that are arranged in a column direction, a plurality of pixels that are provided at intersection positions of the scanning lines and the data lines, a driving circuit that supplies an image signal based on image data to a display unit formed by arranging the plurality of pixels, and an image data input circuit that inputs the image data to the driving circuit. The image data input circuit includes a storage unit that stores line data of a plurality of continuous lines including line data of an input target among line data formed from pixel data corresponding to one line of the image data, and from the storage unit and corrects the pixel data of the input target on the basis of information of the peripheral pixel data.
US09117410B2
An image display method includes the steps of: acquiring a third image formed by applying dynamic range extension processing to a first image and a second image photographed with low sensitivity or low exposure with respect to the first image, or a fourth image without dynamic range extension processing; displaying the acquired image in a transmissive type display panel; and making backlight luminance of a segment corresponding to a high luminance portion in the third image higher than backlight luminance of a segment corresponding to a low luminance portion when the acquired image is determined to be the third image.
US09117404B2
An organic light emitting diode display device that implements a high quality screen having uniform brightness by supplying uniform driving voltages to pixels irrespective of an external change is provided. The organic light emitting diode display device includes: an organic light emitting diode (OLED) panel comprising a plurality of pixels formed at crossings of a plurality of gate lines and a plurality of data lines of the panel; a timing controller configured to generate a plurality of control signals for driving the OLED panel; a data driver for driving the plurality of data lines; a gate driver for driving the plurality of gate lines; and a power supply unit configured to receive an input voltage and generate a stable driving voltage for driving each unit pixel of the liquid crystal panel without being affected by an instantaneous voltage rising and falling phenomenon of the input voltage.
US09117393B2
It is intended to provide a field sequential color display device capable of reducing the problem of saccadic color breakup. The color display device represents color images by depicting data of respective color images with a monochromatic display element in synchronism with sequential on-off switching to three color light sources of red, green and blue. Each display frame, which is the minimum cycle of sequential on-off switching of red, green and blue light sources to display any given color image, includes a red color field for displaying data of a red color image, a green color field for displaying data of a green color image and a blue color field for displaying data of a blue color image. In each green color field, at least the red light source or the blue light source is turned on and off in addition to the green light source.
US09117392B2
A method includes providing an Input/Output (I/O) interface at a periphery of a motherboard of a data processing device, and providing traces between a processor of the data processing device and the I/O interface across a surface of the motherboard. The traces provide conductive pathways between circuits of the processor and the I/O interface. The method also includes exposing the I/O interface through an external cosmetic surface of the data processing device in an assembled state thereof by way of a port complementary to that of a port of an external graphics card to enable direct coupling of the external graphics card to the data processing device through the exposed I/O interface by way of the complementary ports to provide boosting of processing through the data processing device.
US09117380B2
An advertising bollard assembly, comprising: a main body defining an interior and an outer surface; one or more compressible inserts positioned in the interior of the main body, the compressible inserts being configured to be positioned on a bollard to couple the advertising bollard assembly to the bollard; and an attachment mechanism coupled to the outer surface of the main body, the attachment mechanism being configured to receive one or more advertisements.
US09117377B2
A dynamically-changeable abdominal simulator system comprises a patient manikin having an abdominal cavity covered by a sheet of synthetic skin, a grid array of inflatable cells emplaced within the abdominal cavity covering respectively distinct areas of pressurization of the abdominal cavity and supplied with pressurized medium under separate and independent inflation control in order to simulate a wide range of abdominal ailments and/or conditional expressions thereof. In a preferred embodiment, the inflation cells of the grid array are each made of semi-rigid material for maintaining a fixed cell shape and contain an inflation balloon for pressurizing cell turgidity.
US09117374B2
In accordance with some implementations, a method for automatically generating quiz questions is disclosed. The method is performed on a server system having one or more processors and memory storing one or more programs for execution by the one or more processors. The server system receives, from a client system, media information associated with media content displayed on a display associated with the client system. The server system then analyzes the received media information to determine one or more keywords associated with the media information. The server system retrieves one or more facts based on the one or more determined keywords. The server system then automatically generates a quiz question based on the one or more retrieved facts. The server system then transmits the generated quiz question to the client system for display.
US09117373B2
A system includes a processor configured to receive instructions from a vehicle computing system (VCS) to being reporting a mobile device location. The processor is also configured to access a list of emergency contacts. Further, the processor is configured to determine that a mobile device has left a predetermined perimeter around a last known vehicle location. The processor is additionally configured to periodically report mobile device GPS coordinates to members of the emergency contacts list, until the mobile device reaches a destination.
US09117372B2
A system and method collects transit vehicle arrival and departure data sent from the transit vehicle to a stationary control center. The stationary control center continuously calculates, a medial time table, a medial travel time to a destination on a transit route and a medial travel time between transit stops on the route. The medial values may be calculated differently for rush hour, holiday, or certain weather conditions to increase the accuracy of the schedule forecast. Actual position and time information of a transit vehicle may be transmitted via wireless communication from a transit vehicle to the stationary control center. The position and time information is transmitted at least when the transit vehicle arrives and departs each transit stop on the transit route. The medial values can be displayed to transit vehicle users.
US09117365B2
Each device identification apparatus includes a circuit for generating a delay time and transmits a device identification code signal at a different delay time in response to a device selecting signal from a remote controller, thereby making it possible to prevent interference. Further, an infrared light amount detecting circuit is provided in a device identification apparatus or a remote controller, and an electronic device to which a device identification apparatus having a higher intensity of infrared is attached is displayed on the remote controller so that the electronic device is easily selected.
US09117346B2
A vending machine includes a goods rack, a restricting piece, and a positioning piece mounted on the goods rack. The goods rack defines a goods accommodating space and an opening. The restricting piece is pivotally mounted on the goods rack to cover the opening. The restricting piece includes a clasp. The positioning piece defines a first engaging hole and a second engaging hole. The restricting piece can rotate on the goods rack between a first securing position and a second securing position. In the first securing position, the clasp engages in the first engaging hole, so that the restricting piece is set at a first height. In the second securing position, the clasp engages in the second engaging hole, so that the restricting piece is set at a second height.
US09117339B2
Some embodiments include a computer-implemented method for tracking, over an electronic wagering game network, services performed on a wagering game machine. The method comprises: receiving, in the wagering game machine, a wagering game machine access identifier, wherein the wagering game machine access identifier indicates identity of a technician accessing a wagering game machine; detecting a service event in the wagering game machine; and generating a report indicating a modification to the wagering game machine. The method can also comprise receiving a technician log describing the modification to the wagering game machine; transmitting, to a service controller, the report, the log, and the wagering game machine access identifier. The method can also comprise receiving, from the service controller, maintenance information associated with the wagering game machine; and presenting the maintenance information on a display associated with the wagering game machine.
US09117338B2
A system to determine a product to be offered to a casino player based on player data and on an approximate maximum price for which the product may be sold through a retail channel. Advantageously, a potential increase in a casino's profit due to a product offer can be determined using the player data, and an approximate maximum profit attainable through sale of the product through a retail channel can be determined based on the determined price. As a result, a product to offer can be determined in a manner which maximizes casino profit.
US09117331B2
A method for promoting responsible wagering game play is provided which includes the acts of tracking a player's wagering losses and triggering a wagering restriction feature when the player's wagering losses exceed a predetermined loss limit and/or a predetermined loss rate.
US09117329B2
Systems for managing gaming devices in a networked environment are disclosed herein. The system includes one or more gaming device, at least one data repository, host system, and a datastore. The gaming devices have a gaming processor and a plurality of gaming components, wherein one or more parameters are associated with the gaming components. The data repository is in communication with the one or more gaming components, and the data repository stores data that includes one or more parameters from each gaming component. A host system is in communication with the gaming devices, and the host system is configured to collect data from the data repository. The host system also includes a datastore in communication with the host system, wherein the datastore stores data from the gaming devices.
US09117321B2
A system comprising multiple devices that are operable when servicing a device-under service is described. A data acquisition (DAQ) device and a vehicle scanner device of the system are operable to acquire data from the device-under-service and to transmit the acquired data to a display device of the system. The DAQ device can operate in a local-control mode in which selection of DAQ mode for the DAQ device is carried out at the DAQ device. The DAQ device can operate in a remote-control mode in which selection of a DAQ mode for the DAQ device is carried out at the display device. The multiple devices may communicate with each other via one or more wireless network via one or more air interface protocols. Each device of the system may operate as a stand-alone device or in combination with multiple devices of the system.
US09117320B2
A video transmission method in which temporarily recorded video data are partially transmitted to a video data backup unit. In this case event-based identification data are concomitantly recorded during the temporary recording and only video data identified by identification data are transmitted to the video data backup unit.
US09117311B2
Systems and methods for displaying patient-related data to a care provider are provided. Patient-related values are received. The quantity of values is greater than a graph overflow threshold indicative of an amount of display space of a graph. A set of visible values is defined based at least in part on the graph overflow threshold. Sets of hidden values and anomalous values are also defined. The values in the visible-value set are displayed within the display space of the graph. An anomaly indicator is provided for any value in both the visible-value set and the anomalous-value set, to notify a care provider of any visible anomalous patient-related value. An overflow identifier is displayed instead of any value in the hidden-values set. The overflow identifier indicates the number of values in the hidden-value set to inform the care provider as such.
US09117309B1
A method for rendering polygons with a bounding box and a graphics processor unit. The method includes generating a bounding rectangle, wherein each edge of the bounding rectangle is defined to a sub-pixel precision. At least one polygon within the bounding rectangle is cropped to the sub-pixel precision. The polygon is blended with a background color outside the bounding rectangle to anti-alias the polygon with the background color, wherein the blending is performed with the sub-pixel precision of the bounding rectangle.
US09117308B1
Editing features of a history-based computer-aided design (CAD) model may be difficult and may require redesigning much of the CAD model modify features. The solutions described herein allow a design engineer to modify an existing history-based CAD model by automatically determining history-based features that need to be converted to direct-edit features, creating a body of direct-edit features from the determined features, and creating a model containing both the direct-edit feature body and remaining history-based features. Such a CAD model containing both kinds of features may be referred to as a hybrid model.
US09117306B2
Aspects comprise shadowing method as part of ray tracing. It is based on uniform grid of cells, and on local stencils in cells. The acceleration structures are abandoned along with high traversal and construction costs of these structures. The amount of intersection tests is cut down. The stencils are generated in the preprocessing stage and utilized in runtime. The relevant part of scene data, critical for shadowing of all visible intersection points in a cell, is registered in the local stencil map, as a volumetric data. The runtime use of stencils allows a complete locality at each cell, enhanced utilization of processing resources and load balancing of parallel processing.
US09117304B2
A system and method include acquisition of a set of projections from an object using a CT imaging system and reconstruct an initial image of the scanned object from the set of projections, the reconstructed initial image comprising a plurality of pixels. The system and method also include identification of a candidate pixel within the plurality of pixels, application of a nonlinear enhancement to the candidate pixel to iteratively adjust an intensity value of the candidate pixel, and generation of a final image using the adjusted intensity value of the candidate pixel.
US09117301B2
A method of obtaining a panoramic image and an apparatus for the same are disclosed. In particular, a method of obtaining a panorama image and an apparatus for the same capable of obtaining a more clear panoramic image with reproducibility by extracting best-focused-images in case of forming images of multiple image-layer-trace images are disclosed. In accordance with the method and the device of this invention for obtaining the panoramic image, it is possible to complete the optimal image-layer-trace to be reconstructed and to obtain a clear panoramic image which vividly shows an arch of a patient by reconstructing a panoramic image for an optimal image-layer-trace most closely related to a focus-trace.
US09117300B2
It is provided a computer-implemented method for designing a modeled volume. The method comprises providing a sculpting process on the modeled volume, initial lines, and an initial set of dexels that represents the modeled volume after going through the sculpting process and that is based on the initial lines; then providing new lines by refining the initial lines; and determining a new set of dexels that represents the modeled volume after going through the sculpting process and that is based on the new lines, wherein determining the new set of dexels comprises determining sets of at least one segment representing the intersection between each new line and the modeled volume before going through the sculpting process and then applying the sculpting process on the determined sets of at least one segment. The method improves designing a modeled volume represented by a set of dexels.
US09117299B2
A system and method for efficiently scheduling memory access requests from a display controller pipeline. The display controller monitors the amount of data in the line buffers in the internal pixel-processing pipelines. The display controller waits until the amount of data in a given line buffer has fallen below an amount equal to the pixel width of the region being rendered by the internal pixel-processing pipeline before issuing memory requests to the memory controller. When the memory controller is not processing received memory requests, the memory controller transitions to a low-power state.
US09117262B2
Systems and methods are provided for providing learned, piece-wise patch regression for image enhancement. In one embodiment, an image manipulation application generates training patch pairs that include training input patches and training output patches. Each training patch pair includes a respective training input patch from a training input image and a respective training output patch from a training output image. The training input image and the training output image include at least some of the same image content. The image manipulation application determines patch-pair functions from at least some of the training patch pairs. Each patch-pair function corresponds to a modification to a respective training input patch to generate a respective training output patch. The image manipulation application receives an input image generates an output image from the input image by applying at least some of the patch-pair functions based on at least some input patches of the input image.
US09117261B2
There are provided methods and apparatus for film grain SEI message insertion for bit-accurate simulation in a video system. A method for simulating film grain in an ordered sequence includes the steps of providing film grain supplemental information corresponding to a plurality of intra coded pictures, and providing additional film grain supplemental information corresponding to inter coded pictures between consecutive intra coded pictures, in decode order. The inter coded pictures are selected based upon display order.
US09117254B2
A system, method, and computer program product are provided for performing ray tracing. In use, ray tracing is performed utilizing a divide and conquer method, where the divide and conquer method is associated with a cache.
US09117253B2
Systems and methods are provided that allow a user to specify one or more areas of, e.g., a digital image, upon which perspective manipulation is to be applied. Once the one or more areas of the digital image have been specified, the user may specify one or more portions within the one or more areas, such as points, lines, etc., as being constrained in some manner. Thereafter, the user is able to manipulate perspective within the one or more specified areas in an intuitive and efficient manner.
US09117250B2
Methods and systems for recommending social networking connections are disclosed. Information is received from a mobile device relating to software applications that are installed on a first user's mobile device. A weight for each software application is calculated based on usage information and each software application is designated to at least one category. A priority is calculated for each category based at least in part on respective weights of software applications designated to the category. A second user, who is not connected to the first user, is detected, wherein the second user has a predetermined number of categories that are the same as the first user's categories, and wherein priorities corresponding to the second user's categories are within a predetermined range of priorities corresponding to the first user's categories. A recommendation to connect with the second user is provided to the first user.
US09117221B2
A delivery method and system of dynamic embedded web output on a web page in a browser on a client device is provided. A web page contains an embed code for an embeddable unit. A content delivery network provides an embedded URL specified in the embed code. The URL contains executable static runtime code using a unit ID. The unit ID is passed to a dynamic server which performs a lookup to convert the unit ID into a cache key URL. The cache key URL points to a location on the content delivery network and encodes a cache key containing information for the embeddable unit. The client device loads the cache key URL, which targets the content delivery network to make a request for the embeddable unit. The content delivery network serves the embeddable unit to the client device on which the embeddable unit is displayed or updated.
US09117220B2
A computer-implemented method to help organize in-person gatherings of users of topic-related interest includes the steps of: providing a web-based meeting facility to a plurality of users, wherein each of the plurality of users choose to join at least one of a plurality of meeting groups based on at least one of topic-related interest and geographic locale; enabling at least one organizer to maintain control of organizing meetings with the at least one of the plurality of meeting groups, wherein the one of the plurality of meeting groups is made up of a subset of the plurality of users; and providing the organizer with a revenue generation facility where the organizer generates revenue through commercial sponsorship of at least one of the meeting group and specific meetings.
US09117212B2
Embodiments of the invention provide for speaker verification on a communication device without requiring a user to go through a formal registration process with the issuer or network. Certain embodiments allow the use of a captured voice sample attempting to reproduce a word string having a random element to authenticate the user. Authentication of the user is based on both a match score indicating how closely the captured voice samples match to previously stored voice samples of the user and a pass or fail response indicating whether the voice sample is an accurate reproduction of the word string. The processing network maintains a history of the authenticated transactions and voice samples.
US09117211B2
A system and method for correlating questions and answers in an instant messaging environment. First creating an instant messaging client at least two zones, each zone of the at least two zones corresponding to a unique end user, each zone of further comprising at least one textbox. After creating the instant messaging client, providing the instant messaging client to each end user of at least two end users. Receiving a message from an end user, the message comprising a first value and a second value and text. Finally, sending the text received in the message to each instant messaging client not being controlled by the sending end user, the text therein being displayed in a textbox having the second value and being located in a zone corresponding to the sending end user.
US09117209B2
A method facilitating a transaction between a camera-phone user and a business entity. The business entity produces a printed medium indicating a transaction. The printed medium includes a barcode that includes direct contact data for communicating with the business entity. The barcode further includes specific transaction data relating to the transaction in the printed medium. Using the digital camera feature, the user captures a digital image of the barcode. The camera-phone is programmed to decode the digital image to retrieve the direct contact data and the transaction data embedded in the barcode. The camera-phone then automatically initiates a direct communication with the business entity via the mobile communications device using the decoded direct contact data. One communications are established, the camera phone further transmits the transaction data derived from the barcode to further facilitate the transaction.
US09117207B2
A method for facilitating the delivery of electronic funds and conveying an explanation of benefits to a service provider is described herein. A claim for payment by a service provider (such as a physician's office) is adjudicated by a third party administrator. An electronic funds transfer (EFT) is generated under a transaction set specification that encodes both payment information as well as an explanation of benefits (EOB). The EOB indicates which charges were approved and/or which were denied. The EOB data is extracted from the EFT and an image is generated containing the text of the EOB. The image is created in a format that is compatible with the online delivery of posted-paper checks. When the service provider logs into its bank to reconcile charges the EFT transaction is noted and the provider clicks on the “view check” link to obtain the EOB information.
US09117202B2
In a computerized method of identifying and displaying messages containing an identifier, where the messages are privately stored for restricted access by a user, the identifier of a document displayed in a navigation area result window is identified. In addition, the message store is scanned to identify messages containing the identifier and the messages identified as containing the identifier are displayed in a messaging area window.
US09117180B1
Embodiments of the present invention are directed to a matching method that implements a machine learning algorithm to serve one or more matches to an individual and to ensure that an outcome of each match is more likely than not to be successful. A recommendation engine uses the machine learning algorithm to perform predictive analysis to thereby select one or more members of an online community to match or pair with the individual, based on at least structured data, unstructured data or both of the individual and/or each selected member. The recommendation engine is configured to continuously learn from past user behavior, including the individual's, to further improve future matches provided to the individual.
US09117179B2
Embodiments of the invention relate to predicting user activity in a social media application. In one embodiment, user activity information is collected for a user from a social media application and activity features of the user are determined, based on the collected activity information for the user. Then a model is created to predict a future activity of the user in the social media application. The model uses the determined activity features of the user and results obtained from running the created model, to determine future activity of the user in the social media application.
US09117176B2
Apparatus and methods for high-level neuromorphic network description (HLND) framework that may be configured to enable users to define neuromorphic network architectures using a unified and unambiguous representation that is both human-readable and machine-interpretable. The framework may be used to define nodes types, node-to-node connection types, instantiate node instances for different node types, and to generate instances of connection types between these nodes. To facilitate framework usage, the HLND format may provide the flexibility required by computational neuroscientists and, at the same time, provides a user-friendly interface for users with limited experience in modeling neurons. The HLND kernel may comprise an interface to Elementary Network Description (END) that is optimized for efficient representation of neuronal systems in hardware-independent manner and enables seamless translation of HLND model description into hardware instructions for execution by various processing modules.
US09117172B2
Methods and computer implemented systems for evaluation and optimisation of methods used for forecasting, modeling, valuation, and decision-making, in staged resource planning are provided. Fundamentally, a universal comparator that accounts for perfect decision differencing (PERNOB) is determined and used for evaluating benefits associated with the use of prediction method-sets and decision-making method-sets in staged resource planning. According to one application, PERNOB is used to evaluate different prediction method-sets and decision-making method-sets and enable the selection of optimal method-sets corresponding to a given situation. According to another application, PERNOB is used to create an unbiased operational decision making environment through realistic re-valuation of system resource(s).
US09117171B2
A system and computer-implemented method for determining a threat level for one or more individuals includes accessing a data structure to obtain aggregated data stored therein, wherein the aggregated data comprises at least one of communication history data or transaction history data for one or more individuals. One or more predetermined metrics are applied to the obtained aggregated data, to determine threat level information for the one or more individuals. The determined threat level information is provided for display.
US09117169B2
An apparatus and method for determining a formation/fluid interaction of a target formation and a target drilling fluid is described herein. The method may include training an artificial neural network using a training data set. The training data set may include a formation characteristic of a source formation and a fluid characteristic of a source drilling fluid and experimental data on source formation/fluid interaction. Once the artificial neural network is trained, a formation characteristic of the target formation and fluid characteristic of target drilling fluid may be input. The formation characteristic of the target formation may correspond to the formation characteristic of the source formation. The fluid characteristic of the target drilling fluid may correspond to the fluid characteristic of the source drilling fluid. A formation/fluid interaction of the target formation and the target drilling fluid may be determined using a value output by the artificial neural network.
US09117168B2
An apparatus and method for calculating an internal state for artificial emotions are disclosed, of which the method comprises multiplying an input value obtained from a sensor with a first personality set in accordance with at least one low rank element contained in at least one high rank element of a NEO PI-R (Revised NEO Personality Inventory); calculating a personality factor value in a Five-Factor Model of the personality by adding the results of the multiplication; and calculating the internal state by multiplying the personality factor value with a second personality.
US09117161B2
Provided is a profile creation method for creating a color conversion profile for an image forming apparatus which forms an image by performing, on an input color value having total use amount of color material exceeding set amount, a process for reducing the total use amount, by interpolating lattice points in a look-up table. The profile creation method includes: determining whether a point of an input color value with the total use amount of color material being equal to the set amount exists between two adjacent lattice points in the look-up table; and, when it is determined so, calculating an output color value of an interpolation point set between the two lattice points, by a polynomial interpolation method for performing interpolation calculation by using, besides output color values of the two lattice points, an output color value of a lattice point other than the two lattice points.
