US09431765B2
A decorative tree is disclosed, and includes a base, a vertical column supported by the base and including a plurality of interconnected hollow tubes, and a power connector assembly. The power connector assembly includes a first connector terminal and a second connector terminal. The first connector terminal includes a raised step including an annular wall with a discontinuity that defines a positioning groove, and a pair of electrical contacts exposed on the annular wall. The second connector terminal includes an annular recess configured to receive the raised step, an annular ring disposed within the annular recess, and a pair of conductive terminals extending from the annular ring. Each of the conductive terminals is configured for contact with a corresponding electrical contact of the pair of electrical contacts. A positioning key extends from the annular ring and is configured for insertion into the positioning groove.
US09431763B2
A method and apparatus for securing an electrical connection formed by a mating structure including prongs of a male assembly and receptacles of a female assembly are provided. In certain embodiments, the electrical connection can be secured by frictional engagement between the plug and receptacle housings. This can be accomplished by forcing a wedge into an interface between the housings or expanding a locking element, such as an elastomeric ring, into the interface. Such locking and releasing of the secure connection can be actuated using a locking nut.
US09431756B2
A waterproof connector is mateable with a mating connector along a mating direction. The waterproof connector comprises a first housing, a second housing and a primary sealing member. The second housing is movable relative to the first housing in a plane perpendicular to the mating direction. The primary sealing member has a first fixed portion, a second fixed portion and a middle portion. The first fixed portion is fixed to the first housing, and the second fixed portion is fixed to the second housing. The first fixed portion is connected to the second fixed portion via the middle portion with no break in a cross-section in parallel to the mating direction. The middle portion is looped with no break in a plane perpendicular to the mating direction.
US09431738B2
A connector of a microphone includes a cylindrical connector case 1 having openings at both ends and a projection 10 on an inner face thereof; two substrates 11 and 12 having shapes fittable to the inner face of the cylindrical connector case 1, the substrates 11 and 12 facing each other across the projection 10 in the cylindrical connector case 1; and a connector pin 2 extending through the substrates 11 and 12 in the cylindrical connector case 1, having a contact 21 that is electrically connected to electronic parts 16 mounted on the substrates 11 and 12, and having a caulked portion 23 fixed to one of the substrates 11 and 12 on an opposite side to the contact 21.
US09431737B2
In a fitting type connecting terminal having male and female terminals, each of which has a tin plating layer formed on an electrically conductive base material, a surface of a contact portion of one of the male and female terminals with the other thereof has a plurality of grooves or recessed portions which are spaced from each other in longitudinal directions, and the grooves or recessed portions are formed so as to satisfy d≦b, d≦a≦L and a+c≦L assuming that the width of each of the grooves or recessed portions is a (μm), the depth thereof being b (μm), the distance between two of the grooves or recessed portions adjacent to each other in the longitudinal directions being c (μm), the sliding distance producible between the male terminal and the female terminal in a state that the male terminal is fitted into and fixed to the female terminal being L (μm), and the maximum grain size of the oxide of abrasion powder producible due to sliding between the male terminal and the female terminal being d (μm).
US09431733B1
An electrical connector pin includes a first contact portion that includes a first arched flexure element, a second arched flexure element disposed in lateral opposition to the first arched flexure element, and a second contact portion. The second contact portion includes a third arched flexure element and a fourth arched flexure element disposed in lateral opposition to the third arched flexure element, the second contact portion disposed in tandem with the first contact portion.
US09431732B1
An electrical plug connector including a body having a cavity, an electrical connection portion on the body, a wire locking mechanism in the cavity, and a current transmitter electrically connecting the electrical connection portion and the wire locking mechanism. The body may include a cover pivotable from an open position to a closed position.
US09431731B2
A sensor includes a detection element; a plurality of terminal members, each of the terminal members including an elongated frame body portion extending along the axial direction, an element contact portion in elastic contact with an electrode terminal, and a folded portion connecting the frame body portion and the element contact portion; and a separator. The element contact portion of each of the terminal members has a turning portion which turns inward with respect to the width direction between the folded portion and a contact portion in contact with an electrode terminal. In those two of the terminal members which are adjacent to each other along the width direction, the distance along the width direction between the contact portions is smaller than the distance along the width direction between the frame body portions.
US09431729B2
A contact includes: a cable connection portion that is connected to a signal line in an exterior cable; a fixed portion that is extended toward a front edge of the contact from the cable connection portion, and fixed to an exterior connector cover; and a connector connection portion that is extended toward the front edge of the contact from the fixed portion, and connected to a conductor of an exterior connector.
US09431708B2
A compound loop antenna (CPL) is described that includes a capacitively fed magnetic loop and/or a capacitively fed electric field radiator. Embodiments include single-band CPL antennas and multi-band CPL antennas. The CPL antennas have been reduced in physical size by capacitively feeding the loop and/or radiator. The embodiments include at least one e-field radiation element that is capacitively coupled or not capacitively coupled, at least one magnetic loop element that is capacitively coupled. A continuation of the magnetic loop may be continued with either a wire or a connection to a second layer.
US09431693B2
Disclosed herein is a mobile terminal including a terminal body comprising a circuit board formed to process radio signals, a first and a second member configured to form an external appearance of the terminal and disposed to cover a lateral surface of the circuit board, a power feed connecting portion to allow the first member and the circuit board to be power feed connected, and a ground connecting portion to allow the first member and the circuit board to be ground connected. Accordingly, an electrical element and an antenna are disposed adjacent to each other, allowing the effective use of a space within the terminal.
US09431689B2
There is provided a lithium-air secondary cell having an air electrode, a negative electrode containing metal lithium or a lithium-containing material and a gel-form solid electrolyte, wherein the gel-form solid electrolyte contains a solid electrolyte salt, a solvent, and a specific lipid peptide-type gelator composed.
US09431686B2
A cell module comprises: a cell stack comprising multiple cells which are electrically connected to each other; a plate-shaped heat dissipating member arranged such that it extends along a direction in which the multiple cells are arranged, and such that it is thermally connected to the multiple cells ; and an intervening layer arranged between the cell stack and the heat dissipating member, and configured to allow heat to propagate from the cell stack to the heat dissipating member, and to suppress a relative displacement between the cell stack and the heat dissipating member.
US09431677B2
The invention relates to a BA diblock or BAB triblock copolymer, in which the A block is a non-substituted poly-oxyethylene chain having a mean molecular weight that is no higher than 100 kDa, and the B block is an anionic polymer which can be prepared using one or more monomers selected from among the vinyl monomers and derivatives thereof, said monomers being substituted with a (trifluoromethylsulfonyl)imide (TFSI) anion. The invention also relates to the uses of such a copolymer, in particular for preparing an electrolyte composition for lithium metal polymer (LMP) batteries.
US09431673B2
A cell unit of a fuel cell includes a first membrane electrode assembly, a first metal separator, a second membrane electrode assembly, and a second metal separator. A resin frame member is provided integrally with an outer circumference of the first membrane electrode assembly. An oxygen-containing gas supply passage, a fuel gas supply passage, a coolant supply passage, an oxygen-containing gas discharge passage, a fuel gas discharge passage, and a coolant discharge passage extend through the resin frame member in a stacking direction. At each of both ends of the resin frame member in a longitudinal direction, a pair of projections are provided. The projections protrude toward both sides in a lateral direction.
US09431668B2
A power generation system of the present invention comprises a fuel cell system (101), a gas supply device, a controller (102), a combustion device (103), an exhaust passage (70), a gas passage used to supply a gas supplied from the gas supply device to the exhaust passage (70), and a back-flow preventing device (20) placed in the gas passage or the exhaust passage (70), and the controller (102) executes an operation for relieving a state in which a valve element remains incapable of moving away from a valve seat in the back-flow preventing device (20) in such a manner that the gas supply device is operated so that a differential pressure between an upstream side and a downstream side of the back-flow preventing device (20) becomes a value equal to or greater than the predetermined time which can relieve the state in which valve element remains incapable of moving away from the valve seat, during a shut-down state or at start-up of the fuel cell system (101).
US09431662B2
Methods of preparing fuel cells and fuel cell electrodes having catalyst with high density catalyst support are provided. One method of fabricating a fuel cell electrode comprises adjusting the gravimetric ratio of ionomer to catalyst support based on the density of the support material to optimize ionomer performance.
US09431648B2
The invention relates to a method for filling a battery or accumulator foil bag with fluid and sealing said bag, comprising the steps: a) providing a flexible foil pouch in the interior of which the solid components (8; 31) of the battery and/or accumulator are accommodated, wherein the foil pouch is tightly sealed with the exception of a sealable opening (11, 12) accessible for fluid, b) situating the foil pouch in a gas-tight sealable chamber (21) and gas-tight sealing of the chamber, c) following step (b), applying a vacuum in the foil bag, d) connecting the fluid access port on the foil pouch to a fluid source reservoir (17) via a connecting tube (14; 29), forming a tight seal, e) following step (d), completely filling the pouch interior with fluid via the connecting tube and f) hermetically sealing the foil pouch by placing a seam (10; 36), wherein either (i) the seam is placed such that the fluid access port connected to the connecting tube is separated from the interior of the foil pouch and the connecting tube is subsequently removed from the fluid access port, or (ii) the seam extends through the connecting tube, and, g) separating the foil and/or connecting tube components (37) that are situated outside the seam.
US09431647B2
A high voltage battery for vehicles includes an electrode tab that is divided into a first part placed near a battery cell and a second part placed near a terminal. A pouch packages the battery cell therein. A housing is packaged in an interior of the pouch together with the battery cell and has an opening. A first part extension and a second part extension extend from the first part and the second part, respectively, that are inserted into the housing through the opening, and that come into contact with each other in the housing. A cushion is inserted in the housing and compresses the first part extension and the second part extension such that the first part extension and the second part extension come into close contact with each other.
US09431645B2
An electricity storage device includes a case, an electrode assembly housed in the case, and a positive electrode (negative electrode) terminal sending and receiving electricity to and from the electrode assembly. The positive electrode (negative electrode) terminal includes a cylindrical part having a part projecting outside the case. The outer peripheral surface of the cylindrical part has a male screw with which a nut for fastening the positive electrode (negative electrode) terminal to the case is threadedly engaged from the outside of the case. The inner peripheral surface of the cylindrical part has a female screw having a screw direction opposite the male screw.
US09431643B2
The present disclosure relates to a separator of a lithium-ion battery and a preparation method thereof, the separator comprises a substrate membrane and a coating provided on a surface of the substrate membrane, the coating comprises ceramic particles, an adhesive and a solid polymer wax which has a melting point of 85˜120° C., a molecular weight of 1,000˜25,000 and a particle size of 0.5˜10 μm. When the lithium-ion battery is heated due to overcharge and the like to make the interior temperature reach the melting point of the solid polymer wax, the solid polymer wax can be melt and enter among the ceramic particles and into the micropores of the substrate membrane by capillarity so as to function as electrical disconnection, which can effectively cut off the channel of the lithium ions and stop the overcharge, and ensure the safety performance of the lithium-ion battery under the situation of overcharge.
US09431642B2
A multi-layer, microporous polyolefin membrane having at least three layers, which comprises first microporous layers made of a polyethylene resin for constituting at least both surface layers, and at least one second microporous layer comprising a polyethylene resin and polypropylene and disposed between both surface layers, the heat of fusion (ΔHm) of the polypropylene measured by differential scanning calorimetry being 90 J/g or more, and the polypropylene content in the second microporous layer being 50% or less by mass based on 100% by mass of the total of the polyethylene resin and the polypropylene.
US09431634B2
In an organic light emitting display device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure, a light extraction reduction preventing layer is disposed between a display unit disposed on a substrate and an encapsulation layer for protecting the display unit, and as a result, light emission efficiency may be improved by reducing an amount of light dissipating while light generated from an emission layer of the display unit is extracted to the outside.
US09431630B2
According to the present disclosure, there is provided a package structure for a flexible organic light emitting diode (OLED) device, which may include: a flexible substrate, arranged to support the OLED device; a packaging layer, provided on the flexible substrate; the OLED device, provided on the packaging layer; and a waterproof and oxygenproof transparent thin film, covering the OLED device.
US09431615B2
An organic light-emitting device includes a first electrode; a second electrode facing the first electrode; and an emission layer between the first electrode and the second electrode, the emission layer including a dopant, a first host, and a second host. The dopant is a delayed fluorescence emitting material, and a triplet energy of the first host, EH1(T1) and a triplet energy of the second host, EH2(T1) are each equal to or greater than a triplet energy of the dopant, ED(T1). The triplet energy of the first host, EH1(T1) is in a range of about 2.6 eV to about 3.1 eV.
US09431599B2
A non-volatile logic device, comprising: a first input element magnetizable along a first direction to impart or change a chirality of a domain wall traversing the first input element a second input element configured to transport the domain wall, a magnetization of the second input element along a second direction representing a second logical input; a bifurcated output section comprising a pair of output elements for receiving the domain wall from the second input element, a magnetization of at least part of the output elements being changeable by propagation of the domain wall along the output elements; and a non-magnetic conductive element; wherein the magnetization in an output element after propagation of the domain wall represents a value of a logical function selectable by passing an electrical current through the non-magnetic conductive element to induce a magnetic field of a desired magnitude and direction in the second input element.
US09431598B2
A simple, economical sol-gel method was invented to produce thick and dense lead zirconate titanate (PZT) thin films that exhibit the stoichiometric chemical composition and unprecedented electrical and dielectric properties. The PZT films are the foundation of many microelectromechanical systems (MEMS) and nanoelectromechanical systems (NEMS) for micro/nano sensors and actuators applications.
US09431591B1
The present disclosure provides a light emitting diode package which includes a plurality of electrodes, an LED die, a reflecting cup, and a phosphor layer. The LED die are electrically connected with the electrodes. The LED die includes a top light emitting surface and a plurality of lateral sides extending downward from the top light emitting surface. The reflecting cup is formed on the electrodes and surrounds the LED die. The reflecting cup includes an inner surface. The inner surface contacts with bottom portion of the LED die. A cavity is defined between the inner surface and other portion except the bottom portion of the LED die. The phosphor layer covers and seals the LED die.
US09431588B2
Provided is an optical semiconductor device includes: a light-emitting layer having a first main surface, a second main surface opposed to the first main surface, a first electrode and a second electrode which are formed on the second main surface; a fluorescent layer provided on the first main surface; a light-transmissive layer provided on the fluorescent layer and made of a light-transmissive inorganic material; a first metal post provided on the first electrode; a second metal post provided on the second electrode; a sealing layer provided on the second main surface so as to seal in the first and second metal posts with one ends of the respective first and second metal posts exposed; a first metal layer provided on the exposed end of the first metal post; and a second metal layer provided on the exposed end of the second metal post.
US09431584B2
Light emitting systems are described. Particularly, light emitting systems and light converting components utilized within these systems are described. The light emitting system and components are formed such that dark-line defects do not interfere with the light emitting system efficiency.
US09431582B2
A slim LED package configured to handle large current, having a narrow width, an LED chip mounting area positioned centro-symmetrically within the package, mounting holes positioned equidistantly from the mounting area, wherein multiple packages may be arranged with alternating anode and cathode ends in such a manner that a high-power density radiometric flux line may be created. Some embodiments include current density management areas positioned on one more sides of the LED chip mounting area.
US09431581B2
A method according to embodiments of the invention includes providing a wafer of semiconductor light emitting devices, each semiconductor light emitting device including a light emitting layer sandwiched between an n-type region and a p-type region. A wafer of support substrates is provided, each support substrate including a body. The wafer of semiconductor light emitting devices is bonded to the wafer of support substrates. Vias are formed extending through the entire thickness of the body of each support substrate.
US09431575B2
The embodiment relates to a light-emitting device, a method of manufacturing the same, a light-emitting device package, and a lighting system. A light-emitting device according to the embodiment may include: a first conductive semiconductor layer; a gallium nitride-based superlattice layer on the first conductive semiconductor layer; an active layer on the gallium nitride-based superlattice layer; a second conductive gallium nitride-based layer on the active layer; and a second conductive semiconductor layer on the second conductive gallium nitride-based layer. The second conductive gallium nitride-based layer may include a second conductive GaN layer having a first concentration, a second conductive InxAlyGa(1-x-y)N (0
US09431573B2
Devices incorporating a single to a few-layer MoS2 channels in combination with optimized substrate, dielectric, contact and electrode materials and configurations thereof, exhibit light emission, photoelectric effect, and superconductivity, respectively.
US09431567B2
On the front side of an n-type semiconductor substrate, p-type regions are two-dimensionally arranged in an array. A high-concentration n-type region and a p-type region are disposed between the p-type regions adjacent each other. The high-concentration n-type region is formed by diffusing an n-type impurity from the front side of the substrate so as to surround the p-type region as seen from the front side. The p-type region is formed by diffusing a p-type impurity from the front side of the substrate so as to surround the p-type region and high-concentration n-type region as seen from the front side. Formed on the front side of the n-type semiconductor substrate are an electrode electrically connected to the p-type region and an electrode electrically connected to the high-concentration n-type region and the p-type region.
US09431565B2
An opto-electronic sensor may provide one or more layers of atomically layered photo-sensitive materials. The sensor may include a gate electrode layer, a dielectric layer in contact with the gate electrode layer, and a working media layer that is photo-sensitive deposited on the dielectric layer. The working media layer may provide one or more layers of one or more materials where each of the one or more layers is an atomic layer. The sensor may also include side electrodes in contact with the working media layer.
US09431563B2
A solar cell element includes a semiconductor substrate which includes a first semiconductor region positioned on a first main surface and a second semiconductor region in a surface layer portion of a second main surface, and an electrode in line shape disposed on the second main surface. The second semiconductor region includes a first concentration region being separated from the electrode by a predetermined distance in plan view, and a second concentration region including a high concentration region where a dopant concentration is higher than that in the first concentration region and exists along a longitudinal direction of the electrode.
US09431561B1
A wind load resistant, tracking photovoltaic solar array system may include a pivot support; at least one solar cell coupled to the pivot support; and a pivot arm coupled to the solar cell for providing transverse movement of the solar cell relative to a longitudinal axis of the pivot support. A transverse drive motor may be coupled to the pivot arm for rotating the pivot arm in response to control signals. A tube for housing the solar cell, pivot arm, and the transverse drive motor may also be included. A support structure may be coupled to the tube and for mounting the tube against another structure, such as a building rooftop. A longitudinal axis drive motor may be coupled to the tube and the support structure. The longitudinal axis drive motor may rotate the tube around a geometrical longitudinal axis of the tube in response to control signals.
US09431558B2
A CIGS type compound solar cell excellent in both productivity and conversion efficiency is provided. The CIGS type solar cell includes a CIGS light absorbing layer, a buffer layer and a transparent electrode layer provided in this order on a substrate. The buffer layer is made of a mixed crystal compound containing ZnO, MgO and ZnS being present at specific ranges respectively.
US09431557B2
The present invention relates to a UV photodetector having a high sensitivity and a low dark current. The object of the present invention is to specify a UV photodetector that has a high sensitivity and a low dark current. According to the invention, the fingers of the first electrode structure and the fingers of the second electrode structure have a cover layer made of a second semiconducting material, wherein the cover layer is arranged on the absorber layer and directly contacts the absorber layer in the region of the fingers, and the first semiconducting material and the second semiconducting material are designed in such a manner that a two-dimensional electron gas (2DEG) is formed at the boundary layer between the absorber layer and the cover layer in the region of the fingers.
US09431555B2
A solar cell is provided with: an n-type region formed over a substrate; a p-type region formed over the substrate and the n-type region; and mark sets for judging positional deviation between the n-type region and the p-type region. The mark sets respectively include first marks, and second marks, which are formed within the first marks.
US09431551B2
A circuit arrangement may be provided. The circuit arrangement may include a semiconductor substrate including a first surface, a second surface opposite the first surface, and a first doped region of a first conductivity type extending from the first surface into the semiconductor substrate. The circuit arrangement may include at least one capacitor including a first electrode including a doped region of the first conductivity type extending from the second surface into the semiconductor substrate, a dielectric layer formed over the first electrode extending from the second surface away from the semiconductor substrate, and a second electrode formed over the dielectric layer opposite the first electrode. The circuit arrangement may further include at least one semiconductor device monolithically integrated in the semiconductor substrate. The first doped region of the first conductivity type may extend from the first surface into the semiconductor substrate to form an electrically conductive connection with the first electrode.
US09431550B2
Embodiments of the present invention include a method of manufacturing a trench transistor. The method includes forming a substrate of a first conductivity type and implanting a dopant of a second conductivity type, forming a body region of the substrate. The method further includes forming a trench in the body region and depositing an insulating layer in the trench and over the body region wherein the insulating layer lines the trench. The method further includes filling the trench with polysilicon forming a top surface of the trench and forming a diode in the body region wherein a portion of the diode is lower than the top surface of the trench.
US09431546B2
A transistor includes a gate, a source, and a drain, the gate is electrically connected to the source or the drain, a first signal is input to one of the source and the drain, and an oxide semiconductor layer whose carrier concentration is 5×1014/cm3 or less is used for a channel formation layer. A capacitor includes a first electrode and a second electrode, the first electrode is electrically connected to the other of the source and the drain of the transistor, and a second signal which is a clock signal is input to the second electrode. A voltage of the first signal is stepped up or down to obtain a third signal which is output as an output signal through the other of the source and the drain of the transistor.
US09431540B2
A method for making a semiconductor device includes forming laterally spaced-apart semiconductor fins above a substrate. At least one dielectric layer is formed adjacent an end portion of the semiconductor fins and within the space between adjacent semiconductor fins. A pair of sidewall spacers is formed adjacent outermost semiconductor fins at the end portion of the semiconductor fins. The at least one dielectric layer and end portion of the semiconductor fins between the pair of sidewall spacers are removed. Source/drain regions are formed between the pair of sidewall spacers.
US09431538B2
Method of making at least one transistor strained channel semiconducting structure, comprising steps to form a sacrificial gate block and insulating spacers arranged in contact with the lateral faces of the sacrificial gate block, form sacrificial regions in contact with the lateral faces of said semiconducting zone, said sacrificial regions being configured so as to apply a strain on said semiconducting zone, remove said sacrificial gate block between said insulating spacers, replace said sacrificial gate block by a replacement gate block between said insulating spacers, remove said sacrificial regions, and replace said sacrificial regions by replacement regions in contact with the lateral faces of said semiconducting zone, on a semiconducting zone that will form a transistor channel region.
US09431533B2
An integrated circuit containing an NMOS transistor with a boron-doped halo is formed by co-implanting carbon in at least three angled doses with the boron halo implants. The carbon is co-implanted at tilt angles within 5 degrees of the boron halo implant tilt angle. An implant energy of at least one of the angled carbon co-implant is greater than the implant energy of the boron halo implant. A total carbon dose of the angled carbon co-implants is at least 5 times a total boron dose of the boron halo implants. The NMOS transistor has a carbon concentration in the halo regions which is at least 5 times greater than the boron concentration in the halo regions. The co-implanted carbon extends under the gate of the NMOS transistor.
US09431531B2
A semiconductor device configured to provide high heat dissipation and improve breakdown voltage comprises a substrate, a buried oxide layer over the substrate, a buried n+ region in the substrate below the buried oxide layer, and an epitaxial layer over the buried oxide layer. The epitaxial layer comprises a p-well, an n-well, and a drift region between the p-well and the n-well. The semiconductor device also comprises a source contact, a first electrode electrically connecting the source contact to the p-well, and a gate over a portion of the p-well and a portion of the drift region. The semiconductor device further comprises a drain contact, and a second electrode extending from the drain contact through the n-well and through the buried oxide layer to the buried n+ region. The second electrode electrically connects the drain contact to the n-well and to the buried n+ region.
US09431508B2
When forming field effect transistors according to the gate-first HKMG approach, the cap layer formed on top of the gate electrode had to be removed before the silicidation step, resulting in formation of a metal silicide layer on the surface of the gate electrode and of the source and drain regions of the transistor. The present disclosure improves the manufacturing flow by skipping the gate cap removal process. Metal silicide is only formed on the source and drain regions. The gate electrode is then contacted by forming an aperture through the gate material, leaving the surface of the gate metal layer exposed.
US09431499B2
A method of manufacturing a semiconductor device includes providing a heterostructure body with a first doped region, a second doped region spaced apart from the first doped region and a two-dimensional charge carrier gas channel between the first and second doped regions, and forming a gate structure on the heterostructure body for controlling the channel, the gate structure comprising a piezoelectric material and an electrical conductor in contact with the piezoelectric material.
US09431496B2
A transistor includes: a source region and a drain region that are formed in a substrate to be spaced apart from each other; a trench formed in the substrate between the source region and the drain region; and a buried gate electrode inside the trench, wherein the buried gate electrode includes: a lower buried portion which includes a high work-function barrier layer including an aluminum-containing titanium nitride, and a first low-resistivity layer disposed over the high work-function barrier layer; and an upper buried portion which includes a low work-function barrier layer disposed over the lower buried portion and overlapping with the source region and the drain region, and a second low-resistivity layer disposed over the low work-function barrier layer.
US09431484B2
A transistor is disclosed that includes a semiconductor body having a first horizontal surface. A drift region is arranged in the semiconductor body. A plurality of gate electrodes is arranged in trenches of the semiconductor body. The trenches have a longitudinal direction and extending parallel relative to each other. The longitudinal direction of the trenches extends in a first lateral direction of the semiconductor body. The body regions and the source regions are arranged between the trenches. The body regions are arranged between the drift region and the source regions in a vertical direction of the semiconductor body. In the first horizontal surface, the source regions and the body regions are arranged alternately in the first lateral direction. A source electrode is electrically connected to the source regions and the body regions in the first horizontal surface.
US09431477B2
A method of depositing a high quality low defect single crystalline Group III-Nitride film. A patterned substrate having a plurality of features with inclined sidewalls separated by spaces is provided. A Group III-Nitride film is deposited by a hydride vapor phase epitaxy (HVPE) process over the patterned substrate. The HVPE deposition process forms a Group III-Nitride film having a first crystal orientation in the spaces between features and a second different crystal orientation on the inclined sidewalls. The first crystal orientation in the spaces subsequently overgrows the second crystal orientation on the sidewalls and in the process turns over and terminates treading dislocations formed in the first crystal orientation.
US09431476B2
A semiconductor device includes a first capacitor structure, a second capacitor structure, and an insulation pattern. The first capacitor structure includes a first lower electrode, a first dielectric layer and a first upper electrode sequentially stacked on a substrate. The second capacitor structure includes a second lower electrode, a second dielectric layer and a second upper electrode sequentially stacked on the substrate, and is adjacent to the first capacitor structure. The insulation pattern partially fills a space between the first and second capacitor structures, and an air gap is formed between the first and second capacitor structures on the insulation pattern.
US09431471B2
A display panel includes a base substrate including a display area and a peripheral area, a pixel at the display area of the base substrate, a signal line coupled to the pixel and configured to apply a signal to the pixel, and a pad part including a plurality of pads at the peripheral area. The pad part being electrically coupled to the signal line, and the plurality of pads includes at least two pads having widths different from each other.
US09431461B2
A resistance variable memory device including a vertical transistor includes an active pillar including a channel region, a source formed in one end of the channel region, and a lightly doped drain (LDD) region and a drain formed in the other end of the channel region, a first gate electrode formed to surround a periphery of the LDD region and having a first work function, and a second gate electrode formed to be connected to the first gate electrode and to surround the channel region and having a second work function that is higher than the first work function.
US09431454B1
An imaging device includes a light source which irradiates an infrared light including one or more wavelength to a subject; a lens which forms an image of the infrared light transmitting the subject or being reflected from the subject; an infrared detection device including a plurality of pixels which are sensitive to the wavelength; and a filter array which is provided in proximity to the infrared detection device between the lens and the infrared detection device and including a plurality of wavelength filters having different transmission wavelengths.
US09431452B1
An image sensor includes a photodiode proximate to a front side of semiconductor material to accumulate image charge. A metal layer reflector structure is disposed in a dielectric layer proximate to the front side of the semiconductor material. A contact reflecting ring structure is disposed in the dielectric layer between the metal layer reflector structure and a contact etch stop layer disposed over the front side of the semiconductor material. The contact reflecting ring structure defines a portion of a light guide in the dielectric layer such that light that is directed through a back side of the semiconductor material, through the photodiode, and reflected from the metal layer reflector structure back through the photodiode is confined to remain within an interior of the contact reflecting ring structure when passing through the dielectric layer between the photodiode and the metal layer reflector structure.
US09431447B2
Various aspects of the present disclosure provide a semiconductor device, for example comprising a finger print sensor, and a method for manufacturing thereof. Various aspects of the present disclosure may, for example, provide an ultra-slim finger print sensor having a thickness of 500 μm or less that does not include a separate printed circuit board (PCB), and a method for manufacturing thereof.
US09431446B2
Embodiments of mechanisms for forming an image sensor device are provided. The image sensor device includes a semiconductor substrate and an isolation structure in the semiconductor substrate. The image sensor device also includes an active region in the semiconductor substrate and surrounded by the isolation structure. The active region includes a light sensing region and a doped region, and the doped region has a horizontal length and a vertical length. A ratio of the horizontal length to the vertical length is in a range from about 1 to about 4.
US09431441B1
A back side illumination image sensor pixel structure includes a substrate having a front side and a back side opposite to the front side, a sensing device formed in the substrate to receive an incident light through the back side of the substrate, two oxide-semiconductor field effect transistor (OS FET) devices formed on the front side of the substrate, and a capacitor formed on the front side of the substrate. The two OS FET devices are directly stacked on the sensing device and the capacitor is directly stacked on the OS FET devices. The two OS FET devices overlap the sensing device, and the capacitor overlaps both of the OS FET devices and the sensing device.
US09431438B2
A display device according to an embodiment includes a plurality of driving blocks including a plurality of gate lines and a gate shorting structure spaced apart from the gate lines by an amount equal to a trimming region; an equipotential line extending from one of the driving blocks to an adjacent driving block, part of which is removed by the amount equal to the trimming region; a gate dummy line extending from at least one of the driving blocks; a plurality of data lines intersecting the gate lines; and an active layer disposed between the gate dummy line and the data lines, wherein some part of the active layer that overlaps the gate dummy line but does not overlap the data lines is removed.
US09431432B2
The embodiments of the present invention disclose an array substrate, a method for manufacturing the same, and a display device. With the solutions of the embodiments, aperture rate is increased, and gate signal delay caused by increased connection resistance of gate line is alleviated. The array substrate of the present invention includes a thin film transistor; a substrate; a common electrode provided on the substrate; a gate line comprising a plurality of separate segments arranged to be spaced apart from each other and connected with each other through a bridge; and a common electrode line provided to be spaced apart from the gate line, the gate line and the common electrode line being in the same layer, wherein the common electrode line comprises a connection segment extending through a gap between separate segments to electrically connect with the common electrode directly.
US09431430B2
A semiconductor device having high electric characteristics and in which a capacitor is efficiently formed even if the semiconductor device has a miniaturized structure. In a top-gate (also referred to as staggered) transistor using an oxide semiconductor film as its active layer, a source electrode and a drain electrode has a two-layer structure (a first electrode film and a second electrode film). Then, a capacitor is formed using a film formed using a material and a step similar to those of the first electrode film, a gate insulating film, and a gate electrode. Accordingly, the transistor and the capacitor can be formed through the same process efficiently. Further, the second electrode is connected onto the oxide semiconductor film between a first electrode and a channel formation region of the transistor. Accordingly, resistance between source and drain electrodes can be reduced; therefore, electric characteristics of the semiconductor device can be improved.
US09431429B2
An object is to provide a semiconductor device using an oxide semiconductor having stable electric characteristics and high reliability. A transistor including the oxide semiconductor film in which a top surface portion of the oxide semiconductor film is provided with a metal oxide film containing a constituent similar to that of the oxide semiconductor film and functioning as a channel protective film is provided. In addition, the oxide semiconductor film used for an active layer of the transistor is an oxide semiconductor film highly purified to be electrically i-type (intrinsic) by heat treatment in which impurities such as hydrogen, moisture, a hydroxyl group, or a hydride are removed from the oxide semiconductor and oxygen which is a major constituent of the oxide semiconductor and is reduced concurrently with a step of removing impurities is supplied.
US09431419B2
According to one embodiment, a first layer; a stacked body provided above the first layer and including a plurality of electrode layers separately stacked each other; a second layer provided between the first layer and the stacked body; an intermediate layer provided between the first layer and the second layer; a semiconductor body provided in the stacked body, the second layer, the intermediate layer and the first layer, the semiconductor body extending in a stacking direction of the stacked body; and a charge storage film provided between the semiconductor body and the plurality of electrode layers. The semiconductor body includes a side surface connected with the intermediate layer in the vicinity of a boundary between the first layer and the second layer. At least one of the first layer and the second layer has conductivity and is connected with the intermediate layer.
US09431414B2
Nonvolatile memory devices include at least four cylindrical-shaped channel regions, which extend vertically from portions of a substrate located at respective vertices of at least one rhomboid when viewed in a vertical direction relative to a surface of the substrate. A charge storage layer (e.g., ONO layer) is provided on an outer sidewall of each of the cylindrical-shaped channel regions. In addition, to achieve a high degree of integration, a plurality of vertically-stacked gate electrodes are provided, which extend adjacent each of the cylindrical-shaped channel regions.
US09431413B2
The present disclosure relates to a structure and method for reducing contact over-etching and high contact resistance (Rc) on an embedded flash memory HKMG integrated circuit. In one embodiment, an STI region underlying a memory contact pad region is recessed to make the STI surface substantially co-planar with the rest of the semiconductor substrate. The recess allows formation of thicker memory contact pad structures. The thicker polysilicon on these contact pad structures prevents contact over-etching and thus reduces the Rc of contacts formed thereon.
US09431408B2
Methods for fabricating integrated circuits are disclosed. In an exemplary embodiment, a method for fabricating an integrated circuit includes forming a silicon material layer over a semiconductor substrate. The method further includes forming a capping layer over the silicon material layer and over the memory gate stack, removing the capping layer from over the memory array region and the high-voltage MOSFET region, forming a second silicon material layer over the capping layer and over the first silicon material layer, and removing the second silicon material layer. The method further includes removing the capping layer from over the first silicon material layer in the logic device region and removing the first and second silicon material layers from the high-voltage MOSFET region. Still further, the method includes forming a photoresist material layer over the memory array region and the logic device region and exposing the semiconductor substrate to an ion implantation process.
US09431403B2
A semiconductor device provided with a capacitor that includes a plurality of cylindrical or columnar storage electrodes provided periodically on a semiconductor substrate, capacitor insulation films that cover the wall surfaces of the storage electrodes, and first conductive films provided on the capacitor insulation film and facing the storage electrodes, wherein the first conductive films of the capacitors adjacent in a first direction in which the storage electrodes are arranged are in contact with each other, and the first conductive films of capacitors adjacent in remaining other directions in which the storage electrodes are arranged are separated from each other.
US09431395B2
Semiconductor-oxide-containing gate dielectrics can be formed on surfaces of semiconductor fins prior to formation of a disposable gate structure. A high dielectric constant (high-k) dielectric spacer can be formed to protect each semiconductor-oxide-containing gate dielectric. Formation of the high-k dielectric spacers may be performed after formation of gate cavities by removal of disposable gate structures, or prior to formation of disposable gate structures. The high-k dielectric spacers can be used as protective layers during an anisotropic etch that vertically extends the gate cavity, and can be removed after vertical extension of the gate cavities. A subset of the semiconductor-oxide-containing gate dielectrics can be removed for formation of high-k gate dielectrics for first type devices, while another subset of the semiconductor-oxide-containing gate dielectrics can be employed as gate dielectrics for second type devices. The vertical extension of the gate cavities increases channel widths in the fin field effect transistors.
US09431389B2
An ESD transistor and an ESD protection circuit thereof are provided. An ESD transistor includes a collector region disposed on a surface of a substrate, a sink region disposed vertically below the collector region, and a buried layer protruding horizontally further than the sink region under the sink region.
US09431383B2
An integrated circuit (IC) may include at least one cell including a plurality of conductive lines that extend in a first direction and are in parallel to each other in a second direction that is perpendicular to the first direction, first contacts respectively disposed at two sides of at least one conductive line from among the plurality of conductive lines, and a second contact disposed on the at least one conductive line and the first contacts and forming a single node by being electrically connected to the at least one conductive line and the first contacts.
US09431378B2
A light-emitting diode includes a carrier including a metallic basic body having an outer face including a mounting face; and at least two light-emitting diode chips affixed to the carrier at least indirectly at the mounting face, wherein the at least two light-emitting diode chips are embedded in a reflective coating covering the mounting face and side faces of the at least two light-emitting diode chips, the at least two light-emitting diode chips have radiation exit surfaces facing away from the carrier, and the at least two light-emitting diode chips protrude with radiation exit surfaces out of the reflective coating, or the reflective coating terminates flush with the radiation exit surfaces of the at least two light-emitting diode chips.
US09431377B2
Disclosed are a light emitting device and a method of fabricating the same. The light emitting device comprises a substrate. A plurality of light emitting cells are disposed on top of the substrate to be spaced apart from one another. Each of the light emitting cells comprises a first upper semiconductor layer, an active layer, and a second lower semiconductor layer. Reflective metal layers are positioned between the substrate and the light emitting cells. The reflective metal layers are prevented from being exposed to the outside.
US09431375B2
Example packaging of microelectronics and example methods of manufacturing the same are provided herein. The packaging can enable and/or improve the use of the microelectronics in a downhole, high temperature and/or high pressure setting. The microelectronics packaging can include double-sided active components, heat sinks, and/or three-dimensional stacking of dies.
US09431362B2
A semiconductor module includes a first semiconductor chip including a first signal line and a first ground, a mounting board or a second semiconductor chip including a second signal line and a second ground, a signal line coupling bump that couples the first signal line and the second signal line with each other, a first ground coupling bump that couples the first ground and the second ground with each other, a signal line side insulating film including a capacitance that causes a series resonance with an inductance by the signal line coupling bump at a target frequency and a ground side insulating film including a capacitance that causes a series resonance with an inductance by the first ground coupling bump at a target frequency.
US09431355B2
Various embodiments provide semiconductor structures and methods for forming the same. In an exemplary structure, a substrate has a device region, a seal ring region surrounding the device region, and a dielectric layer disposed thereon. A first seal ring structure is located within the dielectric layer on the seal ring region, and includes a plurality of first connection layers overlappingly disposed and separated by the dielectric layer. At least one first connection layer is formed by a plurality of discrete sub-connection layers. The first seal ring structure further includes a plurality of first conductive plugs between vertically adjacent first connection layers. A top of each first conductive plug is connected to an upper first connection layer. A bottom of each first conductive plug between at least two vertically adjacent first connection layers extends into the dielectric layer between horizontally adjacent sub-connection layers of a lower first connection layer.
US09431349B2
A method and apparatus for including human readable text in a semiconductor design which is both machine readable for printing on a wafer and human readable from the wafer are disclosed that are design rule clean depending on the layer to be printed. Embodiments include receiving a semiconductor design including a layer marker, the layer marker including human readable text; transforming the human readable text to a binary representation; transforming the binary representation to a machine readable two-dimensional barcode; and printing the two-dimensional barcode on a semiconductor wafer.
US09431345B2
According to one embodiment, a semiconductor device includes a metal interconnect and a graphene interconnect which are stacked to one another.
US09431343B1
A microelectronic device includes a dual-damascene interconnect structure and a single-damascene line structure directly on the dual-damascene interconnect structure. The dual-damascene interconnect structure and the single-damascene line structure may each include multiple line segments that are arranged in a brick wall pattern. The brick wall pattern may also be used with two or more single-damascene line structures. Various microelectronic devices and related fabrication methods are described.
US09431339B2
The present disclosure generally relates to a wiring structure for a fuse component and corresponding methods of fabrication. A wiring structure for a fuse component according to the present disclosure can include: a first electrical terminal embedded within a doped conductive layer, the doped conductive layer being positioned between two insulator layers of an integrated circuit (IC) structure; a dielectric liner positioned between the first electrical terminal and the doped conductive layer; a second electrical terminal embedded within the doped conductive layer; wherein each of the first electrical terminal and the second electrical terminal are further embedded in one of the two insulator layers, and the dielectric liner is configured to degrade upon becoming electrically charged.
US09431331B2
A semiconductor device has a plurality of bumps formed over a carrier. A semiconductor die is mounted to the carrier between the bumps. A penetrable film encapsulant layer having a base layer, first adhesive layer, and second adhesive layer is placed over the semiconductor die and bumps. The penetrable film encapsulant layer is pressed over the semiconductor die and bumps to embed the semiconductor die and bumps within the first and second adhesive layers. The first adhesive layer and second adhesive layer are separated to remove the base layer and first adhesive layer and leave the second adhesive layer around the semiconductor die and bumps. The bumps are exposed from the second adhesive layer. The carrier is removed. An interconnect structure is formed over the semiconductor die and second adhesive layer. A conductive layer is formed over the second adhesive layer electrically connected to the bumps.
US09431329B2
A module (1) includes a first functional device (2) and a second functional device (3). The first functional device (2) includes a base electrode, an emitter electrode and a collector electrode. The second functional device (3) includes at least one electrode. The module (1) further includes a conductive frame (4). One of the base electrode, the emitter electrode, and the collector electrode of the first functional device (2) is directly connected to the frame (4). The electrode of the second functional device (3) is also directly connected to the frame (4). The frame (4) includes a portion serving as a terminal for external connection.
US09431325B2
A semiconductor packaging method is provided. The method includes providing a semiconductor substrate. The semiconductor substrate has a first surface and a second surface, and an electroplating seed layer on the first surface of the semiconductor substrate. The method also includes forming a plurality of columnar electrodes over the electroplating seed layer, where the columnar electrodes include first columnar electrodes and second columnar electrodes. Further, the method includes forming a diffusion barrier layer over the first columnar electrodes and the second columnar electrodes, forming a plurality of first solder balls over the diffusion barrier layer on the first columnar electrodes. The method also includes providing a packaging substrate having solder terminals corresponding to the first solder balls, and mounting the semiconductor substrate onto the packaging substrate in a flipped position, such that the first solder balls are connected with the solder terminals.
US09431311B1
A semiconductor package includes: a die coupled to a substrate; a housing coupled to the substrate and at least partially enclosing the die within a cavity of the housing, and; a pin fixedly coupled to the housing and electrically coupled with the die. The pin includes a reversibly elastically deformable lower portion, which in implementations includes a spring, configured to compress to prevent a lower end of the pin from lowering beyond a predetermined point relative to the substrate when the housing is lowered to be coupled to the substrate. The pin is fixedly coupled in a top of the housing and is configured to be coupled with the substrate by lowering the housing towards the substrate. In implementations the pin includes two rigid portions coupled together only with a coil spring, the spring biasing the rigid portions away from one another when the housing is lowered towards the substrate.
US09431310B2
A simulation method includes acquiring processing conditions for performing an etching process using plasma on a surface of a wafer covered by a mask having a predetermined mask thickness and aperture ratio, calculating, based on the conditions, a flux amount of a reaction product that enters the surface, calculating, based on mask information including the thickness and the aperture ratio and the flux amount, an etching rate of the wafer, calculating, based on the conditions and the etching rate, a dissociation fraction of the product, calculating, based on the information and the etching rate, a solid angle at a predetermined evaluation point set on the surface, the solid angle corresponding to a view area in which plasma space can be seen from the evaluation point, and calculating, based on the etching rate, the dissociation fraction, the solid angle, and the aperture ratio, a control index for evaluating a surface shape.
US09431307B2
Provided is a semiconductor wafer evaluation method of performing an evaluation of electrical characteristics of a semiconductor wafer by bringing mercury into contact with a surface of the semiconductor wafer, the method including using a probe constituted of a fixed electrode having a tip end portion and a transparent covering portion that covers a portion other than the tip end portion of the fixed electrode, the fixed electrode being made of a metal having stronger wettability with respect to the mercury than the semiconductor wafer and the covering portion, and measuring the electrical characteristics by attaching the mercury to the tip end portion of the fixed electrode and then bringing the mercury into contact with the surface of the semiconductor wafer.
US09431304B2
A semiconductor device having metal gates and methods of forming the same are disclosed. The method includes receiving a substrate, a dummy gate stack formed over the substrate, and a structure surrounding the dummy gate stack. The method further includes removing the dummy gate stack, resulting in a trench in the structure. The method further includes forming a gate dielectric layer in the trench; forming a barrier layer over the gate dielectric layer; forming an oxide layer over the barrier layer; and forming a work function metal layer over the oxide layer. In embodiments, the method further includes removing the work function metal layer by an etchant containing phosphoric acid, wherein the oxide layer prevents the etchant from etching the barrier layer.
US09431303B2
Contact liners for integrated circuits and fabrication methods thereof are presented. The methods include: fabricating an integrated circuit structure having a first transistor having at least one of a p-type source region or a p-type drain region and a second transistor having at least one of an n-type source region or an n-type drain region, and the fabricating including: forming a contact liner at least partially over both the first transistor and the second transistor, the contact liner including a first contact liner material and a second contact liner material, wherein the first contact liner material is selected to facilitate electrical connection to the at least one p-type source region or p-type drain region of the first transistor, and the second contact liner material is selected to facilitate electrical connection to the at least one n-type source region or n-type drain region of the second transistor.
US09431302B2
Impurity atoms of a first type are implanted through a gate and a thin gate dielectric into a channel region that has substantially only the first type of impurity atoms at a middle point of the channel region to increase the average dopant concentration of the first type of impurity atoms in the channel region to adjust the threshold voltage of a transistor.
US09431298B2
An integrated circuit, a method for making an integrated circuit product, and methods for customizing an integrated circuit are disclosed. Integrated circuit elements including programmable elements, such as fuses, PROMs, RRAMs, MRAMs, or the like, are formed on the frontside of a substrate. Vias are formed through the substrate from its frontside to its backside to establish conduction paths to at least some of the programmable elements from the backside. A programming stimulus is applied to at least some of the vias from the backside to program at least some of the frontside programmable elements.
US09431296B2
A contact structure with improved contact resistance and reliability is provided by forming an inner spacer between a contact liner and dielectric layers laterally surrounding the contact structure. The inner spacer severs as a barrier to prevent diffusion of metals from the contact liner into the dielectric layers.
US09431295B2
An interconnect structure is provided that may include at least one cured permanent patterned dielectric material located on a surface of a substrate. The at least one cured permanent patterned dielectric material is a cured product of a patterned photoresist that includes a dielectric enabling element therein. The structure further includes at least one conductively filled region embedded within the at least one cured permanent patterned dielectric material.
US09431289B2
Oxygen scavenging material embedded in an isolation structure provides improved protection of high dielectric constant (Hi-K) materials from oxygen contamination while avoiding alteration of work function and switching threshold shift in transistors including such Hi-K materials.
US09431288B2
Disclosed herein is a method for forming a test key system for characterizing wafer processing states, the method comprising forming a plurality of shallow trench isolation structures (STIs) on a substrate of a wafer and in a scribe line of the wafer and forming a test key on the substrate of a wafer and in the scribe line of the wafer. Forming the test key comprises forming at least one test key group having a plurality of test key series, each of the plurality of test key series having a plurality of test pads, each one of the plurality of test key series having a first physical characteristic different from the first physical characteristic of other test key series the at least one first test key group.
US09431283B2
A system and method manipulate micro objects. A field generator is configured to generate a force field varying in both space and time to manipulate the micro objects on a substrate. The substrate is not permanently affixed to the field generator and allows the force field to pass through the substrate.
US09431282B2
A BOLTS compatible module includes a support mechanism for gripping a wafer. The support mechanism is coupled to a rotary mechanism for rotating the support mechanism with a wafer grip therein. The rotary mechanism is coupled to the module and capable of at least 180° of rotation.
US09431281B2
The present invention provides a temperature control method for a substrate heat treatment apparatus that achieves high throughput while securing stability in rapid heating where a large-diameter silicon carbide (SiC) substrate having impurity ions implanted thereinto is subjected to an activation annealing treatment.A temperature control method for a substrate heat treatment apparatus (1) that includes a heating element includes: increasing the treatment temperature; continuing the temperature increase by reducing the value of power in a stepwise manner after the treatment temperature reaches a preset temperature (T1) before reaching the annealing temperature, the power being applied to heat the heating element; and maintaining the treatment temperature at a fixed value until an annealing treatment is completed after the treatment temperature reaches the annealing temperature (TA).
US09431277B2
A substrate treatment method for treating a substrate including a first silicon nitride film provided on a front surface thereof and a silicon oxide film provided on the first silicon nitride film to remove the first silicon nitride film and the silicon oxide film from the substrate includes: a first phosphoric acid treatment step of supplying a phosphoric acid aqueous solution having a predetermined first concentration to the substrate held by a substrate holding unit to treat the substrate with the first concentration phosphoric acid aqueous solution for the removal of the first silicon nitride film; and a second phosphoric acid treatment step of supplying a phosphoric acid aqueous solution having a second concentration lower than the first concentration to the substrate to treat the substrate with the second concentration phosphoric acid aqueous solution for the removal of the silicon oxide film after the first phosphoric acid treatment step.
US09431264B2
Methods of forming integrated circuits and multiple CD SADP processes are provided that include providing a patternable structure including a first hard mask layer and a first patternable layer underlying the first hard mask layer. Mandrels are provided over the first hard mask layer. Sidewall spacers are formed adjacent sidewalls of the mandrels. The mandrels are removed, with the sidewall spacers remaining and defining gaps therebetween. The first hard mask layer is etched through the gaps to form a first patterned hard mask feature and a second patterned hard mask feature. A critical dimension of the first patterned hard mask feature is selectively modified to form a biased hard mask feature. A space is defined between sidewalls of the biased hard mask feature and the second patterned hard mask feature. The first patternable layer is etched through exposed material in the space.
US09431255B2
A method for etching a gate includes forming a high-k material layer over a substrate; forming an overlying layer over the high-k material layer; performing a first etching process for etching the overlying layer to form an overlying layer pattern; forming a spacer on a sidewall of the overlying layer pattern; and performing a second etching process using plasma including a etch gas and an additive gas, to etch the high-k material layer, wherein an amount of the additive gas is substantially the same as the main etch gas to increase an etch selectivity with respect to the substrate.
US09431253B1
An integrated circuit contains a flash cell in which the top gate of the sense transistor is a metal sense gate over the floating gate. The source/drain regions of the sense transistor extend under the floating gate so that the source region is separated from the drain region by a sense channel length less than 200 nanometers. The floating gate is at least 400 nanometers wide, so the source/drain regions of the sense transistor extend under the floating gate at least 100 nanometers on each side. The integrated circuit is formed by forming the sense transistor source and drain regions before forming the floating gate.
US09431251B2
A method of forming a semiconductor device includes patterning a first mask over a substrate defining a first opening. The substrate includes a first dopant type. The method includes implanting ions having a second dopant type through the first opening to form a first deep well. The method includes patterning a second mask over the substrate defining a second opening. The method includes implanting ions having the second dopant type through the second opening to form a second deep well, wherein an energy for implanting ions to form the second deep well is lower than an energy for implanting ions to form the first deep well. The method includes implanting ions having the first dopant type into the substrate to form a first well, wherein the energy for implanting ions to form the second deep well is greater than an energy for implanting ions to form the first well.
US09431248B2
An integrated circuit containing an analog MOS transistor may be formed by implanting drain extensions with exactly four sub-implants wherein at least one sub-implant implants dopants in a substrate of the integrated circuit at a source/drain gate edge of the analog MOS transistor at a twist angle having a magnitude of 5 degrees to 40 degrees with respect to the source/drain gate edge of the analog MOS transistor, for each source/drain gate edge of the analog MOS transistor, wherein a zero twist angle sub-implant is perpendicular to the source/drain gate edge. No more than two sub-implants put the dopants in the substrate at any source/drain gate edge of the analog MOS transistor. All four sub-implants are performed at a same tilt angle. No halo implants are performed on the analog MOS transistor.
US09431244B2
This disclosure provides methods and apparatuses for annealing an oxide semiconductor in a thin film transistor (TFT). In one aspect, the method includes providing a substrate with a partially fabricated TFT structure formed on the substrate. The partially fabricated TFT structure can include an oxide semiconductor layer and a dielectric oxide layer on the oxide semiconductor layer. The oxide semiconductor layer is annealed by heating the dielectric oxide layer with an infrared laser under ambient conditions to a temperature below the melting temperature of the oxide semiconductor layer. The infrared laser radiation can be substantially absorbed by the dielectric oxide layer and can remove unwanted defects from the oxide semiconductor layer at an interface in contact with the dielectric oxide layer.
US09431232B2
A cathode for a discharge lamp in which an electron emitting section containing an easily electron emitting material at its end is provided that has simplified yet non-breakable structure and can reduce the manufacturing cost. A short arc discharge lamp includes an arc tube in which a cathode and an anode face each other and a xenon gas is enclosed. The cathode has an electron emitting section made from tungsten to which thorium is added as an easily electron emitting substance. The cathode also has an electrode body section made from tungsten to which no thorium is added. The electrode body section has a recess at a front end side. The electron emitting section has a circular truncated conical shape, a rear end side of the electron emitting section is received in the recess, and a front end side portion protrudes from the recess.
US09431226B2
An output terminal of a positive voltage generating circuit and an output terminal of a negative voltage generating circuit are connected in series, and an output terminal of the negative voltage generating circuit is connected to a ground via a resistor. A switching circuit and a series connection circuit of resistors are connected in parallel to each other between the output terminals of the positive voltage generating circuit and the negative voltage generating circuit. The switching circuit is on-off driven by a voltage signal taken from a junction point between the resistors, and the switching circuit is on-off driven by a voltage signal taken from a junction point between the resistors. Accordingly, when the polarity of an output voltage is switched, electric charges accumulated up to that point are discharged through the switching circuit of a voltage OFF-side polarity, so that the voltage quickly falls.
US09431223B2
A method of performing imaging mass spectrometry of a sample. The method comprises performing a first mass analysis of the sample using a first mass analyzer comprising a multi-pixel ion detector to obtain first mass spectral data representative of pixels of the sample. The method further comprises identifying clusters of pixels sharing one or more characteristics of first mass spectral data. The method also comprises performing a second mass analysis of the sample using a second mass analyzer to obtain second mass spectral data at at least one location in each cluster, wherein the number of locations is significantly less than the number of pixels in each cluster, said second mass analysis being of higher resolution than said first mass analysis. Also a mass spectrometry apparatus configured for carrying out the method.
US09431221B2
A plasma-processing apparatus is provided. The plasma-processing apparatus includes a processing chamber having an upper portion and a lower portion. The upper portion has a gas inlet. The plasma-processing apparatus includes an upper electrode plate disposed in the upper portion. The upper electrode plate has gas holes passing through the upper electrode plate. The plasma-processing apparatus includes a protective layer disposed over inner walls of the gas holes. The protective layer and the upper electrode plate have different materials. The plasma-processing apparatus includes a lower electrode pedestal disposed in the lower portion for supporting a substrate.
US09431216B2
An ICP A plasma reactor having an enclosure wherein at least part of the ceiling forms a dielectric window. A substrate support is positioned within the enclosure below the dielectric window. An RF power applicator is positioned above the dielectric window to radiate RF power through the dielectric window and into the enclosure. A plurality of gas injectors are distributed uniformly above the substrate support to supply processing gas into the enclosure. A circular baffle is situated inside the enclosure and positioned above the substrate support but below the plraity of gas injectors so as to redirect the flow of the processing gas.
US09431215B2
A method for treating a chip packaging structure includes providing a chip packaging structure having at least a first electrical connect structure and a second electrical connect structure, and an insulation layer exposing portions of the first electrical connect structure and the second electrical connect structure; selecting a plasma gas based on materials of the first electrical connect structure and the second electrical connect structure and a type of process forming the first electrical connect structure and the second electrical connect structure, wherein metal cations are left on the insulation layer; performing a plasma treatment process using the selected plasma gas on the first electrical connect structure, the second electrical connect structure and the insulation layer, causing reaction of the metal cations to substantially convert the metal cations into electrically neutral materials; and removing the reacted metal cations from the insulation layer.
US09431211B2
A hybrid electron microscope includes: an electron source to emit an electron beam; a parabolic mirror including: a reflective surface; and an aperture to communicate the electron beam through the parabolic mirror; and a sample holder interposed between the electron source and the parabolic mirror such that the reflective surface of the parabolic mirror faces the electron source and the sample holder. A process for acquiring hybrid electron microscopy data includes: disposing a parabolic mirror in a chamber, the parabolic mirror including: a reflective surface; and an aperture to communicate an electron beam through the parabolic mirror; disposing a sample on a sample holder; interposing a sample holder between an electron source and the parabolic mirror such that the reflective surface of the parabolic mirror faces the electron source and the sample holder; producing the electron beam from the electron source; subjecting the sample to the electron beam; communicating the electron beam through the sample and the aperture of the parabolic mirror; and collecting imaging data of the sample in response to the subjecting the sample to the electron beam to acquire the hybrid electron microscopy data.
US09431200B2
An electromagnetic relay includes a housing, a fixed contact provided within the housing, a movable contact movable to contact or be separated from the fixed contact, and a driving unit configured to drive the movable contact to be in contact with or separated from the fixed contact, and including a coil, a yoke disposed within the coil and having an inner section for forming a magnetic path inside and outside of the coil, a movable core disposed within the coil to be attractable by the inner section, and a shaft having one end connected to the movable core and another end connected to the movable contact, capable of facilitating an assembling process of a shaft and a movable core by eliminating a welding process.
US09431198B2
A pole part of a circuit-breaker arrangement having an insulation housing for accommodating a vacuum interrupter insert containing a pair of corresponding electrical switching contacts, wherein a fixed upper electrical contact is connected to an upper electrical terminal molded in the insulation housing and a movable lower electrical contact is connected to a lower electrical terminal of the insulation housing via an electrical conductor which is operated by an adjacent pushrod. The lower electrical terminal is connected to a ring shaped heat transfer shield arranged along the inner wall or at least partly inside the wall of the insulation housing surrounding the pushrod and/or the distal end of the movable lower electrical contact.
US09431195B2
A circuit interruption device includes at least one constriction zone. The constriction zone provides for interference with arcing of an electrical signal. The device may include at least one expansion zone. The device may include at least one movable component to assist in creation of the at least one constriction zone. A method of fabrication is provided.
US09431188B2
Circuit breakers are provided including a pressure release valve. The pressure release valve includes a vent portion and barrier portion. The barrier portion is configured to open when exposed to excessive heat generated by an arc and allow gases to escape from the circuit breaker. Related electrical distribution panels and systems are also provided.
US09431187B2
A switch actuation device for use in connection with electrical switch mechanism having an actuatable structure. The device includes an actuation mechanism in operable communication with the actuatable structure for use in urging the actuatable structure of the electrical switch mechanism from a first position to a second position. An actuatable electrical switch arrangement is also disclosed.
US09431185B2
A spring operation device for use in a switchgear includes an interlock bar, attached at its one end to a lock plate and includes a switch-on electromagnet that has a plunger provided with a flange portion. The lock plate is pushed by a lock member that is attached to a four-joint link and the position of the lock plate is changed by being rotated. During an opening operation of a switching contact, the other end of the interlock bar is arranged above the flange portion to stop the forward movement of the plunger of the switch-on electromagnet so as to prevent a switch-on trigger from rotating. During a closing operation of the switching contact, the other end of the interlock bar is arranged at a position that does not stop the plunger of the switch-on electromagnet from moving forward so that the switch-on trigger is allowed to rotate.
US09431184B2
A vacuum interrupter includes a fixed contact and a movable contact; a driving unit including a main shaft and a plurality of links interlocked with the main shaft, to supply a driving force to open and close the vacuum interrupter; a power transmission unit to transmit a driving force of the driving unit to the movable contact; an over-current relay to detect a fault current and to output a trip signal to break a large-scaled current conduction; a trip unit to generate and transmit a mechanical operation force to the driving unit when a trip signal is output from the over-current relay; and a Thomson drive including a Thomson coil and a repulsive plate, to rotate the main shaft to an opening position or to transmit the trip signal to the trip unit, to promptly breaking a fault current.
US09431177B2
In one or more embodiments, circuitry is provided for isolation and communication of signals between circuits operating in different voltage domains using capacitive coupling. The capacitive coupling is provided by one or more capacitive structures having a breakdown voltage that is defined by way of the various components and their spacing. The capacitive structures each include three capacitive plates arranged to have two plates located in an upper layer and one plate located in a lower layer. A communication signal can be transmitted via the capacitive coupling created between the lower plate and each of the upper plates, respectively.
US09431170B2
A 0.2Ss class special-type high-voltage measuring current transformer belongs to a field of current transformer. An iron core includes two kinds of “L”-shaped sheets with the same size, wherein a ratio of a long side to a short side of each “L”-shaped sheet is 3:2; a first kind of the “L”-shaped sheets are permalloy sheets (1) and a second kind of the “L”-shaped sheets are cold rolled silicon steel sheets (2); and required windings are wound on each side of the iron core. Sheets of the iron core of the current transformer include the permalloy sheets and the cold rolled silicon steel sheets, which improves performance of the iron core. Utilizing structural characteristics of the iron core of different materials, a fractional turn compensation of coils is formed, which realizes a precise measurement.
US09431169B2
This disclosure provides systems, methods and apparatus for connecting and operating an AC source to a load. In one aspect a power supply topology is provided which may be of particular use in the area of wireless power transfer. The topology allows for a single source to energize one or more conductive structures configured to generate a field, improving power transfer to a power receiver.
US09431167B2
A single-phase electric furnace transformer is provided according to the basic principle of the invention, comprising: a single magnetic core, said magnetic core comprising two side columns and at least one main column; a main transformer, comprising a first primary side winding and a first secondary side winding which are disposed on said at least one main column, wherein said first primary side winding consists of a first winding and a second winding which are connected in series with each other; and a voltage regulating autotransformer, which is disposed on one of two side columns of said magnetic core, and which comprises a second primary side winding and a second secondary side winding, wherein said second secondary side winding is an adjustable winding having on-load tap switch, and said adjustable winding is connected in series between the first winding and the second winding of said main transformer. The direct effect on the regulating winding and the regulating switch by the over-voltage of the grid can be avoided in the single-phase electric furnace transformer of the invention, and the voltage between two terminals of the primary winding of the main transformer can be reduced. Furthermore, the winding of the voltage regulating transformer is disposed on the side column of the main transformer in the invention, so that the material and the transformer loss can be reduced, and the installation space of the transformer can be decreased.
US09431166B2
According to an embodiment, there is an inductor, including: a magnetic core; a winding formed around the magnetic core; a first resin provided between turns of the winding; and a second resin covering the winding and the first resin, wherein the second resin has higher filler content than the first resin.
US09431159B2
Superparamagnetic core-shell nanoparticles having a core of an iron cobalt ternary alloy, a shell of a silicon oxide on the core and a metal silicate interface layer between the core and the shell layer are provided. Methods to prepare the nanoparticles are also provided.
US09431150B2
A composite material includes a plurality of fibers embedded in a metal matrix. The composite material further includes a plurality of particles disposed in the metal matrix. At least 25% of the fibers contact or are spaced less than 0.2 micrometers from an adjacent fiber within the metal matrix.
US09431144B2
The present invention relates to an indium oxide film formed by chemical vapor deposition or atomic layer deposition, or to an oxide film containing indium, and to a method for forming same. By chemical vapor deposition or atomic layer deposition, wherein an indium material that is a liquid at room temperature is used, an oxide film containing indium can be formed on a substrate having a large area, and particularly a substrate for manufacturing a display device.
US09431135B2
Nuclear fuel assemblies include at least one fluence control structure for use in a nuclear reactor core with other nuclear fuel assemblies. Such flux-limiting assemblies and structures may be positioned outside of or around the other nuclear fuel assemblies in the core so as to reduce neutron flux beyond the fluence controlled nuclear fuel assemblies, and fluence control structures may be positioned at an outside edge of the core. Fluence control structures limit neutron flux with non-fuel materials in structures like fuel rods and inserts, channels, shield curtains, etc. at particular positions in fuel assemblies. An engineer may select and/or install fluence-limiting fuel assemblies with flux-limiting characteristics in cores having neutronics profiles expected to benefit from such flux limitation.
US09431124B2
A non-volatile memory and methods of operating the same to reduce disturbs is provided. In one embodiment, the method includes coupling a first positive high voltage to a first global wordline in a first row of an array of memory cells, and coupling a second negative high voltage (VNEG) to a first bitline in a first column of the array to apply a bias to a non-volatile memory transistor in a selected memory cell to program the selected memory cell. A margin voltage having a magnitude less than VNEG is coupled to a second global wordline in a second row of the array, and an inhibit voltage coupled to a second bitline in a second column of the array to reduce a bias applied to a non-volatile memory transistor in an unselected memory cell to reduce program disturb of data programmed in the unselected memory cell due to programming.
US09431117B2
A memory system includes a nonvolatile memory device including a first memory area formed of memory blocks which store n-bit data per cell and a second memory area formed of memory blocks which store m-bit data per cell, where n and m are different integers, and a memory controller configured to control the nonvolatile memory device. The memory controller is configured to execute a read operation, and to execute a read reclaim operation in which valid data of a target memory block of the second memory area is transferred to one or more memory blocks of the first memory area, the target memory block selected during the read operation. The read reclaim operation is processed as complete when all the valid data of the target memory block is transferred to the one or more memory blocks of the first memory area.
US09431110B2
Methods, memories and systems to access a memory may include generating an address during a first time period, decoding the address during the first time period, and selecting one or more cells of a buffer coupled to a memory array based, at least in part, on the decoded address, during a second time period.
US09431106B1
A ternary content addressable memory (TCAM) cell is coupled to a first word line and a first match line and includes a first data storage portion coupled to a first search line, a second data storage portion coupled to a complement of the first search line, and a resistor divider portion including two resistive elements coupled in series with the first and second data storage portions of the first TCAM cell. The first and second data storage portions of the first TCAM cell are coupled to a first supply voltage and include two resistive elements coupled in parallel.
US09431103B2
Apparatus to store data and methods to read memory cells are disclosed. A disclosed example method involves, during a read cycle of a memory cell, applying a current across the memory cell to read a content of the memory cell. During a subsequent read cycle of the memory cell, a subsequent current is applied across the memory cell in the opposite direction to read the content of the memory cell.
US09431096B1
A memory device having a plurality of banks of memory cells may be provided. Each memory cells may be interconnected via a local write bit-line and a complementary local write bit-line to a local write bit-line buffer circuit. The local write bit-line buffer circuit may be connected via a global write bit-line and a complementary one to a negative bias write assist circuit. The memory device may also comprise an address decoder separately connected to the local write bit-line buffer circuits. The address decoder may comprise a generating unit for enabling exactly one local write enable signal for a respective one of said local write bit-line buffer circuits. The local write bit-line buffer circuit may be adapted for generating local write data on said local write bit-line in response to receiving global write data on said global write bit-line when its local write enable signal is enabled.
US09431095B1
A memory circuit includes an input stage having N input ports and N output ports, wherein N is an integer greater than one. The memory circuit further includes an N:1 port multiplexer coupled to the N output ports of the input stage and configured to time division multiplex the N output ports to one multiplexed port. The memory circuit also includes a random access memory matrix and a 1:N port multiplexer. The memory circuit is coupled to the multiplexed port. The 1:N port multiplexer is coupled to the random access memory matrix and is configured to de-multiplex signals received from the random access memory matrix into N output ports.
US09431093B2
A semiconductor device includes: a control block suitable for generating a clock control signal in response to a write training signal and a write-related information signal; and an input block suitable for receiving a data signal for a write training mode in response to the clock control signal and a clock signal.
US09431091B2
Circuits and methods are described for a DDR memory controller where two different DQS gating modes are utilized. These gating modes together ensure that the DQS signal, driven by a DDR memory to the memory controller, is only available when read data is valid. Two types of gating logic are used: Initial DQS gating logic, and Functional DQS gating logic. The Initial gating logic has additional timing margin in the Initial DQS gating value to allow for the unknown round trip timing during initial bit levelling calibration. DQS functional gating is then optimized during further calibration to gate DQS precisely as latency and phase calibration are performed, resulting in a precise gating value for Functional DQS gating. Providing dual gating modes is especially useful when data capture is performed at half the DQS frequency in view of rising clock rates for DDR memories.
US09431086B2
A memory circuit is provided. The memory circuit includes a memory array, a plurality of word lines and a memory controller. The memory array has a plurality of memory blocks. The memory controller outputs an access instruction and an access address to address the word lines for accessing the memory array, or the memory controller outputs a refresh instruction and a refresh address to address the word lines for refreshing the memory array, wherein the memory controller performs a refresh operation on each of the memory blocks corresponding to each of the word lines at predetermined intervals. The memory controller counts the number of times the access instructions have been output and determines whether that number equals a predetermined value or not. According to the determination result, the memory controller selects an address adjacent to the access address as the refresh address for the next refresh operation.
US09431084B2
Systems and methods to manage memory on a spin transfer torque magnetoresistive random-access memory (STT-MRAM) are provided. A particular method may include determining a performance characteristic using relationship information that relates a bit error rate to at least one of a programming pulse width, a temperature, a history-based predictive performance parameter, a coding scheme, and a voltage level also associated with a memory. The performance characteristic is stored and used to manage a write operation associated with the memory.
US09431080B2
A system includes a first plurality of memory macros and a first tracking circuit associated with a memory macro of the first plurality of memory macros. Each memory macro of the first plurality of memory macros includes a corresponding global control circuit configured to receive a first reset signal. The first tracking circuit is configured to generate the first reset signal.
US09431078B2
According to one embodiment, a semiconductor storage device includes a plurality of semiconductor chips and a control unit. The plurality of semiconductor chips is configured to connect to a signal transmission path and is controlled individually by individual chip enable signals. The plurality of semiconductor chips each includes a termination circuit connected to the signal transmission path. When one of the semiconductor chips is selected to input or output data, the control unit activates the termination circuit provided in the semiconductor chip that is not selected based on a first instruction signal and the chip enable signal.
US09431068B2
A dynamic random access memory (DRAM) can include at least one DRAM cell array, comprising a plurality of DRAM cells, each including a storage capacitor and access transistor; a body bias control circuit configured to generate body bias voltage from a bias supply voltage, the body bias voltage being different from power supply voltages of the DRAM; and peripheral circuits formed in the same substrate as the at least one DRAM array, the peripheral circuits comprising deeply depleted channel (DDC) transistors having bodies coupled to receive the body bias voltage, each DDC transistor having a screening region of a first conductivity type formed below a substantially undoped channel region.
US09431067B2
The present invention provides a volatile memory backup system including an all-solid-state battery. The backup system includes a volatile memory, a nonvolatile memory connected to the volatile memory so as to transfer data therebetween, an all-solid-state battery connected to the volatile memory and the nonvolatile memory, the battery continuously or intermittently supplying a current to the volatile memory during a power failure to retain data in the volatile memory, and a controller connected in parallel with the battery, the controller intermittently supplying a peak current to the volatile memory during the power failure and intermittently transferring divided volumes of data in the volatile memory to the nonvolatile memory by the peak current and a current from the battery temporarily increased in association with the peak current to store the data in the nonvolatile memory, thereby gradually accumulating the data in the volatile memory into the nonvolatile memory.
US09431063B2
A stacked memory is disclosed including a first integrated circuit memory chip having first storage locations and a second integrated circuit memory chip disposed in a stacked relationship with the first integrated circuit memory chip. The second integrated circuit memory chip has second storage locations. Redundant storage is provided including a first storage area dedicated to storing failure address information of failure address locations in the first or second integrated circuit memory chips. The redundant storage includes a second storage area dedicated to storing data corresponding to the failure address locations. Matching logic matches incoming data transfer addresses to the stored failure address information.
US09431061B1
Technology is disclosed for deferring storage operations (e.g., writes or reads) during hostile events. When a data storage device experiences a hostile event, e.g., a vibration, shock, etc. contact by a head of the data storage device with a disk surface can cause errors or indeed damage. The technology can cause a data storage device to suspend storage operations until the hostile event is no longer detected.
US09431059B2
An information processing method applied in an electric device is disclosed. The method comprises: acquiring at least one play parameter for characterizing a playing history of a first video from the network side and/or a storage unit of an electric device; generating and displaying a play progress bar corresponding to the first video on a display unit of the electric device based on the at least one play parameter, wherein the play progress bar has at least a first portion displayed in a first pattern and a second portion displayed in a second pattern different from the first pattern. Such solution provided by the invention provides a new display approach for the play progress bar, and addresses the technical problem that a video can only be segmented or prompted by the play progress bar of the video according to the content of the video. This new display method of the play progress bar does not depend on the content of the video itself and may reflect intuitively how much the user who once played a video is interested in different segments of the video.
US09431054B1
Methods, apparatus, and other embodiments associated with doubly distributing erasure encoded data in a data storage system are described. One example apparatus includes a set of data storage devices and a set of logics that includes an encoding logic that generates an erasure encoded object that includes code-words, and chunks the code-words into code-word chunks, and a distribution logic that interleaves members of the set of code-word chunks into a plurality of records, and distributes the records across the data storage devices and within individual data storage devices. Example apparatus may include a read logic that reads the plurality of stored records from the data storage devices, and ignores read errors, and a repair logic that monitors the set of data storage devices, replaces or repairs failing data storage devices, generates replacement records, and stores the replacement records on a replacement data storage device.
US09431053B2
A method of encoding an input data into a codeword that satisfy a k constraint includes partitioning the input data into a plurality of data blocks comprising a first data block and a plurality of remaining data blocks; performing a first analysis of the plurality of data blocks for modifying each of the plurality of remaining data blocks that satisfy a first predetermined criterion; performing a second analysis of the plurality of data blocks after the first analysis for modifying each of the plurality of data blocks that satisfy a second predetermined criterion; and converting each bit of the plurality of data blocks after the second analysis to produce the codeword in Non-Return-to-Zero (NRZ) format with the k constraint. There is also provided a method of decoding the codeword with satisfies the k constraint into an output data, and the corresponding encoder and decoder.
US09431051B1
Systems and methods relating generally to data processing, and more particularly to adjusting gain parameters in relation to data processing.
US09431049B2
A tool for space efficient tape management. The tool retrieves one or more tapes from one or more tape library frames in a first tape library. The tool inserts the one or more tapes into the one or more tape library frames in the first tape library. The tool transfers the one or more tapes from the one or more tape library frames in the first tape library to one or more tape library frames in a second tape library.
US09431047B1
A method provides a magnetic transducer including a first shield, a read sensor, and a second shield. The read sensor is between the first shield and the second shield. The read sensor has at least one pinned layer aligned with a sensor pinning direction. Providing the second shield includes depositing at least one of a first ferromagnetic layer, a second ferromagnetic and a pinning layer in the presence of a first magnetic field in a first direction non-orthogonal and non-parallel to the sensor pinning direction. A nonmagnetic spacer layer is between the first ferromagnetic layer and the second ferromagnetic layer. The pinning layer is adjacent to the second ferromagnetic layer. The first ferromagnetic layer is between the read sensor and the nonmagnetic spacer layer. The first ferromagnetic layer is coupled antiparallel with the second ferromagnetic layer.
US09431042B2
Various embodiments concern a flexure comprising a base metal layer. The base metal layer can have a void between a first lateral side and a second lateral side. The flexure can further comprise a plurality of traces in an array. The plurality of traces can extend over the void and between the first and second lateral sides. The plurality of traces can comprise a pair of outer traces respectively located on lateral ends of the array and at least one inner trace between the pair of outer traces. The plurality of traces and the first and second lateral sides can be spaced relative to each other such that adjacent traces of the plurality of traces capacitively couple to each other and the pair of outer traces capacitively couple with each other through the first and second lateral sides.
US09431028B2
The APPARATUSES, METHODS AND SYSTEMS FOR A DIGITAL CONVERSATION MANAGEMENT PLATFORM (“DCM-Platform”) transforms digital dialogue from consumers, client demands and, Internet search inputs via DCM-Platform components into tradable digital assets, and client needs based artificial intelligence campaign plan outputs. In one implementation, The DCM-Platform may capture and examine conversations between individuals and artificial intelligence conversation agents. These agents may be viewed as assets. One can measure the value and performance of these agents by assessing their performance and ability to generate revenue from prolonging conversations and/or ability to effect sales through conversations with individuals.
US09431026B2
An audio encoder has a window function controller, a windower, a time warper with a final quality check functionality, a time/frequency converter, a TNS stage or a quantizer encoder, the window function controller, the time warper, the TNS stage or an additional noise filling analyzer are controlled by signal analysis results obtained by a time warp analyzer or a signal classifier. Furthermore, a decoder applies a noise filling operation using a manipulated noise filling estimate depending on a harmonic or speech characteristic of the audio signal.
US09431023B2
The present technology provides a robust noise suppression system that may concurrently reduce noise and echo components in an acoustic signal while limiting the level of speech distortion. A time-domain acoustic signal may be received and be transformed to frequency-domain sub-band signals. Features, such as pitch, may be identified and tracked within the sub-band signals. Initial speech and noise models may be then be estimated at least in part from a probability analysis based on the tracked pitch sources. Speech and noise models may be resolved from the initial speech and noise models and noise reduction may be performed on the sub-band signals. An acoustic signal may be reconstructed from the noise-reduced sub-band signals.
US09431017B2
A method in a device management system for managing a plurality of target devices is provided. The method comprises: receiving, from a voice input apparatus associated with a first target device among the plurality of target devices, instruction information that includes first voice information indicating an operation instruction for any target device among the plurality of target devices; recognizing the operation instruction from the first voice information; determining whether or not second voice information indicating a second target device among the plurality of target devices is included in the instruction information; and transmitting, (i) if the second voice information is not included in the instruction information, a control command for executing the recognized operation instruction to the first target device, or, (ii) if the second voice information is included in the instruction information, the control command to the second target device.
US09431016B2
A tamper-resistant element for use in speaker recognition, the tamper-resistant element being adapted for storing data representing speaker information based on speaker recognition enrollment data and for checking whether information based on a speaker recognition testing signal matches the speaker information. The tamper-resistant element is also adapted for carrying out a data integrity check. Also, a system including such a tamper-resistant element and method for speaker recognition.
US09431014B2
Systems and methods for intelligent placement of appliance response to a voice command are provided. An exemplary system includes a plurality of appliances. An exemplary method includes connecting each of the plurality of appliances over a local area network and generating a location map providing a location of each of the plurality of appliances. The method includes receiving the human voice signal at a plurality of microphones respectively included in the plurality of appliances and determining an originating location of the human voice signal based at least in part on the location map. The method includes selecting one of the plurality of appliances to respond to the human voice signal based at least in part on the location map and the originating location.
US09431009B2
Systems, methods, and computer-readable storage media relate to performing a search. A system configured to practice the method first receives from an automatic speech recognition (ASR) system a word lattice based on speech query and receives indexed documents from an information repository. The system composes, based on the word lattice and the indexed documents, at least one triple including a query word, selected indexed document, and weight. The system generates an N-best path through the word lattice based on the at least one triple and re-ranks ASR output based on the N-best path. The system aggregates each weight across the query words to generate N-best listings and returns search results to the speech query based on the re-ranked ASR output and the N-best listings. The lattice can be a confusion network, the arc density of which can be adjusted for a desired performance level.
US09431006B2
Exemplary embodiments of methods and apparatuses for automatic speech recognition are described. First model parameters associated with a first representation of an input signal are generated. The first representation of the input signal is a discrete parameter representation. Second model parameters associated with a second representation of the input signal are generated. The second representation of the input signal includes a continuous parameter representation of residuals of the input signal. The first representation of the input signal includes discrete parameters representing first portions of the input signal. The second representation includes discrete parameters representing second portions of the input signal that are smaller than the first portions. Third model parameters are generated to couple the first representation of the input signal with the second representation of the input signal. The first representation and the second representation of the input signal are mapped into a vector space.
US09431005B2
Disclosed herein are systems, methods, and computer-readable storage media for improving automatic speech recognition performance. A system practicing the method identifies idle speech recognition resources and establishes a supplemental speech recognizer on the idle resources based on overall speech recognition demand. The supplemental speech recognizer can differ from a main speech recognizer, and, along with the main speech recognizer, can be associated with a particular speaker. The system performs speech recognition on speech received from the particular speaker in parallel with the main speech recognizer and the supplemental speech recognizer and combines results from the main and supplemental speech recognizer. The system recognizes the received speech based on the combined results. The system can use beam adjustment in place of or in combination with a supplemental speech recognizer. A scheduling algorithm can tailor a particular combination of speech recognition resources and release the supplemental speech recognizer based on increased demand.
US09431002B2
A personalized news service provides personalized news programs for its users by generating personalized combinations of audible versions of news stories derived from text-based based versions of the news stories. The audible versions may be generated from the text-based version by a text-to-speech system, or may by recording a person reading aloud the text-based version. To acquire recordings, the personalized news service can make a determination that a particular news story has a threshold extent of popularity. The news service can then transmit a request to a remote recording station for a recording of a verbal reading of the particular news story. The news service can then receive the requested recording from the remote recording station.
US09431001B2
Some demonstrative embodiments include devices, systems and methods of noise control. For example, a device may include a controller to control noise within a predefined noise-control zone, the controller is to receive a plurality of noise inputs representing acoustic noise at a plurality of predefined noise sensing locations, which are defined with respect to the predefined noise-control zone, to receive a plurality of residual-noise inputs representing acoustic residual-noise at a plurality of predefined residual-noise sensing locations, which are located within the predefined noise-control zone, to determine a noise control pattern, based on the plurality of noise inputs and the plurality of residual-noise inputs, and to output the noise control pattern to at least one acoustic transducer.
US09430998B2
An apparatus includes an acoustic chamber, an agglomeration of acoustically adsorbing members in the acoustic chamber and suitably located substantially on or in a non-conductive support that comprises a substantially acoustically transparent material, and a transducer configured to generate acoustic waves which enter the acoustic chamber. Each acoustically adsorbing member is separated from neighboring members.
US09430992B2
A first look-up table (10) outputs a result of dividing a horizontal component of a pixel address in the block by number of pixels in a horizontal component of the cell. A second look-up table (12) outputs a result of dividing a vertical component of a pixel address in the block by number of pixels in a vertical component of the cell. A third look-up table (14) outputs a residue as a result of dividing a horizontal component of a pixel address in the block by number of pixels in a horizontal component of the cell. A fourth look-up table (16) outputs a residue as a result of dividing a vertical component of a pixel address in the block by number of pixels in a vertical component of the cell. The output values of the first and second look-up tables (10,12) are addresses of the cell for burst access to the memory. The output values of the third and fourth look-up tables (14,16) are used as pixel addresses in the cell.
US09430989B2
An image display control apparatus includes a division unit and a display controller. The division unit divides a rectangular display area into plural rectangular sub-areas in a direction in which one side of the display area extends. The display controller performs display control to enlarge or reduce rectangular images so that while aspect ratios of the images are maintained, a length of each of the sub-areas in the direction in which the one side of the display area extends is equal to or substantially equal to a length of each of the images in the direction in which the one side of the display area extends, and to display at least some of the enlarged or reduced images in the sub-areas.
US09430986B2
A color signal processing device for generating image data to be displayed on a display device which represents a color by using at least four primary colors, includes an obtainer that obtains a color signal regarding three primary colors for image data composed of a plurality of pixels, a changer that changes a value of the obtained color signal regarding the three primary colors, and a converter that converts the changed color signal regarding the three primary colors into a color signal regarding four primary colors. When a predetermined region contains a color saturated pixel, the changer makes the value of the color signal of at least one color of the three primary colors smaller, for pixels contained in the predetermined region.
US09430984B2
Embodiments of the present invention provide a driving circuit for a display panel which comprises a plurality of pixel units defined by intersected gate lines and data lines and arranged in a matrix form, a driving method of a display panel driving circuit and a display device, relating to the field of display technology. The display panel driving circuit includes pixel charging units, each of which is used for combining voltages outputted from a clock pulse vertical terminal and a data voltage signal terminal to serve as a driving voltage for a data line to increase the charging voltage of pixel units, so that the charging time is shortened, and the capability of driving a display panel load can be enhanced.
US09430981B2
A display panel includes a substrate, a plurality of pixels, a plurality of scan lines, a pull-down control circuit, and a gate driving circuit. The pixels are disposed on a display area of the substrate. The scan lines are disposed on the substrate and respectively coupled to the corresponding pixels. The pull-down control circuit is disposed on a peripheral area of the substrate, receives a plurality of clock signals, and has a plurality of pull-down units to provide a plurality of pull-down signals. The gate driving circuit is disposed on the peripheral area and has a plurality of shift registers. The shift registers are coupled to the scan lines to provide a plurality of gate driving signals and pull down the gate driving signals in sequence according to the pull-down signals. The pull-down control circuit and the gate driving circuit are arranged along a side of the display area.
US09430980B2
The present invention provides an liquid crystal display panel and an liquid crystal display device. The liquid crystal display panel comprises a second substrate. The second substrate comprises a plurality of pixel units. The pixel unit comprises a brightness adjustment pixel which is employed for changing the display brightness of itself to adjust the brightness of the liquid crystal display panel. The contrast ratio and the brightness of the liquid crystal display panel can be raised at outdoor or in a strong ambient light environment and the power consumption can be decreased.
US09430978B2
A display drive circuit comprises a timing control module, a source drive module and a polarity selection module. The source drive module is electrically connected to a plurality of data lines. A control signal output from the timing control module is input to the source drive module via the polarity selection module. When the polarity selection module receives only the control signal, the polarity selection module outputs a first control signal, having the same polarity as that of the control signal, to the source drive module. When the polarity selection module receives the control signal and a polarity reversal signal at the same time, the polarity selection module outputs the first control signal, having the same polarity as that of the control signal, and a second control signal, having an opposite polarity to that of the control signal, to the source drive module.
US09430977B2
The video signal processing circuit which analyzes video signals inputted from outside, performs conversion processing for image quality adjustment on the video signals based on a result of analysis, transmits those towards a video display unit includes: a feature value/maximum value calculation module which calculates a feature value that is a numerical value showing a degree of brightness of the video signals; a gradation conversion threshold value calculation module which calculates a threshold value regarding conversion of the gradation based on a threshold value calculation expression that is formed based on the feature value and a conversion coefficient set in advance; and a gradation conversion module which performs gradation conversion based on a linear function that increases linearly by taking a region of the gradation equal to or higher than the threshold value among the video signals as a target.
US09430976B2
A detection system and a method capable of automatically adjusting a gray scale are provided. The detection system includes a detection lens (1), wherein the detection lens (1) is configured to collect a mask alignment image (10) and a substrate alignment image (11) formed by images of a mask alignment mark (8) on a mask (6) and a substrate alignment mark (9) on the glass substrate (7); and an automatic filter device (4) provided in a light path in which the detection lens (1) forms the substrate alignment image (11), wherein the automatic filter device (4) comprises an automatic gray scale detection module (12), a control module (14) and a filter (13). The detection system and method capable of automatically adjusting a gray scale can automatically change the gray scale of the substrate alignment image (11), thereby to improve the automatization degree of the detection system.
US09430970B2
A 3D image display device includes a backlight unit for generating an original light, a display panel, a light modulating unit, and a controller connected to the display panel and the light modulating unit. According to a first signal, the original light passes through the display panel generates a first light, the first light passes through the light modulating unit, and has a first position on an objective plane parallel to the display panel. According to a second signal, the original light passes through the display panel to generate a second light, the second light passes through the light modulating unit and has a second position on the objective plane, wherein the first position is different from the second position.
US09430966B2
A method of driving an organic light emitting display device includes: dividing one frame into one blank frame and sub-frames; determining whether a data signal to be applied to a pixel circuit of the organic light emitting display device is a data signal of a high gray-level region or a data signal of a low gray-level region based on a predetermined reference gray-level; applying the data signal to the pixel circuit in all of the sub-frames when the data signal is the data signal of the high gray-level region; and applying a first setting data signal corresponding to a gray-level higher than the reference gray-level to the pixel circuit in some of the sub-frames, and applying a second setting data signal corresponding to a zeroth gray-level to the pixel circuit in other sub-frames among the sub-frames when the data signal is the data signal of the low gray-level region.
US09430964B2
Disclosed is an organic light emitting display device and a method for driving the same to prevent luminance variations caused by degradation variations, and to prevent picture quality from being deteriorated by residual images caused by the luminance variations. The device includes a display panel having a plurality of sub-pixels, each sub-pixel having an organic light emitting diode; a memory which stores accumulated data of each sub-pixel therein; and a panel driver which accumulates input data of each sub-pixel every accumulation period, stores the accumulated data in the memory, generates a degradation compensation gain value of each sub-pixel, generates modulated data of each sub-pixel by modulating the input data of each sub-pixel in accordance with the degradation compensation gain value of each sub-pixel, converts the modulated data into the data voltage, and supplies the data voltage to each sub-pixel.
US09430958B2
A system and method for determining and applying characterization correlation curves for aging effects on an organic light organic light emitting device (OLED) based pixel is disclosed. A first stress condition is applied to a reference pixel having a drive transistor and an OLED. An output voltage based on a reference current is measured periodically to determine an electrical characteristic of the reference pixel under the first predetermined stress condition. The luminance of the reference pixel is measured periodically to determine an optical characteristic of the reference pixel. A characterization correlation curve corresponding to the first stress condition including the determined electrical and optical characteristic of the reference pixel is stored. The stress condition of an active pixel is determined and a compensation voltage is determined by correlating the stress condition of the active pixel with curves of the predetermined stress conditions.
US09430957B2
A virtual load board includes a connection port, a conversion circuit, and an indication unit, wherein the connection port comprises at least one terminal. The terminal receives an output voltage from the liquid crystal display control board. The conversion circuit converts the output voltage into an operating voltage for the indication unit and supplies the operating voltage to the indication unit. A test system and a test method for liquid crystal display control board are also provided. With the above-discussed arrangement, the virtual load board replaces a liquid crystal display panel to carry out a reliability test of the liquid crystal display control board, and has the advantages of small volume and low cost and can be accommodated, together with the liquid crystal display control board, in reliability test equipment in order to carry out a reliability test of the liquid crystal display control board in a specific environment.
US09430954B1
One embodiment of a vision substitution system for presenting audio and/or tactile representations of visual items (21) includes processing each visual item (25) into the form of a group of stationary property-presenting energetic effects (for example speech sounds 29), and outputting said effects to audio and/or tactile displays (37 & 35). Said visual items may include: identified entities such as people's faces (23), distributions of color categories or other visual properties (21), areas of movement, and data that can be presented visually; optionally providing facilities for identifying and presenting prominent colors (and other properties) and their distribution, and facilities for blind people to create and access audiotactile images. Other embodiments are described and shown.
US09430951B2
The presently disclosed invention provides for the security of a computing device in the context of a test taking environment. By securing a computing device, an individual (or group of individuals) may more effectively proctor a large examination without worrying about a test taker illicitly accessing information on their computer or via a remote source of data. Securing a computing device includes locking out or preventing access to any application not deemed necessary or appropriate by the test administrator.
US09430946B2
An obstacle determination device that determines whether a solid object present in a travelling direction of a subject vehicle is an obstacle that the vehicle should avoid, and determines the solid object is an obstacle by comparing the height of the solid object to a reference height. The reference height is set based on a relative positional relation between a separation line detected by a separation line detection unit and the solid object. And, when the separation line is present between the solid object and the subject vehicle, the reference height is set such that the solid object is more likely to be determined as an obstacle, as compared to when the separation line is not present between the solid object and the subject vehicle.
US09430943B2
Apparatus for providing illumination from a support surface includes a shell releasably engageable with the support surface. An electronics system is seated within the shell and projects light up and out of the shell. A power pack releasably engages the shell and electrically engages the electronics system to provide power thereto. The electrical interface between the electronics system and power pack is fluidly sealed.
US09430939B2
A wireless control system for wireless control of a remote electronic system is configured to provide information to a user using a multi-colored LED. The system includes a transmitter circuit configured to transmit a wireless control signal having control data which will control the remote electronic system, a multi-colored light emitting diode display configured to provide an indication of a state of the wireless control system, and a control circuit coupled to the trainable transmitter circuit configured to transmit the wireless control signal through the trainable transmitter circuit based on the state of the wireless control system.
US09430938B2
One or more sensors are coupled to a monitoring device which has a unique user ID. The one or more sensors acquire user information selected from of at least one of, a user's activities, behaviors and habit information. ID circuitry including ID storage, a communication system that reads and transmits the unique ID from an ID storage, a power source and a pathway system to route signals through the circuitry is at the monitoring device. A multi-protocol wireless controller coupled to one or more wireless interfaces is at the monitoring device and characterizes available networks to determine current network information. A wireless connectivity assistant is at the monitoring device and selects one of the available networks based on the current network information and at least one of user preferences, application requirements and system information. A telemetry system is in communication with the monitoring device.
US09430936B2
Systems and methods for monitoring and controlling remote devices are provided. In an embodiment, a system can comprise one or more remotely controlled sensors and actuators. The remote sensors/actuators can interface with uniquely identified remote transceivers that transmit and/or receive data. The embodiment can also comprise a plurality of transceivers each having a unique address, and a controller adapted to communicate with at least one of the transceivers in a preformatted message. A sensor can be associated with at least one transceiver to detect a condition and output a data signal to the transceiver, and an actuator can be associated with a transceiver to receive a control signal and activate a device. Other embodiments are also claimed and described.
US09430935B2
A gateway can be configured to receive an emergency event message in a predefined format via a network. The emergency event message can characterize a location and a nature of an emergency event. The gateway can also be configured to identify a particular Public Safety Answering Point (PSAP) customer premise equipment (CPE) to service the emergency event. The gateway can further be configured determine a format of messages employable by the particular PSAP. The gateway can still further be configured to provide the particular PSAP CPE with an output message in the format employable by the particular PSAP CPE. The output message can characterize the nature and the location of the emergency event.
US09430931B1
An audio device may be configured to work in conjunction with a handheld remote controller to receive voice commands from a user. The audio device may have multiple local microphones that are used for sound source localization, to determine the position of the user. A remote audio signal may be received from the remote controller and used in conjunction with local microphone signals generated by the local microphones to aid in determining the position of the user. The last known position of the user may be recorded whenever the user speaks into the remote controller. When the user is unable to find the remote controller, the audio device may direct the user toward the last known position of the user.
US09430922B2
A merchandise security system for an electronic item of merchandise is provided. In one example, the merchandise security system includes a continuous alarming power cord comprising at least one electrical conductor. The alarming power cord has a first end adapted to be electrically connected to the electronic item of merchandise and a second end. The merchandise security system also includes a reel for receiving the second end of the alarming power cord and adapted for storing at least a portion of the alarming power cord thereon. In addition, the merchandise security system includes monitoring circuitry in electrical communication with the alarming power cord and configured to detect an interruption in an electrical signal provided to the alarming power cord.
US09430918B2
A method includes receiving, by a server via a network, transaction information descriptive of a money transfer transaction initiated at a point of entry device. The transaction information includes information that identifies a location of the point of entry device. The method includes determining, by the server, receipt information to be included in a receipt for the money transfer transaction. The receipt information may be determined based, at least in part, on the transaction information, and at least a portion of the receipt information included in the receipt satisfies regulatory requirements associated with the location of the point of entry device. The method includes generating, by the server, the receipt that includes the receipt information, and transmitting the receipt from the server to the point of entry device via the network.
US09430915B2
In various embodiments, the gaming system, gaming device, and gaming method disclosed herein provides a community game having a trail or path. The community game enables a plurality of players to each simultaneously pick one or more directions of movement along the trail or path (i.e., pick or designate a destination position which that player wants to move to). If the picked directions of movement for more than one player result in more than one player each designating the same destination position, the gaming system determines which player is moved to the designated destination position (and is provided a displayed award or outcome associated with that position) and which player is moved to an alternative position (and is provided a displayed award or outcome associated with that alternative position).
US09430914B2
A method of allowing a player to play a gaming machine is described herein. The method includes displaying a game including at least one reel and a plurality of reel strips for display with the at least one reel. Each reel strip includes a plurality of normal symbol positions and a plurality of special symbol positions. The plurality of reel strips includes a first reel strip having a first number of special symbol positions and a second reel strip having a second number of special symbol positions that is different than the first number of special symbol positions. The method also includes randomly generating an outcome of the game and displaying the game outcome on the display device. One of the first reel strip and the second reel strip is randomly selected for display with the at least one reel.
US09430908B2
A method includes receiving one or more primary game inputs at a gaming machine, each primary game input defining a wager for a respective play of a primary game presented through the gaming machine and also initiating the respective play of the primary game. Each qualifying wager in the primary game offered through the gaming machine is applied in a predefined fashion toward an entry fee in one or more gaming machine tournaments. Ultimately, the value of the tournament entry fee account may reach a first level which is predefined as a level required for participation in a tournament. Once this level has been reached, the method includes enabling the affected player to participate in the tournament. Thus the player need not stop play of the wagering game to pay any entry fee which may be required for participation in a tournament game.
US09430905B2
A method and system comprises integrating a contest framework into a game. The contest framework at least comprises means for communicating with a transactional server, a plurality of listeners being configured to monitor interactions during a play of the game for communication to the transactional server, and means for displaying notifications from the transactional server. The transactional server is at least configured for processing received interactions in conjunction with a progressive jackpot contest associated with the game and communicating notifications regarding the processing to the contest framework. A communicating with the transactional server at least comprises associating the game with a progressive jackpot contest and setting parameters for the progressive jackpot contest.
US09430903B2
Various embodiments are directed to systems and methods for providing management of multiple progressive pools. In some embodiments, a progressive pool management system may include at least one gaming machine configured to present a first game having a progressive pool. The progressive pool management system may include at least one gaming machine configured to present a second game having a progressive pool. The progressive pool management system may include a server in communication with the at least one gaming machine configured to present the first game and the at least one gaming machine configured to present the second game. The server may associate a section of a unified pool with the progressive pool of the first game. The server may associate a section of the unified pool with the progressive pool of the second game.
US09430901B2
In accordance with the teachings of the present invention, a system and method for wireless gaming with location determination are provided. In a particular embodiment of the present invention, the system includes a gaming server; a wireless network at least partially covering a property, the wireless network comprising a plurality of signal detection devices; and a gaming communication device operable to transmit and receive gaming information to and from the gaming server via the wireless network. A location of the gaming communication device on the property may be determined based upon a signal received by the plurality of signal detection devices from the gaming communication device. Based upon the location of the gaming communication device on the property, a predetermined functionality of the gaming communication device may be enabled.
US09430897B2
Transferring a digital object, comprising: receiving a digital object; validating the received digital object according to predefined rules; building a description of the validated digital object; providing access to the description to select the validated, described digital object for transfer; and transferring the validated, described digital object.
US09430884B2
A device includes a processor in communication with a first port, a second port and a third port. The first port is configured to communicate via a diagnostic cable with an electronic control unit of a vehicle. The diagnostic able cable has a first end configured to connect to a vehicle port and a second end configured to connect to the first port. The processor is configured to selectively test the communication capability of the diagnostic cable when the first end of the diagnostic cable is connected to the third port and the second end of the diagnostic cable is connected to the first port.
US09430882B2
A computerized maintenance management system for vehicles comprises a data warehouse, comprising a communications link for receiving data relating to vehicle maintenance, a storage component for storing received data, and a modeling component comprising modeling algorithms stored within the data warehouse. The modeling component is thus able to process the data in real-time within the data warehouse, and outputs a predictive model with recommended maintenance and/or replacement schedules that is always based on the most current available data.
US09430880B2
A measurement device is disclosed, embodiments of which are adapted to withstand, detect, and record detection of heat cycle events, including autoclave cycles. Embodiments of the measurement device comprise a sensor for measuring a characteristic of a medium and a heat cycle detection unit. Embodiments of the heat cycle detection unit comprise a temperature or atmospheric pressure responsive element, a detection module, data interface, and data memory. In one disclosed embodiment, the temperature or pressure responsive element is configured to respond to a characteristic of a heat cycle event while the heat cycle detection unit is off. In another disclosed embodiment, the detection module is configured to automatically power off the heat cycle detection unit in response to detecting an autoclave cycle. Methods of using the devices are also disclosed.
US09430878B2
A head mounted display and a control method thereof are disclosed. The control method comprises following steps. An application processor controls a pico projector unit to project a virtual image having a virtual object located on a virtual image coordinate in a virtual image coordinate system. An eye image sensing unit captures an eye image data. A sensing apparatus senses a touch object to output a sensing data. An ASIC obtains a real image coordinate of the touch object in a real image coordinate system according to the sensing data. The ASIC obtains a pupil position according to the eye image data, and controls the adjustment unit to adjust an imaging position of the virtual image according to the pupil position. The ASIC determines whether the touch object touched the virtual object according to the pupil position, the real coordinate and the virtual coordinate.
US09430876B1
The systems and methods may allow mobile computing devices to identify real world trigger items and to cause augmented reality scenarios associated with a real world trigger item to be presented on a display of the mobile computing device. A lookup scheme may identify indexed feature points of known candidate trigger items stored in a database. A number of evaluations occur between the indexed feature points to the feature points found in the real world trigger item. A determination that the feature points of a candidate trigger item matches the feature points of the real world trigger item is made when a confidence threshold is met or exceeded based on at least the look up scheme, weighted factor evaluation, variable threshold evaluation and potentially a geometric consistency evaluation to declare a positive match.
US09430872B2
A system and method of generating point clouds from passive images. Image clusters are formed, wherein each image cluster includes two or more passive images selected from a set of passive images. Quality of the point cloud that could be generated from each image cluster is predicted for each image cluster based on a performance prediction score for each image cluster. A subset of image clusters is selected for further processing based on their performance prediction scores. A mission-specific quality score is determined for each point cloud generated and the point cloud with the highest quality score is selected for storage.
US09430863B1
A system, method, and computer program product are provided for constructing a hierarchical acceleration data structure that supports ray tracing of motion blur. In use, scene description data associated with an image to be generated is received. Additionally, a hierarchical acceleration data structure for performing ray tracing on the scene description data is constructed, where the hierarchical acceleration data structure supports ray tracing of motion blur.
US09430859B2
A method of relaying an image. The method includes receiving a plurality of images which are photographed by a plurality of image processing apparatuses, determining orientation modes of the plurality of images, combining the plurality of images to generate a combined image in which the plurality of combined images are orientated in the same way, and transmitting the combined image to the plurality of image processing apparatuses.
US09430854B2
A method for reconstructing an image of a subject with a medical imaging system, such as a magnetic resonance imaging system, is provided. Medical image data is acquired from the subject with the medical imaging system, and one or more images of the subject are reconstructed from the medical image data while constraining the one or more images to be consistent with a signal model that relates image intensity values in the image to a free parameter that is associated with a physical property of the subject. The signal model may be an analytical signal model or an approximate signal model learned from acquired medical image data. The model consistency condition may be enforced using an operator that projects an image estimate onto the space of all functions satisfying the signal model.
US09430849B2
Device and method for performing a measurement of at least one geometrical dimension of an object, where: a reference model of the object is acquired; the object is gripped by gripping elements (5) and a first image of the object is taken via optical elements (2); the object is translated and rotated in the three dimension by the gripping elements while images of the object are taken by the optical elements (2) until reaching a condition representative of the superimposition of the perimeter of the image of the object or of a portion of it with those of the reference model; then the measurement of the geometrical dimension is performed.
US09430843B2
An edge detection engine operates to scan an image to identify edges within the image. An annular aperture is used to locate the edges in the image. An output image is generated by the edge detection engine that identifies the locations of the edges found in the image.
US09430842B1
Apparatus, systems, and methods fusing material classification with spatio-spectral edge detection in spectral imagery can be used in a variety of applications. In various embodiments, a classifier can be applied to neighboring pixels in data for an image to determine, based on material changes, if the neighboring pixels are correlated to two different materials with respect to a candidate location for an edge. Results of the classification can be used with a spatio-spectral mask to accept or reject the candidate location as an edge. Additional apparatus, systems, and methods are disclosed.
US09430826B2
A method for reducing artifacts produced by x-ray radiation directly striking a measuring pixel of a CMOS detector after crossing a scintillator, wherein, for an x-ray image recorded using the CMOS detector, artifact image points are extracted by applying a local, edge-obtaining smoothing operator that evaluates image data of neighboring image points located in the vicinity of a considered image point and comparison with the image to which the smoothing operator was applied, and their image data is corrected.
US09430808B2
Techniques for synchronization points for state information are described. In at least some embodiments, synchronization points are employed to propagate state information among different processing threads. A synchronization point, for example, can be employed to propagate state information among different independently-executing threads. Accordingly, in at least some embodiments, synchronization points serve as inter-thread communications among different independently-executing threads.
US09430797B2
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.
US09430791B1
Virtual goods having nested content are distributed. The virtual goods can be branded or not branded. The nested content can be virtual goods, digital media (music files, video files, pictures and/or other digital media), promotional content (e.g., coupons, incentives, advertisements and/or other promotional content) and/or other nested content. The nested content can include one or more units or combinations of units.
US09430789B2
A method for verifying the age or location of a player of an Internet-based lottery game entails providing lottery tickets for purchase by players at an authorized retail location, the lottery tickets having a game authorization code that is entered by the initiate play of the Internet-based lottery game on an internet enabled device. The age of the player is verified at the retail location and a separate verification password is entered via a terminal that is in communication with to the lottery system central computer, with the password linked to the game authorization code. Upon initiating play of the game via a web site, the player enters the verification password separately from the game authorization code. An Internet game server communicates with the lottery system central computer to ensure that the entered verification password corresponds to the linked verification password prior to permitting play of the Internet-based lottery game.
US09430783B1
In some embodiments, a computer implemented method of processing messages may include creating a gallery using messages received from user devices; scanning the messages to identify a selected message of messages; receiving, from an owner of the brand, a prioritization of the selected message; prioritizing, in response to the prioritization, the selected message in the gallery; and supplying the gallery to a user device for display to a user of the user device.
US09430777B1
Disclosed are various embodiments for generating incentives for users accessing an electronic commerce system that maximizes shipping consolidation for a merchant in the electronic commerce system. An incentive generator determines the shipping address for a user on the electronic commerce system. The incentive generator identifies at least one previously scheduled order to destinations located within a predefined area relative to the user shipping address. The incentive generator gathers the target delivery dates of identified previously scheduled deliveries and generates at least one incentive for the user to select a delivery date substantially similar to the target delivery dates. The at least one incentive is based at least in part on the destination of the previously scheduled order, a target delivery date of the previously scheduled order, and a shipping capacity threshold.
US09430776B2
An e-book management system receives a request for an e-book from a user client operated by a user. The e-book management system accesses a user profile associated with the user and an e-book profile associated with the e-book. The e-book profile contains content sections referencing portions of the e-book, and containing information describing the characteristics of those portions. Based on the user profile, display settings for the e-book are generated. The display settings contain instructions describing how to transform the e-book based on the content sections. The display settings may be used by the e-book management system to transform the e-book, which can then be sent to the user client. Alternatively, the display settings may be sent to the user client, where they may be used to transform the e-book prior to display.
US09430774B2
A system and method for creating online advertising economies of scale by maximizing quantity, applicability, accessibility and distribution of advertisements on a webpage that includes providing a tool to reside on a webpage that presents a first tier of data to a user. Upon the user selecting one of the first tier of data, the tool may expand from a passive footprint to an active footprint presenting a second tier of data in the expanded area. The expanded area includes a first and a second frame, such that, upon selection of one of the second tier of data in either the first or second frames, third tier data overwrites the second tier data in the frame opposite the frame selected by the user. The user is then able to continue alternatingly drilling down through the frames to obtain the data desired, including integrated related advertisement in various media formats.
US09430768B2
A mobile checkout system and method for completing a purchase transaction to purchase items from an internet merchant. A user browses and selects items for purchase from the merchant through a shopping application or browser. During the processing of the transaction, a checkout application installed on a mobile communication device is launched. The checkout application receives a checkout token created by a checkout server that identifies the purchase transaction. The checkout application uses this token and communicates with the checkout server to cause the checkout server to complete the purchase transaction, in which payment data is securely transmitted using a cryptogram.
US09430763B2
Various embodiments each include at least one of devices, systems, methods, and software of or including a wearable payment processing device. A wearable payment processing device is a wearable device that allows for conducting point-of-sale transactions. One embodiment includes a mounting base having opposing sides. A first opposing side is adapted to attach to a fixed base and a second opposing side is adapted to attach to a payment processing device. The payment processing device includes a payment card reader, an imaging device, and a display device electrically interconnected by a mainboard. The mainboard of such includes at least one processor, at least one memory device, and a network interface device. The at least one memory device stores instructions executable by the at least one processor to perform product purchase transactions for products identified via the imaging device and with payment data received via the payment card reader.
US09430762B2
A disclosed fee management system is for managing attending fees that are charged when transmission terminals attend a conversation in a transmission management system, which manages transmission of information associated with the conversation between the transmission terminals. The fee management system includes an acquisition unit configured to acquire attending hours information and conversation quality information, the attending hours information indicating attending hours for which the respective transmission terminals have attended the conversation, the conversation quality information indicating conversation communication service quality provided during the conversation; an attending hours computing unit configured to compute total attending hours based on the attending hours information, the total attending hours indicating hours for which the terminal has attended the conversation; and an attending fee computing unit configured to compute an attending fee for each of the terminals based on the corresponding total attending hours and the conversation quality information.
US09430760B2
An on-vehicle apparatus transmits first license request information to content to be purchased, to a server, and receives content data, to which a first license issued by the server based on the first license request information is added, from the server. The server transmits the content data, to which the first license is added based on the first license request information, to the on-vehicle apparatus, transmits second license request urging information to a communication terminal based on driving end notification information, and issues a second license to the content data based on the second license request information. The communication terminal transmits driving end notification information to the server based on determination that driving of a vehicle having the on-vehicle apparatus mounted thereon is ended, and transmits second license request information according to the second license request urging information to the server.
US09430757B2
A method for displaying context information on a user device, the method includes: identifying a triggering event associated with a contact; identifying a user associated with the user device; identifying a personalized configuration profile is based on at least one of an attribute of the contact attribute or an attribute of the user; identifying the context information associated with the personalized configuration profile; and retrieving the context information for displaying on the user device.
US09430755B2
Methods, system and computer readable medium for discovering social groups include extracting activity related data associated with a user's social interactions from a source. The activity related data identifies information related to social contacts used during the social interactions at the source. The activity related data of the user is analyzed to identify co-occurrences of the social contacts. The co-occurrences determine a set of related contacts. The set of related contacts identified from the activity related data are clustered into distinct social groups. The social groups are used by a user to facilitate subsequent interactions.
US09430753B2
The present disclosure extends to maintaining an item inventory status at an inventory cache management system. The inventory cache may be refreshed regularly by a threshold-based triggering mechanism. In embodiments, as item inventory breaches certain thresholds, the inventory cache may be refreshed with increased frequency to mitigate overselling or underselling scenarios and reduce overall network traffic for items having relatively high inventory levels.
US09430752B2
Systems and methods of constructing and managing virtual planograms are presented. Contemplated systems allow for construction of a virtual planogram, which can be used to present consumers virtual inventory items as being available for purchase via a display device. The display device can include an electronic billboard within an establishment, a mall for example, or include a user's smart device, a cell phone or tablet for example.
US09430747B2
An electronic device comprises a detecting unit and a processing unit, comprising. The method of adjusting execution state of electronic device comprises: a current environmental condition is detected through the detecting unit to generate a current environmental signal and the current environmental signal is transmitted to the processing unit. A current execution state of the electronic device is read through the processing unit. A step of comparing with a state look-up table of the electronic device is performed to allow the current environmental signal to correspond to a predetermined environmental condition in the state look-up table of the electronic device. It determines whether the current execution state of the electronic device conforms to a predetermined execution state of the predetermined environmental condition. If not, the current execution state of the electronic device is adjusted to allow the current execution state to be the same with the predetermined execution state.
US09430736B2
A neural network portion comprising N pre-synaptic neurons capable each of firing an action potential, wherein the number N can be encoded in a word of n bits; the neural network portion being provided for, upon firing of a number F of pre-synaptic neurons in a predetermined period of time: if F.n
US09430734B2
A method and system for validating energy measurement in a high pressure gas distribution network. The method comprises the steps of calculating a validation energy value using an artificial neural network (ANN) engine based on measured parameters associated with a gas flow in the gas distribution network; measuring an actual energy value of the gas flow; and comparing the validation energy value and the actual energy value, wherein the actual energy value is validated if the validation energy value and the actual energy value are substantially equal.
US09430731B2
An integrated circuit card includes a substrate and an integrated circuit carried by the substrate. A first sector is delimited by a first weakening line on the substrate, with the first sector being able to be separated from the substrate. A second sector is delimited by a second weakening line inside the first sector, with the second sector being able to be separated from the substrate and having the integrated circuit thereon. A disposable frame-piece is defined between the first and second weakening lines of the first and second sectors, and has a ring form. A breakage lug is arranged with respect to the disposable frame-piece to break the disposable frame-piece so that it is no longer intact, during separation of the second sector from the substrate.
US09430725B2
A device for tracking a consumable or perishable tool is provided including a connector configured to couple to a body of the consumable or perishable tool such that the connector remains in constant contact with the consumable or perishable tool for a life of the tool. The connector includes an exposed unique identifier configured to provide identification information about the tool when access by an asset management software.
US09430722B2
A printing apparatus includes a job holding unit, a selecting unit, a performing unit, a displaying unit, and a notification unit. The job holding unit holds jobs that print an image on a sheet conveyed from at least one of sheet holding units. The selecting unit selects a job from the job holding unit. The receiving unit receives, from a user, an instruction to execute the selected job. The performing unit performs the job per the instruction. The displaying unit displays a screen for selecting at least one of the sheet holding units for which attribute information of a sheet, to be used in a selected first job, is to be stored. The notification unit notifies, on the screen in a distinguishable manner, a user of at least one of the sheet holding units which is and another which is not used in printing of a second job.
US09430717B2
A system and method are provided for registering a coordinate system for a shape sensing system to a coordinate system for pre-procedural or intra-procedural imaging data. A stable curvature in a shape reconstruction is identified and matched to another curvature, where the other curvature is from another shape construction from a subsequent time or from imaging data from another imaging modality. The matched curvatures are aligned, aligning the coordinate systems for the respective curvatures.
US09430711B2
A feature point matching device includes a position feature generation unit for generating a position feature quantity for a feature point based on a position of the feature point included in an image, a pixel value feature generation unit for generating a pixel value feature quantity for the feature point based on a pixel value of the feature point included in the image, and a feature matching unit for matching a first feature point and a second feature point based on a degree of matching between a first position feature quantity generated from a first image and a second position feature quantity generated from a second image and a degree of matching between a first pixel value feature quantity generated from the first image and a second pixel value feature quantity generated from the second image.
US09430708B2
Provided is a method of detecting a pedestrian through feature information prediction based on an integral image. The method includes extracting a feature image of an obtained original image; generating an integral image of the feature image; predicting an integral image of an enlarged/reduced feature image using the integral image of the feature image and an image enlargement/reduction scale value; and detecting a pedestrian using an integral image of the predicted enlarged/reduced feature image. Accordingly, it is possible to decrease a time taken for a feature extracting operation, and perform pedestrian detection efficiently.
US09430707B2
A filtering device includes an evaluation value deriving module that derives, for a pair of generated images having mutual relevance, multiple evaluation values indicative of correlations between any one of blocks extracted from one of the images and multiple blocks extracted from the other image, respectively, a reference waveform part setting module that sets a reference waveform part of a transition waveform comprised of the multiple evaluation values, the reference waveform part containing the evaluation value having the highest correlation, and a difference value determining module that determines whether one or more similar waveform parts similar to the reference waveform part exist in the transition waveform, and determines, based on the result of the determination, whether the evaluation value with the highest correlation is valid as a difference value.
US09430704B2
An image processing system and method of operation includes: a source image; a binary mask image generated from the source image; a connected components module for detecting character targets; a text unit module, coupled to the connected components module, for forming connected neighbors by grouping the character targets having bounding boxes with a horizontal overlap greater than a horizontal overlap threshold, and for forming a text unit by grouping the character targets having a character vertical overlap greater than a character vertical overlap threshold, each of the character targets having a character feature within a feature threshold; a identify baseline module, coupled to the text unit module, for calculating a text unit baseline angle for rotating the text unit to the horizontal; and an optical character recognition module, coupled to the text unit module, for detecting an output text of the text unit for display on a device.
US09430701B2
Disclosed is a system and method for detecting a human in an image, and a corresponding activity. The image is captured, wherein the image comprises a plurality of pixels having gray scale information and a depth information. The image is segmented into a plurality of segments based upon the depth information. A connected component analysis is performed on a segment in order to segregate the one or more objects into noisy objects and candidate objects, the noisy objects are eliminated from the segment. A plurality of features are extracted from the candidate objects, and are evaluated using a Hidden Markov Model (HMM) model in order to determine the candidate objects as one of the human or non-human. The corresponding activity associated with the human is detected based on a depth value associated with each pixel corresponding to the candidate object in the image.
US09430693B2
A biometric authentication apparatus includes: a storage unit which stores identification information and authentication information of a plurality of registrants; a deletion process unit which registers, when receiving a request to delete the authentication information of any of the plurality of registrants, the identification information of the registrant to a deletion list, and deletes, from the storage unit, the authentication information of the registrant corresponding to the identification information registered on the deletion list at predetermined time; and an authentication process unit which matches the biometric information of the plurality of registrants with biometric information of a user based on the authentication information of each registrant and authentication information extracted from biometric data representing the biometric information of the user to determine whether or not to authenticate the user as any of the plurality of registrants other than the registrants corresponding to the identification information registered on the deletion list.
US09430691B2
A fingerprint reading system includes a camera module, a control module, and a signal processing module. The camera module has a detection unit, an image capture unit, a liquid lens unit, and an illumination unit. Control module is electrically connected to camera module for controlling the internal components of camera module. When the detection unit detects a start signal, the control module activates the image capture unit, liquid lens unit, and illumination unit. The liquid lens unit adjusts the focus distance across an entire scanning region and scans fingerprint. The image capture unit adjusts the focus distance across the entire scanning region through the liquid lens unit and scans fingerprint to capture multiple photos. The signal processing module selects the sharpest photo from the multiple photos to convert to a fingerprint image.
US09430677B2
Methods and systems are provided for managing static memory associated with software of an embedded system. The method includes performing one or more steps on one or more processors. The steps include selectively assigning memory objects to static memory segments based on access of the memory object by the software; managing data of the memory segments based on the assigning; and selectively restoring the data of the memory segments based on the managing.
US09430675B2
The present invention provides a method and apparatus for protecting an Encrypting PIN Pad (EPP) against tampering. The apparatus provides an EPP comprising a first layer comprising at least two spaced apart electrode elements, and a second layer comprising at least one bridge element for electrically bridging a space between the at least two electrode elements when the first layer and the second layer are urged together.
US09430674B2
Embodiments for preventing data loss and allowing selective access data include systems and methods that determine that a file has been created or received; determine a fingerprint of the file, wherein the fingerprint is a record of the file for comparison to the file at a later time; determine at least one permitted use related to the file, wherein the permitted uses comprises a permitted user and a permitted action; determine that the file is being accessed by a user; determine whether the user is a permitted user of the file based on an identity of the user; compare the file to the associated fingerprint of the file when the user is a permitted user; determine the action being taken by the user when the file matches the associated fingerprint; and permit the action to occur when the action is a permitted action of the file.
US09430670B2
A system, method, and computer program product for accessing web pages on a network are provided. In use, different users are provided access to a plurality of sections of a file selected by the different users based on a community value for at least one community dimension assigned to each section of the file selected by the different users. In particular, a user is conditionally provided access to a section of a file selected by the user, based on a comparison of a user value indicating a community with which the user is associated to the community value for the at least one community dimension assigned to the section of the file selected by the user.
US09430668B2
In one embodiment, a network system may be upgraded without losing access to write privileges to a network file 122 during the system upgrade. A network file management system 120 may execute a system upgrade. A network file management system 120 may provide direct write access for a data file 122 to a user throughout the system upgrade.
US09430665B2
Systems and methods are presented for dynamically controlling role-based access to enterprise applications. The access includes both a user's ability to access a requested functionality (hereinafter referred to as “features”) in an enterprise applications, as well as the user's ability to access the specific data (and request filtering of the data) within the enterprise applications. The systems and methods provide dynamic control by utilizing a number of separate tables for identifying each element (user, role and feature), with join-tables used to define, on an active/customized basis, the association of each user with respect to a particular role (user_role join-table) and association of each feature with the listing of roles (feature_role join-table). The join-tables and specific element tables may be modified during runtime to modify any of the associations or listings.
US09430663B2
Embodiments relate to processing a request from a user device for access rights for a resource. An access management system can send a request to query a (e.g., cached or authoritative) data store for available access rights. The query may include an exact-match or fuzzy query. A set of access-right results responsive to the query can be identified. The system may transmit a communication to the user device that identifies the set, or a subset thereof. Upon receiving a selection of a result, the system can facilitate assigning access rights corresponding to the identified result to the user. In some instances, a level of precision at which a characteristic of an access-right result is identified and/or whether or how access rights are held depends on a request load.
US09430661B2
There is provided an image forming apparatus that eliminates the need for separately preparing an encrypted file for each user. To achieve this, the image forming apparatus performs control of browsing of a browsing file that is browsed at a terminal. The document acquisition portion of the image forming apparatus acquires document data. The document encryption portion encrypts the document data with a public key as the browsing file. The position information setting portion sets position information to permit browsing of the browsing file encrypted by the document encryption portion in a viewer for causing the browsing file to be browsed at the terminal. In the case where it has been determined that the position information coincides with a current position, a browsing execution portion at the terminal uses a secret key to decrypt the browsing file for causing it to be browsed.
US09430660B2
Embodiments pertaining to managing access in one or more computing systems can include an operations controller in communication with the one or more computing systems for managing commercial transactions of the one or more computing systems and an access management controller in communication with the operations controller. The access management controller can receive an input including user roles and actions associated with the one or more computing systems. The access management controller can provide the input to the operations controller for implementation of access rules in accordance with relationships between the user roles and the actions. The access management controller can attempt to access in the one or more computing systems at least a portion of the user roles and the actions after the operations controller has implemented the access rules. The access management controller can compare the attempted access with the relationships to determine access discrepancies.
US09430656B2
A device for carrying out a cryptographic method has an input interface for receiving input data, an output interface for outputting output data, and a cryptographic unit for carrying out the cryptographic method. A first functional unit is provided which is designed to convert at least a portion of the input data into transformed input data using a first deterministic method, and to supply the transformed input data to the cryptographic unit, and/or a second functional unit is provided which is designed to convert at least a portion of output data of the cryptographic unit into transformed output data using a second deterministic method, and to supply the transformed output data to the output interface.
US09430647B2
Technologies for self-regulation for virtualized environments may include, by a virtual machine on an electronic device, detecting an attempted anti-malware operation by a monitored module, determining anti-malware operation levels of one or more other virtual machines on the electronic device, and, based on the attempted anti-malware operation and upon the anti-malware operation levels, determining whether to allow the attempted operation.
US09430637B2
A service providing system includes a unit that stores management information associating user identification, service identification information, and device identification information; a unit that receives authentication information from a service using apparatus; a unit that performs an authentication process on the authentication information; a unit that identifies a service based on the authentication information and the management information when the authentication information is authenticated; and an execution unit that executes a process according to a service use request. The execution unit includes a unit that determines rule information to be applied to a user using rule information to be applied to the service according to use history information, a unit that applies the rule information to be applied to the user to the process associated with the service use request; and a unit that stores a record of the applied rule information.
US09430628B2
A method of selectively authorizing access includes obtaining, at an authentication device, first information corresponding to first synthetic biometric data. The method also includes obtaining, at the authentication device, first common synthetic data and second biometric data. The method further includes generating, at the authentication device, second common synthetic data based on the first information and the second biometric data. The method also includes selectively authorizing, by the authentication device, access based on a comparison of the first common synthetic data and the second common synthetic data.
US09430622B2
In one embodiment, a mini appliance comprises: one or more low-power, low-heat, and low sound processors; one or more memories; and one or more software modules performing one or more system-management functionalities.
US09430621B2
Provided are systems and methods for secure provisioning of consumer network services. For example, there is a broadband modem for secure provisioning of a network service, where the broadband modem includes a controller having an embedded memory. The controller is configured to enable an unmanaged interface of the broadband modem, to establish a subscription interface link over the enabled unmanaged interface, and to download, over the subscription interface link, a subscriber firmware enabling a managed interface corresponding to the network service. Power cycling the broadband modem erases the downloaded subscriber firmware and disables the managed interface.
US09430614B2
A method, system, and program product are provided for providing a medical tracking interface. The method comprises the steps of: receiving tracking data from at least one tracking tool in any one of a plurality of data formats; converting the tracking data to a uniform data format; and outputting the tracking data in the uniform data format to an IGI application.
US09430613B1
A system and method of providing access to electronically stored medical information that appoints third party care takers as records custodians with access to a group of individuals' medical information remotely and securely via an electronic device so the medical information and/or personal records may be provided to medical providers during a medical emergency, thereby speeding up the process of one or more group members receiving required medical treatment.
US09430596B2
A system and method of parallel processing includes a computer system including a first processor, the first processor being a control flow type processor, a second processor, the second processor being a data flow type processor. The second processor is coupled to a second memory system, the second memory system including instructions stored therein in an order of execution and corresponding events data stored therein in the order of execution. A first one of the instructions are stored at a predefined location in the second memory system. The system also includes a run time events insertion and control unit coupled to the first processor and the second processor. The first processor, the second processor and the run time events insertion and control unit are on a common integrated circuit.
US09430592B2
A method for simulating, in an electrical device simulator, electrical behavior of an integrated diode is described. The diode is modelled using a compact model in the electrical device simulator to determine the electrical behavior of the diode in a given situation. The modelling includes modelling a series resistance relating to the active regions and to the connections, modelling a PN junction of the diode, and modelling a well resistance for positive values of a current passing through the diode involving a conductivity modulation model. The method further includes modelling of the well resistance for negative values of the current by a curve which increases steeply from an initial resistance value corresponding to a zero value of current up to a plateau.
US09430586B2
Methods, computer systems, and computer-storage media are provided for reference resolution. The present invention seeks to resolve entities in conversational search. To enable a more natural conversational search interaction, referential expressions such as pronouns are handled in queries. A component keeps track of previous queries and performs reference resolution based on an entity in the previous query and reformulates the query using an identifier for the referenced entity. Reference resolution may be performed for pronouns, plural pronouns, partial names, across domains, and on any device or platform.
US09430582B2
A system and method is provided for query processing comprises: creating an index of a database and ordering a set of index candidates from the index into a list based on a set of heuristic rules. A query defining a query path is then reduced into a list of single path expressions. Each index candidate is matched against the list of single path expressions according to the ordering of the index candidates. The matched candidate nodes are also verified to insure that they satisfy the query path.
US09430581B2
A method and system for detecting slow page load is provided. An example system comprises a page request detector, a time-out module, a time-out monitor, and a lightweight page requestor. The page request detector may be configured to detect a request for a web page. The time-out module may be configured to commence a time-out period in response to a request for a web page. The time-out module cooperates with the time-out monitor that may be configured to determine that rendering of a rich version of the requested web page has not commenced at an expiration of the time-out period. The lightweight page requestor may be configured to cause a lightweight version of the requested page to be provided to the client system when the time-out monitor determines that the rendering of a rich version of the requested web page has not commenced at an expiration of the time-out period.
US09430580B2
There is provided an information processing apparatus including a page switching unit for switching a display screen from a first Web page screen displayed on a display unit to a second Web page screen, and a switching information notification unit for notifying a page switching information on a notification screen before the second Web page screen is displayed while switching between the pages by the page switching unit, the page switching information is based on information included in at least the second Web page of the first and second Web pages, and the notification screen is a different screen from the first Web page.
US09430578B2
Systems and methods disclosed herein relate to a method of storing metadata for a file on a cloud based storage system. A server may receive a request from a third party application to store metadata for a file. The server may determine a metadata type based on the request. The server may associate the metadata value with an application identifier. The application identifier may identify a third party application. The server may store the metadata value based on the determined metadata type. The stored metadata may be associated with the application identifier and the stored metadata value may include information related to an anchor. The anchor may be an attribute of the file, and anchor can change respectively as the attribute changes.
US09430575B2
A system and method to use bar codes to facilitate obtaining information as to a product or service are provided. A smart phone, with a downloaded scanning application, can scan a bar code associated with a product or service. Information can be extracted from the code by the phone and the scanning application and forwarded automatically to a web server, via one or more computer networks. The server can analyze the information and extract other, responsive data from its data base. The responsive data can be downloaded to the scanning device for use with the product or service.
US09430574B2
A method, system, and processor-readable storage medium are directed towards generating a report derived from data, such as event data, stored on a plurality of distributed nodes. In one embodiment the analysis is generated using a “divide and conquer” algorithm, such that each distributed node analyzes locally stored event data while an aggregating node combines these analysis results to generate the report. In one embodiment, each distributed node also transmits a list of event data references associated with the analysis result to the aggregating node. The aggregating node may then generate a global ordered list of data references based on the list of event data references received from each distributed node. Subsequently, in response to a user selection of a range of global event data, the report may dynamically retrieve event data from one or more distributed nodes for display according to the global order.
US09430571B1
Methods, systems, and apparatus, including computer programs encoded on computer storage media, for generating travel queries in response to free text queries. One of the methods includes receiving a free text query; generating a travel query from the free text query, wherein the travel query expressly specifies an origin location, a destination location, and a departure date, wherein each of the origin location, the destination location, and the departure date are expressly identified as such in the travel query; and submitting the travel query to a travel search engine. Optionally the method includes obtaining user information about a user associated with the free text query, obtaining popular travel information, and deriving origin or destination locations, or departure or return dates from the free text query, the user information, and the popular-travel information.
US09430570B2
Systems and methods for determining user specific information and knowledge relevancy, relevant knowledge and information discovery, user intent and relevant interactions via intelligent messaging, collaboration, sharing and information categorization, further delivering created knowledge accessible through a personalized user experience.
US09430560B2
An illustrative method for generating earned media includes collecting publisher descriptor data from a plurality of publishers, storing the descriptor data in a computer-readable memory, gathering at least one marketing parameter from a marketer and storing the at least one marketing parameter on the computer-readable memory. The method further includes retrieving, with a computing device, the descriptor data and the at least one marketing parameter from the computer-readable memory and filtering the plurality of publishers by applying the at least one marketing parameter to the descriptor data to produce qualified publishers. The qualified publishers are then presented with content from the marketer for dissemination to an audience of the qualified publishers. A system for generating earned media is also presented.
US09430554B2
A server system allows object relational mapping. Objects of an object type are stored as records in a table corresponding to the object type. The server system allows new attributes to be added to an object type without altering the corresponding table. The object type comprises a set of mapped attributes that correspond to distinct columns of the associated table. The object type further comprises unmapped attributes that fail to map to distinct columns of the table. The table is associated with a virtual column for storing the unmapped attributes. The unmapped attributes of an object of the object type are encoded into a value and stored in the virtual column. The virtual column may be a column of the same table or a column of an auxiliary table. The unmapped attributes may also be stored as name value pairs in an auxiliary table associated with the table.
US09430548B1
A system for providing context tree based on data model is disclosed. The system comprises an interface, a processor, and a memory. The interface is configured to receive a data model entry point, and to receive one or more context filters. The processor is configured to determine context tree data based on the one or more context filters and the data model entry point from any context tree provider that has appropriate context tree information. The memory is coupled to the processor and is configured to provide the processor with instructions.
US09430538B2
Systems and methods classify, organize, and retrieve data from a variety of applications based on entities associated with the data. A data classification module is further configured to operate in cooperation with a communications application. Upon receiving an incoming communication via the communication application, the data classification module is configured to receive the identifying information from the communication application. The data classification module is configured to utilize the identifying information to retrieve additional information and data associated with the remote user from the searchable repository. The additional information and data can include additional identity information for the remote user. The additional information and data can also include information to allow the user to discern the context of the incoming communication. The data classification module is configured to generate an interface to provide the retrieved information to the user of communication application.
US09430531B2
Delivering personalized content based on a social graph of sharing activity of users of the open web
A social graph is built which includes interactions, sharing activity, and connections between the users of the open Web and can be used to improve ad targeting and content personalization. Personally identifiable information is not collected. Sharing activity between two users will affect ads or content that both users will be presented while surfing the Web. This sharing activity includes sending of links, sending of videos, sending of files, cutting and pasting of content, sending text messages, and sending of e-mails. Building of the social graph can include creating an edge in the social graph that is representative of a particular category type. Based on the social graph, personalized digital content can be selected.
US09430520B2
Database storage of hierarchically structured messages is facilitated based on structural semantic reflection of the message and automatic reconciliation of the messages. The structural semantics of an incoming message may be assessed and database storage provisioned based on the structural semantic reflection of the message. The system may auto-adapt over time as incoming messages from a known source change and automatically generate code which applies the sequential logic to a stream of messages in order to represent the latest state for a given context. Furthermore, the hierarchical semantics of messaging formats may be applied to a flexible set of database structures that represent the raw contents of the messages.
US09430514B1
Disclosed are various embodiments for locking metadata associated with catalog items. An identifier of an item in the item catalog and update metadata associated with the item are received. Responsive to the receipt, it is determined whether a lock against modification is associated with the identified item. Responsive at least in part to the determination that the identified item is associated with a lock, the identified item is left unmodified in the item catalog rather than modifying the identified item in accordance with the update metadata.
US09430510B2
According to one aspect of the present disclosure, a computer-implemented method is provided for processing a query for points of interest (POIs) using a hierarchical grid structure representing a geographic area. The method includes receiving a query for POIs; defining a query footprint for the query based on a location corresponding to the query, wherein the query footprint comprises query spatial identifiers for a plurality of levels of the hierarchical grid structure; matching the query spatial identifiers with one or more POI spatial identifiers organized into a plurality of indexes, wherein each one of the plurality of indexes comprises an index of the POI spatial identifiers for one of the plurality of levels; and providing an output specifying one or more POIs corresponding to the matched POI spatial identifiers.
US09430509B2
A method selects events from an event log for presentation along a timeline. The method may receive information associated with the timeline to define an interval of interest and a partition size, and divide the timeline into a plurality of segments based on the partition size. The method may further identify each segment having at least one relevant event within the segment, where a relevant event is an event which starts within a segment and overlaps with the interval of interest. The method may determine parameters associated with at least one relevant event for each identified segment, and provide the determined parameters along with an index which designates each identified segment. The determined parameters may be provided to a client to generate the timeline of the at least one relevant event. An apparatus can implement the method to select events from an event log which are associated with a defined time interval.
US09430507B2
Various systems and methods are provided that retrieve data measured by various sensors associated with a sensor collection site and compress the retrieved data so that the compressed data can be transported to and stored in one or more databases in an efficient manner. The various systems and methods may further retrieve the data stored in the one or more databases and generate an interactive user interface to display the data. While each instance of measured data may include a plurality of parameters, the various systems and methods may flatten the measured data such that information pertaining to each parameter can be displayed in a two-dimensional graph. Features may be extracted from the stored data to identify events that have occurred or that may occur in the future during operation of the sensor collection site such that a user can take appropriate action.
US09430503B1
A technique for preserving metadata changes in a transaction log involves coalescing metadata changes based on the block of storage in which the metadata to be changed resides. Metadata change information that accompanies a file system command is stored in nodes of a searchable data structure, wherein each node accumulates metadata changes for a respective block of storage. Once all metadata changes are specified in the searchable data structure, or after some threshold number of metadata changes have been stored, the storage processor composes a transaction for each node summarizing the metadata changes and writes the transaction to the transaction log.
US09430500B2
Disclosed are a method and device for providing a user-based interactive image by inserting various pieces of image processing information corresponding to a user input into an image in an electronic device. The method includes: displaying an image, identifying image processing information of the image in response to a user input for the image, and outputting feedback through image processing responding to the user input based on the image processing information. The present disclosure can be applied to various other embodiments based on the aforementioned embodiment.
US09430499B2
Embodiments of the invention are directed to a computer-implemented system and method of identifying human settlements in imagery comprising receiving an image, segmenting the image into a plurality of superpixels, analyzing statistical parameters of at least two or more of the plurality of superpixels, where the statistical parameters includes entropy data, and identifying groups of superpixels having at least a predetermined cluster density and a predetermined entropy. Some embodiments further include clipping the image to only include the identified groups of superpixels having the predetermined cluster density and entropy, analyzing statistical parameters of the clipped image, analyzing geometric factors of the clipped image, determining one or more settlements based on the statistical parameters and geometric factors of the superpixels, and identifying a shape and area of the one or more settlements based on the statistical parameters and geometric factors of the clipped image.
US09430498B2
Systems and methods of creating a tour on a digital celebrity map are disclosed, including steps to receive a user geolocation; determine a map area around the user geolocation; retrieve, from a data repository, celebrity geolocations within the map area, wherein each celebrity geolocation is associated with at least one named celebrity, and wherein each of the celebrity geolocations is associated with a celebrity geolocation type selected from the group consisting of celebrity real estate property, celebrity sighting location, and celebrity hotspot; transmit the celebrity geolocations to the computing appliance, for display on the digital celebrity map; receive a request to generate a tour to the celebrity geolocations, wherein the tour starts from the user geolocation; and in response to the user request, generate for display on the digital celebrity map, the tour to the celebrity geolocations.
US09430494B2
Techniques for extending the capabilities of an event processing system to support the processing of spatial data. In one set of embodiments, this extensibility can be provided via a plug-in extension component referred to herein as a spatial data cartridge. The spatial data cartridge can enable the event processing system to support spatial data types (e.g., point, polygon, etc.) and various operations related to such data types (e.g., proximity determinations, overlap determinations, etc.). The spatial data cartridge can also define an indexing scheme that can be integrated with the capabilities of the event processing system to support the indexing of spatial data. Using the spatial data cartridge, the event processing system can operate on spatial data even if spatial data formats are not natively supported by the system.
US09430491B2
In general, a data synchronization management system is disclosed in which files (and/or other data) are synchronized among two or more client computing devices in connection with a backup of those files. Synchronization polices specify files to be synchronized based on selected criteria including file data, metadata, and location information. In general, files are initially copied from a primary client computing device to secondary storage. Thereafter, files to be synchronized are identified from the secondary storage, and copied to other client computing devices. Additionally, synchronized files may be viewed and accessed through a cloud and/or remote file access interface.
US09430489B2
A computer includes a memory that stores a program and received data; and a processor that executes an operation by executing the program stored in the memory, the operation including storing the received data into a first database having a first data structure in which reading is performed in a random access manner and writing is performed in a sequential access manner, when the received data is received from a second apparatus is as same as data stored in a first apparatus which has a failure, and copying the received data stored in the first database to a second database having a second data structure in which reading is performed in a sequential access manner and writing is performed in a random access manner.
US09430481B2
In accordance with one or more embodiments of the present invention, methods and systems disclosed herein provide for storage disk file and defect management. According to an aspect, a method includes communicating, to a first computing device, an identifier associated with a storage device. The method also includes receiving, from the first computing device, maintenance information associated with the identifier. Further, the method also includes implementing a storage disk file management policy at the storage device based on the maintenance information. Maintenance or defect information may be provided, for example, for a disk subsystem comprised within a storage device. A disk subsystem with an identified potential defect, even though potential defect is latent, creates a risk to the software workloads running on the IT resource and a potential hazard in a datacenter.
US09430468B2
An online document management system is disclosed. In one embodiment, the online document management system comprises: one or more editorial computers operated by one or more administrators or editors, the editorial computers send invitations and manage peer review of document submissions; one or more system computers, the system computers maintain journals, records of submitted documents and user profiles, and issue notifications; and one or more user computers; the user computers submit documents or revisions to the document management system; wherein one or more of the editorial computers coordinate with one or more of the system computers to migrate one or more documents between journals maintained by the online document management system.
US09430462B2
A method includes, determining a target publication, identifying one or more content suggestions associated with the target publication, and causing a user to be prompted to input content. The input content satisfies at least a portion of the one or more content suggestions.
US09430449B2
Systems and methods for managing an editable preview of a webpage are provided herein. Exemplary methods may include receiving a request to generate an editable preview of a webpage, via a preview server, the webpage comprising assets arranged according to a layout, responsive to the request, obtaining, via the preview server, assets from a content repository, generating, via the preview server, an editable preview of the webpage using the obtained assets and the layout, and providing, via the preview server, the preview of the webpage to an authoring environment for editing by a content editor in such a way that when the content editor edits at least one of the obtained assets, the at least one obtained asset is placed in a locked format to prevent editing by additional content editors.
US09430444B2
The present invention extends to methods, systems, and computer program products for iteratively calculating standard deviation for streamed data. Embodiments of the invention include iteratively calculating standard deviation in a current computation window based on the standard deviation calculation for a previous computation window. Iteratively calculating standard deviation avoids visiting all previous input and performing redundant computations thereby increasing calculation efficiency. In general, streaming data is added to a buffer of size n until the buffer is filled up. Once the buffer is filled, a sum and standard deviation are calculated for the first n data points. As new data elements are received, a new sum is calculated by reusing the prior sum and a new standard deviation is calculated by reusing the prior standard deviation.
US09430440B2
An environment construction apparatus that carries out, in a second system, acquiring a connection permission data of a first storage in a first system that was set in a second storage of the second system; and extracting identification data of a first server in the first system based on the connection permission data of the first storage of the first system, and assigning the extracted identification data of the first server in the first system as identification data stored in a connection section of a second server in the second system.
US09430435B2
Described are embodiments of methods, apparatuses, and systems for multi-protocol tunneling across a multi-protocol I/O interconnect of computer apparatus. A method for multi-protocol tunneling may include establishing a first communication path between ports of a switching fabric of a multi-protocol interconnect of a computer apparatus in response to a peripheral device being connected to the computer apparatus, establishing a second communication path between the switching fabric and a protocol-specific controller, and routing, by the multi-protocol interconnect, packets of a protocol of the peripheral device from the peripheral device to the protocol-specific controller over the first and second communication paths. Other embodiments may be described and claimed.
US09430424B2
To provide access to USB devices coupled to a client computing device for a user of virtual machine executing on a server, the server, in some examples, may be configured to pack USB request blocks into IP data packets and transmit the IP data packets over a network. Responsive to receiving the IP data packets, the client computing device may extract the USB request blocks from the IP data packets and provide the access to the USB devices for the virtual machine user.
US09430423B2
An eMMC includes flash memory including an extended card specific data (CSD) register (“EXT_CSD register”), and an eMMC controller that controls operation of the flash memory. The eMMC controller is receives a clock from a host via a clock line, receives a SEND_EXT_CSD command from the host via a command line, and provides the host with eMMC information stored in the EXT_CSD register via a data bus in response to the SEND_EXT_CSD command, the eMMC information including maximum operating frequency information for the eMMC.
US09430420B2
A method of operation of a computing system includes: receiving a interrupt request for an interrupt task request; determining a request intent, with a control unit, from the interrupt request; generating a system notification for the interrupt task request based on the request intent; and determining a presentation order of the system notification relative to an existing system notification based on a notification priority associated with the interrupt task request.
US09430419B2
A data processing apparatus is provided with a plurality of processing units executing respective streams of program instructions corresponding to respective processing threads. Exception control circuitry controls exception processing for a group of the processing units in response to an exception triggering event. Each of the processing units moves only once and in sequence between normal, in-exception, and done-exception states in response to a given exception event. A group of processing units moves in sequence between states normal, triggering, and completing in response to the exception event. A counter value is used to track the number of processing units which have entered exception processing and then to track the number of processing units which have completed their exception processing.
US09430414B2
A disclosed computer system includes a processor, an I/O hub including a first host bus interface to communicate via a first transport bus, and a sensor hub. The sensor hub includes a first transport bus interface and a sensor hub microcontroller. The sensor hub microcontroller includes a peripheral stack that includes a second transport bus driver to communicate with a peripheral device via a second transport bus. The peripheral device may comply with a device specification such as the human interface device (HID) standard. The peripheral stack further includes a second transport bus plugin to adapt bus-specific operations to generic operations for the device specification, a device class driver to communicate bus-independent peripheral reports based on the generic operations, and a peripheral management module to coalesce multiple peripheral reports into a single instance visible to the I/O hub via the first transport bus interface and the first host bus interface.
US09430411B2
Apparatus and methods implemented therein are disclosed for communicating with flash memories. The apparatus comprises a flash interface module and a processor in communication with the flash interface module. The flash interface module is configured for communication with a first and second flash bank. The processor is configured to generate a plurality of command sequences in response to receiving a plurality of flash commands from a host system. Each of the plurality of command sequences corresponds to a respective one of the plurality of flash commands. Some of the plurality of command sequences comprises a first portion and a second portion and each of the first portion and second portion are atomic. The processor associates each of the plurality of command sequences with a priority, and via the flash interface module, selects one of the plurality of the command sequences based on the priority associated with the one of the plurality of the command sequences and transmits sequentially the first portion of the one of the plurality of the command sequences to either one of the first flash bank or the second flash bank.
US09430407B2
A machine state vector is received at a memory. The machine state vector has a machine state and a machine identifier. Write access qualification is met if the machine state entry is an initial write, or if the machine identifier matches the machine identifier of a stored machine state vector, and machine identifier and machine state are stored in the memory. A fetch machine state request is received, having a requestor machine identifier. A machine state retrieval qualification is met by the requestor machine identifier matching the stored machine identifier, and the machine state is retrieved.
US09430405B2
Described herein are methods, systems, and software for encrypting and erasing data objects in a content node. In one example, a method of operating a content node that caches content divided into one or more data objects includes encrypting the one or more data objects using separate encryption keys for each of the one or more data objects, the separate encryption keys comprising a common portion shared by the one or more data objects and an individualized portion unique to each data object. The method further provides receiving a purge request to erase at least one data object and, responsive to the purge request, erasing at least one of the common portion or the individualized portion for the at least one data object based on the purge request.
US09430403B1
A computer determines whether a page boundary of a page has been crossed by a function. Based on the computer determining that the page boundary has been crossed by the function, the computer generates a hardware exception. The computer resets one or more of a change bit and a reference bit for the page.
US09430402B2
The described implementations relate to computer memory. One implementation provides a technique that can include providing stealth memory to an application. The stealth memory can have an associated physical address on a memory device. The technique can also include identifying a cache line of a cache that is mapped to the physical address associated with the stealth page, and locking one or more other physical addresses on the memory device that also map to the cache line.
US09430396B2
A processor includes a processing core to execute an application including instructions encoding a transaction with a persistent memory via a volatile cache that includes a cache line associated with the transaction, the cache line being associated with a cache line status, and a cache controller operatively coupled to the volatile cache, the cache controller, in response to detecting a failure event, to, in response to determining that the cache line status that the cache line is committed, evict contents of the cache line to the persistent memory, and in response to determining that the cache line status indicating that the cache line is uncommitted, discard the contents of the cache line.
US09430395B2
A method, system, and computer program product for grouping and dispatching scans in a cache directory of a processing environment is provided. A plurality of scan tasks is aggregated from a scan wait queue into a scan task queue. The plurality of scan tasks is determined by selecting one of (1) each of the plurality of scan tasks on the scan wait queue, (2) a predetermined number of the plurality of scan tasks on the scan wait queue, and (3) a set of scan tasks of a similar type on the scan wait queue. A first scan task from the plurality of scan tasks is selected from the scan task queue. The scan task is performed.
US09430388B2
A scheduler that causes a given core in a multi-core processor to determine if a priority level of a process that is to be executed by a core of the multi-core processor is greater than or equal to a threshold; save to a cache memory of each core that executes a process having a priority level greater than or equal to the threshold, data that is accessed by the process upon execution; save to a memory area different from the cache memory and to which access is relatively slower, data that is accessed by a process having a priority level not greater than or equal to the threshold; and save the data saved in the memory area, to a cache memory of a requesting core, when the requesting core issues an access request for the data saved in the memory area.
US09430384B2
Instructions and logic provide advanced paging capabilities for secure enclave page caches. Embodiments include multiple hardware threads or processing cores, a cache to store secure data for a shared page address allocated to a secure enclave accessible by the hardware threads. A decode stage decodes a first instruction specifying said shared page address as an operand, and execution units mark an entry corresponding to an enclave page cache mapping for the shared page address to block creation of a new translation for either of said first or second hardware threads to access the shared page. A second instruction is decoded for execution, the second instruction specifying said secure enclave as an operand, and execution units record hardware threads currently accessing secure data in the enclave page cache corresponding to the secure enclave, and decrement the recorded number of hardware threads when any of the hardware threads exits the secure enclave.
US09430378B2
In one embodiment, a method includes receiving a plurality of data frames representing at least one virtually concatenated data stream, storing the plurality of data frames in a memory; and recording, for each of a plurality of data frames, a physical write address that indicates a position in the memory and a virtual write address that includes a multiframe indicator and a byte number indicator.
US09430375B2
A technique for operating a data storage system that includes a non-volatile memory array controlled by a controller includes storing, in the non-volatile memory array, first data whose frequency of access is above a first access level in a bandwidth optimized code word. Second data whose frequency of access is below a second access level is stored in the non-volatile memory in a code rate optimized code word.
US09430366B2
An optical data storage tape includes more than one segment, with each segment divided into multiple zones, which include multiple data tracks. The layout of the logical zones in one segment is in a different order than those of another segment. In an example, the tape includes at least N physical segments, at least M physical zones in each segment, at least M logical zones assigned to the M physical zones, and wherein logical zones of adjacent physical segments are in a different order than an adjacent physical segment.
US09430365B2
A mechanism is provided for managing a high speed memory. An index entry indicates a storage unit in the high speed memory. A corresponding non-free index is set for a different type of low speed memory. The indicated storage unit in the high speed memory is assigned to a corresponding low speed memory by including the index entry in the non-free index. The storage unit in the high speed memory is recovered by demoting the index entry from the non-free index. The mechanism acquires a margin performance loss corresponding to a respective non-free index in response to receipt of a demotion request. The margin performance loss represents a change in a processor read operation time caused by performing a demotion operation in a corresponding non-free index. The mechanism compares the margin performance losses of the respective non-free indexes and selecting a non-free index whose margin performance loss satisfies a demotion condition as a demotion index. The mechanism selects an index entry from the demotion index to perform the demotion operation.
US09430345B2
A protocol-independent tool for debugging and testing communication interfaces of devices and systems is disclosed. The tool is configured to receive protocol plug-ins corresponding to different communication protocols. Given a plug-in, the tool instantiates the plug-in's implementation of a tool-defined stack interface. Through this interface and its implementation by the plug-in, the tool can communicate with a device being tested. The protocol plug-in receives commands from a command interface for the device being tested, generates data packets in accordance with the communication protocol implemented by the plug-in, and transmits the data packets to the device being tested.
US09430337B1
A system, method and program product that provides a disaster recovery (DR) brokerage infrastructure. A system is described that includes: a network of intermediate storage nodes and peering points; and a brokerage manager that periodically evaluates a set of DR as a service (DRaaS) providers and selects a cost optimal DRaaS provider for a subscriber, wherein the brokerage manager replicates DR related data for the subscriber in an intermediate storage node prior to delivery to the cost optimal DRaaS provider.
US09430332B1
A computer-implemented method for enabling efficient access to incremental backups may include selecting an incremental backup of a volume of data, the incremental backup of the volume of data storing blocks from the volume of data that have changed since a previous backup of the volume of data, identifying block metadata for the incremental backup that describes a location of each block within the blocks in the incremental backup, detecting synthesized block metadata for the previous backup that describes a location of each block in the volume according to a synthesized view of the volume of data from a full backup of the volume up to the previous backup, and combining the block metadata for the incremental backup with the synthesized block metadata for the previous backup to generate new synthesized block metadata for the incremental backup. Various other methods, systems, and computer-readable media are also disclosed.
US09430315B2
A method and system for constructing component fault tree based on physics of failure are disclosed. The method includes the steps of: establishing, based on common characteristics of component physics of failure and according to six layers based on physics of failure and category of the component, a fault information database containing information of the six layers based on physics of failure; constructing, based on the fault information database and according to the six layers based on physics of failure and logical relationship of physics of failure, a component fault tree of n levels of events of six layers based on physics of failure; and simplifying the fault tree by means of failure mechanism sub-tree transferring and fault module sub-tree importing. The method and system are applicable to construction of fault tree of various components.
US09430299B2
A method comprising calculating for each agent, an average quality of tasks that were completed in the past by the agent; allocating tasks to the agents, wherein said allocating comprises selecting an agent to perform a task, the selection is based on the average quality of the agent; in response to the agent completing the task, computing a reward for the agent, wherein the reward is calculated according to a total contribution of the agent to the system by completing the task; whereby biasing said allocating to prefer allocating tasks to a first agent over a second agent, if a quality of the first agent is greater than a quality of the second agent, wherein said biasing is not dependent on prior knowledge of the qualities. Optionally, the agents choose whether or not to perform a task and an agent's quality affects the contributions of the agent performing tasks.
US09430298B2
A vehicle electronic control device having a first microcomputer and a second microcomputer connected to an in-vehicle network. The first microcomputer includes a process load level detecting unit that detects a process load level of the first microcomputer, a table in which the process load level is associated with data identification information, and a reception data reducing unit that, in a case where the process load level becomes equal to or greater than a first threshold level, stops receiving one or more data which the first microcomputer has received before the process load level becomes greater than or equal to the first threshold value. The second microcomputer includes a process load level estimating unit that estimates the process load level of the first microcomputer, a substitute data receiving unit that receives data, which the first microcomputer stops receiving, from the in-vehicle network in a case where the process load level estimated by the process load level estimating unit becomes greater than or equal to a second threshold value, and a data transmitting unit that transmits the data received by the substitute data receiving unit to the first microcomputer at a communication timing of serial communication.
US09430294B2
A framework for building an adaptive management system is described herein. Tools for building customized Agents that communicate by way of an interface abstraction over many mediated and non-mediated communications channels are described herein, wherein such tools allow for the Agents to be decoupled in terms of at least one of space, time, transport, synchronization, or communications direction.
US09430293B2
Methods, apparatus, and products for deterministic real time business application processing in a service-oriented architecture (‘SOA’), the SOA including SOA services, each SOA service carrying out a processing step of the business application where each SOA service is a real time process executable on a real time operating system of a generally programmable computer and deterministic real time business application processing according to embodiments of the present invention includes configuring the business application with real time processing information and executing the business application in the SOA in accordance with the real time processing information.
US09430280B1
Methods and systems for task timeouts as a function of input data size are disclosed. A definition of a task is received. The definition of the task indicates a set of input data for the task. A timeout duration for the task is determined based on the set of input data. The timeout duration varies with one or more characteristics of the set of input data. The execution of the task is initiated. The execution of the task is stopped if the execution of the task exceeds the timeout duration.
US09430278B2
A system and method for prioritized queues is provided. A plurality of queues are organized to enable long-running operations to be directed to a long running queue operation, while faster operations are directed to a non-long running operation queue. When an operation request is received, a determination is made whether it is a long-running operation, and, if so, the operation is placed in a long-running operation queue. When the processor core that is executing long-running operations is ready for the next operation, it removes an operation from the long-running operation queue and processes the operation.
US09430274B2
System and method embodiments are provided for consistent read in a record-based multi-version concurrency control (MVCC) in database (DB) management systems. In an embodiment, a method in a record-based multi-version concurrent control (MVCC) database (DB) management system for a snapshot consistent read includes copying a system commit transaction identifier (TxID) and a current log record sequence number (LSN) from a transaction log at a start of a reader without backfilling of a commit LSN of a transaction to records that are changed and without copying an entire transaction table by the reader; and determining whether a record is visible according to a record TxID, the commit TxID and a current LSN, wherein a transaction table is consulted only when the record TxID is equal to or larger than a commit TxID at a transaction start.
US09430243B2
A system and method for efficiently reducing the latency of initializing registers. A register rename unit within a processor determines whether prior to an execution pipeline stage it is known a decoded given instruction writes a particular numerical value in a destination operand. An example is a move immediate instruction that writes a value of 0 in its destination operand. Other examples may also qualify. If the determination is made, a given physical register identifier is assigned to the destination operand, wherein the given physical register identifier is associated with the particular numerical value, but it is not associated with an actual physical register in a physical register file. The given instruction is marked to prevent it from proceeding to an execution pipeline stage. When the given physical register identifier is used to read the physical register file, no actual physical register is accessed.
US09430242B2
Systems and methods for throttling GPU execution performance to avoid surges in DI/DT. A processor includes one or more execution units coupled to a scheduling unit configured to select instructions for execution by the one or more execution units. The execution units may be connected to one or more decoupling capacitors that store power for the circuits of the execution units. The scheduling unit is configured to throttle the instruction issue rate of the execution units based on a moving average issue rate over a large number of scheduling periods. The number of instructions issued during the current scheduling period is less than or equal to a throttling rate maintained by the scheduling unit that is greater than or equal to a minimum throttling issue rate. The throttling rate is set equal to the moving average plus an offset value at the end of each scheduling period.
US09430230B2
The present application relates to a method and a processing system for automated managing of the usage of alternative code. Code sections including original code and alternative code are retrieved from a code basis and the retrieved code is analyzed to detect an alternative code section. A condition definition associated with the identified alternative code section is further retrieved and the condition of the retrieved condition definition is evaluated. The identified alternative code section is activated in accordance with the evaluation result.
US09430228B2
A computer processor determines the backward compatibility of a software component. The processor identifies one or more programming interfaces that are exposed by a first version of a software component. The processor converts the attributes of the exposed programming interfaces into corresponding operations. The processor performs a backward compatibility check by comparing the operations of the first version of the software component to one or more operations of a second version of the software component. The processor determines the backward compatibility of the first version of the software component, based, at least in part, on a result of the backward compatibility check.
US09430225B2
A software update method and apparatus for a mobile terminal is provided. A delta generating server determines a plurality of available update versions for a currently installed version of a target software of the mobile terminal and transmits available update version information indicating available update versions to the mobile terminal. The mobile terminal receives the available update version information from the delta generating server and displays the available update version information. When one of the update versions is selected, a delta file for updating the target software to the selected version is generated by the delta generating server and is downloaded to the mobile terminal.
US09430222B2
In general, in one aspect, the invention relates to a computer readable medium including software instructions for performing a method, the method including receiving, by a content server, a first request from a client for an application content file, wherein the application content file is associated with a first Java network launch protocol (JNLP) file, providing, in response to the first request, the application content file; receiving, from the client, a second request to edit the application content file, providing, in response to the second request, an application designer tool to the client; receiving, from the client, an altered application content file generated using the application designer tool, generating a second JNLP file associated with the altered application content file, and providing, to a webserver, the second JNLP file.
US09430215B2
A terminal is connected to a terminal management device and an update management device. The terminal includes: a determination request unit configured to request the terminal management device to determine whether or not an update of a program is executable; an acquisition unit configured to, when the determination request unit receives information indicating that the terminal is able to execute an update of a program, acquire an update program used for executing an update of the program from the update management device; and an updating unit configured to execute the update program received from the update management device.
US09430214B2
An embedded step is executed to upgrade multiple layers of a system. The embedded step includes multiple nested steps, and each nested step includes a sequence of actions for upgrading one of the layers. A finite state machine defines the state transitions for each nested step. During the execution of the nested steps, an outer step of the nested steps is transitioned from an executing state into a waiting state after the outer step completes a tear-down. During the transitioning of the outer step, the outer step sends a trigger to an inner step of the nested steps to cause the inner step to transition into the executing state. When the inner step is completed, the outer step is transitioned out of the waiting state to execute a build-up phase. Execution of the embedded step is completed when an outermost step of the nested steps is completed.
US09430213B2
Embodiments disclosed facilitate obtaining a cloud agnostic representation of a first Virtual Machine Image (VMI) on a first cloud; and obtaining a second VMI for a second cloud different from the first cloud, wherein the second VMI is obtained based, at least in part, on the cloud agnostic representation of the first VMI.
US09430208B2
In accordance with embodiments of the present disclosure a method of configuring an information handling system comprises configuring a base platform of an information handling system. The method further comprises installing a personality module on the base platform. The personality module is configured to store personality information associated with an information handling resource of the information handling system. The method additionally comprises executing the personality module and installing software associated with the information handling system after executing the personality module.
US09430207B1
A cloud-based web platform providing for creating and managing native smartphone and tablet software applications for devices of different platforms based on a unified mobile specification is disclosed. The platform comprises a mobile application builder for creating, maintaining and editing a mobile application specification. The platform further comprises a mobile application engine for automatic compiling native mobile applications based on the mobile application specification. The platform further comprises a mobile application manager for delivering or deploying the native mobile applications to selected client devices and managing a workflow of the one or more native mobile applications.
US09430198B2
A data processing method and apparatus, which relate to the computer field and are capable of effectively improving scalability of a database system. The data processing method includes: receiving source code of an external routine, where the source code of the external routine is compiled by using an advanced programming language; compiling the source code to obtain intermediate code, where the intermediate code is a byte stream identifiable to a virtual machine on any operating platform; converting, according to an instruction set on the operating platform, the intermediate code into machine code capable of running on the operating platform; and storing the machine code to a database. The data processing method and apparatus provided by the embodiments of the present invention are used to process data.
US09430197B2
A compiler includes: a memory; and a processor coupled to the memory and configured to execute a compilation process, the compilation process includes: reading a source code to be compiled and literal tuples each of which is a combination of a plurality of string literals having meanings that correspond to each other between a plurality of languages, and generating a code in which regarding each literal tuple, a calculation byte length which is greater than or equal to a longest byte length of the string literal among the literal tuple is allocated to each of the plurality of string literals that belong to the literal tuple and a start address of each string literal is referenced according to a locale designated at an execution time.
US09430194B1
Embodiments of the present invention provide methods, program products, and systems for modifying source code by managing symbols indicating executable instructions. Embodiments of the present invention can be used to receive one or more symbols indicating executable instructions to be implemented via source code and generate a visual display comprising a dialog box supporting modification of source code that implements the executable instructions indicated by the one or more symbols. Responsive to receiving a user interaction with the dialog box resulting in modified source code, embodiments of the present invention can be used to generate modified source code or a representation of the modified source code that is shorter than the modified source code.
US09430192B2
A method and apparatus for generating true random numbers is provided which is hardware based, and which uses unpredictable physical noise produced by an optoisolator. Specifically, the noises resulting from one or more of quantum shot, thermal noise, flicker, and the photoelectric effect are used as variable energy sources for subsequent conversion into a bitstream used for random number selection. The apparatus is preferably provided with a through hole prototype design and construction which requires minimal number of components reducing overall costs.
US09430190B2
A method for operating a fused-multiply-add pipeline in a floating-point unit of a processor is disclosed. A multiplication is initially performed between a first operand and a second operand in a multiplier block to obtain a set of partial product results. The partial product results are sent to a carry-save adder block. A partial product reduction is performed on the partial product results to generate a carry-save result having a sum term and a carry term. The carry-save result is then formatted to generate a carry-out bit. The carry-save result is added to a third operand to generate a final result.
US09430186B2
A computing device is described that outputs, for display, an initial speech recognition graphical user interface (GUI) having at least one element. The computing device receives audio data and determines, based on the audio data, a voice-initiated action. Responsive to determining the voice-initiated action, the computing device outputs, for display, an updated speech recognition GUI having an animation of a change in a position of the at least one element to indicate that the voice-initiated action has been determined.
US09430175B2
A communication apparatus including a near field wireless communication unit which holds communication information regarding a communication sets a communication mode to be used for a wireless communication unit supporting a longer field wireless communication than a wireless communication using a near field wireless communication unit in accordance with write information written from an external apparatus to the near field wireless communication unit.
US09430174B2
A print production system includes an order-receiving server and a printing management server. The order-receiving server transmits an electronic operation manual including ordering information to the printing management server. The printing management server classifies a plurality of items for identifying content of a print job to be carried out into specifiable items that can be specified uniquely according to the electronic operation manual, and unspecifiable items that cannot be specified uniquely according to the electronic operation manual. The printing management server also generates job information by determining content of one or more unspecifiable items according to guidelines, and stores the job information in association with a management identifier of the print job.
US09430168B2
A non-transitory computer-readable recording medium has stored therein a program for causing a computer to execute a process. The process includes identifying a data block from among a plurality of data blocks in a first storage for relocation to a second storage, determining an access mode of the identified data block, the access mode including sequential access or random access, and relocating the identified data block to the second storage based on the determined access mode.
US09430165B1
A data storage system and method for cold storage. The data storage system includes a plurality of data storage devices (DSD). Each DSD includes a processor, two ports, and a storage medium. The second port of each DSD is connected to the first port of a neighboring DSD, forming a sequential connection. A data command is sent to the first DSD in the sequential connection and the first DSD's processor determines whether the first DSD is a destination for the data command. If the first DSD is the destination, the storage medium of the first DSD is powered up. If the first DSD is not the destination, the data command is sent to a next DSD via the second port of the first DSD. The data command is sent through the sequential connection until it reaches the destination DSD, which services the data command.
US09430154B2
An SSD controller maintains a zero count and a one count, and/or in some embodiments a zero/one disparity count, for each read unit read from an SLC NVM (or the lower pages of an MLC). In an event that the read unit is uncorrectable in part due to a shift in the threshold voltage distributions away from their nominal distributions, the maintained counts enable a determination of a direction and/or a magnitude to adjust a read threshold to track the threshold voltage shift and restore the read data zero/one balance. In various embodiments, the adjusted read threshold is determined in a variety of described ways (counts, percentages) that are based on a number of described factors (determined threshold voltage distributions, known stored values, past NVM operating events). Extensions of the forgoing techniques are described for MLC memories.
US09430149B2
A write request including payload data is received. The payload data of the write request is stored in a staging area of a storage manager. A transformation pipeline is determined based, at least in part, on an attribute of the write request. The transformation pipeline is queued for execution. Data fragments are generated based, at least in part, on the payload data and the transformation pipeline. The data fragments are transmitted to a plurality of enclosures.
US09430148B2
A method is provided, for example, to implement multiplexed communication between a controller and a preamplifier in a storage device. For example, multiplexed communication is implemented by controlling a bidirectional serial data line of a digital bus to selectively transmit digital signals in either a first direction from the controller to the preamplifier or a second direction from the preamplifier to the controller, in response to a direction control signal, and concurrently transmitting a synchronous clock signal over a clock signal line of the digital bus from the controller to the preamplifier to synchronize transfer and processing of the digital signals transmitted on the bidirectional serial data line of the digital bus. The direction control signal is transmitted from the controller to the preamplifier on one of the bidirectional serial data line and the clock signal line of the digital bus.
US09430140B2
The DIGITAL WHITEBOARD COLLABORATION APPARATUSES, METHODS AND SYSTEMS (“DWC”) transform user multi-element touchscreen gestures via DWC components into updated digital collaboration whiteboard objects. In one embodiment, the DWC obtains user whiteboard input from a client device participating in a digital collaborative whiteboarding session. The DWC parses the user whiteboard input to determine user instructions, and modifies a tile object included in the digital collaborative whiteboarding session according to the determined user instructions. The DWC generates updated client viewport content for the client device. Also, the DWC determines that client viewport content of a second client device should be modified because of modifying the tile object included in the digital whiteboard. The DWC generates updated client viewport content for the second client device after determining that the content of the second client device should be modified, and provides the updated client viewport content to the second client device.
US09430137B2
In a multi-functional mobile phone (smartphone), a touch panel is operated to input characters or the like. When an index finger of a user approaches an image key within a predetermined distance, an on-screen keyboard is enlarged with the image key as the center of enlargement such that the size of the image key becomes larger than a contact surface size of the index finger. Touch operation is performed on an enlarged on-screen keyboard displayed.
US09430133B2
Techniques and tools are described for facilitating user reflection on past decisions in order to determine trends and to assist in future decision-making. Technologies for administering a career history exercise and for visualizing results of the career history exercise are described. Visualizations include using stage cards representative of stages in a user's career history. User ratings of the stages in his or her career history are displayed on the stage cards using color-shaded ratings units.
US09430128B2
In an embodiment, a number of parallel gestures are detected, in a particular area on a touch screen interface of a device. A command is identified based at least on the parallel gestures and an action associated with the command is performed.
US09430122B2
Methods and devices for selectively presenting a user interface on a second screen. More particularly, the method includes a change in the display mode of a multiple screen device from a first screen to a second screen while the device is closed. The change in the display mode may be made in response to one or more actions conducted by a user in a gesture capture region. The actions can include tapping the device in the gesture capture region. The actions can also include further input received in a window provided in response to the taps in the gesture capture region.
US09430118B2
Embodiments include a method that includes receiving a destination Internet address for a destination web page into a graphical web browser that is displaying a current web page having a current Internet address on a display. The method includes determining a relationship between the destination Internet address and the current Internet address. The relationship is determined by determining differences between the current Internet address and the destination Internet address. The method also includes determining a spatially-oriented traversal animation based, at least in part, on the relationship between the destination Internet address and the current Internet address. The method includes animating bringing the destination web page onto the display using the spatially-oriented traversal animation. The method also includes displaying the destination web page after the spatially-oriented traversal animation.
US09430109B2
The present invention discloses a touch Screen panel and a method for manufacturing the same, and a display device. The method comprises: forming a pattern of a touch electrode layer on a substrate; forming a pattern of an insulating layer on the touch electrode layer; and then forming the patterns of a bridging layer and a peripheral wiring on the insulating layer by one patterning process. In the invention, the patterning of the bridging layer and the peripheral wiring is accomplished simultaneously in one patterning process, thereby the number of patterning times during the manufacture process can be reduced, the manufacture efficiency of the touch screen panel can be improved, and the production cost can be lowered.
US09430107B2
A projected capacitive touch and force sensor capable of detecting multiple touches thereto and forces thereof is coupled with a digital device having multi-touch and force decoding capabilities. Once a touch has been established, a force thereof may be assigned to the touch based upon the magnitude of change of capacitance values determined during scans of the projected capacitive touch and force sensor. The touch forces applied to the touch sensor from the associated tracked touch points may be utilized in further determining three dimensional gesturing, e.g., X, Y and Z positions and forces, respectively.
US09430099B2
A touch panel having a piezoelectric sheet with a first region and a second region, and a surface protection film bonded to the second region of the piezoelectric sheet with a non-curable adhesive. The non-curable adhesive has a larger elasticity than a material that bonds the first region of the piezoelectric sheet to the surface protection film.
US09430094B2
An optical touch system is provided. At least one light source is disposed at a side of a base plane. A first optical sensor and a second optical sensor detect a space in front of the base plane to generate a first signal and a second signal. When two groups of objects approach to or touch the base plane, a processing unit determines at least one first portion of the first signal corresponding to the two groups of the objects and at least one second portion of the second signal corresponding to the two groups of the objects, and converts the at least one first portion and the at least one second portion into a plurality of touch regions, and determines group transformations according to positions corresponding to at least part of touch regions. Additionally, a method of touch detection, and a computer program product are also provided.
US09430089B2
The present invention provides an information processing apparatus configured to recognize a touch operation. The information processing apparatus includes an obtaining unit configured to obtain a plurality of touch positions touched on a display screen; a specifying unit configured to specify an object displayed at a position corresponding to each of the touch positions obtained by the obtaining unit on the display screen when at least one of the touch positions obtained by the obtaining unit is included in a predetermined range on the display screen; and a determination unit configured to determine, among the touch positions obtained by the obtaining unit, a touch position included in the predetermined range as an invalid input for a touch operation to the information processing apparatus when the object specified by the specifying unit is not a plurality of objects associated with each other.
US09430087B2
The use of multiple stimulation signals having one or more frequencies and one or more phases to generate an image of touch on a touch sensor panel is disclosed. Each of a plurality of sense channels can be coupled to a column in a touch sensor panel and can have one or more mixers. Each mixer in the sense channel can utilize a circuit capable generating a demodulation frequency of a particular frequency. At each of multiple steps, various phases of one or more selected frequencies can be used to simultaneously stimulate the rows of the touch sensor panel, and the one or more mixers in each sense channel can be configured to demodulate the signal received from the column connected to each sense channel using the one or more selected frequencies. After all steps have been completed, the demodulated signals from the one or more mixers can be used in calculations to determine an image of touch for the touch sensor panel at each of the one or more frequencies.
US09430082B2
An electronic device and a method of controlling the same, where the electronic device includes a touchscreen, a sensing unit configured to sense a touch pattern applied to the touchscreen, a memory configured to store a function corresponding to the touch pattern, and a controller configured to sense a touch pattern of a touch input through the sensing unit upon reception of the touch input through the touchscreen and to execute a function corresponding to the sensed touch pattern, stored in the memory, wherein the sensing unit recognizes the touch pattern based on vibration generated when the touch input is received through the touchscreen. Accordingly, touch patterns can be discriminated based on portions of a finger, which come into contact with the touchscreen to apply the touch patterns, and different functions respectively corresponding to the touch patterns can be executed.
US09430079B2
A touch-sensing apparatus comprises a light transmissive panel, in which sheets of light are propagated by internal reflection between a touch surface and an opposite surface from an incoupling site to an outcoupling site. The touch-sensing apparatus is configured such that objects touching the touch surface cause a local attenuation of at least two sheets of light. A light sensor arrangement is optically connected to the outcoupling site to measure transmitted light energy. A data processor is connected to the light sensor arrangement and configured to execute a touch determination process. The process operates on at least one projection signal which is indicative of a spatial distribution of light within the outcoupling site.
US09430077B2
Apparatus, systems and methods for shock mounting glass for an electronic device are disclosed. The glass for the electronic device can provide an outer surface for at least a portion of a housing for the electronic device. In one embodiment, the shock mounting can provide a compliant interface between the glass and the electronic device housing. In another embodiment, the shock mounting can provide a mechanically actuated retractable. For example, an outer glass member for an electronic device housing can be referred to as cover glass, which is often provided at a front surface of the electronic device housing.
US09430075B2
Technologies and implementations for signal enhancement are generally disclosed. In some examples, a method to enhance a signal may include receiving a determined location of a device on a surface of a touch screen, detecting a first signal and a direction of the first signal from the device with two or more wireless signal detectors, and enhancing a second signal from the device with beamforming. Enhancing the second signal may be based, at least in part, on the location of the device and the detected first signal from the device.
US09430074B2
One variation of a dynamic tactile interface includes a tactile layer defining a peripheral region and a deformable region adjacent the peripheral region; a substrate coupled to the peripheral region, a fluid conduit adjacent the deformable region, a fluid channel fluidly coupled to the fluid conduit, and a via fluidly coupled to the fluid channel and passing through the back surface; a bladder fluidly coupled to the via and the substrate; a structure adjacent a first side of the bladder; and a platen adjacent a second side of the bladder opposite the first side and compressing the bladder against the structure substantially perpendicular the longitudinal axis of the bladder and substantially parallel the substrate to displace fluid from the bladder and into the fluid channel to transition the deformable region from a retracted setting into an expanded setting.
US09430058B2
A touch stylus capable of detecting pressure on its tip is disclosed in the present disclosure. The touch stylus includes a body, a tip, and a pressure sensing module disposed between the body and the tip for detecting a pressure on the tip. The pressure sensing module includes a lighting unit, a pressure sensing unit connected to the tip, and a controller electrically connected to the lighting unit and the pressure sensing unit. The pressure sensing unit detects a movement of the tip relative to the body, and generates a corresponding electrical signal. The controller receives the electrical signal to drive the lighting unit for generating a corresponding optical signal. A scintillating frequency of the optical signal and a value of the electrical signal are in direct proportion, and an optical detector can transform the optical signal into the pressure on the tip.
US09430056B2
A pointing device for a portable computer is disclosed. The pointing device includes an operation cover for covering a first and second pressure sensors. The pointing device also includes one front operation surface and two rear pressure faces. Detection axes are arranged in a vertical direction, and the pressure faces are so inclined that normal lines will approach each other above the operation surface. The operation surface is applied with depression pressure P1 including a horizontal component Ph and a vertical component Pv. Even when any position on the operation surface is pressed down, pressure P2a detected by the first pressure sensor becomes greater than pressure P3a detected by the second pressure sensor.
US09430044B2
A load control system may include load control devices for controlling an amount of power provided to an electrical load. The load control devices may be capable of controlling the amount of power provided to the electrical load based on control instructions received from a gesture-based control device. The gesture-based control device may identify gestures performed by a user for controlling a load control device and provide control instructions to the load control device based on the identified gestures. The gestures may be identified based on images received from a motion capture device. A gesture may be associated with a scene that includes a configuration of one or more load control devices in a load control system. The user may perform one or more gestures to program the gesture-based control device.
US09430040B2
The subject disclosure is directed towards eye gaze detection based upon multiple cameras and/or light sources. The cameras and/or light sources are configured to provide eye gaze detection for a device display at different orientations, at different tilt angles, at different user positions, at different user distances, and so on. Also described is a controller that selectively controls light source power and camera on/off state to provide images of the eye having sufficient quality for eye gaze detection and/or to conserve power.
US09430024B2
An apparatus and method for waking up a main processor (MP) in a low power or ultra-low power device preferably includes the MP, and a sub-processor (SP) that utilizes less power than the MP to monitor ambient conditions than the MP, and may be internalized in the MP. The MP and SP can remain in a sleep mode while an interrupt sensor monitors for changes in the ambient environment. A sensor is preferably an interrupt-type sensor, as opposed to polling-type sensors conventionally used to detect ambient changes. The MP and SP may remain in sleep mode, as a low-power or an ultra-low power interrupt sensor operates with the SP being in sleep mode, and awakens the SP via an interrupt indicating a detected change. The SP then wakes the MP after comparing data from the interrupt sensor with values in storage or with another sensor.
US09430023B2
An apparatus for a sleep state video interface of an information handling device includes a storage device storing machine-readable code and a processor executing the machine-readable code. The apparatus includes a notification module receiving a sleep notification to place an information handling device into a sleep state. The information handling device receives a video signal. The apparatus includes a sleep module entering the information handling device into the sleep state in response to the notification module receiving the sleep notification. The video signal passes through the information handling device to a display as the information handling device is in the sleep state.
US09430020B2
The embodiments of the present disclosure provide a method, a device and a system for data stream transmission, which relate to the field of communication, and can reduce the energy consumption of the data stream transmission between devices. The method includes: receiving, by a resting device, a message indicating to enter into an energy-saving state; after receiving the message indicating to enter into the energy-saving state, sending, by the resting device, stored user information to an on-duty device so that the on-duty device receives and synchronizes user information; and, after the user information is synchronized, setting, by the resting device, the transmission state of the resting device as standby and entering into a sleeping state. The embodiments of the present disclosure are used for data stream transmission.
US09430014B2
Various embodiments of methods and systems for idle state optimization in a portable computing device (“PCD”) are disclosed. An exemplary method includes comparing an aggregate power consumption level for all processing cores in the PCD to a power budget and, if there is available headroom in the power budget, transitioning cores operating in a first idle state to a different idle state. In doing so, the latency value associated with bringing the transitioned cores out of an idle state and into an active state, should the need arise, may be reduced. The result is that user experience and QoS may be improved as an otherwise idle core in an idle state with a long latency time may be better positioned to quickly transition to an active state and process a workload.
US09430012B2
A system includes an excitation system configured to regulate one or more outputs of a power generating system. The excitation system includes data processing circuitry configured to obtain an electrical voltage measurement and an electrical current measurement associated with the power generating system, a transformer failure detection system configured to detect an abnormality associated with the electrical voltage and electrical current measurements as an indication of a possible transformer failure, and a failure detection deactivation system configured to deactivate the transformer failure detection system based at least in part on whether the abnormality comprises one of a first condition or a second condition.
US09430007B2
According to one exemplary embodiment, a method for reducing electrical component stress from power cycling is provided. The method may include receiving an indication associated with power cycling an electronic apparatus. The method may also include identifying, based on the received indication, a first one or more groups of electrical components that will not be powered off during the power cycling of the electronic apparatus. The method may further include identifying, based on the received indication, a second one or more groups of electrical components that will be powered off during the power cycling of the electronic apparatus. The method may finally include powering off the second one or more groups of electrical components.
US09430005B2
A server includes a casing, a circuit board component, an assembly component and a power supply. The casing has an assembly channel and a first fastening slot. The circuit board component includes a substrate and a first electrical connector. The first electrical connector is electrically connected to the substrate. The assembly component is located out of the casing and detachably assembled with the casing. The assembly component has a second fastening slot. A distance between the first electrical connector and the second fastening slot is greater than a distance between the first electrical connector and the first fastening slot. The power supply includes a main body and a fastening unit. The main body includes a second electrical connector. The main body is for being movably assembled with the assembly channel, so the fastening unit is selectively assembled with the first fastening slot or the second fastening slot.
US09429993B2
Computing device docking systems are disclosed. According to an aspect, a computing device docking system includes a docking station component having an opening defined within a surface. The system includes a pin including a body and an end having a member extending laterally from the body. The end of the pin is receivable within an opening of a computing device component for attaching the computing device component to the docking station. The pin is moveable within the opening between a first position and a second position. In the first position, at least a portion of the body and at least a portion of the member is positioned within the opening of the docking station component. In the second position, at least a portion of the body is within the opening and the member is outside of the opening of the docking station component.
US09429991B1
A wearable memory card holder for positioning on a limb of a wearer may comprise a band for at least partially encircling the limb of the wearer, and a memory card receptacle integrated with the band and configured to receive a memory card. A transmitter may be mounted on the band and configured to wirelessly transmit data from a memory card when the memory card is inserted into the memory card receptacle.
US09429990B2
Example methods and systems may be implemented by a wearable computer to utilize optical-flow analysis to recognize a predetermined user-action, such as selecting an object. An example method may involve a wearable computing device: (a) receiving video data from a video camera of a wearable computing device: (b) determining optical flow for the video data; (c) determining that an optical-flow differential exists at an area within the optical flow for the video data; and (d) responsive to determining that the optical-flow differential exists at the area: (i) identifying an object that is located at the area where the optical-flow differential exists; (ii) performing a search on the object; and (iii) causing a graphical display to display information that corresponds to results from the search.
US09429989B2
An interactive electronic device shell and light source may enable personalization and increased functionality of an electronic device. The shell may at least partially cover a light source and attach to an electronic device. The shell includes at least some transparent or translucent portions (e.g., light stencils) that enable light from a matrix of the light source to emit through the shell, thus causing a display of light from the shell. In some aspects, the electronic device may be linked with the shell and/or the light source to control light emission through the shell. In various aspects, an illumined portion of the shell may have significance, such as revealing an artistic design or indicating a message based on activity of the electronic device.
US09429988B2
A touch screen panel includes a window substrate divided into an active area and a non-active area, the non-active area being outside the active area, the window substrate having a first printed layer formed in the non-active area, a touch substrate including sensing electrodes formed in the active area and having a second printed layer that faces the first printed layer formed in the non-active area, and an adhesive layer interposed between the window substrate and the touch substrate.
US09429985B2
A method for reducing a total computation capacity that needs to be kept, in which an electronic computation module of a vehicle system keeps the total computation capacity, wherein a multiplicity of software modules are executed by the electronic computation module, wherein the software modules take up computation capacity for data processing processes and for input data checking processes and wherein the input data checking processes are repeated in accordance with clocking. The method is distinguished in that the clocking is adjustable. Furthermore, the invention relates to a vehicle-to-x communication apparatus and to a use of the vehicle-to-x communication apparatus.
US09429976B2
In a vehicle operation pedal apparatus, an engagement hook is formed in one end portion of a return spring, an engagement hole or cutout into which the engagement hook is hooked is formed in a bracket plate member disposed on an operation pedal, and a surface direction of a portion of the bracket plate member, in which the engagement hole or cutout is formed, is set such that a contact point at which the engagement hook contacts one of a pair of edges that are ridgelines between an inner wall surface of the engagement hole or cutout and one surface and an other surface of the bracket plate member is a relative pivot point of the return spring that pivots relative to the operation pedal in accordance with a pivoting operation of the operation pedal in an entire operation angle range of the operation pedal.
US09429974B2
Systems and methods for managing power supplied over an electric power grid by an electric utility and/or other market participants to multiplicity of grid elements and devices for supply and/or load curtailment as supply, each of which having a Power Supply Value (PSV) associated with its energy consumption and/or reduction in consumption and/or supply, and wherein messaging is managed through a network by a Coordinator using IP messaging for communication with the grid elements and devices, with the energy management system (EMS), and with the utilities, market participants, and/or grid operators.
US09429962B2
Provided according to some embodiments is a thermostat is capable of discerning the time-of-day without external input. Should the user fail to set the time, the thermostat uses one or more sensors to determine the time-of-day through a variety of techniques. In one example, a light sensor can monitor natural light to understand the cycle of sun with respect to the installation location. From the cycle of natural light a latitude, time-of-year, time-of-day, etc. can be estimated through processing sensor information over time. Should the thermostat have its time manually set or gathered from the network, it would override the estimated time-of-day. Techniques can be used to filter input from the one or more sensors to avoid confusion from other inputs, for example, man-made lighting.
US09429959B2
A control apparatus for a linear motion stage includes: a first filter for filtering the frequency of a signal received from a linear encoder of the linear motion stage; an adder for adding an input signal representing a command position and a negative of an output signal of the first filter; a control for generating a control signal for controlling the linear motion stage based on an output signal of the adder; and a second filter for filtering the frequency of the control signal. Each of the input terminals of the first and second filters has a correction table for storing cut-off frequencies and damping rates measured according to the driven positions of the linear motion stage, thereby applying the correction table so as to determine the cut-off frequencies of the first and second filters and the damping rates according to the driven positions of the linear motion stage.
US09429958B2
A regulator unit which includes a regulator main body, and a pressure-regulating mechanism part, being installed consecutively thereto; the pressure-regulating mechanism part being constituted by a cylindrical housing provided with a shouldered hole, the shouldered hole being formed by a smaller-diameter bore and a larger-diameter bore, the smaller-diameter bore accommodating an adjusting spring and an end cover; a ball screw being disposed in the larger-diameter bore; an operation handle being mounted to a basal end part of a threaded rod of the ball screw through a fastener; and the operation handle being capable of being turned for expanding or contracting said adjusting spring to thereby change the spring pressure applied to a diaphragm receiving plate.
US09429951B2
A controller (1) includes: a transfer area setting unit (11) which, when transferring a transported object from a transfer source vehicle of respective transport vehicles to a transfer destination vehicle of the respective transport vehicles, decides a transfer area at a destination to which the transported object is transported by the transfer source vehicle; a transfer vehicle setting unit (12) which decides the transport vehicle that is the transfer destination vehicle on the basis of position information of the transfer area and the position information of the respective transport vehicles; and an instruction unit (14) which instructs the transfer source vehicle to carry out a task of transporting the transported object to the transfer area, and instructs the transfer destination vehicle to carry out a task of transporting the transported object from the transfer area.
US09429928B2
A method of controlling a numerical control machine tool, includes generating a flag which designates a kind of operation of the numerical control machine tool and an operating variable which is used for controlling the operation of the numerical control machine tool, based on an instruction used for controlling a three-dimensional measuring device different from the numerical control machine tool, storing the flag in a flag storage area and storing the operating variable in an operating variable storage area, selecting an operation to be executed by the numerical control machine tool by referring to a value of the flag stored in the flag storage area, and executing a control of the selected operation of the numerical control machine tool in accordance with a value of the operating variable stored in the operating variable storage area.
US09429924B2
A method of meeting a power demand of a power consumption unit is disclosed. A forecasted power demand for a power demand scenario for the power consumption unit is determined and a probability of occurrence of the power demand scenario is determined. An objective function for operating at least one power supply device is created that includes the forecasted power demand of the power demand scenario and the determined probability of occurrence of the power demand scenario. A substantial minimum of the objective function is located to determine a schedule for operating the at least one power supply device to meet the forecasted power demand. The at least one power supply device may be operated according to the determined schedule to meet the power demand of the power consumption unit.
US09429918B2
A vapor cell for installation in an atomic clock or a magnetometer. The vapor cell includes a top plate, a center plate, and a bottom plate defining a cavity for passing light along an optical path. The vapor cell includes one or more condensation sites to trap condensed vapor in order to avoid blockage of the optical path.
US09429910B1
A contamination control apparatus for controlling contamination in an image forming device is provided. The apparatus includes an air mover located in the image forming device; a first duct, a first end of the first duct receiving non-contaminated air, and a second end of the first duct being fluidly connected to an air input of the air mover such that the air input receives the non-contaminated air from the first duct; an exhaust duct, a first end of the exhaust duct being fluidly connected to an air output of the air mover such that the exhaust duct receives the non-contaminated air from the air output; and a second duct, a first end of the second duct being positioned such that contaminated air is drawn into the second duct, and a second end of the second duct being fluidly connected to the exhaust duct at a position downstream of the air output of the air mover and upstream of the second end of the exhaust duct.
US09429909B2
An image forming apparatus includes a heat-generating component, a power generation device including a thermoelectric element, a heat radiation device, a cooling device, a temperature detector that detects a temperature increase of the heat-generating component, and a controller. The heat radiation device includes a first radiator plate interposed between the heat-generating component and a surface of the thermoelectric element and a second radiator plate attached to another surface of the thermoelectric element. The cooling device cools the first radiator plate. The controller controls operations of the cooling device and the power generation device by operating the cooling device if the detected temperature increase reaches at least a predetermined threshold value, and causing the power generation device to generate power without operating the cooling device to cool the first radiator plate passively if the detected temperature increase falls below the predetermined threshold value.
US09429904B2
An image carrier unit includes an engage mechanism configured to attach a protection cover slidably to a unit casing in a rotational axis direction of an image carrier. The engage mechanism includes first and second engage mechanisms. The first engage mechanism includes a first engage portion provided at a first end portion in a width direction orthogonal to the rotational axis direction of the protection cover and a first engaged portion provided in the unit casing and engaged with the first engage portion, and is configured such that the first engage portion engages with the first engaged portion in orientation to one side in the width direction. The second engage mechanism is also configured such that a second engage portion engages with a second engaged portion in orientation to the one side in the width direction.
US09429903B2
An image forming apparatus includes a casing, a process cartridge and an exposure unit. The casing defines a first direction, a second direction orthogonal to the first direction, and a third direction orthogonal to the first direction and the second direction. The third direction extends vertically. The process cartridge includes a photosensitive body extending in the first direction and a grip having a portion. The exposure unit is configured to expose the photosensitive body. The exposure unit has a part overlapped with the process cartridge as viewed in the second direction when the process cartridge is mounted in the casing. The portion of the grip is overlapped with the exposure unit as viewed in the third direction when the process cartridge is mounted in the casing. The portion of the grip is disposed above the exposure unit in the third direction.
US09429901B2
An image forming apparatus includes a main body, a photosensitive drum detachably attached to the main body, a light exposure member configured to expose the photosensitive member to light, a developer container configured to store a developer to be supplied to the photosensitive drum, and a supporting member disposed in the main body and configured to support the light exposure member and to hold the developer container detachably. The supporting member is configured to, while holding the developer container, move between a light exposure position where the light exposure member is located proximate to the photosensitive drum and a separation position where the light exposure member is separated from the photosensitive drum while the supporting member holds the developer container.
US09429889B2
An image heating apparatus includes: a heater; a supporting member for supporting the heater; and a high heat-conductive sheet sandwiched between a part of the heater and the supporting member. A recording material on which an image is formed is heated by heat from the heater. The supporting member includes a bearing surface contacting the sheet so as to apply pressure between the heater and the sheet and includes an opposing portion opposing a part of the heater not sandwiching the sheet. In a state in which the pressure is applied between the heater and the sheet, the thickness of the sheet is not less than the height of the stepped portion between the bearing portion and the opposing portion.
US09429883B1
An image forming apparatus comprises a transfer fixer which secondarily transfers a first toner image on a first intermediate transfer belt onto a first side of a sheet at a first secondary transfer position and fixes the first toner image transferred to the first side of the sheet while secondarily transferring a second toner image on the second intermediate transfer belt onto a second side of the sheet opposite to the first side at a second secondary transfer position and fixing the second toner image transferred to the second side of the sheet.
US09429878B2
An image forming apparatus according to an aspect of the present disclosure includes a toner conveyance portion, a vent hole portion, an air suction portion, and a filter portion. The toner conveyance portion forms a toner conveyance passage between a developing device and a collection container such that toner discharged from the developing device is conveyed in the toner conveyance passage and collected in the collection container. The vent hole portion is formed in the toner conveyance portion and allows inside and outside of the toner conveyance portion to communicate with each other such that air can be ventilated between the inside and the outside of the toner conveyance portion. The air suction portion sucks the air inside the toner conveyance portion via the vent hole portion. The filter portion is disposed on the vent hole portion and traps toner contained in the air sucked by the air suction portion.
US09429876B2
A toner case according to the present invention includes a toner supplying portion, a screw portion 50 and a supporting portion 53. The toner supplying portion is arranged at a case body 31 to supply the toner to an apparatus main body. The screw portion 50 includes a screw shaft 51 driven to rotate at an inside of the case body 31 and the conveying blade 52 formed on the screw shaft 51 and rotating with the screw shaft 51 so that the conveying blade 52 conveys the toner to the toner supplying portion. Around the supporting portion 53, a portion of the conveying blade 52 is arranged. The supporting portion 53 is arranged closer to an inside of the case body 31 than a side wall 31a of the case body 31 and configured to support an end portion of the screw shaft 51.
US09429864B1
A charging member includes a conductive support and a surface layer provided on the conductive support, wherein electron emitting energy on a surface of the charging member is equal to or less than 10 cps0.5/eV.
US09429860B2
A method for producing a toner that comprises toner particles, each of which comprises a binder resin, which comprises a resin (A) capable of forming a crystalline structure, and a colorant, the method including: a pressure holding step of, after preparing toner particles, holding the toner particles for 5 minutes or more at a pressure of 2.0 MPa or more under conditions of a temperature T1 (° C.) represented by formula (1): 20≦T1≦Tp2 (1) (wherein, Tp2 represents the onset temperature of the maximum endothermic peak derived from the resin (A)), wherein a peak temperature Tp1 of the maximum endothermic peak derived from the resin (A) during the first temperature rise of the toner particles as determined by differential scanning calorimetric measurement is 50° C. to 90° C.
US09429857B2
An electrostatic clamp (21) configured to hold an object, the electrostatic clamp comprising an electrode (24), a resistive portion (23) formed from a resistive material located on the electrode, and a dielectric portion (22) formed from a dielectric material located on the resistive portion.
US09429843B2
A positive resist composition is provided comprising a polymer comprising recurring units having a carboxyl or phenolic hydroxyl group substituted with an acid labile group and recurring units of caramel furanone ester, and having a Mw of 1,000-500,000. The resist composition has a satisfactory effect of suppressing acid diffusion and a high resolution, and forms a pattern of good profile and minimal edge roughness after exposure.
US09429834B2
This 3D image capture device includes an image capturing section 100 and a signal processing section 200. The image capturing section 100 includes a light-transmitting section 2 with first, second and third transmitting areas that have mutually different transmission wavelength ranges, a solid-state image sensor 1 that is arranged to receive the light transmitted through the light-transmitting section, and an optical system 3 that produces an image on an imaging area of the solid-state image sensor. The signal processing section 200 includes an image generating section 7 that generates three image signals, representing the quantities of light rays that have been incident on the first, second and third transmitting areas, based on the output signal of the solid-state image sensor 1, and a parallax estimating section 40 that estimates parallax based on the three image signals.
US09429833B1
A device includes a projection and camera system to create an augmented reality environment in which images are projected onto a scene and user movement within the scene is captured. In one implementation, the projection and camera system are mounted in a movable housing or head that is supported by a repositionable support structure. The housing can be moved to a desired position and then locked into a stationary and stable position for creation of the augmented realty environment.
US09429831B2
In a lighting device, light in a first wavelength range which is output from a light emitting element passes through a first phase difference plate, and is separated into a first light flux and a second light flux by a polarization separation element. A wavelength conversion unit converts the first light flux to a third light flux. An optical element converts the second light flux into a fourth light flux. A first color combining element combines the third light flux with the fourth light flux. A first control unit changes a direction of an optical axis of the first phase difference plate according to an intensity of the third light flux and an intensity of the fourth light flux.
US09429828B2
An image projection apparatus for projecting an image using light includes a light source configured to emit the light; and an operating unit configured to allow a user to operate the image projection apparatus, the operating unit being disposed above the light source when viewed from a placement surface on which a main body of the image projection apparatus is placed. The image projection apparatus also includes a first flow path in which air flows through the light source; and a second flow path different from the first flow path, the second flow path being formed between the light source and the operating unit.
US09429825B2
A modular projector cage for operably supporting an optical projector and for forming a stacked frame using another identical modular projector cage is disclosed. The modular projector cage has a rectangular hexahedral open frame. A mounting plate is connected to a bottom section of the frame by first and second articulated elevation assemblies connected to respective sides of the mounting plate adjacent the mounting plate front end, and by a yaw assembly rotatably connected to the mounting plate adjacent the back end. The first and second articulated elevation assemblies are independently adjustable to adjust the elevation at each side of the plate so that the pitch and roll of the mounting plate can be adjusted. The yaw assembly adjusts the amount of yaw, which causes articulated movement of the first and second articulated elevation assemblies.
US09429824B2
A universal adjustable lens adapter and rig system for smartphones, or similar electronic devices, that is modular in nature and provides a component for manipulating and stabilizing the smartphone. The universal adjustable lens adapter includes a clamp mount assembly, a lens mount assembly, and a handle assembly that includes a clamp mount support that is adjustably and removably connected to a lens mount support. The clamp mount assembly provides a component for securing a smartphone, while the lens mount assembly provides a component for securing a camera lens. The clamp mount assembly includes an adjustable first clamp and an adjustable second clamp between which the smartphone is secured. Both the clamp mount assembly and the lens mount assembly are slidably connected to the handle assembly, such that the camera lens of any smartphone can be properly aligned with the camera lens attached to the lens mount assembly.
US09429810B2
An electrophoresis device includes: a plurality of electrophoretic particles included in insulating liquid and configured of a first particle and a second particle, in which the first particle and the second particle have respective charging characteristics that are different from each other; and a porous layer included in the insulating liquid and formed of a fibrous structure.
US09429805B2
An array substrate, a display panel and a display device are provided. The array substrate comprises pixel units. The pixel unit comprises four sub-pixel electrodes and at least one thin film transistor for controlling the four sub-pixel electrodes. Domain alignments of the four sub-pixel electrodes within the pixel unit differ from each other, and domain alignments of the four sub-pixel electrodes within the pixel unit have a mirror-symmetrical distribution in up and down directions and in left and right directions.
US09429790B2
An array substrate and a liquid crystal display device are provided. The array substrate (11) comprises a first substrate (110) and a switch element (112) disposed on an inner side of the first substrate (110), and further comprises a polarizing light-emitting layer (111), the polarizing light-emitting layer (111) has an EL mode. In the liquid crystal display device (1), the polarizing light-emitting layer (111) with an EL mode is disposed in the array substrate (11), therefore, no backlight is required and the power consumption of the liquid crystal display device (1) is further reduced.
US09429787B2
An embodiment of the present invention discloses a transparent display unit with improved transmittance. The transparent display unit comprises: an upper substrate comprising an upper transparent electrode and an upper alignment film in sequence from top to bottom; a lower substrate comprising a lower transparent electrode and a lower alignment film in sequence from bottom to top; and at least a colorful holographic polymer dispersed liquid crystal (H-PDLC) layer located between the upper substrate and the lower substrate.
US09429782B2
An apparatus for supporting a flat liquid-crystal display (LCD) of an audio video navigation (AVN) system of a vehicle includes a module frame including a first through hole formed at a central portion such that an LCD assembly is disposed therein and second through holes formed on both rim portions to expose AVN system manipulation buttons of an AVN system manipulation panel. The LCD assembly is installed within the first through hole of the module frame to be held therein when a front collision impact is applied. A front panel is assembled to a center fascia panel to lock ends of the rim of the module frame and to be parallel to the front side of the LCD assembly.
US09429781B2
Disclosed is a filter for selective transmission of visible rays and infrared rays using an electrical signal. The filter comprises: a first filter for controlling the degree of absorption of visible rays by changing the molecular arrangement in accordance with the control of the electrical signal; and a second filter for controlling the degree of reflection of infrared rays by changing reflectivity in accordance with the control of the electrical signal.
US09429776B2
Various structures of an electro-optic device and fabrication methods thereof are described. A fabrication method is provided to fabricate an electro-optic device which may include a silicon-based rib-waveguide modulator which includes a first top silicon layer, having a first doped region that is at least partially doped with dopants of a first conducting type, a second top silicon layer, having a second doped region that is at least partially doped with dopants of a second conducting type, and a thin dielectric gate layer disposed between the first top silicon layer and the second top silicon layer. The second doped region may be at least in part directly over the first doped region. The modulator may also include a rib waveguide formed on the second top silicon layer, a first electric contact formed on the first top silicon layer, and a second electric contact formed on the second top silicon layer.
US09429764B2
Disclosed is an autostereoscopic display apparatus comprising a light guiding valve apparatus including an imaging directional backlight, an illuminator array and an observer tracking system arranged to achieve control of an array of illuminators which may provide a directional display to an observer over a wide lateral and longitudinal viewing range with low flicker.
US09429760B2
Spatial color mixing in a cascade imaging system is provided herein. The system comprises: at least two spatial light pre-modulators; and, a primary spatial light modulator, each of the at least two spatial light pre-modulators configured to vary illuminating light colors spatially across the primary spatial prime modulator simultaneously with at least two of the illuminating light colors, and the primary spatial light modulator configured to form the illuminating light colors into images and turn on pixels of each of the at least two of the illuminating light colors simultaneously in synchronization with the at least two spatial light pre-modulators.
US09429750B2
A dust-free lens driving apparatus includes a lens holder for holding a lens, a housing having a central bore in which the lens holder moves, and a film having a first contact region, a second contact region and a buffer region. The first contact region is defined by a first peripheral portion of the film and is used to sealingly attach the film to and around the lens holder. The second contact region is defined by a second peripheral portion of the film and is used to sealingly attach the film to and around a connection portion of the housing. The buffer region is defined by a remaining region of the film between the first and second contact regions and is used to seal an exit of a gap between the lens holder and the housing.
US09429746B2
A microstructure optical adapter or tip according to the present disclosure may incorporate precision micro structure optical components engaging the input or output end of light energy delivery devices for customized light delivery of the light energy. The incorporation of precision micro structure optical components in injection molded plastic or glass parts will allow for inexpensive modification of the output light while also serving to protect the end of the illumination device. The micro structure optical components may also be incorporated in an adapter to tailor the light energy to the subsequent device.
US09429745B2
An optical sighting device includes an electronic controller that is responsive to changes in an optical magnification of the sighting device to resize at least a portion of a reticle produced by an electronic display or other means proximate a focal plane of the sighting device. In some embodiments, the reticle is located proximate a rear focal plane of the sighting device and may be scaled by the electronic controller in concert with changes in optical magnification to simulate a front focal plane reticle. A functional pattern of the reticle may also be automatically changed at different magnification settings to provide different types of reticles, such as CQB and sniper reticles, in a single optical device.
US09429736B2
The present invention relates to an optical system.An optical system of the present invention includes, sequentially from an object side, a first lens having a positive refractive power and an object-side surface convex toward the object side; a second lens having a negative refractive power; a third lens having a negative refractive power; a fourth lens having a positive refractive power, a fifth lens having a negative refractive power and an image-side surface convex toward an image side; and a sixth lens having a negative refractive power and an image-side surface concave toward the image side.
US09429735B2
An optical lens system includes, in order from an object side to an image side, a first lens element, a second lens element, a third lens element and a fourth lens element. The first lens element with positive refractive power has an object-side surface being convex in a paraxial region thereof. The second lens element has negative refractive power. The third lens element with positive refractive power has an image-side surface being convex in a paraxial region thereof, wherein both of the surfaces thereof are aspheric. The fourth lens element with negative refractive power has an image-side surface being concave in a paraxial region thereof, wherein the image-side surface of the fourth lens element has at least one convex shape in an off-axis region thereof, and both of the surfaces thereof are aspheric. The optical lens system has a total of four lens elements with refractive power.
US09429734B2
A voice coil motor (VCM) is disclosed, the VCM including: a stator including a magnet generating a first electromagnetic field; a mover including a bobbin formed with a hollow hole through which light passes and a coil formed on a periphery of the bobbin that generates a second electromagnetic field responsive to the first electromagnetic field; a base fixed at the stator and formed with an opening through which the light passes; and at least one elastic member elastically supporting the bobbin and forming a gap between the bobbin and the base when the coil is not applied with a current.
US09429733B2
An optical instrument for measuring has an a stabilization component for stably connecting an optical assembly and holder to at least one stabilization element that can be compressed in the gap. The stabilization element has, in an unmounted state, a thickness which is greater than the width of the gap, and the optical assembly, the holder and the stabilization component are configured and cooperate such that the stabilization element, which is positioned between optical assembly and holder, in a roughly positioned state, is compressed, by way of inserting the optical assembly into the holder, into the gap and is plastically deformed in the gap such that elastic forces act radially with respect to the optical axis between assembly and holder and the assembly and the holder are disposed in the radial direction in a stabilized state with respect to one another.
US09429731B2
An optical fiber cable assembly includes an optical tracer fiber, an optical data transmission fiber, and a cable jacket. The optical tracer fiber defines a tracer scattering profile having a scattering loss of >15 dB/km at a tracer wavelength or wavelength range λT that lies in a visible spectrum. The optical tracer fiber is wound about a longitudinal axis of the optical fiber cable assembly and is either physically coupled to the cable jacket or contained within an inside diameter of the cable jacket. The cable jacket may be engineered to generate light at an optically visible shifted tracer wavelength or wavelength range λT* from visible light at the tracer wavelength or wavelength range λT. The cable jacket may include an optically reflective material such that a portion of dispersed visible light from the optical tracer is reflected by the optically reflective material of the cable jacket.
US09429730B2
A method for installing an optical fiber unit in a protective tube housing a pulling rope includes the steps of: providing a mini tube having a longitudinal opening from end to end; transversally inserting a portion of the pulling rope in the longitudinal opening; contacting the pulling rope and optical fiber unit over a predetermined length; slipping the mini tube over at least a portion of the contacting length of the pulling rope and optical fiber unit; crimping the mini tube around the pulling rope and optical fiber unit; and drawing the optical fiber unit through the protective tube by pulling the pulling rope.
US09429719B1
A fiber optic connector sub-assembly includes a ferrule having a front end, a rear end, and a ferrule bore extending between the front and rear ends along a longitudinal axis. The ferrule bore has a first section extending inwardly from the rear end of the ferrule, a second section extending inwardly from the front end of the ferrule and having a width that is less than the first section, and a transition section located between the first and second sections. The fiber optic connector sub-assembly also includes a bonding agent disposed in at least a portion of both the transition section and the second section of the ferrule bore. At least some of the bonding agent in the second section of the ferrule bore has been melted and solidified.
US09429716B1
Mirror systems securing optical fibers to ferrules by thermally securing bonding agents within fiber optic connector housings are disclosed, along with related methods and assemblies. A fiber optic connector includes an optical fiber secured within a ferrule by a temperature-sensitive bonding agent to prevent attenuation-causing movement. The bonding agent is activated (e.g., cured) by heat provided by laser energy incident upon the ferrule, which is at least partially disposed within a fiber optic connector housing and which may be damaged by the laser energy. By shaping and disposing at least one mirror of a mirror system, the laser energy may be reflected to be incident upon the ferrule in a controllable intensity distribution. In this manner, the laser energy may be absorbed uniformly or substantially uniformly along a partial length of the ferrule extending into the housing to accelerate securing of the bonding agent while avoiding damage to the housing.
US09429710B2
An apparatus includes a first waveguide configured to receive an input signal. A section of the first waveguide has a length between a first initial point and a first end point. A first polarization rotator is located within the section at a first distance from the first initial point of the section of the first waveguide. A section of a second waveguide is configured to receive the input signal, and has the same length between the second initial point and a second end point. A second polarization rotator is located within the section of the second waveguide at a second distance from the second initial point of the section of the second waveguide. More particularly, a relative distance between the first distance and the second distance is configured to achieve a desired phase delay of an output signal from the first waveguide and an output signal from the second waveguide.
US09429709B2
A stack of light guide plates is proposed. Each light guide plate includes a light guide plate body and an incident side, thickness of the incident side is more than thickness of the light guide plate body, two light guide plates are reversely arranged and laminated when the two light guide plates are processed, and then a plurality of a pair of laminated light guide plates are stacked. The present embodiment provides a method for processing light guide plates. Even though the thickness of the incident side or the wedged shape of the incident side changes, the method can be adopted. The stack of light guide plates remain neat and flat using the method. Because a batch of light guide plates are cut and polished using the method, the efficiency in processing light guide plates improves. In this way, utilization of the equipment improves as well.
US09429706B2
An optical waveguide coupler includes a substrate and an optical waveguide of a multi-layer structure of a first clad layer/a first waveguide layer/a second clad layer, at least, on the end surface side of an optical input and output provided on the substrate, characterized in that the first waveguide layer has such a distribution of the refractive index that the refractive index is the highest at the center of the first waveguide layer in the multi-layer structure in the stacking direction, and the first waveguide layer has such a protrusion in a convex form that the center portion having the highest refractive index protrudes in a cross section that is perpendicular to the end surface of the optical input and output and perpendicular to the main surface of the substrate.
US09429690B2
A diffusion sheet includes a light-transmissive substrate, a plurality of structures, and a flat portion. The light-transmissive substrate includes a first main surface, and a second main surface. The plurality of structures have convex shapes and are randomly formed on the first main surface. The flat portion is formed among the plurality of structures on the first main surface and has a surface roughness (Ra) of no less than 0.9 μm.
US09429685B2
The laminate of an embodiment is a laminate including an antireflection film and a protection film bonded onto the antireflection film, wherein the surface of the antireflection film includes a plurality of protrusions; the protection film includes a supporting film and an adhesive layer; the adhesive layer includes an adhesive agent, a copolymer, and a carboxyl group-containing monomer; the weight average molecular weight of the copolymer is 1000000 or more and 2000000 or less; the copolymer includes the (meth)acrylic acid alkyl ester with the alkyl group having 4 or less carbon atoms in the largest weight proportion among the monomer components; the acid number of the copolymer is 16 mg KOH/g or more and 120 mg KOH/g or less; and the mixing amount of the epoxy cross-linking agent in relation to 100 parts by weight of the copolymer is 1.5 parts by weight or more.
US09429682B2
There is provided a method for preparing an acrylic copolymer resin for an optical film includes: suspension-polymerizing an acrylic monomer containing a benzene ring, an alkyl(meth)acrylate monomer, and a (meth)acrylic acid monomer to prepare a copolymer; and thermally treating the copolymer at a temperature ranging from 240° C. to 300° C. As the method for preparing an acrylic copolymer of the present invention, a resin having an effectively lowered CTE can be manufactured by inducing the formation of a glutaric anhydride structure by using suspension polymerization that facilitates adjustment of the molecular weight of a resin.
US09429676B2
A method for locating planned markers within a log containing borehole data parses log data to locate an uncertainty region for a planned marker. A fingerprint match is located for the planned marker in the located uncertainty region. The located fingerprint match is saved. A determination is made if additional planned markers are present and returns to the step of parsing for a next planned marker if additional planned markers are present.
US09429673B2
Technologies applicable to surface-based NMR measurement are disclosed. A surface probe is positionable at or above a surface of the Earth and adapted to make NMR measurements of shallow or very shallow subsurface volumes. NMR spectrometer components connected to the surface probe are configured to control electromagnetic pulses produced by the surface probe and to record resulting detected NMR signals from the subsurface volume.
US09429668B2
An iterative dip-steering median filter is provided for random noise attenuation in seismic data where conflicting dips are indicated in the data. A number of dominant dips inside a processing window or sample of the data are identified by a Fourier-radial transform in the frequency-wavenumber domain. A median filter is then applied along the dominant dip to remove noise, and the remaining signal after filtering is retained for further median filter iterations. Iterations are repeated to apply the median filter along the most dominant dip in the remaining data. The processing continues in subsequent iterations until all selected dips have been processed. The remaining signal of each iteration is then summed for final output.
US09429660B2
System and method for determining the roll rate and roll angle of a spinning platform. The IQ amplitude and/or phase characteristics of GPS signals received at a single receiver antenna are measured using the signals output directly by a correlator that is driven at the satellite tracking frequency used for forming the navigation solution. The roll rate and roll angle are determined in real time by a Roll filter, which is preferably an Extended Kalman Filter (EKF) employing probabilistic data association, whose inputs include the measured IQ characteristics and the navigation solution. Data from non-GPS measurement sources is optionally provided to update the navigation and/or roll solution.
US09429647B2
The present disclosure discloses a system and method for. classifying Wi-Fi signals from Fourier transform samples. Generally, classifying Wi-Fi signals from Fourier transform samples includes: collecting and dividing Fourier transform samples into frequency blocks; determining the bandwidth for the Fourier transform sample; and determining whether the Fourier transform sample corresponds to a narrowband signal. Further, if a determination is made that the Fourier transform sample does not correspond to a narrowband signal, channel utilization is calculated based on a determination that the FFT sample corresponds to a Wi-Fi signal. If it is determined that the Fourier transform sample corresponds to a narrowband signal, then a determination is made that the FFT sample corresponds to a Wi-Fi signal based on certain criteria. The certain criteria may include one or more of a slope value, a number of sub-peak bins, an analysis of adjacent channels, characteristic matching, or other criteria.
US09429646B2
A receiving circuit (10) includes an amplifier (15) which amplifies receiving signals (SP, SN) of a piezoelectric sensor (2), and a plurality of transistors (11a, 11b) or (12a, 12b), which are connected in parallel to between one end of the piezoelectric sensor (2) and one end of the amplifier (15), and are turned on with phase shift when switching is performed to receiving operations.
US09429645B2
An apparatus is provided. In the apparatus, a demultiplexer is configured to receive an input signal, and each of a plurality of sample buffers are coupled to the demultiplexer. A first multiplexer is coupled to each of the sample buffers. A filter is coupled to the first multiplexer. A bypass delay circuit is coupled to the first multiplexer, and a second multiplexer is coupled to the filter and the bypass delay circuit.
US09429644B1
The various technologies presented herein relate to the determination of whether a received signal comprising radar clutter further comprises a communication signal. The communication signal can comprise of a preamble, a data symbol, communication data, etc. A first portion of the radar clutter is analyzed to determine a radar signature of the first portion of the radar clutter. A second portion of the radar clutter can be extracted based on the radar signature of the first portion. Following extraction, any residual signal can be analyzed to retrieve preamble data, etc. The received signal can be based upon a linear frequency modulation (e.g., a chirp modulation) whereby the chirp frequency can be determined and the frequency of transmission of the communication signal can be based accordingly thereon. The duration and/or bandwidth of the communication signal can be a portion of the duration and/or the bandwidth of the radar clutter.
US09429637B2
A method of magnetic resolution (MR) imaging of a moving portion of a body of a patient placed in an examination volume of a MR device. For the purpose of enabling improved interventional MR imaging from acquiring a MR signal data with motion compensation, the invention proposes that the method includes repeated acts of collecting tracking data from an interventional instrument introduced into the portion of the body, subjecting the portion of the body to an imaging sequence for acquiring one or more MR signals therefrom, wherein parameters of the imaging sequence are adjusted on the basis of the tracking data, and reconstructing one or more MR images from the MR signal data set.
US09429634B2
A coil for a magnetic resonance imaging device consists of multiple coil elements arranged about an imaging space. Each coil element comprise radiating structures oriented at an angle to a tangent of the imaging space. Angling the radiating structures reduces mutual coupling between coil elements and enhances the penetration of the radio frequency field to the imaging space.
US09429633B2
A magnetic sensor that utilizes Rashba effect to generate spin polarization. The sensor eliminates the need for a pinned layer structure and therefore, greatly reduces the gap thickness of the sensor allowing for greatly improved data density. The sensor includes a two dimensional conductor adjacent to a magnetic free layer, that can also be separated from the free layer by a non-magnetic, electrically insulating barrier layer and that can also be constructed with or without side shields. A current flow through the two-dimensional conductor in a direction parallel with the air bearing surface causes a spin polarization oriented perpendicular to the air bearing surface. The voltage output of the sensor changes with changing magnetization direction of the free layer relative to spin polarization in the two dimensional conductor.
US09429632B2
A distortion of a signal of a magnetic position detection device is reduced so that precise position information at a high degree of accuracy can be obtained. The magnetic position detection device 100 includes a magnetic movable body 10, a bridge circuit 20, a correction circuit 30, and a detection circuit 40. The magnetic movable body 10 is magnetized so that N-poles and S-poles alternately appear and has a region in which distances between the N-poles and the S-poles are constant. The bridge circuit 20 is formed of first, second, third, and fourth field detection portions 2R1, 2R2, 2R3, and 2R4. The correction circuit 30 is formed of fifth and sixth field detection portions 2R5 and 2R6. The detection circuit 40 detects a position of the magnetic movable body 10 on the basis of a differential output Vout of the bridge circuit.
US09429618B2
A semiconductor integrated circuit device having a function for detecting degradation of a semiconductor device and a method of driving the same are disclosed. The semiconductor integrated circuit device includes an NMOS transistor electrically coupled to a PMOS transistor and configured to constitute an inverter together with the PMOS transistor, a first stress application unit electrically coupled to the PMOS transistor and configured to apply stress to the PMOS transistor, and a second stress application unit electrically coupled to the NMOS transistor and configured to apply the stress to the NMOS transistor.
US09429616B2
A test method in accordance with one or more embodiments may include: providing a semiconductor device to be tested, the semiconductor device including at least one device cell, the at least one device cell having at least one trench, at least one first terminal electrode region and at least one second terminal electrode region, at least one gate electrode, and at least one additional electrode disposed at least partially in the at least one trench, wherein an electrical potential of the at least one additional electrode may be controlled separately from electrical potentials of the at least one first terminal electrode region, the at least one second terminal electrode region and the at least one gate electrode; and applying at least one electrical test potential to at least the at least one additional electrode to detect defects in the at least one device cell.
US09429608B2
Methods and apparatuses for capacitive sensing are disclosed. In one example, a conductive material is arranged on the mobile device exterior surface outside of a capacitive coupling area undesirably coupling underlying electrodes beneath the surface.
US09429597B1
A phasing voltmeter having a dual input AC voltage measuring device in parallel with a series configuration of two high impedance high voltage resistors and two metering resistors. Shielding surrounds and isolates the voltmeter and is connected to the series configuration at a junction between the two metering resistors. The AC voltage measuring device measures the voltage across two voltage lines as well as the exact values of the stray AC capacitive charging currents associated with all high voltage sources. From these previously undesirable stray capacitive charging currents, a math processor in the voltmeter and in contact with two dual input measuring device receives input from between each resistor in the series, determines and displays the actual voltage across the conductors, its origin, the leading phase, lagging phase, phase sequence and phase rotation of the voltages on the AC conductors undergoing testing.
US09429588B2
An electromagnetic speedometer for a boat having hull containing an opening includes an electromagnetic coil supported by the hull for establishing an electromagnetic field in the water adjacent the hull opening. A plurality of electrodes are supported by an arrangement that both closes the hull opening and supports the electrodes in engagement with the water adjacent the hull opening. The electrodes are connected by conductors with a velocity measuring circuit arranged above the hull interior surface. Preferably, the electrode support arrangement includes guide tubes supporting the electrodes for removal relative to the boat hull, thereby to permit cleaning of the electrodes. The guide tubes are closed by valves when the electrodes are removed from the assembly. In one embodiment, the electromagnetic coil is of the end-fired type, and in another embodiment, the electromagnetic coil is annular and is arranged above and below the hull.
US09429584B2
With the intention of providing an antibody which does not bind to fibrinogen and which has a high affinity for and a high specificity to insoluble fibrin, it is found that a site comprising the amino acids at positions 231 to 246 of the fibrinogen Bβ chain and a site comprising the amino acids at positions 232 to 246 of the fibrinogen γ chain are bound to each other in a fibrinogen molecule. Further, it is shown that when fibrinogen is converted to insoluble fibrin, the binding is released, and these sites are exposed. It is also found that antibodies obtained by immunization with these sites do not bind to fibrinogen and have high affinity for and high specificity to insoluble fibrin.
US09429581B2
In certain embodiments, the present invention provides a method of treating an Interferon gamma inducible protein 10 (IP-10)-related disease in a subject, comprising: (a) administering to the subject a predetermined dosage of an anti-IP-10 antibody; (b) detecting the level of the anti-IP-10 antibody in a sample of the subject; and (c) if the level of the anti-IP-10 antibody from step (b) is below a threshold exposure level, increasing the dosage of the anti-IP-10 antibody in the subject such that the IP-10 related disease in the subject is treated. In certain embodiments, the present invention provides an isolated monoclonal anti-idiotypic antibody, or an antigen binding portion thereof, which binds to the anti-IP-10 antibody MDX-1100.
US09429574B2
The present invention provides an inhibitor of the ubiquitin-proteasome system for use in treating cancer in a patient, wherein the patient is assessed to establish that the cancer is associated with cells in which the functional activity of SMARCB1 is low or absent. In one embodiment, the patient has, or is suspected of having, breast cancer, an atypical teratoid rhabdoid tumor (AT/RT) and/or a malignant rhabdoid tumor (MRT). In one embodiment, the proteasome inhibitor is Bortezomib. Further aspects of the invention provide related uses and methods.
US09429568B2
Silaanthracene compounds and methods of producing silaanthracene compounds, in particular silaanthracene fluorophores for use as red or near infrared sensors, probes, dyes, and tags are provided.
US09429567B2
The present invention relates to a method for screening substances having weight-regulating action.
US09429565B2
Methods of clonal analysis of functional genomic assays are provided. Aspects of the invention include transducing a population of target cells with a packaged viral effector library made up of a plurality of effector construct subsets, wherein each effector construct subset of the library includes a plurality of effector constructs having a common effector cassette linked to a distinct clonal barcode. Inclusion of distinct clonal barcodes in the effector construct subset allows for determination of the clonal representation of an effector construct subset in transduced target cells that exhibit a specific phenotype. Aspects of the invention further include compositions, e.g., libraries and components thereof, which find use in practicing the methods.
US09429564B2
A method recovering one or more nonvolatile compounds from an exhaled aerosol collected on an electrostatic filter membrane (205) comprises eluting the nonvolatile compounds from the filter with a polar solvent and collecting the eluate. The method is useful for processing samples collected from a portable breath analysis device comprising a sampling filter membrane for analysis.
US09429562B2
The present invention provides a method for determining at least one evaluation parameter of a blood sample, comprising the following steps: providing (S4) at least one blood gas parameter; providing (S5) at least one hemostasis parameter; and determining (S6 . . . S10″) the at least one evaluation parameter as a function of the blood gas parameter and/or the hemostasis parameter.
US09429557B2
A method for the production and/or processing of a web-shaped material, particularly paper, with at least one measuring system which records m measurement values yik per measurement position over at least a portion of the width s of the web-shaped material at n different measurement positions within a fixed time interval Δt. The method is characterized in that the method includes determining a rational quality number Q, the value of which for a quality of the web-shaped material that is considered acceptable lies within an acceptance range which is to be empirically determined for the production process and which has a lower limit U and an upper limit O, where U and O are in each case rational numbers.
US09429550B2
According to various embodiments, package evaluation systems and methods are provided for evaluating the sustainability of packaging used in the shipment of goods. In particular, the package evaluation systems and methods are configured for performing package evaluations and managing and providing access to data resulting from package evaluations. The package evaluations are designed to assess, among other things, the ability of sample packages to prevent damage to their contents, the volumetric efficiency of sample packages, and the sustainability of the materials used to construct sample packages. In addition, the systems and methods are further configured for assigning a certification to an entity associated with the evaluated packages based on the results of the evaluation.
US09429545B2
A rolling search unit including an ultrasonic device and a heat exchanger mounted within a fluid-filled tire may be utilized to perform ultrasonic testing on an underlying railroad rail. The ultrasonic device may transmit or receive ultrasonic beams into or from the railroad rail, and the heat exchanger may be utilized to maintain the temperature of the fluid within the tire at a preferred level or within a preferred range. In such a manner, the results of testing obtained using the rolling search unit may be standardized regardless of the ambient temperature in the environment where the testing is being performed, and regardless of any heat gained or lost by the rolling search unit during operation.
US09429541B2
In order to compensate for variation in output of sensor elements 10, there is provided a compensating resistor 220 that has a resistance value reflected by correction information. The resistor 220 is connected in parallel with a VS cell 245 through paired electrode leads 236 and 237 and paired electrode pads 232 and 233. The paired electrode leads 236 and 237 are placed at a position electrically isolated from solid electrolyte substrates 120 and 140.
US09429520B2
The present invention relates to enrichment and/or identification of fetal cells of a maternal blood sample using fetal cell specific ligands and/or fetal cell specific hybridization probes wherein the ligand or probes are directed to an endothelial/mesenchymal marker, e.g. CD105, CD146 or CD141, in a first round of enrichment and the ligand or probes, in a second round of enrichment, are directed to an epithelial marker, e.g. a cytokeratin, such as CK7, CK8, CK18 or CK19. Enriched or identified fetal cells may be subjected to steps of detection or diagnosis, wherefore the present invention enables non-invasive 5 prenatal diagnostics.
US09429517B2
A lighting device with expanded detection range includes a housing, which receives a seat to which a detector is mounted and has a circumference along which LEDs are mounted to mount therein, a lens being fit to an opening formed in a top of the housing corresponding to the seat so that a distal end of the lens is exposed outside the housing; a light shielding hood having a top end extending to the housing and connected to the lens and a bottom fixed to the seat to block entry of external lighting; and a reflector assembly including a reflector that condenses a signal source arranged on a top thereof and having inside and outside reflection surfaces and further including a fixing sleeve fixed to a bottom thereof to couple with the detector.
US09429516B2
A device for optical coherence tomography (OCT) is provided. The device includes a light source for generating a sample beam incident on a matter and a reference beam for creating interference with the sample beam; a spatial light modulator enabling a plurality of ramp patterns for controlling an incident angle of the sample beam; and a diffraction grating for transmitting only a first diffraction component of the reference beam; whereby an image of the matter within a medium is captured by generating an interference image formed by the interference between the sample beam and the reference beam.
US09429515B2
A optical microscopy vapor-condensation-assisted device comprises an air blowing device, a vapor producing device and a guide pipe connected with each other in seal. One end of the vapor producing device is connected to the air blowing device, another end of the vapor producing device is connected to the guide pipe. The vapor producing device produces vapor. The air blowing device blows air through the vapor producing device into the guide pipe.
US09429509B2
Particle analyzers are described that include a cell for receiving a particles-containing liquid; a light source for irradiating light onto the particles-containing liquid; a photo-detector for detecting optical information from particles in the particles-containing liquid and converting the optical information into an electric signal; a temperature sensor for detecting a temperature of the particles-containing liquid; and a signal processing section for calculating an analysis result of the particles on the basis of an output of the photo-detector and an output of the temperature sensor. Particle analysis methods are also described.
US09429506B2
The present invention relates to an apparatus and method of measuring effective porosity of various media such as rock or soil using radon that is an inert gas. An apparatus of measuring porosity according to the present invention includes: a gas component detector having two ports and configured to measure a concentration of a predetermined gas; a gas vessel having two ports and configured to accommodate the predetermined gas; a medium vessel having two ports and configured to accommodate a medium, of which the porosity is desirous to be measured; pipe lines connecting the ports of the gas component detector, the gas vessel and the medium vessel; and valves installed on the pipe lines.
US09429501B2
Provided is a treatment method for damaging an erythrocyte and a leukocyte while suppressing damage to cells other than blood cells present in blood. In an embodiment, the disclosure relates to a method for treating a sample containing blood components, the method including mixing a sample containing blood components with a surfactant A, where the surfactant A is a nonionic surfactant represented by General formula R1—O-(EO)n-R2 (I).
US09429500B2
Methods, systems, and devices are described for multiple single-cell capturing and processing utilizing microfluidics. Tools and techniques are provided for capturing, partitioning, and/or manipulating individual cells from a larger population of cells along with generating genetic information and/or reactions related to each individual cell. Different capture configurations may be utilized to capture individual cells and then processing each individual cell in a multi-chamber reaction configuration. Some embodiments may provide for specific target amplification, whole genome amplification, whole transcriptome amplification, real-time PCR preparation, copy number variation, preamplification, mRNA sequencing, and/or haplotyping of the multiple individual cells that have been partitioned from the larger population of cells. Some embodiments may provide for other applications. Some embodiments may be configured for imaging the individual cells or associated reaction products as part of the processing. Reaction products may be harvested and/or further analyzed in some cases.
US09429495B2
Methods for measuring the image quality of a projection objective include providing a measuring structure on an image-side of the projection objective, providing an immersion fluid between the projection objective and the measuring structure, directing light through the projection objective and the immersion fluid to the measuring structure while shielding the measuring structure from the immersion fluid, detecting light transmitted by the measuring structure, and determining an image quality of the projection objective based on the detected light.
US09429488B2
A system includes a magnetostrictive sensor. The magnetostrictive sensor includes a driving coil configured to receive a first driving current and to emit a first magnetic flux portion through a target and a second magnetic flux portion. The magnetostrictive sensor also includes a first sensing coil configured to receive the first magnetic flux portion and to transmit a signal based at least in part on the received first magnetic flux portion. The received first magnetic flux portion is based at least in part on a force on the target. The magnetostrictive sensor further includes a magnetic shield disposed between the driving coil and the first sensing coil. The magnetic shield is configured to reduce the second magnetic flux portion received by the first sensing coil.
US09429486B2
A strain sensor for determining a strain experienced by a body under test in response to forces exerted on the body-under-test. The strain sensor comprises an interface member mounted on a surface of the body-under-test and a SAW sensor mounted on a surface of the interface member. The strain in the body-under-test is translated to strain in the SAW sensor and determined by the SAW sensor. The strain in the SAW sensor is responsive to the strain in the body-under-test.
US09429481B2
Total air temperature (TAT) measurement systems, apparatus, and methods for measuring TAT within an airflow are disclosed. A TAT within an airflow may be measured by (1) positioning a probe within an airflow, the probe including an airfoil and a wedge defining a single channel, the single channel including a temperature sensor; (2) receiving a portion of the airflow through the single channel; and (3) determining TAT for the received portion of the airflow using measurements from the temperature sensor.
US09429469B2
An apparatus for measuring an optical component (160, 170, 190) of the apparatus, the apparatus comprising a radiation source (130) configured to form a measuring beam in a measuring channel (140), wherein the measured optical component configured to be in a first position outside the measuring channel and in a second position in the measuring channel; a first detector (110) configured to receive beams in the measuring channel; a second detector (150) configured to receive beams in the measuring channel; at least one processor; and at least one memory including computer program code. The at least one memory and the computer program code are configured to, with the at least one processor, cause the apparatus at least to select at least one of the first detector and the second detector to receive beams in the measuring channel, the measuring channel (140) being integrated to a photometer or a fluorescence channel of the apparatus; receive a first beam, using the selected detector, in the measuring channel, wherein the measured optical component is in the first position; receive a second beam, using the selected detector, in the measuring channel, wherein the measured optical component is in the second position; and determine the characteristics of the optical component based on the first beam and the second beam.
US09429467B2
The present invention provides methods and systems for measuring optical power that require neither alterations to the optical fiber nor physical contact with the optical fiber, the system including an optical fiber configured to propagate an optical signal, wherein the optical fiber includes a core and at least a first cladding layer, wherein a portion of the optical signal scatters out of the optical fiber along a length of the optical fiber to form scattered fiber light; a detector system configured to receive the scattered fiber light along the length of the optical fiber and to output a detection signal based on the received scattered fiber light; and a processor configured to receive the detection signal and to determine a power value of the optical signal based on the received detection signal.
US09429466B2
An illustrative distributed acoustic sensing system includes a multi-mode optical fiber cable for distributed sensing and a distributed acoustic sensing interrogator coupled to the multi-mode optical fiber cable via a single mode optical fiber. The interrogator derives distributed acoustic measurements from Rayleigh backscattering light that is initiated with a substantially under-filled launch configuration that is designed to excite only the lowest-order modes of the multi-mode optical fiber. Mode conversion within the multi-mode optical fiber is anticipated to be negligible. For elastic scattering (i.e., Rayleigh scattering), it is further anticipated that the scattered light will be primarily returned in the incident propagation mode, thereby escaping the extraordinarily large coupling loss that would otherwise be expected from coupling a single-mode optical fiber to a multi-mode optical fiber for distributed sensing. Experiments with graded index multi-mode optical fiber have yielded positive results.
US09429454B2
A magnetic flowmeter for measuring flow rate of a process fluid includes: a magnetic coil arranged to apply a magnetic field to the process fluid. A pair of electrodes electrically couple to the process fluid and are arranged to sense a voltage induced in the process fluid related to the applied magnetic field and the flow rate of the process fluid. A flow tube of a non-conductive material is arranged to receive a flow of the process fluid therethrough. The flow tube carries the magnetic coil and the pair of electrodes. Flow meter circuitry applies a current to the magnetic coil and receives the voltage sensed by the pair of electrodes. A magnetic field spreader is positioned proximate the magnetic coil and is arranged to spread the magnetic field emanating from the magnetic coil and direct the magnetic field into the flow tube. An exterior wrapper extends around the assembly and completes a magnetic circuit.
US09429453B1
A water usage device for sensing, measuring, collecting, and transmitting water usage data to a remote processing device via a cloud-based communication network and a system for and a method of monitoring and managing water usage in commercial and residential settings that include scheduling preventive maintenance based on current and accumulated water usage data and historical data correlating water usage to repairs.
US09429452B2
There is described a method for continuous online monitoring of a pulsating pump. A first step involves monitoring discharge pressure patterns caused by each stroke of the pulsating pump. A second step involves using a computer processing unit to analyze each pressure spike in the discharge pressure patterns and arrive at derived calculations for stroke length, stroke frequency and flow rate. A width of the base of the pressure spike is indicative of pump stroke frequency and an area of the pressure spike being indicative of fluid pumped per stroke. The pump's stroke length and the pump flow rate is fluid pumped per stroke multiplied by stroke frequency.
US09429449B2
A sensor having multiple magnetic blocks of unevenly distributed magnetic fluxes in a housing includes, sequentially connected, a sensing element, a power-assisted model processor (21), a digital-to-analog converter (27), and an operational amplifier (28). The sensing element includes a rotating disk (1) and an annular-groove fixing disk (40) fitted therewith. Multiple permanent magnetic blocks (2) are fixedly arranged on the rotating disk (1) in a circular-annular distribution, and at least two of the permanent magnetic blocks (2) are different in magnetic fluxes. On a certain side of the rotating disk (1), the magnetic polarities of all of the permanent magnetic blocks (2) on the certain side of the rotating disk (1) are distributed in a pattern of pole N, pole S, pole N . . . ; a Hall element (3) on the fixing disk (40) is arranged at a position which is close to the permanent magnetic blocks (2).
US09429446B1
A hand-held device for allowing the visually-impaired to navigate an environment includes a housing defining an interior space of the device. The device recognizes the position of objects in the environment external to the device and is programmed to determine a path through the objects. A speaker delivers audio instructions to a user of the device regarding the pathway through the objects. A method of navigating through such objects is provided by the device.
US09429444B2
An object providing a route determination system that determines a railroad route used by a user, without using a system of a railroad company, includes a distance calculation processing unit, a route identification processing unit, a speed calculation processing unit, and a route determination processing unit. The distance calculation processing unit calculates a distance from each of a plurality of pieces of positional information acquired by a mobile communication terminal that is used by a user. The route identification processing unit identifies a closest route on the basis of the calculated distances. The speed calculation processing unit identifies the pieces of positional information of which the distance to the identified route is shorter than or equal to a predetermined threshold, and calculates a moving speed between positions in the identified route to which the identified pieces of positional information correspond.
US09429440B2
Arrangements relate to determining a driving action for an autonomous vehicle. An exit event along a current road of a travel route of the autonomous vehicle can be identified. At least one forward vehicle between the autonomous vehicle and the exit event can be detected. A driving action to take relative to the at least one forward vehicle can be determined based on one or more inputs. Such inputs can include a determined availability or unavailability of passing the at least one forward vehicle and/or a determined sufficiency or insufficiency of distance between the at least one forward vehicle and the exit event. The autonomous vehicle can be caused to implement the determined driving action. The driving action can be, for example, remaining behind the at least one forward vehicle, passing the at least one forward vehicle or prompting an occupant of the autonomous vehicle to select a driving action.
US09429439B2
A method for determining a vehicle position of a vehicle to be located within a defined cruising range in a mapped environment is disclosed, wherein the vehicle position is determined by evaluating the position data of at least one predetermined component of the vehicle, and the position data are made available particularly by way of a plurality of position detecting sensors, which are fixedly arranged within the mapped environment.
US09429438B2
A method of updating map data entails capturing an image using a camera, determining a location of an object in the image, creating new map data to represent the object in the image, and updating a map database to include the new map data for the object in the image. This method may be implemented on a GPS-enabled wireless communications device having an onboard camera which can transmit the new map data to a map server for updating its map database. Determining the position of the object in the image relative to the wireless device may be accomplished using a rangefinder and compass, triangulation of multiple images of the object, or a stereoscopic camera. The accuracy of the GPS position fix may be improved by capturing images of recognizable objects for which location coordinates are available.
US09429430B2
A course creation support apparatus includes an acquisition module configured to acquire at least one of area information indicative of an area and landmark information indicative of a landmark, an identification module configured to identify a component of a circuit course based on the information acquired by the acquisition module, and a creation module configured to create a circuit course includes the component identified by the identification module.
US09429427B2
This invention relates to inductive inertial sensors employing a magnetic drive and/or sense architecture. In embodiments, translational gyroscopes utilize a conductive coil made to vibrate in a first dimension as a function of a time varying current driven through the coil in the presence of a magnetic field. Sense coils register an inductance that varies as a function of an angular velocity in a second dimension. In embodiments, the vibrating coil causes first and second mutual inductances in the sense coils to deviate from each other as a function of the angular velocity. In embodiments, self-inductances associated with a pair of meandering coils vary as a function of an angular velocity in a second dimension. In embodiments, package build-up layers are utilized to fabricate the inductive inertial sensors, enabling package-level integrated inertial sensing advantageous in small form factor computing platforms, such as mobile devices.
US09429424B2
A right angle square includes a right isosceles triangle shaped right angle square with three sides. The three sides comprise a pitch edge, a hypotenuse, and another side. The right angle square also has a closed and arced angular measurement tube extending along a portion of a circumferential arc between the non-hypotenuse sides and the tube contains a fluid and a bubble that moved through the fluid. The right angle square also has a measurement scale. When the pitch edge is aligned against a slope to be measured, the bubble rises to the highest point in the tube, and the bubble is aligned on the measurement scale at a point along the measurement scale corresponding to the slope being measured.
US09429423B2
A ranging apparatus includes a body, a substrate on which a sensor unit is mounted and fitted to a surface of the body, a sensor holder attached to the surface of the body and configured to hold the substrate, a lens unit attached to another surface of the body, and a positioning mechanism to position and connect the body, the surface and the sensor holder. The positioning mechanism includes first and second engaging parts which are provided between the body and the substrate and configured to engage the body and the substrate, and third and fourth engaging parts which are provided between the substrate and the sensor holder and configured to engage the substrate and the sensor holder. The first and second engaging parts are different in shape, and the third and fourth engaging parts are different in shape.
US09429419B2
A system is described for tracking a position of a receiver medium as it travels along a media path. A heat source provides heat to the receiver medium in a localized area sufficient to permanently deform the receiver medium to form a reference mark. A light source illuminates the receiver medium, and a sensor is used to sense light from the light source that is transmitted through the receiver medium or reflected from the receiver medium thereby providing a sensed light level signal. The sensed light level signal is analyzed to determine a position of the receiver medium by detecting a change in the sensed light level signal that is characteristic of the physical deformation associated with the reference mark.
US09429417B2
A method for receiving user inputs in a system comprising a projector and a camera is provided. The method is based on determining an object's height above a reference surface. A surface map is used for mapping a location on the reference surface and a corresponding location in a camera-captured image having a view of the reference surface. In particular, a camera-observed shadow length, i.e. a length of the object's shadow observable by the camera, estimated by using the surface map, is used to compute the object's height above the reference surface (a Z coordinate). Whether or not the object touches the reference surface is also obtainable. After an XY coordinate is estimated, a 3D coordinate of the object is obtained. By computing a time sequence of 3D coordinates, the motional information, such as velocity and acceleration, is obtainable.
US09429408B1
A fluid-jet-generating container for a flowable material includes a one-piece open-ended body having eight sides and eight corners. Each of the eight corners is defined by a V-notch such that the open-ended body may define a collapsed state when the eight sides are disposed in two parallel planes, and may define a configured state with the eight sides arranged to define an open-ended U-shaped trough. End caps are sealed to the opposing ends of the open-ended body in its configured state.
US09429407B2
One embodiment of the present invention provides a polymeric ammunition comprising: a substantially cylindrical insert; a substantially cylindrical polymeric middle body comprising a substantially cylindrical polymeric bullet-end opposite a substantially cylindrical polymeric coupling end connected by a powder chamber, wherein the substantially cylindrical polymeric coupling end extends over the substantially cylindrical coupling element and covers an circumferential surface and into the primer flash hole aperture to form a primer flash hole; and a substantially cylindrical open-ended polymeric bullet-end component connected to the substantially cylindrical polymeric bullet-end and opposite a bullet-end aperture; a propellant at least partially filling the powder chamber; a primer inserted into the primer flash hole aperture; and a bullet frictionally fitted in the bullet-end aperture, wherein the primer, the propellant and the bullet form a sealed propellant chamber.
US09429394B2
A fabric for protecting a wearer thereof from an energy weapon. The fabric is made of a plurality of coupled strands. Each strand is made from staple fibers. At least 30% of the staple fibers are an electrically conductive material for conducting electric current from an energy weapon that contacts or is adjacent to the fabric.
US09429391B2
A kit for fitting a handwheel to a focussing control of a rifle scope is used to enlarge a focussing ring of the control, without having to remove the focussing ring from the control. The handwheel is secured by a headed bolt to a projecting stub shaft. The handwheel has a side plate supporting an outer rim that has a plurality of peripheral indentations to assist turning of the handwheel. The side plate has a central hole and a hub that projects axially from the side plate and defines a bore for receiving the stub shaft. The outer diameter of the hub is received within an outer end portion of the focussing ring. The hub has at least one abutment that co-operates with the stub shaft to inhibit relative rotational movement. A cap bolt extends through the hole to engage the stub shaft and secure the handwheel t the control.
US09429389B1
Described herein is a multifunctional case that can be used for protecting and preventing unauthorized use of different types and sizes of objects, weapons, firearms, or other items. In one embodiment, the multifunctional case includes a first shell and a second shell that is coupled to the first shell. A locking mechanism is coupled to the first shell. An external handle (e.g., handle that is external to the multifunctional case) is coupled to the locking mechanism and causes the locking mechanism to lock and unlock the first and second shells of the multifunctional case based on movement of the handle. The multifunctional case is securely locked and unlocked with no external clips or latches.
US09429381B1
A firearm mounting bracket assembly includes an assembly mount bracket; an assembly mounting mechanism carried by the assembly mount bracket; and an accessory rail adaptor including an adaptor body carried by the assembly mount bracket, the adaptor body having a firearm attachment surface; an adaptor roller carried by the adaptor body adjacent to the firearm attachment surface; and an adaptor flange carried by the adaptor body adjacent to the firearm attachment surface and in spaced-apart relationship to the adaptor roller, the adaptor flange selectively moveable relative to the adaptor roller.
US09429380B1
Embodiments of a firearm suppressor with a heat anodization treatment are disclosed herein. According to various embodiments, the firearm suppressor with a heat anodization treatment can include a firearm suppressor housing. The firearm suppressor housing can include an outer surface, an inner cavity, and an attachment mechanism that attaches the firearm suppressor housing to a barrel of a firearm. The firearm suppressor housing also can be treated with a heat anodization process to create a design that is a part of the firearm suppressor housing.
US09429379B2
Semi-automatic rimfire rifles have a frame, a bolt operable to reciprocate within the frame, the bolt defining a bolt axis, the bolt defining a firing pin passage, a first firing pin portion received within at least a first portion of the firing pin passage, a second firing pin portion separate from the first firing pin portion received within at least a second portion of the firing pin passage, and the first firing pin portion being operable to contact the second firing pin portion such that the second firing pin portion discharges a cartridge in response to the first firing pin portion being struck by a hammer. The first firing pin portion may define a first firing pin axis aligned with the bolt axis. The second firing pin portion may have a nose portion that is offset from the bolt axis extending away from the first firing pin portion.
