US09166461B2
To provide a high-quality, high-output, and low-cost automotive alternator by suppressing heat generation through the reduction of current loss in a heat dissipating plate of a rectifier without expanding a space for placing the heat dissipating plate and reducing the cooling performance of the heat dissipating plate. An automotive alternator includes a rectifier, wherein the rectifier is configured such that a heat dissipating plate of positive pole to which the rectifier element of positive pole is mounted is disposed opposite to a heat dissipating plate of negative pole to which a plurality of rectifier elements of negative pole are mounted; wherein the heat dissipating plate of positive pole is made up of a first heat dissipating plate and a second heat dissipating plate, which are made of two different materials.
US09166460B2
Provided is a rotary electric machine including housings, a stator, a rotor, bearings, a slip ring, a power assembly, a control assembly, a rotation sensor, and a brush holder, in which a switching element mounting surface of the power assembly and a surface of the control assembly, on which a control element of a control circuit is mounted, are placed in parallel to a rotation shaft, and the rotation sensor is placed between the rear bearing and the slip ring.
US09166458B1
The pump/generator apparatus and method provides a series of pump/generator devices, having magnets in place of conventional bearings, to generate electrical energy, creating a pump/generator for flowing liquids or gases. Stator coils on the outside of the housing gather electric current. The apparatus requires initial input power from an external power source to start the pumping and provides an initial external reservoir of liquid or gas flowing into the apparatus. A hollow turbine housing receiving flowing gas or liquid, encloses a freely spinning hollow drive cylinder. A helicoidal impeller gives the drive cylinder thrust to spin. Ring magnets vertically support the helicoidal impeller allowing the drive cylinder to float freely in the pipeline. Stator coils wind around and ring the exterior side of the housing to generate electric current.
US09166455B2
According to one embodiment, a rotating electrical machine has a vibrating-element. The vibrating-element has spring bars and circular members which cover spring bars while a part is connected to spring bars. The spring bars are connected to first stator core connection portions, which are formed so as to be spaced out in a circumferential direction from each other at two locations on a side surface of the stator core. The stator frame is connected by the second stator core connection portions, which are formed by two locations which are different from the first stator core connection portions, of the stator core. The second stator core connection portions contain a position adjacent to a node portion of a circular mode of vibration of the stator core, in which antinodes and nodes of vibration alternately appear in the circumferential direction as the vibrating-element is attached to the stator core.
US09166449B2
A rotor includes a field member arranged between a first core base of a first rotor core and a second core base of a second rotor core in the axial direction. When magnetized in the axial direction, the field member causes primary claw-shaped magnetic poles to function as primary magnetic poles and secondary claw-shaped magnetic poles to function as secondary magnetic poles. The field member is formed by placing a plurality of members one over another in the axial direction.
US09166432B2
A charge circuit includes a current limiting circuit configured to limit a current input from an input terminal; a first transistor connected between an output terminal of the current limiting circuit and a secondary battery; a charge control circuit configured to turn the first transistor on and off to start and stop supply of a charge current to the secondary battery; a second transistor configured to output a current proportional to the charge current flowing through the first transistor; and a charge timer configured to generate clock pulses according to the current output from the second transistor. The charge control circuit is configured to turn off the first transistor to stop the supply of the charge current to the secondary battery when the number of the clock pulses reaches a predetermined number.
US09166431B2
Provided is a battery charge circuit including a charging power supply unit configured to generate an internal voltage using an external power supply; a charging unit configured to measure voltages of first to fourth batteries, output measurement signals, and selectively charge at least one among the first to fourth batteries in response to charge control signals; and a control unit configured to select charging methods corresponding to the measurement signals among a plurality of charging methods stored therein, and generate the control signals corresponding to the charging methods.
US09166429B2
A universal serial bus charger comprises a universal serial bus connector for providing a connection to a voltage source. An output voltage connector provides a charging voltage to a connected battery. A switching voltage regulator generates the charging voltage responsive to the voltage source. Control circuitry monitors an actual charging current applied to the connected battery and provides a programmed current signal enabling the actual charging current to operate at a programmed level if the actual charging current does not exceed a programmed charging current level. The control circuitry provides a charging current limit signal enabling the actual charging current to operate at a predetermined charge current limit if the actual charging current exceeds the programmed charging current level. PWM control circuitry generates switching control signals to control operation of the switching voltage regulator responsive to the control circuitry.
US09166426B2
An external power supply apparatus of an electric vehicle, includes: a battery; an inverter configured to convert DC power of the battery to AC power and configured to output the AC power; a first outlet socket disposed in the electric vehicle and through which an output of the inverter is supplied; a relay connected downstream from the first outlet socket as viewed from the inverter; a charging port connected downstream from the relay as viewed from the inverter and exposed to the outside of the electric vehicle; an adapter including a second outlet socket and being to be connected to the charging port; and, when it is detected that the adapter is connected to the charging port, a controlling unit setting the relay to an ON state to allow the output of the inverter to be supplied through the charging port.
US09166424B2
A solar powered device comprising a solar radiation collection portion, wherein the solar radiation collection portion includes: a solar panel to collect solar radiation, a concentrator surrounding the solar panel to concentrate the solar radiation, and a charge controller coupled to the solar panel, a base portion, a plurality of legs, and a connection portion operably connecting the solar radiation collection portion to the base portion, the connection portion including a connection member having a first end and a second end is provided. Furthermore, an associated method is also provided.
US09166419B2
A battery pack for an electric vehicle includes a first battery, a second battery, and a load arranged in parallel. A first semiconductor switching module is arranged in series with the first battery, and to selectively allow current flow from the first battery to the load and from the load to the first battery. A second semiconductor switching module is arranged in series with the second battery, and to selectively allow current flow from the second battery to the load and from the load to the second battery. A battery control module stores at least one of charge data and usage data corresponding to the first battery and the second battery, and selectively turns on and off the first semiconductor switching module and the second semiconductor switching module based on at least one of the charge data and the usage data.
US09166416B2
Adjacent battery cells connected in devices are balanced by closing a first circuit to charge an energy storage device from a first battery cell and thereafter simultaneously opening the first isolated switch and closing a second isolated switch to cause the energy storage device to charge a second battery cell. A circuit includes an isolated switch that operates simultaneously to balance battery cells connected in series, and a battery system balances battery modules connected in series, the battery module including battery cells connected in series. The battery cells and modules can be balanced by hierarchical balancing of modules of the battery pack and component cells of the modules.
US09166414B2
A battery pack including a plurality of battery cell groups including a first battery cell group and a second battery cell group, a first switch that is connected to the first battery cell group, a second switch that is connected to the second battery cell group, and a controller configured to selectively control charging and discharging operations of the first battery cell group and the second battery cell group using the first switch and the second switch.
US09166413B2
Disclosed herein is a wireless power supplying system, including a power transmission device adapted to transmit power supplied thereto, a repeater device adapted to repeat the transmission power of the power transmission device, and a power reception device adapted to receive the power repeated by said repeater device.
US09166407B2
A process of implementing, or engineering, topology-dependent functions based on a formal description of the Substation Automation system, includes performing a topology analysis of the current single line state. A topology interpreting implementation replacing complex topology analysis logics can include the project specific static single line topology and the connection to the real process state data. All information can be delivered in an IEC 61850 conforming SCD file. The interface description for controlling and monitoring the load transfer application can be generated automatically from the SCD file.
US09166397B2
An electronic control device includes a substrate, a plurality of component-mounted wires, a plurality of electronic components, a common wire, an interrupt wire and a protective layer. The component-mounted wires and the common wire are disposed on the substrate. The electronic components are mounted on the respective component-mounted wires and are coupled with the common wire. The interrupt wire is coupled between one component-mounted wire and the common wire, and is configured to melt in accordance with heat generated by an overcurrent to interrupt a coupling between the component-mounted wire and the common wire. The protective layer covers a surface of the substrate including the interrupt wire and defines an opening portion so that at least a portion of the interrupt wire is exposed.
US09166393B2
A driver circuit includes: a first transistor connected between a line of first voltage and an output terminal; a first overcurrent detector configured to output a first signal when overcurrent flows into the first transistor; a first control unit configured to turn on and off the first transistor at a predetermined period and turn off the first transistor when the first signal is output from the first overcurrent detector; and a counter configured to count the number of times by which the first signal is output from the first overcurrent detector within a predetermined time interval, and to output a shut-down signal to stop an operation of the driver circuit as a value of the count reaches a predetermined value of equal to or more than 2.
US09166387B2
An object is to mount a harness protector on a circular-sectional-shaped reinforcing member stably in a space-saving manner. A protector into which a wiring harness is inserted is arranged on a top portion of a circular-sectional-shaped horizontal reinforcing member at a vehicle side along a longitudinal direction of the reinforcing member. A curved bottom surface formed on a bottom of the protector is engaged with a curved top surface of the reinforcing member. A locking clamp projected from the bottom is engaged with a hole of the reinforcing member. A notch portion communicated with the curved bottom surface and a bracket positioned at an upper side of the notch portion are provided on a sidewall of the protector. A receiving bracket of the reinforcing member is engaged with the notch portion, and the bracket is screwed and fixed to the receiving bracket. A bottom surface of a ground terminal is exposed in a bottom surface of the bracket, and the bottom surface of the ground terminal abuts on the conductive receiving bracket at the same time as the bracket is screwed and fixed.
US09166377B2
The spark plug for an internal combustion engine has a cylindrical housing, a center electrode held inside the housing, a ground electrode connected to the housing and forming a spark discharge gap between itself and the center electrode, and, an end projection projected from the end portion of the housing toward the head end side of the spark plug. The center electrode and ground electrode are arranged so that most of the spark discharge gap is disposed over the open areas and the electrode area in which the end projection is arranged.
US09166376B2
A spark plug includes a tubular insulator and a tubular metal shell secured to an outer peripheral surface of the insulator by crimping. The tubular metal shell includes: an inner peripheral surface where powder for sealing is filled between the outer peripheral surface and the inner peripheral surface; a tool engagement portion overhanging in a polygonal shape; and a crimped lid disposed at an end portion of the metal shell coupled to the tool engagement portion, the end portion being bent toward the outer peripheral surface of the insulator by crimping. A relationship between a length L and a thickness t satisfies 2.50≦L/t≦3.10, the length L being a length along a shape of the crimped lid from the tool engagement portion to the insulator in a planar surface that passes through the axis, the thickness t being a thickness at an intermediate portion of the crimped lid.
US09166360B2
The fundamental wave light emitted from a semiconductor laser is converted in wavelength by a wavelength conversion element and emitted therefrom. A lighting circuit lights the semiconductor laser, and a temperature control unit 21b controls the amount of electric power supply to a heater so that the temperature of the wavelength conversion element turns into temperature at which the wavelength conversion efficiency thereof becomes optimal. When a state where the amount of electric power supply of the heater is lower limit or below continues for a predetermined period or longer, the hang-up suppressing unit 21c, or when duration time in a state where the temperature of the wavelength conversion element is higher than the control target temperature becomes higher than a constant value, laser lighting current is decreased by a preset amount, thereby recovery from a high temperature hang-up state performed.
US09166358B2
Systems and methods for lasing molecular gases, and systems and methods of detecting molecular species are provided. The systems and methods can include the use of an excitation laser tuned to a wavelength associated with oxygen or nitrogen. The lasing can occur in both the forward and reverse directions relative to the excitation laser beam. Reverse lasing can provide a laser beam that propagates back toward the excitation laser source, and can provide a method for remote sampling of molecular species contained in the air. For example, systems and methods of detecting a molecular species of interest can be achieved by using the properties of the backward or forward propagating air laser to indicate a change in a pulse from the source of laser pulses caused by a modulation laser tuned to interact with the molecular species of interest.
US09166357B1
A fiber laser system includes at least one optical fiber with a core and a cladding and is operative at a first wavelength larger than 2000 nm. The operative first wavelength is preferably chosen to maximize transmission through the atmosphere. At least one optical pumping system includes one or more pumping fiber lasers also doped with thulium for pumping the optical fiber. The pumping system is operative at a second, shorter wavelength close to the first wavelength for low quantum defect pumping. The core of the optical fiber is doped with thulium at a doping concentration greater than one weight % to reduce absorption losses in the core.
US09166351B1
A power adapting device has a connecting seat, at least two conductive strips, and an adapter. The connecting seat has a mounting portion with two slots. The at least two conductive strips are mounted in the connecting seat. Each of the at least two conductive strips has a positioning sheet, a conductive sheet obliquely protruding upward from the positioning sheet, an arced sheet protruding down from the positioning sheet, and an engaging sheet protruding down from the arced sheet. The engaging sheet has a semispherical contact. The adapter is electrically connected to the conductive sheets of the at least two conductive strips. With different power adapting devices of different standards using in cooperation with a charger, the charger can comply with different electrical socket standards via the power adapting devices.
US09166337B2
Embodiments of the invention generally include apparatus for providing a positive locked connection for I/O devices to computing devices. In one embodiment, an external latching apparatus for an Input/Output (I/O) connection is provided. The external latching apparatus includes a main body and at least one latch. The main body includes a first surface configured to abut to an I/O card bracket and a second surface, parallel and spaced apart from the first surface. The at least one latch extends from the main body beyond the first surface. A plurality of parallel slots are formed in the second surface. Each slot is open on a bottom side of the body and is configured to receive a cable of an I/O cable assembly.
US09166330B2
Provided according to embodiments of the invention are thermoplastic gel compositions that include a block copolymer; a hydrocarbon tackifier resin; and a hydrocarbon oil. Further, in some embodiments, such compositions may include at least one antioxidant. Also provided are connectors that include a composition according to an embodiment of the invention.
US09166318B2
An electrical connector assembly combination includes a receptacle with a plurality of electrical contacts, and a connector device with housing configured to accept and retaining a terminal end of a flexible assembly comprising one or more flexible electrical conductors. The terminal end of the flexible assembly includes one or more electrical contacts. The connector device is capable of being reversibly coupled and interlocked with the receptacle such that each of the electrical contacts in the receptacle is electrically connected to a corresponding contact at the terminal end of the flexible assembly in a secure, removable and non-permanent manner.
US09166315B1
Straddle mount connector including first and second plug members each having a member housing and electrical contacts held by the member housing. Each of the member housings has a base portion and a mating segment that projects away from the base portion to a distal edge. Each of the mating segments has an inner plug side and an outer plug side that face in respective opposite directions. The mating segments of the first and second plug members are coupled to each other along the inner plug sides and form a common straddle plug that is configured to be inserted in a mating direction into an edge connector. The common straddle plug projects away from a board edge of the circuit board in the mating direction. The electrical contacts of the first and second plug members extend along the outer plug sides of the corresponding mating segments for communicatively engaging the edge connector.
US09166311B2
A fixing bracket for signal connector adapted to fix a signal connector to a circuit board is provided. The fixing bracket includes a base, a fixing member protruding from a bottom surface of the base and at least two engaging sets protruding from a top surface of the base. The fixing member is adapted to pass through and interfere with the circuit board. Each engaging set includes a first restricting surface and a second restricting surface which are adjacent to each other and perpendicular to the top surface, and a third restricting surface parallel to the top surface. The two first restricting surfaces, the two second restricting surfaces and the two third restricting surfaces of the two engaging sets are used for respectively contacting two first surfaces, two second surfaces and two third surfaces of the signal connector so as to fix the signal connector.
US09166307B2
An axially compressible F-connector for conventional installation tools for interconnection with coaxial cable includes a rigid nut with a rear skirt forming a socket. A rigid, tubular post penetrates the nut and engages coaxial cable. An internal, slidable sleeve has a plug portion that is adapted to engage and seat within the socket. A tubular end cap completes the assembly. The tubular post coaxially extends through the connector, physically connecting the nut and coaxial cable it engages. However, grounding is insured by portions of the cable sheath that are sandwiched within the socket between the sleeve plug and the nut skirt by sealing O-rings affixed to the sleeve plug.
US09166302B2
Arrangement of resonators in an aperiodic configurations are described, which can be used for electromagnetic cloaking of objects. The overall assembly of resonators, as structures, do not all repeat periodically and at least some of the resonators are spaced such that their phase centers are separated by more than a wavelength. The arrangements can include resonators of several different sizes and/or geometries arranged so that each size or geometry corresponds to a moderate or high “Q” response that resonates within a specific frequency range, and that arrangement within that specific grouping of akin elements is periodic in the overall structure. The relative spacing and arrangement of groupings can be defined by self similarity and origin symmetry. Fractal based scatters are described. Further described are bondary condition layer structures that can activate and deactive cloaking/lensing structures.
US09166300B2
A slot antenna includes a dielectric substrate, a conductor surface provided on one of surfaces of the dielectric substrate, a slot formed by making a cut in the conductor surface, one end of the cut forming an opened end on an edge of the conductor surface, and a stub formed inside the slot, the stub being connected to one of opposing sides of the slot by using a connection part, in which the stub is formed in such a manner that a length of the connection part becomes longer than a distance between a side opposing to the side connected to the connection part and the stub.
US09166296B2
An antenna interacting with a signal having a frequency is provided. The antenna includes a radiation element having a hollow portion having an angle corner related to the frequency, and including a first inner edge; a second inner edge, wherein the angle corner is formed by the first inner edge and the second inner edge; a third inner edge connected to the second inner edge; a first outer edge; and a second outer edge, wherein the first outer edge and the second outer edge form a first included angle.
US09166293B2
A method for adjusting an operation bandwidth of an antenna is provided. The antenna includes a radiation element, and the radiation element includes a first adjusting portion having a first width and a second adjusting portion having a second width. The method includes steps of seeking an operation frequency of the antenna; and adjusting the operation bandwidth of the antenna by adjusting the second width based on the operation frequency.
US09166290B2
An optically controlled microwave antenna that reduces the optical power consumed by the antenna and to enable polarimetric detection an optically controlled microwave antenna comprises an antenna array and a feed for illuminating said antenna array with and/or receiving microwave radiation. The antenna array comprises a plurality of antenna elements each including a waveguide, two optically controllable semiconductor elements arranged within the waveguide in front of the light transmissive portion of the second end portion, a controllable light source arranged at or close to the light transmissive portion of the second end portion for projecting a controlled light beam onto said semiconductor element for controlling its material properties, and a septum arranged within the waveguide in front of the light transmissive portion of the second end portion and separating said waveguide into two waveguide portions.
US09166281B2
A Lightning connector compatible accessory device includes circuitry that is completely enveloped by a mobile device when the accessory device is inserted in a Lightning connector. The accessory device may include a microUSB connector on one end of a printed circuit board. The printed circuit board may be offset in a housing.
US09166280B2
A portable accessory for preventing death grip of a hand-held apparatus and improving radio wave transmission and reception of the hand-held apparatus. The portable accessory includes an inductive signal amplifying circuit including: a radio transmission/radio unit that transmits or receives radio waves; a capacitive coupled unit that is capacitively coupled with an antenna mounted in the hand-held apparatus; and an impedance matching unit that connects the radio wave transmission/reception unit and the capacitive coupled unit and transmits radio waves.
US09166275B2
A motor vehicle window pane with antenna mount is described. The motor vehicle window pane with antenna mount has an opening in a composite pane made of an outer pane, an intermediate layer, and an inner pane. An adhesive is disposed on the outer pane on a top in a region around the opening. A mounting plate is fixed on the adhesive. An antenna housing is disposed on the mounting plate and has a rod-shaped antenna mount within the opening and below a recess.
US09166270B2
An apparatus is provided. Transmission line cells are formed in a first region. A first metallization layer is formed over the transmission line cells within a portion of the first region. At least a portion of the first metallization layer is electrically coupled to the plurality of transmission line cells. A second metallization layer is formed over the first metallization layer with an interconnect portion, and overlay portion, and a first balun. The interconnect portion at least partially extends into the first region, and the overlay portion is within the first region. The first balun winding is electrically coupled to the overlay portion and partially extends into a second region. The first region partially surrounds the second region. A third metallization layer is formed over the second metallization layer having a second balun winding within the second region, where the second winding is generally coaxial with the first balun winding.
US09166267B2
Systems and methods for a modular ferrite switch for constructing switch networks are provided. In one implementation, a circulator redundancy network comprises multiple inputs; multiple outputs; and multiple circulator modules that connect the inputs to the outputs. A circulator module includes at least one module input connected to at least one input; at least one module output, where the number of module outputs equals the number of module inputs; multiple interconnection ports, configured to connect the circulator module to other circulator modules; and multiple circulators that route received signals between the at least one input, the at least one output, and the interconnection ports. Further, multiple interconnects connect the plurality of circulator modules to one another at the interconnection ports; and a circulator switch controller controls the direction of circulation for the plurality of circulators.
US09166260B2
A battery module including a plurality of battery cells; and a barrier including a body portion, and a partition wall protruding from a first side of the body portion, first adjacent battery cells of the plurality of battery cells being arranged at the first side of the body portion, the partition wall extending between the first adjacent battery cells.
US09166249B2
A lithium-free, anion based charge transport electrochemical system that uses fluoride ion transporting electrolytes, including ionic liquids, with and without various additives to improve performance, is described. The fluoride ion transporting electrolyte can be wholly or partly an ionic liquid that is typically liquid at temperatures less than 200 degrees Celsius. In other embodiments, electrolytes that remain liquid at less than 100 degrees Celsius are useful.
US09166240B2
A fuel cell stack module includes a plurality of fuel cell stacks, an anode tail gas oxidizer (ATO) which is located in a heat transfer relationship with the plurality of fuel cell stacks, a base supporting the plurality of fuel cell stacks and the ATO, and at least one heat exchanger located in the base. An ATO exhaust stream and an anode exhaust stream from the fuel cell stacks heat the stack fuel and air inlet streams in a multi-stream heat exchanger.
US09166234B2
Disclosed is a fuel cell system in which a hydrogen distribution system is configured in a compact size. High-pressure hydrogen gas from a hydrogen tank is decompressed in an injector and is then supplied to a cell stack manifold. A portion of a high-pressure supply system on the upstream side of the injector is formed as a first within-end-plate flow passage, and a portion of a low-pressure supply system on the downstream side of the injector is formed as a second within-end-plate flow passage. The second within-end-plate flow passage is a recess portion or a groove formed in the end plate and is formed as an open channel flow passage.
US09166220B2
According to an embodiment of the present invention, a negative active material for a rechargeable lithium battery includes silicon oxide particles represented by SiOx (where 0
US09166216B2
A rechargeable battery, and a module thereof, including a case accommodating an electrode assembly therein; a cap plate covering an opening of the case and having terminal holes; and electrode terminals installed in the terminal holes and electrically connected to the electrode assembly, the electrode terminals being protruded from lateral surfaces of the case adjacent the opening.
US09166213B2
A battery cell assembly is provided. The battery cell assembly includes a battery cell housing having first and second side members coupled together defining an interior region, and a battery cell disposed within the interior region. The battery cell assembly further includes a cable carrier assembly coupled to the battery cell housing. The cable carrier assembly includes a carrier member having a first aperture extending therethrough. The carrier member is disposed between first and second end portions of the first and second side members, respectively, and extends outwardly from the battery cell housing. The cable carrier assembly further includes a first cable fixedly held by the carrier member.
US09166211B2
A cover member is attached to a bus bar module. The bus bar module includes: a plurality of bus bars respectively connecting batteries adjacent to each other of a battery assembly composed of a plurality of batteries overlapped with each other; a main body to which the bus bars are attached, and overlapped with the battery assembly; a plurality of positioning projections and a plurality of locking portions provided on the main body. The cover member includes: a plurality of cover portions arranged in parallel to an overlapping direction X of the batteries, and covering the bus bars; and a plurality of elastically deforming portions movably connecting the cover portions adjacent to each other. Each of the cover portions includes: a positioning hole into which the positioning projection is inserted; and a lock receiving portion with which the locking portion is locked.
US09166210B2
A case for a secondary battery and a method of manufacturing the case. The case has improved hardness and insulating properties and can be colored or patterned according to customers' preferences without having to perform an additional painting process, and a method of manufacturing the case. The case includes a body configured to accommodate an electrode assembly and formed of a conductive material; an oxide film formed on the body; and a colored sealing layer formed on the oxide film.
US09166208B2
A rechargeable battery includes an electrode assembly including a first electrode plate, a second electrode plate, and a separator between the first and second electrode plates; a first collector plate and a second collector plate electrically coupled to the first electrode plate and the second electrode plate, respectively; a case accommodating the electrode assembly and the first and second collector plates; and a cap assembly coupled to the case, wherein the cap assembly comprises a cap plate sealing the case, and wherein a reinforcing protrusion part is on the cap plate extending along a length of the cap plate.
US09166204B2
An organic light-emitting diode includes an anode on a substrate; a first hole transporting layer on the anode; a second hole transporting layer on the first hole transporting layer and corresponding to the red and green pixel areas; a first emitting material pattern of a first thickness on the second hole transporting layer and corresponding to the red pixel area; a second emitting material pattern of a second thickness on the second hole transporting layer and corresponding to the green pixel area; a third emitting material pattern of a third thickness on the first hole transporting layer and corresponding to the blue pixel area; an electron transporting layer on the first, second and third emitting material patterns; and a cathode on the electron transporting layer, wherein the second thickness is less than the first thickness and greater than the third thickness.
US09166203B2
A method of fabricating a display substrate includes forming a gate electrode on a substrate, forming a gate insulating layer to cover the gate electrode, forming an active layer on the gate insulating layer, forming a metal layer on the active layer, forming a first mask pattern on the metal layer to face a first region of the active layer, forming a second mask pattern on the metal layer to face a second region and a third region of the active layer, etching the metal layer and the active layer using the first and second mask patterns as an etch mask to form a metal pattern and an active pattern, removing the first mask pattern, and etching the metal pattern using the second mask pattern as an etch mask to form a source electrode and a drain electrode.
US09166189B2
An organic light emitting device includes a cathode made of metal, at least one organic material layer including a light emitting layer, and an anode in the sequentially layered form. The organic light emitting device also includes a thin metal film that is interposed between the cathode and the organic material layer.
US09166188B1
An OLED device includes: a first insulator sheet; a light-emitting stack stacked with the first insulator sheet and including a transparent anode layer, a cathode layer, and a functional layer; a metallic mesh stacked with the anode layer in a vertical direction, the metallic mesh contacting the anode layer and being covered by the anode layer; a second insulator sheet stacked with the cathode layer in the vertical direction; a plurality of cathode-connecting vias extending through the second insulator sheet; and a cathode-connecting metallic layer stacked with the second insulator sheet in the vertical direction and connected electrically to the cathode layer through the cathode-connecting vias.
US09166186B2
In a method of forming an organic light emitting structure, a plurality of first electrodes spaced apart from each other is formed on a lower substrate. A first organic layer covering the first electrodes is formed on the lower substrate. A preliminary pixel defining layer is formed on the first organic layer. The preliminary pixel defining layer includes a photosensitive material, and is selectively exposed to light so that the preliminary pixel defining layer and a portion of the first organic layer beneath the preliminary pixel defining layer are transformed into a pixel defining layer and a first organic layer pattern, respectively. An emitting layer is formed on the first organic layer exposed by the pixel defining layer. A second organic layer is formed on the emitting layer. A second electrode is formed on the second organic layer.
US09166174B2
This invention relates to deuterated compounds that are useful in electroluminescent applications. It also relates to electronic devices in which the active layer includes such a deuterated compound.
US09166161B2
A phase change memory cell and a method for fabricating the phase change memory cell. The phase change memory cell includes a bottom electrode and a first non-conductive layer. The first non-conductive layer defines a first well, a first electrically conductive liner lines the first well, and the first well is filled with a phase change material in the phase change memory cell. A second non-conductive layer is deposited above the first non-conductive layer. A second well is defined by the second non-conductive layer and positioned directly above the first well. A second electrically conductive liner lines at least one wall of the second well such that the second electrically conductive liner is not in physical contact with the first electrically conductive liner. Furthermore, the phase change material is deposited in the second well.
US09166152B2
A method and system provide a magnetic junction usable in a magnetic device. The magnetic junction includes a plurality of magnetic layers including a nonmagnetic spacer layer. The magnetic junction also includes at least one diffusionless transformation layer. The magnetic junction is configured to be switchable between a plurality of stable magnetic states when a write current is passed through the magnetic junction.
US09166142B2
A manufacturing method of a piezoelectric film element includes forming a piezoelectric film including a lead-free alkali niobate based compound having a perovskite structure represented by a compositional formula of (K1-XNaX)NbO3 on a substrate, and dry-etching the piezoelectric film by using a low-pressure plasma including a fluorine system reactive gas.
US09166141B2
Matching layers improve the performance of ultrasonic transducers. Such layers have traditionally required significant effort and expense to be added to ultrasonic transducers. The present invention discloses a method of producing ultrasonic transducers with a matching layer, specifically for ultrasonic transducers utilizing piezopolymer transducer materials. Rather than the conventional method of forming the piezopolymer on a substrate and then attaching a matching layer through which the transducer emits its ultrasound energy, we teach depositing the piezopolymer on a substrate that also serves as a matching layer through which the ultrasound is emitted. We also teach depositing an additional shield layer for reducing electromagnetic interference. Methods of how to select materials and modify their ultrasonic characteristics are also discussed.
US09166135B2
An optical/electrical transducer device has housing, formed of a thermally conductive section and an optically transmissive member. The section and member are connected together to form a seal for a vapor tight chamber. Pressure within the chamber configures a working fluid to absorb heat during operation of the device, to vaporize at a relatively hot location as it absorbs heat, to transfer heat to and condense at a relatively cold location, and to return as a liquid to the relatively hot location. The transducer device also includes a wicking structure mounted within the chamber to facilitate flow of condensed liquid of the working fluid from the cold location to the hot location. At least a portion of the wicking structure comprises semiconductor nanowires, configured as part of an optical/electrical transducer within the chamber for emitting light through and/or driven by light received via the transmissive member.
US09166133B2
LED substrate of the present invention includes: translucent substrate body-in which an LED chip is disposed on a front face; and heat dissipation path provided in substrate body to dissipate heat generated in the LED chip. Substrate body includes a through hole that penetrates through the substrate body from the front face on which the LED chip is provided to a back face. Heat dissipation path includes: heat transfer path section provided in the through hole; and heat dissipation pattern section provided on the back face of substrate body, and connected to heat transfer path section. Thus, LED substrate having superior heat dissipation is realized.
US09166128B2
A light-emitting assembly and a method for manufacturing the same are provided. The light-emitting assembly includes a circuit board with a light-emitting element and a plurality of optical microstructures disposed thereon. The optical microstructures adjacent to the light-emitting element absorb or guide a portion of light emitted from the light-emitting element.
US09166126B2
Methods are disclosed including applying a conformal coating to multiple light emitters. The conformal coating forms in gap areas between adjacent ones of the light emitters. The plurality of light emitters are separated into individual light emitters. The individual light emitters include the conformal coating that extends to a space corresponding to respective gap areas. Light emitting structures are disclosed including a semiconductor light emitting diode (LED) having an active region and a conformal coating including a first portion and a second portion, the first portion corresponding to at least one surface of the LED and the second portion extending from the first portion.
US09166125B2
A comprehensive light-emitting diode device including a translucent substrate, a light-emitting diode chip, a reflective layer, a first wavelength conversion layer, and a second wavelength conversion layer. The translucent substrate includes a first surface and a second surface opposite to the first surface. The light-emitting diode chip is disposed on the first surface. The reflective layer is disposed on the first surface. The light-emitting diode chip is surrounded by the reflective layer. The first wavelength conversion layer is disposed on the first surface. The light-emitting diode chip and the reflective layer are covered by the first wavelength conversion layer.
US09166099B2
A graphene light-emitting device and a method of manufacturing the same are provided. The graphene light-emitting device includes a p-type graphene doped with a p-type dopant; an n-type graphene doped with an n-type dopant; and an active graphene that is disposed between the type graphene and the n-type graphene and emits light, wherein the p-type graphene, the n-type graphene, and the active graphene are horizontally disposed.
US09166097B2
An embodiment of the invention provides a thin film transistor substrate includes: a substrate; a plurality of transistors on the substrate, wherein each of the transistors includes: a light-blocking layer on the substrate; an active layer on the light-blocking layer; a gate insulating layer on the substrate and covering the active layer; a gate electrode on the gate insulating layer and over the active layer; a source electrode on the substrate and electrically connected to the active layer; and a drain electrode on the substrate and electrically connected to the active layer.
US09166083B2
With infrared (IR) sensors, repeatability and accuracy can become an issue when there are thermal gradients between the sensor and an underlying printed circuit board (PCB). Conventionally, a large thermal mass is included in the sensor packaging to reduce the effect from such thermal gradients, but this increase costs and size of the sensor. Here, however, a PCB is provided that includes an isothermal cage included therein that generally ensures that the temperature of the underlying PCB and sensor are about the same by including structural features (namely, the isothermal cage) that generally ensure that the thermal time constant for a path from a heat source to the thermopile (which is within the sensor) is approximately the same as thermal time constants for paths through the PCB.
US09166082B2
A solar cell includes a substrate of a first conductive type, an emitter region of a second conductive type opposite the first conductive type and which forms a p-n junction along with the substrate, an anti-reflection layer positioned on the emitter region, a front electrode part electrically connected to the emitter region, and a back electrode part electrically connected to the substrate. The substrate includes a first area formed of single crystal silicon and a second area formed of polycrystalline silicon. A thickness of the anti-reflection layer positioned in the first area is less than a thickness of the anti-reflection layer positioned in the second area.
US09166079B2
Methods of forming contacts for solar cells are described. In one embodiment, a method includes forming a silicon layer above a substrate, forming and patterning a solid-state p-type dopant source on the silicon layer, forming an n-type dopant source layer over exposed regions of the silicon layer and over a plurality of regions of the solid-state p-type dopant source, and heating the substrate to provide a plurality of n-type doped silicon regions among a plurality of p-type doped silicon regions.
US09166077B2
Disclosed is a thin-film solar cell which has a high photoelectric conversion efficiency and is provided with a substrate (1), a backside surface electrode layer (2) formed on the substrate (1), a p-type light-absorbing layer (3) formed on the backside surface electrode layer (2), and an n-type transparent conductive film (5) formed on the p-type light-absorbing layer (3). Voids (6) are formed at the interface of the backside surface electrode layer (2) and the p-type light-absorbing layer (3).
US09166058B2
To provide a method by which a semiconductor device including a thin film transistor with excellent electric characteristics and high reliability is manufactured with a small number of steps. After a channel protective layer is formed over an oxide semiconductor film containing In, Ga, and Zn, a film having n-type conductivity and a conductive film are formed, and a resist mask is formed over the conductive film. The conductive film, the film having n-type conductivity, and the oxide semiconductor film containing In, Ga, and Zn are etched using the channel protective layer and gate insulating films as etching stoppers with the resist mask, so that source and drain electrode layers, a buffer layer, and a semiconductor layer are formed.
US09166056B2
In a thin-film semiconductor device, a semiconductor layer has a bandgap energy of 1.6 eV or less, an insulating layer formed above the semiconductor layer includes: a first insulating layer region placed outside of a first contact opening and above one end of a gate electrode; a second insulating layer region placed outside of a second contact opening and above the other end of the gate electrode which opposes the one end; and a third insulating layer region being rectangular and placed between the first contact opening and the second contact opening.
US09166050B2
Various embodiments provide transistors and methods for forming the same. In an exemplary method, a substrate can be provided. A gate structure can be formed on the substrate. A stress layer can be formed in the substrate on both sides of the gate structure. Barrier ions can be doped in the stress layer to form a barrier layer in the stress layer. The barrier layer can have a preset distance from a surface of the stress layer. An electrical contact layer can be formed using a portion of the stress layer on the barrier layer by a salicide process. The electrical contact layer can contain a first metal element. The first metal element can have a resistivity lower than a resistivity of a silicidation metal. The barrier layer can prevent atoms of the first metal element from diffusing to a bottom of the stress layer.
US09166046B2
A semiconductor device includes a gate structure, and a source region and a drain region on opposite sides of the gate structure. The source region comprises a first region of a first conductivity type, and a second region of a second conductivity type, the second conductivity type opposite to the first conductivity type. The first region is arranged between the second region and the gate structure. The second region comprises at least one projection protruding into the first region and toward the gate structure.
US09166044B2
Embodiments include Multiple Gate Field-Effect Transistors (MuGFETs) and methods of forming them. In an embodiment, a structure includes a substrate, a fin, masking dielectric layer portions, and a raised epitaxial lightly doped source/drain (LDD) region. The substrate includes the fin. The masking dielectric layer portions are along sidewalls of the fin. An upper portion of the fin protrudes from the masking dielectric layer portions. A first spacer is along a sidewall of a gate structure over a channel region of the fin. A second spacer is along the first spacer. The raised epitaxial LDD region is on the upper portion of the fin, and the raised epitaxial LDD region adjoins a sidewall of the first spacer and is disposed under the second spacer. The raised epitaxial LDD region extends from the upper portion of the fin in at least two laterally opposed directions and a vertical direction.
US09166042B2
This invention discloses a method for manufacturing a semiconductor power device in a semiconductor substrate comprises an active cell area and a termination area. The method comprises the steps of a) growing and patterning a field oxide layer in the termination area and also in the active cell area on a top surface of the semiconductor substrate b) depositing and patterning a polysilicon layer on the top surface of the semiconductor substrate at a gap distance away from the field oxide layer; c) performing a blank body dopant implant to form body dopant regions in the semiconductor substrate substantially aligned with the gap area followed by diffusing the body dopant regions into body regions in the semiconductor substrate; d) implanting high concentration body-dopant regions encompassed in and having a higher dopant concentration than the body regions e) applying a source mask to implant source regions having a conductivity opposite to the body region with the source regions encompassed in the body regions and surrounded by the high concentration body-dopant regions; and f) etching contact trenches into the source, body contact, and body regions.
US09166036B2
Super-junction MOSFETs by trench fill system requires void-free filling epitaxial growth. This may require alignment of plane orientations of trenches in a given direction. Particularly, when column layout at chip corner part is bilaterally asymmetrical with a diagonal line between chip corners, equipotential lines in a blocking state are curved at corner parts due to column asymmetry at chip corner. This tends to cause points where equipotential lines become dense, which may cause breakdown voltage reduction. In the present invention, in power type semiconductor active elements such as power MOSFETs, a ring-shaped field plate is disposed in chip peripheral regions around an active cell region, etc., assuming a nearly rectangular shape. The field plate has an ohmic-contact part in at least a part of the portion along the side of the rectangle. However, in the portion corresponding to the corner part of the rectangle, an ohmic-contact part is not disposed.
US09166034B2
A semiconductor device, and a method of fabricating the same, include a substrate including two-dimensionally arranged active portions, device isolation patterns extending along sidewalls of the active portions, each of the device isolation patterns including first and second device isolation patterns, gate patterns extending across the active portions and the device isolation patterns, each of the gate patterns including a gate insulating layer, a gate line and a gate capping pattern, and ohmic patterns on the active portions, respectively. Top surfaces of the first device isolation pattern and the gate insulating layer may be lower than those of the second device isolation pattern and the gate capping pattern, respectively, and the ohmic patterns may include an extending portion on the first insulating layer.
US09166029B2
A method for manufacturing a semiconductor device includes: forming, in element regions of a semiconductor wafer, electrodes and a insulator on peripheral part of the electrodes so that a height of the insulator is higher than that of the electrodes; forming, on the front face of the semiconductor wafer, a groove for surrounding a periphery of the electrodes with the insulator being sandwiched between the electrodes and the groove, the groove being formed so that a height of the groove is lower than that of the insulator and the groove extends to an outer circumferential edge of the semiconductor wafer; bonding adhesives onto the electrodes in the element regions so that a height of the adhesives is higher than that of the insulator, and bonding, onto the adhesives, a base material for covering the front face of the semiconductor wafer; and processing a rear face of the semiconductor wafer.
US09166013B2
A nonvolatile memory device having a plurality of unit cells, each of the plurality of unit cells includes a first transistor suitable for having a fixed threshold voltage, and a second transistor suitable for coupling to the first transistor in parallel and having a variable threshold voltage.
US09166003B2
A layout configuration for a memory cell array includes at least a comb-like doped region having a first conductivity type and a fishbone-shaped doped region having a second conductivity type. The second conductivity type and the first conductivity type are complementary. Furthermore, the comb-like doped region and the fishbone-shaped doped region are interdigitated.
US09166002B2
The disclosure relates to the formation of n-doped single crystal diamond (SCD). In general, a SCD substrate is preferentially anisotropically etched to provide one or more recesses in the SCD substrate, where the recesses are defined by (1 1 1) surface sidewalls resulting from the preferential anisotropic etching process. The recesses generally have a pyramidal shape. N-type doped SCD (e.g., using a phosphorous dopant) is then deposited into the preferentially anisotropically etched recesses. When the SCD substrate is a p-type diamond (e.g., using a boron dopant), the resulting structure can be used as a p-n junction, for example for use in various power electronic apparatus such as diodes, etc.
US09166001B2
According to an exemplary embodiment, a method of forming a semiconductor device is provided. The method includes: providing a vertical structure over a substrate; forming an etch stop layer over the vertical structure; forming an oxide layer over the etch stop layer; performing chemical mechanical polishing on the oxide layer and stopping on the etch stop layer; etching back the oxide layer and the etch stop layer to expose a sidewall of the vertical structure and to form an isolation layer; oxidizing the sidewall of the vertical structure and doping oxygen into the isolation layer by using a cluster oxygen doping treatment.
US09165994B1
An organic light emitting display includes a display panel including subpixels and a driver for driving the display panel. The display panel includes a reflection reduction layer, which is formed on an internal surface or an external surface of a substrate and is positioned correspondingly to a non-opening area defined in the substrate.
US09165988B2
An organic light-emitting display apparatus is disclosed. The organic light-emitting display apparatus includes a substrate; a thin film transistor (TFT) formed on the substrate and including an active layer, a gate electrode, a source electrode, and a drain electrode; a first insulating layer formed on the TFT; a pixel electrode; a second insulating layer formed on the first insulating layer; and an opposite electrode formed on the intermediate layer.
US09165984B2
A device is provided with a first OLED having a peak wavelength in the range 500-600 nm and a second OLED having a peak wavelength in the range 400-500 nm. Less than 2% of the light emitted by the first OLED has a wavelength of 650 nm or longer and less than 2% of the light emitted by the second OLED has a wavelength of 650 nm or longer.
US09165982B2
Optical films, and organic light-emitting display apparatuses employing the same, include a high refractive index pattern layer including a first surface and a second surface facing each other, wherein the first surface includes a pattern having a plurality of grooves. The plurality of grooves each have a curved surface and a depth greater than a width thereof. The high refractive index pattern layer is formed of a material having a refractive index greater than 1. The optical films, and the organic light-emitting display apparatuses, further include a low refractive index pattern layer formed of a material having a refractive index smaller than the refractive index of the material constituting the high refractive index pattern layer. The low refractive index pattern layer includes a filling material for filling the plurality of grooves.
US09165980B2
An organic light emitting diode (OLED) and a method of manufacturing the same. An auxiliary layer comprising a high density metallic compound and an emission layer are formed by a laser induced thermal imaging (LITI) process. The LITI process reduces manufacturing costs and time by eliminating the need for a mask patterning process. The metallic compound has a density of 2 g/cm3 or greater to promote adhesion and improve interfacial planarization. This results in improved luminance uniformity (i.e. luminance mura) between pixels within an OLED display device.
US09165968B2
A stacked image sensor and method for making the same are provided. The stacked image sensor includes an upper chip with a pixel array thereon. The second chip includes a plurality of column circuits and row circuits associated with the columns and rows of the pixel array and disposed in respective column circuit and row circuit regions that are arranged in multiple groups. Inter-chip bonding pads are formed on each of the chips. The inter-chip bonding pads on the second chip are arranged linearly and are contained within the column circuit regions and row circuit regions in one embodiment. In other embodiments, the inter-chip bonding pads are staggered with respect to each other. In some embodiments, the rows and columns of the pixel array include multiple signal lines and the corresponding column circuit regions and row circuit regions also include multiple inter-chip bonding pads.
US09165952B2
By controlling the luminance of light emitting element not by means of a voltage to be impressed to the TFT but by means of controlling a current that flows to the TFT in a signal line drive circuit, the current that flows to the light emitting element is held to a desired value without depending on the characteristics of the TFT. Further, a voltage of inverted bias is impressed to the light emitting element every predetermined period. Since a multiplier effect is given by the two configurations described above, it is possible to prevent the luminance from deteriorating due to a deterioration of the organic luminescent layer, and further, it is possible to maintain the current that flows to the light emitting element to a desired value without depending on the characteristics of the TFT.
US09165949B1
The present invention provides an array substrate, its manufacturing method, and a display device. The array substrate comprises a gate metal layer, a gate insulating layer, a source/drain metal layer, first common electrode lines arranged on an identical layer to the gate metal layer, a first via hole arranged in the gate insulating layer and corresponding to the first common electrode line, a source/drain metal filling part arranged within the first via hole, a second via hole in communication with the first via hole, and a transparent connection part. The first common electrode lines are, by means of the transparent connection part and the source/drain metal filling part, in electrical connection with each other through the second via hole. According to the present invention, it is able to reduce the depth of the via holes in the array substrate, and improve the uneven diffusion of an alignment layer.
US09165945B1
Methods of fabricating a semiconductor structure include implanting ion into a second region of a strained semiconductor layer on a multi-layer substrate to amorphize a portion of crystalline semiconductor material in the second region of the strained semiconductor layer without amorphizing a first region of the strained semiconductor layer. The amorphous region is recrystallized, and elements are diffused within the semiconductor layer to enrich a concentration of the diffused elements in a portion of the second region of the strained semiconductor layer and alter a strain state therein relative to a strain state of the first region of the strained semiconductor layer. A first plurality of transistor channel structures are formed that each comprise a portion of the first region of the semiconductor layer, and a second plurality of transistor channel structures are formed that each comprise a portion of the second region of the semiconductor layer.
US09165942B2
An object of the present invention is to provide a programmable logic device which has short start-up time after supply of power is stopped, is highly integrated, and operates with low power. In a programmable logic device including an input/output block, a plurality of logic blocks each including a logic element, and a wiring connecting the plurality of logic blocks, the logic element has a configuration memory for holding configuration data and a look-up table including a selection circuit. The configuration memory includes a plurality of memory elements each of which includes a transistor whose channel region is in an oxide semiconductor film and an arithmetic circuit provided between the transistor and the selection circuit. Configuration data is selectively changed and output by the selection circuit in accordance with an input signal.
US09165941B2
A semiconductor memory device includes a substrate having a cell region and a peripheral region, a gate stack including a plurality of insulating layers and a plurality of gates alternately stacked on the cell region of the substrate, a stress buffer layer on the gate stack, a vertical channel that extends vertically through the gate stack and is electrically connected to the substrate, a memory layer wrapped around the vertical channel. A bit line electrically connected to the vertical channel may be provided on the gate stack. In a method of fabricating a semiconductor device, the buffer stress layer is formed directly on an upper insulating layer of a stack whose shape is altered to form the gate stack to inhibit warping of the substrate during fabrication of the device.
US09165940B2
A method of making a monolithic three dimensional NAND string, including providing a stack of alternating first material layers and second material layers different from the first material layer over a substrate, the stack comprising at least one opening containing a charge storage material comprising a silicide layer, a tunnel dielectric on the charge storage material in the at least one opening, and a semiconductor channel on the tunnel dielectric in the at least one opening, selectively removing the second material layers without removing the first material layers from the stack and forming control gates between the first material layers.
US09165936B2
An anti-fuse device for fin field-effect transistor (finFET) technology includes a dummy gate, an electrically conductive contact, and a diffusion contact. The dummy gate is formed over an end-corner of a fin. The electrically conductive contact is disposed on a portion of the dummy gate and can be used as a first electrode of the device. The diffusion contact is disposed over the fin and can be used as a second electrode of the device.
US09165935B2
A semiconductor device includes a semiconductor substrate including first trenches defining outer sidewalls of a pair of active pillars and a second trench defining opposing inner sidewalls of the pair of active pillars. The second trench may have a bottom surface located at a higher level than bottom surface of the first trench. Auxiliary conductive lines may be disposed in the first trenches to cover and cross the outer sidewalls of the pair of active pillars. A pair of main conductive lines may be disposed in a pair of recessed regions that are laterally recessed from lower portions of the inner sidewalls of the active pillars into the pair of active pillars. A common impurity region may be disposed in the semiconductor substrate under the second trench. Upper impurity regions may be disposed in upper portions of the active pillars.
US09165934B2
A semiconductor memory device includes a plurality of pattern structures respectively including a bit line and insulating spacers on sidewalls thereof protruding from a substrate. A plurality of insulating extension patterns are provided on opposing sidewalls of the pattern structures, and respectively extend from upper portions of the opposing sidewalls toward the substrate along the insulating spacers such that lower portions of the opposing sidewalls are free of the extension patterns. A plurality of buried contact patterns are provided on the substrate between the lower portions of the opposing sidewalls of adjacent pattern structures. Related fabrication methods are also discussed.
US09165931B1
An integrated circuit (IC) includes a substrate that is common to the IC and variants of the IC. The IC also includes a first set of interconnect layers fabricated above the substrate. The first set of interconnect layers is used to couple programmable interconnect of the IC to a first circuit in the substrate. The IC further includes a second set of interconnect layers fabricated above the substrate. The second set of interconnect layers is used to differentiate features of the IC from variants of the IC by selectively coupling the programmable interconnect to a second circuit in the substrate.
US09165924B2
A method for fabricating a vertical channel type nonvolatile memory device includes: alternately forming a plurality of sacrificial layers and a plurality of interlayer dielectric layers over a semiconductor substrate; etching the sacrificial layers and the interlayer dielectric layers to form a plurality of first openings for channel each of which exposes the substrate; filling the first openings to form a plurality of channels protruding from the semiconductor substrate; etching the sacrificial layers and the interlayer dielectric layers to form second openings for removal of the sacrificial layers between the channels; exposing side walls of the channels by removing the sacrificial layers exposed by the second openings; and forming a tunnel insulation layer, a charge trap layer, a charge blocking layer, and a conductive layer for gate electrode on the exposed sidewalls of the channels.
US09165910B2
Microelectronic die packages, stacked systems of die packages, and methods of manufacturing them are disclosed herein. In one embodiment, a system of stacked packages includes a first die package having a bottom side, a first dielectric casing, and first metal leads; a second die package having a top side attached to the bottom side of the first package, a dielectric casing with a lateral side, and second metal leads aligned with and projecting towards the first metal leads and including an exterior surface and an interior surface region that generally faces the lateral side; and metal solder connectors coupling individual first leads to individual second leads. In a further embodiment, the individual second leads have an “L” shape and physically contact corresponding individual first leads. In another embodiment, the individual second leads have a “C” shape and include a tiered portion that projects towards the lateral side of the second casing.
US09165905B2
A plurality of unpackaged substrates connected to one another is disclosed. The stepped structures on and/or in a first main area of a first substrate include a plurality of integrated circuits. The stepped structures run between the integrated circuits. The first conductor tracks extend from at least some contact connections of the respective integrated circuits as far as the stepped structures. The first substrate is connected on the side of the first main area to a further substrate. The first substrate is severed from a second main area opposite to the first main area such that the first substrate is divided into a plurality of substrate pieces. Each substrate piece has one of the integrated circuits. The first conductor tracks are accessible in interspaces between the substrate pieces. The second conductor tracks are formed from the second main area. At least some of the second conductor tracks lead from the second main area over side walls of the substrate pieces as far as the first conductor tracks.
US09165897B2
A semiconductor package includes one or more semiconductor stack structures mounted on a package board. The semiconductor stack structures include sequentially stacked first to fourth semiconductor devices. Each of the first to fourth semiconductor devices includes a first unit semiconductor chip and a second unit semiconductor chip. The first unit semiconductor chip and the second unit semiconductor chip are unitary. A method for fabricating the semiconductor package includes forming pairs of unit semiconductor chips on a wafer, forming a scribe lane between the pairs of unit semiconductor chips, separating the pairs of unit semiconductor chips into semiconductor devices, each of the semiconductor devices having a corresponding one pair of unit semiconductor chips.
US09165889B2
An alignment mark definer is configured to provide a geometrical definition for an actual alignment structure to be formed at a temporary surface of a substrate based on a desired appearance of the alignment mark and on an expected alteration of an appearance of the actual alignment structure caused by a deposition material deposited on the temporary surface and the actual alignment structure.
US09165881B2
A first capacitor recess and a wiring trench are formed through an interlayer insulating film. A lower electrode fills the first capacitor recess, and a first wiring fills the wiring trench. An etching stopper film and a via layer insulating film are disposed over the interlayer insulating film. A first via hole extends through the via layer insulating film and etching stopper film and reaches the first wiring, and a first plug fills the first via hole. A second capacitor recess is formed through the via layer insulating film, the second capacitor recess at least partially overlapping the lower electrode, as viewed in plan. The upper electrode covers the bottom and side surfaces of the second capacitor recess. A capacitor is constituted of the upper electrode, etching stopper film and lower electrode. A second wring connected to the first plug is formed over the via layer insulating film.
US09165880B2
A method for controlling device feature sizes produced by polishing operations such as chemical mechanical polishing (CMP) is provided. The method includes instituting process controls to control the processing operations used in combination to produce features of a metal layer with a desired thickness, based on the thickness of the previous metal layer or layers. A target thickness for first and second metal layers is established. After the first metal layer is produced and the difference between the first metal target thickness and the actual first metal thickness is determined, the target thickness for the second metal features is adjusted. Once the target thickness for the second metal features is adjusted, each of the processing operations used to produce the second metal layer is controlled in combination to produce the second metal features with the adjusted target thickness.
US09165870B2
According to the embodiment, a semiconductor storage device includes an organic substrate, a semiconductor memory chip, a lead frame, and a resin mold section. The lead frame includes an adhering portion. The organic substrate is singulated to have a shape in which a portion in which the organic substrate does not overlap with the placing portion is larger than a portion in which the organic substrate overlaps with the placing portion, in plan view. The lead frame further includes a first extending portion in the adhering portion that extends to a surface different from a surface of the resin mold section on a side of an insertion direction.
US09165867B1
A semiconductor device may include an integrated circuit (IC), and lead frame contact areas adjacent the IC. Each lead frame contact area may have an opening therein. The semiconductor device may include bond wires, each bond wire coupling a respective lead frame contact area with the IC. The semiconductor device may also include encapsulation material surrounding the IC, the lead frame contact areas, and the bond wires. Solder balls are within the respective opening.
US09165853B2
An integrated circuit is provided having an active circuit. A heating element is adjacent to the active circuit and configured to heat the active circuit. A temperature sensor is also adjacent to the active circuit and configured to measure a temperature of the active circuit. A temperature controller is coupled to the active circuit and configured to receive a temperature signal from the temperature sensor. The temperature controller operates the heating element to heat the active circuit to maintain the temperature of the active circuit in a selected temperature range.
US09165850B2
Structures and methods of making a flip chip package that employ polyimide pads of varying heights at a radial distance from a center of an integrated circuit (IC) chip for a flip chip package. The polyimide pads may be formed under electrical connectors, which connect the IC chip to a chip carrier of the flip chip package, so that electrical connectors formed on polyimide pads of greater height are disposed at a greater radial distance from the center of the IC chip, while electrical connectors formed on polyimide pads of a lesser height are disposed more proximately to the center of the IC chip. Electrical connectors of a greater relative height to the IC chip's surface may compensate for a gap, produced by heat-induced warpage during the making of the flip chip package, that separates the electrical connectors on the IC chip from flip chip attaches on the chip carrier.
US09165849B2
An electronic device is provided wherein the characteristics thereof are prevented from deteriorating. The electronic device (1) is provided with: a chip component (2) having an electronic element (22); a wiring board (3) on which the chip component (2) is mounted with a space therebetween, the space for containing the electronic element (22); a resin layer (4) provided from the surface of the chip component (2) to the surface of the wiring board (3) so as to surround the space; and an inorganic insulating layer (5), which is provided at the resin layer (4) and is positioned at the side of the space. Since entry of water vapor into the space can be reduced not only by means of the resin layer (4) but also by means of the inorganic insulating layer (5), the electronic device (1) having high airtight sealing performance can be provided.
US09165847B2
A semiconductor device includes a semiconductor chip and a first material including molecules that are configured to absorb thermal energy by reversibly changing a spatial molecular structure of the molecules.
US09165845B2
Provided is a semiconductor device having a pad on a semiconductor chip, a first passivation film formed over the semiconductor chip and having an opening portion on the pad of a probe region and a coupling region, a second passivation film formed over the pad and the first passivation film and having an opening portion on the pad of the coupling region, and a rewiring layer formed over the coupling region and the second passivation film and electrically coupled to the pad. The pad of the probe region placed on the periphery side of the semiconductor chip relative to the coupling region has a probe mark and the rewiring layer extends from the coupling region to the center side of the semiconductor chip. The present invention provides a technology capable of achieving size reduction, particularly pitch narrowing, of a semiconductor device.
US09165839B2
The present disclosure provides a semiconductor device. The semiconductor device includes a silicon substrate. A first III-V compound layer is disposed over the silicon substrate. A second III-V compound layer is disposed over the first III-V compound layer. The semiconductor device includes a transistor disposed over the first III-V compound layer and partially in the second III-V compound layer. The semiconductor device includes a diode disposed in the silicon substrate. The semiconductor device includes a via coupled to the diode and extending through at least the first III-V compound layer. The via is electrically coupled to the transistor or disposed adjacent to the transistor.
US09165833B2
In one embodiment, semiconductor die having non-rectangular shapes and die having various different shapes are formed and singulated from a semiconductor wafer.
US09165829B2
A chip includes a dielectric layer having a top surface and a bottom surface, a first semiconductor layer overlying and bonded to the top surface of the dielectric layer, and a first Metal Oxide-Semiconductor (MOS) transistor of a first conductivity type. The first MOS transistor includes a first gate dielectric overlying and contacting the first semiconductor layer, and a first gate electrode overlying the first gate dielectric. A second semiconductor layer is underlying and bonded to the bottom surface of the dielectric layer. A second MOS transistor of a second conductivity type opposite to the first conductivity type includes a second gate dielectric underlying and contacting the second semiconductor layer, and a second gate electrode underlying the second gate dielectric.
US09165828B2
A semiconductor device comprises a semiconductor substrate, an anorganic isolation layer on the semiconductor substrate and a metallization layer on the anorganic isolation layer. The metallization layer comprises a fuse structure. At least in an area of the fuse structure the metallization layer and the anorganic isolation layer have a common interface.
US09165827B2
The semiconductor device includes a capacitor including a plurality of interconnection layers stacked over each other, the plurality of interconnection layers each including a plurality of electrode patterns extended in a first direction, a plurality of via parts provided between the plurality of interconnection layers and electrically interconnecting the plurality of the electrode patterns between the interconnection layers adjacent to each other, and an insulating films formed between the plurality of interconnection layers and the plurality of via parts. Each of the plurality of via parts is laid out, offset from a center of the electrode pattern in a second direction intersecting the first direction, and the plurality of electrode patterns has a larger line width at parts where the via parts are connected to, and a distance between the electrode patterns and the adjacent electrode patterns is reduced at the parts.
US09165822B2
A semiconductor device structure and methods of forming the same are disclosed. An embodiment is a method of forming a semiconductor device, the method comprising forming a first conductive line over a substrate, and conformally forming a first dielectric layer over a top surface and a sidewall of the first conductive line, the first dielectric layer having a first porosity percentage and a first carbon concentration. The method further comprises forming a second dielectric layer on the first dielectric layer, the second dielectric layer having a second porosity percentage and a second carbon concentration, the second porosity percentage being different from the first porosity percentage, and the second carbon concentration being less than the first carbon concentration.
US09165819B2
According to a method herein, a first side of a substrate is implanted with a first material to change a crystalline structure of the first side of the substrate from a first crystalline state to a second crystalline state, after the first material is implanted. A second material is deposited on the first side of the substrate, after the first material is implanted. A first side of an insulator layer is bonded to the second material on the first side of the substrate. Integrated circuit devices are formed on a second side of the insulator layer, opposite the first side of the insulator layer, after the insulator layer is bonded to the second material. The integrated circuit devices are thermally annealed. The first material maintains the second crystalline state of the first side of the substrate during the annealing.
US09165818B2
[Problem] To provide a method capable of forming an insulating film having homogeneous and high bulk density and less suffering defects.[Means for solving] A substrate surface is coated with a silicon dioxide dispersion containing silicon dioxide fine particles, a polymer, a surfactant and a dispersion medium; and then further coated with a polysilazane composition; and thereafter heated to form an insulating film.
US09165812B2
Methods of and apparatuses for dicing semiconductor wafers, each wafer having a plurality of integrated circuits, are described. In an example, a tape frame lift assembly for a plasma processing chamber includes a capture single ring having an upper surface for supporting a tape frame of a substrate support and for cooling the tape frame. The tape frame lift assembly also includes one or more capture lift arms for moving the capture single ring to and from transfer and processing positions. The tape frame assembly also includes one or more captured lift plate portions, one captured lift plate portion corresponding to one capture lift arm, the one or more captured lift plate portions for coupling the one or more capture lift arms to the capture single ring.
US09165790B2
A packaging substrate includes a base layer, a first wiring layer, a second wiring layer, a first solder mask layer, a second solder mask layer and copper portions. The first second wiring layers are arranged on opposite sides of the base layer. The first solder mask layer covers the first wiring layer, and defines plenty of first openings. The first wiring layer exposed through the first openings serves as first contact pads. The second solder mask layer covers the second wiring layer. The second solder mask layer defines plenty of second openings. The second wiring layer exposed through the second openings serves as second contact pads. The copper portions are formed on the second contact pads. The copper portions protrude beyond the second solder mask layer. This disclosure further relates to a method of manufacturing the packaging substrate and a chip packaging body.
US09165788B2
The methods and apparatus disclosed herein concern a process that may be referred to as a “soft anneal.” A soft anneal provides various benefits. Fundamentally, it reduces the internal stress in one or more silicon layers of a work piece. Typically, though not necessarily, the internal stress is a compressive stress. A particularly beneficial application of a soft anneal is in reduction of internal stress in a stack containing two or more layers of silicon. Often, the internal stress of a layer or group of layers in a stack is manifest as wafer bow. The soft anneal process can be used to reduce compressive bow in stacks containing silicon. The soft anneal process may be performed without causing the silicon in the stack to become activated.
US09165778B2
Systems and methods are provided for performing chemical-mechanical planarization on an article. An example system for performing chemical-mechanical planarization includes: a polishing pad configured to support an article for chemical-mechanical planarization (CMP), wherein the article includes a CMP stop material, a polishing head configured to perform chemical-mechanical planarization on the article, a light source configured to provide an incident light, a polishing fluid including a plurality of luminescent particles capable of emitting a fluorescent light in response to the incident light, a fluorescence detector configured to detect the intensity of the fluorescent light, and at least one processor coupled to the fluorescent detector and the polishing head, wherein the at least one processor is configured to control the polishing head based on the detected fluorescent light.
US09165777B2
Disclosed is a polishing agent comprising: water; tetravalent metal hydroxide particles; and an additive, wherein the additive contains at least one of a cationic polymer and a cationic polysaccharide. The present invention can provide a polishing agent which is capable of polishing an insulating film at a high speed with less polishing flaws, and having a high polishing rate ratio of a silicon oxide film and a stopper film, in the CMP technology of flattening insulating film. The present invention can also provide a polishing agent set for storing the polishing agent, and a method for polishing a substrate using this polishing agent.
US09165757B2
A stroboscopic device includes a flash discharge tube with a conductive film on its outer periphery, a conductive reflector into which the flash discharge tube is inserted, and a heat-resistant conductive medium laminated on a part of the conductive film of the flash discharge tube. The reflector is electrically connected to the conductive film of the flash discharge tube via the conductive medium. This achieves the stroboscopic device with long service life and high reliability by preventing or suppressing occurrence of spark.
US09165756B2
Apparatuses are disclosed which include a discharge lamp configured to emit ultraviolet light, a power circuit configured to operate the discharge lamp, and a reflector system configured to redirect ultraviolet light emitted from the discharge lamp. In some embodiments, the apparatuses include a support structure containing the power circuit and supporting the discharge lamp. In some of such embodiments, the reflector system is configured to redirect ultraviolet light propagating away from the support structure to a region exterior to the apparatus and which is between approximately 2 feet and approximately 4 feet from a floor of a room in which the apparatus is arranged. In other embodiments, the reflector system may be additionally or alternatively configured to redirect ultraviolet light propagating away from the support structure to encircle an exterior surface of the apparatus. In any case, the reflector system may, in some embodiments, include a repositionable reflector.
US09165751B1
An aerosol is produced by flowing a liquid sample through a gas-assisted nebulizer. The liquid exits from an outlet into a coaxial flow of gas. The outlet includes a sharp edge that inhibits or prevents accumulation of precipitates from the liquid, thereby reducing or eliminating clogging, which is particularly useful for a samples containing high concentrations of dissolved particles. The aerosol may be introduced into a plasma such that molecules are broken into atoms. The atomization may be followed by an analysis such as by optical emission spectrometry or mass spectrometry.
US09165749B2
The invention relates to an arc source with a target (1) having a target front face (2) for the vacuum vaporization of the target material, a target backside with a cooling plate (4), a central target region (Z) as well as a target margin. The arc source further comprises a magnet configuration (8, 9) with an inner magnet system (8) and/or an outer magnet system (9) for the generation of a magnetic field in the proximity of the target front face. At least one of the magnet systems (8) is herein radially poled and effects alone or in connection with the particular other magnet system that the field lines of the magnetic field extend here substantially parallel to the target front face (2).
US09165742B1
Embodiments of the present disclosure are directed to an electron beam imaging/inspection apparatus having an electron source device to direct flood electrons on a sample immediately before image acquisition or inspection. The apparatus comprises a first device configured to charge a sample in a first mode, wherein the first device includes an electron source configured to provide a flood beam of charged particles to a first area of the sample. The apparatus also comprises a second device configured to generate a primary beam of electrons and characterize an interaction between the primary beam and a second area of the sample within the first area in a second mode. The apparatus is configured to switch from the first mode to the second mode less than 1 second.
US09165695B2
The zirconium content of the alloy composition of a copper alloy wire is 3.0 to 7.0 atomic percent; and the copper alloy wire includes copper matrix phases and composite phases composed of copper-zirconium compound phases and copper phases. The copper matrix phases and the composite phases form a matrix phase-composite phase fibrous structure and are arranged alternately parallel to an axial direction as viewed in a cross-section parallel to the axial direction and including a central axis. The copper-zirconium compound phases and the copper phases in the composite phases also form a composite phase inner fibrous structure and are arranged alternately parallel to the axial direction at a phase pitch of 50 nm or less as viewed in the above cross-section. This double fibrous structure presumably makes the copper alloy wire densely fibrous to provide a strengthening mechanism similar to the rule of mixture for fiber-reinforced composite materials.
US09165693B2
The invention relates to a collimator electrode, comprising an electrode body (81) that is provided with a central electrode aperture (82), wherein the electrode body defines an electrode height between two opposite main surfaces, and wherein the electrode body accommodates a cooling conduit (105) inside the electrode body for transferring a cooling liquid (102). The electrode body preferably has a disk shape or an oblate ring shape.The invention further relates to a collimator electrode stack for use in a charged particle beam generator, comprising a first collimator electrode and a second collimator electrode that are each provided with a cooling conduit (105) for transferring the cooling liquid (102), and a connecting conduit (110) for a liquid connection between the cooling conduits of the first and second collimator electrodes.
US09165688B2
Subject matter disclosed herein relates to determining that a portion of a memory is at least partially non-functional, replacing the portion of at least partially non-functional memory; and adjusting an error detection and/or correction process responsive to determining that the portion of the memory is at least partially non-functional and/or replacing the portion of at least partially non-functional memory.
US09165686B2
A system for testing a memory device includes a memory device configured to include a plurality of memory cells, receive a test information having a first frequency, access memory cells corresponding to an address included in the test information, and activate a fail signal if fail occurs in the memory cells corresponding to the address, a test device configured to generate a test information having a second frequency different from the first frequency, and a test mediation device configured to generate the test information having the first frequency and the address based on the test information having the second frequency and the fall signal and store the address corresponding to the fail memory cells in response to the fail signal as a fail address.
US09165682B2
In operation, respective lifetime expectancy scores are calculated for each of a plurality of blocks of a memory based on a respective count percentage of free space of each of the blocks. The blocks are recycled based on at least some of the life expectancy scores. A total amount of the blocks that are re-written is minimized while equalizing lifetime expectancy score variation between the blocks.
US09165677B2
A plurality of data lines and a plurality of bit lines may be used to write to and/or read from an array of memory cells. A switching element may select among different mappings between the plurality of data lines and the plurality of bit lines. The array may, for example, consist of N memory cells, the plurality of bit lines may consist of N bit lines, and the plurality of data lines may consist of N data lines, where N is an integer greater than 1. For a write operation in which a data block is to be written to the array, a configuration of the switching element may be controlled based, at least in part, on how sensitive the data block is to a faulty memory cell among the array of memory cells.
US09165671B2
The semiconductor memory device includes a memory cell array including a plurality of memory cells, a peripheral circuit unit configured to perform a program voltage applying operation, a first verifying operation, and a detrap voltage applying operation with respect to the plurality of memory cells, and a control logic unit configured to issue at least one command to the peripheral circuit unit to determine whether to perform the detrap voltage applying operation based on a result of the first verifying operation performed following the performance of the program voltage applying operation.
US09165668B1
Systems and methods for data retention manager in a solid state storage system utilizing temperature measurement mechanisms are disclosed. Background data scanning can provide an efficient way to monitor data health and can be used to determine whether data refreshing is needed or to prevent data retention from degrading beyond error correction capabilities. In certain embodiments, data scanning may be performed as a background process regularly, for example, every month. However, effects of temperature on data retention may not be adequately accounted for using such methods. Certain embodiments disclosed herein provide a numerical integral method for taking account the system temperature by using the acceleration factor for data retention. Embodiments disclosed herein may provide for accurate handling of data retention in view of complex device temperature history.
US09165666B2
A power supply, and a method of controlling the power supply, in which more or less power capacity of the power supply is activated depending on the state of a digital data signal on a data bus. The power supply has a control circuit which detects the number of “zero” bits present on the data bus, and responsively activates one or more of a plurality of power supply circuits such as charge pump circuits. The outputs of the charge pump circuits are mutually connected to a driver adapted to program memory cells of a flash memory circuit. A charge pump apparatus and a memory integrated circuit are also described.
US09165661B2
Systems and methods for switching between voltages are provided. One system includes an output, first and second switches coupled to the output. The system also includes a first transmission gate coupled to the first switch and a second transmission gate coupled to the second switch. One method includes receiving, at the first transmission gate, a first pair of complementary voltages and receiving, at the second transmission gate, a second pair of complementary voltages. The method further includes selecting the smallest voltage amongst both pairs of complementary voltages and outputting a third pair of complementary voltages. In one method, the first pair of complementary voltages includes a first negative voltage and a positive voltage, the second pair of complementary voltages includes a second negative voltage and the positive voltage, and the third pair of complementary voltages includes the smaller of the first and second negative voltages and the positive voltage.
US09165660B2
Non-volatile memory devices and related methods are provided. The non-volatile memory devices include a memory cell array having a plurality of cell strings, each cell string including: a plurality of memory cells stacked in a direction perpendicular to a substrate, a ground selection transistor between the plurality of memory cells and the substrate, and a string selection transistor between the plurality of memory cells and a bit line; an address decoder coupled to the plurality of memory cells in the plurality of cell strings through word lines, to the string selection transistors in the plurality of cell strings through string selection lines, and to the ground selection transistors in the plurality of cell strings through a ground selection line; a read/write circuit coupled to the string selection transistors in the plurality of cell strings through the bit lines; and control logic configured to adjust a substrate voltage applied to the substrate such that threshold voltages of the ground selection transistors are higher than a predetermined level during read operations for at least one of the plurality of memory cells in the plurality of cell strings.
US09165657B2
An operating method is for a memory system which includes a NAND flash memory, a resistance variable memory, and a controller controlling the NAND flash memory and the resistance variable memory. The operating method includes receiving data, programming the received data in the NAND flash memory when the received data is at least a super page of data, programming the received data in the resistance variable memory when the received data is not a super page of data, and programming data accumulated in the resistance variable memory in the NAND flash memory when the accumulated data is a super page of data. A super page of data is an entirety of data that is programmable in memory cells connected to a same word line of the NAND flash memory.
US09165644B2
In one embodiment, a method of operating a resistive switching device includes applying a signal comprising a pulse on a first terminal of a two terminal resistive switching device having the first terminal and a second terminal. The resistive switching device has a first state and a second state. The pulse includes a first ramp from a first voltage to a second voltage over a first time period. The first time period is at least 0.1 times a total time period of the pulse.
US09165642B2
A memory cell includes a latch having a true data node and a complement data node, a true bitline, a complement bitline, a first access transistor coupled between the true bitline and the true data node, and a second access transistor coupled between the complement bitline and the complement data node. A wordline driver circuit includes a true wordline coupled to control the first access transistor and a complement wordline coupled to control the second access transistor. The wordline driver generates control signals on the true and complement wordlines to access the memory cell by: actuating the first access transistor while the second access transistor is not actuated and then actuating the second access transistor while the first access transistor is not actuated. The bitlines and wordlines are supplied from different sets of power supply voltages, with the bitline high supply voltage being less than the wordline high supply voltage.
US09165636B2
A memory management unit manages a state of a memory which is to be accessed by bank interleaving. The memory includes p banks (where p is an integer of 2 or greater). The memory management unit includes a control unit that dynamically determines a bank to be accessed from among the p banks. When predetermined conditions for a reserving state of the memory are satisfied and there is any unused bank in the p banks, the control unit performs power consumption reduction to control the memory to cause power consumption of the unused bank(s) to be less than power consumption of other banks in the p banks except the unused bank(s).
US09165627B2
Spin Torque Transfer (STT) memory cell structures and methods are described herein. One or more STT memory cell structures comprise an annular STT stack including a nonmagnetic material between a first ferromagnetic material and a second ferromagnetic material and a soft magnetic material surrounding at least a portion of the annular STT stack.
US09165620B2
A memory system includes one or more memory chips, and a repair information storage chip including a nonvolatile memory configured to store a repair information of the one or more memory chips, wherein during an initial operation of the memory system, the repair information stored in the repair information storage chip is transmitted to the one or more memory chips.
US09165617B2
A memory controller having a time-staggered request signal output. A first timing signal is generated while a second timing signal is generated having a first phase difference relative to the first timing signal. An address value is transmitted in response to the first timing signal and a control value is transmitted in response to the second timing signal, the address value and control value constituting portions of a first memory access request.
US09165615B2
Encoder and decoder circuits that encode and decode a series of data words to/from a series of code words. The data words include L symbols. The code words include M symbols, where M is larger than L. A set of tightly coupled M links to convey respective symbols in each of the series of code words. The code words are selected such that between every two consecutive code words in a series of code words, an equal number of transitions from low to high and high to low occur on a subset of the M-links.
US09165610B1
Disclosed herein are memory cell arrays, semiconductor devices, and methods for fabricating semiconductor devices. In one embodiment, a memory cell array includes first, second, third, and fourth memory cells each having a first transistor and a second transistor. First and second word-lines are coupled with the gates of the first transistors of the first and second memory cells. The second and a third word-line are coupled with the gates of the second transistors of the third and fourth memory cells.
US09165605B1
Systems and methods for providing a user with a floating video of a subject are provided. The systems and methods generate a floating video by removing background pixels of a primary video using a background image/video, where the user records the primary video and the background image/video. The floating video may be generated on a recording device of the user and/or a remote server. Further, the user and/or the remote server may host the floating video.
US09165604B2
Presenting viewers with an alternative brief version of a recorded advertisement when they choose to fast-forward through or skip (or any other trick play event) the recorded advertisement. The alternative advertisement may be displayed instead of or in conjunction with the recorded advertisement (i.e., fast-forwarding advertisement is displayed in one portion of the screen (i.e., background or portion of a split screen) and the alternative brief version is displayed in another portion). The alternative brief version of the advertisement (trick play advertisement) may be a marketing message that is a static screen presenting a logo or a portion of the recorded advertisement, or may be a condensed version of the actual advertisement. The trick play advertisements may be targeted. An alternate or entirely unrelated advertisement can also be displayed as the trick play advertisement.
US09165594B2
A spindle motor includes a stationary portion with a shaft, a circular plate portion, a wall portion, and a plate portion. The plate portion has a flat plate portion and an annular convex portion. The sleeve includes an annular portion, an outer side cylindrical portion, and an inner side cylindrical portion. The inner side cylindrical portion and an upper radial dynamic pressure groove array are superimposed in a radial direction. The upper radial dynamic pressure groove array includes a plurality of upper spiral grooves that is inclined in one direction with respect to an axial direction and a plurality of lower spiral grooves that is inclined in another direction opposite to the one direction. A lower end of the upper spiral grooves is positioned farther on an upper side than an upper surface of the annular portion.
US09165582B1
A thermal assisted magnetic recording head has a magnetic head slider having an air bearing surface that is opposite to a magnetic recording medium, a core that can propagate laser light as propagating light, a plasmon generator that includes a generator front end surface facing the air bearing surface, and a main pole facing the air bearing surface, and a laser light generator that supplies the laser light to the core. The plasmon generator generates near-field light (NF light) at the generator front end surface to heat the magnetic recording medium. The main pole includes a main pole end surface that faces the air bearing surface and that is positioned in the vicinity of the generator front end surface, and emits a magnetic flux to the magnetic recording medium from the main pole end surface. At least a portion of the laser light that is not coupled with the plasmon generator thermally deforms the air bearing surface so that a part of the air bearing surface positioned closer to the leading side than the generator front end surface and the main pole end surface in the down track direction protrudes toward the magnetic recording medium.
US09165576B2
Devices that include a near field transducer (NFT); a gas barrier layer positioned on at least a portion of the NFT; and a wear resistance layer positioned on at least a portion of the gas barrier layer wherein the gas barrier layer includes tantalum oxide (TaO), titanium oxide (TiO), chromium oxide (CrO), silicon oxide (SiO), aluminum oxide (AlO), titanium oxide (TiO), zirconium oxide (ZrO), yttrium oxide (YO), magnesium oxide (MgO), beryllium oxide (BeO), niobium oxide (NbO), hafnium oxide (HfO), vanadium oxide (VO), strontium oxide (SrO), or combinations thereof; silicon nitride (SiN), aluminum nitride (Al), boron nitride (BN), titanium nitride (TiN), zirconium nitride (ZrN), niobioum nitride (NbN), hafnium nitride (HfN), chromium nitride (CrN), or combinations thereof silicon carbide (SiC), titanium carbide (TiC), zirconium carbide (ZrC), niobioum carbide (NbC), chromium carbide (CrC), vanadium carbide (VC), boron carbide (BC), or combinations thereof or combinations thereof.
US09165573B1
A method of a parting a slider from a slider bar is disclosed. The method includes receiving a slider bar comprising a plurality of sliders and having an air bearing surface (ABS) side and a back side opposite to the ABS side and parting at least one slider from the slider bar with a cutter, wherein the cutter enters the slider bar at least in part on the backside and exits the slider bar at least in part on the ABS side and the ABS side is facing away from the cutting direction by a predetermined acute angle.
US09165572B2
Embodiments of the present invention generally relate to a HAMR head. The HAMR head includes an anti-reflecting (AR) coating on a side opposite (e.g., a flex side) of the air bearing surface (ABS). The anti-reflective coating may include one or more anti-reflective layers. The anti-reflective coating reduces the amount of light reflected back towards a light source unit. A shading layer may be disposed on the anti-reflective coating and may function as a contact electrode as well as reducing stray light escaping from the laser, thus reducing the amount of stray light reaching the ABS.
US09165567B2
Implementations and applications are disclosed for detection of a transition in a voice activity state of an audio signal, based on a change in energy that is consistent in time across a range of frequencies of the signal. For example, such detection may be based on a time derivative of energy for each of a number of different frequency components of the signal.
US09165562B1
In one aspect, an audio processing apparatus is disclosed. The apparatus includes an audio decoder, a filterbank, and a processor. The audio decoder decodes an encoded audio signal to obtain a time-domain audio signal, the encoded audio signal including a plurality of spectral components. The filterbank splits the time-domain audio signal to obtain a plurality of complex-valued subband samples in a first frequency region. The processor generates a plurality of subband samples in a second frequency region based at least in part on the complex-valued subband samples in the first frequency region, adaptively groups at least some of the plurality of subband samples in the second frequency region with an adaptive time resolution or an adaptive frequency resolution, and determines a spectral profile of at least some of the subband samples in the second frequency region based on the groups.
US09165559B2
Digital audio signal watermarking in real-time is difficult in an environment that has limited processing power. According to the invention, the channels in a data block-based audio multi-channel signal are prioritized with respect to watermarking importance, whereby the channel priority can change for different input signal data blocks. For a current input signal block, the most important channel is watermarked and the required processing time is determined. If this required processing time is shorter than a predefined application-dependent threshold, the next most important channel is marked and the additionally required processing time is determined, and so on. Due to the block-based nature of the audio watermarking including block overlap/add and due to the sensitivity of the resulting audio quality against blocking artifacts, several problems are solved in order to lead to acceptable performance and quality.
US09165557B2
In a voice recognizing apparatus, a voice recognizing method, and a program for recognizing voice are provided to carry out voice recognition with high precision. When a call receiving unit in which a plurality of telephone numbers for receiving are assigned to respective contents of calls receives a call from a caller, a calling voice signal input device inputs a calling voice signal of the call, and a receiving telephone number input device inputs the receiving telephone number of the call. A voice correction device then carries out voice correction processing for the calling voice signal in accordance with the receiving telephone number and a voice recognizing device executes voice recognition processing for the calling voice signal in accordance with the receiving telephone number.
US09165552B2
The present invention enables ultrasonic propagation time values after correction of refraction to be calculated in parallel for each receive channel, by using a recurrence relation in the depth direction. Moreover, accumulation of errors can be avoided by using an accurate propagation time value obtained in advance at a reference depth to correct the propagation time value each time the reference depth is reached. For this error correction, the recurrence relation to calculate the propagation time value can be an approximate expression. For example, the propagation time value can be calculated using the inclination of reference propagation time values between reference depths. In an actual circuit, received signals are sequentially stored in a memory, and a receive beam is formed by calculating an address position corresponding to the propagation time value of the ultrasonic wave, and adding the received signals stored in the calculated addresses.
US09165549B2
A noise canceling system comprises a microphone (103) for generating a captured signal representing sound in an audio environment and a sound transducer (101) for radiating a sound canceling audio signal in the audio environment. A feedback path (105, 107, 109, 111, 113) exists from the microphone (103) to the sound transducer (101) and comprises a feedback filter (109). A tone processor (119) determines a tone component characteristic for a tone component of a feedback signal of the feedback path (105, 107, 109, 111, 113) and an adaptation processor (121) adapts the feedback path in response to the tone component characteristic. The invention allows detection of the onset of instability and dynamic compensation to mitigate or prevent such instability. Accordingly increased design freedom for the feedback filter is achieved resulting in improved noise cancellation.
US09165538B2
A method of generating an image comprises receiving a signal over a USB interface comprising encoded display data for one or more rectangular group of pixel tiles within an image and position data for the or each group of pixel tiles. The coefficients are obtained from the encoded display data, maybe by converting variable bit length fields into AC coefficients and an inverse Haar transform performed on them to generate pixel data for each rectangular group of pixel tiles. A frame buffer, which may be part of the display, is then updated with the generated pixel data ready for output to the display device. Copy protection may also be incorporated using AES negotiated over HDPC.
US09165536B2
Embodiments of the present invention comprise electronic projection systems and methods. One embodiment of the present invention comprises a method of creating composite images with a projection system comprising as first projector and at least a second projector, comprising generating a correspondence map of pixels for images by determining offsets between pixels from at least a second image from the second projector and corresponding pixels from a first image from the first projector, receiving a source image, warping the source image based at least in part on the correspondence map to produce a warped image, and displaying the source image by the first projector and displaying the warped image by the second projector to create a composite image.
US09165533B2
Display rotation management is described. A device may include sensors disposed within a housing that produce an output usable to determine an orientation of a display device disposed on a surface of the housing. A rotation manager module disposed within the housing may process the output of the sensors to determine the orientation of the display device. The rotation manager module may calculate an average orientation of the display device over a time interval and a variance of the orientation. Based on the variance of the orientation in relation to a threshold amount, the rotation manager module can set a screen orientation of the display device.
US09165532B2
Each of image-signal-line drive circuits includes a timing controller that generates a control signal controlling itself and other image-signal-line drive circuit, and a master/slave selection circuit that sets itself as a master mode image-signal-line drive circuit or a slave mode image-signal-line drive circuit based on a selection signal to be given from outside. From among the plurality of image-signal-line drive circuits, the master mode image-signal-line drive circuit gives the control signal to the slave mode image-signal-line drive circuit.
US09165531B2
A system performs a method for detecting display driver error. The method includes sending a first command signal to a display driver to operate according to a first operating state that includes the display driver sending a synchronization signal, and monitoring for the synchronization signal during a first time period after sending the first command signal. The method further includes sending a second command signal to the display driver to operate according to a second operating state that includes the display driver withholding sending the synchronization signal, and monitoring for the synchronization signal during a second time period after sending the second command signal. In addition, the method includes detecting a display driver error based on results of the monitoring during at least one of the first or the second time periods.
US09165527B2
A system enhances reduced resolution grey scale luminance data for display on a monitor. An interface receives a pixel grey scale luminance value represented by a first number of bits exceeding a display monitor input bit length. A data processor indicates a difference comprising the number of bits. In response to the difference, the data processor derives R, G, B pixel luminance values by adjusting one or more of the R, G, B pixel luminance values to provide corrected R, G, B pixel luminance values representing the grey scale luminance value and at least one of the corrected R, G, B pixel luminance values is different from remaining ones of R, G, B pixel luminance values. The data processor outputs the corrected R, G, B pixel luminance values for display on R, G, B channels of the monitor.
US09165525B2
In an intermittent drive mode of a display device in which driving and pausing of the driving are repeated, an image identification section identifies an input image as a still image or a moving image. In a case where the moving image is identified, a drive/pause control section generates a drive/pause control signal with a period ratio in accordance with the moving image. A timing control section generates a driver control signal so that intermittent driving is carried out. Then, a source driver and a gate driver drives a display section so that the drive period and the pause period are repeated with a predetermined period ratio, so that the input image is displayed. The drive/pause control section sets a time ratio between the drive period and the pause period to be variable for each of the moving image and the still image.
US09165524B2
A display device prevents breakage due to overheating of a data driver and a signal controller. The display device includes a display panel including a plurality of gate lines, a plurality of data lines and pixels connected to the gate lines and the data lines. A gate driver supplies a gate signal to the gate lines. A data driver supplies a data signal to the data lines. A signal controller controls the gate signal and the data signal. The signal controller includes a data converter converting a gray value of image data when a difference in the gray value of the image data of two adjacent pixels connected to the same data line among the plurality of data lines is greater than or equal to a first threshold value.
US09165523B2
A driver circuit including a DA converting circuit that converts video data input from the outside to a grayscale voltage; an amplifying circuit that amplifies the grayscale voltage; and a switch circuit that selects the grayscale voltage output from the amplifying circuit and a predetermined voltage as a voltage that is output to the image line. When video data indicating a minimum grayscale, the switch circuit outputs the predetermined voltage to the image line, and when video data indicating a grayscale other than the minimum grayscale is input, the switch circuit outputs the grayscale voltage output from the amplifying circuit to the image line. The predetermined voltage allows a voltage of the pixel electrode and a voltage of the counter electrode after passage of the writing of the image voltage to be coincident with each other.
US09165514B2
A display apparatus is provided. The display apparatus includes: a display panel; and a backlight unit which provides the display panel with backlight. The backlight unit includes: a converter which converts a voltage of a received power and outputs an output power, a plurality of light source modules which receives the output power from the converter, and a control unit which determines powering conditions to operate the plurality of the light source modules in a specific state for each of the plurality of light source modules, and controls the converter sequentially based on the determined powering conditions.
US09165497B2
There is provided a display device including a temporal direction control unit that causes a gain used to control a video signal to respond to an input video signal at high speed when the input video signal sharply increases, and causes the gain to respond to the input video signal at low speed when the input video signal gently increases.
US09165496B1
A flat display device including a display panel. The display panel includes a unit pixel, the unit pixel having a red sub-pixel, a green sub-pixel, a blue sub-pixel, and a white sub-pixel. The flat display device further includes a panel driving unit to drive the flat panel in a first driving period and a second driving period in an alternating manner to display a white image on the unit pixel. The panel driving unit generates first white unit data, to enable two of the red, green, and blue sub-pixels and the white sub-pixel to be driven in the first driving period. The panel driving unit generates second white unit data, to enable three of the sub-pixels, which include the sub-pixel not driven in the first driving period, to be driven in the second driving period.
US09165494B2
A signal conversion circuit (20) is used for a multiple-primary color liquid crystal display device (100) which performs color display using four primary colors of red displayed by a red-sub pixel (R), green displayed by green-sub pixel (G), blue displayed by blue-sub pixel (B), and yellow displayed by yellow-sub pixel (Ye), and converts an input three-primary color video signal into a multiple-primary color video signal corresponding to four primary colors. The signal conversion circuit (20) performs signal conversion such that a gray scale level of the yellow-sub pixel (Ye) is higher than a gray scale level of the green-sub pixel (G) in at least some cases from among cases in which a red gray-scale level r, a green gray-scale level g, and a blue gray-scale level b which are displayed by the three-primary color video signal satisfy a relationship of r>g>b.
US09165493B2
A video-rendering chip performs gain correction on received display input, based on a display temperature, to produce output values that are shown on the display. The video-rendering chip includes multipliers, a microprocessor, and a memory. The microprocessor receives a display temperature from a sensor, determines gain correction coefficients that correspond to the display temperature, and provides the correction coefficients to the multipliers. The multipliers then multiply the display input by the correction coefficients to produce the output values. The microprocessor may determine the correction coefficients utilizing a lookup table or a correction coefficient formula stored in the memory. The microprocessor may receive an updated display temperature periodically and may determine new correction coefficients that correspond to the updated display temperature. The microprocessor may receive updated display temperatures at fixed periods or at varying periods based on the previous display temperature.
US09165484B2
A multi-symbol indication apparatus, may include a plurality of light sources, each of the light sources emitting light of a single color, a plurality of filter units, each of the filter units installed above the light sources with different height each other and reflecting light of the single color corresponding to the relevant light source, wherein a symbol may be carved on each of the filter units, and a display cover installed above the filter units.
US09165474B1
The present invention involves a system and method for limiting access to computers by an individual; and a system and method for rewarding an individual with computer access.
US09165471B1
A method for managing aircraft operations includes determining, via a trajectory predictor, an expected fuel usage for a flight along a desired route, and determining, via at least one processor, an available cargo capacity for the flight along the desired route based at least in part on the expected fuel usage. In addition, the method includes determining, via the at least one processor and the trajectory predictor, a passenger ticket price, a cargo price, and a fuel quantity based at least in part on an available seating capacity, an expected passenger demand, the available cargo capacity, and an expected cargo demand to enhance profitability of a flight network. The method also includes outputting the passenger ticket price, the cargo price, and the fuel quantity to a user interface, to a storage device, and/or to a network.
US09165455B1
An aberration engine that collects data sensed by a monitoring system that monitors a property of a user and aggregates the collected data over a period of a time. The aberration engine detects, within the aggregated data, patterns of recurring events and, based on detecting the patterns of recurring events within the aggregated data, takes action related to the monitoring system based on the detected patterns of recurring events within the aggregated data.
US09165450B1
A vehicle comprises at least one wheel supporting the vehicle and an engine. At least one axially rotating member operatively connects the engine with the wheel such that the wheel moves responsive to operation of the engine. At least one tag is disposed on the axially rotating member. At least one sensor is disposed on the vehicle so that the sensor can detect movement of the tag. A computer disposed on the vehicle is operatively connected with the sensor. The sensor sends a signal to the computer when the sensor detects movement of the tag. Means on the vehicle provides an operator of the vehicle with feedback indicative of movement of the vehicle.
US09165438B2
A display processing system including: a state display unit which displays, for a plurality of parameters each having an upper limit value, a state value of each parameter for a predetermined period of time with respect to the upper limit value; a determination unit which determines, for each of the parameters, whether the state value is close to the upper limit value or not; a warning display unit which displays a warning to a user with regard to a parameter of which the state value is determined by the determination unit to be close to the upper limit value; and a countermeasure display unit which displays, for each of the parameters, a countermeasure for improving the state when the state value is close to the upper limit value.
US09165436B2
Embodiments of the present invention relate to a slot machine gaming device providing players additional opportunities to obtain awards in a game. In one embodiment, a game comprises: a plurality of reels, each of the reels including a plurality of symbol positions; a first plurality of symbols at the plurality of symbol positions on the reel, the first plurality of symbols comprising at least one predetermined activator symbol; a second plurality of symbols activated by the activator symbol, the second plurality of symbols replacing a subset of the first plurality of symbols, the second plurality of symbols comprising a plurality of replicator symbols, wherein each replicator symbol includes at least two of the same symbols at one of the symbol positions; at least one predetermined winning symbol combination of a plurality of winning symbol combinations; and an award associated with the predetermined winning symbol combination.
US09165434B2
Systems, methods and/or apparatus for slot machine eye-strain reduction are disclosed. Systems, methods and/or apparatus for slot machine back lighting are further provided. Systems, methods and/or apparatus for a slot machine back lighting effect are also disclosed. Systems, methods and/or apparatus for reel line lights are disclosed. Systems, methods and/or apparatus for reel tilt and motion detection are disclosed. Systems, methods and/or apparatus for reel wins display for an electromechanical slot machine and/or gaming machine viewing window configurable lines are disclosed. Systems, methods and/or apparatus for a configurable shelf system for an electromechanical slot machine are disclosed. Systems, methods, and apparatus are also disclosed for reel tilt minimization. Systems, methods and/or apparatus for slot machine controlled lighting. Further embodiments of the present disclosure can provide slot machine reel stop systems, methods, and apparatus useful for electromechanical slot machines.
US09165433B2
The disclosed gaming system displays an arrangement of symbols including a plurality of symbol positions. For a play of the game, the gaming system displays a randomly generated symbol in each symbol position. One or more of the symbols are displayed as associated with a directional indicator indicating a shift direction for that symbol. If any winning symbol combination is displayed, the gaming system shifts at least one symbol within the symbol matrix according to the directional indicator associated with that symbol, such as by shifting the symbol as designated distance in the shift direction indicated by the symbol's directional indicator. In one embodiment, the gaming system removes one or more symbols in the shift path of a shifting symbol. In one embodiment, the gaming system generates and displays new symbols in the then-empty symbol positions of the symbol matrix and repeats the determination, shifting, and generation.
US09165431B2
Table game tournament systems can include player terminal(s), electronic gaming table(s), and/or a remote server. A player terminal can have an outer housing, a controller located therewithin or thereabout, input and output component(s), and a communications interface to an outside gaming network having other functionally similar gaming device(s), gaming table(s), and a remote server. The controller and/or server can facilitate providing tournament information to a player, which information can include whether the player would qualify for the next tournament round, who is the most serious opponent to the player, and/or the chip difference therebetween. A terminal can also facilitate asynchronous and individually paced tournament play, switching between different tournament tables on demand, and play of other non-tournament table games thereat simultaneously with the play of the table game tournament. Portable computing devices can be used as player terminals and can permit players to play in actual or practice play-along modes.
US09165419B2
A slot machine method, apparatus, and computer readable storage to implement a bonus round for a slot machine game that allows players to use manual dexterity in order to earn prizes in a bonus round. Moving elements can be selected (e.g., shot, touched, etc.) and if successfully selected, the player can earn a bonus award. Bonus awards can accumulate until the bonus round is over. The bonus round can end when either a predefined time is over or the player selects a termination element.
US09165391B2
A portable device is configured to obtain an image of a document, the document being of no predefined format and containing numerical data. The numerical data is extracted and automatically organized into a report in a predefined or customized format and stored into a database. The database is accessible and searchable by a user to obtain either the numerical data of the image or the report.
US09165389B2
An image processing apparatus includes a layer separating unit configured to separate an input frame image data item into a moving subject layer and a background layer and a combining processing unit configured to generate a combined image data item by performing an image combining process using the input frame image data item. In the image combining process, top priority is given to a moving subject layer of the latest input frame image data item, a second priority is given to a moving subject layer of a frame image data item associated with a previously performed combining process, and a layer-image combining process is performed for a partial area of an existing combined image data item.
US09165384B2
The invention relates to an imaging system (30) for imaging an object. A projection data providing unit (31) provides acquired spectral projection data of an object comprising at least two components, and a reconstruction unit (10) iteratively reconstructs at least two final component images of the object by performing several iteration steps, in which at least two intermediate component images are updated based on the acquired spectral projection data and a penalty term, which is indicative of the correlated noise between the at least two intermediate component images. Since the at least two intermediate component images are updated based on the acquired spectral projection data and a penalty term, which is indicative of the correlated noise, correlated noise is penalized during the iterative reconstruction. The finally resulting component images of the object are therefore less corrupted by correlated noise and have an improved image quality.
US09165383B1
A system is provided for alerting a crew in an airborne platform. The system includes a module for receiving point cloud data from a LIDAR system, including range data between the LIDAR system and multiple points in the point cloud. The system also includes a module for placing the multiple points into first and second zones, wherein the first zone has range data of points in the point cloud located within a first distance from the airborne platform, and the second zone has range data of points located further than the first distance. The first distance is predetermined by an operational environment of the airborne platform. The system further includes a color module for coloring the points in the first zone with a first color composition and coloring the points in the second zone with a second color composition. A color display is provided for displaying the colored points in the first and second zones.
US09165380B2
An image encoding method using a Binary Partition Tree (BPT) includes performing the BPT on a reference frame, detecting blocks, each having a difference in a pixel value exceeding a threshold value in a current frame, based on a result of the BPT of the reference frame, and performing the BPT of the current frame on the detected blocks. In accordance with the present invention, block partition is not applied to all frames, but a partial partition method based on a difference between the pixel values of a reference frame and a current frame to be encoded is provided. Accordingly, the encoding speed within the P frame or the B frame can be improved. Furthermore, the PSNR of a corresponding frame can be maintained within a specific range of the PSNR of a reference frame, and a compression effect can be improved.
US09165377B2
An imaging apparatus comprises an image-capturing element that outputs image signals representing a plurality of color components and an analyzing device that analyzes a captured photographic image based upon image signals with linearity, which are output from the image-capturing element.
US09165376B2
A system, a non-transitory computer readable medium and a method for detecting a parameter of a pattern, the method comprises: obtaining an image of the pattern; wherein the image is generated by scanning the pattern with a charged particle beam; processing the image to provide an edge enhanced image; wherein the processing comprises computing an aggregate energy of first n spectral components of the image, wherein n exceeds two; and further processing the edge enhanced image and determining a parameter of the pattern.
US09165375B2
Field of view overlap among multiple cameras are automatically determined as a function of the temporal overlap of object tracks determined within their fields-of-view. Object tracks with the highest similarity value are assigned into pairs, and portions of the assigned object track pairs having a temporally overlapping period of time are determined. Scene entry points are determined from object locations on the tracks at a beginning of the temporally overlapping period of time, and scene exit points from object locations at an ending of the temporally overlapping period of time. Boundary lines for the overlapping fields-of-view portions within the corresponding camera fields-of-view are defined as a function of the determined entry and exit points in their respective fields-of-view.
US09165370B2
An image processing apparatus includes a probability value calculator that calculates, based on color feature data of a pixel included in an image, respective probabilities that the pixel belongs to a specific area and a non-specific area; a weighted edge intensity calculator that calculates a weighted edge intensity between neighboring pixels based on pixel values and color feature data of the pixel included in the image and a neighboring pixel of the pixel; an energy function creator that uses the probabilities and the weighted edge intensity to create an energy function expressed by a result of an area determination of the pixel; and an area divider that divides the image into the plurality of areas based on the energy function.
US09165360B1
The disclosure herein provides methods, systems, and devices for automated reorientation and/or analysis of medical scans and/or images. The methods, systems, and devices for automated analysis of medical scans can be configured to mark, score, grade, and/other otherwise classify medical scans that are more time-sensitive, severe, and/or the like to allow a medical professional reviewing and/or analyzing medical scans to view and/or analyze such scans more efficiently by using a common image orientation and/or taking into account knowledge of the risk of severity, time-sensitiveness, and/or other priority.
US09165352B2
Methods and systems receive a series of images and compare at least two of the images in the series of images to locate items that are in different positions to identify moving items. Such methods and systems further calculate a measure of the moving items within the series of images. Additionally, such methods and systems perform a continuously variable image correction to remove the moving items from the images to produce a series of corrected images. This “continuously variable image correction” increases the amount of image correction for a relatively higher measure of the moving items and decreases the amount of image correction for a relatively lower measure of the moving items, and does so continuously as the measure of the moving items changes within the series of images.
US09165341B2
In the case of a measuring device for recording a sequence of individual images (6, 7, 8) in a non-visible spectral range, a method for generating an SR image (11) having an image resolution that is higher than an image resolution of the individual images (6, 7, 8) is provided, wherein, for the individual images (6, 7, 8), a displacement vector field (11, 12) is determined with a calculation of the optical flow and the individual images (6, 7, 8) are segmented into segments (20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25) with regard to the values of the displacement vector field (11, 12), and an optimization method is carried out for calculating the SR image (11) from the individual images (6, 7, 8) with variation parameters individually assigned to the segments (20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25).
US09165338B2
A method for panoramic image completion is disclosed. The method includes: acquiring a panoramic image; obtaining a projected image by mapping pixels of the panoramic image onto a polar coordinate system, wherein a long side component of the pixel coordinate of the pixels is corresponding to the polar angle of the polar coordinate system and a short side component of the pixel coordinate of the pixels is corresponding to a radial coordinate of the polar coordinate system; acquiring an incomplete region of the projected image, and obtaining a completed image by completing the incomplete region; and obtaining a completed panoramic image by inverse mapping the pixels of the completed image according to the polar coordinate system. Furthermore, a device for panoramic image completion is also disclosed. The above method and device for panoramic image completion take account of the perspective curvature of the panoramic image, to improve the degree of restoration.
US09165335B2
A device and system for providing identification and medical information are disclosed. The device includes a readable code that contains medical biographical information of the subject, a programmable reporter element that is programmed to electronically store at least one particular event relating to the subject, and a signal producing element functionally related to the programmable reporter element. The system includes collecting and storing medical biographical information of a subject, embedding the medical biographical information in a readable code of the device, and scanning the readable code of the device worn by or in the possession of the subject using an appliance to retrieve the medical biographical information of the subject. The medical biographical information allows medical professionals to obtain the subject's medical information in order to provide medical care. Also disclosed is an integrated system for alerting subjects to upcoming events related to their continued care.
US09165334B2
A pet or human care management system and method are provided. In one embodiment, the system includes a portable electronic device carried by a care service provider to scan a care customer bar code at the location of a care visit to indicate the start and/or end of the care visit. The portable electronic device also includes a GPS component and transmits its location at a plurality of times during the care visit, such as to indicate the path of a scheduled walk. A website is employed to administrate the care management system, including scheduling walks, licensing care providers, and creating customer and care provider accounts.
US09165330B2
In a management system of the mining machine, a management device collects operation information about the dump truck via a management-side wireless communication device. Routes along which the dump truck travels are identified based on position information, included in the operation information about the dump truck, about at least four locations included in a route along which the dump truck moves to a location where the dump truck unloads a load, to a location where the dump truck loads a load, and to a location where the dump truck unloads the load again.
US09165328B2
A method of labeling an unlabeled message of a social stream. The method including training a training model based on labeled messages, partitioning the training model into a plurality of class partitions, each comprising statistical information and a class label, computing a confidence for each of the class partitions based on information of an unlabeled message and the statistical information of a respective class partition, as executed by a processor in a computer system, and labeling the unlabeled message of the social stream according to respective confidences of the class partitions.
US09165326B1
A method includes receiving data about potential impairment of a vehicle operator, wherein the data about potential impairment is generated by: (i) a first optical sensor monitoring a vehicle operator, and (ii) a second optical sensor monitoring an environment ahead of a vehicle operated by the vehicle operator. The computer-implemented method further includes assigning a plurality of scores based on the data about potential vehicle operator impairment, wherein each of the plurality of scores corresponds to a respective impairment indicator, determining an impairment score by performing a mathematical operation on the plurality of scores, and providing the impairment score to a remote device configured to alert the vehicle operator based on the impairment score.
US09165322B2
A digital downloading jukebox system including a mechanism for delivering custom services to a recognized user, including services for creating playlists, communicating with others, accessing other features, etc. is provided. In some exemplary embodiments, after a user is recognized, the jukebox system allows users to access a special front-end via the Internet or on an actual jukebox. Then, the user may, for example, create playlists, share songs with friends, send messages to friends, and access other value-added content. Other exemplary embodiments allow users to become certified, charging them for services without requiring constant inputting of coinage or credit card information. Such a system preferably learns about networks of friends, and enables managers to send similar messages to regular customers and/or others known to the system.
US09165317B2
A dynamic repository (either storing digital data content or pointers to stored digital data content) works in conjunction with a plurality of interfaces to manage digital content and digital rights policies associated with one or more users. Digital rights policies are unique to each user and such policies define access to digital content in the repository. The user's digital rights policy indicates the level of access a user has to digital content in the repository (e.g., the policy could indicate that the user has authorized access to a particular file for a period of seven days). The interfaces linked with the content repository are used to access and manipulate the digital data content (based upon each user's digital rights policy) and the digital rights policies stored in the content repository. The interfaces include: (a) one or more authentication interfaces for authenticating users, (b) one or more digital rights management (DRM) interfaces allowing users to add, delete, or edit the digital rights policies, (c) one or more data access interfaces allowing users to selectively access digital data content as defined by their individual digital rights policy, (d) one or more browsing interfaces allowing users to selectively browse said digital data content, or a (e) one or more content manipulation interfaces allowing said users to add, delete, or edit said digital data content.
US09165314B2
A digital magazine server user may identify a content item presented by the digital magazine server to save or present to other digital magazine server users by interacting with a client device presenting the content item. For example, providing a gesture to the client device identifies a content item for presentation to other digital magazine server users. The gesture may begin by the user interacting with a portion of a display device that displays a portion of the content item and continue as the user interacts with the display device along a path from the portion to an additional portion. When the gesture is completed, the user may be presented with options to present the content item to additional digital magazine server users, or the content item may be presented to other digital magazine server users.
US09165309B2
A system for providing a predetermined set of functionality to primary applications is provided. The system includes a primary application interface that receives a user identifier, primary application configuration data and an application identifier associated with one of the primary applications from a plurality of primary applications, wherein the user identifier and the application identifier for each of the primary applications are different. A feature functionality system alters one or more features to match the primary application, the feature functionality system configured to provide a feature to a user associated with the user identifier and to transfer a primary application currency amount to the primary application or to award the user a prize upon completion of the feature by the user. A billing system interface unlocks external feature functionality for a certain number of interactions or a certain time period or generates the primary application currency amount.
US09165307B2
Embodiments disclosed herein provide systems and methods for a templated export. In one embodiment, a method may include determining an export template responsive to a first user action, the first user action indicating a delivery endpoint. The method may further include preparing an asset for delivery to the delivery endpoint utilizing the export template. The asset may include zero or more files. The export template may include predetermined configuration and delivery parameters particular to the delivery endpoint. The prepared asset may be communicated to the delivery endpoint without any further user action.
US09165305B1
A system and method for generating a model based on the user's interests and activities by receiving with a logging unit user activities from heterogeneous data sources, generating a log of user activities for a content item by joining the user activities for the content item, expanding attributes of the log by at least one of content and by the user to form an expanded log and generating a user model based on the expanded log. A feature extractor extracts features from content items and assigns weights to the features. A scoring engine receives the model and the content items with their associated weighted features and scores the content items based on the user model. The scoring engine generates a stream of content based on the scored content items.
US09165301B2
Techniques for replacing an advertisement in a webpage from a website with another advertisement are disclosed. A response including the webpage is intercepted in a network device deployed in an in-line fashion, preferably at a data traffic point along a network. When it is determined that the webpage includes an advertisement that is replaceable, a preferable advertisement more correlated to the interests of a user is embedded in data packets to replace those for the original advertisement. Subsequently, the preferable advertisement is served when the webpage is displayed.
US09165300B2
A method and an apparatus for communicating a recommended item to a user of a network-based transaction facility are described. The method comprises determining that the user has been unsuccessful in concluding a transaction pertaining to an item offered for sale via the network-based transaction facility, and in response to this determination, communicating information concerning a recommended item to the user over a network. The recommended item is available for purchase via the network-based transaction facility.
US09165294B2
Embodiments of the invention facilitate payment transactions by integrating the image capture and image processing capabilities of certain mobile devices with the card-based payment transaction infrastructure. In some embodiments, a camera contained in a mobile device is used to capture an image of a barcode that is visible on the surface of a substrate. The barcode may represent or otherwise encode one or more of payment account data, consumer authentication data, consumer profile data, or other relevant information. In some embodiments, the captured image may be processed by the mobile device to extract the payment account data, authentication data, or other relevant data. This data may then be communicated to a data processing element that is connected to, or forms part of, a payment processing network in order to conduct the desired payment transaction.
US09165279B2
A method of mapping the location of at least one object in three dimensional space, relative to an initial point in three dimensional space by an EIR terminal which contains a microprocessor, memory, a scanning device, a motion sensing device, and a communication interface. The method includes scanning a signal of decodable indicia located at a pre-defined area of a physical object, locating the decodable indicia within this signal, decoding the decodable indicia into a decoded message. The decoded message is an identifier for said physical object, which is then displayed. After receiving an interface command, the EIR terminal is placed in mechanical contact with the pre-defined area of the physical object and a first spatial position is stored as a point of origin in the EIR terminal.
US09165273B2
The present disclosure describes methods, systems, and computer program products for externalizing an enterprise workspace to business applications. One computer-implemented method includes indicating data within an application to be included in a new module, initiating a command to create the new module using the indicated data, transmitting the command to create the new module to an external server, receiving from the external server a list of available enterprise workspaces for adding the new module, selecting at least one available enterprise workspace from the list of available enterprise workspaces, transmitting the selected enterprise workspace to the external server, and receiving a confirmation of the new module creation.
US09165272B1
A system for monitoring a plurality of tagged assets on at least one offshore asset, by creating a customer profile and a library of survey set ups and storing information from independent survey set ups mounted on or proximate to the offshore asset on the administrative data storage. The system includes creating a library of tagged assets for the offshore asset using at least one independent survey set up, wherein each tagged asset has an icon with a hyperlink to a library of images. The system includes identifying placement locations on offshore assets and forming an executive dashboard for display on at least one client device, wherein a virtually positioned icon positioned on an image of the tagged assets presents a hyperlink to the library of survey set ups for that tagged asset, thereby enabling toggling from the image to the library of survey set ups.
US09165271B2
Various embodiments of the present disclosure include methods and systems for tracking and reporting environmental impact and agricultural-producer information. In an example embodiment, a method comprises receiving first data associated with an impact on groundwater pollution or surface water pollution, the impact on the groundwater pollution or the surface water pollution resulting from a production of an agricultural product, the first data being received from a single representative sampling location; receiving second data associated with the impact on the groundwater pollution or surface water pollution, the second data being received from at least one of a plurality of representative sampling locations; generating a benchmark percentage-based result based on the first or second data; calculating comparative data using the benchmark percentage-based result and at least some of the first or second data; and reporting the benchmark percentage-based result and the comparative data to a user.
US09165265B2
An automated kiosk and related apparatus provide check-in and boarding services to energy sector passengers, such as helicopter passengers. Preferably, the kiosk and related apparatus can take and store a picture of the passenger, calculate and/or measure the weight of the passenger and the passenger's luggage, print luggage tags and boarding printouts, check third parties' databases (such as a no-fly list (NFL)) for approval for the passenger's flight and can transmit data to another location (server, third party employer, pilot).
US09165264B2
Reservation system realizing more efficient reservation of charging. The reservation system comprises a navigation device and a battery charger. The navigation device generates reservation information of a charge, and sends the reservation information to the battery charger. The battery charger makes a schedule by using the reservation information, and performs charging according to the schedule. Further, the battery charger makes again a schedule according to an arrival time of a booked vehicle.
US09165262B2
A method for generating an assent indication in a document approval and review function can include loading a document for editing in a document editor and determining a set of authors for the document. The method also can include modifying a title of the document to include an identity of at least one of the authors in the set. Finally, the method can include changing a visual appearance in the title of an identity of the assenting author responsive to one of the authors in the set assenting to a publication of the document.
US09165256B2
Disclosed are a system and method for constructing and using a predictive model to generate a prediction signal, also referred to as a classification signal when the signal indicates one of a plurality of distinct classes. In various embodiments, the disclosed technique reduces a size of a predictive Support Vector Model by extracting certain values beforehand and storing only weighting values. The technique does not sacrifice generalization performance but does significantly reduce the model size and accelerate prediction performance. The described system applies to most kernel functions, whether linear or nonlinear.
US09165248B2
A parallel genetic algorithm computing process tracks forward progress of a first sub-population across generations thereof. The first sub-population is one of a plurality of sub-populations that form a population of candidate solutions to an optimization problem. At a current generation of the first sub-population, it is determined that forward progress of the first sub-population fails a set of one or more forward progress criteria. In response to determining that the forward progress of the first sub-population fails the set of one or more forward progress criteria at the current generation, a local catastrophe is invoked on the current generation of the first sub-population. The first sub-population is re-populated after the local catastrophe is invoked. The first sub-population is re-established after re-populating while constraining migration to the first sub-population.
US09165247B2
A parallel genetic algorithm computing process tracks forward progress of a first sub-population across generations thereof. The first sub-population is one of a plurality of sub-populations that form a population of candidate solutions to an optimization problem. At a current generation of the first sub-population, it is determined that forward progress of the first sub-population fails a set of one or more forward progress criteria. In response to determining that the forward progress of the first sub-population fails the set of one or more forward progress criteria at the current generation, a local catastrophe is invoked on the current generation of the first sub-population. The first sub-population is re-populated after the local catastrophe is invoked. The first sub-population is re-established after re-populating while constraining migration to the first sub-population.
US09165243B2
A tensor deep stacked neural (T-DSN) network for obtaining predictions for discriminative modeling problems. The T-DSN network and method use bilinear modeling with a tensor representation to map a hidden layer to the predication layer. The T-DSN network is constructed by stacking blocks of a single hidden layer tensor neural network (SHLTNN) on top of each other. The single hidden layer for each block then is separated or divided into a plurality of two or more sections. In some embodiments, the hidden layer is separated into a first hidden layer section and a second hidden layer section. These multiple sections of the hidden layer are combined using a product operator to obtain an implicit hidden layer having a single section. In some embodiments the product operator is a Khatri-Rao product. A prediction is made using the implicit hidden layer and weights, and the output prediction layer is consequently obtained.
US09165236B2
This invention relates to a smart card (1) manufacturing method that makes it possible to reduce the thickness of the said smart card and directly obtain a final 3FF or 4FF format. The smart card manufacturing method comprises steps for depositing resin forming a first protective coat (11) over the electronic element assembly with a surface greater than the required smart card format and depositing a second protective coat with a format larger than the required card format on the first protective coat. The second protective coat is fixed to the first protective coat by curing the first protective coat, and then the assembly obtained in that way is cut to the required format.
US09165232B2
Methods, circuits, and systems are disclosed for automatically detecting connections between RFID tags. In one embodiment, a method is provided that includes periodically placing a charge on a node shared between a first RFID tag and a second RFID tag. The method also comprises sensing a voltage at the node at a time subsequent to the placing of the charge. The method also comprises automatically determining whether a connection exists between the first RFID tag and the second RFID tag based on the sensing of the voltage at the node. The first RFID tag and/or the second RFID tag may include circuitry configured to perform the method.
US09165229B2
A print control apparatus and method for determining a sheet size specified by a first print job and a sheet size specified by a second print job, deciding on a sheet width usable by the first print job and a sheet width usable by the second print job based on determined respective sheet sizes, deciding on a sheet width of a continuous sheet to be used by the first print job and the second print job based on the decided respective sheet widths, and printing an image based on the first print job and an image based on the second print job on a continuous sheet supplied from a sheet supplying unit that supplies a continuous sheet having the decided sheet width.
US09165228B2
A printing apparatus includes an accepting unit configured to accept a print job, a first determination unit configured to determine whether the accepted print job is of a first type or a second type, a second determination unit configured to, if the first determination unit determines the accepted print job as the first type and if a job control code included in the accepted print job indicates hold, determine that data of the accepted print job is to be held, if the first determination unit determines that the accepted print job as the first type and if the job control code indicates print, determine that the data of the accepted print job is to be printed, and if the first determination unit determines that the accepted print job as the second type, determine that the data of the accepted print job is to be held.
US09165222B2
An image forming system includes a job executing portion, a preview executing portion, and a log image obtaining portion. The job executing portion executes a job based on an image. The preview executing portion executes displaying a preview of the image before the job is executed. The log image obtaining portion obtains a log image as a history of the image and store the log image in a storage portion. The log image obtaining portion obtains a log image of the preview.
US09165218B2
An image analyzer (120) aggregates image samples (140) into a cluster (170) based on the image samples (140) being classified from a subset of image metrics applied to a reference sample (130). The image analyzer (120) generates an image quality output (150) by analyzing a distance (180) from the cluster (180) relative to another cluster.
US09165212B1
A person counting device according to embodiments of the present invention counts the number of persons passing through a doorway based on an imaged image in which the surroundings of the doorway are imaged. The person counting device includes a moving line acquirer that acquires a moving line for each person detected from the imaged image, a person counter that counts the persons that have passed through the doorway based on the moving line, and a display information generator that generates display information which represents the number of persons that have passed through the doorway based on the counting results of the person counter. The person counter detects an interruption of the moving line in the vicinity of the doorway, determines a similarity between the background image of the doorway and the person image, and includes a deemed counter that deems that the person has passed through the doorway.
US09165203B2
A video processing system enhances quality of an overlay image, such as a logo, text, game scores, or other areas forming a region of interest (ROI) in a video stream. The system separately enhances the video quality of the ROI, particularly when screen size is reduced. The data enhancement can be accomplished at decoding with metadata provided with the video data for decoding so that the ROI that can be separately enhanced from the video. In improve legibility, the ROI enhancer can increase contrast, brightness, hue, saturation, and bit density of the ROI. The ROI enhancer can operate down to a pixel-by-pixel level. The ROI enhancer may use stored reference picture templates to enhance a current ROI based on a comparison. When the ROI includes text, a minimum reduction size for the ROI relative to the remaining video can be identified so that the ROI is not reduced below human perceptibility.
US09165201B2
An embodiment generally relates to systems and methods for determining cell phone usage automatically by individuals operating vehicles. A processing module can process multi-spectral images or videos of individuals and detect different regions in the image such as face regions, hand regions, and cell phone regions. Further, the processing module can analyze the regions based on locations and numbers of skin pixels and cell phone pixels to determine if the individual is holding his or her cell phone near his or her face. Based on the analysis, it can be determined whether the individual is operating the cell phone. Further, the analysis can yield a confidence level associated with the cell phone usage.
US09165194B2
A system and method for automatic classification and detection of a payment gesture are disclosed. The method includes obtaining a video stream from a camera placed above at least one region of interest, the region of interest classifying the payment gesture. A background image is generated from the obtained video stream. Motion is estimated in at least two consecutive frames from the video stream. A representation is created from the background image and the estimated motion occurring within the at least one region of interest. The payment gesture is detected based on the representation.
US09165180B2
Systems and methods for face recognition are provided. In one example, a method for face recognition includes receiving a user image and detecting a user luminance of data representing the user's face. An adaptive low pass filter is selected that corresponds to the user luminance of the user's face. The filter is applied to the user image to create a filtered user image. The filtered user image is projected to create a filtered user image representation. A filtered reference image representation that has been filtered with the same low pass filter is selected from a reference image database. The method then determines whether the filtered reference image representation matches the filtered user image representation.
US09165173B2
A security method using an imaging barcode reader which captures image data for security purposes. An example method includes receiving an unauthorized activity signal by the barcode reader, and capturing image data by a camera in the barcode reader in response to the unauthorized activity signal.
US09165164B2
Provided is a cryptographic processing apparatus for a storage medium, including: a location information conversion unit that stores a conversion result in a buffer, the conversion result obtained by performing a conversion process on location information indicating a location of data to be accessed on the storage medium; and a data cryptographic processing unit that performs cryptography processing on the data using the conversion result stored in the buffer, the cryptography processing being one of encryption and decryption.
US09165161B2
Selectively shared and filtered personal information collections are provided. Personal information collections include calendars, task lists, address books, and other collections of information that may be provided by personal information manager (PIM) software. Personal information collections published on a server may be limited on a user-by-user basis as to who may access the collections. Furthermore, collections may be automatically filtered based on a rolling window of dates, reducing file size and maintaining privacy of items outside the rolling window.
US09165153B2
A method for protecting a first secrets file. The method includes an n-bit generator generating a secrets file name for the secrets file and generating a decoy file names for decoy files. The secrets file includes a secret. Each of the decoy files includes decoy file contents, are a same size as the secrets file, and is associated with a modification time within a range of modification times. The modification time of the secrets file is within the range of modification times. The secrets file and decoy files are stored in a secrets directory.
US09165145B2
Various embodiments herein include at least one of systems, methods, and software that efficiently segregate data from externally accessible systems. One such embodiment is a method performed by a first data processing system and includes receiving a call from a client of a user interaction service requesting data to populate a client application user interface. Next, a first object service obtains the requested data. The first object service is then executed to call a master data service to retrieve master data from a local database storing master data copied from master data stored by a second data processing system. Next, transaction data is retrieved via a remote service call over a network from the second data processing system. The retrieved data is then provided back to the calling user interaction service, which then transmits the data to the client application.
US09165142B1
Techniques for malware family identification using profile signatures are disclosed. In some embodiments, malware identification using profile signatures includes executing a potential malware sample in a virtual machine environment (e.g., a sandbox); and determining whether the potential malware sample is associated with a known malware family based on a profile signature. In some embodiments, the virtual machine environment is an instrumented virtual machine environment for monitoring potential malware samples during execution.
US09165139B2
A method for generating a secure application is described herein. The method can include the steps of obtaining a target application and decomposing the target application into original files that contain predictable instructions. One or more predictable instructions in the original files may be identified. In addition, the target application may be modified to create the secure application by binding one or more intercepts to the target application. These intercepts can enable the modification of the predictable instructions in accordance with one or more policies such that the behavior of the secure application is different from the original behavior of the target application. Modification of the target application may be conducted without access to the source code of the target application.
US09165138B2
Methods are disclosed for improving security of computer software and preventing potential attackers from gaining control of computer software via function pointer overwrite attacks. One or more additional layers of complexity may be imposed that would have to be circumvented in order to gain execution control over portions of software. One or more function pointers can be encoded using a value that may be generated on program initialization and decoded before any dynamic function call occurs. In the event of memory corruption that affects an encoded function pointer, the value will cause the destination of the function pointer to decode to an invalid and random address and will induce an error. An application may be prevented from calling an attacker corrupted function pointer by introducing various checks around the call point at compile time that check the validity of the destination to which the function pointer points.
US09165137B2
Systems and methods are provided for securing data in virtual machine computing environments. A request is received for a security operation from a first virtual machine operating in a host operating system of a first device. In response to receiving the request, a first security module executes the security operation, the first security module implemented in a kernel of the host operating system. The result of the security operation is provided to the first virtual machine.
US09165134B2
The protected resource, typically an API, is exposed by endpoints of a plurality of administrative domains. The endpoints are previously unknown by said service application and the method further comprises: i. using an intermediate or global entity for: a) selecting one of said administrative domains based on flexible criteria (i.e. at least on the identity of said end user but also considering varying user or service preferences); and b) performing, said selected administrative domain, a secure authorization to grant access to said end user by means of an open protocol; and ii. providing, said selected administrative domain to said service application, once performed said secure authorization, direct or proxy access to said user's protected resource via the endpoint established by said intermediate entity.
US09165129B2
Various embodiments are generally directed to use of a keyboard as a biometric authentication device. In one embodiment, for example, an apparatus comprises a processor circuit executing a sequence of instructions causing the processor circuit to receive a signal indicative of a keypress of at least one key of a keyboard communicatively coupled to the apparatus, and indicative of at least one physical characteristic associated with the keypress; compare the at least one physical characteristic to at least one stored physical characteristic associated with at least one authorized user of the apparatus; and determine if the keypress is associated with at least one authorized user of the apparatus based on the comparison. Other embodiments are described and claimed herein.
US09165126B1
Disclosed are various embodiments of techniques that may be used to improve the reliability of network authentication. A communication session is established between a server computing device and a client computing device. The communication session is established via a network using a credential for a network site. A verifier for the credential is generated, which may be used to confirm the authenticity of the credential. The verifier is provided to the client computing device via the network.
US09165120B1
Generally described, aspects of the present disclosure relate to for managing the configuration and security policies of hosted virtual machine networks. Hosted virtual machine networks are configured in a manner such that a virtual machine manager component can establish service manifests that correspond to information required by the virtual machine network from a user/customer. The virtual machine manager component can also publish in the service manifests contractual information, such as security risk assessments, that are deemed to have been provided and accepted by the user/customer in instantiating virtual machine networks. If the processed service manifest information remains valid, a substrate network process requests or independently instantiate services or components in accordance with the configuration information and security risk information included in the processed service manifest.
US09165117B2
Various methods and apparatuses for measuring a state parameter of an individual using signals based on one or more sensors are disclosed. In one embodiment, a first set of signals is used in a first function to determine how a second set of signals is used in one or more second functions to predict the state parameter. In another embodiment, first and second functions are used where the state parameter or an indicator of the state parameter may be obtained from a relationship between the first function and the second function. The state parameter may, for example, include calories consumed or calories burned by the individual. Various methods for making such apparatuses are also disclosed.
US09165114B2
A calibration/surgical tool includes an electromagnetic sensor array of two or more electromagnetic sensors in a known geometrical configuration. Electromagnetic tracking errors are characterized by a mapping of pre-operative absolute and relative errors based on a movement of a calibrated calibration/surgical tool through a pre-operative electromagnetic field. Using statistical mapping, a desired absolute error field is measured either in the clinic as the part of daily quality control checks, or before the patient comes in or in vivo. A resulting error field may be displayed to the physician to provide clear visual feedback about measurement confidence or reliability of localization estimates of the absolute errors in electromagnetic tracking.
US09165110B2
Web-hosted engine for continuously improving the identification of safer products for administration
Genetic information relating to clinically significant attributes are generated as encrypted molecular signatures, which are provided to a subscriber to be carried as a card or in another form, including for display by a subscriber's computer or smart-phone or PDA. Different features of an individual's molecular attribute profile are preferably each represented by a particular shape, and the encryption can be by changing the color, or spatial orientation of the shapes. The signature is periodically updated as new clinically significant attributes become known. The process of updating the signature and using it to obtain suitable products (which don't have an unacceptable risk of generating an adverse reaction or outcome) is also described.
US09165106B2
The present disclosure relates to a method and apparatus to create a physical layout for electron-beam lithography, comprising defining a layout grid for a physical design, the layout grid further comprising vertical grid lines which coincide with stitching lines resulting from partitioning the physical design into a plurality of subfields. The physical design is assembled in accordance with design restrictions regarding interaction between design shapes and the layout grid. In some embodiments, the design restrictions are realized though layout restrictions. In some embodiments, the design restrictions are realized by shifting standard cells to minimize design shape interaction with the layout grid in a post-layout step. In some embodiments, the design restrictions are realized by exchanging positions between a plurality of standard cells for an exchange permutation which minimizes the number of interactions in a post-layout step. In some embodiments a routing grid is refined to rule out interactions between a subset of design constructs and the layout grid. Remaining design shape placement is then optimized along the routing grid relative to the stitching lines.
US09165104B1
A method for automatically performing a double patterning (DP) color-seeding check in order to discover color-seeding violations in an IC design layout. The method of some embodiments receives a layer of the IC design layout and performs an analysis on the layer of the design layout to determine several error paths. Each error path connects two color-seeding shapes that have a color-seeding violation. For each pair of shapes that has a color-seeding violation, the method of some embodiments displays a DP color-seeding violation marker on a graphical user interface (GUI) to visually assist a user to resolve the color-seeding violation.
US09165100B2
A method for mapping an element of an engineering schematic into a schematic element database is provided. The method electronically scans a schematic to recognize a plurality of elements visually represented in the schematic, wherein each of the plurality of elements is associated with predefined schematic element visual attributes; and maps each of the plurality of recognized elements to any one of a plurality of saved database elements, based on common visual attributes.
US09165096B2
A hybrid winder machine system configured to operate in a first state to wind a continuous web material to produce a final wound product and to operate in a second state to emulate production of the wound product is disclosed. The system comprises at least one processor in operative communication with a hybrid winder machine having a plurality of actuators that move a plurality of mechanical elements and at least one processor configured to provide an emulated environment for the hybrid winder machine while the system operates in the second state.
US09165093B2
A computerized simulation method for evaluating a tire performance is disclosed. Firstly, a simulation of a rolling tire is made by contacting a tire model with a road surface model, and chronological data about node points of the tire model which node points appear in the outer surface of the tire model during rotating are stored. Then, a domain of a fluid is defined, and a simulation of the fluid is made by the use of the chronological data, wherein a small gap is formed between the tire model and the road surface model, and the fluid domain is also defined in the gap.
US09165082B2
In one or more embodiments, a Web browser receives user input in the form of text that is entered in a suitably-configured text entry bar, such as an address bar. The web browser processes the text and ascertains whether the text appears to be a search or an attempted navigation. Based on whether the text appears to be a search or an attempted navigation, the web browser communicates the text to a search provider, along with an indication of whether the text appears to be a search or an attempted navigation. The search provider receives the text and the indication and can then take appropriate action as by returning a search results page or causing the web browser to be redirected to a website associated with the received text.
US09165079B1
Techniques include: identifying a first group that has a specified number of entities or more; associating a first group restrict with the first group, where a group restrict comprises data associated with two or more members of a group; assigning the first group restrict to one or more items of content in a search index that the members of the group can access; identifying a second group associated with a second group restrict, where the second group has fewer than the specified number of entities; and assigning searcher restricts for entities in the second group to one or more items of content in the search index, where the searcher restricts include data associated with a searcher.
US09165077B2
A web site page has a reference for providing an address for a next page. The web site is crawled by a crawler program, which parses the reference from one of the web pages and sends the reference to an applet running in a browser. The address for the next page is determined by the browser responsive to the reference and is sent to the crawler. The crawler selects non-hypertext-link parameters from the web page of the web site server by performing a programmed action sequence, including selecting items from lists of the web page in a particular sequence. The crawler sends the applet running in the browser, for the query to the web server for the next page referenced by the one web page, the selected parameters and a context arising from the particular sequence.
US09165064B2
A semantic note taking system and method for collecting information, enriching the information, and binding the information to services is provided. User-created notes are enriched with labels, context traits, and relevant data to minimize friction in the note-taking process. Context aware prompts and alerts are generated and send to users associated with the note. Users associated with the note could respond to the alerts and prompt by adding or further enriching the note with contextual traits. The prompts, alerts and responses could be shared among the group of users associated with the note.
US09165061B2
Presented are systems and methods for identifying information about a particular entity including acquiring electronic documents having unstructured text, that are selected based on one or more search terms from a plurality of terms related to the particular entity. Tokenizing the acquired documents to form a data matrix and then calculating a plurality of eigenvectors, using the data matrix and the transpose of the data matrix. The variance is then acquired for determining the amount of intra-clustering between the documents and then the acquired documents are clustered using some of the eigenvectors and the variance.
US09165048B2
According to some embodiments, it may be determined that a first field in a first table is to be linked to a second field in a second table. A computer processor may then automatically create a new entry in a linked field table, the new entry including a linked field identifier, a source value, a source link referring to the second field in the second table, and a link counter containing a value indicating that one field refers to the second field in the second table. The first field in the first table may then be updated to refer to the new entry in the linked field table.
US09165045B2
In one embodiment, a method receives a plurality of documents. The documents may be received from different medical providers. Also, the documents may be medical record documents generated or captured in a first format and a second format. The first format may be an unstructured data format and the second format may be a structured data format. The first and second documents are then converted to a common format. For example, a common format may emerge as the most restrictive or constrained denominator of the first format and the second format. A schema is determined that provides an organizational structure with categories that can be used to index the content of the first and second documents while they are being converted to the common format. The schema and indexing enable the different formats of documents to be combined and organized simultaneously into a single view for a comprehensive review.
US09165039B2
The present invention provides search engine methods and systems for generating highly personalized and relevant search results based on the context of a user's search constraint and user characteristics. In an embodiment, upon receipt of a user's search constraint, the method determines all semantic variations for each word within the user search constraint. Additionally, topics can be determined within the user constraint. For each unique word and topic within the user search constraint, possible contexts are determined. A matrix of feasible context scenarios is established. Each context scenario is ranked to determine the most likely context scenario for which the user search constraint relates based on user characteristics. In one embodiment, the weighting used to rank the contexts is based on previous user searches and/or knowledge of their interests. Search results associated with the highest ranking context are provided to the user, along with topics associated with lower ranked contexts.
US09165036B2
Methods and systems are provided for identifying data transactions satisfying a streaming query and providing data corresponding to those data transactions to subscribed client devices. One exemplary method involves a server initiating a data transaction for a database entry in a database in response to input data received from a client device, determining whether the data transaction satisfies a streaming query, and indicating an association between the database entry and the streaming query when the data transaction satisfies the streaming query.
US09165029B2
Performance data can be collected from different runtime environment subsystems of a computer system while the computer system is running a program in the runtime environment. A visualization model can be displayed, and a visual query of the integrated data can be received at the visualization model. Queried data can be compiled and displayed in response to the visual query. The queried data can be drilled into in response to user input. In response to a navigation request, navigation can lead to a programming element related to a portion of the queried data.
US09165023B2
An integrated circuit device comprises at least one digital signal processor, DSP, module, the at least one DSP module comprising a plurality of data registers and at least one data execution unit, DEU, module arranged to execute operations on data stored within the data registers. The at least one DEU module is arranged to, in response to receiving an extreme value index instruction, compare a previous extreme value located within a first data register set of the DSP module with at least one input vector data value located within a second data register set of the DSP module, and determine an extreme value thereof. The at least one DEU module is further arranged to, if the determined extreme value comprises an input vector data value located within the second data register set, store the determined extreme value in the first data register set, determine an index value for the determined extreme value, and store the determined index value in the first data register set.
US09165011B2
A system, for concurrent calculation of resource qualifications (e.g., skills, educational degree, etc) and availability (e.g., availability to work on a project) using text search. The method commences by initiating a flow for requesting resources, the resource request comprising a qualification requirement indication and a time period requirement indication. The method further comprises retrieving candidate resource documents in a manner so as to calculate an overall match score that is based not only on qualifications, but also on availability. The scoring uses a recoded candidate resource document that comprises qualification attributes as well as time period availability to form an overall match score. The recoding can be performed in an administrative flow (e.g., a batch process, and/or a periodically executed update process), and the administrative flow creates recoded candidate resource document that are suited for use with a text search engine capable of processing an extensible markup language document.
US09165006B2
A method, apparatus and computer program product for managing data storage and access on a computing device. The computing device includes at least a first storage system and a second storage system. A unified file system interface is provided for facilitating interaction with the computing device, the unified file system interface configured as a file system capable of facilitating interaction with content of both the first storage system and the second storage system. Storage of content across the first storage system and the second storage system is managed in accordance with a rule set. File locations within the unified file system interface are independent of locations of corresponding content of the first storage system and the second storage system.
US09165004B2
Methods for creation of a content association system in which a client application communicates to a distributed hash table network an association between one piece of content in a client's library and one other piece of content in the client's library are described. The client creates a hash for a first file in the library and a reference to a second file in the library. The client stores the reference to the second file in the distributed hash table at a node corresponding to the hash. To discover files associated with a file in a peer's library, the peer creates a hash for a file in its library and retrieves references to other files from the distributed hash table.
US09164995B2
The illustrative embodiments described herein provide a computer implemented method, apparatus, and computer program product for managing usage policies for data recorded with a digital life recorder. A usage profile sensor determines whether a broadcast of a usage profile is detected. A usage profile sensor receives the broadcast of the usage profile in response to a first determination that the broadcast of the usage profile is detected, wherein the usage profile comprises a usage policy. A usage profile processor determines whether the usage profile is currently being tracked. A usage profile processor records a start date, a start time, and usage profile information into a tracking table in response to a second determination that the usage profile is not currently being tracked.
US09164990B2
In some implementations, a method for providing user-based context to a virtual workspace includes generating a first virtual workspace viewable by a user on a graphical user interface. The virtual workspace comprises a plurality of workspace modules comprising first data aggregated from one or more data objects. The aggregated data is determined to be semantically proximate aggregated data in a second virtual workspace. User annotations assigned to the semantically-proximate aggregated data are identified. The user annotations are presented in the first virtual workplace viewable by the user.
US09164988B2
Systems and method are disclosed for dynamically creating a translated virtual website based on a machine translation of an existing website without adding any code to the source website. In one exemplary embodiment, an extension to a URL is recognized as requesting a translated website, and the request is routed to an MT server. The original-language content is retrieved, translated, and returned to the user system without any further action by the user. In a further exemplary embodiment, a secure connection can be established to enable translation of non-public websites. In a further exemplary embodiment, a crawler can index the translated website. In a further exemplary embodiment, an RSS feed returns translated content.
US09164985B1
Techniques for detecting poor machine translations are disclosed herein. The techniques can include various diagnostics that can be performed to determine whether to adopt a potential translated key term as a translated key term. The diagnostics include a geographic location diagnostic, a reverse translation diagnostic, a local term diagnostic, and a narrow-to-broad diagnostic.
US09164978B2
Data is commonly stored in multidimensional arrays. Users and computer applications may request or interact with the data objects. As larger amounts of data are stored, the resources used to maintain and manipulate the data increase. An effective way to manage resources is to operate on an index of ranges that identify selected data within a multidimensional array. The index of ranges is associated with only a subset of data objects, instead of the entire multidimensional array. A range may comprise multiple dimensions (e.g. row and column) that are indexed by start and end indexes. Using the index of ranges to access data is efficient because the index of ranges is kept in sorted order, allowing for a binary search for locating and accessing specified data within the multidimensional array. The index of ranges is updated to reflect operations within the multidimensional array, such as, selecting new data or removing data, for example.
US09164973B2
A method and apparatus are provided for processing a graphic in a document so that the graphic may be reused in a different application than the one it was originally used in. For a given document, a graphic may be identified from within the document and extracted from the document. The extracted graphic may be stored in a suitable storage medium, such as a reusable graphic repository. A structural feature associated with the extracted graphic may also be extracted. The extracted graphic may then be classified based on the extracted structural feature. Furthermore, a method and apparatus are provided for generating a reusable graphic from a document.
US09164966B1
Systems and methods of distributing content items to a resource via a computer network are described. A statistical distribution representing display sizes of content items with respect to a slot having a plurality of parameters may be generated. A request to provide a content item for display in a slot of the resource may be received. Content items for display in the slot of the resource may be selected based on the statistical distribution. Selecting content items for display in the slot may include optimizing an appearance of a content item in the slot or maximizing a number of a plurality of content items in the slot.
US09164961B2
The disclosed embodiments relate to a system and method for predicting the learning curve of an SMT system. A set of anchor points are selected. The set of anchor points correspond to a size of a corpus. Thereafter, a gold curve or a benchmark curve is fitted based on the set of anchor points to determine the BLEU score. Based on the BLEU score and a set of parameters associated with the first set of anchor points, a confidence score is computed.
US09164959B1
A discrete Fourier transform calculation apparatus includes a plurality of multiplier units, and a plurality of butterfly calculation units. Each butterfly calculation unit is configured to perform simultaneous calculations for at least two stages of a fast Fourier transform (FFT) algorithm by using shared resources of the butterfly calculation unit. Each butterfly calculation unit includes a respective memory device to store input data for the corresponding at least two stages of the FFT algorithm, and a respective butterfly calculator coupled to the respective memory device. Each butterfly calculation unit also includes a respective controller coupled to the respective memory device and the respective butterfly calculator. The respective controller is configured to control the corresponding butterfly calculation unit to calculate the corresponding at least two stages of the FFT algorithm. The plurality of butterfly calculation units and the plurality of multiplier units are coupled in series.
US09164958B2
Computerized analysis method for estimating a kneaded state of a fluid, comprises: a step of generating a finite element model of a kneading space within which the fluid is kneaded; a step of defining a model of the fluid; a step of defining the fluid model in the kneading space model at a filling rate of less than 100% and defining necessary kneading conditions; a particle tracking step in which, a flow calculation of the fluid model is made, and virtual particles disposed in the fluid model are tracked; an estimating step in which the positional data of the virtual particles are compared with those in an ideal kneaded state of the fluid model, and the degree of kneading of the fluid model is calculated. The ideal kneaded state is calculated in the estimating step, based on existence positions of the fluid model calculated in the particle tracking step.
US09164950B2
A method, system, and computer program product for displaying components assigned to events produced by resources, includes: registering a new resource by generating a label to which is associated a system specific device identifier used by the new resource within a computing environment; storing in a mapping table the generated label identifying the registered new resource together with an associated system specific device identifier; and updating the mapping table by associating to the label any other system specific device identifier used by the new resource within the computing environment; receiving events produced by resources when being executed within the computing environment, each event being associated with a list of labels for the resources relevant for the generation of the event; and maintaining a tag cloud including different tags, the different tags including labels for the resources associated with the received events to be displayed as components.
US09164948B2
An electronic calculator and a control method thereof are provided. The electronic calculator includes a display module, a key array, and a processing chip. The key array includes a plurality of keys. The keys include at least a turn-on key. The turn-on key has a first hardware configuration and a second hardware configuration. The processing chip detects the triggering of the keys to execute corresponding calculation functions and control image display of the display module. The electronic calculator enters a turned-on state in response to the triggering of the turn-on key. When the turn-on key is triggered, the processing chip controls the electronic calculator to keep or clear an operation information stored before the electronic calculator is turned off according to whether the turn-on key is set to the first hardware configuration or the second hardware configuration.
US09164934B2
A system for controlling bus-networked devices includes a gateway including a memory unit and having an interface to an open field bus. A power supply unit supplies primary power for the gateway and bus subscribers. An auxiliary power supply unit supplies auxiliary power for the bus subscribers independent of bus functionality. A pluggable connection cable is electrically connects the gateway to the bus subscribers and transmits the primary and the auxiliary power and control and/or status information between the gateway and the bus subscribers. An application bus networks the bus subscribers to each other and is operable by the connection cable. A bus controller writes a target bus configuration of the application bus and stores the target bus configuration in a non-volatile manner in the memory unit. The bus controller is also configured to overwrite the target bus configuration with a present, actual bus configuration.
US09164933B2
An integrated circuit device includes a transmitter circuit operable to transmit a timing signal over a first wire to a DRAM. The DRAM receives a first signal having a balanced number of logical zero-to-one transitions and one-to-zero transitions and samples the first signal at a rising edge of the timing signal to produce a respective sampled value. The device further includes a receiver circuit to receive the respective sampled value from the DRAM over a plurality of wires separate from the first wire. In a first mode, the transmitter circuit repeatedly transmits incrementally offset versions of the timing signal to the DRAM until sampled values received from the DRAM change from a logical zero to a logical one or vice versa; and in a second mode, it transmits write data over the plurality of wires to the DRAM according to a write timing offset generated based on the sampled values.
US09164918B2
In one embodiment of the present invention, a method includes switching between a first address space and a second address space, determining if the second address space exists in a list of address spaces; and maintaining entries of the first address space in a translation buffer after the switching. In such manner, overhead associated with such a context switch may be reduced.
US09164916B2
Embodiments of the invention are generally directed to systems, methods, and apparatuses for linear to physical address translation with support for page attributes. In some embodiments, a system receives an instruction to translate a memory pointer to a physical memory address for a memory location. The system may return the physical memory address and one or more page attributes. Other embodiments are described and claimed.
US09164914B1
An integrated circuit (“IC”) may have flash memory circuitry associated with it. The IC may also have controllable routing circuitry for routing signal information (1) between the flash memory circuitry and any one of a plurality of signal ports of the IC, or (2) between various ones of those signal ports. Multiple instance of such ICs and their associated flash memory circuitries may be connected to one another via the above-mentioned signal ports to provide flash memory storage systems of any size in which data can be routed in and out at least partly via the controllable routing circuitries of the various ICs.
US09164908B2
Managing out-of-order memory command execution from multiple queues while maintaining data coherency
Responsive to selecting a particular queue from among at least two queues to place an incoming event into within a particular entry from among multiple entries ordered upon arrival of the particular queue each comprising a separate collision vector, a memory address for the incoming event is compared with each queued memory address for each queued event in the other entries in the at least one other queue. Responsive to the memory address for the incoming event matching at least one particular queued memory address for at least one particular queued event in the at least one other queue, at least one particular bit is set in a particular collision vector for the particular entry in at least one bit position from among the bits corresponding with at least one row entry position of the at least one particular queued memory address within the other entries.
US09164907B2
An information processing apparatus included in a parallel computer system has a memory that holds data and a processor including a cache memory that holds a part of the data held on the memory and a processor core that performs arithmetic operations using the data held on the memory or the cache memory. Moreover, the information processing apparatus has a communication device that determines whether data received from a different information processing apparatus is data that the processor core waits for. When the communication device determines that the received data is data that the processor core waits for, the communication device stores the received data on the cache memory. When the communication device determines that the received data is data that the processor core does not wait for, the communication device stores the received data on the memory.
US09164903B2
A memory management device including a plurality of outputs, each output configured to interface to respective one of a plurality of memories; and a controller configured to cause each buffer allocated to the memories to be divided up substantially equally between each of the plurality of memories.
US09164902B2
A storage area management method for a data storage apparatus partitions an acquired storage area into storage areas with differing power-of-2 sizes and manages each of them. Also, a storage area allocation method receives an allocation request for a storage area that includes a requested allocation size, and acquires an available storage area whose size is the smallest power-of-2 size encompassing the requested allocation size, and obtains a binary expression of the requested allocation size, and in response to the received allocation request, allocates a contiguous storage area comprised of storage areas each of whose size is a power of 2 of a value of a bit position wherein a 1 is set in the binary expression.
US09164890B2
Provided is a storage device capable of increasing its life cycle and operating method thereof. The storage device includes a nonvolatile memory device that stores data and a controller that controls the nonvolatile memory device. The controller receive can modify a write time-out value of the nonvolatile memory device in accordance with predetermined conditions, such as request from a host or exceeding of a predefined life cycle.
US09164888B2
A data storage device includes multiple flash memory devices, where each of the flash memory devices is arranged into multiple blocks having multiple pages for storing data. The data storage device includes a memory controller operationally coupled with the flash memory devices. The memory controller is configured to receive a logical to physical address translation map from a host device, where a physical address includes a physical address for one of the flash memory devices. The memory controller is configured to store the logical to physical address translation map in a memory module on the memory controller, receive read commands directly from an application running on the host device, where the read commands include logical memory addresses that refer to the logical locations on the flash memory devices, and translate the logical addresses to physical memory addresses using the logical to physical address translation map.
US09164885B2
A storage control device includes a memory configured to store a program; and a processor configured to execute a process based on the program. The process includes: writing additional data into an area reserved for allocation in a disk, detecting a volume of the data and the additional data written into the disk as a used amount of the disk, calculating an amount of increase or decrease in a current used amount of the disk with respect to the used amount of the disk previously detected, calculating a changed volume on the basis of a ratio between the amount of increase or decrease in the used amount of the disk and a volume of the area reserved for allocation, and allocating the area reserved for allocation to the disk so that the area reserved for allocation corresponding to the calculated changed volume is continued in the disk.
US09164872B2
Coding issues that create runtime memory leaks, for example in programs coded in a platform-independent programming language such as Java™, can be isolated at the program code line level. An allocation trace that retains, in active memory, a unique object identifier for each of a plurality of objects instantiated during program execution and an address in the active memory where each object is stored can be created. Memory leak candidates can be identified by directly examining contents of the active memory to identify one or more data structures that are increasing in size over time. The allocation trace can be combined with the identified memory leak candidates to generate information about at least one identified leaking object.
US09164871B2
A method for evaluating a breakpoint in a line of source code includes encountering the breakpoint and evaluating whether the breakpoint is at the start of the line. If the breakpoint is at the start of the line, then the debugger stops at the breakpoint and tracks the breakpoint. If the breakpoint is not at the start of the line, then the debugger evaluates whether the breakpoint is reached via a back branch. If the breakpoint is not at the start of the line and is reached via a back branch, then the debugger stops at the breakpoint and tracks the breakpoint. If the breakpoint is not at the start of the line and is not a back branch target, then the debugger passes the breakpoint and tracks the breakpoint.
US09164869B2
A disclosed method includes accessing one or more seeding specifications and a program including computer-readable code and applying the one or more seeding specifications to the program to identify for analysis seeds including strings for corresponding identified string variables. The method includes tracking flows emanating from the identified seeds. The tracking includes computing an integral offset into a tracked string variable for any statements causing such a computation. The tracking also includes providing a string representation based on the computed integral offset, wherein the provided string representation comprises a value of the integral offset and an indication of the corresponding tracked string variable. The tracking further includes modeling string manipulations of the tracked string variables using the string representations. Apparatus and program products are also disclosed.
US09164868B2
The disclosure relates to methods and systems for trace solutions in a computer processing system. More specifically, the disclosure relates to methods and systems for a multi-tier trace architecture. A method for separating raw trace data includes receiving raw trace data from one of more CPUs and/or busses in the system, separating the raw trace data into high bandwidth trace information (HBTI) and low bandwidth trace information (LBTI), recording the HBTI on an on-chip trace buffer until a specific event is triggered, and providing in parallel the LBTI over an off-chip trace interface. In one embodiment, the raw trace data are provided to a separate HBTI trace unit and a separate LBTI respectively. The HBTI trace unit processes the HBTI and generates a HBTI message, and the LBTI trace unit processes the LBTI and generates a LBTI message.
US09164860B2
A method to ensure the dependable representation of a safety-related information includes: entry of at least one input parameter into a processor, computerized processing of the input parameter transforming it into a sequence of image data that represents the input parameter, transmittance of the sequence of image data on to a display and representing the sequence of image data on the display. It is proposed to fead the sequence of image data and to a test unit and to perform a safety test in the form of computerized generation of a test code for the sequence of image data, comparing the test code with several existing reference codes, assigning the identified reference code to a corresponding possible value of the input parameter and comparing it with the value of the input parameter to generate either a positive or negative test result to initiate a safety-focused reaction.
US09164857B2
Scalable structured data store operations can include logging a number of detected corrupted records within a scalable structured data store, repairing the number of corrupted records within a number of nodes of the scalable structured data store, and predicting hardware failure based on the logged number of corrupted records.
US09164854B2
Embodiments relate to thread sparing between cores in a processor. An aspect includes determining that a number of recovery attempts made by a first thread on the first core has exceeded a recovery attempt threshold, and sending a request to transfer the first thread. Another aspect includes, selecting a second core from a plurality of cores to receive the first thread from the first core, wherein the second core is selected based on the second core having an idle thread. Another aspect includes transferring a last good architected state of the first thread from the first core to the second core. Another aspect includes loading the last good architected state of the first thread by the idle thread on the second core. Yet another aspect includes resuming execution of the first thread on the second core from the last good architected state of the first thread by the idle thread.
US09164848B2
A memory module includes a volatile memory, a non-volatile memory, and a memory controller adapted to present to a host system external to the memory module an address space that includes an address space of the volatile memory and excludes all addresses of the non-volatile memory capacity. The module includes logic to copy the contents of the volatile memory to memory locations of the nonvolatile memory capacity reserved for backup of the volatile memory, using power from a backup power interface, when suitable power from the host system is unavailable, wherein the memory controller reserves for backup of the volatile memory an amount of nonvolatile memory storage capacity that is at least twice a memory storage capacity of the volatile memory.
US09164847B1
A method and system for checkpointing at least one application in an application group. At least one full checkpoint and at least one incremental checkpoint are created for the application in the application group. The at least one incremental application checkpoint is merged against the at least one full application checkpoint, and checkpointing across all applications in the application group is synchronized. A storage checkpoint is taken for at least one of the full checkpoint and the incremental checkpoint, and memory and storage checkpoints are synchronized and consistent.
US09164846B2
In one aspect, a technique for restarting a software system on a computer platform after an unintentional software system shutdown. The technique includes, for instance, generating a core dump file on the computer platform when the software system shuts down unintentionally, restarting the software system, using a library for copying software system related data from the core dump file to the software system, and continuing execution of the software system.
US09164837B2
Method and apparatus for managing data in a memory, such as a flash memory. In accordance with some embodiments, a non-volatile memory is arranged into a plurality of blocks, with each of the blocks constituting an integral plural number N of fixed-sized, multi-bit transfer units. A processing circuit retrieves at least a portion of the data stored in a selected block to a volatile memory buffer in response to a transfer unit (TU) bit map. The TU bit map is stored in a memory and provides a multi-bit sequence of bits corresponding to the N transfer units of the selected block. The values of the bits in the multi-bit sequence of bits indicate whether the corresponding transfer units are to be retrieved.
US09164835B2
An operating method of a nonvolatile memory device controller includes generating a code word through polar encoding of information bits, reading a mapping pattern, generating a repeated mapping pattern through iteration of the mapping pattern, and mapping each bit of the code word onto a specific bit of multi-bit data of the nonvolatile memory device, based upon the repeated mapping pattern.
US09164833B2
A data storage device includes a nonvolatile memory device; and a controller suitable for controlling an operation of the nonvolatile memory device in response to a request from an external device, wherein the controller comprises a victim block setup unit suitable for setting a victim block for a merge operation based on an error count, which is detected when a read operation of the nonvolatile memory device is performed, and for storing information of the victim block for the merge operation, and wherein the controller converts the victim block into a free memory block during the merge operation and reuses the free memory block to store data.
US09164828B2
Systems and method relating generally to data processing, and more particularly to systems and methods for accessing a data set from a solid state storage device, using a data decoding circuit to apply a data decoding algorithm to the data set to yield a decoded output, where the decoded output includes at least one error, identifying at least one critical location in the data set, estimating a voltage associated with the data in the data set corresponding to the critical location, calculating soft information corresponding to the critical location based at least in part on the estimated voltage, and re-applying the data decoding algorithm to the data set guided by the soft information to yield an updated decoded output.
US09164827B2
Method and apparatus for protecting data comprising dividing data into a plurality of data subsets. Generating parity data for each data subset and another data subset of the plurality of data subsets. Generating parity data for each data subset and a second other data subset of the plurality of data subsets. Method and apparatus for recovering data comprising retrieving one or more data subsets. Retrieving two or more different parity data sets generated for one data subset. Regenerating any missing data subsets using the retrieved one or more data subset and two or more retrieved parity data sets. Combining the one or more retrieved data subset and regenerated missing data subsets to form the recovered data.
US09164816B2
A system for data exchange in a multimedia terminal, said terminal comprising native applications (2) executable directly by the terminal and local applications (4) and also remote applications (6) executable through Internet browser software (8). This system comprises a module (18) for detecting the operation of applications (4, 6) that are executable through Internet browser software, a downlink interface (10A) for data exchange between the applications (4, 6) that are executable through Internet browser software and the native applications and an uplink interface (10B) for data exchange between the native applications and the local applications, said detecting module and said downlink and uplink interfaces being adapted for exchanging data.
US09164814B2
Predicting acceleration in a hybrid system may comprise determining a number of cross system calls in a first host-accelerator computer architecture running a workload. Host machine overhead and accelerator overhead in the first host-accelerator computer architecture associated with each of the cross system calls may be determined. Communication delay associated with each of the cross system calls in the first host-accelerator computer architecture running a workload may be determined. An application response time may be predicted for a candidate application to be run in a second host-accelerator computer architecture, based at least on the determined host machine overhead, the accelerator overhead, and the communication delay associated with each of the cross system calls in the first host-accelerator computer architecture running a workload.
US09164811B1
Methods and systems herein determine the relative order in which tasks of a workflow are performed based on verified directional processing links of the tasks. This determines the relative processing order of collection tasks based on the directional processing links. These methods and systems further identify which of the collection tasks to perform in parallel based on which of the collection tasks do not use output from other collection tasks. Additionally, these methods and systems determine the relative processing order of each group of tasks. Tasks in the same group provide output to the same collection task. Also, such methods and systems identify which tasks to perform in parallel based on which tasks do not use output from other the tasks within the same group.
US09164809B2
A system and method for allocating additional virtual processors to virtual machines (referred to as “automatic processor hotplug”) are disclosed. In accordance with one embodiment, a guest operating system of a virtual machine detects when a measure of system load exceeds a threshold. In response, the guest operating system transmits a request to a hypervisor for an additional virtual processor for the virtual machine.
US09164808B2
A first server is configured to receive performance data associated with a first virtual machine. The first virtual machine may be capable of communicating with a client device. The first server is further configured to determine whether the first virtual machine is overloaded based on the performance data, and send an instruction to a second server to generate a second virtual machine based on determining that the first virtual machine is overloaded. The second virtual machine may be capable of communicating with the client device. The first server is further configured to instruct the second virtual machine to communicate with the client device to reduce network load associated with the first virtual machine.
US09164799B2
A multiprocessor system includes plural processing parts configured to execute a program stored in a program memory; a common resource shared by the processing parts; a resource status table in which an occupation status of the common resource is written; a resource access table in which address areas are associated with occupation manners of the common resource on a function basis of the program stored in the program memory; and a controlling part configured to determine whether to permit execution of a function which involves occupation of the common resource by one of the processing parts using the resource status table and the resource access table.
US09164782B2
Virtual machine administration for data center resource managers including discovering resources of the datacenter to be managed by a resource manager; determining, in dependence upon attributes of the resources, processing capabilities of the discovered resources; determining, in dependence upon attributes of the resources of the datacenter to be managed, memory capabilities of the discovered resources; determining, in dependence upon attributes of the resources, minimum memory requirements for managing the discovered resources; determining, in dependence upon attributes of the resources of the datacenter to be managed, minimum processing requirements for managing the discovered resources; deploying, in dependence upon the determined processing capabilities and memory capabilities upon one or more of the resources of the datacenter to be managed, a virtual machine having at least the minimum memory requirements and the minimum processing requirements; and deploying the resource manager on the virtual machine.
US09164775B2
A method of performing an out of band (OOB) job at a host is disclosed. A boot option query is transmitted from the host to a service processor. It is then determined if a current boot option is an OOB job. At least one of a job type and a device type associated with the OOB job is identified if the current boot option is an OOB job. An Option ROM and a driver relating to the identified job type and the identified device type is then selectively loaded and the OOB job is performed.
US09164767B2
In a vector processing device, a data dependence detecting unit detects a data dependence relation between a preceding instruction and a succeeding instruction which are inputted from an instruction buffer, and an instruction issuance control unit controls issuance of an instruction based on a detection result thereof. When there is a data dependence relation between the preceding instruction and the succeeding instruction, the instruction issuance control unit generates a new instruction equivalent to processing related to a vector register including the data dependence relation with the succeeding instruction in processing executed by the preceding instruction and issues the new instruction between the preceding instruction and the succeeding instruction, and thereby a data hazard can be avoided between the preceding instruction and the succeeding instruction without making a stall occur.
US09164766B1
Methods and apparatus for providing additional storage, in the form of a hardware assisted stack, usable by software running an environment with limited resources. As an example, the hardware assisted stack may provide additional stack space to VBIOS code that is accessible within its limited allocated address space.
US09164764B2
Methods and apparatuses for reducing power consumption of processor switch operations are disclosed. One or more embodiments may comprise specifying a subset of registers or state storage elements to be involved in a register or state storage operation, performing the register or state storage operation, and performing a switch operation. The embodiments may minimize the number of registers or state storage elements involved with the standby operation by specifying only the subset of registers or state storage elements, which may involve considerably fewer than the total number of registers or state storage or elements of the processor. The switch operation may be switch from one mode to another, such as a transition to or from a sleep mode, a context switch, or the execution of various types of instructions.
US09164753B2
Techniques for generating a software update include determining changes between a previous version of a software package and a new version of the software package. Whether each change can be implemented as automatic correction instructions that can be executed by a client computer system is determined. Automatic correction instructions are generated for changes that can be implemented as automatic correction instructions. Manual correction instructions are generated for changes that cannot be implemented as automatic correction instructions, including, for each of those changes, identifying a corresponding template for a text string for the change from a repository of templates and including the text string in the manual correction instruction.
US09164748B2
The present invention discloses an information backup method in the field of computer technologies. A log file is monitored at an electronic device that comprises a local memory. A first part of the log file is determined to be associated with a first subset of operations that comprise a first action of uninstalling a specific application. In accordance with the determination, user information that is associated with the specific application is stored in the local memory, and the user information may comprise a user database, a configuration file and a private file generated and updated when a user uses the specific application. A second part of the log file is further determined to be associated with a second subset of operations that comprise a second action of reinstalling the specific application. The user information is extracted from the local memory for use in the second action of reinstalling the specific application.
US09164747B2
A system, where a device and at least one information processing apparatus are connected via a network to each other, includes a configuration unit that, when receiving a request to use a service together with a device identifier of the device, stores configuration information in a relationship information storage, wherein the configuration information associates the device identifier with at least one program identifier that is stored in a service information storage in association with the service; and a transmitting unit that sends an installation request to install a program corresponding to the program identifier to the device corresponding to the device identifier that is associated by the configuration information with the program identifier.
US09164746B2
Systems and methods are disclosed for extracting a topology for an installation of a plurality of software components. The topology may be extracted from instantiating instructions for the components of the installation such as an application manifest, manifest tree, configuration scripts, source code, and the like. One of a plurality of rendering engines generates one of a plurality of representations of the topology. Status data for the components may be collected and visually represented on the graphical representation of the topology. Examples of representations include a network topology, a release pipeline graph, a service architecture, and a state machine graph. The status of the topology may be updated in realtime as status information is output by the installation.
US09164744B2
An improved method for program building uses predefined source files and predefined build scripts comprising a sequence of build commands; wherein each build command comprises an origin command line interpretable by an operating system and addressed to at least one compiling tool.
US09164740B2
A method and apparatus is provided for reconfiguring application comprising a plurality of base code components at startup. A control application first retrieves the plurality of base components responsive to receiving a command to execute the application program. Prior to beginning execution, however, the control application replaces a selected base code component with another code component, and then subsequently replaces that newly inserted code component with yet another code component. Whether any given code component is to be replaced at startup is determined based on an annotation included in the code components. Once the application program has been reconfigured to include the appropriate code components, the application program is executed.
US09164733B1
An embodiment can include one or more computer-readable media storing executable instructions that when executed on processing logic process variable signals. The media can store one or more instructions for receiving executable code that includes constructs with variable signals for processing the variable signals, and for performing a coverage measurement on the executable code based on information about one or more of the variable signals processed by the executable code. The media can store one or more instructions for producing a coverage result based on the coverage measurement, the coverage result identifying a degree of coverage for the executable code when the executable code processes the variable signals.
US09164723B2
Techniques for displaying content using an augmented reality device are described. Embodiments provide a visual scene for display, the visual scene captured using one or more camera devices of the augmented reality device. Embodiments adjust physical display geometry characteristics of the visual scene to correct for optimal projection. Additionally, illumination characteristics of the visual scene are modified based on environmental illumination data to improve realism of the visual scene when it is displayed. Embodiments further adjust display characteristics of the visual scene to improve tone mapping output. The adjusted visual scene is then output for display on the augmented reality device.
US09164720B2
A server is provided that includes a connection unit configured to establish connections with an information processing device and a plurality of image processing devices, a first receiving unit configured to receive image processing device information for identifying a specified one of the plurality of image processing devices that is to be used by the information processing device, from the specified image processing device, a second receiving unit configured to receive information processing device information for identifying the information processing device, from the specified image processing device, and a transmission unit configured to transmit, to the information processing device identified by the information processing device information, a display instruction for causing the information processing device to display thereon the specified image processing device identified by the image processing device information.
US09164717B2
A method for controlling printing control apparatus for printing an image on any of a plurality of recording media each set in a plurality of storage units includes inputting a plurality of print jobs, and determining an execution order of the plurality of print jobs in a range in which printing is consecutively executed on the recording medium fed from the same storage unit based on a type of the recording medium corresponding to each of the input plurality of print jobs, and in which each of the input print jobs is not postponed more than a predetermined condition.
US09164715B2
A method of managing a print job is disclosed, the method includes receiving a print job on an image forming apparatus; calculating an estimated processing time and an estimated delay to print time for each page of the print job; processing each page of the print job when the estimated processing time for a page of the print job and the estimated delay to print time for the page of the print job are equal; sending each of the processed pages of the print job to a print engine associated with the image forming apparatus for printing; and printing each of the pages of the print job on the image forming apparatus upon receipt by the print engine.
US09164709B2
This invention provides a mechanism of preventing the stop of a print operation caused by a delay, from print processing, of processing of generating image data from print data. To accomplish this, a printing apparatus includes a receiving unit which receives print data containing a plurality of page sets for each of which different post-processing can be designated, and pages contained in the plurality of page sets, an analysis unit which analyzes a page contained in print data received by the receiving unit, and a print control unit which starts printing when the number of pages analyzed by the analysis unit is equal to or larger than a predetermined number, and restricts the start of printing when the number of pages analyzed by the analysis unit is smaller than the predetermined number.
US09164707B2
A server system includes a determination unit, a setting unit, a transmission unit, and a service for performing predetermined processing on data from an external server, wherein the service provides a client with a function of displaying a data preview. The determination unit determines a data type to be subjected to the predetermined processing. The setting unit sets, where it is determined, based on the determined data type, that the client can preview the data, a URL of a specific save location in the server system, and sets, where it is determined, based on the determined data type, that the client cannot preview the data, a URL that allows a data preview and includes an external server URL. The transmission unit transmits, to the client, a data operation screen on which the URL has been set for a preview instruction unit that can receive an instruction to preview the data.
US09164700B2
A system is set forth that includes storage, a first file system, a second file system, and a processing system. The first file system manages one or more files and/or directories on the storage, while the second file system manages content of one or more further files on the storage. The processing system is responsive to a triggering event. The processing system responds to the triggering event by re-mapping content from the second file system to the first file system while retaining the content at its original physical location on the storage so that the content is accessible through the first file system from its original physical location on the storage.
US09164687B1
A system and method for deduplicating messages is provided. Duplicate copies of messages are excluded from a set of deduplicated messages. The set of deduplicated messages can then be sampled to obtain a sample set usable for ensuring compliance according to a set of rules. One method for deduplicating messages involves receiving a message, determining whether the message is a duplicate copy, and adding the message to the set of deduplicated messages, if it is determined that the message is not a duplicate copy.
US09164681B1
Example embodiments of the present invention relate to a method, an apparatus, and a computer program product for sending an I/O over a preferred path. The method includes determining a preferred path to an address range of a virtual storage unit striped across a plurality of disks of a data storage system and sending an I/O for data comprising the address range over the preferred path.
US09164679B2
An apparatus, computer program product, and associated method/processing unit are provided for utilizing a memory subsystem including a first memory of a first memory class, and a second memory of a second memory class communicatively coupled to the first memory. In operation, data is fetched using a time between a plurality of threads.
US09164676B2
Accesses to logical pages of memory are monitored. Each logical page corresponds to a logical memory address and the accesses defining an access pattern. The logical memory addresses are logged in ordered pairs of consecutive logical pages in the access pattern. Upon receipt of a request to write data to a given logical page, a given ordered pair of consecutive logical pages containing the logical memory address of the given logical page as a first logical memory address in the ordered pair of logical memory addresses associated with that consecutive pair is obtained. A first physical memory address mapping to the first logical memory address is identified, and a second logical memory address from that identified consecutive pair. A second physical memory address mapping to the second logical memory address is identified, and the data and the second physical memory address are written to the first physical memory address.
US09164673B2
An improved interactive user interface for presenting functionalities of an application is provided. An application functionality applied to a data element range may be represented by a selectable preview element that provides a preview of the application functionality applied to the data element range. Upon selection of a preview element, one or more drop zones may be displayed. The preview element may be dragged to a drop zone and may animate into a visualization of the application functionality applied to the data element. The type of visualization that is displayed may be dependent on the drop zone to which the preview element is dragged. After a preview element is dropped into a drop zone, the functionality may be applied to the data element range and be displayed. The interactive data visualizations may encourage a user to explore features of an application.
US09164664B2
Avatar cloning in a virtual world may include receiving an input indicating that a user desires to access a cloning feature and allowing a cloned avatar to be cloned from the user's avatar.
US09164661B2
A digital downloading jukebox system including a mechanism for delivering custom services to a recognized user, including services for creating playlists, communicating with others, accessing other features, etc. is provided. In some exemplary embodiments, after a user is recognized, the jukebox system allows users to access a special front-end via an Internet-enabled device or on an actual jukebox. Then, the user may, for example, create playlists, share songs with friends, send messages to friends, and access other value-added content. Such a system preferably learns about networks of friends, and enables managers to send similar messages to regular customers and/or others known to the system. In some exemplary embodiments, changes via a first user interface on a first device are reflected on second user interface on other properly-configured devices.
US09164660B2
A method of controlling a mobile terminal, for diagnosing a home appliance using the mobile terminal is disclosed. The method includes a menu display step of displaying a diagnosis menu for diagnosis of a home appliance on a display, an information receiving step of receiving information about a current state of the home appliance or presence of a problem as an audio signal when the diagnosis menu is selected, the information being diagnosed by the home appliance, a result display step of displaying a diagnosis result of the home appliance on the display, the diagnosis result being obtained based on the information received in the information receiving step, and a solution display step of displaying a solution based on the diagnosis result to suggest a measure to be taken by a user to the user.
US09164655B2
A computer-implemented method is disclosed that includes receiving on a mobile device a search query associated with a geographic location, providing one or more search results in response to the search query, the search results each being associated with a geographic location, and presenting on a graphical display of the computing device icons corresponding to each search result and also corresponding to a key on the computing device.
US09164651B2
Systems and methods for management of geographic data layers in a geographic information system are provided. A layer control tool can be presented in conjunction with the geographic imagery. The layer control tool can provide a control interface to allow the user to manage the display of various geographic data layers in conjunction with the geographic imagery. The layer control tool can include a dynamic control list of geographic data layers. Geographic data layers can be identified for inclusion in the dynamic control list and/or ordered within the dynamic control list based on frequency of user interaction with the geographic data layers. In a particular implementation, the geographic data layers are identified for inclusion in the dynamic control list and/or ordered within the dynamic control list based on a layer score associated with each geographic data layer.
US09164646B2
A method and apparatus provides for the accommodation of display migration among a plurality of physical displays. In one example, the method and apparatus detects a display migration condition from at least a second physical display to a first physical display. The method and apparatus then controls compositing of a plurality of desktop surfaces so as enable access of each one of the plurality of desktop surfaces on the first physical display. The plurality of desktop surfaces include at least a desktop surface associated with the second physical display. The desktop surface is the content in a piece of memory in a frame buffer, which represents all the display content presented on the associated physical display. In one example, the plurality of desktop surfaces may be composited into at least one three-dimensional display object. The three-dimensional display object includes but is not limited to a revolving door object or other three-dimensional shape or object (e.g., a cube object).
US09164645B2
A touch panel is formed by firstly forming a film layer on a first plate, and next, sequentially forming a buffer layer on the film layer, forming a sensing layer on the buffer layer, forming a second plate on the sensing layer. After the foregoing formation procedures, the first substrate layer is removed from the film layer. Next, a cover is attached to the film layer. In this way, the film layer is located between the cover and the buffer layer. Finally, the second substrate layer is removed from the sensing layer, so as to form a touch panel with the features of light weight, thin thickness and low costs.
US09164641B1
Techniques for simultaneous touch scanning and display updates are described herein. In an example embodiment, a device comprises a display and one or more integrated circuit (IC) controllers. A sensor array is integrated within the display. The display comprises a thin-film transistor (TFT) layer and a top polarizing layer, and the sensor array comprises transmit (TX) electrodes that are disposed between the TFT layer and the top polarizing layer. The one or more IC controllers are configured to simultaneously update a row of pixels in the display and to drive one or more of the TX electrodes to scan the sensor array while the row of pixels is being updated, where the one or more of the TX electrodes are not associated with the row of pixels that is being updated.
US09164639B2
A touch panel includes a first substrate, a low light-shielding decoration layer, and a transparent conductive pattern. The first substrate has a peripheral region. The low light-shielding decoration layer is disposed within the peripheral region of the first substrate. The transparent conductive pattern includes transparent touch electrodes and transparent conductive lines. The transparent touch electrodes are at least disposed on the first substrate. The transparent conductive lines are disposed on the low light-shielding decoration layer within the peripheral region. Each of the transparent conductive lines is connected with at least one of the transparent touch electrodes.
US09164635B2
Provided are a touch sensor chip, a touch sensing apparatus including the same, and a method of controlling noise of a touch panel. The touch sensing apparatus includes: an electronic device which is driven by a clock signal; a touch panel which is placed adjacent to the electronic device and receives a touch signal; and a touch sensor chip which transmits a driving signal to the touch panel and hops a frequency of the driving signal by a hopping interval if a noise level at the frequency of the driving signal is equal to or higher than a noise threshold, wherein the hopping interval is set based on an exciting frequency of the touch sensor chip.
US09164631B2
A capacitive touch panel and a touch display panel using the same are provided. The capacitive touch panel includes a substrate, a plurality of sensing structures and a light diffusing structure. Each sensing structure includes a plurality of sensing units and a plurality of bridge wires, and two adjacent sensing units are connected by a corresponding bridge wire. The light diffusing structure is formed on at least one of the bridge wires. After a light is incident to the light diffusing structure, the light is diffusely reflected.
US09164629B2
A touch screen having a capacitive touch-sensitive pad overlaying a display area incorporates one or more slide features each having conductive plates. The conductive plates are located outside the display area of the touch screen and are powered via one or more connections to existing touch sensor circuitry comprising the touch-sensitive pad. The slide features of the touch screen do not obstruct a user's view of the display screen and, when compared to conventional touch screen slide features, reduce the circuitry required for detecting and/or processing a slide touch.
US09164617B2
An intelligent GUI touch control method and system, the method includes the steps of: generating at least one masking plane according to a GUI, wherein the GUI includes at least one option object, the masking plane has at least one masking block corresponding to the at least one option object, the masking block has a plurality of sub-blocks, and each of the sub-blocks has a weighting coefficient; reading a sensed data array from a touch panel; and performing a weighting operation according to the at least one masking plane and the sensed data array, so as to make each of the at least one option object correspond to at least one weighted value, and determine at least one target object among the at least one option object according to the at least one weighted value.
US09164613B2
A touch display substrate includes a first data line, a first gate line, a first pixel electrode, a second gate line, a second pixel electrode, a sensor data line and a first sensor electrode. The first data line extends along a first direction. The first gate line extends along a second direction. The first pixel electrode is electrically connected to the first data line and the first gate line. The second gate line is substantially parallel with the first gate line. The second pixel electrode is adjacent to the first pixel electrode and electrically connected to the first data line and the second gate line. The sensor data line is adjacent to the second pixel electrode and substantially parallel to the first data line. The first sensor electrode is electrically connected to the sensor data line.
US09164601B2
An electro-optical device comprises a substrate, a scanning line, a data line, a pixel circuit, and a first storage capacitor holding a first voltage corresponding to a data signal. The first storage capacitor includes a first portion and a second portion connected in parallel. The first portion and the second portion overlap when viewed from a direction orthogonal with respect to the first main surface.
US09164598B2
In one embodiment, a stylus has one or more electrodes and one or more computer-readable non-transitory storage media embodying logic for transmitting signals wirelessly to a device through a touch-sensor of the device. The stylus also has an electronic circuit operable to provide an input that changes a property of one or more materials located on the body of the stylus or on the stylus tip.
US09164594B2
A system 300 for sensing spontaneous or localized changes in an electromagnetic field and generating an indication in response comprises an EMF change sensor 320 configured to sense a momentary and localized change in an ambient electromagnetic field and generate an EMF change detection signal in response. An electromagnetic peripheral adapter or EMF typewriter interface circuit 330 is configured to detect the EMF change detection signal generates a selected plurality of momentary communication state-change signals and a mouse signal encoded for communication with a computer 350 which is programmed to generate momentary communication prompts for playback or display and to receive the EMF typewriter Pointer signal. The computer 350 is also programmed to correlate each momentary communication state-change signal encoded in the EMF typewriter Pointer signal with a momentary communication prompt to identify a sensed indicia or command from the EMF change detection signal and to display a command.
US09164587B2
A system is provided that controls a haptic effect experienced at a peripheral device. The system receives a haptic effect definition including haptic data. The system further receives spatialization data including: a distance of the haptic effect; a direction of the haptic effect; or a flow of the haptic effect. The system further includes modifying the haptic effect definition based on the received spatialization data. The system further includes sending a haptic instruction and the modified haptic effect definition to the peripheral device. The system further includes causing one or more haptic output devices to produce one or more haptic effects based on the modified haptic effect definition at the peripheral device in response to the haptic instruction.
US09164584B2
Disclosed are methods and touch sensitive devices including a haptic actuator drive frequency module stored by the memory and in communication with the controller, the haptic actuator drive frequency module being configured to receive touch input from one of a plurality of regions of the touch sensitive layer and to output one of a plurality of haptic actuator drive frequency signals based upon the region from which the haptic actuator drive frequency module received the touch input to provide for consistency of the haptic response across a touch sensitive device.
US09164581B2
The present invention describes a display system that includes a display, including a display screen; a viewpoint assessment component to determine a viewpoint of a user positioned in front the display screen; and an object tracking component to track the user manipulation of an object positioned behind the display screen.
US09164580B2
Embodiments are disclosed that relate to calibrating an eye tracking system for a computing device. For example, one disclosed embodiment provides, in a computing device comprising a gaze estimation system, a method of calibrating the gaze estimation system. The method includes receiving a request to log a user onto the computing device, outputting a passcode entry display image to a display device, receiving image data from one or more eye tracking cameras, and from the image data, determining a gaze scanpath representing a path of a user's gaze on the passcode entry display image. The method further includes comparing the gaze scanpath to a stored scanpath for the user, and calibrating the gaze estimation system based upon a result of comparing the gaze scanpath to the stored scanpath for the user.
US09164578B2
An input device includes an input unit for inputting a predetermined motion image signal, a motion detector for detecting a motion on the basis of the motion image signal inputted into the input unit, a video signal processor for outputting a predetermined video signal, and a controller. The controller controls the video signal processor so that, when a motion detector detects a first motion, the video signal processor outputs a video signal to explain a predetermined second motion to be next detected by the motion detector after the detection of the first motion to a user.
US09164574B2
A control device for a vehicle network, having a microprocessor and a transceiver. The control device can be switched off or switched to a sleep mode during a previously defined state or event during the operation of the motor vehicle and/or the control device can be awakened from the sleep mode during a previously defined state or event during the operation. The disclosed embodiments also relate to a method for operating a vehicle network.
US09164567B2
Various technologies and techniques are disclosed for providing and interacting with a centralized wake service. A server-side wake service is provided that is operable to allow applications to subscribe to the wake service. The wake service receives a wake request directed to a particular computing device from a particular one of the applications. The wake request is forwarded from the wake service to a client-side communication service on the particular computing device if forwarding is determined to be appropriate. When the client-side communication service on the particular computing device receives the wake request while in a reduced power mode, the computing device wakes up and an appropriate response is determined.
US09164562B2
A data storage device includes a voltage supply control circuit configured to receive an external voltage, generate different voltages from the external voltage, and supply the different voltages to loads, respectively, through voltage supply lines, respectively and a discharge control circuit configured to discharge residual voltages from the voltage supply lines in response to a control signal and the external voltage, the discharge control circuit configured to discharge the residual voltages in an order of a highest residual voltage to a lowest residual voltage.
US09164561B2
A peripheral device configured to be plugged into an audio jack of an electronic device includes an audio plug having an input terminal; a load electrically connected to the input terminal of the audio plug and configured to draw a first amount of current; a variable resistor electrically connected to the input terminal; a sensor configured to measure a voltage at the input terminal or an amount of current flowing into the load; and a controller that receives a signal from the sensor and is configured to control a resistance of the variable resistor such that a sum of the first amount of current and a second amount of current flowing through the variable resistor is substantially equal to a predetermined current value.
US09164558B2
In one implementation, a classification resistance of a powered device is adjusted passively. The powered device is configured to receive a classification voltage from a network device and, in response, is configured to send a first current indicative of a first classification resistor to the network device. The first current and first classification resistor indicate a power requirement when no accessories are connected to the powered device. When at least one accessory is connected to the powered device, the powered device is configured to send a second current indicative of a second classification resistor to the network device. The second classification resistor is isolated from other circuitry of the at least one accessory. The second classification resistor may be located in the powered device, the accessory, or a connector coupled to the powered device and the accessory.
US09164549B2
An electronic device including a main body, a shell and a locking mechanism is provided. The locking mechanism includes a first locking component and at least one second locking component. The first locking component is slidably disposed at the main body, locks the shell and has at least one retaining portion. The second locking component is slidably disposed at the main body and locks the shell. The retaining portion blocks the second locking component from sliding relatively to the main body. When the first locking component slides relatively to the main body to release the shell, the retaining portion moves away from the second locking component and the second locking component slides relatively to the main body to release the shell.
US09164537B2
A display screen assembly is provided. The display screen defines a channel for allowing selective engagement of the display screen. A mount assembly is provided and includes a base for supporting the display screen assembly about a support surface, and a locking assembly that selectively engages the channel to thereby lock the mount assembly to the display screen.
US09164534B2
A circuit for skew reduction, includes: first signal lines configured to transmit first signals delayed by first paths respectively; second signal lines configured to transmit second signals delayed by second paths respectively; and a first swap circuit, wherein the first swap circuit is configured to swap and connect the at least one of the first signal lines to the at least one of the second signal lines, when a mutual delay time difference of the second signals in a state where the at least one of the first signal lines is swapped and connected to the at least one of the second signal lines is smaller than a mutual delay time difference of the second signal lines in a state where the first signal lines is connected to the second signal lines without being swapped.
US09164530B2
A rotary actuator, in particular for a motor vehicle, has an actuating element which can rotate about an axis, and a position sensor which detects the position of the actuating element in circumferential direction. The rotary actuator is disposed such that the rotational movement of the actuating element is continued a certain distance in the released state after manual actuation and is slowly decelerated.
US09164529B2
A high-voltage power supply to output a plus/minus high-voltage, which is applied to image forming apparatuses, includes a plus high-voltage output unit outputting the plus high-voltage by using a Pulse Width Modulation (PWM) signal, a minus high-voltage operation control unit charging a certain voltage while the plus high-voltage output unit is outputting the plus high-voltage, a minus high-voltage output unit outputting the minus high-voltage by using the certain voltage charged in the minus high-voltage operation control unit, and a minus high-voltage blocking unit to block the output of the minus high-voltage from the minus high-voltage output unit while the plus high-voltage output unit is outputting the plus high-voltage.
US09164527B2
The present application discusses low voltage band-gap voltage reference circuit and methods. In an example the circuit can include a current mirror, an operational amplifier adopting an N-Metal-Oxide-Semiconductor (NMOS) input pair structure, a band-gap output circuit, an adaptive adjustment circuit; and two branches of Bipolar Junction Transistor (BJT). The current mirror can be configured to receive an output signal of the operational amplifier and to provide a current to the two branches of BJT. The operational amplifier can be configured to differentially input voltages at the upper ends of the two branches of BJT, to generate the output signal to the current mirror, and to equalize the voltages at the upper ends of the two branches of BJT using a deep negative feedback.
US09164520B2
According to one embodiment, a synchronous rectification type power circuit includes a first power terminal to which a voltage on a high potential side is supplied, a second power terminal to which a voltage on a low potential side is supplied, an output terminal that outputs an output voltage to a load having an inductance and a capacitor, a first switch unit connected between the first power terminal and the output terminal, a second switch unit connected between the second power terminal and the output terminal, a control signal generating circuit which controls ON/OFF of the first and second switch units, and a control circuit that compares the output voltage with a predetermined reference voltage for a predetermined period when the second switch unit is turned OFF. A timing for turning OFF the second switch unit is adjusted based on a result of the comparison.
US09164518B2
A water delivery system operable hands-free by, for example, a foot-operated pedal controller, or a non-contact controller, such as a presence and voice actuated circuit that are operatively connected through a power source, transmission and valve assembly in cooperation with a water spout at a water basin or bowl.
US09164517B2
A pressure gauge may be coupled to a supply line which carries liquid from a bottle to either one or more mixing vessels and/or one or more reactors in a combinatorial processing tool. A control device may monitor the pressure measured by the pressure gauge, and the control device may be configured to change the pressure supplied to the bottle based on a comparison of the measured pressure to a predetermined pressure value. The control device may adjust the pressure provided to the bottle using a pressure regulator coupled to the pressure source. By changing the pressure provided to the bottle, the control device may maintain a relatively constant flow rate of fluids from the liquid source into one or more mixing vessels and/or the one or more reactors.
US09164509B2
A method of localization and mapping of a mobile robot may reduce position errors in localization and mapping using a plurality of vector field sensors. The method includes acquiring a relative coordinate in a movement space using an encoder, acquiring an absolute coordinate in the movement space by detecting intensity and direction of a signal using vector field sensors, defining a plurality of virtual cells on a surface of the movement space such that each of the cells has a plurality of nodes having predetermined positions, and updating position information about the nodes of the cells based on the relative coordinate acquired through the encoder and the absolute coordinate acquired through the vector field sensors and implementing localization and mapping in the movement space in a manner that position information of a new node is estimated while position information of a previous node is determined.
US09164508B1
A system for incorporation into a manually controlled vehicle to provide unmanned operational capability to the vehicle, comprising: a quantity of subsystem controllers, including at least: a throttle controller, integratable with an existing throttle system of the vehicle; a brake controller, integratable with an existing brake system of the vehicle; and a steering controller, integratable with an existing steering system of the vehicle; and a master actuator/control system, installable within the vehicle and being operably coupleable to each of the subsystem controllers.
US09164506B1
The present invention provides systems, methods, and devices related to target tracking by UAVs. The UAV may be configured to receive target information from a control terminal related to a target to be tracked by an imaging device coupled to the UAV. The target information may be used by the UAV to automatically track the target so as to maintain predetermined position and/or size of the target within one or more images captured by the imaging device. The control terminal may be configured to display images from the imaging device as well as allowing user input related to the target information.
US09164504B2
A mold machining method for computer numerical control includes steps of establishing a 3D pattern; performing an initial machining process on a mold material by the 3D pattern; calculating a total machining area corresponding to the 3D pattern; dividing the 3D pattern into a plurality of precise machining regions according to the total machining area and a predetermined machining area and enabling a boundary line between every two adjacent precise machining regions to be corresponding to a crest line of the 3D pattern; and performing a precise machining process on each of the precise machining regions and changing a cutting tool at the boundary line between every two adjacent precise machining regions.
US09164501B2
Example methods and apparatus to manage data uploading in a process control environment are disclosed. A disclosed example method includes receiving a request to upload a parameter value associated with a process control system and retrieving an upload rule profile associated with the process control system. The example method also includes identifying an upload action from the upload rule profile based on the parameter value and a personnel classification, and determining whether to upload the parameter value based on the upload action.
US09164496B2
An intelligent switching method and system. The method includes retrieving by a computer processor of an intelligent switching device, detection data indicating that an individual is located within a specified proximity of an apparatus. The intelligent switching device is lockably attached to the apparatus. The computer processor receives a request from an individual for enabling the apparatus. The computer processor determines that the individual is in compliance with safety procedures associated with operating the apparatus and generates an enable signal. The enable signal enables a power signal for the apparatus. The computer processor indicates that the apparatus has been enabled and is operational.
US09164494B2
Systems and methods for an integrated communication system for sports timing systems having a data interface, a memory and a processor. The data interface is for communicating over a data communication network. The memory includes executable instructions for operating the data interface to communicate over the data communication network and for storing participant data including participant data that includes a participant identifier for uniquely identifying each participant and participant timing data. The processor is coupled to the memory and the data interface and executes the executable instructions for operating the data interface to transmit datagram messages over a stateless packet data communication network wherein the datagram messages include multicast and unicast messages, each of which includes at least a portion of the participant data.
US09164491B2
In an example, a chip-scale atomic clock physics package is provided. The physics package includes a body defining a cavity having a base surface and one or more side walls. The cavity includes a first step surface and a second step surface defined in the one or more side walls. A first scaffold mounted to the base surface in the cavity. One or more spacers defining an aperture therethrough are mounted to the second step surface in the cavity. A second scaffold is mounted to a first surface of the one or more spacers spans across the aperture of the one or more spacers. A third scaffold is mounted to a second surface of the one or more spacers in the cavity and spans across the aperture of the one or more spacers. Other components of the physics package are mounted to the first, second, and third scaffold.
US09164490B1
A chronograph assembly for emitting an audible message at the top of each hour includes a clock structured to have a pair of hands indicating a time of day. The clock is coupled to a support surface. A processor is coupled to the clock. An electronic memory is coupled to the clock and the processor. The electronic memory stores a recorded audible message comprising the words “It's five o'clock somewhere”. A control is coupled to the clock and the electronic memory. The control selects an aural quality of the recorded audible message. A speaker is coupled to the clock and the processor. A sensor is coupled to the clock and the processor. The sensor detects a position of the hands on the clock. The processor is actuated when the hands are positioned in a trigger position. The speaker emits the recorded audible message when the processor is actuated.
US09164480B2
Holographic data storage devices are presented. The holographic data storage device includes an optically transparent substrate, wherein the optically transparent substrate includes a photochemically active dye and a heat generating chromophore. Methods for making holographic data storage device are also presented.
US09164475B2
An image forming apparatus includes a housing; a partition wall which is provided in the housing along a substantially vertical direction, the partition wall partitioning an inner space of the housing into a first space and a second space; developing units which are disposed in parallel along the substantially vertical direction in the first space, each of the developing units comprising a first reception opening and a return opening; and developer cartridges which correspond to the plurality of developing units, the developer cartridges being disposed in parallel along the substantially vertical direction in the second space, each of developer cartridges comprising a supply opening and a second reception opening. The first reception openings of the developing units communicate with the supply openings of respective ones of the developer cartridges, and the return openings of the developer units communicate with the second reception openings of respective ones of the developer cartridges.
US09164473B2
An image forming apparatus includes a dustproof shutter, a lock lever, a shutter lever and an elastic member. The dustproof shutter is openably/closably supported in a case so as to protect an exposure device. The lock lever is configured to lock a cover openably/closably provided in the case, and to be movable in an opening direction of the cover. The shutter lever is provided at a position coming into contact with the lock lever and the dustproof shutter when the cover is closed. The elastic member biases the shutter lever toward the lock lever. The shutter lever moves between a first position to open the dustproof shutter when the cover is locked and a second position to close the dustproof shutter when the cover is unlocked by moving the lock lever in the opening direction of the cover with assistance from a biasing force of the elastic member.
US09164467B2
A blade member 1 is used for removal of residual toner 5 remaining on a surface of a counterpart member 4 in an image forming device employing an electrophotographic system, by sliding contact with the counterpart member 4. The blade member 1 includes a blade body 11 made of a polyurethane rubber using diphenylmethane diisocyanate and a polyester polyol as main raw materials, and a film 12 that covers at least a surface of a sliding contact portion of the blade body 11 to contact with the counterpart member 4. The polyurethane rubber has an international rubber hardness degree of 65 to 85 IRHD, a tan δ peak temperature of 8° C. or lower, and a tan δ peak value of 1.1 or less. The film 12 contains a hydrocarbon polymer as a main component.
US09164466B2
A cleaning blade includes a portion which comes in contact with a member to be cleaned, and the portion is configured of a member containing polyurethane rubber having a structure derived from polyester polyol in which a first diol component having 10 or more carbon atoms and a second diol component having 5 or less carbon atoms are condensed with dicarboxylic acid at a molar ratio (first diol component/second diol component) of 50/50 to 80/20, a structure derived from polyisocyanate, and a structure derived from a triol.
US09164455B2
An image forming apparatus is provided. The image forming apparatus includes an image forming unit configured to form a mark, a conveyance member configured, to convey the mark, a sensor configured to read the mark conveyed by the conveyance member, a measurement unit configured to measure a moving time period between a time when the image forming unit forms the mark and a time when the mark conveyed by the conveyance member is read by the sensor, and a determination unit configured to determine whether a traveling speed of the conveyance member is appropriate based on the moving time period measured by the measurement unit.
US09164450B2
Provided are an electrophotographic member having excellent durability and an electrophotographic image forming apparatus. The electrophotographic member includes: an elastic layer including a silicone rubber; an intermediate layer including at least one of an aromatic polyimide and an aromatic polyamideimide, and a fluororesin; and a surface layer including a fluororesin, in which the aromatic polyimide or the aromatic polyamideimide is bonded to the silicone rubber through an amide bond-containing group, and in which a carbon atom constituting the amide bond is directly bonded to a carbon atom constituting an aromatic ring in a molecule of the aromatic polyimide or aromatic polyamideimide.
US09164447B2
A fixing device includes a pressurization member pressed against a fixing rotator and a magnetic flux generator disposed opposite the fixing rotator. A heat generator is disposed opposite the magnetic flux generator to generate heat by a magnetic flux generated by the magnetic flux generator. A magnetic shield is movably disposed inside the heat generator to screen the magnetic flux penetrating through the heat generator. A pressure adjuster presses the pressurization member against the fixing rotator with variable pressure. An interlock interlocks the pressurization member with the magnetic shield. The pressure adjuster presses the pressurization member against the fixing rotator with increased pressure to move the magnetic shield via the interlock to a proximate position in proximity to the heat generator and with decreased pressure to move the magnetic shield via the interlock to a remote position being remote from the heat generator.
US09164437B2
According to an embodiment, an image forming apparatus has an image forming unit, a transfer unit, a fixing unit, a first conveying path, a second conveying path, and a control unit. The image forming unit forms a toner image. The control unit controls execution of a print-less sheet passing processing in which, in a state where a toner image forming operation of the image forming unit is stopped, the first conveying path and the second conveying path convey a sheet to the transfer unit again through the transfer unit and the fixing unit. The control unit controls the execution of the toner image forming operation to the sheet subjected to the print-less sheet passing processing.
US09164434B2
A fixing apparatus of the present invention includes a fixing rotation member, a rotation drive portion that rotates the fixing rotation member, a cleaning web sheet that cleans a circumferential surface of the fixing rotation member, a cleaning web sheet roller that takes up or feeds out the cleaning web sheet, a swing cam rotationally driven by the rotation drive portion, a rotation transmission portion that transmits a rotation drive force to the cleaning web sheet roller, a one way clutch provided on an input shaft of the rotation transmission portion, and a swing lever connected to the one way clutch and biased so as to be brought into slide contact with the swing cam.
US09164432B2
A developing device includes a magnetic roller, a developing roller, a cover, a first magnetic force generator, a second magnetic force generator with a different polarity, and a movement controller. A roller surface of the magnetic roller holds toner and magnetic carrier, the toner being adhered to the magnetic carrier. The developing roller is arranged to face the magnetic roller. The first magnetic force generator is provided inside the magnetic roller such that a magnetic pole face thereof faces the developing roller. The second magnetic force generator is provided inside the developing roller so as to be able to move between a first position and a second position. A magnetic pole face of the second magnetic force generator faces the magnetic roller at the first position and faces the cover at the second position. The movement controller causes the second magnetic force generator to move between positions.
US09164430B2
A developer container includes: a developer chamber, provided with an opening, for accommodating a developer; a rotatable member rotatably supported in the developer chamber; and a sealing member for being removed at the opening by being wound up by the rotatable member, wherein the sealing member is provided in the developer chamber and includes a first end portion connected to the rotatable member and a second end portion sealing the opening. Sealing of the opening is made by bonding the sealing member along an edge of the opening. The developer container includes a first bonding portion provided upstream of the opening and a second bonding portion provided downstream of the opening with respect to an unsealing direction of the sealing member. A peeling-off force for peeling off the sealing member at a predetermined angle is larger at the first bonding portion than at the second bonding portion.
US09164426B2
A toner container according to one aspect of the present disclosure includes a container body, a rotating member, a conveying member, a film member, and a stepped portion. Container body can store toner thereinside. Container body includes toner conveying path having supply opening through which toner is supplied to the outside. Rotating member is rotatably provided in container body. Rotating member rotates to scoop, into toner conveying path, toner stored in container body. Conveying member is rotatably provided in toner conveying path. Conveying member rotates to convey, toward the supply opening, toner in toner conveying path. Film member is mounted to an inner wall which extends from toner conveying path to an inner side of container body, and projects toward a region in which rotating member rotates. Stepped portion is provided in the inner wall. Stepped portion forms, between stepped portion and film member, a space having a predetermined height.
US09164423B2
A developer replenishment container accommodating assembly, in which a developer replenishment container is removably put in a main body of an accommodating apparatus, replenishes a developer while rotating the developer replenishment container and includes a holding portion provided on the main body and configured to hold the developer replenishment container put in the main body of the accommodating apparatus in a replenishment position for replenishing the developer, and an engaging portion configured to engage with the developer replenishment container when it is positioned in the main assembly. In addition, a biasing member is configured to bias the engaging portion in a predetermined direction so that the developer replenishment container rotating while held by the holding portion is pressed against the holding portion by the biased engaging portion.
US09164417B2
An image forming apparatus of a representative configuration of the present invention includes a photosensitive drum, which carries an electrostatic latent image, and a developing sleeve, which carries a two-component developer and develops the electrostatic latent image on the photosensitive drum into a toner image. Moving directions of the photosensitive drum and the developing sleeve are opposite at an opposing portion in a developing device having a speed changing portion, which changes the driving speed of the developing sleeve, and a controller, which switches a target speed of the developing sleeve so that it is driven at a second velocity, before it is driven at the first velocity set in a lower speed mode, when the lower speed mode is executed in which the photosensitive drum is driven at a lower speed than in the normal image forming.
US09164401B2
A projection system (PS) is provided which includes, in an embodiment, two frames. The optical elements of the projection system are mounted on a first frame (200). The position of the optical elements is measured relative to a second frame (300) using a first measurement system (910). A second measurement system (920) is used to measure a parameter associated with a deformation of the second frame. The measurement made by the second measurement system can be used to compensate for any errors in the position of the optical elements as measured by the first measurement system resulting from deformations of the second frame. Typically, deformations of the frames are due to resonant oscillation and thermal expansion. Having two frames enables the optical elements of the projection system to be positioned with a high degree of accuracy. Optionally, a temperature control system (780, 790) may be provided to drive the temperature of at least one of the frames back to a desired value after the lithographic apparatus has been taken off line.
US09164400B2
One pair each of a Y linear motor (a total of four) on the +X side and the −X side that drive a reticle stage include one pair each of a stator section (a total of four) and three each of a mover section (a total of six) on the +X side and the −X side. In this case, the three each of the mover sections on the +X side and the −X side configure one each of a mover. The mover section located in the center in the Z-axis direction of each of the movers is used in common by each pair of the Y linear motors. Therefore, the weight of the mover section (reticle stage) of the reticle stage device is reduced, which allows a higher acceleration. Further, the mover section located in the center in the Z-axis direction of each of the movers coincides with a neutral plane of the reticle stage.
US09164391B2
An immersion liquid is provided comprising an ion-forming component, e.g. an acid or a base, which has a relatively high vapor pressure. Also provided are lithography processes and lithography systems using the immersion liquid.
US09164390B2
Following imagewise exposure of a sandwiched photopolymer layer, the outer layers between which the photopolymer is interposed are separated in a manner that leaves some photopolymer on each of the separated layers. The photopolymer remaining on one layer contains the raised pattern that will carry ink, and may be subjected to further exposure to actinic radiation in order to complete the curing process without the need for washing; the photopolymer remaining on the other layer can be removed and reused. As a result, waste is minimized or eliminated.
US09164388B2
An apparatus comprises an optics assembly and a plate. The optics assembly configured to focus light from an EUV source onto a reticle or sensor. The plate has an opening to allow the EUV light to pass through disposed between the optics assembly and the reticle or sensor. The plate is cooled to a temperature less than that of the reticle or sensor. The plate is engineered to balance out heat absorbed from the reticle or sensor with heat absorbed by the plate. It is emphasized that this abstract is provided to comply with the rules requiring an abstract that will allow a searcher or other reader to quickly ascertain the subject matter of the technical disclosure. It is submitted with the understanding that it will not be used to interpret or limit the scope or meaning of the claims.
US09164387B2
A pattern-forming method includes coating a radiation-sensitive resin composition on a substrate to provide a resist film. The resist film is exposed. The exposed resist film is developed. A developer solution used in developing the exposed resist film includes no less than 80% by mass of an organic solvent. The radiation-sensitive resin composition includes a first polymer and a radiation-sensitive acid generator. The first polymer includes a first structural unit having an acid-labile group and an alicyclic group. The alicyclic group is capable of avoiding dissociation from a molecular chain by an action of an acid.
US09164386B2
[Object]To provide a negative-working photosensitive siloxane composition developable inorganically, and also to provide a cured film-manufacturing method employing that.[Means]The present invention provides a negative-working photosensitive siloxane composition comprising a polysiloxane, a silicon-containing compound having a pKa of 2.0 to 15.7, a photo-polymerization initiator, and a solvent. This composition is coat on a substrate, exposed to light, developed with an inorganic developer, and heated, so that a cured film can be obtained.
US09164385B2
A photosensitive resin composition includes (A) a cardo-based resin including a repeating unit represented by the following Chemical Formula 1; (B) a reactive unsaturated compound; (C) a pigment; (D) an initiator; and (E) a solvent. A light blocking layer can be made using the same. In the above Chemical Formula 1, each substituent is the same as defined in the detailed description.
US09164379B2
A resist composition including a base material component whose solubility in a developing solution changes by the action of an acid and an acid generator component which generates an acid upon exposure. The acid generator component includes an acid generator that includes a compound containing nitrogen atoms having proton acceptor properties and sites capable of generating an acid upon exposure in the same molecule, the number of the sites being larger than the number of the nitrogen atoms.
US09164374B2
A photomask is manufactured by providing a photomask blank comprising a transparent substrate, a phase shift film, and a light-shielding film, the phase shift film and the light-shielding film including silicon base material layers, a N+O content in the silicon base material layer of the phase shift film differing from that of the light-shielding film, and chlorine dry etching the blank with oxygen-containing chlorine gas in a selected O/Cl ratio for selectively etching away the silicon base material layer of the light-shielding film.
US09164373B2
The problem of mura in large area photomasks is solved or at least reduced by setting up a writing system to write a pattern with high accuracy and with the optical axes essentially parallel to the movement axes of the stage, then writing photomasks in two passes with the substrate rotated to different angles on the stage. The angle between the orientation of the first and second pass is larger than about 10 degrees, larger than about 20 degrees or larger than about 35 degrees and it can be approximately 10 degrees, approximately 50 degrees, approximately 60 degrees or approximately 90 degrees. The substrate is physically rotated on the stage and aligned with high accuracy after the rotation and the data driving the first and second exposure passes are derived from the first input data specification but processed according to the known oblique angles, so that the second pass is accurately overlaid on the first pass.
US09164369B2
An optical material system for nanopatterning is provided that includes one or more material systems having spectrally selective reversible and irreversible transitions by saturating one of the spectrally selective reversible transitions with an optical node retaining a single molecule in a configuration and exposing the single molecule to its spectrally irreversible transitions to form a pattern.
US09164368B2
A method for projecting a 3-D viewable image onto a display surface, comprising the steps of, providing two or more projection systems; arranging the two or more projection systems into a first group and second group, wherein the first group and second group each comprise one or more projection systems; arranging the first and second group of projection systems such that each group of project systems can project an image on a display surface and configuring the first and second group of projection systems such that the first and second group of projection systems alternately project onto the display surface.
US09164366B2
A projector includes a lighting device that emits light of a plurality of colors, a plurality of vertical alignment mode reflex-type liquid crystal light valves that modulate the color light, a phase difference compensation plate including a C-plate and an O-plate provided between the lighting device and the liquid crystal light valve, a color synthesizing element that synthesizes the color light after modulation, and a projection optical system that projects the synthesized light to a projection target face, and a front side phase difference value of the phase difference compensation plate corresponding to at least one liquid crystal light valve is different from a front side phase difference value of the other liquid crystal light valves.
US09164362B2
A swivel tether for attaching a camera via a cord to an object, the swivel tether including a side release buckle system having a ball joint connection that allows for 360 degree swivel functionality. This permits the camera to rotate freely without adding tension or twisting of the cord attached thereto and without causing a threaded connection between an end of the cord and the camera to become unthreaded due to rotation of the camera. The ball joint connection may be configured in the plug connection component of the side release buckle system. The side release buckle system also includes a slide lock switch operative to lock plug and socket portions of the buckle system together to prevent unintentional release of the buckle system when fastened.
US09164348B2
Light guide and electrophoretic display apparatus switchable between black-white mode and color mode
Disclosed herein is a light guide, which includes a light-receiving surface and a light-emitting surface. The light-emitting surface includes a plurality of gratings spaced apart from each other by a spacing interval. Each grating has a number of prisms extending in a predetermined direction. The predetermined direction of at least one grating is different from that of another grating. These gratings cooperate together to allow light in a wavelength range to transmit the gratings, and to restrict light in another wavelength range to transmit the gratings. An electrophoretic display apparatus switchable between black-white mode and color mode is disclosed as well.
US09164344B2
A liquid crystal display device and a method of repairing bad pixels thereof, in which the bad pixels can be efficiently and easily repaired, includes a first insulating substrate, a gate wiring and a storage wiring arranged substantially parallel to each other in a first direction on the first insulating substrate, a data wiring intersecting the gate and storage wirings in an insulated manner and arranged substantially in a second direction, and a pixel electrode formed on a pixel area defined by the gate and data wirings. The storage wiring includes a horizontal portion arranged substantially in the first direction and at least a part of which does not overlap the pixel electrode, and a vertical portion branching off substantially in the second direction from the horizontal portion and overlapping the data wiring.
US09164328B2
A spacer portion for keeping a thickness of a liquid crystal layer is provided at an intersecting portion between a gate wiring and a source wiring when seen in a plan view, and a light shielding portion for spacer portion which shields the spacer portion from light is provided. The spacer portion is disposed in a region in which the light shielding portion for spacer portion is provided when seen in a plan view. Then, the source wiring has two bend portions which are bent in mutually different directions in the region in which the light shielding portion for spacer portion is provided when seen in a plan view.
US09164323B2
A display device comprises a VA liquid crystal display unit as well as a front side polarizer and a rear side polarizer arranged respectively at both side of the VA liquid crystal display unit; wherein the VA liquid crystal display unit has an optical path difference Δnd of 324.3 nm to 305.8 nm at the wavelength of 550 nm; the front side polarizer is arranged at a side in the light-exiting direction of the VA liquid crystal unit; one of the front side polarizer and the rear side polarizer includes the biaxial compensation film, which has an in-plane delay Ro of 50.4-78 nm at the wavelength of 550 nm and a thickness direction delay Rth-b of 168-260 nm at the wavelength of 550 nm. The amount of light leakage is significantly reduced with the contrast close to the horizontal viewing angle obviously increased and the display effect further improved.
US09164319B2
A surface light-emitting device includes: a light guide plate including a notch; a reflection sheet including a notch; a point light source; a light-source substrate; a first chassis covering and extending along the light-source substrate and the lower surface of the light guide plate; a second chassis formed to fit with the first chassis; a liquid crystal panel put on the second chassis; and a third chassis covering the liquid crystal panel and a part of the first chassis on which the light-source substrate is put, and formed to fit with the first chassis on the part. The light-source substrate is fixed on the first chassis. The first chassis includes a protrusion to be engaged with the notches so as to be moved together with the light guide plate and the reflection sheet in response to a movement of the first chassis along the light guide plate.
US09164309B2
Display layers in an electronic device may be used to generate images. The display layers may include liquid crystal display layers such as upper and lower polarizers and a layer of liquid crystal material. A display cover layer may be mounted in a housing adhesive. A touch sensor layer may be mounted under the display cover layer. An air gap may separate the upper polarizer from the touch sensor layer and display cover layer. Antireflection coatings may be formed on the lower surface of the display cover layer or touch sensor layer and may be formed on the upper surface of the upper polarizer. The antireflection coatings may include coatings formed from a polymer hard coat covered with a polymer layer having a different index of refraction and may include broadband antireflection coating material formed from textured polymer or other structure exhibiting a continuously varying index of refraction.
US09164307B2
A polarizer includes a first grating and a second grating. The second grating contains at least one of chromium nitride, tungsten nitride, and tantalum nitride.
US09164298B2
Silicone hydrogel contact lenses are formed from the reaction product of a polymerizable composition comprising at least one acrylate-containing siloxane monomer, at least one hydrophilic vinyl-containing monomer, and at least one vinyl-containing cross-linking agent, wherein the polymerizable composition has a molar ratio of total amount of hydrophilic vinyl-containing monomer to total amount of acrylate-containing siloxane monomer of from 5:1 to 30:1, respectively. The silicone hydrogel contact lenses have good manufacturing processability, can be manufactured without the use of alcohol solvents, and have excellent surface wettability.
US09164294B2
A method for manufacture of spectacle glasses from prefabricated blanks made without cutting. Each prefabricated blank has a front side not to be finished and an opposite back side. The front side and the back side have at least one optical focus in common. The method includes finishing the back side by calculating a prescription surface based on a prescription of a person. The prescription describes the vision defects of a left and a right eye of the person. The machined back side and the front side together form a first prescription lens and a second prescription lens. The method further includes making first and second spectacle glasses from the first and second prescription lenses. Focal points of the first spectacle glass correct the vision defect of the left eye and focal points of the second spectacle glass correct the vision defect of the right eye of the person.
US09164293B2
A novel pair of eyewear includes a frame, one or more optically active eyepieces, a first temple piece and a second temple piece. The first and second temple pieces each include an adjustment mechanism for adjusting the length and angle of the first and second temple pieces. In a particular embodiment, the first and second temple pieces each include a locking mechanism for fixing the length and angle of the first and second temple pieces with respect to the frame.
US09164290B2
Grating configurations are described for creating time sequenced field of view (FOV) tiles for a waveguide display. Pairings of non-output diffraction gratings and output diffraction gratings are activated to create a number of FOV tiles in a time sequence, for example in a frame update period for the image. Examples of a non-output grating are an input grating and a fold grating. For a set of at least three gratings used to make the pairings, each non-output grating is paired with each output grating. The number of pairings, and so the number of FOV tiles, is equal to a product of the total number of non-output gratings and the total number of output gratings. At least one diffraction grating in the pairing is an active pairing. Also described is a multiplexed diffraction grating including multiplexed K-vectors which increases the overall angular bandwidth for both incidence and diffraction.
US09164286B2
A display panel displays a first image during a first subframe and a second image during a second subframe. A display panel driver provides the first and second images to the display panel. A light source part provides light to the display panel. A light converting element is disposed between the display panel and the light source part and includes a barrier part and a lens part disposed on the barrier part. The barrier part has a plurality of independently controllable barrier groups. A position detecting part determines a position of a viewer. A barrier driver controls the barrier part to selectively transmit light from the light source part based on the viewer's position. A single barrier group includes a plurality of barriers, and a single barrier includes a plurality of sub-barriers.
US09164284B2
An electronic device including a frame configured to be worn on the head of a user is disclosed. The frame can include a bridge configured to be supported on the nose of the user and a brow portion coupled to and extending away from the bridge and configured to be positioned over a side of a brow of the user. The frame can further include an arm coupled to the brow portion and extending to a free end. The first arm can be positionable over a temple of the user with the free end disposed near an ear of the user. The device can also include a transparent display affixed to the frame adjacent the brow portion and an input affixed to the frame and configured for receiving from the user an input associated with a function. Information related to the function can be presentable on the display.
US09164282B2
An image-partitioned display device for virtual image is disclosed. The display device comprises an image display unit, a refractive element, and a virtual image generation module. The refractive element is disposed between the image display unit and the virtual image generation module. Firstly, the image display unit generates at least one image, and then the refractive element refracts and partitions the image into a plurality of sub-images. Finally, the virtual image generation module receives lights of the sub-images to generate a large area virtual image or a plurality of enlarged virtual images. A volume of the virtual image generation module is reduced and all kinds of display information are provided by the image-partitioned technology.
US09164267B2
As a result of a fourth surface being a surface on a gate side, a merging position of a molten resin material during molding of a lens array main body is placed away from formation positions of lens faces, and as a result of the three dimensional shape of a third recessing section, during molding of the lens array main body, the flow of molten resin material from a surface side that opposes the fourth surface into a flow path corresponding with an area between a first recessing section and a second recessing section can be suppressed.
US09164263B2
An illumination optical system is configured to illuminate an optical modulator configured to modulate incident light and includes a condenser lens system that includes a meniscus lens with a concave on a light source side, and condenses light from a light source; and a spherical aberration corrector disposed on an optical modulator side of the condenser lens system. The illumination optical system satisfies: 0.6<|f/L|<1.4 0.9
US09164260B2
Including: a front lens group Gf disposed to an object side of an aperture stop; and a rear lens group Gr disposed to an image side of the aperture stop; the front lens group including a sub-lens group Ga having negative refractive power, the sub-lens group Ga including, in order from the most object side, at least three negative lenses, at least one of the three negative lens being an aspherical negative meniscus lens, the aspherical negative meniscus lens having a shape that negative refractive power is getting smaller from the center to the periphery, a cemented lens constructed by a positive lens, a negative lens, and a positive lens being disposed to the image side of the sub-lens group Ga, and given conditional expressions being satisfied, thereby providing a wide-angle lens having high optical performance with a wide angle of view.
US09164257B2
Present embodiments provide for a mobile device and an optical imaging lens thereof. The optical imaging lens comprises five lens elements positioned sequentially from an object side to an image side. Through controlling the convex or concave shape of the surfaces of the lens elements and designing parameters satisfying an inequality, the optical imaging lens shows better optical characteristics and the total length of the optical imaging lens is shortened.
US09164253B2
In a composite molded lens, a press-formed lens body is integral with an injection-molded lens frame. The lens body has a lens portion and a flange portion surrounding the lens portion. Eight projections are radially formed on a top surface of the flange portion. The height of the projection increases toward an outer peripheral edge side of the flange portion. A recess is formed on an outer peripheral edge face of the flange portion and located at a position on a line extending from the projection. The recess increases torsional resilience of a joint surface between the lens body and the lens frame and strengthens bonding force there between.
US09164245B2
The present invention relates to an optical connector including, a ferrule within which an integrated optical fiber is fixed, a clamp portion disposed at a rear of the ferrule, the clamp portion comprising: a base component and a lid component facing the based component, where the base component and the lid component together are configured to clamp an end portion of the integrated optical fiber and an end portion of a naked optical fiber abutting the end portion of the integrated optical fiber, and a naked optical fiber guide portion disposed at a rear of the clamp portion, where the naked optical fiber guide portion comprises a through hole through which the naked optical fiber can be inserted, and that guides the naked optical fiber to the clamp portion by the through hole.
US09164244B2
In an optical connector plug, a front end of the shutter member can move between a shield position to shield a front end face of a ferrule in an extension state and a non-shield position to expose the front end face of the ferrule to the front side of a housing in a reduction state, when a plug frame and a shutter holding member move between the extension state and the reduction state. In the optical connector plug, in a course in which the shutter holding member is engaged with holding portions protruding in an axial direction of the optical connector adaptor and a grip member moves from the extension state to the reduction state, the front end of the shutter member is spaced to face front ends of the holding portions in the axial direction.
US09164232B2
The present invention discloses a TE-polarization splitter based on a photonic crystal waveguide, comprising a waveguide formed in a photonic crystal with a complete photonic bandgap, wherein after the incident wave with any polarization direction is inputted into the polarization splitter via the input port of the photonic crystal waveguide. TE wave is outputted from the output port of the polarization splitter, while the TM wave is reflected from the input port of the polarization splitter. The structure of the present invention has a small volume, high degree of polarization, high light transmission efficiency, and it is suitable for large-scale optical integrated circuits and can realize the polarization beam splitting function for different wavelengths.
US09164230B2
A high-powered double cladding (DC) pumped Ytterbium-free L-band Erbium doped fiber amplifier (EDFA) for dense-wavelength-division multiplexing (DWDM) is disclosed. The DC pumped Ytterbium-free L-band EDFA comprises a length of DC Erbium-doped fiber (EDF) that has a low-index, large-diameter core. For some embodiments, the DC-EDF also comprises a trench that is located radially exterior to the cladding, thereby increasing cladding absorption while still effectively maintaining single-mode behavior.
US09164226B2
The illumination device 10 according to the present invention includes: a housing member 22 having a bottom plate 22a and a side wall 22b; a light guide plate 26 disposed on the inside of the side wall 22b in a manner so that a gap is formed between the side wall 22b and the side edge face 26b of the light guide plate 26; a light source unit having a light source 24 and a light source substrate 25 and disposed in the gap in a manner so that the substrate surface 25a faces the side edge face 26b; an optical sheet 23 disposed on the front surface 26a side of the light guide plate 26 and having an outer edge 23d protruding towards the light source substrate 25 from the side edge face 26b in a manner so as to cover and hide the bottom plate 22a at the section where the gap is; and a circulation hole X that pierces the light source substrate 25 or the housing member 22 in a manner such that the outside communicates with the air space S1 enclosed by the side edge face 26b, the substrate surface 25a, the bottom plate 22a, and the outer edge 23d.
US09164201B2
A lens (1) includes a plurality of optical surfaces (S1, S2) each of which is made up of an alternation of active zones (ZA1, ZA2) and separation zones (ZS1, ZS2). The active zones of one of the surfaces are situated beside the separation zones of the other surface. The shape of one at least of the optical surfaces is then adapted into the separation zones in order to augment the acute angles that are situated at the convergence of active zones and separation zones. The lens can thus be made with improved accuracy with respect to a target optical function.
US09164198B2
Compositions, structures and methods that relate to films having switchable reflectivity and anti-reflectivity depending on ambient conditions, such as temperature. A film with switchable reflectivity and anti-reflectivity includes a nanostructured first layer having nanopillars associated with nanowells. A hydrogel occupies at least a portion of the nanowells. As the hydrogel moves from a dehydrated state to a hydrated state, the surface of the film switches from being reflective to being anti-reflective in a repeatable and reversible process.
US09164195B2
A method of making optical films having a polymerized microstructured surface are described. The polymerized microstructured surface comprises the reaction product of a polymerizable resin composition comprising 10% to 100 wt-% of at least one biphenyl di(meth)acrylate monomer. The di(meth)acrylate monomer comprises a core biphenyl structure having two aromatic rings connected with a C—C bond. The biphenyl di(meth)acrylate monomer preferably comprises a sufficient amount of ortho and/or meta(meth)acrylate substituents such that the monomer is a liquid at 25° C.
US09164192B2
Stress and fracture modeling using the principal of superposition is provided. A system simulates linearly independent far field stress models for a subsurface earth volume, computing stress, strain, and displacement values based on superposition of independent stress tensors. Based on the precomputed values, the system generates real-time recovery of paleostress values, or, stress, strain, and displacement parameters for any point in the subsurface volume as the user varies far field stress values. The system recovers one or more tectonic events, or a stress tensor represented by a ratio of principal magnitudes and associated orientation, using fault geometry, well bore data (fracture orientation and secondary fault plane data), GPS, InSAR, folded and faulted horizons, tiltmeters, slip and slikenlines on faults. The system uses different geologic data from seismic interpretation, well bore readings, and field observation to provide numerous results, such as predicted fracture propagation based on perturbed stress field.
US09164191B2
A subsurface hydrocarbon reservoir with wells is simulated by simultaneous solution of reservoir and well equations which simulate flow profiles along a well without requiring an unstructured coefficient matrix for reservoir unknowns. An analytical model of the reservoir is formed using the known or measured bottom hole pressure. Where several layers in an interval in the reservoir are present between vertical flow barriers in the reservoir, and communicate vertically with others, the communicating layers are combined for analytical modeling into a single layer for that interval for simulation purposes. The matrix of equations defining the unknown pressures and saturations of the intervals of combined layers in the reservoir are solved in the computer, and a perforation rate determined for each such interval of combined layers. Rates for the intervals in the reservoir are then combined to determine total well rate.
US09164184B2
The invention relates to seismic surveying where complex geologies are likely to create data that is confusing or ambiguous for a conventional matrix of acquisition source points and receiver locations. With some understanding of the geological substructure, the acquisition source points and receiver locations that optimize the imaging may be found by using a reciprocal two-way wave equation propagation method coupled with the best geologic model available. With this, the acquisition source points and receiver locations that optimize the imaging may be used in seismic survey to better resolve the substructure and avoid the inclusion of data that obscures understanding of the substructure.
US09164183B2
A method and a detector system are disclosed for the photon-counting detection of x-ray radiation with direct conversion detectors. In at least one embodiment of the method, as a function of the existing radiation energy, current and/or voltage pulses which are largely proportional thereto are generated, and the generated current and voltage pulses are counted in the detector when a predetermined current and/or voltage source is exceeded, whereby a threshold is used as a predetermined current and/or voltage threshold, which corresponds to a detection of a photon with an energy which is less than the k-edge of the detector material used.
US09164182B2
An image pickup panel (1) includes: photodetection sections (10) each including a photodetector (11-1) and a receiver (11-2) which are integrally molded and having solder bumps (12) formed thereon, the photodetector converting received light into a current signal, the. receiver converting the current signal into a voltage signal; and a wiring layer (20) including a wiring pattern installed therein and allowing the photodetection sections to be mounted thereon for respective pixels by the solder bumps, the wiring pattern being connected to the photodetection sections.
US09164180B2
In an electronic cassette, an FPD and a support substrate are accommodated in a housing. A signal processing circuit for processing signals from the FPD is formed in a circuit board. The circuit board is attached to the back of the support substrate. The support substrate is a carbon plate made from carbon fiber reinforced plastic and exhibits anisotropy in bending strength depending on a fiber direction of carbon fiber. Spacers are provided inside a rear case that constitutes the housing. The spacers form a space, between the support substrate and the housing, to accommodate the circuit board. The spacers are arranged to suppress or prevent bending of the support substrate in a direction of weak bending strength.
US09164172B2
System and methods for compensating a depth signal for a depth finder of a boat. In one embodiment, a compensation system is implemented between the depth finder and a transducer mounted on the boat. The compensation system receives a depth signal (i.e., a plurality of electrical impulses) from the transducer that directs sound waves toward the bottom of a body of water. The compensation system also monitors a change in elevation of the transducer, such as due to waves rocking the boat. The compensation system then compensates the depth signal based on the change in elevation, and provides the compensated depth signal to the depth finder.
US09164164B2
An indoor localization method for estimating the location of nodes (n1, n2), at least one node (n1) being connected to at least another node (n2) by at least two different channels (ch1, ch1′), comprising the following steps: measuring a distance between the connected nodes, for each channel, building a Euclidean Distance Matrix (EDM) based on the measured distances, estimating the location of the nodes (n1, n2) based on the built Euclidean Distance Matrices.
US09164159B2
A manufacturing system for assembling wireless electronic devices is provided. The manufacturing system may include test stations for testing the radio-frequency performance of components that are to be assembled within the electronic devices. A reference test station may be calibrated using calibration coupons having known radio-frequency characteristics. The calibration coupons may include transmission line structures. The reference test station may measure verification standards to establish baseline measurement data. The verification standards may include circuitry having electrical components with given impedance values. Many verification coupons may be measured to enable testing for a wide range of impedance values. Test stations in the manufacturing system may subsequently measure the verification standards to generate test measurement data. The test measurement data may be compared to the baseline measurement data to characterize the performance of the test stations to ensure consistent test measurements across the test stations.
US09164156B2
An apparatus may include a back-bias magnet; and a semiconductor chip element; wherein the semiconductor chip element has a sensor for measuring a magnetic field strength; and wherein a contact surface is formed on a contact side of the back-bias magnet and on a contact side of the semiconductor chip element and wherein the contact side of the semiconductor chip element has one or more structures such that the contact surface of the back-bias magnet is shaped in a manner corresponding to the structures of the semiconductor chip element.
US09164150B2
There is provided a device for calculating impedances of a battery cell for respective frequency domains. The device includes: a Fourier transformation calculator configured to perform Fourier transformation on voltage waveform data and current waveform data, which are output from the battery cell, and calculate an impedance of the battery cell by dividing a Fourier transformation data of the voltage waveform data by a Fourier transformation data of the current waveform data; a circuit constant estimator configured to estimate circuit constants of a predetermined equivalent circuit model of the battery cell, based on the impedance calculated by the Fourier transformation calculator; and an impedance estimator configured to estimate impedances of the battery cell for respective frequency domains, based on the estimated circuit constants and the equivalent circuit mode.
US09164139B2
A memory device includes a memory cell array and a data input/output circuit. The memory cell array includes a plurality of memory cells connected to a plurality of bit lines and a plurality of word lines. The data input/output circuit is configured to receive data from external data pins of the memory device, output the received data to the memory cell array through a plurality of input/output lines electrically coupled to the plurality of bit lines, receive data read from the memory cell array through the plurality of input/output lines, and output the read data through the external data pins. For each external data pin, the data input/output circuit is configured to output data received at the external data pin to a corresponding input/output line. The corresponding input/output line is selected in response to bit values of a set of bits included in the received data.
US09164137B2
A method for compensating for panel capacitance the associated current is proposed, wherein the mutual capacitances of a capacitance sensing array are selectively coupled to drive voltages and to a self capacitance under test.
US09164136B2
In one embodiment, a method for determining the location of a touch on a touch sensor includes receiving input signals in response to a touch proximate to a location on the touch sensor. Each input signal may have a total capacitance that includes a first capacitance associated with the touch and a second capacitance that is parasitic capacitance. The parasitic capacitance of one or more of the input signals may be adjusted to result in the second capacitance of each of the input signals being substantially equal. An average capacitance of the adjusted input signals may be calculated. The location of the touch on the touch sensor may then be determined based on a comparison of the total capacitance of each of the input signals and the average capacitance of the input signals.
US09164134B2
A method and a system are provided for clock phase detection. A set of delayed versions of a first clock signal is generated. The set of delayed versions of the first clock is used to sample a second clock signal, producing a sequence of samples in a domain corresponding to the first clock signal. At least one edge indication is located within the sequence of samples.
US09164132B2
A current sensor includes: a core formed by U-shaped flat plates made of a magnetic body and stacked together; a flat plate-like conductor which is inserted on an interior side of a U-groove of the core and through which a current to be measured flows; a detection element which is arranged on the side of an opening of the U-groove in such a way that a detecting direction extends in a spacing direction of the opening, and which detects a strength of a magnetic field; a housing which supports the core, the conductor and the detection element; and a pair of spacing direction supporting portions which are provided at positions along the spacing direction on both sides of the detection element, in an opening-side end of the core, and which abut on the housing.
US09164118B2
A sensor unit includes a motion sensor which detects a motion of an object, outputs a detection value, and is mounted on the object through an attachment, a filter which receives the detection value, passes a given frequency band, and is able to change a cutoff frequency of the frequency band, and a control unit which controls the cutoff frequency, wherein the control unit determines the cutoff frequency in accordance with hardness of the attachment.
US09164112B2
A display is provided for an automatic analyzer to display statistics such as measurement results. A width of a display in a window that displays statistics may be adjusted and the amount of information to be displayed on the display is changed according to a level of detail of the information which the operator wants to confirm. Sample information, measurement results, and detailed information related to the measurement results are simultaneously displayed without a subwindow being displayed in overlapped form in the limited display area.
US09164109B2
Methods of determining levels of unbound metabolites are disclosed. Probes derived from fatty acid binding protein muteins are described that bind preferentially to a number of unbound metabolites including oleate, stearate, linoleate, palmitate, arachidonate and unconjugated bilirubin. A profile for a patient is determined using one or more of the described probes. The profile is useful in diagnosis of disease, particularly myocardial infarction, non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD), diabetes, stroke, sepsis and neonatal jaundice. The responses of multiple probes to a test sample are used to classify the degree of acute coronary syndrome by comparison to multi-probe profiles generated from unstable angina, non ST elevation myocardial infarction, and ST elevation myocardial infarction.
US09164106B2
Methods for diagnosis of autism spectrum disorders are described. Methods include culturing a cell sample of a test subject with a tryptophan-containing energy source and examining the culture to determine the ability of the cells of the test subject to properly metabolize tryptophan. A determination that a subject does not properly metabolize tryptophan is an indication that the subject may be afflicted with autism. Methods can be utilized as a quick and reliable diagnostic tool for autism spectrum disorders and may provide a unifying model for the genetic heterogeneity of autism spectrum disorders.
US09164102B2
The invention relates, in part, to methods useful in identifying molecules, that bind TRPM4b, which modulate TRPM4b ion channel activity, and/or which alter expression of TRPM4b within cells. The TRPM4b channels as described herein contain TRPM4b polypeptides, which are in turn encoded by TRPM4b nucleic acids. The ion channels described herein are preferably formed in HEK-293 cells from one or more novel TRPM4b polypeptides, which exhibit one or more of the unique TRPM4b properties described herein.
US09164098B2
A method for determining an expression of human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2) of a subject. The method includes providing a sample from the subject; measuring one of (i) amounts of two or more proteins in the sample, each protein having a molecular weight substantially equal to 4740, 8404, 8419, 8435, 8450, 8455, 8465, 8570, 8607 or 8626 atomic mass units, and (ii) amounts of at least one of human cystein-rich intestinal protein 1 (CRIP1), one or more variants of the human cystein-rich intestinal protein 1 (CRIP1 variants), and proteolytic digestion products thereof in the sample; and comparing the amounts of the proteins to control amounts, which control amounts are determinative of the expression of the human epidermal growth factor receptor 2.
US09164092B2
The present invention concerns the identification of biomarkers and groups or combinations of biomarkers that can be used for non-invasive diagnosis of intra-amniotic infection, and diagnostic assays using such biomarkers.
US09164091B2
A centrifugal micro-fluidic device detecting analytes in a liquid specimen and a method of detection of analytes from a liquid specimen using the micro-fluidic device are provided. Reaction efficiency is increased using a repetitive flow of the liquid specimen induced by an alternating combination of capillary force and centrifugal force, thereby enhancing detection sensitivity.
US09164090B2
The present invention relates to methods for dynamically detecting the interactions between various materials including bioactive molecules and for detecting target molecules. More specifically, the present invention relates to a method for dynamically detecting bait-prey interactions and a method for easily detecting target molecules which blocks or activates the interactions, the method comprising: allowing a material capable of forming a nano-assembly matrix, a bait and a prey to interact with each other, and analyzing whether a nano-assembly matrix is formed by the interaction between the bait and the prey in vitro or in vivo; or allowing a material capable of forming a nano-assembly matrix, a bait and a prey to interact with each other, inducing the formation of a nano-assembly matrix by a mediator (regulator) material in vitro or in vivo, and then analyzing whether the prey and the bait co-localizes on the nano-assembly matrix.
US09164083B2
The invention relates to a microfluidic system for controlling a card for the concentration of molecules capable of stimulating a target, for example formed by an assembly of living cells, characterized in that the system comprises a microfluidic device (1) comprising: n≧1 microfluidic channel(s) (4, 40), the or each channel being provided with at least one inlet orifice for at least one fluid and with at least one outlet orifice for this fluid; n≧2 openings (47, 470) formed in the microfluidic channel or distributed in the various microfluidic channels, said openings being arranged in one and the same plane so that they form a network having at least one dimension in this plane, the numbers n of microfluidic channel(s) and n of openings being linked by the relationship (I) with 1≦i≦n and n the number of openings for the channel c; at least one microporous membrane (5) covering the network of openings, the target being intended to be positioned on the side of the membrane which is opposite the microfluidic channel(s); one or more fluid feed means for feeding the or each microfluidic channel with fluid, at least one of these fluids comprising molecules for stimulating the target.
US09164079B2
This disclosure describes systems, methods, and apparatuses for forming concentrates of platelet-rich plasma or bone marrow cells having user-defined concentrations, concentration ranges, and/or volumes. Whole blood or bone marrow samples can be passed through one or two separation operations in which platelets or bone marrow cells are separated from red blood cells and concentrated in a plasma. During this separation and concentrating, a total number of platelets or bone marrow cells or a concentration of either is determined and then used to ascertain what volumes and concentrations need be mixed in order to produce a platelet-rich plasma concentrate or a bone marrow-rich plasma concentrate having a target concentration and/or volume.
US09164074B2
The invention provides a fiber cloth inspecting method for inspecting a fiber cloth regarding sparse density, filament break, various kinds of mark, fabric runs, break, weaving validation, and dyeing uniformity. The method includes following steps: scanning the fiber cloth by a scanning light beam; retrieving a light pattern generated by the scanning; generating an inspecting result information according to the light pattern in relation to the fiber cloth; and analyzing the fiber cloth regarding sparse density, filament break, various kinds of mark, fabric runs, break, weaving validation, and dyeing uniformity according to the inspecting result information.
US09164070B2
The described embodiments may provide a chemical detection circuit. The chemical detection circuit may comprise a column of chemically-sensitive pixels. Each chemically-sensitive pixel may comprise a chemically-sensitive transistor, and a row selection device. The chemical detection circuit may further comprise a column interface circuit coupled to the column of chemically-sensitive pixels and an analog-to-digital converter (ADC) coupled to the column interface circuit. Each column interface circuit and column-level ADC may be arrayed with other identical circuits and share critical resources such as biasing and voltage references, thereby saving area and power.
US09164069B2
The present invention provides a potentiometric titration method of calculating a content of each acid in a mixed acid solution. The potentiometric titration method includes steps as follows. Step 1, an alkali-alcohol solution of a concentration in 0.1˜0.2 mol/L is prepared and titrated with a basis reagent. Step 2, a first solvent and a second solvent are added into and stirred with a mixed acid solution consisted of nitric acid, phosphoric acid and acetic acid to form a mixed system, and the mixed system is titrated with the alkali-alcohol solution to obtain three equivalence points of the nitric acid, phosphoric acid and acetic acid in the mixed system. Step 3, a concentration of each acid in the mixed system is measured with the three equivalence points obtained in Step 2. According to the present invention, the content of each acid in the mixed acid solution can be rapidly and precisely measured.
US09164068B2
In an embodiment, a method for manufacturing a thin layer chromatography (“TLC”) plate is disclosed. The method includes forming a layer of elongated nanostructures (e.g., carbon nanotubes), and at least partially coating the elongated nanostructures with a coating. The coating includes a stationary phase and/or precursor of a stationary phase for use in chromatography. At least a portion of the elongated nanostructures may be removed after being coated. Embodiments for TLC plates and related methods are also disclosed.
US09164059B2
The present invention relates to ion mobility spectrometry, in particular to methods and devices for generating and delivering of ammonia gas as dopant into the ionization region of an ion mobility spectrometer. It provides an ion mobility spectrometer (IMS) with an ion source and device for generating ammonia gas, wherein the device comprises a dopant reservoir filled with alkali metal nitride or alkaline earth metal nitride, preferably lithium nitride and/or magnesium nitride, said reservoir being fluidly coupled to the ion source and to a water reservoir.
US09164058B2
Hand cast gels, and solutions for their preparation, are described.
US09164057B2
A method for operating a measuring point for determining at least one measured variable of a medium is disclosed. The measuring point includes a base unit, which is connected releasably with a sensor unit, and which is provided for communication of a signal representing the value of the measured variable to a process monitoring facility. The following steps are included: at least one-time registering and storing in the base unit a value of a diagnostic parameter stored in the sensor unit or produced by the sensor unit; on the basis of this value conforming a prognosis value or prognosis interval stored in the base unit, and storing the conformed prognosis value or prognosis interval in the base unit in place of the previously stored prognosis value or prognosis interval.
US09164045B2
A method of phase imaging uses X-ray beams having edges overlapping with pixels. A phase image may be obtained from first and second images using one or more X-ray beam, the first image being measured with the first edge but not the second edge of each X-ray beam overlapping the corresponding pixel(s) and the second image being measured with the second edge but not the first edge overlapping the corresponding pixel(s). The gradient of the X-ray absorption function may be calculated and a proportional term included in the image processing to calculate a quantitative phase image.
US09164042B2
The present invention provides a device for detecting foreign matter and a method for detecting foreign matter to detect a foreign matter on a surface of an object such as a film of an electrode mixture etc. or a foreign matter contained in the object, thereby to improve the reliability of the object. By irradiating an object with a terahertz illumination light 100 (wavelength of 4 μm to 10 mm) and detecting a scattered light 660 from an electrode 10 as an example of the object by a scattered light detector 200, a foreign matter on a surface of the electrode 10 or contained in the electrode 10, for example, a metal foreign matter 720, is detected. The electrode 10 is one in which electrode mixture layers 700 each including an active material 701, conductive additive and a binder as components are coated on both surfaces of a collector 710. The scattered light 660 results from a part of a transmitted light 656 reflected by the metal foreign matter 720.
US09164040B2
An analytical system-on-a-chip can be used as an analytical imaging device, for example, for detecting the presence of a chemical compound. A layer of analytical material is formed on a transparent layer overlying a solid state image sensor. The analytical material can react in known ways with at least one reactant to block light or to allow light to pass through to the array. The underlying sensor array, in turn, can process the presence, absence or amount of light into a digitized signal output. The system-on-a-chip may also include software that can detect and analyze the output signals of the device.
US09164038B2
A fluorescence light detection device includes an excitation light fiber having an excitation light emitting end configured to emit excitation light; a fluorescence light fiber having a fluorescence light incident end on which fluorescence light is incident; an objective lens arranged between where the excitation light emitting end and the fluorescence light incident end are located, and a sample; and a reflective member arranged between where the excitation light emitting end and the fluorescence light incident end are located, and the objective lens, and having two reflective surfaces facing in opposite directions. The two reflective surfaces of the reflective member are positioned between an optical axis of the excitation light fiber and an optical axis of the fluorescence light fiber.
US09164035B2
A distributive transmissometer, comprising a series of light sources that illuminate and map out a volume of space to be sampled to a one-dimensional space, a light detector, the one-dimensional space being mapped to the light detector such that spatial dust density distribution of the volume to be sampled can be determined; and, a lens for focusing light emitted by the light sources toward the light detector.
US09164033B2
An imaging system for an object such as human or animal tissue uses scattering of an illuminating electromagnetic wave by acoustic vibrations to generate a scattered electromagnetic wave including Doppler components shifted from the frequency of the illuminating electromagnetic wave by frequencies of the acoustic vibration and multiples thereof. An acoustic transducer apparatus applies acoustic vibrations localized in two or three dimensions in a plurality of regions. A transmitter simultaneously illuminates the object with an illuminating electromagnetic wave that has a frequency in the range from 100 MHz to 100 GHz, the vibration direction of the acoustic vibration having a component parallel to the propagation direction of the illuminating electromagnetic wave. A receiver receives the scattered electromagnetic wave. A signal processing apparatus derives characteristics of the Doppler components, and stores image data representing the derived characteristic.
US09164027B2
There is provided a frequency tunable laser system comprising a laser, frequency varying means arranged for varying an optical frequency output of the laser, an intensity sensor arranged for receiving light from the laser, and a processor arranged for controlling the frequency varying means for varying the optical frequency output of the laser and receiving an intensity signal from the intensity sensor for monitoring the intensity output of the laser. The frequency tunable laser system further comprises an external reflective surface, in use, fixedly arranged in a light path of the laser beam outside the laser cavity at a predefined distance from the second reflective surface along the light path of the laser beam to reflect part of the emitted laser beam back into the laser cavity. The processor is further arranged for processing the intensity signal and registering oscillations of the intensity output caused by interference of the reflected part of the laser beam in the cavity and responsive to a change in optical frequency and calculating the change in optical frequency output from the registered oscillations of the intensity output and predefined distance.
US09164024B2
An optofluidic platform is constructed to comprise a vertical integration of optical and fluidic layers. The optical layer enables interaction of light with a fluid for a variety of purposes, including particle detection, manipulation, and analysis. The vertical integration allows layers to be permanently or temporarily attached to each other. Temporary attachments provide the advantage of reusing the same optical layer with different fluidic layers. Most preferably, the optical layer comprises antiresonant reflecting optical waveguide. Further, a fluidic layer can be configured to act as an interface between the optical layer and other fluidic layers attached thereon. Moreover, the fluidic layers can be configured to perform fluidic functions. The optofluidic platform can also comprise a protective layer. As such, a liquid solution can be introduced in the optofluidic platform and single particles contained therein can be optically detected with extremely high sensitivity and without the need for advanced microscopy equipment.
US09164016B2
The device for sampling and vaporizing liquefied natural gas includes a circuit provided at one end with a device for collecting a sample of liquefied gas and conveying the sample to a measurement device. The circuit includes and passes through a device for vaporizing the sample. The device for vaporizing includes at least one vaporization chamber having a first convergent section portion and a second divergent section portion and shaped so as to vaporize the sample under supercritical conditions at a pressure of greater than 80 bar without fractionating. The vaporization chamber includes, at the entrance of the first convergent section portion, a port with a variable opening. The port is sized so as to limit the vaporization pressure to a maximum of 90 bar in conjunction with a fixed opening at the outlet of the second divergent section portion.
US09164008B2
The present invention relates to a pressure detector. In a body that constitutes part of the pressure detector, a through hole is formed, which is directed upwardly from a substantially central portion of a flow passage through which a pressure fluid flows. The through hole communicates with a sensor chamber in which a pressure sensor is disposed, and a rod-shaped member is disposed displaceably in the through hole. In addition, an end of the rod-shaped member, which is exposed to the flow passage, is pressed by the pressure fluid and displaced upwardly thereby, and pressure is detected as a result of the pressure sensor being pressed by a head of the rod-shaped member.
US09164005B2
Provided is a dynamometer system capable of stable speed control and position control even in instances of large load inertia. A speed-control device (6C) in a dynamometer system is provided with: a speed-control-circuit unit (61A) for calculating a torque-current-command value (T2) on the basis of an angular-velocity-command value (ωref) and the angular velocity (ωM) of the dynamometer; a disturbance-observer-compensation unit (63C) for correcting the torque-current-command value by subtracting a disturbance observer (Tobs) from the torque-current-command value (T2); and a shaft-torque-detection-compensation unit (62A) for correcting the torque-current-command value by adding a shaft-torque-detection-compensation amount (Tsh_K), which is obtained by multiplying a filter transfer function (GBPF) and a control gain (K1) by a shaft-torque-detection value (Tsh), to a torque-current-command value (T1). Therein, the filter transfer function (GBPF) has only the resonance frequency and vicinity thereof for mechanical systems comprising load devices and dynamometers set as a passband.
US09163996B2
A readout circuit for an uncooled infrared focal plane array includes: a first biasing circuit for generating a detection output signal; a second biasing circuit for generating a first reference output signal; a first integration circuit; and an analog-to-digital circuit including: a ramp signal generating circuit for generating a ramp signal according to a second reference microbolometer of a third biasing circuit. In the readout circuit, subtracting and amplifying the detection output signal and the first reference output signal are provided by the integrator at an analog domain, while ratio counting is provided by an analog-to-digital converter during analog-to-digital conversion. Furthermore, a column level integrated readout channel utilizes only one reference microbolometer, and the chip level ramp signal generator also utilizes only one reference microbolometer. Therefore, a chip area is further saved, and noise sources are decreased.
US09163995B2
Sub-arrays such as tiles or chips having pixel elements arranged on a routing layer or carrier to form a larger array. Through-chip vias or the like to the backside of the chip are used for connecting with the pixel elements. Edge features of the tiles may provide for physical alignment, mechanical attachment and chip-to-chip communication. Edge damage tolerance with minimal loss of function may be achieved by moving unit cell circuitry and the electrically active portions of a pixel element away from the tile edge(s) while leaving the optically active portion closer to the edge(s) if minor damage will not cause a complete failure of the pixel. The pixel elements may be thermal emitter elements for IR image projectors, thermal detector elements for microbolometers, LED-based emitters, or quantum photon detectors such as those found in visible, infrared and ultraviolet FPAs (focal plane arrays), and the like. Various architectures are disclosed.
US09163991B2
A device captures a digital image of a color of interest and a physical color calibration chart. A corrected color value of the color of interest is determined based on the physical color calibration chart and the color of interest as captured within the digital image. A selected color value for the corrected color value is determined, as a closest color value within a predetermined color space or as a spot color value within the predetermined color space.
US09163990B2
In a calibrating method for a filter color measuring device that includes at least three color channels, a calibration matrix for transforming output signals of the color channels into tristimulus color values is formed. The calibration is performed spectrally, wherein the spectral sensitivities of the color channels of the color measuring device and the spectral emission properties of typical light sources are measured and stored, and the calibration matrix is calculated from the spectral sensitivities and the spectral emission properties of the light sources and the spectral evaluation functions of the standard observer, e.g., according to CIE 1931.
US09163988B2
Systems and methods for remote and/or portable detection are provided. The system can include a source of coherent laser pulses, components for converting the coherent laser pulses into first beam pulses at a first wavelength value, second beam pulses at a second wavelength value, and third beam pulses at a third wavelength value. Systems can further include optical components configured to delay at least one of the first beam pulses, the second beam pulses, and the third beam pulses in order to create delayed beam pulses, and a focusing component configured direct a substantially collinear combination of the delayed beam pulses and two of a set of: the first beam pulses, the second beam pulses, and the third beam pulses, onto a sample.
US09163985B2
A spectral characteristic measurement apparatus includes a spectrometer for spatially dispersing incident light depending on wavelengths and a detection portion for receiving light dispersed by the spectrometer. The detection portion includes a first detection area on which a component in a first wavelength range is incident and a second detection area on which a component in a second wavelength range is incident. The apparatus includes a correction portion for correcting stray light detected by the detection portion derived from light to be measured. The correction portion corrects a stray light pattern based on a first amount of change with respect to wavelengths in the first wavelength range of the stray light pattern and a second amount of change with respect to wavelengths included in a result of detection in the first detection area of the detection portion, to calculate a stray light component derived from the light to be measured.
US09163974B1
Disclosed is a wireless gauge apparatus and manufacturing method thereof. The wireless gauge apparatus comprises a printed circuit board comprising a wireless transceiver and at least one sensor, a power source electrically coupled with the printed circuit board, an antenna electrically coupled with the wireless transceiver and a casing encasing the printed circuit board, the power source and the antenna. The casing is made of polyurethane having a density of 0.8-1.2 g/cm3. The antenna is surrounded by a protective layer having a thickness of 4-8 mm, a density of at most 50 kg/m3 and a dielectric constant of 1-2.7.
US09163973B2
A method for identifying an undesired condition in the function of a floating roof of a tank, the method comprising determining a filling level of a product in the tank, detecting a reference distance between a reference position on the roof and the surface using a level gauge mounted on the roof, forming a reference distance deviation as a difference between the reference distance and an expected value, and comparing the reference distance deviation with a specified range. If the reference distance deviation is outside the specified range, a data set including the reference distance deviation and the filling level is stored. These steps are repeated for a plurality of points in time, and the undesired condition is then identified based on stored data sets of reference distance deviations and filling levels. The present invention thus provides an economical method to provide diagnostics of a floating tank roof.
US09163971B2
An evaluation apparatus and a method for determining a characteristic variable for the location of a boundary surface in a container are described, wherein a multiple echo having at least the order of one is recognized in an echo curve. The characteristic variable for the location of the boundary surface in the container is determined based on the position of the multiple echo and the order of the multiple echo.
US09163967B2
An electromagnetic flow meter and method for monitoring the flow of a fluid is provided. In particular, the electromagnetic flow meter and method measure the axial velocity profile of a conducting fluid. The conducting fluid may be a conducting single phase fluid or a conducting continuous phase of a multiphase fluid. The conducting fluid may have a uniform flow profile or a non-uniform flow profile. The electromagnetic flow meter and method measure the axial velocity profile of a conducting fluid by dividing the flow cross section into multiple pixels and determining the axial velocity of the conducting fluid in each pixel. Having derived the axial velocity profile, the electromagnetic flow meter and method may further derive the volumetric flow rate of the conducting fluid. The electromagnetic flow meter and method may be suitable for measuring the axial velocity profile and optionally the volumetric flow rates of each phase of a multiphase fluid.
